She closed the door of her room behind her and collapsed against the door breathing out the air she hadn't even realized she'd been holding in. The adrenalin and endorphins were coursing through her veins still and she knew she was so wired that she wouldn't sleep for a while. She went to the mini bar and poured herself a glass of wine, drinking it in the one go, trying to regain her composure. She couldn't help but replay the night in her head over and over, trying to remember every small feeling, and recreating the kiss in her head. She really wasn't ready for the night to end or to let him go, but realistically she knew he'd admitted more and given more of himself than he was usually comfortable with and she'd have been pushing her luck and risking rejection to ask for any more from him. She wondered how strong his feelings for her were, or if it was just being in such a different situation in his homeland that made him comfortable enough to kiss her as he did. That kiss… As she thought about it again her stomach tightened up so hard that she grabbed it and held it. She tried to remember the last time she had felt like a lovesick teenager, and couldn't remember. She smiled at the thought.
After a second glass of wine she was feeling more relaxed. She glanced at the clock. She gasped as she realized it was 1am already and she had to be up at 7am to pack and get ready for her day with him. She shivered with joy as she thought of having him all to herself showing her his home country. Changing into her nightwear, she climbed into bed and guiltily smoothed her hand over the empty side wishing it was him instead of the smooth, cool sheets. At that thought the day finally caught up with her and she fell asleep, still subconsciously running her hand up and down the empty side of the bed.
The loud song on her phone startled her and she sat bolt upright, momentarily confused as to where she was and why she wasn't in her own bed. As soon as she remembered, a smile spread across her face and the excitement came back with a vengeance. She threw the sheets aside, leapt out of bed, and after waiting on the water in the shower to turn as hot as she liked it, she jumped in and gloried in the feeling of the cleansing water pouring over her as she sang along to the song playing on her phone. 'Hey I heard you like the Wild Ones.' She smiled as she remembered what had happened last time she was singing along to that song. Jumping out of the shower, she went through 3 outfits before finding something she thought would be warm, but also made the best of her figure. She packed up the rest of her things, and finished her hair and make up. As she stepped out of her hotel room pulling her case behind her, she glanced behind her before letting the door close gently. Knowing that he was on the same floor, she looked around just in case he was there, but there was no sign of him. She went ahead and pressed the elevator button, and as she stepped inside, she noticed that the butterflies in her stomach were back, and her thoughts were racing as to how he would be with her this morning after last night.
The doors of the elevator opened and the first thing she observed was that the lobby was busy and full of people checking out from the conference and checking in for a holiday. As she scanned the room looking for him, she caught sight of Mr. Lecherous and as quickly as she could, she made a beeline for a nearby oversized fake plant and hid behind it. 'Hiding from me are we Dr. Adams?' She was so shocked at the familiar voice so close behind her that she physically jumped before swiveling round to face him. She felt her face flush, and like a schoolgirl in front of the headmaster, she began explaining herself, tripping over each word until she saw his eyebrows raise and the corners of his mouth turn up in amusement, and she stopped, realising she'd been had and that he was amused at her display. 'Good Morning Mr. Hanssen,' she whispered, now not sure what other course of action to take. 'Oh, I think you should call me Henrik, given that we're about to spend the day together. Is that alright with you, Nicole?' At the sound of her name rolling off his tongue, she felt like she had melted a little, and she couldn't respond right away. 'Sure,' was all she could manage, before he responded with a 'Wonderful, shall we?' He gestured to the revolving door of the hotel, and after delivering their cases to the hotel valet to be looked after, they walked side by side out of the hotel and into the fresh Swedish air.