Chapter 8
Hotel Le Germain, Montreal
It was as if no time had passed at all. Robert and Holly stood fidgeting in the lobby of the hotel, hands clasped. When the elevator doors opened, the two almost knocked each other over trying to get in. Laughing, Holly reached over to pound on the "Doors Closed" button, only to find Robert's hand already there. He grasped her hand and pulled her closer.
Blue eyes met brown and stared for a long moment. Holly's eyes fluttered closed as Robert began nuzzling her neck, placing kisses along it. He paused for a second to wipe some fibres from Holly's scarf off his lips. "Bloody winter gear", he thought to himself, and began wrestling with the scarf around Holly's neck.
A chime signalled the elevator's arrival at their floor. Holly and Robert tumbled out of the elevator, still wrapped in each other's arms. Their cheeks were flushed from the cold of the outside and the heat of their kisses.
"Get your hands out of my pockets, you! What on earth are you looking for?"
"Your room key!"
Robert fumbled through the pockets of his parka, no easy feat considering he was still wearing winter gloves. "Aha!" he exclaimed triumphantly, grabbing Holly by the hand and pulling her over to the door of his hotel room. After a couple of tries, Robert got the door open, using the key card.
Once inside the room, Holly pulled off her hat and mitts, dropping them on the floor She set to work, unbuttoning Robert's parka and removing his wool watchcap. Robert continued trying to unwrap her scarf. Every piece of clothing removed was followed by an interlude of kisses, as they backed slowly towards the large duvet-covered bed.
"I can't deal with all this gear!" grumbled Robert, as they finally managed to divest themselves of their outerwear and their boots. "Ah, Holly, please tell me you haven't got long underwear on too," he complained.
Holly was elegantly clad in a cashmere sweater and wool pants. She laughed: "No, I save that for special occasions." She lifted her arms slightly and shuddered with pleasure as Robert pulled her sweater over her head. The remainder of their clothes followed soon after, as the couple fell back onto the luxurious bed. With patience gained over time, they set to work reacquainting themselves with each other's bodies. They did have thirteen years of catching up to do.
Some time later...
A few hours later, Robert and Holly snuggled sleepily under the covers of the bed.
"Y'know, I think this is the first time I've been warm during the last few days," mused Robert. "Couldn't you have picked somewhere tropical for your academic debut?"
Holly made a face. "While I agree with you that it does get unpleasantly cold here, I've never much been one for the heat."
"That is true. But I don't think that I can handle much more of this winter weather."
Holly rolled back slightly and looked at Robert: "Speaking of your handling winter weather, now that we have this new understanding, you haven't filled in me in on your plans now that you're free from the WSB."
"Nothing definitive. And I have the distinct feelings that my future plans have taken a new direction..." Robert leaned over and kissed Holly softly.
"I will be finished my degree in May. And conveniently for you, I don't have any set plans myself."
"I need to find something useful to do. But I could lay low for a little bit, check out some contacts. I did hear about an interesting possibility containing infectious diseases."
"What sort of infectious diseases?" Holly asked playfully.
Robert nudged Holly, "Not that kind of disease. Get your mind out of the gutter, would you? This is Ebola-type stuff."
"Hmm. Well, as you sort that out, I have an opening for a housekeeper while I finish up this semester. Think that will keep you busy?"
"Housekeeping, eh? Depends on the perks."
"Oh, there will be perks. But they're based on performance."
"Performance? Are you already complaining about my performance?" demanded Robert jokingly.
"Not in the least. Now get over here and let's finish off your interview."