Christmas came and Megan took the long plane ride home. She spent five days with her parents and friends from home. Then she told them she was returning to school for a New Years Party.
At the airport, once her parents were gone, she traded in her ticket for one going to New York. The brunette boarded the plane and thought about what she was doing. She and Paul had been spending a lot of time together. Almost every chance they got without someone around, they were together. Before she had left, he had asked her if she wanted to join him. He even offered to buy her a ticket. But Megan had hesitated and said no.
Over the days apart, she had begun to miss him. So she called him to wish him a Merry Christmas and asked where he would be on New Years. He gave her the name and the number of the hotel. ‘Will he be surprised.’ She thought as she got ready for the plane ride.
Seven hours later, Megan arrived at the hotel. She stopped at the front desk to see what room he was in. Then she took the elevator up and arrived at his room. But once she got to the door, Meg froze. She almost turned around and headed for Anderson. Part of her couldn’t knock. “Coward.” She whispered. Finally, she knocked.
Latham opened the door and his jaw dropped. He pulled her into the room and shut the door. “Meg?”
“Hi.” She said meekly.
“What are you doing here?”
“You asked me to come.”
“But you said no.”
“After a few days, I missed seeing you.” She didn’t get any closer than they were. “If you want me to leave, I will.”
“It’s not that.” He looked down at her. “I missed you, too. I just… oh hell.” He plopped down on the end of the bed.
Megan smiled one of her seductive smiles at him and pointed her finger at his chest. “Anderson does not allow profanity.”
Quickly he grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer. In a low and almost strained tone, he said “In case you haven’t noticed, this is not Anderson.”
She felt her own breath get a little shallow, being so close to him. “I noticed.” He released her and she took a step back. There was tension between the two of them. But neither of them moved for some time. They just stared at each other.
Megan finally broke the silence. “Should I get a room?”
“No. I would like you to stay.” He cracked a smile. “I just thought you didn’t want to come. I thought I was being presumptuous in asking you.”
“I thought you were too. But I realized I missed you.”
“I’m glad you’re here.” Paul took her hand and kissed it. “I’m meeting friends for dinner tomorrow night to celebrate the New Year. Would you like to go?”
“Yes. I would.” Then she looked around the room and her eyes stopped on the one bed. “So where are we sleeping?”
“I think I can control myself enough for us to stay in the same bed.” He gave her an appraising look, “I wonder about you though.”
Her voice got very appropriate sounding. “Well unlike the boys that Anderson sends out into the world, its ladies are the models of virtue and standards.”
“Who kissed her headmaster first?”
“Who rented the hotel room in Millersville?” They stared at each other and then started to laugh. She replied, “I am okay with one bed. As long as there are no strings attached.”
Both of them processed this move. Somewhere in his mind Paul should have known she was daring enough to do this. Somewhere in the back of hers, she wondered if he had changed his mind about her.
One of Paul’s friends owned a night club in Manhattan. For New Years, they were having a 40’s style party. So, Paul offered to take her shopping earlier that day for an outfit.
They walked on this cold, clear day down the street to a dress shop the concierge recommended. He held her hand, something he usually couldn’t do and it made the young woman smile. “What are you wearing?”
“I found a suit at the consignment store in town.” He looked at the store signs, “Here it is.”
“I found a suit at the consignment store in town.” He looked at the store signs, “Here it is.”
They entered. It was a vintage clothing store. The workers almost looked punk in their own attire and fit into the store less than Megan and Paul did in their jeans.
“Hi. Can I help you?” The salesgirl came over to help them.
“I’m looking for a 40’s style dress for a party tonight.”
“Casual or formal?”
Megan looked over her shoulder at Paul, “What do you think?”
“Something in between.” He took a seat in a chair near the back of the store while they looked. The salesgirl brought her four dresses to try on. Megan refused to come out and let him see them. The salesgirl came in and the two of them discussed the dresses in the dressing room. After half an hour the salesgirl brought out all four of the dresses. She took them all into the back and wrapped up the one Megan had chosen.
They met the salesgirl at the counter. “I think you’ll like it.” The salesgirl winked at Paul.
Megan pulled out her wallet, but before she could pay Paul handed the girl his credit card. “You can’t pay for this.”
“But it’s my dress.”
“It’s for my friend’s party.”
“It’s for my friend’s party.”
The salesgirl smiled. “First party with his friends?”
They looked at each other. “Yes. How did you know?”
“My husband and I met his friends at a costume party. We had the same conversation.”
The use of the word husband sent Latham and Megan into embarrassment central. Neither of them had thought about this topic before now. Neither of them had thought about the future.
“We’re not even dating.” He said. Megan shot her head around a bit and the cashier caught the look on her face, which Latham did not.
“Sorry I just assumed.”
