If Only

If Only - Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Mombasa, Kenya

Julian

"Habari, Jabali. It's going to be a gorgeous morning." I loaded my camera bags into the Jeep. The sun hadn't risen just yet, but I wanted to get going and catch the first rays coming through as the city woke up. Where was she?

"Habari bwana?" Jabali, my favorite driver, was always so formal even though we knew each other well.

"Great actually, splendid." My British accent came through, especially early in the morning when I still had the night's sleep stuck in my throat.

"We have coffee and breakfast in the car, courtesy of the kitchen. I placed the order last night, sir."

"Hey, guys. I hope I didn't keep you waiting.” Cora was clearly a morning person. She looked fresh from the shower and energized, whereas I'd tossed and turned all night thinking about our conversation yesterday. Admittedly, it wasn't all I'd done. A man had needs and means for those needs. One…long…week coming up. Why had I been such a gentleman and accepted her offer? She'd been frank and, quite honestly, a fresh touch. It was clear that I didn't need to pursue her. She wanted what I wanted, which was a massive turn-on. Even with her proposal to see how the week went I could have had her last night. The big question was: why hadn't I?

"No, we agreed on six o'clock, but if you're ready let's go. I'd like to get some pictures of the sunrise as we drive through the city."

"Sure, but I need coffee...badly." She looked around. We were right outside the reception area and sometimes there was coffee on a table for the early risers. Even with her hair still wet from the shower, she was beautiful. We had dressed alike in khaki shorts and dark T-shirts. Hers was fitted to her slim body that made her breasts look insanely large. I turned around and adjusted myself. I was wrong; it wasn't only going to be a long week, but a very, very long day.

"Jabali, my mate here, has coffee and breakfast for us in the car and we have a couple of hours before the first stop," I answered with my back to her. "Do you mind if I ride shotgun? We can change later. I just get the best pictures from the front window." With the situation in my pants under control, I turned around.

"No, not at all. I want to look over my notes and drink my coffee."

We had decided to try to visit two to three schools in one day. Perhaps it was optimistic, which was why we started with the school in the most remote location. We'd fit in as many different schools as we could in one week and evaluate the results on Friday.

"Did you sleep well?" she asked me as I handed her the steaming hot cup of coffee. Could she read my mind? Her smile told me that she was indeed having the same naughty thoughts as me. "Long week ahead.” Now she was flirting.

"So this is how it's going to be?" I teased.

"Well, we agreed on one week of working together before we…” she said matter-of-factly, then continued, "See it as delayed gratification, Julian." My name on her lips in her raspy voice was seduction enough for me, and I groaned loudly.

"Or the longest foreplay in the world," I added drily.

Jabali started the car and the car radio blasting Inner Circle's "Games People Play" made us laugh at each other. Jabali excused the loud volume, but we kept laughing.

"It's going to be fun, Julian. Fun. Let’s enjoy ourselves." I could do that. I was a master at having fun.

"Can't wait, Cora. You're giving me one week to come up with all the things I'm going to do to you. Are you sure you're ready for it?"

"Bring it on, big guy. I'm sure I can handle you well enough."

I didn't know how to respond, but I'd just made it my mission to make her succumb earlier than she thought she would. She was so smug and thought she called the shots, but she didn't know me. I readied my camera and rolled down the window.

People were always moving. They were walking to work, taking kids to school, opening stores for the day even though it was early. I loved this country and I could live here forever. My job had brought me all over the world, but I'd never fallen for a place or the people as I had here. Instead of traveling all the time, I had - for some time now - contemplated settling down in Africa and then taking jobs from here. I could still go on shoots in other countries, but I had enough contacts at wildlife and travel magazines that I could make a living of it. At thirty-eight, the sad truth was that I was ready to settle down. I wanted it all: - wife and kids, everything I never thought I wanted - but my lifestyle made it impossible. Two boys and a girl no older than six walked hand-in-hand along the side of the road. They were wearing uniforms and on their way to school at this early hour. I waved at them and they waved back at me.

"Can you slow down? Pole, pole, Jabali." Jabali slowed down, and I pointed my camera to the traffic chaos at the crossroad before us. Colorful busses, cars, motorbikes and tuk-tuks were moving around in all directions.

"Don't you just love it?" Cora sighed in the backseat. At least we were compatible in our shared love for this country.

"Even the bureaucracy?" I couldn't help myself and teased her with what we all knew was the biggest hassle.

"Even that. Hakuna matata," she replied and winked at me when I looked over my shoulder. "Have you always been a freelancer?"

"Cora, haven't you googled me yet, darling?" I rested my camera in my lap and drank the lukewarm coffee.

"What did I tell you about terms of endearment?"

"Not even a ‘baby,’ when I..." I lifted my eyebrow.

She hushed me loudly, and I took her hint.

"No princess, darling or baby. Just Cora, please."

"It's a beautiful name, but if it means so much to you then I'll try to remember not to call you nicknames."

"Thank you!"

“I’ve been freelancing for the past five years. Before that I was with one of the largest British broadcasting companies, but I needed more freedom to say when and where.”

“Kind of like my life – being thrown around where the newest disaster is. This is actually my vacation time.” She looked speculative, and I changed the subject.

"When we get to the first school the plan is to try to talk to the headmaster or his second-in-command, right?"

"Yes. I know we're arriving unannounced, but from experience it's the best. They speak more freely."

"I will need their approval to photograph the children and teachers."

"Let's hope we can charm them together." She smiled, and I was completely under her spell.

"Cora, Cora, what you do to me," I mouthed for her eyes only.

"Breakfast stop in five?" Jabali interrupted our silent interaction