Chapter 1 of a possible trilogy if well received. I would be delighted for your feedback.
I have been looking forward to this trip for months! Off to a physiotherapist conference for three days, finding out new ways I can help my clients. I am most interested in the speakers on day two as they will cover the more technical areas surrounding the shoulders and elbows. Though some would find this hard to sit through, I do love the complexity of the human body.
I am meeting a group of people at the airport, as we will be travelling together. Linda trained with me four years ago, and we have stayed in contact ever since, though we both now work for different businesses. Three of her colleagues will be joining us.
I find them outside the airport as I exit the taxi. Linda comes to meet me as I get my bags out.
'We beat you by 5 minutes!' She exclaims as she pulls me over to meet the others.
'Everyone, this is my friend Cora. Cora, this is Mark, June and Daniel.'
I shake each of their hands as we go through the formalities.
Linda is a lovely bouncy woman with her long brown hair tied back in a messy bun. She has a beautiful body, which I was always a little envious of while we were training. But between my family's predilection for hips and boobs, I would never be as svelte as she. However, I am very proud of my curvy body. My best asset is one hell of a firm and curvy backside. Not surprising as my favourite exercise is weighted squats.
Mark looks to be in his late forties, a touch of grey at his temples, and a lanky frame that belies the strength beneath. He is Linda's manager, but is still an active therapist himself.
June is a fresh young faced girl, who is still training to become a physiotherapist.
Then there is Daniel. I'm pretty sure I felt my heartbeat increase as soon as he looks at me. He is tall, and well-built. I can see that his shirt only just fits his muscly shoulders, and his hands are beautifully defined. He could give Michelangelo's David a run for his money.
But his eyes. Wow. He has amazing whisky-coloured eyes and beautifully long lashes. His laughter lines show that his smile is genuine. And his jet black hair looked tousled and unkempt, giving him a relaxed bed head look. My fingers are itching to run through his hair.
'Nice to meet you, Cora.' Damn, even his voice is starting to make me wet.
We head into the airport and check in, then go through security.
'Who's up for coffee?' I ask around.
The cafΓ© is pretty busy but we locate one empty round table. We all gather our drinks and head over to it. Though there are only 4 chairs, Mark gets a fifth one and we all shift around so we can squeeze in together. Daniel is on my left. His leg is touching mine, I can feel the heat coming off his body.
'The conference is in one of the convention rooms at the hotel, as you all know. So we can have a few drinks after and not have to worry about weaving our way back to our rooms!' Linda chimes. She is good at her job, but she is also good at downing vodka.
Mark gives her a mock frown.
'Remember we are on a work conference, and you are meant to be a role model for June.'
June giggles at that.
'What is your poison of choice, Cora?' Daniel asks, looking at me. Those whisky-coloured eyes again.
'I'm a sucker for tequila.' I respond. 'No party has properly started without a tequila sunrise. You?'
He smiles.
'I'm partial to a good bourbon.' Of course he does, I bet that is where he gets his eye colour from.
I can smell him too. His aftershave is subtle but so inviting. How nice it would be nestle my head against his neck and breathe in his scent. Focus, Cora! I bring my mind back to the conversation, discussing the different speakers and their particular areas of expertise.
The chatting goes on for another 45 minutes until our boarding call came. All this time, I am aware of Daniel's leg against mine, and the pressure every time one of us moves. As we get up to board, everyone checks their seat numbers. I am 16A, Daniel is 16B. He will be seated next to me for the next three hours. I feel warmth in my belly. Three more hours next to this man, oh hell yeah.
Once on the plane, I take my seat and smile up at him as he puts his bag in the overhead compartment. Yes, the movement of his body shows the strength held within. How good is he with that body? How good are his hands? I'm thinking professionally of course, and yet...
He sits down and we clip in. We make idle talk as the aircraft taxis out and takes off. We then chat again with Linda who is sitting in front of us. Eventually she turns back, pops her earphones in and starts watching her little screen.