Hotelbaths fill very quickly and it was only moments before Flora was in hers, the bubblesforming a protective layer. She wasn't usually self-conscious about her body,but it had never mattered as much before. She'd yearned to be with Charles forso long and had never thought it would happen. Now it was happening, she wantedit to be as good as possible. She realised she hadn't had a hot bath since she'd left the cottage and the feelingof the water around her was both shocking and relaxing. She closed her eyes,thinking of what lay ahead.
She heardhim come into the room and opened her eyes as he saton the edge of the bath and handed her a glass. Putting out her hand to take itrevealed, she knew, her naked breast, partially concealed by foam. She saw hiseyes go to it, and bit her lip. Her initial shyness and embarrassment wererapidly turning to lust. It must be the combination of hot water and coldchampagne.
‘You're very beautiful, you know,Flora.'
‘I'm not beautiful. Quite pretty when I'm done up, but not beautiful.'
‘To me you're beautiful, and have beenfrom almost the moment I first saw you.’
Flora sipped her champagne and tried to think what she'd been wearing. Not quite enough, sheremembered, and very unbusiness like shoes. 'I thought you were terriblystuffy.'
‘I was. Still am in some ways, butbetter than before, I hope.'
‘You're OK,' she said into her glass. 'Iquite like you.’
‘I doa great deal more than like you, Flora. I love you, very much indeed.'
‘That'sall right then.' This time she looked at him over the glass.
‘Areyou ever going to get out of there? Or do I have to come in and getyou?'
‘I don't usually get out until I'veturned into a prune. A pink prune.'
‘I can't wait that long.' He took herglass and set it down.
‘Pass me a towel, then.'
‘No. You can share mine.' He pulled her up out of the bath and into his arms. For amoment she just stood againsthim, the tips of her breasts just below his pectorals, but not touching. He looked down at herspeculatively, then,without touching any other part of her, he ran onefinger lightly down her spine. She caught her breathand he drew her towards him, and his hands slid all over her body. Then he put his hands on the back of herwaist and held her close. They kissed for a long, dizzying time before hepulled away and she heard him swallow. 'Come on.’
Still welded together they got from the bathroom to the bed, where theycollapsed, kissing, only moving when Flora realised she was lying on topof a packet of safety pins.
Charlesstripped the covers off the bed, scattering the Comfort Pack. He had lost his towel bynow and as he scooped her up and tossed her on to the bed, Flora giggled breathlessly until his mouth came down onhers.
*
'You can't ring for more condoms,' saidFlora. 'I won't let you.'
‘Well, what do you suggest we do, then?’
Flora thought about it and then glancedat the clock radio. 'It's five to midnight. There's probably something openstill. You could ask at the desk.'
‘Then I might as well save myself thebother of going out. They'll know what I'mgoing for. Besides, I'm hungry again.'
‘Order some sandwiches, then — orsomething.’
Somehow she wasn't surprised when,emerging from the bathroom a little later,she found not only club sandwiches, chips and two huge portions ofprofiteroles, covered with chocolate sauceand cream, but two packets of condoms.
‘Charles,you didn't ask for them? From room service? How could you? And I thoughtyou were respectable!'
‘I was until I met you, then I realisedthat it wasn't a lot of fun. Have some chips.I suddenly wanted to eat all the things we didn't eat at the restaurant.And there are a lot of good things you can do with a profiterole.’
Flora lookedat her lover with admiration. Not so stuffy, after all.
Previously unaware how hungry she was, she picked up a sandwich and wondered how to get it into her mouth.Then she pulled out the cocktail stick that was holding it together and,somehow, took a bite. After a couple of mouthfuls she suddenly had a thought.
‘I must ring Emma,' she said, horrifiedthat it hadn't occurred to her before. 'She'll be worried if I don't comehome!'
‘Surely not. You're a grown-up, afterall.'
‘I can be home late, but I can't notcome home at all without telling her. Where's my phone?'
‘Use the hotel phone.’
She shook her head. 'Can't remember hernumber. Pass me my bag, could you?’
She watched as he reached over for itand saw the muscles in his back ripple. If they moved to a really warm country, she decided, they need never put clotheson again. But perhaps having all thatmale beauty covered most of the time was in a way actually more exciting.
She tookthe phone and got back on to the bed before pressingthe relevant buttons. She pulled the sheet up a little topartially cover herself. It would be more enticing ifhe couldn't look at her completely naked. After all,if he'd gone to the trouble and embarrassment of orderingthe condoms, it would be an awful waste not to use them.
Emma had begun to worry. 'Did you meetsomeone nice at the gallery and go out for drinks?' The optimism in her voicewas almost painful.
‘No. I'm in a hotel.'
‘Darling! Why? Check out immediately and come home.'
‘I haven't got any clothes on.'
‘What!Then get dressed! Have you just had a bath? I expect they'll make you pay if you've messed things up.'
‘I have messed things up.' Flora lookedat the chaos about her. Clothes, bedcovers, and now plates of food, all over the place. The box of safety pins hadcome open and was now scattered on the carpet. 'And I've no intention ofgetting dressed.' She shot Charles a look which caused him to come
