One Night
© Dorian Taylor
It had been nearly 3 years since they saw each other in person. They had only spoken on the phone briefly to say "Happy Birthday" or "Merry Christmas" to each other. Yes, it had been a while. Most emails were sent randomly throughout the weeks, but as you know, time makes things go faster than they probably should. They both settled into different relationships. Each was satisfying, yet they felt something was missing. They married each other young and ended at friendship a few years later. Nothing tragic or devious, just inexperienced. They remained very close and it seemed nothing could break that bond.
He had called her a few days previously to say he was coming to New York on business and could she come to keep him company. She had every reason not to go. Her new boyfriend was handsome, successful and a true romantic and satisfying lover; but she knew her heart truly belonged to the man on the other end of the phone call. He was from England and the accent pierced her heart every time she heard his voice. Every American woman loves that accent and she was no exception to the rule.
"Yeah I can be there" she heard herself say nervously over the line. She wrote down the information he had given her and they hung up. Immediately a chill went down her spine. 'Don't get your hopes up' she told herself. She just smiled to herself and went about the rest of her day.
He knew this trip to New York was a good get away, a chance to get away from his life in gloomy London. He was tired and grumpy. His girlfriend of the past four months was not working out. Yet again, another short term fix for what he ran away from years ago. He was a fool to have left his wife so long ago, but age makes you wiser. He wasn't a big liar, (growing up had changed that about him) and didn't want to be. He told his girlfriend he needed some space the previous week and she admitted she could feel his distance. They decided to take a break. He packed his bags for New York and even though it was for the weekend, he wanted to make it special, even if it was just one night he spent with her, it had to be right, even if to make up for old times.
Her flight was delayed a few hours so she text him to meet her at the hotel. He said he would. It was the world's longest day for both of them to wait. There were so many people in the airport pushing and shoving and children wanting things and driving their parents crazy. There were delays due to hurricanes in the Southeastern part of the states coming up toward her layover in Kentucky.
It was four hours until she arrived in New York City. Late and tired, but anxious to see her first love; she got out of the limousine and glided to the check-in desk. She had kept his last name. It was all she wanted at the time. Just a way to keep him, even though she wasn't sure she'd ever be able to see him at all due to the distance. She was given her key and room number. It was a number dear to their hearts and she took that as a good sign.
Dressed in a short red skirt and matching top with a plunging neckline; she pulled her hair out of the ponytail it was in as the elevator doors opened to the 23rd floor. She checked herself in the hall mirror and applied a fresh coat of lipstick. She was nervous. She was excited. She found the room and slid the electronic key into the door. It clicked. Her heart raced frantically. She dropped her overnight bag and the key got stuck as the door was left ajar. How embarrassing.
"Typical you," she heard his voice say. It sent shivers down her spine. Her face was blushing with embarrassment as she felt him come near her to help her get the key out of the door. He also took her suitcase. He loved when she was clumsy it sent memories of their first meeting into his head and he chuckled to himself. He let her go past him and he watched her walk by. She looked amazing.
She walked into the room, the sun was setting outside the windows, it was dusk, her favorite time of day when the sun makes everything golden. She gasped as she saw the king sized bed laced with red rose petals and candles light. There was soft music playing in the background from somewhere. She looked around to find it, but he answered her almost as if he could hear her thoughts.
"My iPod," he pointed to the music box in the corner of the room. "I put a play list of songs we like, or used to like, well you know" he stammered running his hands though his hair. She looked at him for the first time. He was absolutely a vision. He was still so handsome, boyish face with a killer smile. He looked lost, but happy to be lost. She loved when he stammered. He was always like that with her, a bit shy, a bit reserved, wanting to show more. He always wanted to, but was always to afraid. He wasn't afraid tonight for some reason.
He knew all the songs she loved, he knew her well, and it was she that never knew him enough. Wanting to always know him, it caused a lot of problems. But he was here now and she was not going to let the past bother her.
She was aware of his stare on her face. She was staring at him and couldn't speak. She managed a soft "Hello" and walked over to him. They were standing in the middle of the huge hotel suite.
"Hello" He smiled. He softly touched her bare arms with the back of his hands. Her skin was softer to the touch than he remembered. His eyes gazed on her longer than they should have. "You have a good flight in?" he tried to make small talk. He could smell her perfume. As it flooded his nostrils, memories came rushing back to him. He closed is eyes to take it in for a moment.
"Long day." she found herself pouting. She looked up at him and reached up for his neck. He was tall, and she loved it.
He picked her up in his strong arms and held her close for a long tight hug. "You are here now" he said matter of factly. It felt good to hold her close. He needed to; it was like his body needed that from her. Her head was on his shoulder. He held her there for what seemed like forever. He didn't want to let her go, not yet. Her feet dangled a foot off the ground for a while as he held her in his arms.
She didn't want him to let go. Never let me go, never ever. She thought to herself. Just as the next song went off, the tune of her mobile phone went off. She popped her head up quickly and pushed away from him to let her down. It was her boyfriend calling. She quickly answered.
