Caravanserai [The Hub | Hypnotic Night Club]

[Elizabeth Ecsed]

Name: Elizabeth
Date | Time: 16th, 10:36
Wearing: elegant yellow dress

   gold necklace with emerald

Five foot five tall walking staff tightly wrapped in criss-crossing thin yellow ribbons, creating diamond patterns showing the silvery wood

Location: Hypnotic, no longer traveling horizontally
Tagging: Mark, Delaney open.
(Sorry for the double post, but I'm really vulnerable to peer pressure!)


One minute she was walking towards the game room as fast as her little bad leg could carry her, and at the next she was on the floor after letting out a short sharp scream of pain. Elizabeth had no idea what or who ran into her, but it really didn't take much to unbalance her if they caught her at the right moment.

The redhead didn't immediately see her staff, so she gritted her teeth and curled her legs in protectively towards her. Fuck, that hurt. Bloody fucking hell, falling hurt. The right leg was normal, despite her bare feet, but the left foot was ever so slightly twisted. The left ankle was noticeably smaller and more fragile than the right, and despite her dress not riding up very far, (she had chosen it  snug just in case this scenario actually happened) a sharp-eyed observer could make out at least three surgical scars starting around her ankle or lower calf.

"Fuck. Fuck fuck. Fuck fuck fuckitty fuck." She wasn't at all sure if she was using her inside the head voice or not at this point, but she figured nobody could hear her. She was mostly focusing on not crying, either from pain or frustration. She balled both fists up in front of her eyes, pressing them into her forehead.

"Fuck you, fuck me, fuck a duck, fuck a meat grinder, fuck a turkey sandwich, fuck up, fuck down. Fuck your mother, fuck your father, fuck your grandparents and great-grandparents for a hundred generations. Fucking shit, Fucking life, fucking club, fucking God. Fuck it all gently to sleep, and then we never fucking wake up. Amen."

[Cosima]

Name: Delaney Clarke
Date | Time: June 16th, 10:37pm
Wearing: This dress, and these heels.
Location: Hypnotic Night Club
Tagging: Mark and Elizabeth | Open
Motivation: Initially this


Despite time and distance, the clean scent of Alaska still lingered in her hair and on her skin. Hints of pine, birch, and cold mountain air mingled with the subtle warmth of her and stood in stark contrast to the heated, cloying bouquet of sweat and perfume that surrounded them. Not that it mattered. She was utterly lost in him by the time he drew her up against him and brushed a trail of kisses along her jaw.

Her fingers curled with his behind her and she leaned up onto her toes to encourage his kisses before the gentle weight of his hand on her hip slowly set her to motion.

Neither of them were going to win any dance offs, but there was something to be said for the ease with which they matched each others rhythm. There were times where the sensual roll of her hips caused her body to brush and rub against his, sometimes in full and sometimes barely in passing. Other times they didn’t touch at all, but exchanged light hearted smiles and laughter drowned out almost entirely by the music.

By the time there was enough sweat to feel damp in the fine hairs on the back of her neck, she had abandoned distance in favor of pulling him against her. She wasn’t overtly lewd, but there was certainly contact. The curve of her bottom pressed snugly back against him, grinding smoothly as her hips moved then she turned and her arms slipped around him to draw his lips down to hers.

The kiss was heated, deep, but brief and she had been just about to suggest they go back to one of their rooms when a voice broke through the music.


"...fuck a turkey sandwich…"

There was more but she couldn't make it out at first, and she leaned to peer curiously around Mark at the commotion. The woman on the ground was something of a surprise and after gently untangling herself from Mark she crossed the few short steps to Elizabeth, gathering the dropped walking staff as she went.

The room was outrageously loud so Delaney crouched down in order to speak with her.

"Are you okay?" She felt as though she was yelling just to be heard. "Is there something I can do to help?"

The scars were noted, and she took a few seconds to see if there was any indication of a serious issue beyond the apparent fall. Undoubtedly, Mark was right behind her and better equipped to make that determination but she tried. If nothing else Elizabeth could tell her to fuck off for the cathartic value of it. The number of times she had said "fuck" had seemed coherent and decisive at very least.

[Praxis]

Name: Mark Watson
Date | Time: June 16th, sometime after 9:25
Wearing: As pictured to the left with this jacket.
Location: Hypnotic Night Club
Tagging: Delaney | Open
Motivation: Turns out...the girl responds to this



He felt...comfortable.  Safe.  He was able to stop thinking...at least he was able to stop over-thinking things and simply focus on Delaney being close.  Delaney moving with him.  Touching him.  The two of them sharing the same breath.  The were moving in unison.  There was no rush to his movements or the way he touched her.  There was no doubt in his mind as to where they would end up this night.  They had been hurtling towards this moment together for a little over a month...closer to two months really.

