A Legal Trap Ch. 07

"We've talked a lot about feelings, but I don't think I got a chance to say I was sorry about last night. I was scared, I just, I just didn't know how we would work out the things that we might feel insecure about. I wanted to ease into whatever we were wanting..."

I looked at him, his eyes were searching for some concrete sign I understood. Problem was, I didn't know what he was talking about - did he want to pursue a relationship?

"I'm not following... You, you want to see me after this?"

There was a slightest sign of a smile at the corner of his mouth, "Well, I was trying to get to that, but you were like ready to walk away. I couldn't figure out what I'd said wrong."

"I thought you were saying my past was too much to un-see or something like that. I thought that was it, you didn't want to see if there was something we could, like be together..."

"No, I was saying I know that person isn't you. I'm not comfortable with that person, but I am with you here and now."

I was certainly way off the mark on that one. Didn't I warn myself about jumping to conclusions, putting words in places that had different meanings? Augh! I was embarrassed.

"I'm sorry Paul; I had over thought what you'd said."

"Well don't do that," he exclaimed with a smile, while pulling my hand towards his chest. That caused me to lean into him and when our bodies met he wrapped his free hand around the back of my neck leaned in and put his lips on mine. The kiss was soft, gently building as our tongues searched eagerly. It was a passionate moment, brief, but felt right.

Some kids on the climbing toy in the park were laughing at us, oh well.

"A lot about my life is complex Paul, a lot. I just want to warn you. I will be totally transparent, I mean you've already seen me at my worst, but I am much more than that person."

"I'm really not too worried Elizabeth. I have my own set of life complexities. Let's just take it slow and see what happens."

The kids were now chanting something about us getting married and I didn't want to be their entertainment any longer, "You know, I was offered dinner tonight. Any chance we could get out of here and figure that out sooner than later?"

March 11th, 10:43 PM

The walk back from the park to the hotel seemed to take less time. Not for lack of talking all the way back, which we did, but the walk to the hotel was so much more relaxed. Was that it or was I more relaxed with Paul's want to be with me?

Maybe we were just hungry and walked faster? There was no handholding or anything like that, but there felt like we had a common want. It was nice to get back some of that connected feeling, the flirty banter we had from last night before things went south. I loved hearing him laugh and appreciated him listening patiently as I tried to make points or describe some story about whatever to him.

We decided to skip trying to find a restaurant chain nearby and just ate in the hotel's restaurant, which had a Michelin Two Star rating. The food was incredible and the drinks went down easy. I had nearly finished my third rum and coke before the check arrived, so I was feeling 'good'.

When the check did arrive, Paul grabbed for it before I could and we argued playfully about who should pay and my offer to split it fell on deaf ears. Not that I had any money on me to do that, but I could expense it and there was mention of bonus money from Janet when I accepted this assignment.

He eventually compromised after much playful harassing and telling me I could pick up the tab tomorrow night. It would be a lie to say that didn't warm my heart or maybe it was just the alcohol. No, it was definitely that we were going out tomorrow night. Internal smiles a-plenty after that exchange.

I asked if he was up for getting a drink in the bar, to which he explained he had an early morning with the FBI and he was going to snoop on Amber's internet usage before bed, to bring anything of interest to the FBI. My confused look about his snooping got me the 10K foot level explanation about a device he had hooked up to the Carson's router to track traffic and grab content.

It was interesting and all, but he was not doing his mind reading thing very well because if he had he would have realized I did not want the evening to end. There was no playful racing to my room from the lobby like last night. I doubt I could have done that anyway feeling as tipsy as I did.

His techie dissertation lasted until we made it to my room. Hello, snooze alert! It had been almost three months, just before Christmas in fact, that I had last went on a date with someone and there was no comparison to how I felt now being with Paul. That date ended on my terms and I caught an Uber home right after dinner because the guy was a total douche. He knew I was Trans and after too much alcohol before and during dinner, the conversation turned to sex and him wanting to be topped. It was a real disappointment, especially since leading up to the date he came across as so normal. Paul wasn't that guy...

"Well, this looks familiar," I said pulling my phone out and retrieving my room key from a slot inside the phones protective cover.

Paul just watched as I slid the key into the slot, got the green light and click from the lock. I pushed the door open and decided I was going to make a move. I had wanted to kiss him since the park bench some many times I had lost count. I wedged a foot in the door, turned back to him, taking his hand and pulled him closer.

"I had a really good time tonight, I appreci..."

Oh! We were kissing before I could complete my speech about being happy he opened up to me. I stopped that train of thought quickly and was fully participating in everything that was happening. I could taste of the alcohol on his breath, how he was so gentle and passionate. His tongue was anxious, probing mine with some real gusto. The feel of him embracing me, hands at my waist, and then holding me tight as the kissing became more intense. It was dizzying and I so wanted to continue this inside.

When he broke away, he still had me held close and was looking into my eyes.

"I appreciate you giving me a chance to work things out."

I gave him a peck on the lips. "I'm happy we set things straight."

He smiled, pulled me in for another kiss. It was shorter but no less mind numbingly uplifting. This time after breaking the kiss he held me a second longer then took a step back.

"Alright then, so tomorrow, dinner, your treat. How about you pick out someplace, cool?"

"Deal," I tried to say as calmly as possible with my heart trying to beat out of my chest.

"G'night..."

I got another quick kiss that I didn't want to end. Can't you hear what I'm thinking! I watched him turn to walk down the hall, he looked back smiling, I waved awkwardly and entered my room when he rounded the corner and was out of sight.

Much like last night it was very still in the room, but I could feel my heart pounding and I was high on what had just transpired I could barely hold a thought. Now that was a much better ending! OMG! That was incredible! I wished it hadn't ended, but I was certainly cherishing every moment of the last three minutes or so.

My mind was wondering all over the place and the thought of hydration was knocking at my giddy salacious subconscious. I needed to hydrate as there was no way, with as much alcohol that was swimming in my system, I would make it out for a good run in the morning before it got too hot. I didn't want any excuses for not making it at least five miles.

I opened the refrigerator and pulled a bottle of water, twisting the cap off, and taking a long pull. A knock at the door cause me to choke a little, cough hard, and a few drops of water dribbled down my cheek. Shit!

I looked through the peephole to see Paul standing there and opened the door.

"You forget something," I asked. It was kind of a Déjà vu thing to say, and my smile said I was happy to see him. Can you see I'm happy to see you?

"No, but I really don't want to go back to my room," he said in a low voice, his eyes studying my face for a reaction.

I smiled, raised a brow, "I'd like you to not go back to your room also." I extended my hand, which he took, and I pulled him slowly into the room.

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