The conference was due to end at 7 and I had intended to get a good head start home to avoid the traffic. The afternoon had been team building and we were all quite hot and sweaty so as a treat we were offered a short spell in the sauna and pool before evening meal. Taking my towel I sampled the pool then decided to spend some time between the steam room and the sauna. I sat down on the hot sauna seat making a grimace to the other gentleman sitting opposite.

" You soon get used to it " he said softly "are you staying here or just with the conference? ". He was in his early fifties but had kept himself in good condition. His grey black hair was receeding slightly but still gave him an air of authority and his manner was quite engaging. I explained I was with the conference and we exchanged idle chat for ten minutes until it was time to cool off. After a dip in the pool I decided to have a quick try of the steam room and sat down beside someone not realising it was the same gent. " are you following me?" he smiled and put his hand on my leg.. I laughed and made conversation once again for a few minutes. I found he was staying at the hotel and that he was a divorcee then it was time for him to go. As he stood up to leave his towel dropped to the floor and as I reached down to pick it up for him he noticed where my eyes ran before handing him the towel. "Thank you" he said and smiled before wrapping up and leaving the steam room.

Evening meal was boring and my mind was not altogether there. Afterwards I went to the bar to order drinks and sitting on the stool at the end of the bar smoking a cigarette in a 3 inch black holder was my friend from the steam room. He acknowledged my smile and took several long pulls on the holder as I ordered my drinks.
"How was the meal?" he enquired "fine thanks" I replied "the sweets are to die for are they not?" he retorted "mm yes they are nice" .. he took a long slow pull on the holder... "all that lovely cream" and he blew a cloud of smoke above the bar and smiled. I blushed and nodded in agreement.

For the next hour I sat with the group, keeping him in my eyeline as he sat at the edge of the bar smoking a new cigarette every ten minutes or so. He wore a brown leather smoking jacket over neat pressed fawn trousers and a pink/white shirt. His eyes met mine a few times as the evening began to end when people started to leave and as we were milling around getting coats etc he sidled up to me and suggested I join him for a drink before I leave. As everyone began to head for their cars I joined him and insisted it was just one as I was driving... " of course" he smiled "bartender..two martinis please.. and charge them to room 246".... "I always use that room as it is a smoking room and has the most delightful view of the sunset... it also has a massive double bed and I like plenty of room"
I made comment to it being good to have lifes comfort and we toasted one another with a clink of glasses and sipped the martini while he loaded another cigarette into the holder. He waved it around a few times and then apologised... "it seems im right out of matches so I must retire to my room.. its been very nice to meet you and such a shame you must leave." he gave me one of those looks and held the key to his room up then putting the holder between his teeth he bade me adieu and headed for the lift.

I sat for a few minutes, my stomach churning and shaking like a leaf.. then I found myself in the corridor.. 242..244.... 246 should I knock or not but the decision was taken from me as the door opened and he stood with smouldering cigarette holder in his lips and a freshly poured pair of martinis in his hand. Low mood music played in the background as he handed me a glass and invited me in the door closing firmly behind me.