He was going to set the world on fire with her tonight...

His lips were against her temple...the back of her neck as she pressed the curves of her bottom against him.  His fingertips lightly stroked her bare arms...her chin and jaw...resting on her abdomen and hips before she spun smoothly and they were kissing deeply.

He could taste the warmth of her...breathe in the scent of her and then...she was gone.  He didn't even feel the collision, he was so focused on her...but also...it was a crowded dance floor.  Things happen.

Nevertheless, the woman that had bumped into them and promptly fell had an impressive mastery of the word "fuck".  The time he and others had spent volunteering in northern California during the fires had taught him a good amount about first aid and helping patients.  He placed a hand momentarily on the small of Delaney's back, letting her know he was there and dragging his fingertips across the fabric that hugged her from right to left as he moved smoothly to her left.  He put the woman that had fallen between himself and Delaney.  His arms reaching out to either side as he crouched down to get closer to the woman.  Using his arms to keep other dancers from bumping into her, an easy smile formed on his lips as he spoke loud enough for her to hear.  "I don't know if I would fuck a turkey sandwich but I do indeed like them." , he gave her a bright grin as he leaned a little bit closer but not so much as to seem he was looming.  His eyes momentarily moved to the woman's feet...taking note of the difference in her two ankles before looking back to her with a smile.  "So I'm Mark.  That's Delaney.", motioning with his chin towards the brunette in the red dress.  "Would it be alright if I helped you up.  Do you think you can manage that?"

[Elizabeth Ecsed]

Elizabeth would have been highly offended if Mark claimed that she ran into them... Someone in her condition was always vigilant about hazards and trying to find the safest route somewhere.

But she had more pressing concerns. The redhead slid her fists apart slightly, to see who was in front of her. Spooky eye lady. Great. Those eyes were even more disconcerting up close. Elizabeth couldn't figure out or explain why those eyes seemed so unnatural to her, but they still caused subtle creeping heeby-jeebies.

However, the strange woman smelled amazing. The exact opposite of the dry, hot deserts Elizabeth was half in love with... windy and cool mountains covered with hardy snow dusted trees.

And then some freaking giant guy was holding his arms out protectively. A guy a full foot taller than herself, with some tattoos peeking out here and there... With hair and beard worthy of a viking or extremely metrosexual lumberjack. And a incredibly... Vivid jacket only game show hosts and people with impregnable self regard could pull off.

What the hell was with this place? Why is everyone so weird?

"So... No special sauce on the turkey sandwich. Got it. Right."

Elizabeth made grabby hands motions towards her staff, and hugged it tightly to her chest for a second after Delaney handed it over. Planting the staff firmly in front of her, Elizabeth managed to do a rather awkward shuffle/monkey climb up the staff with its brightly colored yellow ribbon.

Brushing at her stupid banana yellow dress, she shot a look of absolute longing towards the relative safety and peace of the game room. Awkwardly offering her hand to Delaney then Mark, leaning on her staff.

"Uhm. I'ma Elizabeth. Thanks for the help y'all. I appreciate it. I think I'm good?"

Her eyes were already drifting back towards the game room, and her fingers were twitching hard on the staff.

[Gannameade]

 

Name: William
Date | Time: June 16, 9:30 pm
Wearing: Shown
Location: Hynoptic Night Club, In Line
Tagging: Shailene, Open


 
William watched as she slipped inside moving past him. He was sure she wanted to get away, he was aware that she realized her teasing had gotten the best of her and what she had been doing as mere flirting had backfired. William wondered if maybe she had been just testing the waters and really didn’t want him like that. He wasn’t flirting any more he was willing to let her know he wanted her…that wasn’t the case with her…he noticed her motions and they were to allow her to rabbit from him. A half-smile grazed his features letting him realized the truth of his…this situation as she moved within the room.

He could only accept the fact that he made his play and the movements and motions were not to be reciprocated, his body molded to her so perfectly. Her eyes, her lips, he shapely form all but called to him…he wanted to answer that call and more. Yes, they didn’t have the time right now as he wasn’t about to lose his job or take hers away, but still, there was time though her motions didn’t seem to indicate her wanting that particular time.

