Helena stopped for a second.  ‘Alexa if you think this is inappropriate, I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable?’

Alexa looked at her confused.  ‘Why would you think you’d done that?’

Helena sighed.  ‘I just don’t want you to think that I’ve been spending time with you so I can get you up to my suite to seduce you.’

Alexa smiled a sad smile.  ‘Don’t worry Helena, I know my virtue is safe around you.  Just because we both like women doesn’t mean I think you fancy me.  A woman like you could have any girl in the world she wanted….’

‘Don’t do that,’ interrupted Helena forcefully.  ‘Stop making yourself think that you’re not beautiful, that you’re not desirable.  Because I see you and you are all those things and more.’

Alexa turned to Helena, as she pressed a single kiss to her cheek that lingered lightly, letting Helena feel the softness of her lips and catch the scent of her perfume.

‘I’ll see you later’ said Helena swiftly and practically ran into her hotel before she could do something she regretted.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Hours later Alexa took the lift, holding the extra key Helena had given her in her hand and soon reached the entrance to the penthouse.  She opened the door and called out for Helena but there was no reply.  She assumed Helena was running late and took the opportunity to look around the penthouse, stunning view of the city, enormous couch and living room, jacuzzi.  She imagined sharing that with Helena for a second and forced the thought from her mind with a chuckle.  She remembered she was supposed to order the champagne and picked up the telephone to dial down. 

Two hours later Helena arrived home, she’d tried to call Alexa but kept getting put through to voicemail.  She desperately hoped she was still there and didn’t think she’d stood her up.  Everything had gone wrong, the meeting overran, then the food didn’t arrive on time, then there was an accident on the road in front of them on the way home.  And all the time she’d thought of Alexa, waiting for her in her empty hotel room.

She heard the sound of the TV and called out to her.  ‘Alexa, god I’m so sorry I took this long.’