WHEN SHE WOKE, LIZ heard the shower. Monty had left the bathroom door ajar. The room darkening shades were still drawn, and the morning light had not triggered Liz to wake. She looked at her watch. How could I sleep that long? Liz was amazed that she had slept through dinner and the night. She recognized the sounds of various shower jets and smiled. Monty was obviously playing. Or perhaps investigating. Standing at the door, Liz spoke rather loudly.
“Monty, can you hear me?”
“Shit, you scared me. Yeah, I can hear you fine. What?”
“Have you ordered breakfast?”
“No, and I’m starving. I need coffee, too. Whatever you pick.”
Unless Monty was awake during the night and had made her way to a vending machine, she probably hadn’t had anything to eat since the plane. Liz shook her head. Even though it was already after nine thirty, she thought a big breakfast would be nice. She ordered Monty’s favorites—French toast, fresh strawberries, and a side of scrambled eggs for each of them. And of course, coffee. The desk clerk said it was going to be about forty-five minutes. Liz made coffee in the room pot. Luckily there was liquid creamer, or Monty would have been disappointed.
“Should I bring your coffee in the shower?” Liz said, teasing Monty since she had been in there at least fifteen minutes.
“Hey, come in and look at this thing.” Monty showed Liz the different jets and where the streams pointed. “I like this one best,” Monty said as she adjusted to the rain feature.
“Yeah. That’s the one I used yesterday, too.”
“Maybe I’ll install one of those in our shower.”
Liz melted a bit inside. Our shower. She smiled, relieved that Monty had seemingly forgiven her.
“Are you coming out anytime soon? I’d like to shower too.”
“What’s stopping you? There’s plenty of room.” Monty grinned.
“Uh huh. I’m well aware of that.” Liz folded her arms across her chest. “I’d like to actually get a shower, then have breakfast. Something tells me that wouldn’t happen if I stepped in there with you.”
“I promise. Hands off.”
“It’s not you I’m worried about,” Liz teased. “Hurry up. I’d like to be dressed when the food comes.”
“Rush, rush, rush.” Monty turned the jets off. She grabbed a towel and started drying her hair. She stepped out onto the mat and pulled the towel around her neck. “All yours, ma’am.” She motioned Liz to the shower door. Monty stepped out of the way as she dried. Liz dropped her robe and stepped into the shower.
“Are you sure?” Monty asked.
Liz shook her head as she looked at Monty standing there with only the towel around her neck, the ends falling near her breasts. “No, I’m really not.”
Monty smiled and slid back into the shower and pressed herself against Liz.
“Oh, God,” Liz sighed as Monty dropped between her legs. Liz braced herself against the shower wall as Monty quickly brought her to climax.
* * * *
Monty slipped out of the shower first and dried her face with Liz’s towel. She leaned in and kissed Liz, then pulled the bathroom door shut. When room service arrived, Monty opened the room door, allowing the server to roll the cart in. The server placed all of the items on their room table. Monty signed the room slip and gave the server a cash tip. The server thanked her as he backed out of the room. Same ol’ same, everywhere.
Monty told Liz the coast was clear, and that breakfast was served. Liz stumbled out of the bathroom weakly as she zipped her jeans. Monty chuckled and led Liz to the table. She poured Liz’s coffee and prepared a plate, then leaned in and kissed her.
“If you ever wonder why I miss you…” Liz said softly.
“I don’t,” Monty said, smiling. “But I feel the same way about you.” Monty, as usual, folded a piece of French toast and took a huge bite. Liz laughed and kissed Monty’s powdered sugar lips.
“Monty, we need to finish that discussion…you know?” Liz held her hand out, and Monty wrapped her fingers around it.
“I know…Liz, I love you. I’ve thought about it and thought about it. Why I allowed myself to do it.” She coughed a little and cleared her throat. “I have to tell you…I want to tell you, I mean…my body reacted, but my mind was blank.”
“I’d rather you not tell me specifics. Just don’t. I’ve been enjoying feeling good with you again. I—” Liz pulled her hand away.
“I understand that. Me too. But I want you to know this…I learned something about myself. When we’re together, I feel. I feel your love. I feel that what we have is special.”
“I think it is…special. Oh, God, Monty. I feel horrible about…I wish I hadn’t done what I did. It wasn’t fair to her, and it sure wasn’t fair to you.”
“I’m willing to put it aside. I mean…maybe we both learned something, but I worry you won’t trust me again. And I sure understand if you don’t trust me.”
“Monty. I can put it aside. The trust issue goes both ways, you know. My question is, do you think you can trust yourself?” Liz took Monty’s hand again and held the palm to her own cheek. Monty turned her face to kiss Liz’s hand. She took the hand in hers and lightly nibbled the palm. Liz sighed.
“Now, can we please eat?” Monty whined.
