A Fare To Remember

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  “The furnace?” She looked at him in dazed incomprehension.

  He was only marginally more able to analyze the situation. Slowly he disengaged his fingers. He couldn’t be expected to make any sense while he was touching her so intimately. With contact like that, his primitive brain took control.

  “The furnace,” he said again. “The desk clerk said something about furnace noise being a slight problem down here.”

  “A slight problem?” She looked indignant. “That sounds like a train hurtling through a subway tunnel!”

  “There’s a sexual image for you.” He kind of liked it. She could be the tunnel and he could be the train. Maybe they could work with that later.

  “Come on, Zach. We’re expected to sleep with that going on?”

  He couldn’t help it. That made him laugh. “It won’t be a problem.”

  “Why not?” She appeared ready to demand a different room.

  “We’re not going to sleep.”

  “Oh.” She relaxed back against the cement wall. “I suppose you have a point there.”

  “And there’s another advantage to that noisy furnace.”

  “There is?”

  “We can make all the damn noise we want here in the basement. In a place like New York, where everyone is so packed together, that’s a luxury.”

  She nodded and reached down to pick up her dress. “Okay, then. Let’s you and me go make some noise.”

  He followed her down the hall, a song in his heart and tension in his groin. He was more than ready to make some noise.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  NO MATTER HOW THIS ALL turned out, Hannah would never forget having a climax in the basement of a New York City hotel. Or walking down the hall wearing only her panties and her necklace while she carried her dress and her bra over one arm. She wasn’t sure why Zach had changed his mind about spending the night with her, but she was very happy that he had.

  “Got a key?” he asked as they approached 25B.

  “Somewhere.” She had to search the depths of her purse until she finally found the envelope with the key card in it. Not long ago she’d been embarrassed because the hotel personnel had seen her seduction scene, complete with nightie and condoms. After her basement climax, being caught with a nightie and condoms seemed like small potatoes.

  Still, she was curious as to how they’d transferred her belongings and whether they’d taken the trouble to put things back the way they’d found them. She opened the door, not sure what she’d find on the other side. For sure it wouldn’t be a suite with a view, but as Zach had mentioned, there were advantages to being in the basement cohabitating with a large and noisy furnace.

  As the door swung open, it almost hit the bed. Or, more accurately, the twin-size daybed as illuminated by the light from the hall.

  “It’s a closet!” Zach said.

  “Want to complain?”

  “I’m too horny to complain. Don’t tell me those are mints on the pillow.”

  “No. They’re my condoms.”

  “Yours?” He turned to gaze at her. “You had condoms, too?”

  “Laid out on the pillow, exactly as you see there. Only it was a pillow on a huge bed. We’ve been down-sized.” Now that she’d had a most wonderful orgasm, she was beginning to see the humor in the situation.

  “I suppose it doesn’t matter.” Zach peered into the room. “I mean, when we have sex, either I’ll be on top of you or vice versa.”

  “Maybe there’s a trundle.”

  “We’re not going there. One of us would end up falling through the crack. Or some significant body part could end up getting caught in the crack. Guys have nightmares about that kind of thing. Better one small but solid mattress, than one that could split at the most inopportune moment.”

  “It’s pitch dark in there. Before we go in and close the door, we’d better turn on a light.” She reached inside the doorway and found a switch on the wall. When she flicked it on, an overhead light revealed them both reflected in a giant mirror on the wall behind the daybed. “Yikes!” She looked so…naked.

  “I like it.”

  “I’m not sure I do.” She found it disconcerting, staring at herself wearing only a necklace and a pair of panties. “I guess the mirror is to make up for the lack of a window.”

  “I have a different theory.” Zach continued to gaze appreciatively at Hannah’s reflection.

  “If you think it’s a two-way mirror, I’m so outta here!” Hannah held her dress protectively in front of her.

  “No, no, not a two-way. I think it’s here to provide fun and games for any members of the staff who are so inclined.”

  “You think?”

  “I do. And it beats the hell out of a break room.”

  Hannah peered around the edge of the door to make sure there was a bathroom included. There was, although it was about the size of one in an airplane. “So we stay?”

  “Hell, yes, we stay. That mirror closes the deal for me.” Zach pulled her inside and shut the door. Then he started unbuttoning his shirt. “We stay and we get naked.”

  “I pretty much am already.”

  “So I noticed. Naked looks great on you, by the way.”

  She reached for her nightie. “I’d planned to waltz around the suite wearing this.” She’d hoped to make an entrance. Now that he’d seen most of what she had to offer, her entrance might be a little anticlimactic.

  He paused in the act of taking off his shirt. “I remember that. When you picked it out at the resale shop I almost swallowed my tongue.”

  That decided her. Maybe she had one good entrance left. “I’m going into the bathroom to put it on. I want to see if I can make you do that again.”

  The bathroom scored low for maneuverability, but because she only had to take off her necklace and panties, she was dolled up in the nightie and matching thong in no time. She stood on tiptoe, trying to see the effect in the medicine cabinet mirror.