He heard her speak in the darkened room now and he put his hand up he realized he had gone too far and was loathe to listen to yet another mistake he had made like the one he had with Becky. He wouldn’t change their work relationship, it would just go back to that, work and his time with her would be a bit awkward at first.  He did understand his place though and he wasn’t going to mess up that situation further. He was going to just get the item they came for and be gone. What did he expect to happen anyway? The lovely doctor would fall for him and they would be necking every chance they got till they had some alone time? That she really wanted him when she could have any damned body she wanted. ‘Really Will?!?’ he scolded himself briefly.

It was the next heartbeat of moments when she leaned up and kissed him, the soft petals that caressed his own lips called to him as he looked at her most confused.  When the light kiss broke he was even more confused, rather than mess up any more, he watched her as if she wanted that. His hands were on her waist as a confused look settled upon his face. “Is that yes you want to spend time with me or goodbye and that is a parting gift?” His eyes met her own and he really didn’t want the latter cause he was already going through withdrawals from her sweet tender kisses.

[Cosima]

Name: Delaney Clarke
Date | Time: June 16th, 10:37pm
Wearing: This dress, and these heels.
Location: Hypnotic Night Club
Tagging: Mark and Elizabeth | Open
Motivation: The girl also responds to this... and this...



Delaney’s eyes were strikingly blue, unnervingly Empyrean even, but there was kindness in them. She and Mark both, despite their apparent affinity for television shows with manufactured angst, were genuine people.

“A pleasure to meet you, Elizabeth.”

As they stood she spoke above the music. It felt like yelling, and she hoped she’d heard the woman’s name correctly.

“I like your dress…”

A warm smile replaced a tentative one and once she was certain their acquaintance was steady on her feet she stepped back into place beside Mark. Her hand drifted to his and teased it open so she could lace her fingers with his.

Her eyes followed Elizabeth’s briefly to the doorway into the game room, it seemed clear she didn’t want to linger overly long about a conversation so Delaney wouldn’t press.

“Maybe we could walk with you to the edge of the dance floor before we get on our way? Mark can go first and clear a path...” Because crowds parted for men like him, broad in the shoulders and striding with purpose. It was bound to be easier than either Elizabeth or Delaney trying to traverse the tightly packed crowd alone.

[Elizabeth Ecsed]

Name: Elizabeth
Date | Time: 16th, 10:38
Wearing: elegant yellow dress

   gold necklace with emerald

Five foot five tall walking staff tightly wrapped in criss-crossing thin yellow ribbons, creating diamond patterns showing the silvery wood

Location: Hypnotic, no longer traveling horizontally
Tagging: Mark, Delaney, open

If Delaney's eyes were heavenly, Elizabeth still reminded herself that Lucifer was an angel. Why those sky blue eyes bothered her, she had no idea. But the woman seemed kind enough, and was talking sense.

"Uhm, nice to meet you too, miss, Delaney? That's a neat name."

The music was indeed head poundingly loud, and Elizabeth could barely hear herself. Normally a quiet girl, conversing here felt like a major strain.

"Thanks!" She called out, brushing her free hand over her hip. "I kinda feel like a banana! Not like your dress though, you look like a superhero!"

Elizabeth looked up at the giant man and nodded eagerly. "My own personal ice breaker ship? Yes please! That would be amazing!!"

[Praxis]

Name: Mark Watson
Date | Time: June 16th, sometime after 9:25
Wearing: As pictured to the left with this jacket.
Location: Hypnotic Night Club
Tagging: Delaney | Elizabeth | Open
Motivation:



Crowds were something he had gone out of his way to avoid because he was always reminded how oblivious humanity could be.  In this case however, he suspected it was easy to simply forget that there were other people on the dance floor.  He certainly had not noticed Elizabeth approaching prior to he and Delaney bumping into her because...well...Delaney was...Delaney.

He nodded his head once...a short, sharp gesture as he offered Elizabeth a confident smile.  Without further prompting he drew close enough to Elizabeth to place his large hand between her shoulders, not shoving her but simply letting his touch act as a guide.  Ensuring he moved at her pace and was able to make sure that no further collisions occurred.  Giving Elizabeth small, but encouraging smiles between looking up and making sure people saw a stern and moderately menacing face as he maneuvered Elizabeth out of the crowd on the dance floor whilst looking back from time to time, making eye contact with Delaney and making sure she was staying close as well.

