It had snowed last night and the city was covered in a blanket of purity. Maureen sat on the window ledge wrapped in a thin blanket. She could feel her teeth chattering, but she didn't care. She loved the snow. The world didn't seem so threatening when it was covered in the fluffy, ivory powder. Unfortunately, it would be gray with the grime and pollution of the city in mere hours.
Benny was still asleep in the bed. Maureen was genuinely surprised that he hadn't left before she woke. Maybe the fact that they had sex three more times last night had something to do with his current lack of energy. She was still awed that she had made him lose control. Benny, who was always emotionless, had been deliciously wanton. She secretly hoped he was interested in more than just mind-blowing sex.
A knock on her door brought Maureen back to her body.
"One minute," she whispered loudly.
She peeked through the keyhole and saw brown corduroys. Shit. Mark.
"What is it?" she asked through the space between the door and the frame.
"Can I come in?" he asked.
"You don't wanna do that," she replied.
Mark was confused. "Why not?"
"I'm naked."
Mark's lips formed a silent "o". "Ummm…ok…I just…I heard some noises last night. You sounded like you were in pain."
Shit, shit, shit!
"I…uh…had a muscle cramp in my leg. I'm sorry I woke you," she lied quickly. Thank God Mark was naïve.
"As long as you're ok…" he began.
"I'm fine, Markie. Thanks for checking up on me. I did lose some sleep over it, so I'm going to catch up now. Talk to you later," she told him.
"Ok," he said quietly.
Maureen crouched down by the keyhole. The brown corduroys were gone. She breathed a sigh of relief. It would have been hard to explain why Benny was sleeping in her bed with no clothes on. He had to get out of her room now! She tiptoed to the bed and gently shook Benny's shoulder.
"Wake up, sleepyhead," she whispered in his ear.
Benny didn't respond. She shook him a little harder. He groaned in protest. This was going to take drastic measures. She grabbed the bottle of water she kept beside her bed and promptly emptied the contents on his head.
"What the hell?" he grumbled. He sat up and wiped his face with the sheet. Maureen giggled.
"Why did you feel the need to do that?" he asked.
"I had to wake you up somehow," she replied simply.
"You didn't have to wake me up at all," he complained.
Maureen pouted her lip mockingly. "Awww, are you still tired? Poor baby." She rubbed his bald head. "I did have to wake you because Mark was just outside my door."
Benny looked at her in alarm. "You didn't tell him I was here did you?"
"Of course not!"
Benny was relieved.
"He is going to start wondering where you are though. You know how he is. He worries about all of us."
"I guess I'd better get going then."
Benny dressed quickly. Maureen watched him the whole time. He amazed her. His clothes had spent the majority of the night strewn on the floor, yet he still managed to look impeccable.
"I guess I'll go out the fire escape and come in the front door," he said when he was finished.
"What are you going to say if any of the guys start asking questions?"
Benny shrugged. "I'll tell them I had to work late last night and I fell asleep at the office."
She followed him to the window. He was halfway out when he turned around and kissed her.
"See you later, Babe," he said as Maureen struggled to catch her breath.