This time (Lola, Gene)

[Lovely]

Name: Lola Ninovan Aliases: Lo played by: Lovely likeness used: Kate Walsh

---------------

PIC HERE Name: Eugene Carlisle Aliases: Gene played by: Tripp likeness used: Orlando Bloom

[Lovely]

November 6, 2010
1:30 p.m.


Even the heavenly scent of Mrs Margate's cookies across the hall wasn't enough to combat the odor of the fresh tile and paint, or the lingering essence of overly well-done steak and its smokey effects on the kitchen that still permeated his apartment. The workers said it would dissipate, but their idea of 'soon' wasn't living up to his definition. Gene knocked lightly on Martha Margate's door, calling out to the old woman he paid his rent to and slipped the letter and month's payment - late with apologies - beneath her door. The fire department had decided the apartment was liveable, but he hadn't and still had to pay up for the month although he wasn't staying. He flipped his coat over his arm and picked up the suitcase that held what few pieces of clothing he'd retrieved that didn't still smell like a campfire. The rest were at the cleaners and wouldn't be ready for a few days. He was sure the apartment wouldn't be ready, either, and opted for the scenic memories of the New Hope that was under new management and a remodel he hoped was going better than his own.

There wasn't valet service, not that it mattered, or that he would pay for it, regardless. The lot was open and welcoming and the front of the place appeared better kept than he'd seen in some time. Gene wandered slowly into the lobby, taking note of the small changes - all for the better - that made the place seem to sparkle with a new energy. Perhaps it was simply the light music, Christmas music playing a few weeks too early for his usual liking, that touched a few chords of pleasant memories from the year before. He hummed with the tune as he came up to the desk.

The clerk looked new and frazzled, clearly not expecting anyone in the middle of the day. He turned to the player and hurriedly shut it off then forced a smile for the customer. "Sorry. Welcome to the New Hope. My name's Jim. How may I help you?"

Gene was amused and convinced the young man wasn't likely to last long once the holidays ramped up. "Afternoon, Jim. Should have a room for Carlisle. I called an hour ago? I hope you're not already booked up," he said, sure the place wasn't, but it didn't hurt too much to make the boy actually work.

Jim nodded then his face fell as he tried to read the note on the pad and check the empty room roster. "Yes, of course Mister Carlisle, it's right here. The room's not ready yet. It should be about... forty-five minutes," he winced, not sure it was the right answer, but according to the linens list it was.

"Jim's a little new at this, Mister Carlisle. We'll have your room ready in two shakes and a cup of hot coffee," said an older, raspier voice that seemed more assured of the goings-on. "Welcome to the inn. I'll take your bags up and come get you when the room's ready. Feel free to enjoy the gardens or our cafe. Either way, the coffee's on the house. I'm Mitch. If you need anything else, just tell Jim here and we'll take care of it." The man gave them both a nod and pointed to the small cafe area and the door to the outer grounds that let in the late autumn sun and a gentle fresh breeze. He took Gene's bag and set it on the porter's cart then walked off toward the gardens himself.

Gene watched the man go and turned to the clerk who handed him the sign in sheets. "Alright Jim. I guess I'll have a walk around. Fresh air sounds like a good idea, thank you," he said, slipping his coat on and fiddling with his collar as he strolled out to the gardens to clear the smoke from his head.

It was a little chilly but it was a nice day for the time of year, Lola was used to travelling for work and sometimes it made her feel restless. Today was one of those days, so she was out in the garden pacing near one of the benches, her finger tapping against her lips. Her back was to the entrance of the inn, so she didn't see the man come out yet, as she let out a sigh and ran her hand back through her hair.

Gene was amazed to find someone else outside the doorway as he started along the path. The benches faced away from the building and he noted the woman's beautiful long hair that was certainly not Mitch's. He paused a moment, more curious than startled then walked up closer, peeking around to see the woman's face when she reached the end of strides to turn. "Pardon, miss," he said, hoping he hadn't startled her.

"I'm sorry.. was I in your way?" She turned quickly to find herself face to face with a face she knew.. or had met at least. Lola had more than met him, she'd spent some time with him at a party - time that came back to keep her in warm pleasant dreams. "Oh." Yeah, that was classy, she smiled but then tried not to and laughed nervously. "Hi."

The recognition melted into a warmer smile and a reassuring shake of his head. "Not in my way at all. How are you?" He reached out for her, though his mind flittered away the other direction in search of the name that escaped him completely. "It's been some time, hasn't it? I can't believe it's really you!"