“We’re just friends.” Megan answered and took the box. “Thanks.”
Back out into the cold, Paul knew something was wrong. But he could not put his finger on it. Her pace was quicker than it had been going to the shop.
Once he caught up to her, he stopped to put himself between her and the street. She noticed this, but didn’t say anything. They entered the hotel and headed up the elevator. The young man running the elevator engaged them in chit chat about the weather and the holiday. But once they were off, it was quiet again.
Paul opened the door and let her in. She put the box on the table and went to the balcony. Latham watched as she threw herself into a chair and propped her feet up on the railing. He joined her, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She said, quite calmly.
“Really? Since we left the shop you haven’t said anything to me.”
“Why would I? It’s not like we’re dating.”
He smiled at her, “Is that what this is about?”
“Yes.”
“Have either of us ever said the word dating?”
She paused a moment. “No.”
“That’s what I meant.”
“Then what is this? We’re not lovers because we are not sleeping together. I am not dating you. I am actually your 18 year old student.”
“I don’t know how to classify this, yet.” He stood up and looked at the city. “I am your friend. A friend who thinks the world of you.”
“A friend who makes out with me every chance he gets.” She smirked at him.
“That too.” He sat back down and looked into her eyes. “I just haven’t thought much further than that right now.”
“Neither have I.”
“Then we just need to think about what we want from this.” He took her hand and kissed it.
“What are you going to tell your friends about me tonight?”
Paul thought for a moment. “I am going to tell them that you’re my date.”
“I can handle date.”
“Good.” He looked at his watch. “I’m going to take a nap.”
“I think I want to stay out here.”
It was dim in the hotel room when Paul awoke. It was 4:30 and he didn’t see Megan. He sat up and let the sleep float away from his head. “Meg?”
Silence greeted him. He went to the balcony and it was empty. Then he knocked on the bathroom door. She wasn’t there either. Just then the phone rang. He picked up, “Mr. Latham?”
“Yes.”
“This is the front desk. Your wife asked me to call and wake you up. She’s having her hair done and was worried you would oversleep.”
“Thanks.” He hung up the phone. “Wife? Now she’s being cute about it.” He decided to shower and shave.
When he stepped out of the bathroom to retrieve his suit, she was sitting in a chair watching the news. Her dark hair was styled in a 40’s style, curled and off her face. Her makeup was done as well and was flawless. But he noticed she didn’t have her dress on, but was in a slip.
“My friends will love you, their wives may not.”
She gave him a funny look. “I’m not going to wrinkle my dress before we leave.”
Paul smiled back. “Well maybe you should go before my wife gets back.”
Megan turned around, “Your what?”
“The concierge called and said my wife wanted me called to wake me up.”
“Oh, crap.” She got red. “I didn’t say that.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Mr. Latham. I am damn sure.”
He leaned over the couch in just his bathrobe. “I don’t tolerate profanity.”
She put her face close to his, “As you told me, this is not your school.”
He kissed her on the nose. “Okay. I give up.” Paul took his suit out of the closet and went into the bathroom to finish dressing. When he came out he was face to face with the most gorgeous creature he had ever seen.
The look on his face said it all. “You like?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” She twirled around. The dark blue dress clung to her body and made her look a few years older.
“Maybe we should stay here.” He took her into his arms.
She pulled back from him, “No.” Then she twirled again. “No party, no dress.”
He thought for a moment, ‘That would be okay.’ But he grabbed her coat and helped her into it. Then he put on his own on. “Shall we go?”
When they got to the club, it was swinging. The hostess brought them to the back of the club, where a private dinner area was set up. The man at the head of the table got up and shook hands with Paul and then they hugged. “Man it is good to see you.”
“You too, Ralph.” Latham turned around and took his date’s hand. “This is Megan Downey, my date.”
Ralph took the young woman’s hand from Latham and kissed it “The woman my best friend can not stop talking about. It is nice to meet you. Ralph Preston, owner.”
“Thank you for having me.”
He wife rose and introduced herself. “I’m Lois Preston. I thought that Paul said you were out of town.”
He wife rose and introduced herself. “I’m Lois Preston. I thought that Paul said you were out of town.”
“I was but I was able to change my plans.”
They were ushered to the other end of the table. Paul shook hands with the other two couples and introduced Megan to them. He pulled her chair out for her.
Lois looked at Megan. “So what do you do for a living, Megan?”
“I’m a student.”
“At Anderson?”
Megan laughed, “No. I attend Eureka University, that’s how Paul and I met. It’s near Anderson. I study Art History.”
“Thank goodness, I was starting to think that old Pauli here was robbing the cradle.” Ralph laughed. He motioned to the waiter and everyone was served champagne. Megan and Paul both took one, clanked their glasses and drank.
