Page 2 of Rekindle

The elevator came to a stop and chimed. The doors opened and a white porcelain floor welcomed my entrance.

Gareth Colewas stenciled on the opaque wall as the elevator door opened. I walked out of the elevator focused on seeing Gareth and setting things straight.

Warm wet trails of salt hit my mouth, and I quickly brushed my face with my hands. I could use the bathroom to settle myself before I walked on, but excitement helped move forward with seeing him.

I opened the door and Gareth wasn’t alone. His shadow. More like a stalker. I rolled my eyes seeing Paul standing beside him. Paul’s jaw clenched and his nose flared at the sight of me when he briefly glanced at Gareth, whose eyes never left mine. And a gentle smile spread across his lips as a sign of a silent confession only we understood.

“Did you announce yourself? We have a meeting in a few.”

“Paul.” Gareth admonished.

Our silent conversation was interrupted when Paul interfered with his announcement.

Who gives a shit about a meeting?

“I didn’t have to and I don’t owe you an explanation.” I answered.

He turned to Gareth, whose attention I had for a while now until Paul tapped Gareth’s shoulder to get his attention. “Gareth, the investors are here. We have to go.” Paul turned to me to see my reaction if Gareth agreed.

“I’ll be there.” I balled my hands in a fist. Anger seeped through my pores. Are you serious? You wanted to see me and now I must wait? I was ready to walk out when he said, “Tell them I’ll be there shortly.”

Wait. What?

Paul was not expecting the response. “Gareth these people traveled far—”

“They…want to see me. Remember. I am sure you can think of something to keep them here. I will be there as soon as we are finished.” Gareth turned to me. “I have important matters to discuss.”

“Gareth your meeting with…her could take a while.”

“As long as it takes.” Gareth stood and didn’t take his eyes off Paul. The silence was enough for Paul to get the gist of the decision and he sulked as he left the office, but not before glaring at me as he left.

Gareth turned and walked to the liquor station of his office.

He stood in the corner, his back turned to me while he prepared a drink. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbow, and his tie was loosened around his neck. Then I noticed his reflection in the shiny wall—those eyes focused on me while his hand continued to prepare his drink.

Even if it was four months since we saw each other I was always in awe of him. He was still handsome. My fingers twitched as I remembered how I loved to tousle and comb his hair with my fingers while in a trance, during a salacious interlude. I couldn’t stop playing with my fingers and fussing with my hair just like the first time I met him.

Even after four months, he still managed to make me feel as if I had butterflies in my stomach, as cliché as it sounds.

Love and attraction was all cliché, I had learned.

His silence alone was enough to make me forget everything and lose myself to memories. My stomach was doing all sorts of gymnastics and everything I’d rehearsed in front of the mirror of the things I would say to him went blank in my mind. I thought I had control, but this was Gareth’s domain.

I continued to stand there focused, waiting for him to utter a word, when he finished his drink and gently put the glass down. He poured another.

Wait. Was he nervous?

He again put the glass down and he smiled, “Mi santa. I missed you,” his voice thick and sensual. I had to close my eyes and take in all the notes and vibrations of his voice.

Gareth walked to the front of his desk and leaned on the edge. His attention was all on me.

“How was your flight? Emilia said you traveled to Europe for work.”

I asked as a courtesy, making sure things were fine with his travels and no trouble ensued. Nothing was a guarantee, especially when on an airplane.

“Worried about me? Concerned?” he said with a small grin. I opened my mouth to respond but decided not to. “I thought of you while abroad but I don’t want to talk business, Nina.” He brought the glass to his lips, his sight narrowed at me.

“I won’t take much of your time. I know you are busy and need to attend to your meeting.”

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