[Elizabeth Ecsed]

Name: Elizabeth
Date | Time: 16th, 10:39
Wearing: elegant yellow dress

   gold necklace with emerald

Five foot five tall walking staff tightly wrapped in criss-crossing thin yellow ribbons, creating diamond patterns showing the silvery wood

Location: Hypnotic, making it to the game room.
Tagging: Mark, Delaney, open

Elizabeth stiffened the second Mark's hand touched her back. Oh nonono. That would not do. Being touched by a giant man a foot taller and Goddess knows how many pounds heavier was just not in her game plan tonight.

A strange and giant Amazonian woman, however, well.... She did wear yellow and hints of green for a reason, after all. She flashed Mark a thankful but kind of rueful smile, sliding her back away from his hand, no matter how helpful it would have been.

Still, they made it to the game room without incident. The noise and volume of people dropped dramatically. A lot of subtly held tension drained from Elizabeth's face as she relaxed, no longer under such pressures.

She dropped into an empty chair with a contented sigh, then smiled up at the other two people.

"Thank you so much... I don't remember seeing you two before, so welcome to Caravanserai!"

[Praxis]

Name: Mark Watson
Date | Time: June 16th, sometime after 9:25
Wearing: As pictured to the left with this jacket.
Location: Hypnotic Night Club
Tagging: Delaney | Elizabeth | Open
Motivation:



He grimaced when he felt Elizabeth deliberately work himself free of his touch.  He felt a flare of shame over having done it without asking her for permission first.  He just figured that maneuvering her through the crowd rather than trying to ask her for permission first prior to getting her out of the crowd would expedite the whole thing.

It was a valuable lesson to learn.  Always...always ask.

He pressed his lips together tightly in disappointment only to give Elizabeth a small smile...looking back over his shoulder to make sure Delaney was approaching.

Then looking back to Elizabeth he nodded his head slightly before crouching down next to Elizabeth so as to not be towering over her but maintaining a distance between the two of them.


"Yep.  We both just arrived today.  It's...a lot to take in really.  Also...sorry.  You know...about all of...this?  I hope you're alright and I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

[Cosima]

Name: Delaney Clarke
Date | Time: June 16th, 10:40pm ish
Wearing: This dress, and these heels.
Location: Hypnotic Night Club
Tagging: Mark and Elizabeth | Open



"Plenty of superheroes wear yellow."

Delaney grinned impishly and half considered the merits of further expansion on the topic. She didn't know Elizabeth well enough to know whether that'd read as she intended, and it was difficult to talk above the noise.

"You look fabulous, and thank you." She reaffirmed as the three of them set off.

Her view of their destination was limited at best, but Mark stood above enough of the crowd for get to keep him in view. Before it was over she'd jostled her way through more dancing bodies than should legally fit in such a confined space, and on at least one occasion felt a hand brush against her bottom. Whether it was accidentally or otherwise was impossible to tell, but such was the reality of night clubs.

Elizabeth had already taken a seat by the time Delaney brought up the rear, the relative silence of the sidelines a blessing. It made her look forward to the stillness of their suites.

The pace of the music fell away some and the energy of their dancing gave way to an undercurrent of exhaustion. It had always been there, but the intensity of this place and the excitement had temporarily pushed it to the background.

After Mark's statement about causing discomfort had (or hadn't) been addressed accordingly she thought to ask him about the exchange later and responded. 

"Thank you for the welcome. I'm looking forward to exploring a bit in the morning, but I think it's time for me to call it a night."

She paused briefly and brushed a strand of hair from her face and glanced at Mark to gauge whether he was of a similar mind. He'd spent almost as much time traveling as she had.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Elizabeth. Maybe we'll run into each other again? But figuratively instead…"

[Elizabeth Ecsed]

Name: Elizabeth
Date | Time: 16th, 10:42
Wearing: elegant yellow dress

   gold necklace with emerald

Five foot five tall walking staff tightly wrapped in criss-crossing thin yellow ribbons, creating diamond patterns showing the silvery wood

Location: Hypnotic, game room at last
Tagging: Mark, Delaney, open



Elizabeth waved away Mark's concerns about any potential incidents.

"No worries. Thank you both so much for the help, I really do appreciate it.

Be sure to check out the rooftop pool, it's absolutely amazing. And eat everything on every menu at least once, even though I had to Google half the ingredients, I've never had a bad meal yet."

Elizabeth laughed and nodded. "I guess so. There's Wolverine, and... April O'Neill... And Jubilee... and.... I probably should be able to think of more, but none are really coming to me right now."

