"A night to remember"

I got to the hotel about 4 o'clock. I was still jazzed from the car chase and felt drained. After pulling up to the hotel entrance a valet opened the door for me. He offered a hand, and I gladly took it. There are times I enjoy being a woman.

"Thank you." I said

He kissed my hand! A cold tingle traveled my spine, he then said, "No, thank you ma'am." I immediately memorized his face, his height and his weight. He was young, maybe 24 years, medium built. His muscles rippled through his shirt as he moved fluidly into my car. I would definitely remember him. I watched my car drive up to the garage ramp. It turned a corner and vanished. Turning around, I started walking pass the now open sliding doors to the hotel. I walked passed the bell hops, who cluttered the floor, passed the registration desk, to the elevator, hit the button 12, and waited. I was tired. Up at one in the morning was the pits. The elevator door opened and I stepped out, walked to my room, opened the door. The room smelled fresh and clean. After bolting the door tight I looked through the closet and under the bed. A habit that comes with the occupation of hazard. Feeling satisfied, and relatively safe I started a bath. 'This is going to feel good'. I slipped off my clothes and sat on the bed. The cover felt cool to the touch of my buttocks. I clicked the TV on and rolled over onto my stomach. The coolness from the covers made my nipples a little stiff. I breathed heavily and relaxed.

"And now the 4:30 news," A voice said. It continued, "Late this afternoon, a high-speed chase . . ." DAMN! I rolled over. " . . .done on the Santa Monica freeway. Several LAPDs and Highway patrol cars chased a Gray Thunderbird and Blue Camaro. The chase concluded near the Watts' area after several shots were fired. An eyewitness said that a woman, black short hair, apprehended the shooter . . ." Christ! God damn media. " . . .All details to the chase are not being released. The Chief of Police was quoted on saying, 'This is international business.' And . . ." I clicked the TV to another channel. "The high-speed chase that ended in the East side of Los Angeles . . ." Another channel. "Today, LA was displayed and treated to a high-speed chase . . ." I clicked the TV off. "God damn media!" I repeated outloud. The phone rang and my heart stopped. It rang again and I answered it. "Hello."

"Karen, is this Karen?"

"Who is this?"

"Jim . . .Jim Anderson."

It sounded like him. "What color were the tennis shoes I wore this afternoon?"

"You weren't wearing any, you wore gray flats. . . okay what do I win?"

My heart started beating again. "You win a date with me, and maybe dessert."

"Sounds great. Any taxes, and if so do I have to pay them first? I have this thing about accepting gifts without first road testing it."

"H'mmmm one of those. Okay, how long will it take you to get here?"

"Minutes."

"Okay I'll be waiting . . .goodbye."

" . . .goodbye . . .click." I waited. " . . .click, a breath, click!"

Somebody else was listening! I got dressed, grabbed my keys and tote bag. I would meet Jim outside. Somebody was watching me and I didn't like it.

The elevator was mildly crowded. I memorized the faces. An old man, an old woman, a mother and three kids, and a Japanese tourist. I studied the tourist closer. He was medium built for an Oriental, close cut hair, California clothes and a camera. The elevator stopped at the third floor. The mother and kids made motions to leave. I excused them and bumped into the tourist.

"Excuse me, Sir."

He bowed his head.

The elevator door closed and the elevator resumed.

"Have you been here long, Sir."

He looked at me and smile. "No, only a few weeks. I'll be going home tomorrow."

His English was precise. The elevator stopped at the first floor and we all filed out. At the front door that handsome valet came up to me. "Ms. Bechard . . ."

I raised my eyebrow.

He continued, " . . .I asked at the check-in desk." He bowed down and kissed my hand. "Peters . . . Alex Peters." Then, "Shall I get your car?"

"Please."

He turned to the tourist, "Are you driving, sir?"

"No, a taxi will do."

He said 'Okay.' and left in someone else car.

A minute later Alex pulled up in my car, he got out and called a taxi over.

I tipped him a five, got in my car and drove off. The taxi was behind me. I stepped on the accelerator, braked, and slid around a corner. I saw the taxi behind me. I accelerated again, braked and slid around another corner. I waited. Nothing. I turned the car around and headed back to the Hotel. A taxi passed me.

Pulling up in front of the Hotel I got out. "Ms. Bechard. Back again so soon?"

"Yes." I said getting out of the car. I was in the doorway blocking Alex from entering the car.

"How long have you been working here, Alex."

He waited, "Well, Ms. Bechard . . ."