  The skimpy black thong barely covered the subject, and the sheer black top was strictly for effect. It disguised nothing. Trimmed in soft black fur around the scooped neck and the hem, it hung to the tops of her thighs. Ties at the neck ended in black furry pom-poms that bounced as she walked. Wearing the outfit, she felt like a very bad girl, indeed.

  When she walked back into the room, she discovered she’d paired up with a bad boy who was obviously eager for some action. He’d thrown back the covers and was propped up on the bed watching the bathroom doorway. She’d always thought he looked good in his clothes, but he looked way better out of them.

  He’d taken off everything except a pair of skimpy navy briefs. From the sizable bulge there, she guessed that would be a package well worth unwrapping. She was so busy staring at his nicely sculpted pecs and impressive six-pack that she forgot about her planned entrance.

  But he hadn’t. He let out a low whistle. That prompted her to pose, just a little, and he responded with a playful growl.

  She thought of the soft lighting she’d arranged in the suite and glanced up at the overhead light glaring down at them. “This place has about as much atmosphere as a hospital operating room.”

  His voice was low and husky. “So let’s play doctor.”

  Suddenly the bright light, the mirrors and the tiny, soundproof room took on a whole new emphasis. She and Zach were starring in their own X-rated video. Excitement rolled through her, arousing her in ways she hadn’t known she could be aroused. She wanted to do wild things, erotic things.

  “Bring that good stuff on over,” he murmured.

  “That won’t take long.” In three strides she was beside the bed. “Here I am.”

  “Yeah. So you are.” His hungry gaze raked over her as his hand closed on her arm and he urged her closer. “Come on down here, you.”

  She climbed on the bed, straddling his thighs and bracing her arms on either side of his shoulders as she leaned forward. “Like this?”

  “That’s good.” He cupped her head and brought h
er closer until their lips almost touched. “How I want you,” he whispered right before he kissed her.

  The kiss was so hot that she wondered if she could come simply from the persuasive movement of his lips against hers. He made love to her mouth, telling her in no uncertain terms what he had in mind.

  By doing that, he gave her ideas of her own. Breaking away from his mesmerizing kiss wasn’t easy, but she had other uses for her mouth. Sliding it over his chin, she began a slow, deliberate journey. The furnace came on again, but she barely registered the noise blasting through the basement and hammering at their door.

  He groaned and combed his fingers through her hair. “Hannah…”

  “Enjoy.” With the furnace rumbling just down the hall, she paid tribute to his muscled chest and felt his body tighten under the pressure of her lips and tongue. Heart racing, she kissed the hard planes of his stomach, inching her body lower on the bed. Then she caught the elastic of his briefs in her teeth, and he gasped.

  She would have loved to pull the briefs off using only her teeth, but she ended up needing both hands to finish the job. By then Zach was breathing very fast, and once she’d uncovered him in all his glory, so was she. He was magnificent.

  With her first taste, he began to quake. He gripped her head and tried to hold her back. “I can’t… I might not be able to…control…”

  “Sure you will.”

  “I don’t know.” But his grip relaxed.

  “You will.” She licked the underside of his penis. “Because you don’t want me to stop.”

  The furnace grew quiet, but Zach groaned loudly, filling the silence. “No, I don’t want you to stop. But I…oh…ooooh.”

  “Good?” She closed her mouth over the quivering tip.

  “You have no idea.”

  She glanced up and saw that his eyes were squeezed shut. “Don’t you want to watch in the mirror?” She would never have dared make that kind of suggestion before tonight, but tonight she was more daring, more ready for sexual adventure.

  “Can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “I’ll come for sure.”

  “Chicken.” Then she picked up one of the furry pom-poms dangling from her nightie and began to stroke his balls.

  He yelled and nearly came off the bed. “Hannah! That’s…”

  “Nice?”

  “Fantastic.” He moaned. “I love it.”

  Music to her ears. She wanted him to remember this night for a very long time, because she certainly would. She continued her sweet torture until the ache inside her and the moisture gathering between her thighs were impossible to ignore. There was only one remedy, and she was looking at it.

  Easing back to the head of the bed, she nibbled on Zach’s ear. “Where did you put those packets?”

  He reached behind the mound of pillows and silently produced one. “I can-”

  “I know you can. But I want to.” She ripped open the package and took out the condom. Her fingers shook, and he was trembling, too, but she got him suited up at last. Then she pulled her nightie over her head and threw it on the floor. Her black thong followed.

  When she glanced back at him, his eyes were open and he was watching her, his chest heaving.

  “I’m taking the top this time,” she murmured.

  “Take what you want.” His voice sounded strangled. “I’m…desperate.”

  So was she. Swinging one leg over him, she braced both palms on his chest and looked into his eyes as she lowered herself, taking his penis deeper, and deeper yet. Oh, yes.

  His eyes darkened as he grasped her hips, his fingers flexing. “So…good.”

  She nodded. Then slowly she turned her head, so she could see their reflected image. What a rush. She’d never have believed how beautiful the two of them would look, their bodies glowing with shared passion.

  Zach turned his head, too, and their glances locked in the mirror.

