This is my entry for the Annual Summer Lovin' contest.
I hope you enjoy it!
I was on a business trip in Virginia Beach in August just over two years ago. Normally this would have been a terrible time of year to visit. I expected the weather to be bloody hot, removing any pleasure from enjoying the beach. I'm of Scottish descent, born to immigrants from Greenock. My skin is white and overly freckled. I sunburn with a thought. SPF 50 is my friend. I was in VB for a week and opted before I left to remain for the weekend after a long week of meetings. The weather was unseasonably cool and overcast and I was thankful.
When I arrived at the Marriot on the beachfront, I was pleasantly surprised to be given an upgrade to their Presidential Suite. This was a prime time for the Marriot, but my loyalty point status and an empty suite had upgraded me. I thanked them and spent a week in meetings and relaxing during the evenings in the large spacious room with a king bed. It had a massive living room, full kitchen, and a bathroom that could fit ten people inside, with five in the shower.
I ordered room service most nights to continue working uninterrupted; finalising PowerPoint presentations and researching topics. I spent time on the small balcony and smoked too many cigarettes. I had bought a few bottles of wine and every evening I relaxed on the balcony, smoked and drank wine. The week passed quickly, and I wrapped up on the Friday at lunch. I drove back the hotel, parked outside and sauntered into the lobby. I grabbed a coffee at the small café and pushed the button for the elevator. I was still dressed in my business suit, but with my tie loosened and the top button undone.
I'm a skinny fellow. Shaved bald to hide my typical male pattern baldness. I sport a goatee with a few grey hairs on the chin. I used to run half-marathons, but continuous leg injuries had put a stop to it the year before. But I was still reasonably fit. I had a backpack slung over my right shoulder and I was watching the numbers on the two elevators remain stuck up on floor ten. I was startled when a voice spoke beside me.
"Damn. They seem stuck," said a lovely female voice. The accent was all-American and I glanced to my left to see a woman about my age, forty-something, and a few inches shorter than me. She had thick dirty blond hair and she pulled back her hair and tucked it behind her right ear.
She was very pleasant to look at. She had a little middle-aged spread happening, but she was aging very well. Her breast stood out firm, straining her business blouse. She wore a short professional skirt, navy blue, that revealed long fit legs descending into no-nonsense black pumps. Her ass looked lovely. A little bit wide, but still firm and fit. She was a very nice package. She carried a massive shoulder bag. It hung off her left shoulder and looked heavy.
She kept her eyes locked on the elevator numbers. I glanced at them. They were both still stuck on ten.
"Looks like we are stuck here," I said and smiled at her. She turned her face to look at me and smiled. Her eyes were sparkling and hazel. Her lips were glossed and full. Her nose was a little wide, but overall she was a beautiful woman in her own right. I found her very attractive.
"The elevators here suck," she said.
"Seems that way," I replied and looked back at the elevator numbers, one was finally moving down.
"You sound Canadian," she said.
I smiled at her, "Right in one. You sound Virginian."
She nodded. "Yup. Business?" she asked.
"Right in one, again," I laughed. "Are our accents that noticeable?"
She laughed and placed a hand on my upper arm. "Yes, they are. All 'aboot' and 'eh'. Hard to hide."
I faked a look of afront. I was enjoying her hand on my arm. "We never say 'aboot'. We say a-bout." I enunciated the word and dragged it out. "Not 'a-boot', we say 'a-bout'."
"Nope," she laughed, and I liked how her face became so animated and alive when she laughed. She removed her hand and I felt its absence.
"You just arriving?" I asked. I didn't see any bags.
"Oh, no. I've been here all week."
"Oh? So have I. I haven't seen you."
She put on a wry look. "You stalking the lobby?"
I realised how my comment must have sounded and my very white face burned hot.
She chuckled. "Ooh, you blush so easily. I was just fucking with you."
I laughed but felt a little uncomfortable.
"Sorry, I say the worst things."
"No, no. It's all right." She looked up into my eyes searching for something. I held her gaze and for the first time thought of having sex with this lovely woman.
The elevator dinged loudly and startled both of us. We looked at the doors as they split open. I held out my hand and beckoned for her to enter first.
"Such a gentlemen," she said and walked in. I followed in behind her. She pushed the sixth floor and asked me which floor I needed, her hand hovering over the panel.
"Eleven," I said.
She hesitated and then pushed eleven. The floor lit up and she turned to put her back to the elevator wall. "Eleven? That's the suites."
"Yeah, they upgraded me to the Presidential Suite."
"Ooh. Are you the president?" she laughed.
"Well the first name is right."
"Donald?"
I nodded and she laughed. She held out a hand and I grasped it. "Kelly. Nice to meet you, President Donald." We shook once and laughed. I liked the feel of her hand in mine. I was reluctant to let go, but did before it got weird.
"I promise I'm nicer than that asshole."
"Easy to manage," she joked.
The elevator rose quickly and dinged at the sixth floor. The doors opened and Kelly looked annoyed to me before she moved between them. She was about to step out when she looked back at me. "Very nice to meet you, Donald. Are you leaving Virginia Beach soon?"
"No, I opted to stay for some rest and relaxation. I fly out on Tuesday morning from Reagan."
Her face lit up and she smiled more broadly. "Me too! I mean, I leave Tuesday morning."
She hesitated a moment and then stepped out. The doors started to close and she spoke quickly into the gap. "Maybe I'll see you around the hotel this weekend."
"Maybe!" I said just as the doors closed. Idiot, I chastised myself. She was hitting on you. You just blew it.
Then the male part of my brain whispered to me: she's here all weekend.
I smiled and watched the elevator numbers rush upwards.
* * *
I took a quick shower to rinse the sweat and fatigue from the day away. I loved the massive shower. It had two shower heads and one of those rainwater heads over the middle. It was deluge inside and I adored it. Freshened up I had a smoke on the balcony and enjoyed a glass of red. I was tired of hotel food and thought perhaps I should walk the main street and find a restaurant. And maybe grab a nice glass of Irish whiskey. I used to drink scotch but an American co-worker, proud of his sixth generation removed Irish heritage had converted me to Irish whiskey. It was smoother and easier to drink.
I dressed in casual grey slacks and a white casual shirt. The evenings grew quite cool for the time of year and I got cold so very easy. Contrary to being a Canadian, I hated the cold. I looked myself over in the mirror and thought I was passable. I don't think I'm a very attractive man. I'm skinny, bald, and freckled. I shrugged and grabbed my wallet, phone and smokes. I left the room and headed to the elevators.
I pushed down and waited. The lift arrived empty and I entered and pressed the lobby button. The elevator descended and then stopped at the sixth floor. Please, I murmured to myself. The doors opened and a young man and woman with loud kids got on wearing swimming gear. The kids were all excited about using the pool and were practically screeching at each other about just how much fun it was going to be. The father caught my eye and he looked apologetic. He also looked exhausted. So did his wife. I smiled at him and he nodded back.
The elevator hit the lobby and the doors opened. The kids poured out, getting louder and the parents followed behind telling them to keep the noise down. I exited and watched them disappear down a hallway. I was disappointed that Kelly hadn't got on the elevator. My fantasies are being crushed early, I thought. I took one step toward the bar and saw her. She was seated at a booth beside the bar. She was sitting so she could see the elevator, I was sure of that. As soon as I looked her way she waved at me. She looked inordinately pleased with herself.
