He hit the disconnect button and flung his phone onto the couch.
Harry’s change in countenance eased Claire’s uncertainties about the night before. Suddenly her facial expression was beyond control. No longer did she wear a mask, her cheeks rose involuntarily, and the tips of her lips moved upward. She remembered Courtney’s question: does he make you smile? She knew the answer and momentarily considered calling her friend and screaming -- YES, he does! However, her desire to remain within Harry’s grasp prevailed.
“Hey, Beautiful Lady, I called room service and ordered coffee.” His wrapped his arms around her waist. “It should be here soon.” He moved so close, Claire needed to look up to see his blue eyes.
“That sounds wonderful. It’s way too late for my first cup.”
Lowering his lips to her forehead, Harry asked, “Did you sleep well?”
Her arms encircled the torso she’d been admiring, and she murmured, “Hmmm, I did. You?”
“Much better than I would’ve on that couch.”
Claire grinned into his chest, thinking so many questions. What did this mean for their friendship? Truthfully, she wasn’t looking for anything long term. And she didn’t want to hurt him, but selfishly, the closeness felt wonderful. Every inch of her craved more of what they’d shared.
“Harry,” she began shyly, “maybe we should talk about...” His hand gently lifted her chin, slowing her words. When their lips connected, her words ceased.
“How about we talk later?”
Claire didn’t reason or think. Instead, she nodded and her body responded carnally without modesty. His hands untied the belt of her robe and slowly eased the fabric from her shoulders. As it fell to her feet, she pushed toward his warmth and security. From within the confines of his jeans, Claire felt his straining erection against her hip.
Moving his gaze down her body and back up to her emerald green eyes, Harry asked, “Do you know how gorgeous you are?”
She fought the urge to look down modestly and replied, “You make me feel that way.”
“You should always feel that way.” His hands cupped her behind as he pulled her nude body against him. The rough denim fabric burnished her suddenly sensitive skin. Their mouths united as Claire welcomed Harry’s tongue through her parted lips.
This time she remembered the condom. “Do you have any more protection?”
Harry released his embrace, grasped her hand, and led her to the bedroom. Going to the bedside stand, he opened his wallet, and with a triumphant look produced a small silver square packet.
Claire’s smile and lifted eyebrows begged the question, did you expect this?
“What can I say? Once a Boy Scout ... always prepared.” His infectious levity made her giggle. Harry crawled on the bed and patted the mattress. She willing followed, unable to restrain the large ridiculous smile overtaking her face.
Gently easing her onto the pillows Harry moved to the foot of the bed. With his own devilish snicker, he allowed his lips to brush the skin of her ankle, calf, knee, thigh, hips, and stomach. By the time he reached her breasts, Claire’s expression morphed into a pleasure clouded gaze, and her back arched as he teasingly suckled each nipple.
Weaving her fingers through his unruly hair, she asked the question burning in her mind, “How many of those packets do you have?”
Harry lifted his eyes to hers. “This is my last one.” She exhaled. “I suppose we’d better make it count.”
The thought alone electrified her skin, taking her beyond words. She gasped as her head foolishly bobbed in response.
She heard him say, “I know a few other ways to utilize our resources,” as his kisses moved back toward her stomach and south.
Acquiescing to his suggestion, Claire fell against the soft pillows and allowed her body to enjoy the excursion.
******
Phillip Roach reviewed the video: 23:42:34 Mr. Rawlings leaves Claire’s suite. Phillip notes she appears unharmed, perhaps slightly stunned, as she closes the door. Phil rubbed his temples and ridiculed himself for sending the note. Thankfully, since he hadn’t heard from Mr. Rawlings, he assumed Claire managed to hide its existence from his employer. There was something in Mr. Rawlings’ voice as he waited in that car, something which alarmed Phil. Now, shaking his head at the stilled image of Ms. Nichols closing the door while simultaneously looking into her closed hand, Phil acknowledged Claire’s talent. This petite woman could influence Mr. Rawlings, in ways few others could.
The video restarted, 03:17:25, Ms. Nichols had a crowd at her door. Listening to the dialogue prior to the door opening, Phil determined Harrison Baldwin to be the one to gather the group. Baldwin looked and sounded tense while he banged on her door. As Claire appeared, she looked recently awakened, having slept in her clothes. Though her face was barely visible through the crowd and Baldwin’s embrace, she looked uncharacteristically disheveled.
The others went away while Baldwin entered the suite. Phil rewound the feed and listened again. Though difficult to hear everything, it sounded as though they said something about charges. Claire specifically said no charges to the police woman.
The camera didn’t activate again until 11:13:48, when Mr. Baldwin opened the door to allow room service to enter with a cart, the exchange polite and short. Baldwin wore the same clothes from the night before.
13:37:16, Mr. Baldwin pushed the cart into the hall and left the suite. 14:16:32, Ms. Nichols exits her suite wearing a beach cover-up, hat, sunglasses, and flip-flops and carrying a beach bag.