A Cyber Affair

by Lonz Cook

  “No, it isn’t. I’m on an adventure,” Tiffany grinned.

  “Adventures are good, regardless of the result,” he nodded and then added, “I mean, you had to have something exciting happen to get you on the plane.”

  “I did, but I am not sure how it’s going to turn out.”

  “Are you afraid of gambling?”

  “I took a gamble getting this far, so I guess I’m not.”

  “You know, the stakes are higher when you face something outside of your comfort zone. Don’t worry. Vegas has a way of making things right.”

  “You really mean the cliché about whatever happens in Vegas?”

  “No, I mean there is so much to do that if something bad happens, there is always an opportunity to turn it around. No matter what happens, I think you can bounce back.”

  “I bet you’re right.”

  “Trust me. I’ve been to Vegas a few times. Each trip, I got to do something special. It doesn’t matter why you’re going. You’ll be fine, so relax and enjoy the ride.”

  Tiffany’s flight arrived on time. She deplaned and followed the signs to Baggage Claim - Ground Transportation. She felt good about being able to physically view Manny first, but her nervous excitement gave her butterflies. Will he impress me as I think or will I regret traveling? Those insecure thoughts - kidnap, rape, murder - traveled around her mind like the luggage on the baggage claim carousel. Tiffany sat in front of several slot machines that gave her a direct view of the escalator to baggage claim. She was glad they decided to meet at the airport. Tiffany felt confident it was better than meeting at the hotel, because she worried if Manny didn’t meet her expectations, at least being at the airport would give her some sense of security. She was confident the airport offered a way of retreat if her gut told her to escape. If Manny doesn’t resemble his pictures or the person on Skype, I can leave on a return flight. Or, if I don’t feel thrilled or connected, then fun in Las Vegas is my alternative, or I can leave on a return flight.

  She kept cool and searched for Manny’s features, on every man who descended on the escalator. She touched her brow, pushed her hair back with her hand, and again tapped the floor with her right heel like a nervous twitch. She knew her confidence would not have been a concern if they were going on a date in San Francisco, but a rendezvous at McCarran International Airport, was an extreme step outside of her comfort zone. Tiffany and Manny had agreed Vegas lessened the risk of being influenced by any of their friends, and Las Vegas offered all types of venues which they felt reduced the hardship on them to amuse each other, had they stayed in a secluded location; if either ended alone.

  Not long after she arrived and while waiting for Manny’s arrival, Tiffany bought coffee from the Starbucks and joined the crowd gathered around the baggage claim and blended in. She stood near the slot machines and peeked through slits for her match; positioned herself in case she had to move. Tiffany knew Manny was the same person she’d gotten to know and knew her worry was unnecessary. After all, we agreed to meet for a great reason. That confirmation squelched her uneasy feeling and settled to an internal smile. She again recalled multiple conversations that led to this day, and recognized his presence gave her a chance to settle curiosity. Even with reservations and insecurities, it was her apprehension that kept her alert. She stood and stared at the escalator with coffee in hand, ready to grab her bag, to either sprint to the exit or move towards him. She remembered their last Skype video conversation...

  Hi, Manny answered, as he responded to Tiffany’s call from the Skype window he had left opened on his laptop.

  I’m glad you’re home. How was your day? Tiffany inquired.

  Pretty good, but now it’s exciting.

  Oh, really? Tiffany smiled because she knew exactly what came next. It was a dream having a guy who considered her to be promising.

  You know why. It’s because I’m finally getting to see you.

  Yeah, I’m feeling the same way; glad I caught you online. It’s been a long day, even longer since we haven’t talked to each other. I’m so glad we’re meeting soon; one day and counting. I can’t wait. I mean, seeing you online is one thing, but the idea of finally being in your arms excites me. I’m arriving early at the San Fran airport to make sure I don’t miss the flight. We’ll have a great time.

  I’ll be there with a huge smile.” Manny paused before adding. “I can’t wait to see you, Sweetie.

  The memory made Tiffany smile.!

