This is a copyrighted original work of fiction. All rights reserved.
All characters featured herein are at least eighteen years of age, even if not expressly stated. Any resemblance between actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.
Many thanks to Michael B for the fine editing work.
Many thanks to blackrandl for organizing and including me in the Literotica Writers Go West event.
This work may not be copied or distributed without the exclusive written permission of this author.
*
Through the window at the airport boarding lounge I watched the vehicle hauling luggage trollies collide with the loading hatch on the side of the jet. Just great, a delay. Over the next few minutes there were lots of flashing lights next to the plane. My late-night flight from Omaha's Eppley Airfield to New York's LaGuardia was eventually cancelled.
No other flights to NYC were available that night. Not from any carrier.
I did notice the good-looking woman standing behind me in line at the Delta counter. She had a thick mane of black hair, Rolling Stones luscious red lips and probably too much makeup.
The airline gave me chits for an overnight stay at the Islington Hotel, airline limo rides to and from and promised to have me on a rescheduled flight first thing the next morning.
"The Islington Hotel?"
"It's new. It's quite nice," said the clerk.
"Okay." I rolled my eyes at the young lady.
I saw luscious lips again as I waited to collect my suitcase at the now almost deserted baggage carousel area. She was very shapely. About my age, late forties. Nice legs. Red high heels to match those gorgeous lips.
Outside I waited in line again for my limo to pull up.
"Care to share a limo?" It was her. "I happen to know you're going to the Islington too."
"Sure, why not."
"I'm Darla." She held out her hand. There were numerous rings on her fingers and manicured red nails.
"Ray Harris, nice to meet you." Her hand was warm to the touch.
"I just hate it when shit like this happens," I said to Darla as I climbed into the back of the limo, "I'm totally screwed for tomorrow."
"Yeah but people understand, it happens to everyone who travels," she answered smiling. She had a lovely particular mid-western accent which I came to know was unique to rural Nebraska.
"I suppose, but it's so damn annoying," I answered.
"I hear you."
"I've a meeting at 10:00 am in Manhattan. They're just going to carry on without me. At best I'll get there as the meeting breaks up. If it runs late."
"So?"
"I'm being paid to be there. Now I can't do my job."
"Oh. So what is it that you do for a living?" she asked, clearly not adding...that's so important.
"Err, I'm a...I'm in the cattle industry."
"Oh, you're a cowboy." Her expressive big brown eyes seemed surprised. "You don't look the part."
I had to laugh, "No I guess don't."
"I mean, you aren't wearing the right clothes. No boots, no hat. And you don't have the accent."
"I'm Canadian. We have cows in Canada too you know."
"Still..."
I chuckled, "No I'm not a cowboy, but fundamentally I still look after animal welfare, albeit, in a lawyerly way."
"So, cattle need lawyers now?"
"Canadian cattle do, that's for sure. Certainly, with the latest political trade posturing."
Darla was laughing, "So what do the cattle pay you with then?"
"Ha! Well let me tell you this, there's a lot of bullshit in the cattle business. I get my fair of that."
She laughed. We were pulling up to the hotel. It looked okay. Not big. Nothing in Omaha is, except the sky.
"Tell me Darla, without me prying...New York?"
"My little sister summoned me. She needs her big sister's shoulder to cry on. Again." She smiled at me sardonically. The limo pulled up to the front door.
I let her check in first. I watched her fine looking ass in her tight skirt and calf muscles flex as I stood behind her at the desk, waiting in line. She had me keep an eye on her bag while I checked in myself. She nipped off to the tuck shop which was seemingly just about to close.
We rode up in the elevator together.
She had room 604. I had room 606, right next to her at the end of the hall.
I locked the door behind me and safety chained it as I stepped inside. The room was standard, nicely decorated. The Islington did a great job. Free WiFi. Nice flat screen TV. King sized bed, nice mattress. Coffee maker. Mini fridge stocked with booze and drinks. I couldn't complain. Except, that I was going to be hours late in New York the next day thanks to the idiot loading the jet airliner.
There was a locked common door between Darla's room and mine.
I took a hot shower. It was nice, the water pressure was great. Steamy hot water battered my skin giving me some respite after the airport ordeal and my whole Omaha crazy cattleman's meetings day in general.
"What the fuck?" I said out loud to myself as I stepped out of the shower. Written with finger on the steamed up mirror was EAT ME.
Who the fuck broke in while I was having a shower?
I quickly dressed in the white hotel bathrobe, half expecting to confront someone in the room itself.
There was no one there. The door to the hall was still locked and chained. The common one to Darla's room was still locked too.
What the fuck?
As I dried myself off, suddenly from under the door to Darla's room a folded piece of paper slipped into my room.
Drink and a bite?
D.
I opened the door just to find another one behind it. I knocked on that one.
Darla opened it. She had removed her jacket and was wearing a white blouse with pearl necklace. Nice tits; was my immediate reaction. Her shoes were off.