Page 52 of Only If You Dare

My eyes dropped to his lips then back to his handsome sculpted face.

“O-okay,” I said uncertainly.

He smiled wide and debonair.

“8:30,” he questioned.

I smiled softly. “8:30.”

Julian pulled out a room key and opened my door.

“This belongs to you,” he said.

“Thanks.”

“I’m in the room across the hall if you need anything.”

I nodded. “I’ll be ready.”

I entered the hotel suite closing the door behind me. When I heard it click, I fell against it and shut my eyes for a second. After a long minute of inhaling and exhaling, I pushed off the woodgrain door, making my way through the luxury suite to find my items sitting in bags on top of a king size mattress. I let out a deep breath and wondered what I was getting myself into. As I moved through the room to the master bathroom a plethora of emotions took hold of me. Exploring our attraction? We had physically done that already. But seeing where it leads shook me. Thoughts of Cameron and the love I thought we shared assaulted me. It tore me apart all over again. It’s not that I wasn’t over the ordeal, but remembering how blissfully in love I was and how perfect I thought we were, only to find we were everything but sickened me. I promised myself I’d never play the fool again.

So how could I even bring myself around to exploring anything with any man, but especially Julian? Men with high popularity weren’t known to be with one woman and I didn’t want to waste time finding out what I was sure I already knew.

I sighed and stepped into the shower turning up under the spray.

You’ll never know unless you go for it.

I hated that I felt such insecurity in men. I also loved that Julian wanted to find out if what we shared could turn into something more. I couldn’t get my hopes up. While I wanted to believe Julian and I could share so much, I couldn’t disappoint myself. The last time sent me into depression. My life was too precious. I wouldn’t put myself in harm’s way again. And yet, part of me had already hung on to the fact that I was falling for him. I shut my eyes laboring over deep breaths. I put my mind at ease by singing, ‘A Whole New World.’ It brought a smile to my face as I finished my shower and moved around the expansive bathroom. When I made it to the end of the song, I started up again, giggling in a childlike fashion. An hour and a half later, I stepped onto the balcony scanning the beachfront and darkened still waters of the Arabian Gulf.

Everything would be alright, I told myself. No sweat, no pressure. It was the reassurance I needed. My cell buzzed, and it was then I realized I hadn’t contacted Santana or Fredrick to let them know I made it safely and give them updates on what happened so far. I knew Fredrick was probably losing his mind since I had my cell off during the flight and the first part of the day. I sauntered over to my device and checked my screen. It wasn’t Santana or Fredrick.

Are you ready, Bella?

That whole pep talk I had with myself flat lined, and desire stirred within me.

Yes.

It was a simple response, but it felt like a lot more.

I’m coming for you.

The stir turned into a full tornado. My nipples pebbled painfully and my vagina pulsed. The way my body reacted to this man was mystifying. Quickly, I stepped to the full-length mirror and checked my image. I’d changed into a similar Arabian dress like the white one I wore earlier except this one was black. My shoes were also spiked instead of wedged. It was astonishing how much of a difference the black appeared then the white. The gold neckline was enough to keep me from wearing a necklace. Gold bracelets and bangles adorned my wrists and ears. A simple, elegant anklet wrapped around my ankle. I moved back to my belongings and sprayed a mist of peach fragrance over my skin.

There was a knock at the door, and my pulse beat out of control. Why was I so nervous? My feet moved across the room, and I opened the door. Julian was dressed down in a simple button-down shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows. The black pants he wore settled against his powerful thighs just right, and his feet were hidden behind black loafers with his caramel ankles on display. There was a dash of astonishment on his face mixed with a stern appreciation of my chosen dress.

“You looked surprised?” I said.

“I was sure you’d invited me inside to finish getting ready.”

I grinned. “Didn’t want to leave you waiting.”

He sucked in his bottom lip. “There are many times that I would mind the wait. But, I can’t say this would’ve been one of them.”

I twisted my lips. “Are you always this charming, Mr. Rose?”

His mouth quirked up in a easy smile. “Just with you mi Amor, just with you.”

I blushed and closed the door behind me tucking my clutch underneath my arm. Julian clasped my hand interlacing our fingers, and we slowly strolled to the elevators. The night began with countless moments of us stopping our conversation to just stare at each other. I wondered what he felt and thought, but instead of asking, I just followed his lead. We ended up at an Italian restaurant inside the hotel. There was really no reason to go anywhere else.

---