My name is Gina and I love to fly. But like everyone else, I hate it when there are delays. So that is how I found myself stuck in the Chicago airport. When I got to the departure gate, the notice was up... my flight had a 3 hour delay!!! I sighed and muttered "now what am I going to do?" I sat down in one of the chairs while I contemplated my next course of action. How was I going to kill 3 hours? I watched as several people arrived at the gate and realized their flight was delayed. They pretty much had the same response as I did.
I was watching when a really good looking man approached the gate. He was built just how I like my men to be. Medium height and built kind of like a soccer player, sleek muscles with not too much bulk. His hair was a medium brown and was long enough to brush his collar. I wondered what color his eyes were. I continued to watch him as he approached the gate and realized the flight was delayed. He looked disappointed and then his gaze traveled around the seating area. He caught me watching him and smiled at me. I meant to turn away but his smile was really something... his eyes lit up and he smiled with his whole face. He came over and asked me if I was supposed to be on this flight and I said I was. He introduced himself as Eric and I told him my name.
Now, I don't look like a Gina. I have light brown hair and blue eyes and very fair skin. Short, just over 5 feet tall with lots of curves. Eric looked like he was in his 30's and I am well into my 50's. I mentioned that I didn't know what to do now, since I had never been in the Chicago airport. Eric told me he traveled a lot and he knew of a bar near the gate that was casual and asked if I wanted to go there with him. I said sure, I'd be happy to check it out. I had hours to kill and talking to him and watching him smile was certainly better than reading a book.
The bar had tables in the back that were kind of cozy. Eric asked me if that was okay and I nodded yes. I guess it could be seen as intimate, but it just never occurred to me. I mean, I was so much older than he was... I never thought he would be coming on to me. I thought he was just being friendly. We talked about where we were from. I am from the east coast but Eric said he was from the Chicago area. I was making a connection whereas Eric was flying away from his home city. I've never spent anytime in Chicago, so I was interested in what it was like to live there.
We ordered drinks and an appetizer platter with a variety of finger foods. Eric was so easy to talk to, and soon we were chatting away like old friends. Suddenly Eric smiled (did I mention that he had a great smile?) and leaned towards me. He used his finger to wipe some sauce from the corner of my mouth and then proceeded to slowly lick and suck the sauce off his finger, all the while smiling with his beautiful green eyes. It was so sensual that I sure got an unexpected jolt!! I could feel myself starting to get hot and tingly. I started wondering if he might be interested in me. But he was so much younger than me and while I look good for my age, I"m certainly not slim and tight.
After we finished eating, we decided to go and check the status of our flight. As we walked to the gate, Eric asked if I would change my seat so we could sit together on the plane. I thought that was a great idea since we were getting along so well. When we got to the gate we changed our seats and sat down to wait for the boarding call. We had talked for so long at the bar that we only had to wait for a bit. Eric took my carry-on from me and motioned for me to precede him onto the plane. We were really lucky with the seating and were on a two seat row. I took the window seat and Eric took the aisle seat. He stowed our carry-ons up above and we settled down for the flight. With the delay, the flight had turned into a late night flight and I was really getting sleepy. I asked Eric if he minded if I took a nap. He said no, smiled and proceeded to push up the armrest between us.
"I make a great pillow, if you're interested." He lifted his arm and motioned for me to lean against his chest. I hesitated, and he gently said "Don't be shy.. I won't bite."
I decided it was only for the flight, so I snuggled up to his chest as he put his arm around me. He smelled so good, kind of clean and crisp. I didn't think I would be able to sleep, but I was so very tired. I guess I dozed off because the next thing I knew, Eric was telling me to wake up because we were starting our descent. I couldn't believe how well I slept and how comfortable and safe I felt in his arms. As I turned to thank him, he gave me a quick kiss on the lips. I looked up at him and gave him a quick kiss back. Then we both were smiling while we collected our belongings.
It's a funny thing when you meet someone for the first time. We had talked about our lives and growing up and family and pets and it seemed like we had talked about everything. But we never discussed where we were going, or why, or where we were staying. After we exited the plane, we stopped and looked at each other, realizing that this was probably goodbye. We didn't have any checked luggage to pick up so there was no real reason to stay in each others company. So there was that awkward moment of what to say or what to do.
"Do you want to go get something to eat?"
"Yes, that would be nice"
Problem solved... we went to grab a bite to eat.
We found only one restaurant left open and ordered sandwiches. Finally, I asked Eric why he had traveled to Colorado. "I've come to relax, enjoy the mountains and do a little site seeing. Every once in a while, I just need to get away from the city and de stress. Why did you come here?"
"I used to have friends that lived here, and I fell in love with the area. And actually, when I decided to get away, this was the first place I thought of visiting."
"Where are you staying?" we both asked at once.
Laughing, I told him I was staying at the Mountain View Lodge.
"Really? That's a big coincidence, because that's where I'm headed, too!"
I wasn't sure if that's where he really had reservations or not, or if it was a line, but we were having such a good time together, and maybe.... just maybe, I thought, this might turn into something fun.
We left the airport and caught the shuttle to the Lodge. At this point it was in the wee hours of the morning, and I was looking forward to collapsing in my room for a good nights sleep. Eric was the perfect gentleman. He carried my luggage and held doors for me. When we arrived at the Lodge, we went to check into our rooms.
"I'm sorry, but we don't have any rooms left." the man at the desk apologized to me.
"But my reservation was guaranteed to hold until my arrival, I have the reservation number and information right here!" I showed the man my papers and he excused himself to go and talk to the manager. Eric came over to say they hadn't held his room and he didn't know what he was going to do. The manager finally came out and looked at my reservation papers.
