“We are sorry to announce that the flight has been delayed due to weather, again.”
Lacey let out a long sigh. This was the third time her flight had been delayed. She’d been sitting in the airport for nearly twelve hours, and between the crying babies and the little girl running around claiming to be a fairy princess waving her stupid imaginary wand in Lacey's face every five damn minutes, she was about to snap.
Her only saving grace was the gorgeous man, sitting across from her enduring the same torture all day. She'd already been sitting down waiting, when he seemed to be in a rush to get to the terminal, only to be informed that it would be a while before they boarded. He looked around and found an empty seat near her. 
They hadn't spoken to each other, but over the long, horrid wait, Lacey spent most of her time with her nose pressed against her tablet reading. But they'd caught each other's eye on plenty of occasions, whenever she peeked up to take a look around. He'd given her smiles of sympathy as she sat between the princess and the wailer.
Since it seemed as if they wouldn’t be going anywhere for a while still, she got up and went in search for food. It was getting late and soon everything would be closing for the night.
She placed her order at a chicken restaurant and when they called her for her food, she went grabbed her tray and went to sit in the back of the small,empty restaurant.
Lacey pulled out her laptop, and began to email her best friend to let her know that she probably wouldn’t be home until the next day.
“Is this seat taken?”
Lacey’s fingers froze over her keyboard, feeling annoyed. The last thing she needed was to be stranded in the airport and get hit on by some creepy ass guy on a ‘business trip’, who was really just some unfaithful bastard who couldn’t keep his dick in his pants.
“Look,” she said, lifting her head, ready to tell him off, and froze.
It was the man who she’d been secretly checking out all day.
“I’m sorry,” he said, holding a tray of his own. “I saw you sitting back here, and I figured we could keep each other company. It’s been a long day, and I’m in desperate need of some adult conversation.”
She glanced at his left hand and noticed there was no indention or tan line on his ring finger.
“I’m not married.”
Her eyes shot back to his face, where he was wearing a knowing grin.
“What?”
“I saw you look at my hand,” he said. “I’m not married. Are you?”
“No,” she heard herself say.
“Dating anyone?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Then no one will be pissed if we sit together and enjoy a meal.”
Once again, she sat there, staring at him.
He smiled again, and said, “It’s okay to say no. I'll understand if you want to be alone. I don’t want to bother you.”
“No.”
“Okay,” he said, "have a nice evening. He took a step back and finally her brain kicked into gear.
“Wait! I meant no, you wouldn’t be bothering me.”
He stopped and looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, please,” she insisted, gesturing to the seat across from her. “Like you said, it’s been a long day. I totally understand your need to get away. If I had to sit there around Thing 1 and Thing 2 for another second, I don’t think I would have been responsible for my actions.”
He laughed as he sat. “You’re much too beautiful to go to jail.”
“That’s for sure,” she teased.
“I’m Michael, by the way,” he said, holding out his hand.
“Lacey.”
A spark shot through her body and hit her right between the legs. She squeezed them tightly, and removed her hand from his. 
“So, what are you doing in Detroit?” Michael asked.
“Training for a new position,” Lacey replied. “The headquarters is here.”
He nodded and she watched as he tore open a packet of honey and poured it over a biscuit. 
“What about you?” she asked.
“Visiting my mom,” he said, before taking a bite of the biscuit. "This was a layover stop."
“Everything okay with your mom?”
“It is…now. But she gave us quite a scare.”
“I’m glad everything worked out for her, then.”
“So am I,” he said, wiping his hands on a napkin. “But I have to admit, I will be glad when I’m finally able to sleep in my own bed. And get some real biscuits from Penny’s.”
Lacey sat back and stared at him. “You definitely don’t look like the type who eats at Penny’s,” she said, skeptically.
He sat back as well. “Girl, what you know about Penny’s?”
“What do you know about Penny’s?” she threw back at him, smiling.
“I’m a regular there so much I should have a picture on the wall.”
“Please,” she said, rolling her eyes. 
“And I don’t believe for a second that you’re there too often,” he said.
“Why would you think that?”
“Because I would never forget seeing you.”
“Oh, you’re smooth,” Lacey laughed. 
“I’m just being honest.”
“Okay,” she said, picking up a fry off of her tray. “When do you go there most often?”
“In the mornings.”
“Ah ha!” she said, pointing her fry at him. “That explains it then. I go in the evenings.”
“Such a pity,” Micahel said, shaking his head. “I guess I should start frequenting Penny’s in the evenings now.”
His insinuation that he wanted to see more of her made her smile, especially since she had the desire to see more of him as well. 
“I guess you should,” she agreed.