“You are adorable. And evidently, incorrigible.” She smiled at Monty, leaned to her ear, and whispered, “You can eat now, but you are definitely going to have to make this up to me.” Monty shuddered.
They finished breakfast, and Liz suggested they go into town and walk around. She pulled back the curtains. Monty stepped to the window and looked out.
“Oh, my God. I should have opened those earlier. It’s such a beautiful view.”
“There. That’s the spa and gardens.” Liz felt so good pressed against Monty’s back, pointing out the grounds.
“What’s downtown?” Monty said.
“There’s a cool bookstore, great restaurants, a shoe store that’s a city block, and other cool stores,” Liz said. “I’d like to go to the bookstore.”
“Cool,” Monty said. “I need a new book to read. And I know exactly what it is.”
Liz summoned a car with her app, and within minutes they were downtown. Liz reached down and took Monty’s hand as they walked into the store. Monty smiled and followed her. They walked down the aisles first. Then Monty wanted to look through non-fiction political science books. She found the book she wanted, the only copy on the shelf.
As she walked back from the aisle to find Liz, she slipped past an attractive couple. Both smiled at her. One looked a little older than the other, but Monty guessed they were a couple. Vibes like that aren’t given out by sisters or parent and child. She smiled back and nodded.
“Hmm,” Monty whispered softly to herself. “And that’s why they call it A-she-ville.”
When she found Liz in the maps and travel section, Monty looked for the couple she had passed. She nodded her head in their direction. “Gray hair, blond hair. Attractive. Couple.”
“Yeah. I saw them earlier. In the car. We passed them on the sidewalk before we were dropped off by the driver.”
“They smiled at me,” Monty whispered.
“I would have too.” Liz smiled and looking into Monty’s eyes. Monty’s cheeks heated. She showed Liz the book she wanted to buy.
“I saw the author interviewed on Rachel about his new book. I told you I saw Rachel in New York, didn’t I?”
“Only about six times, but I agree…it’s exciting.”
“Yeah, okay, but cool as shit is what it is.” She made a face and stuck her tongue out quickly, happy she’d made Liz laugh. “Anyway…this is the one I wanted to buy. It’s the story that leads to the new book—the backstory of the 9/11 attacks and the history of the CIA’s involvement in the Middle East.”
* * * *
“Really? Why am I even surprised anymore?” Liz shook her head as Monty conversed with the counter clerk, who wasn’t familiar with the book. Liz felt a mix of respect, affection, amazement, and a healthy dose of arousal. It wasn’t lost on her, though, that the oppressive dread had all but vanished. She pushed the fleeting thought of another discussion deep into the back of her mind.
* * * *
Liz advocated for shoe shopping next. She wanted a new pair of light hikers, and she wanted Monty to have a new pair of work shoes. Monty’s were clearly already worn from miles of city walking. They started in the discount section but didn’t see anything perfect. There were plenty of shoes that would have been fun, but Liz typically only allowed herself to shop for what she needed. She may have plenty of money, but she didn’t believe in squandering it all on impulse buys.
Upstairs, they found an infinite number of appropriate choices. Monty found a pair of nice shoes—stylish, but comfortable. There shouldn’t be too many more days of snow or ice now; these would work. As Liz was trying on her selection, the couple from the bookstore walked in, browsing in the same section where Liz and Monty were seated. They all smiled and nodded. The blond made direct eye contact with Monty, who maintained the eye contact and the smile. What a doll.
The other woman broke the gaze to attend to her partner, who was showing her a pair of shoes.
Monty and Liz finished at the counter, and Liz suggested they grab something light at the famous vegetarian place near the bookstore. Monty wasn’t hungry but agreed to go. Liz decided they could go another day and summoned a car. Shortly, they were headed back to the inn.
* * * *
Reading seemed to fill most of the afternoon. Liz made an appointment for a couples massage on Sunday, in their room. Monty felt that was excessive, but she was interested to try it. Liz was insistent, and she was paying, as she had for most of the room. Monty never argued with Liz about money anymore. It had taken a while to let go of her irritation about Liz’s secret winnings. That had been their first real argument. Okay, not really an argument. Just me getting pissed and storming off.
Liz had actually expressed amazement at Monty’s choice of rooms. She said she wouldn’t have splurged in such a way. Monty’s card wouldn’t have been able to hold the room’s cost, but she would be able to pay Liz back and wanted to. Liz said they would talk about it when Monty came home.
They took a walk around the neighborhood to give Liz a chance to start breaking in her new hikers. Monty ran into a little shop and bought a couple of apples, which they ate on the walk back. In the room, Monty picked up her book, and Liz snuggled against her arm. Monty set the book down and put her arm around Liz’s shoulder.
“There’s a fireplace downstairs,” Monty suggested.
“Let’s stay in the room to snuggle, okay? Maybe we can go down for a bit to eat soon. Eat down there by the fire?”
