Why Lorie? Part I

Chapter 15: Alone with Drogo (Mature!)

Josette had made up her mind:  she and Lorie were moving to Vienna.  She wanted to give Viktor the good news as soon as possible.  She woke up early in the morning and got dressed quickly. Josette left the house without talking to anyone, and walked briskly toward Viktor's hotel.  She knew he rented a suite for him and his three sons at the Hotel de Loire, but wasn't sure what number it was.  When she got to the hotel lobby, Josette approached the desk clerk.

"Bonjour," Josette greeted the bespectacled man.  When he looked up, she continued.  "I am looking for Count Viktor Bartholy.  My name is Josette Lafoure."

The clerk's eyes widened as he recognized the famous soprano.  The clerk was obviously a fan, because he turned beet red and stammered.

"Yes, of course... Mademoiselle Lafoure," he checked his ledger.  "Count Bartholy is in suite 302."

"Thank you for your help," Josette gave the clerk her most charming smile.  "I can find my way," she told him as she strolled toward the elevator.

"May I say, you are simply wonderful," the clerk shouted behind her.  "You were the best Madame Butterfly I have ever seen!"

"Merci Monsieur," Josette answered over her shoulder as she entered the elevator car.

She got off on the third floor and found herself standing in front of suite 302.  She rapped on the door quickly, and heard a male voice ask:

"Who is it?"

"It's Josette," she answered.  "Hurry up and let me in.  I have some good news."

Josette couldn't contain her excitement.  Her heart was beating quicker than usual.  As the door started to open, Josette gave it a little push.  She entered the room and found herself face to face with Drogo who was only wearing a towel wrapped around his waist.  Josette almost fainted at the sight of his mostly naked body.  She didn't know where to look, so she stared down at her shoes. 

"Well, well, well," Drogo teased her.  "Where's the fire, Mademoiselle Lefoure?"

"I'm sorry," Josette stammered.  "I was looking for Viktor.  Is he here?"

"Unfortunately, you just missed him," Drogo answered.  "He and my brothers have some sort of business meeting this morning.  So, it's just me... and now... you."

Josette froze on the spot.  She felt completely destabilized by the unexpected situation.  She wasn't sure what to do next, so she just stood there dumbly, her arms dangling at her sides.  When she raised her eyes up to Drogo's face, she saw he was grinning, obviously aware of her discomfort.

"I just got out of the shower," Drogo explained, casually running a hand through his wet hair.

A little drop of water fell onto his bare chest and started to slowly trickle down.  Josette's eyes were glued to it.  She couldn't look away and it was awful.  She realized she was ogling Drogo's pectorals, which were quite impressive.  She gulped.

"If I had known you were coming, I would've gotten dressed... a bit more," Drogo continued, unabashed.  "As it is...," he spread his arms out apologetically, "... I'm afraid you'll have to put up with seeing me like this," he finished in a mocking tone.

Drogo pointed to an armchair close to the window.  "Please... make yourself comfortable."

Josette quickly walked away from him.  She sat down, crossed her legs and wrapped her arms around herself, in a defensive posture.  Her cheeks were hot from embarrassment and... something else that she was trying her best to repress.

"Get a hold of yourself," her inner voice yelled at her.

But it was impossible.  Drogo approached her ferally, still only wearing the white towel that clung to him tightly, outlining his maleness.  Josette fixed her eyes on a painting hanging on the wall across from her.  She would avoid looking at him at all costs.