  Chapter 35

  Manny’s flight arrived at the terminal as scheduled. It took an additional five minutes for him to deplane because of terminal traffic. His airplane had to wait for another, to move from the terminal door. To Manny, it seemed like an hour because of his anxiety. Every second delayed his mission. He looked at his watch, grabbed his cell phone and announced his arrival to Tiffany via text. She responded, Waiting in baggage claim. He deplaned, maneuvering around the crowd as he walked into the terminal, went down a flight of stairs, caught a tram, and headed for the escalators to baggage claim. Manny saw a bathroom and decided to freshen up for his first impression. He brushed his teeth, ran his fingers through his hair, and tightened his shirt. Manny flashed to his past events in preparation for a Navy inspection and chuckled. He felt compelled to impress her with their first physical encounter. Not only did he want to make an impact on their first sighting, he wanted Tiffany to be sexually aroused as they had earlier discussed. He left the bathroom with his carry-on luggage and waited in line at the downward escalator. When he got to the bottom of the moving stairs, he looked for any sign of her. He’d hoped she’d stand out in the crowd. To his disappointment she was nowhere in sight. His cell phone rang and he answered, “Hello.”

  Before revealing her presence, Tiffany confirmed it was Manny on the escalator. She scanned pictures they had shared through their cell phones. She compared those scattered pixels to his actual image - the fine man she saw online. Tiffany didn’t jump to meet him right away but instead called his cellular phone. She watched him respond as he rode the escalator. By the time he answered, Tiffany had tossed her coffee into the trashcan, put her phone into her purse, and walked towards him with a huge smile. “I wanted to make sure I wasn’t dreaming,” she confessed.

  He dropped his bag, turned his phone off, and hugged her tight, feeling her soft composition. He pressed his lips to her cheek, right at the corner of her mouth and held them there for an extended moment before pulling away. To Manny, Tiffany was not a vision of his imagination, instead she was everything he’d hoped for confirmed. This realization marked the moment as the highlight of his journey.

  “You know how to make a woman weak,” Tiffany said. She wanted to jump on him and settle the heated sensation her body felt, but managed to restrain and keep her composure.

  “When opportunity knocks, a good sailor shows up.” Manny smiled.

  Tiffany wasn’t surprised at the kiss, it was exactly as she had imagined. While they communicated for months, she fantasized the next time they kissed would be the proof he’s the one.

  “Come on, let’s go. We have things to do,” Tiffany smiled ear to ear.

  “Maybe you’d like another kiss.”

  “I would, but I’m not sure I’d stop if we start,” Tiffany winked.

  Manny smiled in agreement and pointed to the exit. “Let’s go.”

  He walked next to her, and placed his arm around her waist while he pulled his baggage. Once outside, Manny hailed a taxi and held her hand while they waited for the cab to stop in front of them. She wrapped her arm around his arm and placed her head on his shoulder. “I knew you’d feel like this,” she whispered.

  “Yeah, I thought the same thing.”

  Tiffany entered the cab first and took the seat behind the driver. When Manny followed, she pulled him close, and whispered, “We’re doing the right thing Manny.” Her mind reiterated, It is the right thing.

  Manny said, “Yes, we are.” He looked at her
with his piercing eyes, driving his passionate message to her soul. He leaned slowly towards her, closing his eyes, and pressed his lips upon hers. Tiffany’s heart raced and her she breathed raising her bust against his arm. His touch increased the burning flame of her desire, melting her will to stand strong against the odds of doing something raw and in the moment. She was surprised he didn’t press forward and his gentle kiss, made her want more. He kissed her again, increasing her desire.

  “Which hotel?” The cab driver looked in the rear view waiting for a response. Manny turned towards the driver taking his lips from Tiffany, “Oh, yeah, Treasure Island, right Tiffany?”

  “Yes, Treasure Island,” she sighed.

  Manny and Tiffany sat in silence, looking outward as the cab drove through the city.