His name was on the tip of her tongue but stuck there a moment as she stared in shock, half delighted and half mortified. "Gene!" She blurted out, she recalled asking him in the dark, so she'd have something to pant into his ear as he rocked against her. Those moments had been amazing, the best she'd known with a man and her cheeks felt a little warm as she thought of it. "This is.. wow.."

He nodded as he came up to kiss her cheek and seek the warmth of her hands. "You look amazing," he said softly, avoiding the name especially since she'd recalled his. "Wow hardly starts it, I think... but, if I remember wow certainly was how we left off, wasn't it? How long has it been? Months? Oh! I remember - Christmas!" He'd been humming the music moments before and started again before he found himself chuckling and stopping.

"No.. stop.." She murmured and shook her head as he told her that she looked amazing, her hand moving toward her tummy in the instinctual gesture of a nervous woman. He reached for her hands as he stepped closer and she let him have them, leaning to kiss his cheek as well. "It was.." She licked her lips, thinking of that night and how long they'd spent away from the party.. her legs wrapped around his waist, the positions and flexibility challenges the small space found them in. "..wow.. yes.. that's how we left it." One night stands were not her thing, but he'd been an exception she couldn't regret - sort of a present to herself. "What are you doing here? Of all places to run into you.." She shook her head, wondering if she could treat herself again.

"Refuge. Stupidity, really. I tried to burn down my apartment with a flank steak. The workers have this notion that I can live with the wet paint and floor glue. Came here to breathe deeply instead. I wasn't expecting this bit of fresh air, though. I'll have to remember to thank them later. What are you doing here? I thought you were destined for greater places and projects than this little town. New year, new life, that sort?"

"I was.. it's been almost a year, I went to greater places and worked on bigger projects.. but I guess fate has a sense of humor to bring me back here.. now." She shook her head again, he was just as handsome in the afternoon as he'd been at night in the lights of the party or the dark of that closet they'd found. "I didn't realize you were from around here.." Her teeth caught her lip and she stared at his face in wonder. "Don't take this the wrong way.. but I never thought I'd see you again."

"Think again," he whispered with a mischief laced grin as he watched her lip quiver into her teeth's grip. "So the accent gives it away, doesn't it? I'm not from here, but I've been here quite some time now. Sort of a sworn pact with my brothers to stay close and keep each other out of trouble, or least in no deeper trouble than each other, though that's sort of a sinking ship, I think," he admitted with an embarrassed chuckle. He looked skyward a moment and sighed. "About to sink further, too. I have a confession," he said as his grin thinned slightly and he sought forgiveness in her eyes. "Please... tell me your name again or I'll be simply calling you 'amazing' for the rest of the day - not that it isn't true."

[Lovely]

She was only slightly offended that he didn't recall her name, because on the one hand she understood how it could have slipped his mind, but on the other - why wasn't she so amazing that he couldn't forget her name? Her eyebrow arched up and she grinned a bit wickedly. "Aww and here I was about to ask you if you'd think poorly of me if I took you back to my room for the rest of the afternoon."

"I deserved that," he sighed, truly appearing downtrodden. He pulled back to himself and fumbled for his pockets. "First I forget my cooking and try to burn down my home, then forget the name of the most ... well, amazing... creature I've had the pleasure of meeting in some time when I'm elated at having found her again. I meant no offense, truly. My memory gets jiggered when I'm distracted. Were you really considering it before I stuck my foot in? I was about to offer the same, but I'm not even sure I have a room."

"Don't pout.. it's just too damn cute on you.." She teased him, showing him a bit more of a playful smile and beckoning him closer again. "I'm still thinking about it but with you all over there with your hands in your pockets.. I don't know.." She bit her lower lip and then let out a small sigh. "Are you really going to give up that easy on the most amazing creature you've met?"

"No, of course not," he grinned. "My hands are cold from the breeze and I didn't want to chill you until I was sure I'd have the opportunity to warm us up again." He fished one hand back out and reached for hers again. "I'll meet you halfway, but tell me something first. You were out here pacing. Weren't you already waiting for someone? I'd like to know if I'll have the pleasure of telling them that you're booked up until tomorrow."

