The airport terminal was crowded and noisy as Ray stood at the conveyor and waited for his bag to come around, jostling with the others that waited impatiently as the baggage carousel churned slowly. He kept his head down as he tried to avoid the cameras and kept an eye out for the security guards posted by the foyer. Concerned that he stood out in his denim jacket and sneakers while everyone around him wore heavy coats or parkas and boots he hoped he would not draw unwanted attention.
When the bag arrived in front of him he scooped it up and moved towards the exit with a group, managing to blend in enough to avoid any glances from the guards. He followed along as they stepped through the sliding doors and into the bitterest cold he had ever encountered.
HOLY FUCK! HOW DOES ANYONE LIVE HERE? he exclaimed to himself as he looked for a cab. With a brutal wind and temperature of -36 Celsius the windchill made it even colder and he felt his hands freezing as he walked to the taxi stand. He was directed to a waiting cab and quickly jumped inside, cursing the cold as he slammed the door closed and rubbed his hands together.
"You're obviously a visitor. You need to dress much warmer than that," the driver advised. "Where to?"
Ray reached out with his trembling hand and gave him a slip of paper with the name of the hotel.
"Okay, no problem," the driver agreed.
"Is there somewhere I can get a coat and gloves really cheap?" Ray inquired. "It's fucking freezing here."
"Yeah, there's a thrift store on the way," the driver answered as he pulled into traffic.
Ray shivered and looked in amazement at the huge banks of snow lining the icy, rutted streets as the taxi shook and bounced along.
"Is it always like this?" he asked.
"Not always," the driver chuckled. "We just had a big storm, not cleaned up yet."
People were shuffling along snow covered sidewalks and pacing at bus stops, puffs of breath clearly visible in the cold air.
"Here's the thrift shop," the driver announced. "I suggest you look for a toque and some boots, too."
"What's a toque?"
"A knitted hat, like this," the driver explained as he lifted a cap from the seat. "You need to keep your head warm or you will freeze your ears when you're outside."
Ray returned to the car wearing an oversized parka, a black toque and thick gloves.
"No boots?" the driver asked.
"No boots."
The driver shrugged, pulled back into traffic and slowly proceeded to the hotel. Ray tipped him well and thanked him as he stepped out into the frigid air, slipping on the ice as he closed the door. He slowly picked himself up and walked through the front door, the sudden warmth making him give a sigh of relief as he walked to the front desk.
The young woman smiled as she checked him in and gave him his key card. She was pretty, with olive skin, dark hair and a name tag that said "Welcome, I am Saanvi".
"Enjoy your stay," she chirped with a grin.
"Thanks," Ray replied. "It's sure fucking cold here."
Saanvi laughed. "You get used to it."
"I doubt it," Ray mumbled as he headed for the elevator.
Once in his room he tossed the bag and parka on the chair, still shivering from his short time in the bone-chilling cold. He turned on the shower, stripped and stood under the heat of the hot water until the chill finally disappeared. He put on his jeans and a clean shirt, retrieving the laptop from his bag and setting it on the table before laying down on the bed.
I guess this is where "it will be a cold day in Hell" comes from... he mused as he closed his eyes and drifted off.
***
Ray pulled his gloves on as he passed the front desk, braced himself as the doors opened and stepped out into the frigid temperatures that waited outside. He gasped as the shock of the freezing air hit his lungs and immediately felt cold. He was surprised it was already dark.
How can it be this fucking cold! he questioned as he slowly made his way down the icy sidewalk. He tread carefully, keeping his eyes on the ground in front of him and avoiding the dips and lumps of packed snow. He was shivering as he waited for the lights to change at the intersection, the skin on his exposed face beginning to tingle and feel tight.
He raced across the street and looked for somewhere to go inside for a few minutes, spotting a bus stop shelter another block ahead. He hurried to the shelter and stepped inside. Not warm, but out of the brutal wind.
“Hey, got any smokes?”
Ray looked at the pile of trash in the corner and was shocked to see someone sitting under it.
“What the fuck you doing here?” Ray asked.
“I fucking live here, man. You got smokes?” the trash man replied angrily.
“No.”
“Any change? You got money?”
“No.”
“Then get the fuck out, asshole,” trash man yelled as he waved dismissively.
“Fuck you, too,” Ray replied as he stepped back onto the sidewalk and into the biting wind.
His toes were ice cubes when he reached the restaurant and stepped into the entryway. He pulled a glove off and rubbed his face, trying to warm his frozen cheeks as he looked around and spotted the opening to the lounge.
He passed the row of VLTs, the new-age one armed bandits, and took a seat in the first empty booth. He shivered and kept his parka on as the server approached.
“Cold enough for you?” she joked.
“Fuck yeah,” Ray answered. “Coffee, black.”
