Entering from the icy night

[_precious_1__]

Catherine

She cautiously opens the door and enters the dimly lit stillness of the Inn, wondering if there is a chance to get a room at this late hour. Her arms are still wrapped around herself as the memory of the frigid air outside has not yet been cast off.

 

[_precious_1__]

She nervously chews her lip as she waits for her eyes to adjust to the dimness of the room. "Is that someone on the sofa?" thinking she can just make out the shape of a person in the deep, comfortable piece of well-worn furniture that was sitting next to the fireplace which glowed with the dark red embers of a recent fire.

 

[_precious_1__]

Now accustom to the muted light, the empty counter is visable. Her eyes search for any sign of life. "I would hate to rouse someone from thier slumber" she thinks, and opts to instead curl up in an oversized chair in the corner of the room.

Her drowsy eyes wonder over the cheerful Christmas tree as she lets the warmth of sleep incase her. "That's right... tomorrow is Christmas Eve... my first so far from home" Her heavy eyelids finally give up their battle and close.

 

[SlushyBOB]

John the innkeeper

"Excuse me, Miss...Would you like to get a room instead of sleeping in that chair? It's really not all that comfortable. At least not compared to a bed."

She looks at me slightly uncomprehending as she's wiping the sleep from her eyes. As she's slowly regaining consciousness, so to speak, I let my gaze wander. A beautiful woman, no doubt about that, but why was she traveling by herself this late at night and this close to Christmas.

OOC:
John
innkeeper-has owned the inn for 2 years
6'1"
190lbs
dark brown hair
hazel eyes

 

[_precious_1__]

"Excuse me, Miss...Would you like to get a room instead of sleeping in that chair? It's really not all that comfortable. At least not compared to a bed."

Stirring from her slumbering state, she peered up at the the figure standing above her, somewhat blurred. Her fingers began to massage her eyes, trying to coax them into focus. As she looked up from beneath her lashes, she could see a faint smile in the crinkle of his hazel eyes, she smiled back at him lazily.

Suddenly she blinked awake and sat up, looking first this way, then that.

"I'm... I'm sorry, I have money to pay, it's just that no one was around and I did not wish to wake anyone." She stammered, her hands flying to her hip pocket.

 

[_precious_1__]

When she pulled her hand out of her pocket all she held in her hand was air. She jumped up out of the chair, furiously searching the other pocket, then the first again, the pocket of her coat, then another and another, all with the same result. Had she been robbed as she slept? She looked around the lobby of the Inn, but no one else was around. She swallowed hard, and looked up at the man standing before her, he was tall and loomed over her as she continued her search.

"It was right here" she muttered, not so much to him as to herself. Finally, admitting defeat she turned a shy smile to the man. You know, he was actually kind of handsome.

 

[SlushyBOB]

John

Well, usually I would send someone packing if they didn't have any money. This inn isn't exactly building me a mansion for my retirement...But it is the holidays and the inn is empty tonight anyways. I think the entire town went, well, out of town. The inn has never been empty during the holiday season.

I smile down and say, "Well guess what?" You are my 332 customer of the year, that means you get a free room for the night." "What luck you have to have that happen to you on a night when you don't seem to have any money!"

I say this with a smile and a twinkle in my eye as I let my eyes rove up and down her body. She definitely has all the curves in the right places.

"By the way, my name is John"

 

[_precious_1__]

"Thank you, that is very kind" She smiled gratefully at him.

 

[_precious_1__]

Catherine

“My name is Catherine.” She held out her hand, watching as his large warm hand enclosed her slender hand. The paused with their hands clasped for just a beat too long, his touch was electric to her. She blushed and pulled her hand from his. He smiled at this.

“I could arrange for a hot bath if you would like.” John said as he picked up her bag for her.

“That would be wonderful.” She replied, and followed him as he lead her down the hallway to her room.

 

[SlushyBOB]

John

I don't know where I got the bath idea. It's not like anyone else works here but me. Hopefully she didn't notice it was too obvious of a ploy to spend more time with her. I take her to room 1C, mostly because it's right next to my room in the inn. I usually try to keep it empty, but not tonight.

I lead her into the room and take her bag in. I show her where the towels are in the room and begin drawing a bath for her. I always keep a small vial of bubble bath in each of the rooms which has seemed to come in handy for tonight.

 

[Kandi]

OOC precious, would you like any other characters here, or are the two of you complete? i could be a fellow traveller . . .

 

[_precious_1__]

Catherine

OOC - Kandi, please feel free to join in. I began this thread rather by accident, so it would be nice to have additional players.

IC - After her long travels the room looked like heaven on earth to her. She took off her overcoat and walked over to the bathtub, a large old claw foot tub. she perched on the edge and trailed her fingers in the water, tickled by the bubbles.

She looked up and noticed John was watching her, she smiled at him. He was being so very kind to her. She had not been treated like much of a lady since she began her journey, but here this stranger, this man, was treating her like a lady.

 

[SlushyBOB]

John

As we locked eyes I felt butterflies in my stomach. We seemed to have this mutual attraction that I, for one, have not felt in a long time. This inn took all of my time, and a lonely time it has been at that.

Not sure how to proceed or what she was thinking I told her I'd wait in the other room while she bathed if she still wanted some company when she was done. She seemed to want me to stay, but I guess I wasn't ready to take the rejection if I was wrong.

The bathwater was done and I began to make my way to the door...

 

[_precious_1__]

Catherine

"I... I know this isn't exactly proper, but... would you stay and talk to me? I've been traveling by myself for such a long time, it's nice to hear another person's voice."

She could see him hesitate, but he agreed. She slipped behind the changing screen and undressed. He was a gentleman and turned around as she slipped into the steaming hot bubble bath. He took a seat facing her in a chair he moved into the bathroom.

"Mmmmmm... you have no idea how good this feels." She looked up at him and smiled. She dunked under the water and wet her hair, smoothing it back with her hands as she rested her head against the back of the tub.

She liked the crinkles around his eyes. To her they were the sign of a man who is a hard worker and an outdoorsman. It was late and he had a bit of a 5 o'clock shadow which made him look all the more rugged, it made her smile.

"Please, tell me a little about yourself."

 

[SlushyBOB]

John

"hmmmm, well...Let's see. I've owned this in for 2 years now. I wanted a little peace and quiet so i moved out here. I know it's the boonies and all, but I like it here. I lived in the city for awhile, but needed to get out for many reasons that I won't bore you with."

"It took me awhile to get the hang of running an inn since it's not what I did before, but I managed ok. I do everything around here. cooking, maintenance, bookkeeping, etc."

"Let's see, what else? I'm not married nor have I ever been. No girlfriend at the moment to speak of..."

I kinda trail off as I really notice her legs as they are partly out of the water and all I can think about is sliding my hands up her calf and thigh.

 

[SlushyBOB]

OOC: bump