Learning to Fly - Chapter 18

Chapter 18 - End of the Year, start of another

Carly had basked in undivided attention for the duration of their coffees, Jens was the perfect companion, funny, amenable and definitely interested in her.

"Shall I walk you home?" he asked after they'd emptied the cups. "It's still snowing, it could be precarious out there."

Carly glanced out, but couldn't judge the current conditions in the dark, "I'm not as clumsy as you seem to make out!"

Laughing he rested her arm around her neck and pulled her close to his firm shoulder, "I was being a gentleman, not commenting on your balance...or lack there of!"

He added the last retort to wind her up, and she elbowed him in the ribs, "the cheek! For that I should leave you here alone!"

Jens shuffled out of the booth, then pulled on his coat, hat and gloves, when they were both suitably attired, he took her gloved hand in his and led her out into the night. It was only a short walk back to the resort, but the rather steep incline, the cold wind and increasingly heavy snow put a halt to any more real conversation. 

Once they reached the resort,  they made their way to the staff entrance. Jens lived in one of the chalets on site, he'd already told her that, and he didn't invite her back there. Carly was glad. The last thing she wanted was that sort of a decision. Her earlier bravado seemed to have deserted her and she wanted to curl up in bed...

"So it's good night Miss McLellan?" There was a slight lift at the end of the statement that assured her this was a question. She could invite him in, offer him coffee...but she didn't want that. Not now. She was starting to like Jens, she didn't want anything more, not yet, 

She nodded, "thanks for the coffee...and seeing me home."

Jens grinned, that sexy, warm, traffic stopping smile,  "my pleasure. Thank YOU for those kisses..."

With that he dropped his mouth to hers and devoured her lips in a way that made her doubt the resolve that refused to invite him in. When he finally lifted his head, looked down into her eyes, Carly knew she was swooning. If he'd asked her again to prolong the evening she'd have agreed, but he didn't. He merely smiled, running his thumb across her tenderised lips, then headed back out into the snowy night.

The next two days Jens disappeared, a series of text messages to her explained he'd been called to a meeting with his father in Geneva. she could tell from the tone of the messages that he wasn't happy to be dragged from the hotel...and her she hoped too. 

Work was busy, and the whole resort was primed for the following day. New Years Eve. All hands were on deck for this huge event, but those who'd worked over Christmas were exempt from the rosters. So Carly was planning the arrival of her own new year. She was working the day, but finished at six, then the night was her own. There were several different parties happening around the town, but Carly was short of company to take her. She'd hoped that Jens would be back, but he wasn't and with Camilla still in Paris, Rochelle and Marta working, she was at a loose end.

So she was in the gym, the 31st of December and that's all she had to do?

After a hard work out Carly enjoyed the pleasure of a long hot shower and was dressing when her phone rang.

"Carly! Where are you? I'm at the Bar Moreno party and you're not here...I've been wanting to see you all day!"

It was Jens and Carly had never been more glad to hear his voice. 

"I'm at the hotel, I've been in the gym."

"Gym!" Carly almost laughed at his indignation. "It's New Years Eve! I'll pick you up. Twenty minutes. OK?"

He didn't give her time to answer, and Carly was buzzing as she ran up the stairs to her room, her sore ankle forgotten. Stripping quickly, she pulled on a black dress, her only smart clothing, then glanced at the ridiculous heels that she'd normally wear. Her legs weren't up to them, and it was snowing...so she pulled her fur topped snow boots over the sheer stockings she'd found in Camilla's cupboard. She'd replace them when she had chance. 

Outside the staff entrance, Jens was lounging in his usual lazy and relaxed manner, perched against a low wall, ankles crossed, face upturned to accept the falling snowflakes. When he heard the door open his head lifted to look at her and he smiled. 

"Miracle transformation! You look great!"

Carly shrugged off the compliment, and tried to ignore the frisson of excitement at his lingering looks, "no one can look great in the snow! Practical doesn't do stylish really!"

With that she started to walk away from the hotel, chuckling Jens rushed to catch up, falling into stride with her. The Moreno wasn't a place that Carly frequented often, but she was pleased to see that she knew a lot of people there, both from work, and from socialising in other places. So she was soon chatting, dancing and drinking the endless supply of drinks that Jens kept placing into her hand. 

As it got close to midnight, she found herself with Jens in the middle of the heaving dance floor. The whole room was buzzing with tension that the anticipation of a new year, a new start, a clean slate brought. 

Jens pulled her into his arms and smiled, "who'd have thought I'd be seeing in the New Year with such a desirable and sexy woman!"

