Accept

Chapter 22- Chris

It was hard to contain my excitement waiting at the baggage claim. The monitor announced the arrival from Minneapolis twenty minutes earlier and I still hadn't spotted her. The sound of baggage wheels clacking on the floor mixed with the aroma of Starbuck's coffee was not helping ease the anticipation of seeing Lexie.

Ever since the night I carried her through the blizzard to my house, I was unable to think of anything else. Not even football consumed my thoughts as much as she had, and I couldn't imagine how I had survived those few months without her.

I searched the crowd filled with strangers; each of their faces telling a story of their past holiday vacation. Tired mothers and fathers regrouping their kids after a week at grandma's, relaxed couples holding tanned hands from exotic island vacations, and suddenly my heart stopped as a radiant smile greeted me, descending the escalator. The crowd seemed to disappear and we were the only people in the terminal.  

"Hey handsome," she said as she dropped her suitcase at my feet.

It had only been a week since I saw her, but it seemed an eternity.  A lump formed in my throat not allowing me to respond. I held her tightly inhaling the scent of her hair until I was able to mumble, "I missed you."

"Me too. I can't believe I am here.  I'm not sure if I am more excited to see you or New York City," she winked.

"Come on, let's get outta here," I laughed grabbing her suitcase and pulling her to the parking lot. "You better choose me." 

Excitement was always in the air in the city,  but it felt, even more, electrifying with Lexie beside me.

"Wow, whose car is this?" She asked climbing into the black BMW.

"My mom's. I thought this would be more practical than taking taxis to show you around." 

I pulled into the crowded streets and proceeded to head into the Manhattan skyline. I couldn't even think of sightseeing until I had Lexie to myself for a while. I wasn't going to share her with anyone or any city yet.

Lexie settled back into the plush seats. "So, how far away do your parents live?"

"They live in Connecticut but we're not staying with them.  We are staying at a hotel in the city."

"A hotel? What do you have planned?" She laughed, "I should have known."

"We have a lot of making up for lost time and I wasn't sure how to explain it to my parents." 

I grabbed her hand and kissed it noticing her slender fingers decorated in bright red polish.   I felt myself growing hard imagining her toes the same. "Nice polish. Do the toes match?"

Lexie grinned back at me, "I can always count on you to notice."

We continued to drive towards the tall buildings and it was fun to share the excitement on her face. Her eyes widened as we drove up to the hotel. 

 "Get out... Is this where we are staying?" She exclaimed in disbelief as the valet opened her door.

I couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm. I  wanted to impress her and found myself just as excited watching her face as we walked into the spacious lobby.

A bellman dressed in a red and black uniform, approached us to take her luggage. I grinned and politely shrugged him off.  The young kid grinned back after glancing at Lexie. He knew I intended to get her quickly to our room with no spectators or distractions.

The sound of a saxophone joined by the sultry voice of a woman drifted from the dark lounge near the elevator. "Let's stop for a drink?" Lexie asked as a couple stumbled from the establishment.