The Truth of Yesterday

by Josh Aterovis

  The man arched an eyebrow. “Yes, indeed it is. Are you a participant in the conference?”

  “Oh, um, yes. I'm staying here too,” I added just to be safe. I provided our room number which did seem to make a little impression. I could almost read his mind; at least I hadn't crept in from the streets.

  “Could I be of assistance to you; show you to the correct conference room, perhaps?” He paused meaningfully and then sprung his trap. “Which conference are you here for?”

  Crap! There was more than one? Or was it a trick question? I hadn't even thought to check to see what conference Knox was attending. Had Sharla told me? No, I didn't think so.

  “The, uh, one for salesmen,” I said lamely.

  “Ah, yes, that one,” he said. He seemed a little disappointed that I'd come up with an acceptable, if not particularly intelligent, answer. Being thought dim was preferable to being thrown out peremptorily on my rear, however. “It's right this way, follow me.”

  He walked briskly past me and around the corner. I couldn't very well refuse to follow him, not if I wanted to get out of this with attracting little attention as possible, so I stepped around the corner as well. Knox was nowhere in sight. I decided to risk a question.

  “Are there other conferences going on this weekend?”

  My guide gave me an irritated look. “No, this is the only one.”

  So it had been a trick question. I could tell he didn't appreciate having to admit that, but at least now I knew where Knox was. I was ushered through one of the doors and was immediately grateful that it was dim inside, most of the lighting being focused on a man at the front of the room on a raised dais. It was evident that the first meeting had already begun.

  “If you haven't registered yet to receive your name badge, please don't forget to do so as soon as our introductory session is over,” the man was saying. At least my lack of a name badge wouldn't be too obvious, I thought as I nodded my thanks to the guy who'd led me in and took a seat on the back row.

  As my eyes adjusted to the dimness, I scanned the room for my quarry. I spotted his sandy blonde hair about halfway towards the front. At least I could keep an eye on him now, even if it did mean sitting through a few boring speeches.

  And boring they were. By the time eight o'clock rolled around, I was struggling just to keep my eyes from slamming shut. When they stopped for a break, I slipped down in my seat while Knox walked by. I couldn't believe they were actually starting back up for yet another two hours tonight in just half an hour. I wanted to cry at the very thought.

  I stood up and stretched before slipping out into the hall with the last of the stragglers. I found Knox at the registration table picking up his name badge. Registration was a casual affair at this point, most people had already signed in, and the remainder of the badges and conference kits were simply sitting on the table with the names on them. That gave me an idea. I decided a little camouflage couldn't hurt, and as soon as Knox moved away from the table, I sidled by way over and picked up one of the remaining badges and kits at random.

  I moved into a corner out of the way and looked to see who I would be for the rest of the evening. Tim Jeffrey. Just what I'd always wanted; two first names. Now I just had to hope that Tim wasn't in attendance and that no one who ran into me knew Mr. Jeffrey. I clipped the tag onto my sweater and stayed out of the way until everyone filed back into the hall. Knox never left my sight.

  The rest of the conference offered nothing to recommend. By the time the last speaker finished up, I was approaching a comatose state. I was startled into full alertness by the polite applause he received as he stepped off the platform. He was replaced a moment later by the man who'd been giving directions when I'd first entered.

  “That's all for this evening,” he said, sounding about as awake as I felt. “We'll see you all back here in the morning at eight-thirty. And don't forget the complimentary continental breakfast.”

  I groaned inwardly as everyone stood and began to make their way towards the doors. That meant I'd have to be up long before that so I could keep an eye on old Knox. And God only knew when I would be getting to bed tonight.

  I watched Knox walk past, waited while a few more people went by, then stood, and followed. I melted into a group of men talking amongst themselves about their plans for the rest of the evening and not paying attention to much else. I waited until Knox had disappeared around the corner before separating myself from their group and trailing after him. He went directly to the elevator, which in turn went directly to his floor. With a resigned sigh, I took the stairs back up and arrived just in time to see his door closing.

  I took my post again, sitting in one of the rather uncomfortable chairs in the alcove, and prepared to wait. Two hours later, it was becoming increasingly obvious that Knox was in for the night and I was definitely having trouble staying awake. I decided to risk returning to our room for the remainder of the night. I would just set the alarm clock I'd brought along early enough to be back in place in what I was beginning to think of as my own private alcove long before Knox arose in the morning. While I wasn't exactly thrilled at the prospect of getting up that early, and after so little sleep, but what choice did I have? It was all part of the job.

  I rode the elevator down to our floor and let myself into the room as quietly as I could in case Micah was asleep. He was. Once my eyes adjusted to the near darkness, I could make him out in the dim light that was creeping in around the curtains. He was lying in the bed, arms thrown over his head, and the blankets pushed down to his waist. I saw a sliver of the band of his boxers showing and my eyes slowly followed up his chest, silvered by the light so that he looked eerily like a white marble statue, handsome and perfect. I felt my breath catch in my throat. His face was so still and peaceful, I was so struck by his beauty that I felt my throat close up and a tear roll down my cheek. I was supposed to sleep with that?

