Business & Pleasure

“Seriously…?”

Delayed again. What is this… hour six? Seven?

Might be faster to just walk back to LA at this point.

I guess I should text Maria and see if she can cover my morning class tomorrow. There’s no way I’ll be back in time.

“I take it you’re also on the cursed LAX flight?”

I look up from my phone and… notice you, sitting two seats down from me. Glad to see I’m not the only one drinking my frustration away.

“Uh, unfortunately. Yeah. Really wishing I wasn’t.”

“We both should’ve chosen the earlier flight.”

“Yeah. I tend to go for night flights so I can sleep, but clearly, that bit me in the ass today.”

“Ooh, that’s risky, no? My ex used to refuse to fly past 6 PM ’cause if it gets delayed, then you’re shit out of luck until morning.”

“Sounds a little neurotic, but I think your ex was right.”

“Yeah, I guess she was.”

You didn’t ping me as gay when I first saw you, but the mention of your ex is a pretty clear indication.

I watch as you dig through your purse, your light hair spilling over your shoulder, your Chelsea boots perched on the lowest rung of the barstool.

“So, business or pleasure?”

“What? Oh, oh, right. Um, well, LA is home. I was here in New York for work, I guess.”

“You guess?”

“It’s kind of embarrassing, but… yeah. There was this big librarian sciences conference that I wanted to attend. So I convinced my department chair to send me.”

“Don’t be embarrassed. Librarians are very cool.”

“Thanks.”

This is easy, talking to you. You almost made me forget for a moment that we’re both stuck in an airport with no prospects of getting home anytime soon.

“Um… how about you? Business or pleasure?”

“Little bit of both, kind of like you. Do you mind if I—?”

“No, no, come on over.”

“Um, yeah, mostly pleasure. I used to live in Queens and still have a bunch of friends out here, so I was just in town for a few days to visit some old haunts.”

“Mostly pleasure? So, you’re implying there was a bit of business involved?”

“Ah… yeah. That ex I mentioned? We used to live in Queens. Separated now, so I had to go deal with a bunch of legal documents. Divorce stuff.”

“Oh, man, I’m so sorry to hear that.”

“No, no, no, don’t be sorry. It’s good. Really. It’s cliché, but we are far better friends than partners. Thank god we didn’t have kids or anything. But, yeah, I’m kind of new to this whole ‘single’ thing.”

“Oh, as a tried-and-true member of the ‘singles’ club, let me tell you. You’re going to love it.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, you’ll never want to go back.”

“Teach me your ways.”

“I mean, look, I’ve dated. I’ve had a couple of long-term relationships. But, to be honest, I think some people work best on their own.”

“You don’t get lonely?”

“I mean, sure, but that’s a temporary feeling. There’s so many benefits to being single. I can… just… you know, go with the flow. Feel things out. Do whatever works for me. That sounds stupid, but… do you know what I mean?”

“I think so, yeah. You can meet people and see where things go. Not worry about the future. Or the past for that matter. Sometimes I think back on interactions I had with strangers while I was married… like, in line at the store, or… a stranger at a bar. And I wonder what would’ve happened if I had just… gone for it. Not because I wanted to cheat or anything, but because I knew I was unhappy. And standing right in front of me was someone who could have been the next great love of my life or something.”

“Well… they could’ve just as easily been your next ex.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

Your head is resting in your palm, your dark eyes shining a little from the alcohol, or maybe the stress of all of our delays.

I like the way you’re looking at me. That little half-smile and your teeth just barely biting down on your bottom lip.

I’m pretty good at talking to strangers, but something about talking with you is just so easy. Careless.

“Well… in the spirit of going for it... I’ve got a SkyLounge membership. And, seeing as we’re both stuck here for the time being, you’re welcome to join me.”

“Oh, wow. SkyLounge, huh? You’re fancy. I mean, yeah. How could I say no to that?”

“I used to travel a lot for work. I’m work-from-home now, but I can’t bring myself to let go of the lounge membership.”

“I don’t blame you. The perks are insane.”

“Well, I’m more than happy to share them with a fellow stranded traveller.”

“Oh… damn.”

“Better than sleeping on the B Terminal floor?”

“Uhhh… yeah.”

This place is huge, way bigger than I imagined. There’s massive couches, free coffee and croissants, a bar. Well, the bar is closed, but still.

I guess those things up against the wall in the back are sleep pods.

“Looks like we’ve got it all to ourselves.”

“Seriously, I can’t thank you enough. I kind of don’t even mind the delay anymore.”

You sit down in the center of one of the couches. There’s so many places to sit, but… I want to sit next to you.

And based on our conversation earlier, I think you’re probably okay with that.

“Oh my god. That’s comfortable.”

“Good, right? I’ve never actually slept in one of their pod things, but they don’t look too bad really.”

“Was that you attempting to hit on me? Inviting me to get into a pod with you?”

“What! Noooo, no, that’s—that’s—no.”

“No?”

“Well… maybe.”

“Hey, look, you’re the one who said you regretted not going for it. So… here’s your invitation.”

“Okay, okay, you’re right. Here’s to making the first move.”

It’s a slow kiss. Slightly cautious on your part, but nonetheless magnetic.