The alcohol she'd consumed had weakened her resolve and now she was flattered by his words, swooning at his closeness. They swayed to the music, her forehead resting on his chest, his arms wrapped around her. He hummed along to the music and the sound vibrated through his body into hers. It was magical, and very romantic. 

As the DJ suddenly announed the countdown to midnight, Carly lifted her head and looked up into Jens face. He was smiling down at her she took in his warm eyes, with a hint of passion, and to Carly the moment was perfect.

"Happy New Year," he breathed lowering his lips to her forehead, she repeated the words before swinging her arms around his neck and pulling him down to her. Their kisses before had been passionate, and exciting, but there was a desperation in this one as well as the promise that there was more to come. When they pulled apart, Carly could barely breathe, and she could tell that Jens was as affected by the moment as she was. 

They lasted another dance before Jens dragged her outside, but his frustration was even worse there. The cold meant there were more layers separating them, not less. He looked at her with an unspoken question in his eyes, Carly nodded, she wanted nothing more than to get closer to him...

They ran along the snowy streets, hands  linked trying not to slip or slide. It was a five minute journey at this pace and soon the lights of the hotel came into their vision. Jens started to laugh as he realised how absurd they were being, Carly slowed with him and they walked into the hotel grounds. Now at this less furious pace, Jens puntuated the walk with passionate promising kisses, tongues and lips duelling and battling. At the door to the staff quarters he glanced at her. 

"Mine?...Or yours?"

She shrugged, "Camilla's away..."

Jens needed no more telling, taking her hand, he led her into the building. 

Once the door closed behind them Carly was suddenly VERY aware of how small and overpowering it was. Jens was tall, broad and he dwarfed both her and the room. His steps across the room to her were what she'd describe as a stalk, and she backed into the bed as she tried to maintain a little distance.

"You changed your mind?" he asked, lifting a hand to cup her cheek. 

She shook her head, "it's just been a long time..."

"Since you were with a man?" When she nodded he smiled, the hand lowering to splay around her neck. Warmth pooled as his fingers touched her, and her mouth became dry as he slowly unzipped her thick winter coat. 

Within moments their outer layers were tossed onto Camilla's empty bed and their snowy shoes kicked over to lie in front of the door.

"I love this dress on you," he breathed taking a moment to pause from their frenetic kissing. As she laughed he added, "but I think it'll look better off you!"

Their clothes were then shed in a confusion of grasps, snatched kisses and the odd tear. Carly sat on the bed and watched Jens lower his jeans. She enjoyed the moment to appreciate his muscular body, broad shoulders, toned stomach. As he uncoiled back to his six foot plus height Carly smiled, his thighs were as developed as the rest of him, and his tight black undershorts were the snuggest fit she'd ever seen. 

"Enjoying the view?" he asked. He was stalking towards her again, like a predator. She bit her lip, shuffling back on to the bed. And then he was over her. 

"What the f..."

Carly snapped up to sitting guiltily, dragging the sheet over her naked body as she went. At the open door surrounded by bags was Camilla, looking pale and tired. 

"Hey Cam...how are you?" Carly for a moment forgot that she was squeezed into a tiny single bed with larger than life Jens, as she spoke she became more aware of him, particularly the part of him that was pressed up against her with enthusiasm. Oh my God! Her mind suddenly cast back to the previous night...the things they'd done. 

She was blushing when her eyes returned to Camilla, who looked furious. They obviously needed some warning system. She'd disturbed Cam and Lucas when she'd first moved in. 

"I can't believe this!" Cam whispered looking far more upset than Carly expected. "I'll come back in fifteen minutes!" With that she was gone.

Carly slumped back against the mattress and groaned, to her right Jens was struggling to open his eyes, he'd missed the confrontation.

"Jens, you've got to go!"

He heard that. Raising up onto his elbow, he hovered over her with a lazy smile on his lips, "not yet..." A hand slid up her body to settle on her hip, then his mouth flew down to devour first her lips, and then the rest of her. 

Carly had managed to dress him, despite his protests, and he was giving her a sensual goodbye kiss at the door when Camilla's cough signalled her return. Jens pulled away slowly, fixing Carly first with a promising smile, then turning to Camilla.

"Hey Camilla. Arm better? You ready for work?"

Camilla turned an over rosy shade of red then "humphed" before barging past them both. 

Carly shrugged at Jens, it all seemed a bit dramatic! He waved as he disappeared around the corner, then Carly turned back to the room.

Camilla was pacing the short distance between the two beds full of anger and aggression, as she heard the door close her head snapped up and she snarled at the very surprised and unprepared Carly.

"Just what the hell are you playing at?"