Right Place, Right Time

by Di

The door opened to reveal the dimly lit room beyond for a brief second before the solitary figure stepped into the hallway. Reaching back, he slowly, silently, pulled the door shut and stood motionless in the hallway. His shoulders slumped and his chin nearly resting on his chest, all time seemed to stand still before he forced himself to take a deep breath. Without seeming to be aware of his surroundings, his head rose to reveal unbidden tears which he quickly brushed aside with the back of his hand before sliding his arms into the sleeves of his leather jacket. After a quick shrug to settle the coat, a hand reached back to flip the ponytail out of the collar before he inhaled deeply once more. Sliding his hands into the front pockets of his tight jeans, he began the long walk down the brightly lit hallway toward the elevators.

Not wanting to intrude, I had observed all of this from the perfect vantage point of the Nurse's Station. As he rounded the corner and disappeared from view, I felt my breath catch and suddenly realized I had forgotten to breathe! What kind of man could have that strong of an effect on a woman that she would actually forget to breathe?

It was almost two years to the day since the patient in Room 412 had been admitted. For the first two months she had not had a single visitor. I was certain she had to be lonely, even though the medication she was prescribed was strong enough to remove her almost entirely from the sadness of her situation. Although she was comfortable, it was obvious that she had lost all touch with reality and she spent most of her days lying in bed or sitting in a chair staring out the small barred window…staring but not seeing.

Looking back, I remember his first visit and the hope that it would be the catalyst necessary to bring her back from the depths in which she had buried her conscious self. In the almost twenty-two months since that first visit, he had not missed a single week. Each Friday night I watched as he arrived, standing at the door for a few seconds as if to steel himself before entering. The murmur of his voice could be heard through the door as he spoke to her for hours with no answering response. Each week he would stay until the one of the nurses would tap on the door to remind him that visiting hours were drawing to a close. We always allowed him a few extra minutes for his goodbyes as we could all see how hard it was for him to leave her.

I couldn't put my finger on exactly what it was, but somehow tonight was different. There was a sad resolve in his face as he walked away without even murmuring his customary "Goodnight" in the general direction of the desk.

A tap on the shoulder interrupted my musings and I looked up to see Marilyn standing above me, pointing toward the clock. "It's eleven o'clock, honey. Time to get your butt out of here!"

After gathering my coat and purse from my locker, I soon found myself standing at the front door. One of the things I hated most about working at Clairmont Oakes Sanitarium was the fact that the parking lot assigned to the employees was quite a distance from the main building and, although there had been several requests made to management asking to have the lighting improved, it remained full of darkness and shadows. Each day I was met with a full lot when I arrived for my 3:00 p.m. shift and I would end up taking a spot on the far end of the lot. By the time I got off work at 11:00 p.m. the lot would be basically empty and my car would be sitting alone in a secluded area.

Tonight the clouds covered the moon and added to the uneasiness I felt as I crossed the empty lot, nervously looking over my shoulder. Just as I reached my car, a sudden movement to my left caught me by surprise and I spun to see the figures of three individuals surrounding me.

"Hey, little mama!!! Wanna party?" growled the larger of the three. The other two young men joined in, shouting lewd comments as they gathered closer and I saw the glint of a knife blade as it caught what little light there was in the dark lot.

Turning back to the car I fumbled with the door handle, unable to get the key inserted into the lock. The taunts continued, closer now, as I struggled to open the door. My hands shook and panic overtook me as I felt the keys slip through my fingers and I heard the clank as they hit the pavement and bounced out of view.

The sudden roar of an engine split the night and, assuming the roar announced the arrival of more of their friends, I felt myself slump against the car. As I heard the engine die, the driver spoke, his accented voice calm but dangerous. "Don't even fucking think about it! Move away from her. Now! Go cause your trouble some place else! Go!!"

There was a familiarity in the voice that caused me to glance over my shoulder and see the man I had been lusting over for the past twenty-two months standing between the young hoodlums and me. The gun he held apparently convinced them that he meant business and I watched as they scattered, leaving me alone with the man who visited Room 412 each week with such dedication. My knees gave way in the wake of overwhelming relief and he moved quickly to catch me before I sank to the ground.

"Are you all right? Did they do anything to you? Do you need a doctor?" The questions poured out, matching the concern on his face. After assuring him shakily that I was fine, just scared, he braced me against the car and crouched to recover the keys that had dropped to the ground earlier.

As he handed the keys to me, he reached down to place a finger under my chin and tipped my head up just as a break in the clouds allowed the moon to shine through. "I know you. Aren't you the little nurse from the 4th Floor?"

