Page 25 of Need to Know

The clerk at the computer beside Albert was dealing with another guest and I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation. “I’m sorry Mr. Jorgen, there seems to be a mix-up,” she said. The clerk appeared harried as she turned to her colleague, Albert, and gave him a pained look.

“A moment please,” Albert said before the pair moved away from the front desk and had a tense whispered conversation before coming back to speak with us.

“Sirs, I’m so sorry,” he said addressing Jack, me, and the other man, Mr. Jorgen. “There seems to have been an error with the bookings. I understand that Mr. Timothy and Mr. Hawkins reserved two executive rooms and Mr. Jorgen reserved a one room. We only have two executive rooms available. I do apologize for the inconvenience. The security tech conference has the hotel at capacity.”

“But the online booking app said that there was availability,” Jorgen said agitated, his accent of a Scandinavian flavour.

“Forgive me sir, but you made your reservation yesterday, Sunday, yes? It appears the booking app was not up-to-date. I’m afraid we are unable to honour the reservation. I can, of course, help you look for another hotel close by with availability.”

I stepped in, “No, no, that won’t be necessary. My friend and I can share a room. It’s okay, this gentleman can have the other one,” I offered without checking with Jack. I turned to him then and he cocked a salacious brow. “That’s okay, right?” I whispered.

“No bother at all,” he replied, a flash of lust in his eyes.

“Thank you so much sirs, panic over,” Albert grinned with relief. “Okay, please fill in these forms and provide a form of ID and a credit card, then we can issue your keycards.” He placed two small tablets and pens for Jack and me, and the other receptionist, Clara, did the same for her guest. “We can, of course offer each of you a complementary dinner at one of our restaurants. Just let me know the details and I’ll arrange everything,” Albert simpered.

I swiftly filled out the form and provided my passport as ID and credit card. When I was done, the other man tapped me on the shoulder.

“Hi, thank you so much, I really appreciate you helping me out. I’m Hugh,” he said, offering his hand. I shook it and met his green-eyed gaze. He seemed like a regular, ordinary guy, but then I realized what he’d said. His first name is Hugh and his surname is Jorgen, so his name is, oh god! Hugh Jorgen. I struggled to school my features and not burst into childish laughter.

“You here for the conference too, or is it need to know?” he asked and tapped his nose. I smiled, not quite sure if he’d recognized us and believed he was in on our secret.

“A little business, and a little pleasure,” I replied conversationally. “Berlin’s a beautiful city.”

“It is! Your first time?”

“For me, yeah, but my friend knows the city well,”

“I hope you both have a pleasant stay.” Then he turned back to the reception clerk who was waiting with his keycard. “Mr. Jorgen, this was left for your earlier,” Clara said as she handed him the keycard and a padded brown envelope. Jorgen grinned widely, took the package and pressed it under his armpit while he grabbed his wheeled case and took off at a swift pace toward the elevator.

Jack was leaning against the counter, a contented smile on his face as he held our two keycards. I stepped closer and he leaned in. Using a deep movie trailer voice, he said,

“One room! One bed! Two hot, single men! Sparks fly in Room 265…Coming soon…you will be!” He wagged his brows and I laughed out loud. Yeah, I’d be very happy to be coming soon! I plucked a keycard from his fingers and pushed it into my back pocket and then taking our luggage we headed for the elevators. The doors had just closed on a packed car, with Hugh Jorgen the last to squeeze in. The other lift was also in use so we waited for the next one.

“Did you hear that dude’s full name?” I asked as we watched the numbers climb, telling us which floor the car was on. I turned to Jack. “Hugh…Jorgen. Hugh Jorgen, get it?”

“No! No way! Oh, my fucking god, that’s hilarious!” Jack was doubled over with laughter. “The name can’t be real. No parent could be so cruel, c’mon,” he said as he fought to catch a breath.

“I’m sure the surname’s pronounced with a yer instead of a jor…but still, bet the poor bastard got bullied something awful at school,” I said.

“Yeah, you’re right, we shouldn’t laugh.” But one look at me and he was off again. What is it with the British and their dirty sense of humour? Finally, the elevator was back on the ground floor and the doors slid open. Anticipation thrummed through me as we stepped in with our luggage and Jack eased his keycard into the slot, keyed in our floor number and the elevator doors closed. We rode up to the fourth floor and as the doors slid open the scent of lavender air freshener wafted in. Housekeeping was already working on vacated rooms. We strode past a trolley laden with clean sheets, towels, replacement toiletries, and garbage bags. I used my keycard to open the door to our executive suite, room 265.

“This is nice!” I said on entering and pulling my luggage inside. Our room was large, square, clean, and elegant, with an arched window overlooking the public square of Pariser Platz. The décor was in classic gold and beige tones against dark timber furniture. The bed had two individual crisp white duvets laid out in the continental style. I hadn’t shared a bed in what felt like a long time. When Erik was in town and came home, he’d arrive late and he slept in a guest room. I’d believed it was a courtesy as we were on different schedules and we both needed our sleep, but thinking about it now, the signs our relationship was on the rocks were there for a while, but I’d subliminally chosen to live in denial.

Jack let go of his suitcase and then rushed to the bed and flopped face down. I let out a laugh, he was such a goofball.

“Ooooh yeah, yeah, this is a good and hard!” he said with a muffled moan. He rolled over and began to wiggle and bounce. “It’s quite too, always a bonus, don’t you think?”

“Why do you British love innuendo so much?” I commented.

“Not sure. But if you want another, I’ll give you one!”

I burst out laughing as I met Jack’s sparkling eyes. Desire throbbed low in my belly again, and finally we were alone. “Sounds like you have plans!” I said as I abandoned my case and crawled onto the bed. It was a good, firm mattress.

“I do! I hate creaky beds,” Jack revealed, “The only noises I want to hear are you begging me, deeper, harder, yeah baby, that’s the spot!” Heat flooded through my body and my pulse quickened. Jack was on his side, elbow cocked, his head resting on his hand. He gazed at me with lust and humour in those dark eyes. His tongue darted out to lick his plump lower lip.

“Hello handsome,” he said, a playful lilt in his voice. I liked the affectionate name he’d chosen for me. “I’m so happy you’re here with me, in the flesh,” he said, before moving in and placing a soft kiss on my lips. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you, about how hot and bothered you got on our video call. I loved making you all…hot and bothered.”

Jack’s words felt like kisses moving down my spine. I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Jack either.