“They seem like nice men, don’t they?”
“Bill and Jim? Yes, they do, Sheryl. I bet they are nice men,” Stephen replied. “I could have enjoyed another drink with them, but we need to get ready for our night out.”
She smiled. “We sure do, darling.”
As they entered the hotel two room suite Osborn had reserved for them, Sheryl raised her eyebrows and said, “Hey, this is nice.” She turned to Stephen. “I’ll tell you what. It’s a fact women always take longer to get ready, so why don’t you get ready first? Then you can relax while I’m getting ready. Maybe you could watch TV or something. Okay?”
Stephen put the suitcase on the bed and opened it. Carefully removing his other suit, he hung it in the bathroom, turned on the hot water in the shower, walked out of the bathroom and closed the door. “That’ll get the wrinkles out.” He smiled. “It’ll be just like new.”
Sheryl sat down on the sofa while Stephen retrieved the rest of his things from the suitcase. He turned to her and said, “I’ll just jump into the shower myself.”
“It won’t get the wrinkles out.”
“Funny girl. You’re going to be fun tonight.” He winked and gave her a huge smile. “I can tell.”
Sheryl picked up the remote and turned on the TV. Channel surfing, she said, “Oh, we’ll have some fun all right, so don’t take too long.” She blew him a kiss.
After hanging up his jacket, he removed his tie and white shirt. He kicked his shoes off, removed his socks and went into the bathroom.
After a few minutes of listening to his off-key singing, Sheryl knocked on the bathroom door and called to him. “Sounds like you’re in a good mood.” She added, teasing, “Better stay that way.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Stephen asked, exiting the bathroom wrapped in a towel. Holding his second suit out to the side, he bowed to her. “The shower is all yours, my lady.”
“Why, thank you, sir. You are so kind.” She did a curtsy.
He finished dressing while she was in the bathroom. He found a TV news channel and put his shoes on. After a few minutes of TV, he glanced back over his shoulder. The bedroom door was closed. He hadn’t heard her come out of the bathroom, let alone close the door to the bedroom. I must be more engrossed in the news than I thought.
She was humming on the other side of the door, and he heard a couple of containers click as they were set down on the counter. He turned back to the TV.
Sometime later he heard a noise and started to turn around. “Don’t turn around. I’m opening the door for some air, but don’t look yet. I’ll let you know when I’m ready.”
“Yes, my dear. Your wish is my command.”
“And don’t you forget that.” She laughed. “You can bet I won’t, and I won’t let you forget either, mister.” She resumed her preparations but continued humming.
Stephen sat up straight without turning around. “Are we happy tonight?”
She stopped applying make-up long enough to walk over to the door and reply dramatically, “Dreadfully, dahling.” Stephen smiled and he heard her return to complete her duties.
Soon she stood in the doorway and tried to speak in a slow, sexy voice. “Stephen, my only love, would you be so kind as to help a lady with her necklace?”
He jumped up and turned to see her.
She stood there with one hand on her hip and slowly moved the other hand out to the side, holding a silver necklace. The stunning, short black dress clung to her as if painted on her body. The deep V-neck revealed just enough cleavage to capture attention. Tanned, shapely legs displayed below the dress also shared some of that attention. Her dark brown hair, styled magnificently, almost glowed as she tilted her head.
Not just pretty, she was gorgeous. Red lips shined against her light, smooth skin. Her fascinating soft brown eyes invited him to come closer. Her teasing smile beckoned him, almost daring him to touch her.
He couldn’t take his eyes off her. He was speechless. He tried to walk toward her, but stumbled on his first step. He quickly looked down to see where he was walking, then back at her. With a nervous smile, he motioned with his right hand toward his feet. “I .. uh.” He motioned some more. “I’m ... Sure. I’ll help you.”
He somehow managed to get to the doorway. She stood there. Her eyes never left his. Her smile enveloped him, caressed him. He stuck out his hand.
Still smiling, she raised one eyebrow and tilted her head down. Using just the one hand, she slid the necklace around his hand. Keeping their eyes locked as long as she could, she slowly turned her back to him.
He was surprised at the deep V in the back of the dress. He gently touched her back with his fingertips. She felt cool and calm.
Realizing he had been holding his breath, he exhaled slowly. He regained his voice. “Sheryl, you are so ─ so stunning. Absolutely gorgeous.”
With a low, soft voice she uttered, “Thank you, Stephen.”
Very carefully, he moved the necklace over her shoulder and around her neck. He was all thumbs, but managed to get the clasp fastened. “There.”
She put her hand up to it and looked down. She took one step forward, away from him, and turned around. Slowly spreading both arms out to her sides, she said demurely, “I told you you’d like it.”
She flashed that enticing smile again. Keeping her voice soft and low, she said, “I’m ready.” She turned her head slightly and looked at him out of the corner of her eyes. She parted her lips as if to speak, but said nothing. Then she raised her eyebrows. “If you are.”
“Oh, ha, ha-ha. Am I ready. Oh, to go you mean.” He offered her his arm. As they started toward the main door to the hotel room, Sheryl said, “I bought you a present when I was out shopping. It’s in the car. Let’s get it when we go downstairs. I want you to open it before dinner.”
“Okay.”
“Stephen.” She stopped and turned to face him. “I’ve been waiting for this night for a ...” she shook her head once, “long time. I know you have too, haven’t you?”
“Yes.” He looked into those lovely eyes. “I have longed for this night.”
She moved up to him and raised up on her tiptoes. “Well, it’s finally here. We’re going to really enjoy this night.” She wrinkled her nose. “Let’s have fun tonight, Then, my darling, when we come back to our room, you can enjoy the treasure you so richly deserve. You can have all the love you need ─ all that you want ─ for the entire night.”