I nodded and he continued, "You are in no shape to drive after that scare. Come…I'll take you home. You can pick up your car tomorrow." Within seconds he had the climbed on the motorcycle, started the engine and held out his hand to help me climb on behind him.

Months of watching his dedication even as he struggled with his emotions each Friday night drove any thoughts of declining his offer from my mind. I had seen, close up, that this was a man who deserved to be trusted and with no hesitation I accepted his hand, swung my leg over the seat and settled in behind him as he held the bike steady. After giving him the address, I wrapped my arms around his waist and as the motorcycle picked up speed, I leaned forward to rest my cheek against the smooth black leather that covered his back. My arms tightened around his waist as he expertly maneuvered the machine through the city streets, still wet from an earlier rain shower.

As he pulled the bike into the driveway of my townhouse, I found myself disappointed that the ride had been so short and, as I opened my mouth to thank him, I heard him say that he would like to see me inside…just to make sure I was going to be all right. After digging the keys out of my coat pocket, he reached out his hand and I gladly handed them over. "It's the silver one," I managed to stutter as he smiled, inserted the key and opened the door, standing aside to follow me into the room.

The door clicked shut as I dropped my purse on the small table in the entryway and I felt the strong hands of my rescuer as he helped me out of my coat. Placing it in a nearby chair, he shrugged out of the leather jacket and watched as I collapsed onto the couch before tossing it on top of mine.

Crossing the room he knelt in front of me, took my hand and asked, "Do you have anything to drink?"

"There's some iced tea…" I managed as I tried to rise, only to feel his hand on my shoulder pushing me back onto the couch.

"No, no, no. Something stronger…Whiskey? Vodka? Something to calm your nerves?"

"I think there's a bottle of wine in the fridge…I don't drink much so I don't keep hard liquor in the house," I heard myself explaining.

"Stay! I'll get it!"

I could hear the swish of the refrigerator door as it opened and the muted sounds of items being moved about before I heard, "Got it! Glasses?"

After directing him to the cabinet above the sink, I heard the soft "pop" of the cork and glanced back over my shoulder to see him standing there, expertly pouring the wine into the two glasses he held in one hand. Setting the bottle on the counter, he looked up in time to see me watching him, smiled and returned to settle next to me on the couch before handing me one of the glasses.

"To being at the right place at the right time," he offered as he leaned over to gently touch his glass to mine. "And now I think it is time we were formally introduced. I am Tony, Tony Ramirez."

Blushing under his gaze I finally managed to stammer that my name was Alicia Burns and then stupidly added, "I've seen you at the Sanitarium." I could have kicked myself as I saw a veil of sadness quickly drop over his eyes. "Way to go, idiot!!" The voice in my head didn't hold back as it continued, "Remind him of the woman he loves!"

I hadn't even realized that I was avoiding eye contact with him until I felt him place his finger under my chin and raise my head. Our eyes met once again and, even though the sadness remained in his liquid amber eyes, his voice was calm as he started to speak.

"Yes, I have spent much time there but tonight was my last visit. I do not think Sarah understands what is going on around her but I felt I had to tell her in person that I was leaving. It has been two years and I have decided I must start a new life far from here…and far from her."

Although I knew everything about her medical condition, the charts never list what has happened in the patient's past and I was intrigued by the story that Tony was telling me. He explained how he had agreed to investigate Dr. Sarah Taylor and how he had fallen in love with her, even after he was convinced that she was sick and needed help. I cringed as he described the details of their last night together and how she had first shot him and then killed her father.

Standing, Tony crossed the room and stood with his back to me as he described the two months he spent in the hospital recuperating from the wounds and undergoing intensive rehabilitation therapy. As soon as he was released, he was able to find that she had been admitted to Clairmont Oakes and began visiting her, hoping to see something, anything that would prove to him that the woman he loved still existed inside a mind that appeared locked against the world.

Watching him, I saw his head dip and his shoulders slump and I moved from the couch to stand in front of him. Taking the glass from his hand, I set it next to mine on the coffee table and reached out to pull him into my arms. Moving back slightly, I looked up into his eyes and my hand curled around the back of his head and brought it down to meet mine in a kiss fraught with complete and utter abandon.

As the kiss ended, Tony stood back, looking at me with questions in his eyes. In answer, I grabbed the bottom of the white knit shirt he wore and pulled it out of the waistband of his tight jeans. Together we managed to pull it over his head and I dropped it to the floor with one hand while the other reached out to stroke the strong muscles of his chest, my fingers teasing his nipples through the curly black hair.