“Hey, speaking of eating. I wonder if it’s too late to make reservations for dinner somewhere tomorrow night,” Monty said.
Liz called a couple of places. They had no reservation spots, but both said they could walk in. Since it was St. Patrick’s Day the next day, it was probably going to be crazy out. “The tapas place near the bookstore has nothing for tomorrow,” Liz said, “but they do have an open reservation for tonight, in a half hour.” Monty nodded and Liz made the reservation.
* * * *
They were seated in a nice, cozy table with a curved, upholstered bench against the wall. Thick, Persian drapes sheltered their booth. ‘An alcove of love,’ they decided to call it. Liz ordered amontillado sherry for the both of them, and olives with a basket of bread to start. They had scallops and sautéed greens with a nice tempranillo, and flan for dessert.
As they finished dessert, the couple they’d seen earlier was being seated at a table near the door. Monty summoned the server and asked for the check. She asked for whatever wine the couple had ordered to be taken to them as a bottle, put on Monty and Liz’s check, and then asked to have the couple moved to their table, which Monty considered much more intimate. She did not want anything revealed until after she and Liz had left. The server beamed. It was clear she enjoyed the thought of this covert plan. The server couldn’t total their check until the couple ordered, but she did so swiftly.
“You’re a mess, but you’re a sweet, wonderful mess.” Liz shook her head, smiling at Monty. “That’s why I love you.” She reached under the table and scraped her fingernails along Monty’s upper thigh. Feeling the searing heat between her legs, Monty leaned into Liz’s shoulder and arm, and then summoned a car.
On the way out of the restaurant, Liz and Monty smiled and nodded at the mystery couple. Liz held Monty’s elbow and pressed herself against her so close it was hard to walk. The car arrived quickly. As they were driving off, they saw the server reseating the couple. Liz and Monty kissed and laughed at their plot. They sat closely on the ride back, smiling, but not talking.
* * * *
The inn staff had already provided turn-down service, and chocolates were on their pillows. They hung their coats and removed their shoes near the door. There was a bottle of champagne in a metal ice bucket on the coffee table and a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries. They weren’t even surprised by the note card.
“Love you ladies, JW,” Liz read aloud. “From Jeannie.”
“Who else?” Monty smiled. She began unbuttoning Liz's shirt. Before pulling the hem out of Liz’s pants, Monty stopped. “This okay?”
“It is.” Moved by Monty’s concern, Liz made her voice low and sultry.
Monty stepped closer. As she slowly unzipped Liz’s jeans, she followed under the zipper with her other hand. Liz sighed a long, slow breath. She reached toward Monty’s shirt.
“I know you like me to have some clothes on when we make love. I know you that well.” Monty kissed Liz firmly, pulling her close.
Liz guided Monty’s head to her and whispered into her ear. “You’re right, and I know you like this.” Monty shuddered as Liz knew she would, powerless to that reflex. She nibbled lightly on Monty’s outer ear. “But tonight, I want to feel all of you.”
“Then you will,” Monty whispered, shuddering as she spoke. “But I’ll undress as we make love. I know you like me to undress myself while you watch.”
“You’d better hurry then,” Liz continued to whisper in Monty’s ear. She waited for the shudder. “I might just come standing here.” She nibbled Monty’s ear again, lightly. “Being here, feeling your response. This is…you’d better hold me up if we’re standing much longer.”
Monty backed Liz into the coffee table and managed to pluck a strawberry from the tray. The berry was cool and moist, where Monty held it to Liz’s mouth. Monty’s gaze was intense, as Liz took a bite. Monty leaned her head forward, and kissed Liz again with the strawberry shared in their mouths. Liz waited while Monty popped the champagne cork, and a little spilled onto the tray and into the two glasses as it foamed out. She guided Liz to the bed, and Liz slipped in to sit against the headboard, pulling two pillows behind her. Monty sat on the side of the bed, facing her. They toasted and sipped. As Liz took a sip, Monty put a finger in her mouth to make it moist. She slipped her hand between Liz’s legs, and Liz felt the contrast of cool champagne and warm flesh as Monty explored. Liz put her head back against the pillow, arching herself to meet Monty’s hand. Liz took a gulp of champagne and was barely able to put the glass on the table without dropping it.
After steamy lovemaking, Monty pulled Liz forward and slid an arm under her. There were tears in her eyes. “I love being in your arms. I love making love with you. I love being with you. Riding in a car with you. Watching birds with you. Doing work around the house.”
Liz felt tears fall on her arm, and she stroked Monty’s head gently. She soon heard Monty’s soft, even breathing and knew Monty had fallen asleep. Liz felt warm inside, incredibly in love at that moment. Whatever else had happened, there was a tenderness there that she only felt with Monty. Liz fell asleep with Monty in her arms.