LILY
BNR848
Disclaimer: The publicly recognized characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plots are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
CHAPTER 37
He was asleep when she woke. They needed to talk, but not today. Today would be the day they had promised each other in the wee hours of the New Year. She let him sleep, called room service and ordered coffee.
She brushed her teeth, grabbed the bathrobe and waited for the coffee. She answered the door after the first light knock, taking the tray from the bellhop. She poured herself a cup and went about answering all the New Year messages on her phone. It was just past nine when she heard him stirring. He opened his eyes, only to see her standing, smiling down at him wearing nothing but one of his shirts.
"Guess all that dancing tired you out," she added as she handed him a cup of coffee.
"I'd say it was more than the dancing," he replied with a yawn.
She watched as he strolled naked into the bathroom, still drinking his coffee. She heard the shower and seconds later the opening of the door. There he stood in all his glory, beckoning her to join him. The glint in his eyes suggesting far more than a shower.
"Tell you what handsome, fill the tub and it's a deal," she countered, as he reached for her.
As the large marble tub filled she poured the body wash into the running water and was rewarded with suds. They were both tall, and although the tub was ample it was still cramped. Neither seemed to mind. His hands roamed, his kisses wandered and soon the playful chatter evolved into much more. After sitting in the cold water for some time he stood, stepped out of the tub and walked the shower. He turned the water to hot, helped her out of the tub and into the warm spray.
"So Ms. Castle, what would you like to do today?" he asked as they dried off.
"I thought we'd go to brunch, but I have a dilemma of my own making. All I have is the dress from last night. It's not exactly daytime attire. I don't even have a bra." She declared.
He laughed, announcing he personally liked that dilemma. He wrapped his towel around her neck and pulled her in close for a kiss.
"We can sit here until your dress is once again appropriate. And just so you don't feel uncomfortable, and in solidarity, I will remain naked," James proudly declared as he unwrapped the towel from around his waist and let it drop to the floor.
She laughed, picked up the towel and threw it at him.
She bit the bullet and called her mother. Kate agreed to pack a bag and walk it downstairs to a messenger. James called the concierge and made the arrangements. An hour later the small bag was delivered. Bra, undies, make-up, shirts, jeans, t-shirt, jacket, shoes and a note from her mother. James confessed he'd never be able to look her mother in the eyes again.
They had two days. Two days to spend together, throw caution to the wind, forget everything and everyone and just have fun. But on Friday she had to go home. She wanted one last day with her parents before heading back to D.C.
Around two o'clock she dragged him downstairs and across the city to Coney Island. It was the annual Polar Bear's Club, New Year's Day Swim; New Yorkers version. If he was so inclined, he could participate she told him. They walked along the boardwalk, still catching sight of some of those who had braved the cold waters of the Atlantic earlier that day. They rode the Ferris wheel, James telling her he was about eight before he let his parents drag him on it. Not the bravest of souls, he admitted.
After an afternoon of walking, riding the Wonder Wheel and Thunderbolt, sampling an array of carnival foods, and visiting the aquarium he wrapped his arm around her and asked if she wanted to go home; stuttering through a clarification. He had meant back to The Plaza.
"I sure hope that bag your mom packed contained more than one change of clothes," he added as he kissed her hand.
"I'm set. Friday I'm back at my parents. I head back to D.C. Saturday morning. When do you fly back to L.A.?"
"I have an open ticket," he said without further comment.
And here it was, the thing they'd been ignoring all day. In about thirty-six hours this little game they'd been playing would come to an end.