She slipped her hand into his and used it to pull them closer together. "Well, now you know that you can chill me, thrill me, and keep me warm." Her smile was warm and her eyes cast over his face again, this was so unexpected and to use his word - amazing. "I wasn't waiting on anyone.. I was feeling restless.. it happens with travelling so much."

The other hand came out of his pocket as she came closer and he reached up to her cheek. "Now I know," he agreed. "Should do something with all that restless energy, I think," he suggested as he leaned to give her a proper kiss.

She reached to him as well, her hand at his waist and it felt so good to be that close to him again. It was strange as well to realize you'd missed someone you hardly knew and to crave his touch - she'd had some pretty hott dreams about him but thought of him as fantasy. He was real and solid and tasted better than a dream. "I think you should take me back to my room unless you want to get naked right here." She both teased and warned him, grabbing his lip with her teeth ever so briefly. "Lola.. don't forget again."

"Lola. Mmm, no I won't forget, especially if I'm not planning on letting go this time," he said, licking the nip on his lip. "They haven't come to tell me my room's ready. I'd like to think I won't need it now. Why don't I cancel it and we'll go unplug the phone in yours for a while?"

"Cancel all your plans.. I'm here for a week.." She paused and leaned to lick at his lip as well, it was too tasty not to taste again. "Maybe longer if you're not just flattering me with saying you're not letting go this time.." That was a wild thought, even in teasing for her to consider letting him keep her.

[Lovely]

He chuckled and grabbed her closer, his arm around her waist. "Consider them canceled and me wholly distracted," he affirmed, delivering a more insistent kiss that made him forget the November chill and the broad, open daylight of the hotel grounds. He hadn't seen Mitch come up to let him know about his room.

Mitch was about to interrupt gently, but the conversation was definitely too private to intrude. He turned to walk past them to the lobby, hearing the comments Gene had uttered about the cancelation. He whistled the Christmas tune that had been playing as he left the couple to themselves, stopping long enough to grab Gene's bag to take up to the woman's room.

Her arms shifted up around his neck, reminding her more of those stolen moments from the year before, it felt better by the light of afternoon. It was more real, not tainted by the taste or smell of spiked punch or cleaning products. She chuckled softly at the memory, nipping a few kissing to Gene's mouth, her eyes sparkling as she took a moment to gaze into his. "Mmm I'm not letting go this time." No way in heck, it was incredible that she'd had a man like this come into her life once, she'd be a fool not to listen to opprotunity knocking a second time.

"Alright, slight lie. I'm not sure there's an elevator working. Might have to let go until we get to the room," he chuckled. "Should we request room service on the way?"

She hadn't meant literally and thought he'd meant his comment the same way but he now spun the teasing comment and she got the message. One hope bubble burst, but she would still have his attention for a few hours and that was worth having. "Room service is a must, I don't think I'll want to leave the room for awhile." She returned the teasing, keeping her smile light and playful. "But.." She began as she shifted away from him a little, reaching down to clasp his hand. "We don't have to totally let go yet." In a week she would, but she had a whole week to pretend this was more and live the romantic fantasy.

Since she'd put it that way, he shifted their hands beneath his coat, suggesting she hold on a little closer to his back pocket if she wanted to. He leaned close as the turned to head inside. "What would you like to order? Anything you want... long as I get you on top."

"I'm pretty sure you can count on that, but I have no idea on the room service." She smiled and kept ahold of his hand, finding it easier to walk that way that tring to put her hand in his pocket or beneath his jacket. "Food is really the last thing on my mind right now."

He couldn't find fault with that - he was thinking much the same thing, but was sure it would cross their minds later.

They crossed into the lobby and the clerk looked up from the desk. "Oh, Mister Carlisle, Mitch said to check with you about your refund for your room. That is... if you're canceling. You're canceling, right? I mean, I don't mean to sound happy that you're canceling sir, just that, well under the circumstances..."

"Jim! Leave it for later. Miss Ninovan here's an extra key," Mitch said, hurrying around a corner from somewhere at the right moment again to help with the situation. "I took the liberty, Mister Carlisle, of crediting your room. If there's anything you'll need, just let us know." The man set the key on the counter for them and started talking quietly to the clerk.

Gene paused, his fingers lacing tighter with Lola's seeing that his bag was gone and he was being given a key. The man had been eavesdropping since he'd arrived, it seemed, but he wasn't complaining. He chuckled and whispered to Lola's ear, "There's a greater power at work here and I'm not one to argue, are you? Seems I'm completely at your mercy. Take me as you will."