In response I felt Tony's fingers on the buttons of the nurses uniform I still wore and gasped as his lips met the pulse point on my neck and began to suck erotically. The dress slid to the floor in a whisper and suddenly I was standing before him in nothing more than my underwear and the standard white pantyhose I had put on new that morning. I felt his hands as they began to tug at the waistband and he slowly slid the hose off, one leg at a time, his lips following the pantyhose to my feet. Lifting one leg off the floor, he slowly removed the hose and returned his attention to the other leg to do the same as I balanced myself by placing my hands on his shoulders.

As he rose to stand before me once again, I gave him a sly smile indicating that it was *my* turn now and my hands reached down to undo the multi-colored belt with agonizing slowness. Kneeling now, I gripped the tab and slowly undid the zipper, one tooth a time, and was rewarded to hear the sudden intake of breath as the man who stood before me fought for control. Reaching up I grabbed hold of the waistband of the well-worn jeans and slowly slid them to his ankles followed closely by the briefs he wore beneath, freeing his swollen cock, which stood as a testament to his arousal.

Wrapping my fingers around the hard flesh, Tony's hands entwined themselves in my hair as my tongue flicked out and licked off the small drop of liquid that had gathered at its tip. A groan escaped his throat as I moved forward to take the engorged cock between my lips and began to suck, taking him fully into my mouth.

It was evident from his ragged breathing that Tony was not going to be able to hold back much longer as he shifted to widen his stance as much as the jeans would allow. Taking his balls in my free hand, I gave them a gentle squeeze, sending him over the edge of control as I felt hot liquid splash down the back of my throat. Tony began to shake and, releasing my hold on his softening cock, I got to my feet and wrapped my arms around his shoulders, pillowing his head on my breast until his breathing returned to normal.

Raising his head from my chest, he brought his lips to mine in a surprisingly gentle kiss before stepping back and toeing out of his boots. The distance between the living room and bedroom was soon strewn with what remained of our clothing.

Lying on my back on the king-size bed I watched as Tony crawled, catlike, from the foot of the bed until he was stretched out next to me with his lips on mine, his tongue insistently requested admittance. Our tongues danced together as his hands roamed my body, producing what felt like small electrical shocks each place they touched. Reaching behind him I tugged at the bands holding his hair and delighted as it came loose, falling forward to shield our kiss like a silk curtain.

My body was on fire as I felt his thumb and index finger dwell on my left nipple, tweaking it to erectness. My back lifted from the bed to meet Tony's lips as they covered the right nipple, sucking it into the warmth of his mouth and teasing it with his tongue. A groan of disappointment slipped from my throat as I felt his hand leave my breast only to be replaced within moments by a purr of contentment as it reappeared between my legs and I felt his fingers slide into my willing womanhood, moving expertly and bringing me to ecstasy within seconds.

Shifting slightly, Tony positioned himself between my legs and with one thrust, buried his cock deep within me. A gasp escaped my lips as my body struggled to accommodate the size of his hardened penis. Moving slowly at first, he set the rhythm of our lovemaking, withdrawing almost completely only to drive back deeper than the time before.

My legs wrapped around his waist, opening my body further to him, as my arms clutched at his back, feeling the ripple of the well defined muscles as he increased the pace. In total abandon I grabbed at his buttocks, pulling him even closer, as with one final thrust he sent us both into the white light of orgasm. His softening cock still inside of me, Tony collapsed into my waiting arms and shuddered as he struggled to regain control of his breathing once again. Holding his head, my hand stroked the beautiful long hair and I kissed the soft curls that clung to his moist brow.

My body sighed in disappointment as he finally withdrew several minutes later and rolled onto his back, pulling me into the curve of his arms where I remained, both of us falling into a contented sleep.

Waking to the bright light of morning, I reached out for Tony, only to find myself alone. A sinking feeling settled over my heart as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, pulled on my robe and walked into the living room calling his name. When he didn't answer, my eyes locked on the chair where he had tossed our coats the night before. My wool parka was now its sole occupant.

My mind did battle with my heart as I reminded myself that I knew it was only a one-night stand when I started it and he had been blatantly honest about his plans to leave. What was worse was that deep in my heart I knew that he was right. Still, a part of me wished that he would have changed his mind after our night together.

Crossing to the coffee table, I picked up the wineglasses and headed toward the kitchen. After emptying them and placing them in the dishwasher, I reached for the wine that had been forgotten on the counter. My hand froze as I saw the note propped against the bottle. Carefully printed out was an address and phone number in southern California. Smiling, I folded the note and carefully tucked it in the pocket of my robe as I began to consider what wonderful, new things might be waiting for me on the other side of the country.