I landed in North Carolina early Sunday morning. Past the head of the passenger next to me, I could see an orange glow on the horizon as sunlight started to stave off the dark of night. I used to like the window seat, but as I got older, I found that if I didn't have access to the aisle that I felt a consistent urge to pee. Probably psychosomatic, but my reality.
I pulled out my phone and shot off a quick text to my wife, Sarah, letting her know I'd landed and would be heading to the hotel hoping for an early check-in. I was surprised when my phone lit up immediately.
"Glad you're safe! Why don't you head to my sister's if you can't check in?"
"Will do. I'll try hotel first. Love you!" I quickly typed back. Although I would love to see my sister-in-law and of course Stacey, I wasn't quite ready to confront my emotions and the dilemma I had placed myself square in the middle of.
"Ok, let me know when you're at the hotel! Love U2!" Sarah responded.
I arrived at the hotel, and thankfully my rewards status and my frequent visits allowed them to provide a room for me early. I didn't think I could look Stacey's mom in the eyes right now and was worried that I would pay too much attention to Stacey and arouse suspicion.
Reaching my room, I pulled out my phone and gave my wife Sarah a call.
"Hi babe! I'm checked in and in my room."
"Hi hunny! That's great! What are you going to do today?" her cheerful voice responded.
"Not much, most likely. I'm going to go over my presentation a couple of times, maybe take a soak in the hot tub, grab an early dinner and get to bed early so I'm in top shape for tomorrow."
"That sounds like a plan! Rest and relax, you don't owe that company anything!"
"Ok, will do. Love you!"
"Love you too!" Sarah said, and I hit the end button on my phone.
I putzed around for a while, then headed down to the pool area and took a relaxing soak. I kept envisioning Stacey standing over me, reliving my last visit here. Finally, overheating, I dragged myself out and headed back up to my room.
I glanced at my phone again. Nothing.
I couldn't take anymore and with shaking hands picked up my phone and started to type out a message to Stacey. "Hope you're ok. Room 408 if you want to talk." I hesitated. I had two paths in front of me, one pulling back and trying to fix or forget what I'd done, the second was to compound my mistake, yet enjoy the company of my youthful vivacious niece.
Before I could stop myself I hit send.
I tried to revisit my presentation; I took a shower. Every 5 minutes I'd find myself checking my phone, but there was no response. I found myself experiencing sadness as I came to the conclusion that Stacey regretted what we'd done, or wanted it to stop and was afraid to see me and have to tell me herself.
Eventually I headed down and grabbed dinner from the restaurant in the lobby. I picked at my food, finding myself not very hungry, then headed back up to my room. It was still fairly early, but I had made sure to stay awake all day so that I could get to bed early. Usually that would help me with my jet lag and allow me to be semi-normal the next day.
Entering my room, I stripped down to my boxers and headed into the bathroom to brush my teeth. I had just finished rinsing when I heard a gently knock at the door. Stepping over, a peeked through the peephole and my breath caught as I saw Stacey's face looking at the door. I grabbed a robe out of the hall closet and put it on, then opened the door.
Stacey stood in front of me, fidgeting nervously, her face tipped down, her dark hair flowing over her shoulders and hiding her so that she didn't have to look me in the eye. She was wearing a peach t-shirt, her teenage breasts swelling against the surface. Her shirt ended right at her belly button, and she had on a pair of denim shorts that looked to be a size to small.
"Hi Uncle Mike." She said quietly.
"Hi doll, come on in!" I replied, holding the door open and letting her enter the room.
"I can just stay a few minutes." Stacey mumbled as she brushed past me. "My parents don't know I'm here and they'll wonder where I am if I'm gone too long." I closed the door behind us as Stacey walked down the hall into the main area of the hotel room and turned around.
"Uncle Mike..." she started again. I held up my hand and stopped her.
"Shhh..." I whispered. "It's ok. What happened happened, and we will be fine. You're a lovely woman and I am lucky to have had the chance to be with you. I hope you don't regret what happened, but I can assure you that you mean the world to me and I would hate myself I overstepped my bounds."
"I don't know what to think." Stacey sniffled. "I know it's wrong, but it's what I've wanted! I've been thinking about you all week, and it's driving me crazy!"
I pulled Stacey into my arms and hugged her tight. She nestled in against my chest and started to cry. I couldn't help but feel horrible that I had let it go this far. I reached up and grabbed her chin, tipping her face up towards mine. Stacey stopped crying, although there were still tears in her eyes and her lips were trembling. I kissed her right eye, then her left, tasting her salty tears on my tongue. Then I bent down, and gave her a gentle kiss on her lips, reassuring her.
Stacey looked at me for a second, then closed her eyes and kissed me back. As her lips touched mine I hesitated, then pushed back against her with more urgency. I could feel her chest pressed against me as she curled her arms up behind me, her hands on my shoulders pulling me tighter against her.
"We can't!" I gasped as we continued to kiss each other enthusiastically.
"I know!" she whispered back, refusing to release me from her grasp.