The redhead blushed ever-so-slightly at Delaney's compliment, but it probably went unnoticed in the fancy club lighting.

"Oh, right. Sorry to interrupt your night. I'm going to just rest here for a bit, and then probably go to sleep myself. It has been a long day. I'm always wandering around and taking pictures of things... I want to do a shot of the gardens at the same time every morning for a year...

Ahh, but I'm rambling. Sorry. Thank you both, and it was nice to meet you as well. Sleep well!"

[Praxis]

Name: Mark Watson
Date | Time: June 16th, sometime after 9:25
Wearing: As pictured to the left with this jacket.
Location: Hypnotic Night Club
Tagging: Delaney | Elizabeth | Open
Motivation:



His eyebrows perked up slightly and he looked to Delaney as she made mention of calling it a night.  It wasn't lost on him that she "time for me to call it a night".  Me.   She could have used us but instead she chose me.  That could mean something or...it could mean nothing.  As much as he and Delaney had been a sortof "thing" for the last few months, all of that had been through phone calls, texts and face time.  There was still so much to learn about her and so much to learn about them as a couple.  He could doubt himself...or them as a couple but he wasn't about to start second-guessing them or how he felt about her now.

She had to be tired.  She had gone from the plane to the resort to the club with no downtime.  He'd done the same and he was certainly tired but the prospect of seeing her.  Being beside her had fuelled him. Kept him buoyed.  He bit his lower lip as he looked up at her...smoothly standing from where he had been crouched and without hesitation, he laced his fingers of one hand with one of Delaney's hands.

He felt a warm, tingling surge dance upward along his arm and nestle at the back of his neck as her skin met his.  Giving her hand a gentle squeeze he looked back to Elizabeth.  He gave the redhead a small but playful grin.

"Sleep indeed!  I hope we see you around in more quiet circumstances." , he nodded his head once in a slight motion as if to confirm what he said.

With a slight and gentle tug of his hand he led Delaney away from Elizabeth.  Through the winding crowd inside the club and finally into the substantially more quiet night air.  With his free hand, he reached inside his jacket and extracted a key card.  Holding it up so Delaney could see it.

"So we...are together for forty-two consecutive days and forty-three consecutive nights.  This is one of the key cards to my suite.  I'd like it to be our suite.  We can call the desk and have them bring all of your stuff over...but only if you want to.  We can call the desk in the morning. "

He leaned slightly to the side, tilting his head and letting his eyes move from her feet...up her body and then meeting her eyes once more.  There was a hint of a smile as he spoke in a low and confident tone.

"I don't think you are going to be in much need for additional clothing tonight."

[Cosima]

Name: Delaney Clarke
Date | Time: June 16th, Late ish
Wearing: This dress, and these heels.
Location: Hypnotic Night Club
Tagging: Mark | Closed



The word 'Me' was purposefully chosen. They were still working their way around whatever it was they were. She would have liked to assume they'd be going to bed together, and that 'me' becoming 'us' was a forgone conclusion… But she wasn't going to speak for him. These things happened in their own time and his agency was as important as hers.

She waved to Elizabeth as they slipped into the crowd, distracted by the endearing way he bit his bottom lip and how good it felt to hold his hand. These moments had been so sparse since Love Hurts. They had stolen them whenever possible, but life had a way of getting in the way. To be here with him, without imminent separation looming over them...it was worth everything. Worth the sleeplessness. Worth the invasiveness and humiliation of Love Hurts. Worth the wait.

It was like breathing.

He was her Oxygen, and she smiled up at him as they reached the respite of outside. Her hand released his and she stood in front of him, her fingers gently loosening his tie as he withdrew the key card.

I'd like it to be our suite…

...I don't think you are going to be in much need for additional clothing tonight.


Delaney arched an eyebrow, and her smile took on a small slant of amusement. Her fingers never missed a beat and his last sentence was drawn to a close as she softly drew him down by his tie and pressed her lips to his, her tongue teasing a line along his bottom lip then slowly delving past it to deepen the kiss.

Hands still twisted slightly in his now fully unknotted tie she pressed her body firmly against his, the card seemingly forgotten until she murmured quietly, playfully against his lips.

"But what if I'm tired?"

It wasn't certain how long the silence was, all she knew was that  witty rejoinder was passed over in favor of more kissing and their hands upon each other. His tie whispered free of his collar and she lingered close, kissed him fully, reveled in being with him like this until she was breathless enough to whisper simply…"Yes." before she withdrew.