The group started chatting. The dinner was served and everyone warmed up to Megan. They talked for a while. Then Ralph suggested that everyone start dancing.
Latham took the young woman’s hand and led her out on to the dance floor. There was a Glenn Miller swing song playing when they arrived. She leaned into him. “Can you dance like this?”
“Can you?” She smiled and nodded her head. “Then let’s do it.”
It went from that song to another fast paced song and then to a slow song. He took her into his arms. Her respiration was quick, like his.
“You are pretty good for an old man.”
“You too, Missie.” He leaned in and kissed her lips quickly. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re one hot broad?”
“Broad?” She gave him a look of disgust. “I don’t like that term.”
“How about dame?”
“That’s better.” Megan smiled. “This had been a wonderful day.”
“Yes, it has.”
Another fast song started and they looked at each other. Paul took her hand and led her to the table. They sat down and drank some water.
Lois came over to them. “So how are you enjoying yourselves?”
“It’s wonderful.” Megan gushed.
“Glad you’re enjoying it.”
Ralph joined them. “Can I steal your date, Paulie?”
Latham looked at her. “Are you okay with that?”
“As long as he doesn’t have two left feet, I am game.”
“No. He is a great dancer.” Lois defended her husband.
Megan put out her hand and let him lead her to the dance floor. At that moment it turned into a slow song. Ralph pulled her close and started dancing. It was a little uncomfortable.
“So, you’re Paulie’s new lady? He is a lucky one.”
“No. I’m lucky,”
He pulled her closer and his hand grabbed her rear. “But why have him when you can have a real man?”
She pulled his hand away. “Because you are married and I’m dating your best friend.”
Unknown to Megan, Paul had Lois trying to hit on him. She ran her hand up and down his leg. “Paul, why don’t you drop the kid?”
“Lois, you are a nice lady. But I don’t like you. If you weren’t married to Ralph, I wouldn’t give you the time of day.” He smacked her hand away.
“You’re stupid. Why have a kid when you can have me?”
“I’m moral.” He pushed her hand away again.
She got really indignant and rolled her eyes. “They’re the same thing, Paul.”
He got up and headed towards the dance floor. That’s where he saw Ralph pawing at Megan. He moved over to them. “Excuse me.”
“Paulie, we’re just talking about you.”
“No. You were trying to feel up my date.” He took Meg’s hand. “I want to dance with my date.”
“Come on, Paulie. Loosen up a bit.”
“I think your wife is loose enough for all of us.”
“Why you…”
Meg put up her hand. “Let’s stop right there. Can we just go, Paul?”
“Yes.” He turned to his friend. “That’s for a not so wonderful evening.”
“She’s a frosty bitch, anyways.”
Latham started to hit him, but the young brunette grabbed his arm to stop him. “Let’s just go, Paul!”
They stopped at the coat check and got their coats. Once they were outside, Paul looked at her. “I am sorry about that.”
“It’s alright.”
“Now I remember why I stopped bringing dates to dinner with him.” He put his arm around her and looked at his watch. “It’s 10 o’clock in New York City on New Year’s Eve. What is a couple to do?”
“Now I remember why I stopped bringing dates to dinner with him.” He put his arm around her and looked at his watch. “It’s 10 o’clock in New York City on New Year’s Eve. What is a couple to do?”
“Go back to the hotel? There is a party in their lounge. We could celebrate there and then head up to the room and celebrate by ourselves.”
“Okay.” He liked where this is going, but didn’t push the topic. As they got closer to the street he put himself between her and the street.
“Why do you do that?”
“What?”
“You always move to the outside of the street when we’re walking.”
He thought for a moment. “My father always did that for my mother. I guess he did it because he wanted to stop someone from hurting her.”
“If a car hits you, it hits me too.”
He saw her logic in that statement. “But if they’re not going that fast, you have a chance.”
She stifled a laughed and cuddled up against him. “My hero?”
“No. I’m just a man. Besides I thought girls now a days had to be their own heroes with cartoons like Mulan or that Disney cartoon Kim Possible.”
“We can rescue ourselves. But it’s fun to still know there is a knight out there to sweep us off our feet.”
They arrived at the lounge and went in. It was a little calmer than the club they had been in but that was fine with them. They took a small table in the back. They talked and danced until just before midnight. At that time the waitress brought them each a glass of champagne to ring in the New Year. They toasted each other and kissed when it hit midnight. The kiss was almost innocent and sweet to them. Then Megan begged him for one more dance.
Paul led her to the dance floor and then pulled her close. It was the most intoxicating thing for the two of them. He held her hand and turned it in, so it was resting on his heart. He ran his thumb across the back of her hand.
At that moment Megan Downey felt something she had never felt before in her young life. She was in love. The man holding her made her feel alive and she wanted nothing more than to be with him.
