I knock on the door of his hotel room, quickly, lightly. I wait, my heart beating. He opens it, and smiles down at me, crinkling his blue eyes. I feel a familiar warmth low in my stomach, seeping down to between my thighs.
I'm reminded of the times we've walked past each other, how my heart beat just that much faster and my breathing quickened when I saw him. How many of those were chance encounters and how many were by design? By him? Or unconsciously by me?
I take a deep breath and walk in, aware of him close behind me. I'm wearing a tight, dark pink satin dress. I turn around to see him watching me intently.
"I've been in the shower," he says, gesturing to his robe. "Do you want a drink?" I've only ever seen him in a suit before, sharp and sleek. I have a sudden vision of him scrubbing his back, soap running between his arse cheeks and down his thighs and I feel myself redden. Even though he knows exactly what I'm here for.
"Yes," I say. My throat is dry and it comes out as a stammer, uncertain. Not exactly how I intended. I look out the floor-to-ceiling windows, across the city. I can see my apartment from here, but I feel far away, a little disassociated.
He can see I'm nervous. He pours me a glass of wine and starts a light, conversational patter - what's been in the news, stories about mutual acquaintances. He glosses over certain topics adroitly. We haven't had a proper conversation before, not really, but he's funny and interesting tonight, expert at putting people at ease. I start to relax, to breathe more easily, especially after the wine kicks in. He reminds me of a horse trainer, whispering softly to his new acquisition to calm her down.