"Eric I am fine." she said over and over letting the other man on the line know she was alright." I am in New York I told you... I am visiting and old friend...I will be home in two days... I am sure you can manage without me." She paced the room as she talked shaking her head in apology.
He could hear the voice on the other end of the line; strong, concerned, almost needy. He didn't like this Eric but he was not going to be rude. She emailed him from time to time about Eric and their issues. He was younger too, but he was needy in a way and was always worried about her if she went away for a few days. Eric didn't know her like he did. She was loyal to the core. He was surprised she had accepted the invitation to come to New York at all. He let her talk for another few moments. When Eric got insistent that she give him tons more information on who she was meeting with he pulled her close to him and started to kiss her neck. He wanted her attention and he did not want to waste any time that was slipping away. Eric I will call you tomorrow okay. Go out with your friends." she couldn't resist the kisses coming her way and she almost gave herself away with a small gasp of surprise from her reaction to it. "You too", she replied to Eric's "I love you", and turned off her phone.
"Finally." he said his gaze upon her so strong that she felt he could see through her. He took her phone from her hands and threw it in her purse. "Goodbye Eric" he said in a dark, seductive voice. He walked back over to her and looked deep into her eyes, into her very soul and kissed her passionately on the lips.
She was burning for him and he could feel it. This kiss was stronger than anything they had ever shared. It was like a dream except this time it was real. How many times had she wanted this moment? How many times was she not sure it would ever happen? Eric wasn't even a thought in her mind. She cared for Eric and thought he was sweet, but he could never be what she was having right now. Even if this was only kissing, it was amazing.
"I love you" he said to her huskily kissing her neck and caressing her soft skin. It was so soft he couldn't understand why he didn't remember it. He couldn't stop touching her. "I always have loved you."
She pushed away from him long enough to look at him, their eyes burning for each other. "I love you too, I never stopped" she confessed. She took him in again in a long kiss. It was to the point they were breathless and nearly unable to stand anymore.
"I needed that" he joked taking her hand. They moved to the small dinner table that was sitting near the window. The sun had gone down now and the moon had begun to show in the darkness.
"I missed you" she said shyly.
"I miss you all the time" he confessed, pulling out her chair. "I just didn't know how to say it without looking like I was wrong. I was wrong though" he kissed her again after she was seated. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to..."
"Its okay" she said placing a finger to his soft lips. "I understand. I am here now that's all that matters."
He smiled at her and knowingly, he knew she meant every word of what she said. They talked through dinner and talked about their lives. He mentioned he was on a break from Jessica and she was fine with it. He told her he really thought it was over, and quite frankly for the best. She told him about her year relationship with Eric and how it was going up and down. He was doing well at his new business and she was helping him with that. Eric had wanted them to move in together but she wasn't ready for that. She told him she didn't know why, but she knew why. Her heart wasn't Eric's.
After dinner she took her shower. Eric had called three times while she was in there. "Wow" he thought to himself. Her phone went off again as she was getting out of the shower. She came out wrapped in a towel to get the phone.
"It's been going off the whole bloody time you were in there." he said with an annoyed tone. "Does he need a bottle or something?" He moved past her to get into the bathroom, his hands touched her skin as he moved her out of his way. Every time he touched her she couldn't take it. He smelled her skin as he walked by and it sent him into excitement." I'll be out soon" he said, closing the door, then peaking out again" don't be long on the phone, I wont be in here long either". He said it in a stern tone. He wanted her time and he was not going to compete for it. She didn't love Eric and he knew it. Why should he have to fight for this?
"Okay" she said a little annoyed.
"I mean it" he said and closed the door.
What's he all crazy about? She wondered. She was there wasn't that enough? She called Eric who wanted to know what time her flight was coming back in so he could pick her up. She told him a limo would take her back home and she would call him when she landed. She was going to bed and turning off her phone so she'd call him in the morning. Eric was getting desperate. He had told her four weeks ago for the first time that he loved her. He wanted her to say it back but she couldn't tell him. "Goodnight" she said and hung up the phone. Before she could turn the phone off she had a text message full of "I love you" on it. She sighed and turned off the phone.
She lay on the bed thinking of old times. Their marriage; how it was good at the beginning and how soon he because someone she didn't recognize. It was as though his true essence was robbed. There were times when he'd look at her as if it was the first time he had ever seen her. Other times it was like he never saw her before in his life, or he would see through her as though she wasn't there. But she loved him and she still did. She wanted to be here and she was glad she came.
"I am all clean now" he shocked her out of her dream. He stood there before her in a white towel over the bottom half of his body showing off his perfectly muscular chest. He looked like a Greek God statue. She forgot he worked out constantly. She took a deep breath but kept her eyes on him. She couldn't look away. He crawled over to her on the bed and they started kissing again, this time the kissing didn't stop. He wasn't going to let anyone interrupt this moment. He had already put the "Do not disturb" sign on the door before he got into the shower, she hadn't noticed. "I want you" he said taking her in his arms and kissing her neck and shoulders. "Do you want me?" He asked hoping she'd say yes and not refuse him.
