This story is part of a series involving the same set of characters, which I wrote for a friend. They can be read separately, although they might make less sense that way. Ivan and Joanna met online, first corresponding by email and chat, then on the phone. Recently Ivan came over to visit Joanna in London...
******
Joanna and Ivan were heading back to the hotel from a restaurant. They were strolling along, chatting cosily when suddenly the London skies let loose one of their frequent rainstorms. Giant drops splattered to the pavement, slowly at first, then quickening to a real downpour. "Run!" Joanna shouted, and proceeded to follow her own suggestion. Ivan looked startled for a moment, but started running too.
As he overtook her Joanna realised her 2-inch heels were not shoes made for running. Luckily there was a shop awning just ahead and Joanna half-ran, half stumbled towards it. Ivan caught her and, as if by instinct, continued the movement, sweeping her into his arms. Joanna felt his warm lips on hers and then they were kissing, passionately, deeply. His hands ran up over her body, through her hair, as she curled herself against his warm body. The kiss was long, hard and full of promise...
Finally they released each other, still staying close. Ivan smiled down at Joanna, then swept her up in his arms. "I'd hate to see those cute little shoes ruined." he said as he carried her the remaining distance to the entrance of the hotel. The doormen seemed bemused as he gently put the soaking young woman back on her feet. He grasped her hand and led her to the lifts, stepping away briefly to get his key. The lift seemed to take hours to ascend two floors, the two staring into each other's eyes without speaking. If anybody else had attempted to step into the lift Joanna was sure they'd be halted by the thickness of the sexual tension within.
The doors dinged open, and Ivan led Joanna down to his room. Thankfully it was warm, and Joanna quickly discarded her sodden scarf and bag. Ivan flopped into a chair and pulled off his shoes. She shook her hair loose and looked down at Ivan, wondering what would happen next.
"I don't want to seem presumptuous, but I do have a little something in the fridge for us." Ivan's voice was muffled as he reached into the minibar, pulling out the bottle of champagne he'd put there that afternoon. He popped the cork and quickly poured out two glasses. Joanna smiled and padded over to take her glass.
"To an enjoyable visit?" she suggested.
"Absolutely!" Ivan answered as they toasted.
Joanna took a sip, and put her glass on the table. "And the first thing to help you enjoy this city would be to get dry again." Joanna reached across and started unbuttoning Ivan's shirt, softly kissing his chest as she uncovered it. Ivan stroked her hair with both hands, gently trying to remove some of the tangles caused by the rain. Joanna finished with the shirt and smiled at him, her warm fingers sliding down to unfasten his belt and trousers. Ivan shrugged off his shirt, then suddenly felt himself being propelled backwards by a gentle push. The back of his knees hit the bed and he tipped over onto the mattress. Joanna leant over him and slid off his trousers.