  Watching his eyes, she began to move. Being able to see the heat in his gaze and the rhythmic movement of their bodies hurtled her toward a climax faster than she could have imagined. The image blurred as she came, crying out with abandon, knowing no one could hear her.

  But he didn’t follow her down that path. His laugh was triumphant and very male as he urged her on, inserting one hand between them to massage her throbbing clit. “I want another one, louder than that!”

  Faster and faster they bucked against the narrow mattress. Her hair flew out around her, and her breasts bobbed with every thrust.

  The furnace kicked on again, as if to add to the energy swirling through the room, and she obliged him with another orgasm, this one noisier than the first.

  “There!” he cried. “Ah, Hannah, now!” And he bellowed with satisfaction as his own climax surged through him.

  At the force of it, they both nearly toppled off the bed. Hannah saved them both by making a grab for the headboard. Laughter and moans of pleasure mingled as they collapsed against each other and clung to the sides of the small bed.

  Zach gulped for air. “This is the best damn hotel room I’ve ever been in.”

  “No kidding.” Hannah snuggled against him. “Who needs a suite?”

  “Not us.” Zach held her tight. “We have all we need right here.”

  She did, that was for sure. “I can’t believe you almost went home tonight.”

  “Me, neither.” He stroked her back for several long, sensuous moments. Finally he spoke again. “Hannah, I want you to come down to the office tomorrow morning.”

  That startled her. Not exactly pillow talk. “Look, forget what I said about your boss. I’m sure he’s terrific, and I should never have-”

  “It’s not about that. I want to introduce you to Ed. He…might have exactly the publishing contact you need.”

  How strange. Ed, the guy who’d been kicked out of the corner office. “Okay. That would be great.” Something was going on here, but she wasn’t sure exactly what.

  She didn’t have time to think about it, either, because it turned out Zach had a very short recovery time. And the furnace was rumbling again…

  IN THE MORNING ZACH suggested they order room service, his treat, just to see if anybody could find them down in the basement. To his surprise, the service was speedier than usual, and he ended up giving them a sizable tip for being so prompt. The staff seemed to know exactly where 25B was, which validated his suspicion that it was a rendezvous point.

  After breakfast he longed to hang around for more fun and games, but he needed to make sure he got to the office on time so he could talk with Ed. “You know where to go, right?” he asked for the fourth time as he finished dressing.

  “I know exactly where to go.” She’d taken a shower and washed her hair, so she sat on the bed with one towel wrapped around her wet hair and the other barely concealing her lush body.

  He deserved a medal for keeping his hands off her. “I just want to make sure.”

  She smiled. “I’m new to town, but I’m reasonably intelligent.”

  So was he, but all his intelligence threatened to abandon him when she smiled like that. She was so incredibly beautiful, and spending the night with her had convinced him that he would never find anyone so special if he searched for a million years. But she wasn’t in the market for a commitment, and he might soon be unworthy of making one.

  “Zach, are you okay?” She stood and walked over to him, which only took two steps in the tiny room.

  “Yeah.” He gave in to temptation and pulled her close. Just a few moments, to carry him through. No telling when he’d ever be able to hold her again. Life could get complicated after today.

  She put her arms around his neck and the towel came undone. “You spaced out there for a minute.”

  He saw the towel slip and deliberately raised his glance to her face. “You sitting there in a towel would make any man space out. And now the towel arrangement is getting dicey.” He held her tight and gazed into those dancing brown eyes. He was in love with
her, and he couldn’t say a word. “Another few seconds and I can’t be responsible for what happens.”

  “It’s not my fault. The towels are skimpy.”

  He leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. So sweet. So very sweet. “I bribed the front desk to make sure they stocked the tiny ones in this room.”

  “You keep talking like that and I’ll think you arranged to have me kicked out of the suite, just so we could end up here.”

  “I can’t take credit.” One more little taste of her mouth. Just one. “But it turned out to be a most excellent place to spend the night.”

  “Uh-huh.” She nibbled on his lower lip.

  “I have to go.” That sounded very unconvincing.

  “I know.” She kissed his chin. “Mmm. My razor did a pretty decent job.”

  He forced himself to think about the conversation with Ed, the one that could mean all the difference to her. A night of wild sex was all well and good, but an intro to the right people in the publishing business was what she really needed.

  “I really am leaving.” He cupped her face in both hands. “But before I go, I want you to know…last night was…” He couldn’t find the words.

  “For me, too.” She reached up and brushed a lock of hair off his forehead. “Maybe we can do it again sometime.” She grinned. “Like tonight.”

  “That would be great.” He wasn’t about to tell her how different his life could be by tonight.

  She frowned. “You look uneasy, Zach. Don’t worry. I’m not trying to tie you down. I don’t picture us on the dash of Mario’s cab, or anything like that.”

  And he did, he realized with a jolt. It wasn’t fair to her, considering that she’d only just arrived, and he might not be a good candidate. But the idea of being added to Mario’s rogue’s gallery had become very appealing in the past twelve hours.

  He couldn’t say that. “I know you don’t. I was thinking about the time. It’s late, and I really have to leave.” He kissed her hard and backed away.