Page 40 of Out of Office

“So, you came to stay?” I asked cautiously.

“Well, yes, Anita practically kicked me out...” Gen’s nervous laughter filled the night and my chest. I devoured her with my eyes, the reality of her, not behind a screen, too much to take.

“Damn, it’s like we became invisible. Might as well leave them to it.” Anita chuckled, and Julín grumbled.

“So sorry. Let me introduce you to Julín, my best friend.” I gestured to Julín, who stood still like a petulant child. With reluctance, Julín approached, barely shaking hands with Genevieve, whose excited smile dimmed slightly at Julín’s attitude.

The urge to smack him behind the head was real, but Julín meant well. Even though I’d expected him to treat Gen more respectfully, I let things slide. He stepped back and stood next to me. I whispered angrily, “Don’t make her feel bad, ever again.”

He sucked his teeth but nodded along in understanding.

“I’m going. Good to meet you, Gen. Anita, good to see you again.” And he granted Anita the smile he refused Gen, turned and left us there.

“I usually like Julín, but damn, what happened to him today?” Anita asked, shaking her head. Genevieve’s uncertainty flickered until her smile lowered.

“Preciosa, I was going to shower, then drive to the Tropics to see you, so you coming to me takes away one step...” I held my chest and swaggered toward her. Instantly her gaze went from uncertain to that nervous excitement, and my night was complete.

“Alrighty then. I know when I’m not needed,” Anita said, and Gen whirled around toward her.

“Girl, I’m so sorry, I’m being so rude.”

“Nah, if I had a man look at me the way he looks at you...sis, I’d be ignoring everyone too. Bye, girl. Bye... Mr. Nicolas,” Anita said and I wondered if I understood Gen wrong about her being engaged; if I was right... What the heck was her fiancé doing then, if not making Anita feel like the most important person in the world? Because now that Gen was here, my priorities were straight again.

I wanted her and only her.

Eighteen

Genevieve

Water. All I needed was a glass of water to alleviate my parched mouth. See, parchedness was what happened when you couldn’t keep your mouth closed because... Damn. And water was what you needed to bring down your pulse and calm a speedy heart racing away to reunite with their other half.

“Can I have some water?” I requested the moment we crossed the threshold to Adrián’s apartment. His heat seared my back as he followed closely with my carry-on.

“Of course, Preciosa,” Adrián responded.

Every day I heard Adrián’s voice on my cell phone, and every night I fell asleep with him crooning his good-nights to me, but I hadn’t been prepared for the impact of his reality. For the impact of us being in the same room after more than two months apart.

Nothing prepared me for the onslaught of his cologne or the way my pulse skittered at being so close to my person. I hadn’t been ready for my body’s immediate response, the liquid rush between my legs, or the tingle of my breasts. I didn’t know my heart would ache to be held in his thick arms, to sit next to him and talk the whole night.

Adrián sauntered to the little kitchenette and back, handing me a tall glass of water. My eyes took in his small efficiency with a living area/kitchen/dining area comprised of a sofa, a TV on a coffee table, a table for two right next to the stove, and little moving space in between the furniture.

Right next to the sofa was a door that probably led to his bedroom. There was less here than in his place in Villa Bonita, but what impressed me were the pictures of Claudia, the kids, Mario, Julín, Shakira, whom I’d met via video call, and his friends all over the wall. He’d asked for a photo a couple of weeks ago, and now I understood why. There I was part of his inner circle.

“Want to see my bedroom?” he asked with no inflection, and he was probably as equally affected as I was.

“Of course.” I grinned at him, trying to chase the nervous rush coursing through my veins.

Somehow our connection still felt new between us. New with a tinge of familiarity, like a recurring dream that faded away in the reality of the morning, then finally came true. Every step and moment embedded in your heart on an unexplored path.

“Thanks for surprising me. I did an hour and twenty from Aguimar to here. That’s how bad I wanted to see you.” He smirked, leading the way. I could tell he was excited, but he sounded a bit preoccupied; I wondered if he was worried about what I had to say about his place, and I would make sure to alleviate any concerns.

Taking a sip of the water, I followed to find his Spartan room with a simple full bed with thin sheets, a nightstand, and a chair in the corner. He had a standing dresser and the door to the bathroom next to it. The light from the street outside filtered through the lone, barred window with the obligatory screen, and a gentle breeze blew my hair from the overhead fan.

“I know it’s small...”

“It’s perfect. That bed will ensure you stay close the whole night.” I hesitated for a moment, but saw his face light up. It was the right thing to say. Since I landed in Panamá, I deeply yearned to see him. To be with him. I spent the day in meetings, unable to fully concentrate because of what awaited me at the end of the day. I couldn’t stop studying his face with the thick beard and sexy smirk and admiring his thick arms sculpted under his sleeveless tee and the perfect calves... God, when did I start admiring calves?

“You can’t do that.” Adrián groaned.

---