Page 65 of Only If You Dare

Chapter Twenty One

Our visit to the community kitchen lasted until they closed their doors at 8 pm. Desiree and I were full and relaxed. The ride and flight back to our hotel seemed to pass quicker than the trip over. Desiree was completely in awe at the volunteers at Forward Kitchen. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she’d plan to move to Dubai permanently just to help out. She spoke adamantly about the cooks, the guests, and of course, Antonio. The little boy played quietly next to her and whenever Desiree would make a move he moved with her.

Watching the pair made my heart swell again. I pictured Desiree with a round belly, waddling from our living room to the patio trying to get some fresh air. Every minute that went by, I saw Desiree in my life doing something different. Being the mother of my children, modeling in one of my oversized t-shirts after an extensive night of sex, and bearing my last name. A tingle ran down my spine, and my temperature rose.

“Julian…” Desiree rested a hand on my arm causing the spike in my temperature to rise higher.

I turned to her. “Yes, Bella.”

“Is everything alright?”

“Sure, why do you ask?”

“I’ve called your name a few times, but you didn’t respond. Are you sure everything is okay?”

I grinned and pulled her hand to my lips for a kiss. “Yes. What did you ask?”

“Would you like to come in?”

We were standing in the hallway outside of her hotel room. “You know I would, but I need to make a run. Raincheck?” I grabbed her chin and pulled her lips to mine but waited for her response before kissing her.

“Oh sure, no problem. Anything I can help with?”

I wiggled my brows. “Well if you’re in a giving mood we could always…” I grinned, and she giggled. I pressed my lips to hers, and she kissed me back with just as much passion as I gave. When Desiree’s arms coiled around my neck, it was instinctive for mine to wrap around her waist. My hands cupped her bottom, and I pulled her against my solid erection. Friction sizzled between us and even though she hadn’t verbally agreed, her actions told me, she didn’t mind a night cap. But that was just it. I wanted more from her, and I wanted to let her know it. The sooner, the better. It was excruciatingly hard for me, but I managed to step back, effectively disconnecting from Desiree. A slight frown covered her features; her breathing high as she tried to silently assess why I pulled away.

“Raincheck,” I said.

“Oh,” she said still confused. “Okay.” She turned and slid her key card in its slot, leaving me to go inside her room.

“Have a good night,” she said.

“Goodnight, Bella.”

She smiled softly and shut the door. There I stood, brooding, ordering my feet to move and not knock. I wondered for a moment if she too still stood on the other side, waiting, hoping, I was still here. I had it bad, and I couldn’t imagine spending another day without Desiree. With an iron clad will, I turned and left the hallway, riding the elevator down to the bottom floor. Inside my Jeep, I opened my GPS and took a forty-five-minute ride to Damas. I was standing in front of a case of diamonds with my heart knocking against my chest.

“Can I help you, sir?”

A tall, lean brunette approached me. I glanced at her name tag that read, Cynthia. There weren’t too many things that made me nervous, but at that moment, I could hardly formulate articulate words to offer Cynthia. She must have sensed my indecision because her face warmed and she smiled.

“Tell me the occasion, and I can point you in the right direction.” She said. “Present, birthday, anniversary, engagement…”

As Cynthia rattled off that list, I was swept away again in my mind’s eye with visions of Desiree on Christmas, on her birthday, on our anniversary, our wedding… I freaked out.

“Excuse me,” I said turning to leave the store. Outside I took in deep breaths and pulled out my cell phone and dialed a number. It rang once before being answered.

“Hello, son,” my father and head honcho of our family answered. His mouth sounded full, and it prompted me to ask.

“Hey dad, did I catch you at dinner time?”

“Oh, don’t worry about that,” he swallowed. “It’s breakfast time here, how’s everything going in Dubai?”

“Things are going well.” I wavered, and he could feel my hesitation.

“What’s wrong?”

I heard a utensil clang against his plate. I started a slow pace outside of Damas, holding the phone to my ear.

“How did you know, mom was the one?” I knew my father was stunned into a brief silence. I’d never asked that question before so I’m sure he was aware something was up.

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