"Call me Karen."

"Okay . . .Karen, about a year now."

"Do you know Southern California very well."

His face brightened up. "Why, yes I do. I was born here." He said with a badly disguised New York dialect, probably the Bronx.

I smiled, "Great. What time do you get off work?"

He looked at his watch, "In about one hour."

"Do you mind showing me around?"

"No, not at all, it will be my pleasure."

"Good . . ." I looked at my watch. "Oh, I'm expecting a phone call. I made motions for him to take my seat. He did. I glanced around and saw Jim walking through the lobby to the Information desk. "I'll see you in about an hour and a half."

Jim looked over to the elevator.

"Okay, Karen" Alex said closing the car door and drove off.

I quickly walked in toward the elevator. Jim glanced over his shoulder and noticed me. I motioned my head to the exit. He continued walking to the elevator.

I walked to the exit and waited. A few seconds later Jim came out. He walked passed me, I followed twenty paces behind him. He got into his car and started the engine. I went around his car and got in. He drove off. Several seconds later, "What was that all about?"

"Nothing?"

"Okay . . ."

After a minute I broke the silence with, "Jim?"

"Yes Karen."

"Do you have a girl friend?"

"Ah, well not at the moment . . .I"

"Do you have a roommate?"

"No."

"Good, may I stay with you, tonight?"

He relaxed, "I thought I was the one who was supposed to ask a question like that?" and smiled. "Of course."

"Good . . .Let's go there now, please."

"Okay. What kind of stay will this be, and what was that conversation all about?"

"My telephone was bugged."

"Oh."

"I need a place to stay tonight. And how I stay is entirely up to you."

His smiled broadened. "Okay."

I relaxed and watched the people we drove by. The streets were crowded. "America."

"What was that?" Jim said.

"Oh nothing, I was just thinking about this country. All these people walking to and from places." I shut up.

"Yes?" Jim prodded.

"Just silly talk." I had to be careful. "Tell me about yourself, please."

"Not much to know. I'm just an ordinary city cop, who happened to run into an international agent."

My turn to smile. "Interesting, what else do you know?"

"Not much, not even what you're working on. I couldn't even get a Citizenship . . ."

"I have none. A requirement of employment . . ."

"That explains a lot of things."

"It's easier to work in a country with no ties, no legions. And, of course, Diplomatic status has advantages."

"I suppose it would. Being able to travel and meet people. Do you like it?"

"Sometimes . . .but we were talking about you."

He chuckled. "Well, like I said, there's not much to me. I like being a cop. It has it's ups and downs." He stopped talking and pulled up to an apartment complex. The complex was large, maybe a 150 units. It looked less than 5 years old. The garage door opened and we drove in. "This is it." He said as we stopped in a stall. I grabbed my tote bag, got out and followed him up a set of stairs. We emerged into an open courtyard with a swimming pool and an outside jacuzzi.

"Nice place."

"Thank you."

I followed him up a set of stairs to the third floor. He stopped at a door.

Apt. 110 was stenciled on it. He opened it and walked in. I followed.

The apartment was large and beautiful, plush thick carpet covered the floor. I imagined how it would feel making love on it and became aroused.

"Make yourself at home."

"Thanks, I will . . .can I use your phone."

Jim said, "Sure" as he walked into the kitchen.

I looked around and found it.

"It's on the table," he said from the kitchen. "Would you like dinner now."

I walked over to the phone, "That would be wonderful." and picked it up. I hit the redial button and listened. It rang. "Hyatt Hotel, may I help you."

"No thank you." I cradled the phone.

Jim popped his head out of the kitchen, "Dinner will be ready in about five minutes."

I grinned, "You're nuking it?"

"Sure am."

I sat down, took off my shoes and relaxed.

I must have dozed off, for Jim was lightly shaking me. "Karen . . .Karen."

I reached up and placed my arms around his neck. He didn't resist. "Kiss me." I whispered. He did. "Make love to me, Jim."

He picked me up and carried me into the bedroom. The room was cool and quiet. A green glow permeated the room. It came from the electronic clock next to his bed. He gently placed me on the bed. The sheets were cool. I looked up into his eyes. "I want you." The words barely escaped my lips.

"I want you too." He said and kissed me.

I opened my mouth slightly, allowing his tongue to explore my mouth. The muscles along his back firmed and rippled, his breathing was heavy, I was overwrought with excitement. He slipped off our clothes, I knew he would be a responsive lover. His body was so warm and he was so confident.