CONTENTS
A Taste of Heaven
A Tease and A Taste
Assume The Position
Blackout
By The Light of the Moon
Chrysalis
Early To Rise
Emergence
Into Each Day
Love in Zero G
Making Time
On Angel Wings
Pandora: The Gift of the Gods
Passion's Storm
Peeping Ghost
Renewal
Sensual Bonds
Shields of Blue: Struggle Within
A TASTE OF HEAVEN
He checked in by himself. That in itself wasn't enough to intrigue me. The fact that he was tall, dark haired and handsome added to him being alone was. The other clerk, Beth, had to run to the bathroom, so it was my luck to be at the front desk, when he asked for a room. He wasn't picky, which was good, since we only had one room left. Valentine's day seemed to be a busy time for us, of which we all were glad.
"We only have the one room left sir. Room ten, right down the hall."
"That we be fine, and please, call me Seth," he answered softly. I handed him the sign in log, took his credit card and finished the forms.
"Everything is all set." I grabbed the room key, then headed around the desk and moved to pick up his bag, but he was quicker.
"I can get it, if you'll just show me which way to go." I nodded and moved ahead of him. Opening the door to his room, I stepped inside and turned to face him. "I'm Dakota. If there is anything you need, just ask."
He smiled, but his eyes were sad. "I'll do that. Thank you Dakota." I smiled again and left. As I walked away, I felt funny, almost as if I shouldn't be leaving, that I was passing up something in my life. Shaking it off, I continued about my work.
* * * *
Later, I was rushing about in the kitchen, grabbing plates of food and putting them on my tray. The dinner rush had hit and we all were feeling it hard. Some wished to dine in their room or cabin and others chose to dine in the dining room. Getting all of their orders prepared and to them within a reasonable time was straining us all. After dropping my second plate, I grew rather frustrated.
My boss patted my shoulder and told me to take a break. Sighing I looked at her to apologize. "It's ok Dakota. You're still trying to get the hang of this. The rest of us have already dealt with Christmas and New Year's so we are old hands at it.
"Just go sit down for a little while. Relax, and calm down. It will be okay." Turning to her trusty cook, she helped him fix another plate for the diner whose food was all over the floor. Another waitress was cleaning up the mess as I left.
Sitting down at the one empty table in the dinning room, I sighed. I enjoyed my job and I didn't want to loose it. It was fun work and I got to meet interesting people.
At that moment, Seth entered the room and looked around. He headed toward me, and I got up to let him have the table.
"Please, don't get up. I could use some company." I sat back down and scooted over so he could sit next to me. The curved couch was roomy, but he still ended up pressed against my side. His long legs stretched out under him, his left leg pressed against the length of my right one.
"I can't stay long. I'm on a break."
"You look like it has been a rough day." I nodded and sighed again.
"Sometimes it helps to talk about it."
"Oh, I wouldn't want to bother you." He grinned and placed his hand over mine.
"Sometimes, it helps to hear about other people's days. It helps keep me grounded."
"What do you mean?" I glanced at him, noticing the shadows under his eyes. He looked tired and almost, depressed.
"Life hasn't been all it is dreamed to be the last year. Sometimes, I get so stuck in my own misery, I forget that the world goes on. If you tell me about your day, it will help."
The heat of his hand over mine was nice, and comforting. As I told him about the last hour, I felt almost like it wasn't so bad.
My boss peeked her head out of the kitchen and I looked at Seth again. "I need to get back to work. I'm sorry, but we are really busy, and..."
"I understand." Standing, I asked him what he wanted for dinner.
"Something simple, a burger and fries or chicken. I'm not very hungry."
"Okay. I'll have it out to you soon."
As I turned to leave, he whispered my name. It was so faint; I almost thought I imagined it. "Dakota, what time do you get off of work?"
"In about an hour. Why?"
"Would you meet me in the game room? I could use some company, if you want to that is." I grinned and assured him I didn't mind.
"I'll be there in about an hour."
* * * *
The next hour passed in a blur of motion. I seemed to have regained my footing and a co-worker even stopped me to comment on my grin. Until then, I wasn't aware that I had even been grinning.
After clocking out, I went into the bathroom and changed clothes, then grabbed my bag and headed for the game room.
Opening the door, I immediately noticed Seth leaning over the table to take a shot at the eight ball. I took a moment to admire the lines of his body then closed the door after he sank the ball.
"Hi," he whispered.
"Hi."
"How was the rest of your shift?"
"Good," dragging a chair over to the pool table, I sat down and sighed. It felt so good to rest for a while.
He lined up another shot, and sank the nine ball, ending his game. Pulling out the other chair, he sat down and faced me, his deep blue eyes shrouded with thoughts I could only guess at.
"So ..." I said, not one to like long silences.
He grinned and covered my hand with his again. Giving it a quick squeeze, he pulled away.
"Thank you Dakota."
"For what?" I had an idea what he meant, but I wanted it to be clear.
"For being here. For taking some time, and keeping me company. Hell, just for smiling. It has been so long since I have seen a woman smile at me." His voice dropped as he continued.
"My wife died a year ago. We were coming back from a romantic night on the town. Money was tight, so we weren't able to get away like we wanted, so we settled for dinner, when all I wanted was to give her the stars.
"Another car slid on a patch of ice and slammed into her side of the car. She died on the way to the hospital. I was knocked unconscious, temporarily and woke up to the ambulance staff loading her into their rig. I never got a chance to say goodbye."
Tears slid down my face as he told of his wife's death. His own eyes misted, as he raised a hand to wipe the tears from my checks.
"She wouldn't want you to cry. She loved to make people laugh. She loved to laugh, hell, she just loved; life, children, snowflakes, and kittens, it didn't matter. She was so full of love. It didn't matter than I couldn't provide much for her, all that mattered was that she loved me."
He fell silent, and I wasn't sure what to say. I'm sorry seemed so trite, compared to what he had lost, so I said nothing.
"I'm sorry Dakota. I didn't mean to make you cry."
"It's ok," I whispered back. He slid his hand over mine again and curled his fingers around my palm.
* * * *
We sat like that for a while, in silence, just holding hands. It felt peaceful.
"I should let you get home." He finally spoke.
I nodded, but inside, I didn't want to leave. Something about this man drew me to him, and I wanted to comfort him, in any way I could.
"Yes, I could leave or ..."
"Or?"
"Or, you could invite me stay with you. I have tomorrow off and no one will wonder where I am." He smiled gently, some of the shadows leaving his blue eyes.
"I don't want you to do anything you don't want to."
"I won't." Standing up, I leaned down and kissed him. It was just the touching of lips, but it was incredible. He slid a hand in my hair, and wrapped his other arm around my waist. Needing to deepen the kiss, I pressed my tongue against his lips and as he opened them, rubbed it against his.
The door opened and two women came in, giggling to each other. I pulled away from Seth.
"Oh, sorry, we didn't know anyone was in here."
Seth stood and said, "It's ok. We were just leaving." Clasping my hand in his, he led the way to his room. Closing the door behind us, he stepped away.
"Dakota, I didn't intend..."
I moved toward him, wrapped my arms around his waist. "I know. Neither did I, but life gives us so few precious moments. This is one of them for me." Seth leaned down and kissed me. Moving backward, we tumbled onto the bed, our lips still joined.
)
