Unanticipated Plans

Chapter 4

The next morning she knocked on his door around 9:30. He had been up for a while, already showered and dressed waiting for her arrival. She was making it very difficult for him to shake the attraction he had for her. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail. The scarf he bought her was wrapped around her neck. She was wearing jeans and a turtleneck that matched the crimson scarf perfectly. He wanted to pull her in by the scarf and kiss her but he resisted.

When he opened the door the sweet smell of his cologne just about knocked her off her feet. He was wearing jeans and that damn leather jacket again. This jacket on him would be the end of her, she thought. It fit him beautifully. His curly hair was still a little wet and his face was freshly shaven. She remembered rubbing his facial hairs last night and wondered if he didn't like that. She chose to ignore the sour feeling in her stomach because this wasn't about them, it was about Boston.

"Are you ready or did I make you drink entirely too much last night and you want nothing to do with me anymore?"

He laughed, "I was worried about the same thing!"

She laughed and stepped into his room. "Wow, you're room is much nicer than mine."

"It's the only one they had left."

"Oh."

"Well what's on the schedule for today darling?" She blushed, "Oh I'm sorry" he said, "I forgot you asked me about that last night.

"But I said it was fine. I kind of like it" she said looking out his window. She chastised herself for saying it as soon as it came out of her mouth. She was flirting again, what is going on with me? she wondered.

He looked at her shyly then closed his eyes smiling.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing."

"We have a lot to see today. I plan on getting on the road as soon as I can tomorrow morning so let's get going." She was trying to set boundaries, mostly with herself. His face fell for a split second before he recomposed it but she saw it.

"Yeah me too" he said, clearing his throat, "Much to see." She followed him out of the hotel room and into the lobby.

They got into her car and drove away. They walked, shopped, ate, and walked some more, in and out of museums, parks, and districts all over the city. They couldn't help but fall back into the same flirtatious behavior that they both vowed to stop. They were losing on their earlier resolves. He would put his arm around her and she would slip her arm through his as they walked.

"This has been great" he said as she pulled into a parking space back at the hotel almost eleven hours later.

"I hope I didn't wear you out too much" she said.

"No it was very much worth it" he said smiling at her. They sat in the darkened car for a moment, starring at one another.

"Well I guess this is it" she said.

"Yeah, I guess so."

They rode up in the elevator in silence. Both understood that their time was up. They would be parting ways in the morning.

He walked her to her door, stopping and leaning in the doorway after she stepped in "Brittany, thank you for everything. This has been a splendid day. You've shown me more than I ever could have seen by myself."

He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, gently kissing her soft skin. In that moment she wanted to pull him in and have her way with him but she knew better. She knew she was scared of her own feelings and pull her hand from his.