CHAPTER Thirty Six
After checking in, there was a lot of awkward silence in Ike and Janelle’s motel room.
The two had met a few hours ago, and now they were forced into this incredibly stressful situation.
But the two strangers had a common bond.
They had each been attacked by Shane, and although they didn’t speak of their ordeals initially, these unfortunate events gave them an understanding that other people didn’t grasp.
“Let’s order some food,” Ike finally said. “I’m starving.”
Janelle had to admit, even in all of the turmoil, she had an appetite when she realized she had not eaten since before she boarded her plane around noon.
“I am too, but I really don’t want anyone coming to the door to deliver,” Janelle admitted.
“I’ll have them leave it at the front desk. We’re really close. I can go get it. What kind of beer do you like?”
Janelle smiled for the first time since Ross’s call. “I thought you wanted food?”
“I do! But I also want beer,” Ike said, grinning.
“Ultra, and pepperoni,” Janelle answered, anticipating Ike’s next question.
It seemed a meal and a couple of beers were just what Ike and Janelle needed to relax and dismiss some of the anxiety that had been thrown on them quite unexpectedly.
Even though it was very late, and they both should have been exhausted, they were content with their distracting conversation, and neither one had any intention of closing their eyes and trying to sleep just yet.
After some small talk, it seemed inevitable that at least one of them would bring up Ross and Camille’s relationship.
“You know, I hated the guy at first, but Ross is a good dude,” Ike said, somewhat out of the blue.
Janelle’s Ultras were going down well, and her comment sparked a serious conversation that both seemed to welcome.
“He is,” Janelle confirmed. And then after a few seconds of contemplation, Janelle continued. “I did him dirty. He didn’t deserve that. I should have been an adult and ended it instead of getting caught up in an affair.” Janelle was thoughtful, not emotional.
“Well, you’re not the only one who fucked up,” Ike replied, shaking his head and downing the remainder of his beer. After grabbing another one, he finished his point. “I kept Camille stringing along for way too long. I was an asshole, and she didn’t deserve any of it.”
Taking a few minutes to ponder their candid disclosures, Ike and Janelle sat there in silence for what seemed like an eternity before Janelle spoke again.
“I’m the cause of this whole mess with Shane. I brought him into our lives,” she said flatly, staring at the wall, emotionless. “I live with that every moment of every day.”
Ike found Janelle’s stoic demeanor heart-wrenching.
Her words and her actions could not have been more telling.
She was done crying about it. She was done stressing over it.
She was resigned to the fact that she’d exposed them all to a soulless killer, and she couldn’t change it.
This emotionless statement hit Ike harder than if she had been uncontrollably sobbing.
For his own sake, he felt the need to go to her and hold her in his arms.
When he wrapped his arms around her, Janelle felt his compassion and knew his gesture was free from judgment.
There were no more words, just a deep understanding.
So, when the two near strangers with an incredibly powerful common bond locked eyes, there was no other choice but to release the guilt each had been harboring with a passionate kiss that left them both wanting more.
“That was unexpected,” Ike admitted. His lips were still on hers as he spoke.
“Unexpected,” Janelle agreed. “But nice.” She was staring into Ike’s eyes, and she felt their connection deep in her soul.
Ike smiled and kissed her again, leaving a trail of kisses down her neck. His face came back up to hers, and he held it in his hands and looked at her, really looked at her. “This is about the time I would start unbuttoning your blouse.” He paused and then finished. “Would that be okay?”
Janelle kissed him hard and started unbuttoning it for him, and Ike followed her lead.
Ike and Janelle’s first sexual encounter was both tender and animalistic, sweet and fiery.
The moment was a bundle of contrasts that both mirrored their complicated emotions and reflected their inner needs.
By all means, the incident quenched a thirst in two aching hearts.
And when it was over, there were no regrets, no worries, and no awkward moments.
There was, however, a forged bond that both gladly acknowledged.