****

They’d sat for hours talking, about everything and nothing. Michael couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed spending time with a woman like this.
Just as they were making their way back to the departure waiting area, the voice came on the speaker. 
“We regret to inform you passengers, that all flights will be grounded for the evening. We have made arrangements and have vouchers for you all to stay at the hotel’s airport. Once you receive your voucher, you can make your way to the shuttle to transport you to the hotel. Again we apologize for any inconvenience. We will be continuously watching the weather so that we can get everyone to their destinations as soon as possible.”
Michael looked at Lacey as she let out a frustrated sigh.
“I’m drinking all of the rum in the mini-bar,” she murmured.
He chuckled, shaking his head. She was definitely his kind of girl.
They both retrieved their hotel vouchers, which Lacey was pleased to see included extra for the ‘incidentals’ she planned on drinking that night and went to catch the shuttle. It was crowded on the ride to the hotel, so much so that she was nearly sitting in his lap, but he didn’t mind that too much. He enjoyed the closeness of her lush body.
When they finally arrived at the hotel, they got their room keys and headed for the elevator.
“I’m on the sixth floor,” Michael said.
“Fifth,” Lacey replied.
“Can I walk you to your room?”
“Sure,” she said, smiling. 
When the elevator arrived at her floor, he reached down and grabbed her bag for her. She smiled again and led the way to her room. 
“This is me,” she said, stopping in front of her door. She unlocked her room and opened the door and Michael sat her bag down inside the room.
“I enjoyed hanging out with you tonight,” she said, looking up at him. “You made this whole ordeal…a little more bearable.”
“I aim to please,” Michael said. He took a step closer to Lacey. “One last question, before I head off to my room.”
“What’s that?” she asked, looking up into his eyes. There was a hint of desire there, and it tempted him to ask her if he could come inside.
But instead, he asked, “What are the chances of us picking up where we left off, back home?”
She grinned and then reached out and grabbed him by his shirt collar, pulling his mouth down over hers. He groaned and wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing her against the hallway wall and his long tongue swept into her mouth.
Then as quickly as she’d started the kiss, she ended with the same swiftness. 
“I’d say, the chances are very high.”
She took a step back and began to close the door.
“Goodnight Michael.”
“Wait, I don’t have your number.”
With a teasing grin, she said, “You know where to find me.” And then she shut the door. 

****


"I can't believe you're gonna miss Christmas!"
Lacey sighed as her mother continued fussing. 
"Mama, Christmas doesn't stop just because I'm not home."
"But it won't be the same without you," she whined.
"I know," Lacey said. "But there's nothing I can do at the moment."
"At least they paid for a hotel for you."
"There's that."
"So what are you going to do today?"
Lacey shrugged even though her mother couldn't see her. "I don't know. I ordered room service. I'll probably just stay in and watch some old movies. Hopefully this blizzard will clear up by tomorrow morning."
Her mother sucked her teeth. "You should at least go to one of the hotel restaurants and have a nice meal. Maybe you'll run into a nice man who's stranded as well," she teased.
If only she knew, Lacey thought as her mind drifted to Michael.
Her silence must have been telling because suddenly her mother gasped. "Did you meet someone while you were stranded?" she asked.
"Kind of," Lacey admitted.
"Tell me all about him," her mother gushed.
"There's nothing to tell, Mama. We both sat in the terminal for hours suffering. I got up and went to find food and so did he. He asked if he could sit with me. We shared a meal and conversation, that's it."
What Lacey didn't tell her mother, was she'd spent all night thinking, then dreaming about him. The things that she'd imagined and dreamt of them doing had her fanning herself. 
A knock on her hotel room door, pulled her back to reality.
"Mama, I gotta go, the room service is here."
"Promise me you won't stay cooped up in that room all day. Go out for dinner," her mother ordered.
"All right, I promise."
"Merry Christmas, baby."
"Merry Christmas, Mama. I love you."
"I love you too."
Lacey hung up the phone, hopped out of bed and rushed over to open the door.
Her eyes grew wide when she saw Michael on the other side.
It had only been a day since she'd seen him last, but he looked even better than she remembered.
He leaned leisurely against the door jamb, one ankle crossed over the other. Lacey took him in from head to toe. He looked amazing in his navy blue sweater and khaki pants. In his hand, he held a small gift box.
"Merry Christmas."
The timbre of his voice caused a flame to ignite in her belly.
Finally managing to find her voice, she spoke. "Merry Christmas."
"I couldn't stop thinking about you last night," he said, getting right to the point.
"Really?" she asked. That heat she felt intensified at his words and the look in his eyes. "What were you thinking about me?"
His tongue swiped across his bottom lip, making her wish her tongue was there instead of his. After another moment, spoke. 
"I was thinking...no one should spend Christmas alone."


