The sunlight filtered through my thin eyelids, calling me to wake. I sighed and looked across the room. The shades had never been pulled shut, and a welcomed change in the Portland weather sent sunshine streaming through all six windows. I blinked a few times, trying to situate my left contact back into place.
It was a moment before I remembered why the shades had never been pulled shut or my contacts taken out. I rolled over onto my back with a groan.
I looked towards what should have been an empty spot on the bed to see the back of the man I had spent my night with. My eyes blurred from the contacts and the sun pained my head. Or maybe it was the alcohol?
I blinked back a few more times and scanned over Seth's back. He slumbered peacefully, the muscles in his back moving with his breaths. My eyes moved down, following the freckles down his back to the curve right above his ass- and Oh My God what an ass. How had I not noticed that before? I giggled lightly, and fought the urge to put my hand to my head.
Seth's hair was standing straight up in the back. There were scratches on his shoulders, and a bite/hickey on his right one. Slightly higher, right between his neck and collarbone were more teeth marks. I thought hard, trying to remember leaving the marks, but could only smile when I remembered digging my nails into his shoulders during my orgasm.
He was still here. Sleeping, but still here. I was still naked, and wondered if he had woken up before me only to fall back asleep. I needed to get changed and shower. When he woke up, I wouldn't want him to run away seeing 'morning Sandy'.
I slipped from bed, every inch of my body begging me not to. I heard Seth take a sharp inhale and shift slightly. I didn't turn towards him, but when his breathing returned to normal, I continued my journey off of the bed.
My legs seemed to creak as I straightened them. My back was on fire as it straightened also. I ran my hand through my hair, slightly stiff from product and sweat. I limped my way towards the bathroom. Between my legs, my most private parts were in agony. I felt as if I had been ripped apart and clumsily put back together.
I slowly shut the door, allowing only a small click to emit. Once inside I took a deep breath and grinned at myself in the mirror. My makeup had run the tiniest bit, my hair stood up as if it was teased, and my face was still rosy from the night. I didn't look much different. I don't know why I expected to look it, but at the same time I felt that I was glowing from the reflection.
I twisted the knob on the shower and climbed into the steamy goodness. The water drizzled down my body, healing the aching muscles. I lathered soap into my hair and felt the stinging between my legs as water found its way between the folds. I gasped a little bit, running my fingers down over the swollen skin. The tender stroking of my soapy fingers felt good as they massaged my sore lips.
I lathered conditioner into my hair. The water sprayed down onto my face. I thought of the night before and the sweet kisses from Seth's lips. They were so soft, warm, and passionate. My stomach rolled from excitement.
I heard the door click open and a throat clear. I froze. "Love?"
Seth's voice was even more tender than I remembered. I sighed at it, "yeah?"
"I'm late." He chuckled lightly. "I was supposed to be on the set a half an hour ago."
He was leaving. I caught my breath, trying to swallow back the inevitable. "Okay."
He sighed. Guilt? "So I have to get going." He paused. I waited to hear him leave but he spoke again, "Nicholas is going to bring Anna to the set. I left directions on the desk."
"Okay." I guess that meant I'd have to go get her.
"My number is on the pad too." I could hear the discomfort in his voice. I was guessing he was running his hand through his messy locks. I heard a light chuckle. "They're gonna kill me."
I waited for an explanation, when none came; I gave in, "Who will?"
"The makeup people." He chuckled again, "They'll see last night all over my face."
I slid the curtain open slightly. Still blinking back foggy contacts. Seth was leaning against the sink looking directly across at me. He was dressed, save the ugly flannel shirt. He looked very sexy staring back at me under thick eyelashes. I could see what he meant; his lips were swollen and rimmed with red. Under his eyes were dark circles, and my bite mark was slightly visible at the base of his throat.
His arms were folded in front of his chest, his forearms flexed in a sexy way. I smirked a little and when I looked back up he was too; his eyes smoldered me from across the steamy room.
His eyes traveled down very quickly, but I held the curtain close to my body. There was nothing for him to see except wet hair. He licked his lips and pushed himself up from the vanity. "I better go."
"Ok." I repeated. He didn't wave or even smile again, just shut the door behind him. I fought back the urge of tears. I was angry with myself. Always the typical woman, I had to have been hurt by the one-night stand. The tears fell slowly but mixed with the shower water. I was sad he had left, but I was mad at myself even more for being sad.