"Yes" she whispered softly to him. She was still in her towel but he took that away swiftly to reveal her naked body. She was stunning. Something took over the two of them. They couldn't stop the love that ran over them. It was as if time found its place and they were in the right place in time. Everything from the past had melted away and only these moments mattered. They made love through the night hungrily for each other. They needed each other and gave their hearts and souls to each other in a way they had never done for anyone before. It was not like when they were younger, they gave every ounce of their love to each other, from head to toe. It was a release from the past to now.
The late morning sun shone on his skin. She was in his arms. They had fallen asleep in each others arms. This was too much! She watched him sleep. His beautiful blonde hair fell in his face. She loved to watch him sleeping. She was for certain he was dreaming of her. She lay there thinking of the amazing night they had shared. It was all she could ever ask for, and if she never got it again, she would not be upset about it. She ran her fingers through his hair as he lay asleep for a few more moments. When he woke up he looked at her and smiled. "Hello" he said in a sweet charming voice. Oh how she loved it. He kissed her softly.
"Hello to you too" she said back. They lay in each others arms for more than an hour just talking. He ran his fingers through her hair and her through his. They were one now and she could feel it. It was a feeling they both had longed for.
They went to breakfast and spent the afternoon walking through Central Park and doing touristy things. That night it was too much to really do much of anything and they fell asleep lying in bed listening to their favorite songs holding each other. It was wonderful.
The next morning was the last day together. He had to go back to London on the afternoon flight and her flight was that evening. Eric had called several times to check the flight information.
They were at the airport in International Departures and she went with him until he had to check in. It was killing both of them. Eric called again and when she was off the phone he told her how he felt.
"I only get two more hours with you and he keeps calling you" He said angrily. He took hold of her hands.
"Well he is my boyfriend" She said with an attitude.
cNO! " He almost yelled, backing away from her and then taking her into his arms. He looked into her eyes. "He is not going to ruin the little time I have with you. We were married and that stands stronger than anything else!" His eyes were glaring. He couldn't take it.
"We are divorced and you were the one that ran away not me!" she shouted back." She snatched herself away from him. People were looking at them but they didn't care.
"Do you love him?" He asked with tears welling up in his eyes.
She couldn't answer him. She didn't want to say it out loud. She looked angrily at him" That's not for you to know."
"Answer the question!" he said pulling her close to him and almost whispering it so that no one else could hear.
She looked at him. He was so close and everything from the first night went rushing over her. "No" she said quietly. Admitting it out loud was shocking.
"Then, come home, come back to me. I'll make it up to you" He said tears running down his face. He was happy with what she had said. He knew it was hard for her to admit but he loved her, he really did." I love you and I don't want to be without you anymore. We will get everything fixed. I could stay and we could..."
"Not yet" she heard herself say. She backed away and looked down.
"Why not?" he pulled her to him again." you are in love with me. You know this. What about the last two days? You know that was something nobody else has given you, not even me in the past. But I want you to have it all the time, with ME!" His eyes were on fire, burning through her like acid and she loved it. She just couldn't bear to run off with him right away.
"We did that before. Running away, going so fast- I can't take that chance of that again." her face was smeared with tears. She was crying hard now. He hated to see her cry.
People walked by them. They could see there was something going on. Perhaps they were sad to leave each other. In truth that was just that.
"I am not going to let you go this time. I am not going to be childish and selfish. We are older now; we can do what we want. Please come with me?" he pleaded and pulled her into his arms for a long hug. His heart was racing. He had to take this chance. He couldn't be with out her again. He was not taking no for an answer.
"I have to tell Eric" she said. He wiped the tears from her eyes and kissed her. "I will go home, talk to Eric, tell him its over and we will work this out okay" she said to him with a half smile. Her lips quivering because she was soon to say goodbye to the one love she knew she always would have. Another chance she thought just one more chance and that's it.
They said their goodbyes at the airport and promised to make plans soon. When she got home she talked to Eric. He didn't take the news very well and begged her to stay. He did not think she was making the right choice. He could forgive her for the lie but he couldn't be without her. He wanted to marry her and she couldn't let him make that mistake. Sure, he was a catch and lovely, but she wasn't in love with him. She told him that it was going to be alright and they said their goodbyes.
He had come back to marry her again three weeks later. They did it right this time with their parents witnessing. It was the first time his parents and brothers had come to the United States. It was a small wedding with family present and a few of their friends. After was a small garden party reception at a park near the beach. It was beautiful. They couldn't wait to be together. This is how it was meant to be and they both felt it and knew it. He stayed with her a week to celebrate their new marriage and left to get things ready for their new home in London. She stayed behind to finish up her job and get her new spousal visa straightened out. Her passport already had her last name so she was not in need of changing that. She would be flying to see him in two weeks time. The time apart was nothing compared to the 3 years apart before they could handle it.
Everything was wonderful again. She smiled when he called and they talked for hours. It was like old times but better because it was happening now. A few days before her flight left she got a phone call. It was his brother telling her there had been a car accident and he was in the hospital in a coma. She said she would be out there right away. With tears in her eyes she boarded the first available flight to be by his side. He could not know the joyous news she had received earlier the morning of his brother's phone call. She wanted him to know, that no matter what she was always going to be there for him. And she'd always carry a part of him with her, at least for nine months.