****

Michael grinned down at Lacey, who was still standing at the door, with a shocked expression on her face. He cleared his throat and asked, "May I come in?"
Lacey blinked and shook her head. "Yes, of course." She took a step back and opened the door wider to let him in.
As he walked past her, he couldn't help but take in her tempting scent. He could tell she'd recently showered and she smelled like brown sugar and vanilla. He wondered if she tasted as delicious as she smelled.
All night, he'd thought about her and that kissed she'd laid on him. It had taken a great deal of strength for him to turn and walk away from her door. But several times, he'd been tempted to get up and go back to her room.
By morning, he decided he couldn't stay away any longer. He took a chance coming back to her room, since he'd gotten an alert on his phone earlier saying all flights were grounded again because the weather had gotten worse. He figured she'd still be there.
"I didn't think I'd see you again so soon," Lacey said as she closed the door.
"Like I said...no one should spend Christmas alone. I came by to see if you'd like to have breakfast with me downstairs."
"I actually ordered room service," she said. "But I ordered way more than enough for two people. You're welcome to join me."
"I'd like that."
"Well come have a seat, make yourself comfortable. The food should be here soon."
He followed her further into the room and watched as she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.
"Oh my," she said, turning to face him. "I look terrible!"
Her hair was piled up on her head in a messy bun and she was wearing incredibly short shorts, and a old sweatshirt with no bra underneath.
She was sexy as hell.
"You're fine," he said, grinning. "I'm the one who just popped up, interrupting your day."
"You weren't interrupting much," she said. "I was just listening to my mother complain about me not being home for Christmas, as if I had some kind of divine control over the weather."
She may not have had control over the weather, but she certainly had control over his libido at the moment. The urge to lift her up, carry her over to the bed and spend the rest of the day making love to her, engulfed him. 
A knock at the door made them both turn.
"Have a seat," he said. "I'll go and get the food."
He went to the door and opened it. He took the rolling table filled with dome-covered plates and tipped the room attendant. He sat the small box on the table and rolled it into the room.
He sat down on the bed next to her, lifted the side flaps to make the table big enough for both of them to dine on and spread out the food. Lacey sat up and began to remove the domes and Michael's eyes grew wide. 
"You weren't joking when you said you ordered a lot of food."
Lacey smiled sheepishly. "I made sure to order enough so I wouldn't have to call out or leave the room for the rest of the day. But my mom insisted that I at least go out for dinner. But now, there won't be any wasted food since you're here to share it with me."
Michael nodded. "How about we dig in then?"
They fixed their plates and began to eat.
"So...what's that?" she asked, pointing at the gift wrapped box on the table with her fork.
"Oh this?" he said over a mouthful of food. He pushed the box closer to her.
She looked down at it, then back up at him, surprised. "For me?"
He shrugged as he cut another piece of his pancakes.
He watched as her fingers lightly danced across the bow. "What's the matter?" he asked when he saw the confused look on her face.
"You...you barely know me."
"So..." he said. "It's Christmas. People have given gifts to complete strangers at this time of year."
She tugged her lower lip into her mouth and chewed on it. Finally, she couldn't resist anymore. She reached out, grabbed the box and tore it open.
"It's just something I saw in the gift shop downstairs," he said, attempting to downplay his gesture for her.
Her eyes lit up and her mouth broke out into a wide smile. "Michael, it's beautiful," she said, quietly admiring the snow globe.
She turned it upside down and shook it before flipping it back up to watch the imaginary snow drifted back to the bottom. 
Lacey looked back up at Michael. "Thank you," she said. Then she leaned over and palmed one side of his face, bringing his other cheek to her lips for a soft kiss. 
Her mouth on his skin sent a jolt straight to his groin.
"It's not a big deal," he murmured.
"Still..." she said, looking down at the snow globe. "It doesn't feel right, you giving me a gift and I have nothing to give you in return."
"I wouldn't mind another one of those kisses," he said, when she looked him in the eyes again.
"I think that can be arranged," she said, sliding closer to him. 