  Tiffany looked at Manny while the driver maneuvered through traffic. “I’m happy we made it,” Tiffany stared at him, looking at his inviting eyes hoping he’d caught a glimpse of her heart.

  “So am I, Tiffany, so am I,” Manny moved his arm around Tiffany’s shoulder, “What’s on your mind?”

  “Can I be honest?” Tiffany paused, “I was nervous for a moment before you arrived. Now, I’m not nervous at all.”

  Manny winked with a smile. “I’m glad you aren’t nervous.”

  They arrived at Treasure Island, exited the cab, and followed the bellhop to the check-in counter. Manny looked at Tiffany and pressed her to check in first. He stood aside, sizing up Tiffany from head to toe, observing her full figure, and taking in her features.

  Tiffany stepped to the counter and reached for her cell phone, retrieving the reservation number. She spoke to the clerk, giving her the needed information.

  Manny stood patiently, allowing Tiffany enough room for privacy. He smiled whenever she turned to glance at him. She raised her key and stepped aside. “I’ll wait for you.”

  Manny checked in, got his room key and walked to her. “Are you ready?”

  “Sure,” Tiffany wasn’t hesitant, “Which room is yours?”

  “Should I tell a complete stranger my room number?” Manny laughed.

  Tiffany looked at him surprised. “I…”

  “…I’m only kidding…I’m in room 1622.”

  “How’d you get lucky for that kind of view?”

  “I don’t know,” Manny scanned the flowers display in the center of the casino, “Which floor are you?”

  “I’m on the 9th floor.”

  “Okay. Which room?”

  “909 is the number.”

  “Got it.”

  They walked to the elevators unaware of their surroundings. Smiling, he followed her into the elevator and pressed her floor number. He stood next to her avoiding contact with anyone else.

  “Hey, are you hungry?”

  “Not at the moment, but I’m sure I will be before long,” Tiffany looked to the floor, “That was a dumb response — everyone gets hungry sooner or later,” she paused before responding, “I think we could do something if you’d like.”

  “I would like to see some of the sites. I haven’t been here in years. Maybe we can catch a show tonight. Are you up to it?”

  “Of course. It’s why we’re here right?”

  “I’ll call you after I freshen up a bit.”

  “Sounds good,” Tiffany stepped off of the elevator and Manny followed in close proximity. He grabbed her luggage, “I’ll take this while you get your key,”

  “Okay,” Tiffany let go of her carry-on and opened her purse for the card key turning left instead of right from the elevator entrance. They walked down the hall opposite of her room number direction. “It’s the other way,” she laughed.

  “I guess we’re not paying much attention,” Manny laughed, “Is it me or is there a little nervous tension?”

  “Just a little, but I’m sure it makes sense.”

  “Perfectly good sense to me.”

  Tiffany stopped in front of the room door, sliding her key into the lock. “I’ll wait for your call.”

  “Yeah, sure, no problem. I shouldn’t take long.”

  “Okay.” Tiffany took her carry-on and watched him walk towards the elevator. “Damn, that man is…” Her cell phone rang and she quickly entered the room. “Hello?”

  “Girl, I’m waiting. How does he look? Is he anything like you imagined?” Valerie inquired.

  “I just got to the room.”

  “Is he with you?”

  “No, he’s gone to his room.”

  “His room? He isn’t sharing a room with you?”

  “He suggested we not share one, and I’m okay with it.”

  “Tell me, is he anything like you thought he’d be?”

  “Handsome, sexy, and most of all, a true gentleman.”

  “Is that it? Come on Tiffany, tell me if he’s worth it.”

  “I haven’t had time to find out Val. I’ll let you know.”