She disappeared for a moment and Ray pondered why his feet were burning when she returned and placed a tall mug and a silver carafe on the table.
“It’s fresh from the pot, I’ll leave you the carafe,” she said as she placed a menu down. “If you want anything, just wave.”
“Thanks,” Ray replied. “You have good burgers?”
“Depends... do you like them big, sloppy and greasy?”
“I do.”
“Then yes, we do. And fries with gravy?”
“You read my mind,” Ray chuckled.
“Easy to read I guess,” she joked, winking as she turned away.
He nodded and poured the hot liquid into the mug, wrapping his hands around it and absorbing the heat. After a few sips he unzipped and removed the parka, finally feeling somewhat warm. His toes tingled as he removed the toque and ran his fingers through his hair. He noticed the last of the dye on his fingers and wiped it off on his pants.
“Here you go,” she announced as she put the plate in front of him and placed napkins and silverware down. “Anything else?”
Ray liked her cute smile and sparkling brown eyes. He suddenly felt much warmer.
“No, I’m good. Thanks.”
He watched her walk away and admired the shapely ass and curvy hips. She was attractive and not much younger than him. Thoughts of fucking her played in his head as he ate his burger and watched her move around the lounge. He caught her looking at him a few times and felt the pull of mutual attraction.
She appeared again as he pushed aside the empty plate and poured the last of the coffee into the mug.
“More coffee? Or anything else?” she said teasingly.
“No, thanks," he replied with a shake of his head. "By the way, does Angela Barrett work here?”
“Angie? Not anymore, she left a few months ago.”
“Any idea where I could find her?”
“You a friend or…?” she asked suspiciously.
“An old friend of her brother. Trying to track him down, lost touch a few years ago.”
She eyed him for a few moments before nodding her head slowly.
“She works at the Gentleman’s Club.”
“Thanks, appreciate it.”
Ray handed her a fifty dollar bill.
“Keep the change,” he offered with a smile.
“Thanks. Anything else?”
Ray looked into those sparkling brown eyes and was drawn right in.
“You interested in coming to my hotel room?”
She blushed slightly and held her hand out, the gold band obvious on her ring finger. Her eyes never left his.
“Interested... but not really available,” she replied.
“What time do you finish?”
“Usually around ten, sometimes later.”
“I’ll wait. See if you can leave early.”
“Really?”
“Really. How about a beer while I wait?”
She smiled and nodded before walking away, knowing that Ray’s eyes followed her. She felt a spark with this attractive man, something she hadn't felt in years. Maybe he was just flirting?
When she handed him the bottle the hungry look in his eyes told her that he did indeed desire her. She was now forty-five, with an inattentive and unappreciative husband, stuck in a dead marriage. It had been a very long time since she felt this desired. She slipped the gold band off her finger and put it in her pocket.
***
It took less than a minute for their coats and clothes to hit the floor of his room. They embraced and locked lips as they fell onto the bed in a lusty frenzy. Hands moved and tongues intertwined as Ray was pulled between her legs. He felt her hand grasp his swollen shaft and direct it to her wet opening, feeling slight resistance as he pushed inside and began thrusting. She took him fully and rocked her hips, pushing herself into his thrusts and directing him.
"Oh, fuck me... fuck me good," she moaned loudly.
He surprisingly felt the pressure building quickly as she writhed below him, her legs suddenly wrapping around his waist and pulling him tight. She shuddered and he moaned as they climaxed together, her silky cunt clenching his pulsing shaft tightly as he emptied his load deep inside of her.
He collapsed on top of her, holding his weight off by resting on his elbows. He dropped his head on her chest as the orgasm subsided and tried to catch his breath. Her legs embraced him tightly as she stroked his hair.
"Oh, that was fabulous," she purred.
"Yeah," he exhaled. "It was."
She lowered her legs and allowed him to roll off and onto his back. She tucked herself under his arm, resting her head on his chest and her leg across his waist as she snuggled up tight against him.
"So, this is a little late," Ray whispered. "But what's your name?"
She giggled before answering. "Jess. Jessica, actually."
"Hello, Jessica actually. I'm Ray."
"Very nice to meet you, Ray," she cooed as her fingers ran across the greying hair on his chest.
"My pleasure," he chuckled.
"Oh, mine too," she giggled. "That was great."
They lay together in silence for a while, Ray stroking her hair while she gently rubbed his chest.
"How long will you be here?" Jess questioned.
"Not sure. Depends on what Angela can tell me."
"Where are you from?"
"Nowhere, really. I've moved around a lot."
"Hmm, okay."
Ray enjoyed the feeling of her fingers running over his chest and the heat of her body pressed against his as they relaxed in silence once more.
"How long have you been married?" Ray asked. "Kids?"
"Almost eighteen years now," she sighed. "No, no children. Just never happened."
