I sat lost in thought staring at the flickering candle. Another holiday season was fast approaching. Just the thought of sitting through holiday dinners at relatives' houses that I only saw once a year made me feel nauseous.
Great Aunt Betty would look at me with sad eyes and then say, “Oh, dear Wendy, no boyfriend again this year. You're not getting any younger.”
“No, Aunt Betty, just me and my dog Echo.”
That was how Thanksgiving would start. Then the cousins with their teenage kids would show up grumbling that the wifi sucks. Fifteen relatives would pack the tiny house with card tables and folding chairs stuffed in every available space. Between the oven and the number of people in that tiny house, the temperature would drive people outside to get fresh air and smoke.
Christmas would be repeated at Aunt Betty's house with the same people but now with presents and the same ungrateful teenagers. I just couldn't put myself through that again. No one would miss me anyway.
Here I was in my early fifties, never married, no kids, and retired with my own money. But somehow all of that didn't matter. The old-fashioned way of thinking and culture saw me as alone and broken. Women only existed to breed children, keep a clean house, and, of course, keep their men sexually satisfied. If that wasn't done then there was something wrong with you no matter the achievements. Kids and a husband, that's what mattered, even though most ended in bitter hatred.
I picked up my cell phone and started researching. No way was I wasting another holiday season at dear Aunt Betty’s. Thanksgiving was only a week away and my choices of destinations might be limited. The only thing I needed to do was make reservations.
I’d never been to England and I’d always wanted to visit Scotland. I could book flights and hotels and come back to Michigan after the New Year. For the first time in a long time, I was looking forward to the holidays.
Time passed quickly. All the arrangements were made. Echo had all her paperwork, and I had my passport and itinerary printed out with all the information about flights and hotels in my bag.
I drove to Detroit the night before my departure and took the shuttle to the airport the next morning. My first flight was from Detroit to Miami and then on to London. I had splurged and upgraded my flights to business class so I could visit the sky lounges in the airports. Echo was in a dog carrier and I had my carry-on, so I rented a luggage cart. It was time to begin my holiday adventure.
For me, the adventure of getting to the destination is as exciting as the destination.
After landing in Miami I had a two-hour layover. I headed to the sky lounge while Echo was in doggie daycare getting to play. I was impressed with how airports had started making flying with pets more accessible.
The Delta Sky Lounge in Miami was amazing. Leather lounge chairs, showers, and private areas to chat or have a Zoom call. I grabbed a plate of fruits, cheeses and crackers, and a bloody mary and took a seat by the windows. Most of the lounge was filled with men on their phones or tapping on laptops. A few families and other travelers passed the time until their flight was ready.
I was casually scrolling through TikTok when my eyes caught a nicely dressed man looking at me. Embarrassed, I looked away quickly. Feeling my cheeks turning red, I turned in my chair and thought to myself he must have been looking at someone else. I didn't look up again. But, if I had, I would have noticed when he smiled, picked up his coffee, and walked to where I was sitting.
Before I heard him I smelled his cologne. It was light with a hint of spice. I turned and looked up into the most gorgeous eyes I had ever seen. He smiled and with the sexiest British accent asked if he could join me.
I looked around as if I was confused about who this gorgeous man was speaking with. Not me, surely? He laughed as he sat in the chair across from me.
He introduced himself. “I saw you sitting alone. I hope I'm not intruding. I'm Dave.”
I smiled shyly, not used to attention from men.
“Hi, I'm Wendy. Nice to meet you, Dave.”
We chatted easily, and the time flew by. I checked my phone. My flight was boarding soon and I still needed to go get Echo. “It's been a pleasure,” I said. “But I need to go get my dog and head to my gate.”
Dave smiled. “The pleasure has been all mine, Wendy. I hope we cross paths again.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek.
I gathered my things and headed to the dog center. My mind replayed the conversation and I touched my face where he had kissed me. I felt a warm current flash through my body. “I love sky lounges,” I said out loud.
After I gathered Echo, I made my way to my departure gate. I had forty-five minutes to wait. Soon the ticket agents announced boarding business class first. I gathered my stuff and Echo and we boarded the plane. I was seated near the middle of business class. I settled in and read a magazine. I was offered a drink.
The flight attendants shut the overhead luggage compartments as the plane started to back away. I watched out the window as we lifted off. I was on vacation holiday!
Flight attendants came around with more drinks and lunch. I was watching a holiday movie with my earbuds on when I noticed a familiar smiling face standing by my seat. I took my earbuds out.