  Chapter 36

  Manny returned to the elevator pulling his carry-on behind him. He pushed the call button and stepped back to see which of two elevators will arrive. We can go to a Caesar’s Palace tonight. I know there’s a show for sure. If not, we can dance on Cleopatra’s Barge. Manny shook his head, Yeah, we can do that. She likes dancing. The elevator arrived going up and Manny got on. He pushed 16 and stepped to the rear. At his floor, he got off the elevator and turned left, following the room number scheme. Once in his room, he put the carry-on near the bathroom, and hung up his shirts and slacks. He pulled out his travel bag and grabbed his scented soap, shaving cream, and cologne, then positioned the razor next to the sink’s faucet. Manny looked into the mirror, rubbed his face and didn’t like feeling the stubble of his afternoon beard. He took his shirt off, hung it on the door, and put shaving cream in his hand. He turned the water on and with his left hand, he splashed his face. He applied the shaving cream to his face and carefully shaved.

  Ten minutes into his room, the room phone rang. He splashed his face with warm water and toweled dry on his way to the phone. “Hello?”

  “Hey, are you ready?”

  “Almost. Let me get my shirt on and I’ll be right down. We’re meeting in the lobby, right?”

  “Where in the lobby?”

  “I don’t know,” Manny paused remembering he hadn’t paid much attention to the hotel layout. “How about near the check-in counter.”

  “Good idea. I’ll be ready in five minutes.”

  “Aye, Aye, Skipper (a naval nickname for the person in charge).” Manny laughed as he placed the phone on the carrier.

  Tiffany put the phone on its base and walked in front of the mirror. She changed into a skirt from the pair of blue jeans she had worn during her flight. This works, she smiled, looking at her reflection in the tall mirror by the door.

  ***

  Manny returned to the bathroom, splashed his chest with cologne after spraying the inviting chemical on his face and then sprayed a mist of cologne on his shirt. This is good, he grinned while pushing his arm through one sleeve and quickly followed with the other. Manny didn’t tuck his shirt, but let it hang free over his torso. It wasn’t tight, but it did give onlookers a hint of what was beneath, if someone were lucky enough to open the buttons.

  After a quick once over, standing in front of the mirror, he touched-brushed his hair with his hand and nodded to himself confirming he was ready to move on. He walked to the elevator doors, pressed the down button and waited. Standing there in the hall, he remembered her tender voice during those nights of long conversations on Skype. He imagined knocking on her door, waiting for her soothing response to come from behind the doorway. Manny smiled just as the doors of the elevator opened. His smile evoked greetings from other guest riding the elevator. He walked in and instead of pressing the button for the lobby, he pressed 9. The doors closed and the elevator began its descent, stopping just once more before Manny’s exit. He paused in the hallway, trying to remember the direction to Tiffany’s
room after reading the room number schematic and turned right into the hallway. He walked slower than usual, yet his heart was beating as if he had started a cardio session. He counted steps to calm his nerves, I’ve done this a lot of times in my life, why is it so different?

  Manny stood at the door to room 909 and raised his fist to knock on the door. He took in a breath and allowed his hand to touch the cold barrier between him and the woman he traveled across the country to see. He knocked, two times and waited. He heard the faint tone of an angel on the other side, calling out to him.

  “Be right there,” Tiffany closed her toiletry kit and looked in the full bathroom mirror, smoothing her clothes and touching her hair. She clicked the bathroom light off as she pulled the door closed, then opened the room door without looking through the peephole. “Hi, didn’t you say we were meeting downstairs?” she smiled.

  “I thought it was better if I came to get you. Am I too early?”

  “No, you could never be too early,” Tiffany winked.

  “Are you ready?” Manny stood in the hallway and waited for her to accompany him to the elevators.

  “Let me get my purse,” Tiffany turned from the door. She grabbed her purse and room key from the dresser and turned to join the waiting hunk of a man. She stepped into the hallway and locked eyes with Manny, smiling from her soul.

  “All set?”

  “Yes, I’m ready. I don’t know what we’re doing but I trust you have something planned.”

  “No worries, I do have something planned,” Manny allowed her to move first. He followed her, glancing at her body, admiring her mature physique, imagining the touch he yearned to enjoy. He increased his pace, until they were walking abreast towards the elevators. His hand brushed hers and she grabbed it without hesitation. They didn’t speak yet their smiles said a million words.