Page 122 of Tarek

I dig into my pocket and pull out my money clip. I peel off six hundred dollars and hold it out to her.

“I will give you six more, if you stand at the entrance and direct everyone to another bathroom.”

Without hesitation the attendant grabs the money and flies out of the bathroom.

“I am trying to figure out, what I did wrong.” I kick the first stall door open. It crashes against the wall, echoing in the silence.

I spartan kick another door and then another both swing wide open. “At first I thought, maybe I should have kept my feelings to myself.”

“But it’s not that, is it, Penny? You are just frightened.” I approach the last door, and its locked.

My palms itches to rip the white door off of the hinges. I want to kick it open and drag her out here kicking and screaming and ask her what the hell is wrong. Instead, I inhale to calm myself and I dig my hands in my pocket.

“Open the door, Penny.”

The bathroom becomes silent. If I didn’t see her enter, I would think I was in the bathroom by myself.

“I am not an angry man,” I say, even though my voice is carrying hints of frustration. “But if you don’t open the door, I will show you exactly how unhinged I can be.”

Rage is a feeling that resides far in my mind. Having Penny run from me because I said I love you makes me angry, like I wasn’t enough for her.

The clicking sound of a lock meets my ear. The door opens. I don’t wait for it to open wider. I push my palm against the door, and it slams into the wall.

“Get out,” I command. I don’t even recognize my own voice. But this woman is twisting my insides.

With her head held up high, she strides out of the bathroom, like she wasn’t hiding from me.

I close my eyes as I inhale her sweet smell as she walks by me.

She stops at the sink and washes her hands. I’m like a predator stalking silently behind her. Her head is bent averting her gaze from mine. Something is wrong.

I stay silent, watching her body move as she pulls the tissue papers from the machine.

“What’s wrong Pen?” I ask, my voice is softer now.

“Nothing,” she replies as she dumps the tissue in the bin. Her tone is dismissive. It’s like I don’t exist, she turns to leave, and my hands reach out for her neck and pull her back to me.

“Lie to me a-fuckin-gain. I dare you.” My voice drops low.

Her eyes raise to mine, I see a world of hurt. Did I cause her pain?

My palms cup her face, and my thumbs rubs to the soft curves of her cheeks. “What’s hurting you baby?”

Pen holds my wrist, her grip is firm like she was steadying herself.

“I don’t want you to go to Singapore tomorrow. I will miss you.” One tear slides down her eyes.

Relief spreads through my chest, loosening the air in my lungs. “It’s a private jet. Penny, you can come with me. I can have everything arranged.”

She smiles up at me. “I can’t, I have too many responsibilities. Maybe next time.”

Next time, so she is not running. I don’t think; I just react. I press my lips to hers, needing to taste her. “Oh, fuck.”

My hands find her waist, gripping her as though letting her go would kill be. I pull her closer so she can feel exactly what she did to me. A shudder runs through me as Penny’s tongue flicks inside my mouth. A soft needy sound of her moan wraps tightly around me. Her fingers clutch my jacket like she is as desperate as I am.

Everything about her to me was perfect. Her touch, her taste, even the flaws she tries to hide are all perfect to me.

Frantically I wrap my arms around her waist and lift her to sit on the marble sink.

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