A few more breaths passed in silence and with an absolutely meager amount of space between them she allowed him a brief glimpse of a smitten, even girlish grin.

"Let's go then."

After impishly draping his tie around her neck, she turned from him and started off toward their suite before he could protest, not that she expected he would.

[Praxis]

Name: Mark Watson
Date | Time: June 16th, sometime after 9:25
Wearing: As pictured to the left with this jacket.
Location: Outside the Night Club
Tagging: Delaney




He needed to work at this.  Not that being around Delaney was work but compared to the effort he had put previous relationships, he wanted to make sure that Delaney knew she was wanted, appreciated and that he was very much present in the moment with her.  She was unlike any woman he'd ever met or been involved with in the past.  He was determined to do everything he could to make it work.

It certainly didn't hurt when she drew close like she had, her eyebrow lifting provocatively and her lips curving into something subtle...something altogether compelling.  She had given him a kiss that made him forget where he was...and who he was.  She teased him a moment with her question; "But what if I'm tired?"

The way she was pressed to him.  The way her whisper danced from her lips and across his...  There was no doubt in his mind what they would be doing later.  Still...this kind of playfulness was new and thrilling to say the least.

They were kissing more after that...pressed to one another.  His hands on her...sliding over her hips and curves of her bottom even as he clever fingers slipped his tie free from his neck.  Breaking their deep, heated kiss with a whisper that echoed inside his head.

"Yes."

She was wholly intoxicating.  Biting his lower lip as he watched her walk away from him.  Taking a moment to appreciate the view of her.  Her slow, sure stride in her dress and heels was almost hypnotic.  He exhaled slowly and following her...eventually.  His heart pounding inside his chest as he followed, his mind racing with all of the ways he could get her to say, "Yes."

It was difficult to believe that this was actually happening.  While both of them were clearly attracted to one another...and both of them were clearly willing to have sex with each other.  The two times that they'd had the opportunity, the passed on it.  Both of them seemingly wanting to do things differently from how they had done things in the past with other partners.   When it did happen...he didn't want them separated on an airplane just a few hours later.  When he had told her such she had agreed.  Whatever it was the two of them had...neither of them wanted to risk it on a single night of sex no matter how promising that sex might be.

And now...right now she was his and he was hers.

He had stayed behind her, letting her walk ahead and savouring the sight of her until they entered the lobby and approached the elevator doors.  He slipped behind her, his tall broad form pressed to her as his hand slipped around her and rested on her upper abdomen.  His lips moved along the upper edge of her ear as he spoke in a low, warm tone.

"Fomo's here...so when we get in the room.  We'll need to say hello.  She'll be curious about you and she's not a fan of closed doors."

[Cosima]

Name: Delaney Clarke
Date | Time: June 16th, Late ish
Wearing: This dress, and these heels.
Location: Hypnotic Night Club - Elevators
Tagging: Mark | Closed



If leaving Love Hurts together, appearing on the Ellen show, their arrival at Caravanserai for a six week stay, and the fact they were both wearing red wasn't reason enough to believe they were together, what really was? Still, they hadn't put a title to it or so much as hinted at the words. It felt almost as though saying it out loud would spoil it, so they had to keep it secret from fate for awhile. Whatever it was they were doing, she was completely into him and was content to enjoy his company for as long as possible.

"Mmm" she whispered and leaned back against him, the occasional echo of voices through the elevator lobby breaking the silence. "You should have lead with that...had I known Fomo was coming, I would have agreed to stay in your suite even sooner."

She was kind of obsessed with Fomo if she was being honest. There was nothing about dogs that wasn't endearing and Fomo seemed like a particularly good one. Besides, she was his.

He was teaseable...lovable...utterly fuckable and the elevator was taking a century. Delaney took the opportunity to focus on the way his beard tickled against her ear and sent shivers through her...or the firm, all encompassing comfort of his arms around her. Her fingers laced with his, both hands as they rested against her abdomen, his tie now draped carelessly around her neck. How did she even get this lucky?

The elevator opened, finally, and after pressing her bottom subtly back against him and a small, strategic shift of her hips they moved inside together.

"Maybe room service tomorrow and staying in bed to combat jet lag?"

There weren't air quotes but there should have been, she was still teasing him as they stepped out into the hall and made their way to the suite.

From a few steps down she could hear the telltale snuffling of one adorable nose wedged intently against the bottom crack of the door. The idea of seeing his dog made her stupid excited, it was probably ridiculous. It was almost as good as getting to see him.