  I felt a hint of panic rising in my chest and fought it down. What was I so scared of? I loved Micah, didn't I? I knew I did. And I knew he loved me. So what was my hang-up? Objectively, I knew that at least part of it was simply the fact that I was a virgin. I had no idea what I was supposed to do, or how to do it. I didn't want to look like an idiot. I wanted it to be perfect and wonderful and just the way it always was in the stories. The matter wasn't helped by the fact that I knew making love to Micah would break down the last of any walls I was managing to keep up between us. Once those walls were gone, I'd be completely vulnerable, something I hadn't thought I'd ever want to be with another person. Suddenly, as I stood there watching him sleep, I wasn't so sure anymore. Being vulnerable with Micah was suddenly starting to sound almost inviting-especially if that involved being naked with him under those sheets...

  I pushed that thought quickly out of my head, or tried to anyway. You're working, I reminded myself sharply. You promised Novak that you wouldn't let yourself be distracted by having Micah along.

  That was all well and good, but I felt a stirring in my groin just looking at him. I turned quickly and set the alarm clock for an ungodly hour. I slipped out of my clothes and into the sheets, ignoring my erection as best I could. Micah never stirred. Either he was in a very deep sleep or he was still mad at me from earlier. I couldn't blame him if he was. I'd acted like a royal prick.

  I raised myself up onto my elbow so I could see his face clearly again. I wanted to reach out and touch his face. I wanted to feel his body next to mine, skin against skin. I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to shake him awake and make love to him. I didn't do any of these things though. I just laid there and watched him sleep until my eyes refused to stay open any longer.

  * * *

  All too soon, I was awakened by the rude blaring of the alarm clock. For a few confused seconds I couldn't remember where I was or why my alarm was going off when it was still pitch black. Then I felt Micah stirring beside me and it all came back to me.

  I fumbled with the clock, finally managing to get it turned off. I so did not
want to get up. I forced myself into a sitting position with my legs dangling off the edge of the bed. I sat like that while I tried to wake up enough to think clearly.

  “What time is it?” Micah asked.

  “Too early,” I mumbled.

  I was trying to summon the energy to stand up when I felt his hand slide across my back, warm and slightly rough. I felt a shiver ripple through me. I suddenly felt very awake.

  “I didn't even hear you come in last night,” he said.

  “I didn't want to wake you.”

  “I wish you had.” I felt him sit up behind me and a second hand joined the first in its exploration of my back.

  “I should go. I need to make sure I'm in place before Knox gets up,” I said, but I didn't move. I felt paralyzed by the touch of his hands. He slid them up my sides and across my shoulders as another chill went through my body. He leaned in close to me, I could feel the heat from his chest so close to my back as his hands slid over my shoulders and down my chest.

  “God, Killian, you're so beautiful,” he whispered into my ear, echoing my thoughts about him from just a few hours ago.

  He began to kiss my neck and it felt like fire spreading throughout my body. I heard a little whimper and realized it was me. He gently pulled against my shoulders, pulling me against his body. I melted into him, all thoughts of work completely gone now. I was lost in the moment.

  I tipped my head so that I could look into his eyes. Even in the darkness, I could see the love there…and the hunger. His lips met mine and I twisted my body so that we could kiss comfortably. The kiss, starting out as a soft pressure, quickly heated up. I felt Micah maneuver himself and slowly lower me to the bed with him on top, where we continued to kiss. I felt something poking me in the side and realized it was Micah and that I was undoubtedly doing some poking of my own. Meanwhile, Micah hands were all over me, sliding up my sides, down my legs, across any skin he could reach. I'd never felt anything like it, I felt electrified. My breath was coming in gasps now.

  Micah slowly pulled back and looked down on me.

  “I love you,” he said softly.

  “I love you too,” I answered, truthfully and without hesitation.

  He leaned in for another kiss, but this one ended quickly as he moved his lips down to my throat and began kissing me there. My body arched underneath him in response, and he slowly moved his lips down my chest and then to my stomach. My mind was whirling among the clouds but it was brought quickly back to earth when I felt Micah's hands slide into the band of my boxers.

  “Micah,” I gasped, panic in my voice, as I grabbed his wrists.

  “What is it Killian?” he asked in a tortured voice. “You know I love you and I know you love me. What's wrong?”

  “I…I'm scared,” I whispered.

  The look in his eyes softened as his hand gently stroked my cheek. “I promise I won't hurt you,” he said, his voice so sincere I couldn't doubt him for a minute.

  “It's not that, not anymore,” I said feeling so stupid, “It's just that I…I don't know what to do.”

