The intercom crackled, startling her from her focus on the computer screen.

“Lacy you have a phone call on line 1”

Since her vision was still off focus she had to squint to read the clock on the wall.

Thinking out loud she said “Who would be calling 10 minutes till closing?”

Picking up the receiver she punched the button to open the line “Lacy Clarke speaking. How can I help you?”

Speaking that greeting had become second nature to Lacy. So much so she often answered her home phone that way. Her family joked with her about needing a vacation. But as exhausting as her accounting business was she did enjoy her work.

An all to familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. Shivers streaked down her spine and her heart raced. Him!!

“As soon as you get off work go straight to the Country Inn. Tell the front desk man you are with the Watson party. He will give you a key to room sixty nine and a white envelope. Do not open it till you get to the room. You will have 20 minutes to do everything necessary. A car will be ready when you are done. And do not be late” There was warning in his tone that left no room for argument.

“But…” Still she tried to protest but was cut off by a click and the rude silence that followed.

“Cocky Bastard” Now what? She had made plans with one of her co workers tonight. Should she cancel with Stacy or blow him off? Either option would leave someone disappointed. It had been a month since the last time she saw him. Every time she made plans he would suddenly make himself known again. Knowing she would do as he said without question. She hated the way he made her loose control. But when she was with him she never felt more alive. Their encounters always left her craving more.

She hesitated as she grabbed the phone. Before she could change her mind she called Stacy and lied her way out of the evening.

Shutting down her computer she grabbed her purse and keys and locked her office up. The Country Inn was only about two miles away so she knew she would make it there with plenty of time to spare.

***

The room was impressive. Beige walls with dark mahogany furniture. She stopped to look at the intricate patterns etched into the wood of the armoire. Tracing her fingers along the lines. A plaid couch and loveseat sat opposite the armoire, an end table in the middle. By the window was a table with a bouquet of roses in the center. A picture of a mountain scene hung over the overstuffed king size bed. She noticed a small box laying in the center of the bed. Walking over to it she ran her fingers along the top of the box. A red ribbon tied it closed with a little note saying to open the envelope first. She wanted to know what was inside but she obeyed. The letter still unopened in her hand intrigued her as much as the contents of the package. She opened it and pulled out the sheet of paper. Unfolding it she began to read the instructions.

–On the bed there is a package for you. But first I want you to go into the bathroom and shower. All your washing needs will be in there for you. When you are finish do your make up and hair the way I like it. Only then can you open it. There is a note inside the box explaining the rest. Remember you have 20 minutes.–

Lacy neatly folded the letter back up and replaced it in the envelope. Looking at the box one more time she reluctantly headed to the bathroom pouting a little as she went. After getting the temperature right she stepped into the warm spray. It helped ease the tension in her neck and shoulders a lot. On the ledge was a pink bar of soap. Lifting it to her nose she inhaled deeply. Roses, her favorite flower. She lathered the poof till the soap was a soft foam. She enjoyed the way it felt on her skin. Soft and silky running between her breast, down her abdomen. Feeling it flow lower still, tickling and enticing as it made its way down. Lacy hadn’t realized till then how much she needed an intimate touch. Just the feel of the soap had her weak in the knees and ready to melt into a pool of hot skin.