He leaned in to kiss her. But what started out slow and easy became hotter with each second. “Let’s go,” she whispered. He grabbed their coats and made their way up to the room.
Once they were in the room, he held her tight and started plastering her tanned face with kisses. They began making out and fell onto the bed. Miscellaneous pieces of their outfits began to come off as they got friskier.
Paul kissed her soft and tempting lips. He could taste the champagne on her lips. Something made him think of their first day together. The beer and her flirting. Now the champagne. He pulled back.
“What?”
“I’m going to take a shower.” He rose and headed for the bathroom.
“But I thought that got guys out of the mood.” She sat up on the bed.
“That’s why I am going to take a long, icy cold shower.” He went in and she could hear the door lock.
Megan hugged herself, trying to figure out what she had done wrong. She rose, grabbed her PJ’s and changed clothes. She left the dress on the floor, not caring at this point if she ruined it. She went to the mirror and removed her make up and brushed out her hair to put in a pony tail.
By the time he got out, she was settled in bed. The covers were almost pulled up over her head. He tried to look at her. “Megan?”
“What?”
“I would like to talk to you.”
She sat up and turned to him. Latham could tell that she had been crying. He wanted to hold her and cradle her. But he held back.
“I wanted to tell you why I stopped. Megan, you’ve been drinking.”
“And?” Her eyes got wide with question.
“I’m not having sex with you if you are intoxicated.” She gave him a weird look so he continued. “I can not in good conscious take a woman’s virginity when she may not be sober enough to know what she’s doing.”
“My virginity?”
“That’s what happens the first time you have sex.” He took a seat next to her. “Because that’s where we were heading.”
She giggled a little. “We were heading for sex. But it wouldn’t have been my first time.”
Now it was Paul’s turn to be surprised. “What?”
“I would have loved for you to be my first, Paul. But I slept with a guy back home over a year ago.” She touched his shoulder. “And I may have had two glasses of champagne tonight over three hours apart, but I am not even tipsy. In fact, I have function of all my faculties.
He was still in shock at her statement. “You’re not a virgin?”
She began to laugh, “Is that part of the deal?”
“No, but you’re so driven. I just assumed you’d never…”
“That’s just now.” Megan leaned in and kissed his lips. “I am on the pill and got tested six months after he and I broke up.”
“That’s just now.” Megan leaned in and kissed his lips. “I am on the pill and got tested six months after he and I broke up.”
Paul locked eyes with her, “I did too after my last relationship. I am clean.”
“Then we don’t have to use a condom if you don’t want to. I know some people feel…”
“I will if you want me to.”
She didn’t answer him. Instead she took her hands and began to undo her pajama top. She exposed her large, round breasts. Paul reached over and began to massage them. He caught her nipple with his finger and began to rub it. She bit her lip and closed her eyes.
The blond man moved his hands down her hips and slipped his thumbs into her pajama bottoms. He started to move them down. She lifted her hips to allow him to remove them. At first Latham just started at the beautiful woman before him. She was perfect. She almost looked like a Greek goddess her ancestors might have worshiped centuries before. Then he began to move his hands along the different parts of her body. She seemed to build in her excitement.
Paul stopped, stood and dropped the bathrobe. It was not the first time she had seen a man naked, but seeing Paul shocked her a bit. He was just as toned as she had imagined. He reminded her off the European marble statues. Even his manhood surprised her.
He lay down and started kissing her. The heat from him and Megan was like the sun. She then rolled him over on his back. Megan straddled him.
“Megan?”
“Yeah?” She started the breath a bit heavier.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“I love you.”
Hearing the words surprised her. “I love you, too.” Those words made it not just physical but emotional between them.
His hands roamed her body as she began to move her hips. He just watched her as she moved in that rhythm. He moved with her in perfect harmony. The two of them climaxed within moments of each other. He held her hips as he climaxed and held her while she followed. Then Paul let her roll over and off of him.
Megan couldn’t catch her breath at first, but once she did she moved close to him. Paul put his arms around her and held her so tightly. She looked up at him and smiled.
“That was amazing.” She leaned up and kissed him.
“Yes, it was.”
Within a few minutes she was asleep in his arms. He grabbed the sheet and covered their naked bodies. Paul couldn’t sleep yet.
He didn’t regret what had just happened between them. But he was worried about what it would mean for them and Anderson. If anyone found out, she would be expelled and he would be fired. At the same time, he knew that if he isolated himself from her, he would just as surely die.
In just two months he had fallen in love with this beautiful woman. Paul was sure that she had fallen in love with him as well. When the concierge had called and said his wife had asked him to call, he thought it was funny. Now he realized it sounded natural. He could imagine this beautiful woman being his wife. He closed his eyes and fell asleep beside her.
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