Your mouth hovers against mine, as if waiting for me to take us deeper, further.

You’re not used to being in control, I don’t think. Like maybe your ex was always the one initiating, making all of the decisions for you.

“Can you tell it’s been a while since I’ve done this?”

“Not at all.”

I reach forward and gently place my hand against your cheek.

You guide me down onto the couch cushion, my head against the leather armrest. I’m not confident we won’t get walked in on, but right now… I don’t really care.

“You know, I almost didn’t talk to you. At the bar.”

“Really? I’m glad you did.”

“Yeah, I debated it for so long. I told you, this whole hitting on strangers thing is hard for me. You’re making it easier, though.”

“Yeah?”

You crawl down my body and tuck one leg underneath yourself.

Your breath catches as I reach forward and trail my fingers up your arm. Exploring you with my touch while you take me in with your eyes.

I’m eager to taste you again. To know what you feel like. What you sound like when you’re coming undone.

“I want to see more of you.”

“You will.”

I push up onto my elbows and draw my thumb over your mouth, down your jaw.

You nod towards the back wall where the sleep pods are. Neither of us needs to speak to communicate what we’re feeling.

I think we’re both very aligned on what’s about to happen…

Your fingers are soft as you curl them around mine and pull me off of the couch. I like the feeling of you guiding me, you walking us back to the wall of single beds separated by private curtains.

You lie across the deep blue comforter.

“Come here.”

I quickly crawl on top of you.

You busy yourself with removing my sweater, breaking our kiss just briefly to pull it over my head.

I love the feeling of you beneath me.

I put my mouth on yours again and feel you smile into my lips.

“Are we going to get caught?”

I reach over your body and grab one of the privacy panels. I pull it shut tight and our little alcove goes dark.

“Not if I can help it. Kind of wouldn’t mind, though…”

“Oh, you’re into that whole exhibitionism thing, huh? So, is hooking up at the airport your biggest fantasy?”

“A gorgeous woman hitting on me in the airport bar? Then taking me back to the Sky Lounge I could never afford? Yeah, definitely up there on my fantasy list.”

“Shut up. And come here.”

I lay my hand on your hip and slowly drift it down your thigh. The feeling of your breath against my neck… hot and thick… Fuck, it’s making me wet.

“Touch me…”

You lay your hand onto mine and guide it between your legs.

I rub circles against your jeans, dragging my fingers across the rough fabric, pressing down, and applying pressure until you squeeze your nails into my arm.

“Oh… yeah…”

I like teasing you, but I need more. I want to feel you.

The button of your jeans pops open as I fumble with it You slide them and your underwear down your hips and kick them off completely.

I grab the underside of your knees and pull them up. You push your legs apart and open yourself up to me.

I look up at you, watching your face contort and your eyes squeeze shut. You look so hot like this. Writhing and rocking your hips into my mouth.

“Oh my god… oh, yeah…”

“Play with my nipples…?”

I reach one hand up your shirt, grazing my fingers over the soft skin of your abdomen. Your breast fits perfectly in my hand as I knead and squeeze… I pinch your nipple between my fingers and tweak it gently.

“Fucking—yes—harder.”

Your fingers tangle in my hair and you tug me forward. I wipe my lips with the back of my hand and push my knee between your legs.

I undo my pants and slide them off. As soon as I’m free, you grind up against my thigh and I feel just how wet you are.

I push two fingers between your folds and tease your clit.

“Oh… just like that… Keep going, keep going…”

“Fuck, your pussy feels good…”

“Oh my god, go in me, put your fingers in me…”

“Oh, fuck me back…”

“Oh—right there, right there—”

I curl my fingers up into your g-spot with each thrust. The sound of your pleasure is getting me so turned on.

You reach up and lay your hands on my shoulders. In one quick movement, you pull me down and guide me onto my back.

Your weight against my chest feels good as you press me into the foam mattress.

“I think I’m regaining my confidence.”

“Yeah, seems like it.”

“This whole hooking up thing… kind of like riding a bike.”

Any shyness you might have had before is totally gone now. You’re self-assured and completely in control as you push your fingers between my legs.

“Oh, fuck, you’re wet…”

“You’re good at turning me on.”

“I think I can do even better…”

Your mouth trails across my neck…

I wrap my hands around your upper back and squeeze my nails into your shoulder blades.

“Fuck… right there…”

“Yeah, like that? You like that?”

You kiss my neck as your fingers work my clit. I’m so fucking wet. Oh my god, you’re going to make me cum so fast.

“Oh, can I fuck you?”

“Yes, yes, fuck me—oh my god, please—”

“Another finger… more, more…”

“Oh… oh my god, I’m close, I’m close… Yeah, right there, right there!”

“Mmm, shit…”

“Yeah…”

“So, this is what it’s like, huh? Being single?”

“Yeah. Yeah, pretty much.”

“Okay. I think… I’m going to like it.”

“Happy to be your guide.”

“Oh, is that—?”

“Flight 285 from JFK to LAX rescheduled for… 6AM.”

“Oh, damn. Well, I think that calls for a little shut-eye. Share a sleep pod with me?”

“I’d love to.”