Page 28 of The Leaves In Autumn
Catching Barbra’s eye, I smile. Looks innocent, feels indecent. Her lids drop for a few beats and then she looks back up. The attraction deepens. Does she understand my intention? I think so.
“Here we are. Thank God,” Mom sighs.
The Armory Hotel stands proudly in the early hours of the morning. Located in the former Art Deco Armory, and within range of the Yellowstone River, it could not be more beautiful. It is rugged nature meets refined style. I googled the amenities and saw exactly what I want to explore. Tonight. This morning. Now all I need to do is have a willing partner.
We exit the limo, Dad and Mom being the last out. I hear him hand over an extra tip.
“Thank you, sir.”
Walking through the entry, we move toward the front desk.
Barbra and I have played it pretty cool since the fire in our pants started. Any other situation, and I would be taking her hand. But these people would see that and run wild with their imaginations. They would blow it up, beyond the facts. I would be in love and cured of any psychological condition. Old Aargon would be back. And Barbra would be cancelling her well planned and paid for lifetime dream.
Facts are irrelevant to the Lyons.
“Good morning. I am Paul, the Manager of the Armory. This is the Lyon family, I presume.”
The front desk guy looks like he just showered and got dressed for a normal day. He wears a suit, and is fully awake, as opposed to the tired guests he is receiving.
“Thank you for accommodating us at this late hour. You saved us a long trip home.”
“Here are your room fobs. Third floor. Housekeeping will be alerted to skip your rooms in the morning. Elevators are to the right.”
“Do you need our credit cards now?”
“The bill has been taken care of. Here you are.”
Room fobs get pushed across the counter and Van passes them out. We head for the elevator, and no one talks. Sleep is the only thing on most minds. Peripherally, I see Teddy’s cell engaged. I am too otherwise distracted to give a shit. When the first elevator opens, we start to pile inside. It is tight, but no one wants to wait for another.
“Teddy! You, David, and Tyler catch the next one! This is too cramped,” Gaston says with authority.
“Shit,” David says.
“It sucks being young. I feel for you.”
Their grandfather’s comment makes Layla laugh. And Barbra, who has one last comment.
“Dipshits.”
The door slides closed and shoulder to shoulder we begin the lift. Our shoulders are misaligned, but I feel her against me, so soft and appealing my dick takes note. Fingers rub slowly against my leg. Bold. A silent message between two. I keep my eyes forward, but my hand takes hers.
“It was really a beautiful night, wasn’t it?”
It is said to the group but meant for only one. She knows and answers.
“One of the best.”
The bell sounds and the door opens slowly onto the third floor. Layla, Scarlett, and Van get off first, followed by the parents and Parrish. We bring up the rear. Like ants in a colony, we start toward the rooms. Mine is further down. Where’s Barbra’s? The second elevator arrives, and the boys join the march.
“Nighty night,” Scarlett says, opening her door.
“Don’t anyone call us at the crack of dawn,” Van says over a shoulder.
The boys are still looking at their phones when they reach their rooms.
A half grunt from Teddy is all that is offered.
“See everyone in the morning.” Barbra looks at me as she gets to the room. Three twenty-two. Got it. I raise my eyebrows and mime the international sign for calling, putting a thumb and pinkie to my ear. It is behind everyone’s back, but she understood. I saw the nod.