I shut the water off, telling myself that he was not worth the sadness. The hotel towel was soft against my sore limbs. I couldn't believe what a workout I had gotten with just one night with Seth. It felt as if I had been doing squats all night, just to land crotch first onto a hot iron poker.
As I slowly dressed myself, I wondered if it was a good idea to really go to the set. Seeing me might just make him regret the previous night more, and he might even be angry that I had showed up so quickly. Another possibility might have been that he was testing me to see how obsessed I would get with him so quickly.
No, men don't think that way.
I told myself. He
told
me to come to the set. He
said
that Anna would be meeting me there. After applying just the right amount of makeup, I remembered the directions on the desk that Seth had left me. I picked up the thin pad of paper with the Hilton's "H" logo. On it was a few lines of scratched out directions. On the bottom was a ten-digit phone number, area code included. Underneath that was his name.
I reread the directions and the number. There was no greeting and no farewell. I searched a third time for some sign of regret or congeniality. Nothing. The only hope I had was his phone number. Why would he leave his number, including area code, if he didn't want to hear from me? Maybe if I got lost I could call? But the directions seemed pretty precise. Take three rights after the highway and I'd be at the set entrance.
I ripped the paper from the pad and slid it into my purse. It wasn't until I got downstairs that I had realized our rental car was not in the parking lot. Since I had to go pick up Anna, I could only assume the
Elantra
was still sitting back at the bar. We weren't far but it was a good five blocks away.
I zipped up my down black jacket and braced myself against the nippy wind. The sun shown down onto my face and helped cut the sting, but the wind was still wintery.
I wasn't happy about the walk, but it did allow me some time to clear my head. So many things were weighing on my mind. Including the fact that I felt the eyes on me once more. I slowly looked around. The wind whipped my hair into my face. I spit it out, using the opportunity to shake my head in multiple directions and glance around for the leering eyes. Cars passed by, but no one was around to stare at me.
I heaved a heavy sigh and continued. Avoiding the crippling fear of being watched. Why hadn't I thought to ask Seth for a ride?
I spotted the bar and began to walk more swiftly towards it. Sure enough, the white
Elantra
was waiting for me, as if it was expecting my return this whole time. I unlocked the door- only the driver's side- many yards before I had reached the car. I slid into the seat, hardly opening the door more than my body, and locked the door as soon as I had it shut.
I glanced around again, feeling the tightening in my chest I usually felt after leaving the hotel. No one was around.
I shuddered at the eerie feelings that were draining from the car. Enclosed in the metal compartment I was safe from anyone who might attack me. If there was anyone out there...
I turned the ignition over and listened to the quieter sound of my car. While Seth's car might have been sleek and purred, this one was just comfortable and quiet. Perfect for sleeping while we drove long distances.
As I drove down the highway towards the exit Seth instructed me to get off, I thought about the nagging feeling that had been following me around this past week. The only time I had really felt safe was when Seth was with me. I sighed and wished that he were with me right now. Maybe I would see him at the set.
I slowed down in front of some barriers and a few guards. I knew this was the spot, but how was I supposed to get through? Seth hadn't left me instructions on that part. "Good morning, Miss." A large black man greeted me when I rolled down the window. His head was bald and shining from the warming sun. He must've been local, the wind barely seemed to register on his face, and his jacket was much lighter material than what I had on.
"Good Morning." Who should I ask for? Nicholas or Seth? "Has Seth gotten in yet?"
"Seth who, Miss?" He leaned down closer to my window.
Shit. I had never thought to ask him his last name. Suddenly the severity of my one-night stand was crashing down on me. I inhaled deeply. "Or Nicholas?" I had less chance to know Nicholas's last name. At least I had been close enough to Seth's pants to take a peek inside his wallet. I wish I had.
"Nicholas?" He wasn't buying my innocence.
I took a deep breath and leaned in towards him, speaking in a whisper. Maybe the truth was the best idea. Maybe not. "Honestly I'm not sure. My friend spent the night with Nicholas last night and I'm supposed to pick her up here."
The black guard smiled and stood up. He put his hands on his hips and looked around. A silver car was pulling up behind me, but I couldn't see who was inside. The windows were tinted. I could only hope that it was Nicholas. "I don't see your friend around here, Ma'am."
I rolled my eyes and laid my head back against the headrest.
