Communicating only with their eyes, Charlotte knew nothing more was needed. They had both awakened filled with hunger, and both were ready to be sated. She quickly retrieved a condom from the package at the bedside table and applied it slowly, taking the time to admire him in the same manner in which he had just admired her.
Charlotte knew he was beautiful, but as she traced the well-shaped muscles under his perfect skin, Charlotte felt a lump form in her throat. Never had she touched such beauty or possessed it inside of her body. No matter how fleeting this was, she knew a part of his beauty would remain with her forever, a permanent mark, just like their tattoos. Her eyes wide with the sight of him, he pulled her close and kissed her again and again, telling her she was all he wanted.
With a grin, she nuzzled his neck, then rose up and, never breaking eye contact, impaled herself on his length. A long, low sigh escaped as he filled her. He watched her, his eyes devouring the expressions of pleasure on her face, his nose taking in the smell of her need, his body rejoicing in the sensations of being surrounded by her.
His hands reached up and cupped her soft breasts, massaging her nipples until they hardened to sharp points and squeezing them until Charlotte whimpered with pleasure. His body curled slightly into hers and moved to meet her every thrust. Charlotte lost control of herself in the intensity of the sensations she was feeling. Her hands coiled around his shoulders as she angled herself on him, her breaths coming in quick gasps.
With a force that moved the bed, she ground herself wildly into him, feeling the pressure build in her blood. Lost to everything but sensation, she came with a passion that left her breathless and shaking. Richard grasped her hips, using her to reach his release only a minute later. Afterward, he rolled them onto their sides and pulled her body close, her arms draping limply over him. He kissed her sweaty forehead, murmuring, “Thank you, Charlotte.”
The warmth that had filled her heart retreated as Charlotte pulled back her emotions, reminding herself that this was only a mercy fuck between friends. “What time is it?” she asked a few minutes later, her voice something like normal.
Richard stopped caressing her cheek, knowing the moment was over, and looked at the clock. “It’s almost ten.”
“I’ve got to get going,” Charlotte said, her voice deliberately casual. “I hope everything is all right with Jane.”
Richard lay back on the bed, stretching. “They would have called if there was a problem,” he assured her. “I’m sure they’re all still asleep.”
“Let’s hope so,” Charlotte grinned as she dressed. She slowed as she realized she was getting to the good-bye part. She always hated this part, and her usual method of handling it had always been slipping out before her partner awoke. But somehow she didn’t want to miss this. She knew she was playing with fire, but she wanted to see his reaction; if he had any regrets, if he would miss her as much as— She broke off her train of thought as Richard rose from the bed and once again she was stunned by his beauty.
“I’ll see you at breakfast?” he asked her as he closed the distance between them. Charlotte nodded in response. “Thank you, Charlotte,” he said softly, and she believed him. She believed he was grateful for what they had shared. She believed his eyes, which told her she had touched him.
He kissed her a last time, achingly sweet, and she left, finding herself in the hotel hallway with her key in her hand, not even sure how she had gotten there.
Elizabeth woke to the sound of her cell phone ringing beside her. Seeing that it was Alex calling, she flipped it open. “What?”
“Good morning to you too, sunshine.”
Elizabeth resisted the urge to throw the phone across the room.
“It’s time to wake up.” Alex continued, knowing exactly what the expression on Elizabeth’s face was. “We need to have a meeting to decide what we’re going to do, and we’re having it in your suite in thirty minutes.”
“Do you have any idea how much sleep I’ve had?” she whined.
“Slightly more than I’ve had, sweetheart. But we’ve got trouble, so get everyone up and I’ll see you at ten thirty.”
Elizabeth did throw the phone at that point. Then, resigned to her fate, she stretched, pushed the bedding off her, and went to wake the others.
She tapped on Charlotte’s door, and getting no response, she knocked louder and louder until the door across the room opened and Charles stuck his head out.
“What’s up?” he whispered.
“Alex and Caro are having a meeting here to make plans at ten thirty. How’s Jane?”
“She’s still sleeping. Thanks.” He disappeared back into the room and the door shut.
Frustrated, Elizabeth opened the door to Charlotte’s room and was surprised to find it empty. With an indifferent “hmm,” she closed it and started the tiny coffee maker in the suite.
Elizabeth looked up from watching it fill slowly with the precious fluid when the door opened and Charlotte entered. She ignored Charlotte until the smell washing off her hit Elizabeth like a hammer between her eyes. If she were blind, her nose would have told her what Charlotte had been up to. As it was, the satisfied smile on her face only served as confirmation. That smile faltered when Charlotte saw Lizzy. “What are you doing up?” she asked, surprised.
“Making coffee,” Elizabeth yawned. “Caroline wants a meeting with us and Slurry here before the breakfast meeting.”
“Oh.”
“Where were you?”
“Out,” Charlotte answered as innocently as possible.
It was the wrong answer. It was the worst possible answer. Charlotte had never been shy about her sex life, and Elizabeth knew if she was hiding something, it was bad. “Oh no! Please tell me you were with one of Rebecca’s staff, or even a roadie. Please, please tell me you weren’t out with Richard.”
The look on Charlotte’s face answered for her. “Jesus Christ, Charlotte!” Elizabeth snapped. “How stupid are you?”
Charlotte was completely baffled by Elizabeth’s reaction. “It was just a friendly fuck, Lizzy,” she defended herself. “He saw I was upset and offered me some company. That’s all,” she snapped. “What the hell is your problem?”
“My problem!?!” Elizabeth’s voice came out in a screech. “My problem is that I spent the whole night at the friggin’ hospital, worried about Jane and covered in filth, then I had to run through a gauntlet of reporters to get into the hotel, while you had your legs up in the air getting banged by Richard! So forgive me if I’m not in the best of moods right now!”
“Just drink your fucking coffee, Lizzy. I’m taking a shower,” Charlotte replied sullenly as she walked to her room and shut the door.
“Good!” Elizabeth exclaimed, and then muttered darkly about “washing the smell of your whoring off.” She poured her coffee and looked into it, searching it like a scrying bowl, seeking answers. But there were none there.
She lifted up her head, took a sip, and stared at the recently closed door for a long time. Then her eyes drifted to Jane’s door, still shut, where she and Charles were sleeping. She wasn’t thinking just then, or even feeling. She was just observing. She did some simple mathematical calculations in her head, and nodding at the result, she walked alone to her empty room and shut the door.
Charles lay down and stared out into the semidarkness. He was surprised to feel Jane snuggle up close to him. “I thought you were still asleep,” he said softly.
“I missed you,” she sighed. “And I thought I heard voices in the other room. Is everything all right?”
Charles grinned slightly. “Oh, you know how Lizzy is until she gets her coffee. We’re going to have a planning meeting in a little bit. That’s all.” He turned his head to look at her, gently smoothing her hair away from her face. “How are you feeling?” he asked.