  The sweetest smile spread across his face as he leaned in and kissed me. “Don't worry about a thing, beautiful,” he said as he pulled back. “I'll show you everything you need to know.”

  Chapter 6

  Wow. That was about the most coherent thought I could muster for a while following what had turned out to be the most amazing experience of my life. Of course, I wasn't particularly trying to be coherent; I was simply basking in the afterglow of our lovemaking.

  Wow, I thought again, except I must have said it out loud that second time since Micah chuckled.

  “I wish you would stay that easy to impress,” he said with soft teasing. My head was resting in the hollow between his shoulder and his neck, his arms wrapped around me, and our legs intertwined.

  “Just make me feel like that every time and I'll stay impressed,” I murmured into the soft skin at the base of his throat. His hands stroked my back gently, causing goose bumps to rise up...among other things.

  Micah laughed. “You can't be ready to go again already,” he said in mock exasperation.

  “Tell him that,” I said, trying not to blush and failing miserably.

  “Hey, I'm not complaining but I'm not as young as you are. I need a little time to recover.”

  “Oh yeah, you're so ancient. You're what, five years older than me?”

  “Something like that.”

  I sat up and looked down into his eyes. He was just as beautiful in the golden early-morning sunlight that was sneaking in around the curtains as he'd been in the moonlight. “Ok, old man, I'll give you time to recover. You get ten whole seconds before I ravage you. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six...”

  “God!” Micah laughed, grabbing me and pulling me down on top of him, “I've created a monster.”

  “...five, four, three...”

  “Is this what our relationship is going to become now?”

  “...two...hey, you asked for it, mister...one.” I swung my leg over him as I leaned down and cut off his retort with a deeply passionate kiss. His response was almost immediate. “See?” I breathed, “That wasn't so hard now, was it?”

  Micah choked down another laugh. “Don't you have work to do?” he asked.

  “Oh, shit!” I yelled, sitting up so suddenly the room actually spun for a second. I frantically searched the room visually for the clock, but couldn't find it at first. Finally, I realized that one of the pillows had been thrown over it at some point. I yanked it off and let out a yelp.

  “I'm late!” I squealed as I leapt up and began running aimlessly around the room searching for clothes. Micah sat up in the bed and watched me with a bemused expression.

  “Killian, calm down,” he said in a maddeningly reasonable voice.

  “Calm down?” I screeched. “Easy for you to say. You're not the one who probably just blew his whole case.”

  “You don't know that you've blown anything,” Micah pointed out, then with an evil grin he added, “Except me, of course.”

  I stopped in my tracks long enough to glare at him. Grin still in place, he slipped out of bed, picked up my pants and held them out to me. “You're a great detective, Killian,” he said. “If this guy is cheating you'll find out one way or another.”

  I dressed quickly and started for the door. Micah caught my arm on my way by him and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. “Good luck, Kill. I love you.”

  I stopped long enough to give him a real kiss goodbye. “I love you too,” I told him as I dashed out of the room.

  I took the stairs two at a time and practically burst onto the floor Knox was staying on. The hallway was completely empty. I glanced at my watch. Knox was already in the conference. I couldn't believe how much time had gone by since the alarm went off this morning. How could I have been so careless? And after I'd promised Novak not to get distracted. I was furious with myself.

  Suddenly, an idea began to form in my devious little mind. If Knox was busy with the conference until noon, now was the perfect time to search his room. The only problem was I didn't have the first clue about how to get in there. If I could get his keycard somehow, or slip in while they were cleaning his room... Of course, those things probably only worked in movies and books. Novak had never given me any lessons on breaking and entering. Being a retired cop, he generally shunned such lawless tactics. I, on the other hand, had no such qualms. Whatever gets the job done; that's my motto. If only I had the know-how.

  A careful perusal of the hall showed me to be alone, so I approached Knox's room to get a better look at the door. It pretty much looked tamper-proof, at least to my amateur eyes. I wondered how anyone broke into these types of door these days. They must have some sort of Bond type gadget, a card that deciphers the door code or something. I tried the handle on the off-chance it was open. No such luck.

  I pressed my ear against the door, thinking that maybe the cleaning lady was in there and I could convince her this was my room
and I'd locked my card inside. To my complete and utter surprise, I felt it swing open as soon as my ear touched the cold surface and I almost stumbled into a woman wearing a white fluffy robe on the other side of the door. I straightened up quickly and tried desperately to think of some excuse. Why didn't I have one ready like Novak had told me?

  “Hang on,” the brassy blonde barked into the cell phone she had pressed against one ear. “Do you work here?” she demanded in a high-pitched whine.

  “Yes,” I said, thrilled that she'd saved me the trouble of coming up with a cover story. I took a closer look at her. If she was in a bathrobe, she probably wasn't on the cleaning staff. It looked like this was the proof I needed that Knox was cheating on his wife. I'd met Mrs. Knox and this, quite definitely, was not her. This woman had to be his mistress, but I needed to be sure.