If Only

If Only - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Mombasa, Kenya

Cora

"Virgin mojito?" Julian's voice brought me out of my daydream: the one where he was the leading man and I'd just made a come-hither motion to him.

I stretched on the lounge chair, pushed up my sunglasses and took in the fine specimen of a man before me. Julian had pulled a table between our two sun chairs. He handed me my cocktail, which I gladly accepted.

“It’s a little too early for alcohol in the day - even for a day off." His eyes traveled down my scantily clad body. I was white as a sheet and wanted to work on my tan. He whipped off his T-shirt and his sunkissed skin - a stark contrast to my pale complexion - made me gawk. "You're doing it again,” he said.

"What?" How eloquently spoken! I couldn't string together even the simplest sentence with him near me.

"You're staring at me again. Just as you were last night."

"Did your mama not tell you it's impolite to embarrass a lady by calling her out?"

"Spoken like a true Southern belle, Miss Cora Green: innocent on the outside, but naughty as hell on the inside. A woman of my taste." He reclined in his chair and crossed his feet at the ankles. I was in fact from the deep South, but I hadn't had a mama to teach me well. Since I was four I'd been tossed between foster families until I was old enough to live on my own. The only person I could rely on in this world was yours truly, and I decided what I wanted in life. Right now, I wanted him and my next story.

"You..." I sat up and pointed at him, but as much as I wanted to scold him, I couldn't because he was right. "You're right. I'm impolite and I do apologize, but I can't help it. You look sooo good,” I told him frankly. His abs were defined, his skin tan and his gorgeous, sparkling green eyes were the cherry on top.

"Why thank you, Miss Cora. You don't look so sloppy yourself. That bikini on those curves - pure sin."

"And I'm no saint," I whispered over my drink and flirted shamelessly. An African fling with him was exactly what my body and soul needed. I hadn't let loose in a while and I needed to forget the catastrophes, the starving children and the general distress of the world.

"Cora..." He sounded severe as he placed his elbows on the table and looked me straight in the eyes. Had I misinterpreted his signals? Did he have a girlfriend?

"Sorry if... I can flirt too much. It doesn't have to mean anything. Let's get to work.”

"Do you want it to…?" He swallowed visibly and his voice was a low rasp. My uncontrollable gaze immediately fell on his crotch, where the fabric was stretched over a bulge. "Are you attracted to me or just appreciative of the male body in general?" he continued.

I sank and whispered, "Here's the deal. I don't usually sleep with coworkers or business partners." I shivered, but it wasn't cold. "But I'm wildly attracted to you. Your sinful body, even your dimples make me hot."

"And?" He was quiet but listening to me and waiting for me to make the call.

"Hmm, I could make an exception. That is, if you're also attracted to me?" Insecurity wasn't a word in my vocabulary, but he somehow made it seem as if there was more at stake than a one-night stand.

"Cora, I don't do relationships, but I'm monogamous when I'm with a woman. However, our work does complicate this." He motioned between us. "We don't even know if we can work together and we're already talking about getting horizontal."

"I've got a suggestion." I tapped my nose.

"What if we see how the week goes? I can wait five days before I jump you." I smiled devilishly at him.

"You have a deal, but I can't promise you that I can wait." His eyes gleamed and locked purposely on my breasts, and I reacted on the spot.