If Only

If Only - Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Mombasa, Kenya

Julian

“Rude” by Magic! played through the speakers at the bar area where we were lounging with the newsgroup. We had another early morning tomorrow, but after dinner we had decided on one drink. One of my best friends, Rob, another reporter, was sitting next to me and entertaining the group with a story from his recent trip to Nairobi. I wasn't listening to him because Cora sat across from me. I could see that she wasn't paying any attention to my friend's storytelling either. Her eyes were angled at me and I couldn't help but smile at her. Her amber eyes were glowing in the dim light from a candle on the table and I hoped I was the reason for the look in her eyes.

"Then the woman screamed in the lobby," Rob shouted theatrically, "and everyone ran! We thought it was an attack or something."

"What was it?" Nicki from the group asked.

I smiled at Cora and she smiled at me. "Sorry to leave you all like this, but I have to get up early. It's been a pleasure meeting you." Cora got up before Rob could answer Nicki's question.

“I better be going too.” I downed the rest of my beer.

Rob lifted a suggestive eyebrow and I shook my head. I hadn't told him about my deal with Cora or that I wanted her. He whispered, "So if you're not tapping that, you don't mind if I try?"

"Don't you dare," I whispered back.

"Thought so." He leaned back in the chair. "Be careful, Julian. I know you. You're ready for more.” That I had confided in him. I was tired of one-night stands, no strings attached affairs and no promises of tomorrow. The fact was that I wanted to commit and give that one person everything. I was attracted to Cora, but my best guess was that she wasn't ready to settle down.

"I know, but I can't stay away from her. She's..."

"Something else,” he finished for me.

"What was it at the hotel?" Nicki pressed again.

Cora had already turned her back to us and was making her way across the lobby. I had to run after her.

"Hey, wait up!"

She stopped and waited for me.

"What's up, Julian? Six o'clock tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, I just wanted to thank you for today. It was fantastic working with you and I'm looking forward to tomorrow, Cora." I loved her name on my tongue. "Can I walk you to your room?" We'd already determined our rooms were in the same section of the hotel.

"Are you trying to lose a bet?" she teased, but started walking with me.

"No chance in hell, my beautiful." If she noticed my slip she didn't comment on it. Our arms brushed as we passed a wooden bridge over the swimming pool. A monkey scurried across it in front of us and jumped into a coconut palm. She laughed uninhibitedly and I took her hand in mine, which made her falter.

"Julian," she whispered in a low raspy voice.

“Yes?" I stopped. The darkness surrounded us. Only the moon lit up the area and right then, I was no gentleman. "Do I break the rules by kissing you?" I caressed her cheek with my thumb and she leaned into my touch.

"You get a pass," she said and wet her lips and waited for my next move.

"Making the rules as we go along, are we now?"

"And you don't mind in the least. Now, are you going to kiss me?" She looked adorable, and I knew what was coming.

"Nothing could stop me." I turned us around and leaned her against a wall. My mouth crashed down on hers and she relaxed in my arms. She willingly invited me in. Her lips were soft and her tongue eager to make love to mine. A sigh escaped her when I let us come up for air. Pressing herself close to me, she tangled her fingers in my hair and pulled my head down to hers. She was as eager as I. The kiss deepened and I was lost in our world. Her teeth nibbled at my bottom lip before she kissed and sucked a path from my mouth down my chin. I groaned and pressed my hips to hers.

She continued over the stubble and to my left ear, where she whispered, "This is a dangerous game you're playing if you don't want to lose, Julian."

"But you like it." I caught her mouth and held her close as I kissed her with all my hunger and pent-up frustration. "I want you - don't doubt it. Consider this foreplay, gorgeous."

"You, you," she stuttered and took a step away from me.

"Yes, honey," I teased, knowing that I'd pushed all her buttons.

"I, I..." She still wasn't able to say what she wanted.

"Cora, I'm completely under your spell. I want you - feel it." I placed her hand where she couldn't doubt my intentions. "As you say, this is fun — our teasing and banter. It's going to be explosive and I can't wait, but I want to. Come here." I took her in my arms and hugged her. She came to me willingly and I held her tight. "Let me walk you to your room."

"If I told you that I don't care about the bet, I just want you, would you take me to my room and let me loose?"

"Nope, I used my one and only pass. I can't wait to see how you're going to use yours. Then we'll see who loses the bet when the time comes."

"You are so frustrating and you know it,” she huffed and pulled out the key card. We’d reached her room.

“Stop." Once again, I turned her against the wall and placed my hands on either side of her head. "Don't doubt that I want this to happen, but I need to take my time with you. This is not going to be fast and over before it starts. Be prepared and I’ll see you in the morning, my beautiful." I kissed her chastely on the mouth before I withdrew from her and left her at the door.

"Hey Julian, think of me when you ..." she whisper-shouted after me and winked.

"No one else, Cora. No one else."

***

My room was in the same building I closed the door behind me and leaned on it before I unlaced my shoes.

"Close call," I whispered to myself. I contemplated taking a cold shower, but to be honest I wanted the feeling to linger. My T-shirt and shorts came off in two fluid movements. I tossed them in the hamper and threw myself on the bed. My lips still tingled from our kiss. With the thought of her body pressed against mine, I closed my eyes and...