****


She watched as he pushed the table out of the way and when he turned back to her, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
He gripped her by the waist and pulled her against his body. She tilted her head up slightly and pressed her lips against his. He slid his tongue against the seam of her lips and she opened her mouth inviting him in with a moan.
He tasted like maple and something uniquely manly. He explored every inch of her mouth and she explored his as well.
Her skin felt heated as his hands slid beneath her shirt and grazing up her belly before moving up to cup her free breasts. His thumb flicked over her nipple, causing them to hardened at his touch.
In the next breath, he was pulling her onto his lap. She almost wanted to pinch herself, because this moment felt like something she'd imagined or dreamt of the night before. But when he lifted her shirt over her head, and pulled her breast in his mouth, gently biting down on her sensitized nipple, the slight pain let her know everything that was happening was real. 
She arched her back, pushing her breast further into his mouth and it seemed to turn him on even more. He groaned and sucked her even harder.
He moved to the other breast, giving her the same ravishing treatment. Eventually, he managed to tear his mouth away from her body.
He reached up and caressed her cheek with the pad of his thumb, before cupping the back of her neck.
"I want you," he murmured.
She'd wanted him since last night. When he walked her to her room, she'd hoped he would ask to come in. Then she wished she'd invited him in. 
"I know we just met yesterday, but there's just something about you, Lacey. But if you're uncomfortable..."
His words got drowned out by the sound of her heartbeat pulsating in her ears. She lunged forward, cutting off his words when she crushed her mouth to his. His arms wrapped around her again as he fell back onto the bed.
He quickly took control of the kiss, sucking her bottom lip into his mouth. His hands traveled up the backs of her legs, grazing her thighs before he reached up to squeeze her ass tightly.
When she felt his erection press at her between her legs, she rocked her body against his.
She sat up slightly, and looked down at him beneath hooded eyes. They were both breathing heavily.
"I want you too," she whispered. 
In an instant, Lacey was on her back and Michael was standing over her. He grabbed the elastic waistband of her shorts and yanked them off, tossing them over his shoulder.
He pulled his sweater over his head, revealing abs so delicious looking, she found herself licking her lips. He kicked his shoes off then shed his pants. He grabbed a condom out of his wallet and placed it on the bed.
"Are you sure about this Lacey?" he asked one last time.
She looked up into his eyes, then back at his erection, which she was now eye level with. With a sexy grin, she sat up further and showed him how ready she was by taking him in her mouth.
She felt a bit of satisfaction, when his knees buckled slightly.
"Shit..." he rasped.
She took her time enjoying the taste of him as she licked and sucked him. She heard the air hiss through his teeth as she pulled away slightly to swirl her tongue around the tip, before taking him deeply into her mouth again.
She felt him pull the band out of her hair, causing her curly locks to cascade around her face. He dug her fingertips into her hair, pressing them against her scalp as his hips began to speed up. Suddenly, he broke their contact and pulled her legs from underneath her.
He grabbed the condom off of the bed and his hands trembled slightly as he covered himself.
"You are something else, woman," he growled, before joining her in the bed. He spread her legs wide as he slid inside of her. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he filled her over and over. 
He buried his face in the side of her neck, showering her with kisses. Heat began to coil in her belly as he made love to her. His hands were everywhere, his mouth was everywhere, kissing her, whispering naughty things in her ear that made her walls clamp tighter around him.
He sat up slightly, tilted her hips to change their angle, then pressed his fingers against her clit, causing her to cry out as her orgasm hit her. The sensation continued to wash over her as he slammed into her several more times before he found his own release.
Michael collapsed on the bed next to her, both of their chests heaving, desperate for air.
"That was probably the best damn Christmas gift I've ever received," he murmured.
Lacey lips titled up and she turned her head to look at him.
Her sentiments mirrored his almost exactly. 

