“Good evening, Mr. Monroe.” He dipped his head.
“Good evening,” I greeted in return. I swiftly made my way through the entryway into the open-style atrium to the front desk.
“It’s good to see you again, Sophia,” I nodded, smiling softly as her face lit up.
“It’s always a pleasure, Mr. Monroe. We prepared your room as soon as we heard you were coming. There’s a freshly laundered suit waiting for you in the closet. We made sure to stock all of your usual requests as well,” she said.
“Thank you so much. Do you have the other room key for me?”
“Yes. Kasia Poplawski is in room 2026.”
“Good. I will attend to her in the morning.”
“As you wish, Mr. Monroe,” she smiled politely.
“Oh. One other thing, if I may. Any noise complaints you receive tomorrow on my behalf are to be settled at my expense.”
“Of course. I’ll make sure to handle them myself,” she replied.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out several hundred-dollar bills. I pressed them to the surface of the desk as I took the room keys.
“You have a great night, Sophia,” I smiled.
“You too, Mr. Monroe,” she grinned in return.
I turned away and strode through the lobby to the elevator reserved for special guests. I hardly paid any attention as I walked through the doors, pushing the top floor key automatically. I stayed here from time to time. It wasn’t the most expensive hotel in town, but the rooms were gorgeously designed, and I knew all the staff here by name and they knew me. Plus, the owner was a close friend of mine.
Kasia’s cerulean eyes popped into my vision. I remembered her confident glare as her wispy blonde hairs whipped around her face.
I wanted her to look at me the same way, but with one critical difference.
She would be down on her knees, completely naked, waiting reluctantly for me to fuck that pretty little mouth.
CHAPTER3
Kasia
I lifted my head, feeling the warm embrace of the sunshine on my face. With a soft sigh, I walked forward, stretching my arms outward and brushing my hands through the tall stalks of barley, the tiny fibrous seeds a familiar texture against my fingertips. I took a deep breath of fresh air. The sound of a door opening echoed behind me, and I turned around, seeing the image of my home that I grew up in. Dazed, I stared back at it.
This… This wasn’t right. It shouldn’t be there.
That house had burned down nearly five years ago. It didn’t exist anymore. Not only that, but it was located worlds away in Poland.
I looked around, hearing another noise that didn’t quite belong. Maybe it was water boiling? Or a coffeepot?
All of a sudden, everything began to fade, swirling off in the distance as though it was ash carried away by the wind.
And then I opened my eyes.
I blinked several times in confusion. I wasn’t outside nor did I recognize the ceiling of the room I was in. I turned, pressing my fingers against the incredibly soft sheets beneath me.
I’d been dreaming.
With an annoyed groan, I closed my eyes and tried to grapple with how terribly vivid the vision of my childhood home had been.
Drip. Drip.
There it was, that sound again. It wasn’t just a dream this time. It was real.