68 Hungry (1/2)

”Where do you adjust the seat?” She strummed innocjavascript:;ently with her eyelashes. The officer looked nervously at Laila's thigh. ”Between your ... er, under the seat.” Laila leaned forward. The slim straps of her dress slipped over her shoulder. The officer was looking in a different direction.

Laila was increasingly enjoying this game. ”I can not find the lever, if you were so kind?” She spread her legs slightly. Still staring intently in another direction, he groped under the seat for the lever. He touched the smooth skin of Laila's calf and pulled his fingers back as if he had touched a hot stove. ”Sorry.”

”I help you. ” Laila groped under the seat as well, careful to bring her full cleavage near his head. ”He has to be somewhere.” Laila tried to make her voice sound serious. She leaned forward. Her breasts touched his shoulder. ”Ah, there.” Her fingers closed around his wrist. ”No, just his watch.”

Laila saw sweat glisten on his temples and blew him gently against his forehead. He looked at her. ”I'll go.” She gave him a flirty smile. ”The keys are stuck.” He straightened up. ”Me too.”

”You're welcome?”

”The keys of the Porsche.”

”Oh yeah.”

”I really have a huge appetite.” Laila let her tongue flit over her lips. The officer stepped from one leg to the other, undecided. ”At breakfast.”

”Of course, please follow me.” Laila grinned and turned the ignition key in the lock. The Dodge stuttered.

Grinning, Laila watched as her Porsche was doggedly driven into the street. The engine howled and Laila saw only the swirling cloud of dust as the officer gave strong gas. Should he let off steam, Laila thought, and stomped behind with the Dodge. Before the next intersection was the Porsche. Bravely, the officer drove ahead at the proper speed. They turned off the highway. Continuing past huge fields and pastures until they hopped on an uneven dirt road that made the suspension of the Dodge moan.

Laila looked anxiously at her Porsche and hoped that neither spoiler nor exhaust would be damaged. The officer stopped in front of a cute wooden hut, which snuggled close to the first trees of a huge coniferous forest. The light wooden planks stood out against the dark wood of the trees. The long branches of a huge fir seemed to reach for the hut like knobby fingers.

Laila had to bite her lip to keep from screaming. The officer had rammed a wooden sign into the ground next to the hut. In awkward letters there stood 'office' next to a sticker with police star. Laila opened the creaking door of the Dodge and got out.

The officer was still sitting in the Porsche, caressing the steering wheel. Laila put her arm on the windshield. ”Well, was it nice?” Immediately he began to philosophise about speed momentum, acceleration, road holding and braking behaviour, while he looked at Laila with bright eyes.

She felt like Santa Claus at a solemn celebration. Laila let him babble. It was too nice. His childlike enthusiasm seemed so normal and innocent to her. That was a perfect start to a relaxing holiday.

Sighing, he finished his lecture. He looked at Laila in dismay. ”Excuse me, I stammer like a toddler, I did not mean to bore you.” He got out of bed and, embarrassed, rubbed his messy hair and increased the mess on his head.

Laila smiled at him. ”Will Mrs. Officer cook us a coffee?” Laila thought he saw a shadow over his face. Only a moment, then it was over. He became serious. ”I live alone.”

”OK, where is the kitchen? I'm a true coffee bean virtuoso.” He looked at her sheepishly. ”Is also serviceable?” Laila clutched his chest theatrically. ”That's below my dignity.” He shrugged his shoulders. ”Then you get the unique opportunity to enjoy the breakfast of a lonely bachelor, but first ...” He got serious. ”... I check your papers.”

”Very pragmatic.” Laila pulled him up. ”If something is wrong with me, at least save coffee powder ...” Indignant, he took a breath. ”... and eggs and bacon Oh, Officer, please, I'm really hungry for a bear.”

”Sorry, Mam. Duty works.”

”You are on vacation.”

”Well, ...” he hesitated. Then he stuffed the keys deep into his pocket. ”You will not flee without your car, and you're not a wanted killer around the world, are you?” He laughed heartily at his joke. Laila, trusting in Benedict's talents and knowing that her false identity had withstood some scrutiny, looked at him conspiratorially. ”You never know.”

”You're right, first the papers, then a relaxed breakfast, okay?” Laila sighed. ”Do I have a choice?”

They entered the hut. Laila looked around attentively. The cabin was small but cosy. At least it could have been, apart from the chaos that apparently only single men could cause. The officer was visibly embarrassed when they had to climb into the living room over several pieces of clothing scattered around the floor. ”Please long here.”