“Fancy meeting you here, Wendy,” Dave said with just a touch of laughter in his voice.
I realized I had told him about my flight but he never mentioned his. Sneaky.
The business row I was in was full so I couldn't offer him a seat. But he had already thought of a better option. “I have an empty seat next to me if you would care to join me.”
My heart fluttered. The way he said my name made my legs weak.
“Yes, Dave. Thank you. I would like that.”
Without asking me, he picked up Echo’s crate and put my few items in my tote bag. I followed him to his seat. He got Echo situated on the floor next to him and put my bag next to the empty chair. Then he put the service light on and requested some drinks.
The conversation was just as perfect as it had been in the sky lounge. I asked him a lot of questions this time and he answered every one and asked me more about my travel plans. He was heading from London to Manchester. His job required him to travel a lot, but, with the Christmas holiday a few weeks away, he was heading home for some downtime until after the New Year. Dave had the sexiest voice. I felt calm and happy around him.
The flight was a long one, and the Bloody Marys made me sleepy. Dave saw my head nodding, reached over, and pulled me close. He put my head on his shoulder, covered me with a blanket, and turned the lights off.
I woke when the plane hit some turbulence over the ocean. I instinctively grabbed Dave and he put his hand over mine. I noticed how much bigger his hand was. He was solid and comforting.
He said in my ear. “Don't worry, sweetheart. Just air. Nothing more.”
I relaxed. Dave kept his hand on mine, and I snuggled in closer and drifted back to sleep.
We had one more meal service two hours before landing in London. As we ate our dinners, Dave asked, “Wendy, I know this is crazy, but come home with me to Manchester. I have a house and a yard. Echo can play. I have an extra bedroom…” He let that last part hang between us.
My heart raced, and I took a sip of water, thinking. Dave watched me.
“I have reservations pre-paid for a hotel,” I said. “I can't afford to lose that money.”
Dave looked sad but then his face lit up. “What if I can pull some strings and get the room canceled with a full refund?”
I was hesitant but something in his smile made me want to say yes. “Are you sure I won't be an inconvenience?”
His laughter was contagious. “I’d love your company. I have over a month off and I'll take you places you never imagined.”
“Yes,” I said. “I would love to come home with you, Dave.” My voice shook but I was elated.
We were lost in each other's eyes. He took my hands and then he kissed me. The kiss was warm and soft, loving. I felt my pussy vibrate. Dave moaned and pulled me as close as the seats allowed. We kissed until the cabin lights came on to signal our flight was almost over.
“I'm so happy,” Dave said as we untangled ourselves. “Thank you for trusting me. As soon as we land give me your reservation information and while we’re waiting for our bags I'll take care of everything. My car is parked in long-term parking. They valet here so we’ll have time. I want to make sure you’re refunded the hotel.”
Was this happening? I thought to myself. Yes! Yes, it was.
True to his word, Dave made some calls and I received a text message with the refund and confirmation number before we left the airport.
I was beyond impressed. “How did you do that?” I asked.
Dave pulled me close and kissed me. “The company I work for sends people all over the world. I just asked the person in charge of bookings to help me. I did promise her a box of expensive chocolates.” He laughed and kissed me again. “Well worth it.”
We gathered our luggage and waited for his car to be brought around. I walked Echo in the grass outside. She was just as excited as I was.
Dave saw his car being driven to the pickup area and motioned me to come over. He quickly loaded all our luggage and put Echo in the back seat. She was already in love with him, I could tell.
I went to open my door and he stopped me with a smile. “Wendy, sweetie, allow me, please. You are a lady.” He said it most charmingly.
Dave was disarming my years of self-reliance at every opportunity, and I was falling hard. If someone would have said to me two weeks ago that I would change my plans and get in a car with a man I just met I would have laughed in your face. But here I was.
The drive was another adventure. Everything was backward to me. Dave had his hand on my knee reassuring me he was on the correct side of the road. We stopped for gas and I stretched my legs. Dave gave me money to buy some snacks, and I was amazed at the difference in gas stations from the US. I managed a few things and walked out to Dave as he was putting Echo back into the car.
He took the snacks and then leaned me against the car. “Wendy, my dear, you are driving me crazy. I need to kiss you.”
The kiss was what romance novels write about. He put one hand in my hair and pulled me to him. His other hand held my hip. His mouth captured mine with ease and his tongue touched mine. I felt his growing erection against my pelvis. He moaned deeply as the kiss deepened, and his cock pressed harder into me. My hands slid down his back and rested on his hips.