****

Michael woke up to the sound of not one, but two cell phones beeping. His eyes open slowly and he looked around down to find a mass of curls splayed against his chest. His limbs were intertwined with the gorgeous woman he'd spent most of the night making love too. He reached over and grabbed his cell phone and read the text.

Weather cleared for take off. Flights now available.

"Lace," he said, shaking her gently. "The weather cleared up."
Lacey groaned and shifted sightly before sighing.
Michael chuckled. She clearly wasn't a morning person. His mind drifted back to the night before. The woman had been insatiable. It was no wonder she was exhausted this morning. His hand absently traveled up and down her back. As much as he'd enjoyed his night with her, he knew she would be just as eager to get home as he was. Besides, he had every intention of picking up right where they were leaving off in that hotel room. A grin slowly spread across his face as he came up with a interesting way to wake her.
He slid his hand down her body, until he reached her pussy. His fingers slipped inside and he grew hard just feeling how wet she was even in her sleep.
Almost instantly, her breathing grew labored. Her response to his touch was such a turn on. He needed more of her. He needed to taste her. He rolled her onto her back and began to pepper kisses down her body until he reached the apex of her thighs. He could feel her body slowly coming to life, as she slowly began writhing beneath him and she softly whimpered.
He lifted his eyes and watched her face as he dragged his tongue slowly across her clit. She inhaled sharply and her eyes flew open.
"Wh...what?" she exhaled.
"Good morning," he murmured against her lips before dipping his tongue inside of her.
"Michael..." she whispered.
He continued feasting on her like he was starving. Her scent filled his nostrils and drove him mad with desire. Soon she was thrusting her hips against his face, and clutching the back of his head. He curled his tongue inside of her and Lacey screamed out. He continued lapping her up until her body stopped trembling.
Finally he sat up and wiped his mouth with the back of his arm.
"I've been woken up like that," she said, when her breathing was normal again.
His lips turned up in a triumphant grin.
"Well you didn't wake up at my first attempt, so I had to get creative."
Her phone beeping again, caught her attention.
"That's probably the airport," he said. "The weather is finally good enough for flights again. That's why I was trying to wake you. Figured you were just as ready to get out of here as I am."
She nodded. "I am ready, but there's one something I need to do before we leave." Before he got a chance to ask what she needed to do, she showed him by grabbing him by his undershirt and yanking him on top of her. She reached down and cupped him in her hands before she kissed him hard.

****

They got a nonstop flight home, and they managed to sit together on the plane. They spent the time talking and getting to know more about each other. They shared a cab and stopped at Lacey's place first. 
Michael walked her up to her apartment and sat her bags down.
"I don't think I've ever been happier to be stranded," Lacey said, turning to face him.
"It was the best time I've had...probably ever," Michael admitted. He lifted his hand and ran it through her hair.
"Thank you for seeing me home."
"Thank you for allowing me to."
He wasn't ready to leave. He wanted to take her in her place, strip her out of her clothes and have a replay of their Christmas night together.
But it was time to get back to reality.
He pulled her close, pressing his forehead to hers. 
"Tell me this doesn't have to end," he said. He knew he probably sounded desperate, but this beautiful woman that he'd met by chance had affected him in a way no other woman had.
Lacey let out a deep breath and lifted her mouth to his. He cupped her face as her tongue slid into his mouth and pressed her against her door.
Eventually, she broke of the kiss and then grabbed her bags and took a step into her apartment.
Before she closed the door, she grinned and said, "You know where to find me."

****

Two days later, Lacey was sitting in a booth at Penny's. She wrung her hands nervously. The bell over the door rang as it opened and she looked up expectantly.
He walked in, looking gorgeous in a pair of jeans and button down shirt. He searched the restaurant with a hopeful look in his eyes. When they landed on her, his face broke out into a wide grin.
He strode quickly over to her and she stood up from her seat to greet him.
He pulled her into his arms, and covered her mouth with his.
When he finally pulled away, she was breathless.
"I found you," he whispered in her ear.
"Yeah, you did," she said.
Then she kissed him again.