Matt

If I had realized that making a job offer and getting turned down would have ended up with beautiful women practically jumping my bones was a thing, then I would have... well, probably done exactly nothing different because I couldn't think of a single other person I wanted both working for me and working on me other than the woman in front of me right now.

My car was safe at Nick's. Or as safe as it could be in this town. And since the motel was exactly a hundred yards away, I couldn't see the point in chancing the drive so short a distance when every cop in town was either at Nick's or on their way to finish paying their respects to Ms. Gracie. I felt a twinge of conscience, leaving Ms. Gracie's memorial to get it on with a woman I'd just met, but Ms. Gracie would have forgiven me. In fact, she may have walloped me over the head for being a block head if I hadn't pursued the opportunity.

I slid my hand under the back of Mae's shirt, resting my hand on the small of her back, enjoying the heat of her smooth skin. She shivered underneath me. I could tell this was out of character for her. Was she regretting her impulsive kiss? 

I stole a glance at her, the moon just barely illuminating her face. No, that was definitely anticipation. A frisson of thrill ran through my body from tip to toe. I wanted to run to the motel, dragging her with me, but I forced myself to keep to a steady pace. 

I held the door open for her—no automatic doors here either—and approached the counter. "Can I get a room please?"

"Credit card and driver's license," the bored receptionist intoned, not even looking at me.

I slid both across the counter, and he entered in the information, printed a receipt, and slid it back for me to sign.

We had to go back outside to access the room, and when the door closed behind us, Mae giggled. "I don't think he took his eyes off his phone at all. What do you think he was watching?"

"Porn," I said, not even half joking.

Mae looked at me in shock, then laughed. "Is that what you do at work?"

It was my turn to look shocked, then laugh. "No, but I enjoy my work."

I used the key to unlock the door. An actual key, not even a cheap magnetic card. I flipped on the light and my enthusiasm for the night was dimmed slightly. Even the dim yellow light couldn't hide the age of the room. Mae ducked under my arm and set her small, warm hands on either side of my face, pulling my attention to her. "No take backs," she teased. "We're in one of your fancy hotels now. We had to put in a special request for a full-size bed. I just can't handle getting lost in those giant king-size beds they prefer."

I laughed, thinking of the king-size bed I had all to myself back home. She took a step back and tugged me with her. 

"Come on, now. Play along."

"Ah..." It had been forever since I'd played pretend. It had been a survival mechanism when I was a kid, but now, if I wanted or needed something, I bought it. "And we sent away the champagne so it wouldn't ruin our beer buzz?" That was lame, but it made Mae laugh.

"The dim lighting was a nice touch on their part," she countered, "setting a romantic scene."

She used one hand to find the bed and sat down, her fingers trailing from my cheek as she did. She reached for my hand and pulled me to sit next to her on the bed, and I leaned in for a kiss. I had meant to keep it soft, almost an apology that we were in this kind of room, but Mae had no patience for that. She pressed into me, her soft curves burning my body everywhere they met. I buried my fingers in her hair and met her strength, my tongue asking for entrance, which she willingly gave. As I explored her mouth, she melted in my arms. This woman was driving me to distraction, soft but fiery, determined but dreamy. I'd barely known her but a couple hours, but already I was entranced by all the contradictions she teased me with. 

"You're thinking too much," she whispered against my lips. "If you don't stop thinking and start just feeling, you're going to get me to start thinking, and then this night will be over before it's even begun."

"What if I keep thinking, but I change the topic?" I asked, letting my hand run down the front of her shirt, lingering over her taut nipples. 

"Oh?" she gasped. "If that's the kind of thinking you're going to be doing, then please, carry on."

She was right. I was thinking too much, and we were talking too much. I picked her up and placed her further on the bed, rolling her to her back so that I had more access. Her hair was wild from my fingers and her eyes were bright with desire. "You're beautiful," I said, reverently.

She blushed and looked away. 

"Oh no you don't," I said. "I'm going to show you just how beautiful you are, tonight."