Suddenly, it sounded like the rain out there got a even harder. No, it was the door opening. A late guest? I didn't expect anyone any more. All reservations had shown up already and the few left-over rooms had been snapped up a few hours ago, after which I switched off the "vacancy" sign. All the guests were in their rooms, it was just not the kind of weather or the hour to go out.
I looked away from the TV and towards the door, curious as to who came in. I see a small, slender figure entering the doorway, wrapped inside a long and rather wet looking coat carrying a small suitcase. Wet dark hair hanging in her face, sticking to her cheeks.
"Good evening," I said.
"Good evening," she answered timidly. "I hope you have a place for me to stay."
She looked at me with dull eyes. Her pretty face soaked, water dripping off her coat forming a small puddle on the ground.
"I'm sorry, we're full. No vacancy," I reluctantly told her. I hate having to send a girl off, alone, in this horrible weather.
"Oh," she said. "I guessed so much already. Everyone is full tonight. Trade fair, huh?"
"Indeed."
"I've been to like a dozen places already, they all told me the same. You're the last, really nothing you can do?"
She looked like she was about to cry. I couldn't tell if her eyes were getting wet, as she was totally soaked already.
"I'm sorry. All rooms here are taken. But why don't you get rid of that wet coat, take a seat, let me at least get you a cup of coffee, and I'll think of what we can do."
"Thanks."
I turned around and walked around to the pantry to fix her a cup of coffee. Instant, that's all I had, but it's better than nothing I figured. It gets me through my day at least. Now what to do with this girl? I knew all the other hotels and guest houses would be full. A major trade show in town that week, so everything was full. The places that are not, you really don't want to stay, I for one at least would consider to stay at hotel Under the Bridge rather than to pay for those places. A single girl who doesn't exactly looks rich, well, I wouldn't recommend either to. Yet she's in my lobby. Now my hostel isn't that deluxe either, I do pride myself on keeping it clean, using cotton sheets, and other such basics. After all, I live there myself, too.
With a cup of coffee in my hand I returned to the lobby. She was sitting on the sofa as suggested, her coat on the table next to it, and jumped up the moment I got in. I swallowed. Damn, she looked hot. Tight t-shirt with pretty low neck showing off a pretty decent rack and the top of her cleavage. A slim waist, form fitting jeans on her slender legs. Damn, girl, why do you have to do that? No need to get up. I'm sure you look good enough when you're sitting, and at least I can keep my thoughts sane that way.
"Here, your coffee." I swallowed again, trying to keep my gaze from dropping to her chest.
"Thanks."
She sat down again. I noticed that the top of her shirt was wet, as was the bottom of her jeans and her shoes. My eyes were again drawn to her chest, tightly packed in her shirt. Those tits were just too good not too look at. Round and full, a bit fuller than I would expect on her slim frame. I managed to unlock my eyes and looked at her face again, hoping she didn't catch me staring. But then, if she didn't want her tits to be stared at, she shouldn't have dressed like that.
"Didn't you know about the fair?"
"No, I didn't. I also didn't plan on staying in this city tonight. But my bus got a flat, took an hour or two to replace, and I missed my connection. Next bus leaves tomorrow, around seven in the evening. Another ten, twelve hour ride and I'm back home. Glad they did accept to rebook me, as it wasn't my fault that I missed it, or I'd have another problem on my hands as I can hardly afford a cheap hotel room, let alone a room and a new ticket."
She looked at her coffee, warming her hands.
"Thanks for the coffee. I've been walking in the rain for like an hour now, but no-one would help me. I... Could I maybe... if you don't mind... stay here tonight? I mean, just sitting on the sofa. Sleeping a bit maybe. I won't disturb anyone, I just... just don't know where else I could go and as you say everything is full."
She looked up at me with teary eyes.
"OK, you can stay," I answered.
She smiled thankfully. So beautiful, that smile. For a moment, our eyes locked. Big, grey-blue eyes. They fit so well with her pale skin, framed with her long, straight black hair. She'd definitely be part of quite some fantasies to come. But not now. When she's gone, first I have to get through the night properly.
"But you can't stay on the sofa."
Her expression changed from delight into surprise.
"There may still be other people coming in tonight, looking for rooms. There may be guests checking out early tomorrow. So I can't have you sleep here."
"But?"
"This hotel is also my home, I have a room right behind the counter. Saves the cost of an overnight desk staff, who most of the time has nothing to do anyway. You can get it, I'll charge you the normal overnight rate, and I'll stay here."
I felt crazy, offering my room to a walk-in guest. I had never done that before, but just couldn't send this pretty, frail looking girl back onto the streets. In the rain. With nowhere else to go. Her face was a mix of thankfulness, delight, and confusion. She was also obviously surprised by the offer, and didn't know what to think of it. Happy to have a place to stay, worried about it being my private room.
"But... I can't just take your bed, that's too much. I'm just looking for a place to stay, not to take someone's place."
Ignoring her objections, I continued, "It's got a shower, you look like you need that. It's late. I was about to turn in myself, so I'm going to grab something more comfortable to sleep in, have a shower, brush my teeth, and after that the room is all yours. If anyone needs me they'll find me. I don't want them to find a random stranger sleeping on the sofa."
"OK... if you insist..."
"Don't worry about it. I'm fine. I'm glad I can help you out. Do you have any dry clothes?"
