Chapter 2
Dylan nodded and said, “Damn, rain gear does not do justice to her athletic build. I wonder what underwear she has on.”
Dylan got to his car and threw it in all wheel drive and eased on the gas pedal. His tires grabbed and inched forward. Several seconds later, Kimo’s car was free. Dylan stopped and jumped out
Kimo had the cable undone and handed it to him along with the tarp. “You’re a good guy. Thanks.”
They shook hands, waved to the trooper, and drove off northbound towards Florence with Dylan in the lead. He wiggled in his seat to get comfortable and realized he had an erection.
Dylan fantasized having Trooper Washburn in a secluded room, undressing her in a slow, exploratory fashion. Then his mind shifted to doing the same with Kimo. He considered the potential of having them both in the same room. One would watch as he ministered to the other with a storm blazing outside. Three flashes of lightning jumped his heart and mind back to reality. Adrenaline surged through his arteries as snow fell in huge flakes. Fear and excitement dueled for dominance. His boner ached in his button-fly jeans. He refocused on the road and the quaint bridge taking him to Florence. He turned into the parking lot for a motel. His hard-on subsided as a car pulled in next to him. The motel motif sported a two-story lighthouse with a real, albeit smaller light. Timbers adorned the outside of the quaint structure.
They do quaint well in Florence.
The wind raged as he stepped out, and the snow was close to blinding. The driver from the other car fell in behind him, and they both wiped their feet on the mat in the tiny but warm office. 2
“Hey, Dylan.”
Dylan spun and looked up into the eyes of the Hawaiian giant. “Hey, Kimo. Sorry, I was taking in the style of this place and didn’t realize it was you behind me.” He stopped and fumbled for his wallet.
The mid-sized, portly desk clerk in his sixties sported a full head of salt and pepper hair. Diamond post earrings and a leather bracelet seemed out of place on him. Maybe he’s an old hippie.His nametag read, ‘Noah.’
The clerk flashed a smile and stood with his palms on the counter. His baritone voice filled the room. “Good afternoon. It’s okay, you fellas are welcome here.”
Dylan wondered but let the comment pass as he found his wallet.
The clerk’s eyes passed over both travelers. “May I get some ID from one of you?”
Kimo offered his along with a credit card. The clerk checked them.
“You guys going north or south?”
Dylan replied, “South. A trooper said the road is closed from a slide.”
“Yup. Pretty common this time of year. Florence is a great place to be stranded. Quiet, romantic, and good food just down the street. It’s walking distance. With the hail and snow, I don’t suggest you try to drive.” A wry smile creased his face. “Road department’s pretty good about clearing things up, but sometimes it takes a second day.” He slid a room key forward. “You got my last room. It has a nice comfy queen bed and a wood stove that works especially when the electricity goes out. There’s a good LED flashlight in there.”
The guys traded wondering glances. Dylan’s neck and head heated.
The clerk gasped. “Oh, good heaven, I thought you two boys were a couple. You walked in together, were chatting, and you sure look like you belong with each other. I’m sorry. I should have asked, but I only had one room left.”
The tiny office seemed to close in. Dylan opened his raincoat to cool himself. His mind whirled.
Kimo laughed. “Dylan can have the room. I’ll go somewhere else. He’s a tourist. I’m on business, and, besides, he pulled my car out of the ditch.” He winked at Dylan and dropped a hand on his shoulder. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Chill, bro.”
Dylan gathered himself. “No, it’s okay. You take the room. You’re already signed up for it, and you have a work schedule. I’m on vacation with no plans.”
The clerk sighed. “I’m sorry, but there are no more rooms in town. We were discussing it on our lodgers’ chat group.”
Dylan leaned on the counter and bit his lip.
The clerk wiped his face. “We have a dilemma. Looks like you fellas just met.” He looked at Dylan. “My wife and I can put you up in our apartment here. We have a guest bedroom. No charge. It’s the least we can do for my mistake.”
“The situation is the way it would be. You didn’t cause it.” Dylan offered a weak smile.