“Hi,” I said, breathlessly surprised by his appearance in the doorway.
He looked and smelled delicious.
The cologne he wore was a light, crisp scent that reminded me of water and the beach.
A frost blue linen V-neck, long-sleeved summer shirt outlined defined pecs and biceps. My gaze slid over his gorgeous ginger-colored skin peeking through the undone top three buttons of his shirt.
Dark denim jeans with holes in the knees fit his long legs perfectly and cupped his crotch in an eye-teasing manner. Slowly, I pulled my gaze back up to meet his.
That confident, cocky smirk was on his full thick lips. Lips I had dreamt about but now feared.
“You done checking me out, Miss Karina?” he asked with that sultry, deep, Brazilian voice still rolling the “r’s” in my name.
It’s amazing how something can grow on you. What had started as an irritating voice had now entranced me since our kiss.
“Uh...I wasn’t checking you out,” I defended, trying to drum up that same defensive attitude I once held toward Zymir but somehow lacking.
“Okay, and I wasn’t checking you out either,” he replied.
Although I had been careful in my outfit selection to ensure that I looked good, I hadn’t wanted to be too sexy either. The last thing I needed was to provoke Zymir to kiss me again, no matter how much my body longed for it.
My mind knew that it was the wrong thing for me. So, I had chosen a denim sleeveless strap dress that stopped just below my knees. The dress buttoned from my cleavage to my bikini area, and there was a slit from the bottom of the dress to mid-thigh.
Somehow, I struggled to maintain my composure about either of our bodies, so I had to switch topics.
“I wanted to bring this to you, Jamir. I appreciate everything that you’ve done for me with the house and the car. You didn’t have to do all of that, and I know I didn’t express my gratitude before, but I am grateful. I don’t believe there’s a gift that could repay you, but I still wanted to offer a token of my gratitude anyway,” I said, extending the dish to him.
Zymir caught me off-guard when instead of accepting the dish, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me inside of his home. He casually kicked the door closed, took the bowls holding his meal and the dessert, and left me holding the bread.
“Follow me,” he ordered, not turning around to see if I obeyed his instructions.
What the hell? Who was this new, bold man that didn’t allow me to boss him around but instead shot off instructions like I was his servant?
As we moved beyond the foyer, I glimpsed a room to the right that appeared to be a home office. It had bookshelves lining one wall and a glass desk sitting in the middle of the room. I couldn’t see much more than that.
But I was taken with the rest of his home as I stepped further inside. White walls, large wooden beams hanging overhead, clean, simple lines, and tropical accent pieces gave the house a cosmopolitan feel.
Large palm-shaped ceiling fans lazily stirred the cool air overhead, and towards the rear of the house, there were two large glass doors opened to a lanai. Birds of paradise, bromeliads, and Ficus gave the house pops of color along with the vibrant paintings hanging on the walls and the colorful throw rugs on the Brazilian teak flooring.
Kentia palms anchored the corners of the living room and the dining area as we passed through to the kitchen. I loved Zymir’s open floor plan; it was perfect for entertaining. Something that I had not done in more than three years.
His home paid homage to his Brazilian roots, and I loved that. Although I could tell the furniture and paintings were high-end, his house still felt like home. A welcoming place that you could sit down and relax in.
“Here, let me taste that,” he said, setting the dishes on a large marble counter and turning to his glass cabinets to remove a couple of plates.
I stood nervously by watching him wash his hands and then grabbing serving utensils. I silently hoped he would enjoy the meal.
Damnit! I wanted to kick myself. Had I lost my fire over one measly kiss? I mean, it wasn’t even all that.
Who the hell was I kidding? Yes, it was. That’s exactly why my ass had been awake for the last few nights. And now, here I stood in this man’s kitchen all docile and humble and shit. I’d never worried about someone liking one of my meals. After all, I’d owned a restaurant and been successful at it.
Even after I’d lost my desire to cook for a while and no longer wanted the restaurant without the love of my life, I still hadn’t lost the art of cooking. It was a gift and one I couldn’t deny. Not once in the history of my cooking life had I ever served a meal that hadn’t received the highest compliments.
But yet, here I stood watching as he ladled the food onto a platter and then another.
Frowning, I asked, “Why are you preparing a second plate?”
“Aren’t you going to enjoy this with me?” he asked, looking confused.
“No. I prepared this meal for you, Jamir. As a way to say thank you.”
“But this is our custom. We do not eat alone if there is no need to. I do not see a need for me to eat alone when you are right here with me. Come on. We will eat and enjoy conversation, good food, wine, and good company,” Zymir said, grabbing my hand and leading me into his dining room.
A white marble dining table with handcrafted wooden chairs seated twelve. In the middle of the table was a large tray that held a couple of pineapples, mangos, papayas, and kiwi. Two shelves on opposite sides of the wall boasted large planters filled with pineapples.
Both walls featured black-framed pencil drawings of little children at play. Potted palms stood sentinel on each side of the large glass doors that led to a patio. I expected we were eating in the dining room, but he led me beyond to the terrace.
An outdoor living area to the left of the glass doors comprised of wooden furniture covered in blue and white striped fabric and cushions. A low wicker table sat in the middle of the chairs and sofa. Tall palm fronds blew lightly in the breeze keeping the area shaded and comfortable.
To the right was his dining area. A large wood and glass table held a small dish of pineapples. There were four chairs at the table, and he pulled one back for me.
“Here, have a seat,” he said, as my gaze took in the large Olympic-sized pool in his backyard.
A covered cooking area to the right of his patio and a small tennis court to the rear made up the rest of his backyard.
“Jamir, I can’t stay. I just wanted to bring this to you.”
“That’s nonsense. You worked hard to prepare a meal, the least you can do is share it with me, and the least I can do is serve it to you,” Zymir said, disappearing back into the house.
“KK, how are you going to get through one meal with this man? You’ve set yourself up for a fine mess this time,” I whispered to myself.
When he returned with two plates, he wore a large grin, held up one finger, and said, “Be right back.”
This was not what I planned, but what could I do? I had nothing else planned other than going home and heating leftovers. I had sampled a small portion of the meal but prepared the entire thing for him.
This time Zymir came back with a bottle of wine and two glasses. He took his time pouring the wine and setting the glass in front of me before he finally took his seat.
Maybe the biggest shocker of this late afternoon was when he reached across the table, took my hands in his, and whispered a prayer of thanks over our meal.
“What?” he asked when he looked up and caught me staring at him.
“Uh...nothing.”
“It is something, Karina. It’s all over your face.”
“I just didn’t expect that you were the type to pray over a meal,” I said.
“I always give thanks for my food. Why do you seem to have all these negative thoughts attached to me?”
Shrugging, I forked up some of the potatoes and dished it into my mouth so that I wouldn’t have to talk.
; “You know, I don’t get you.”
I lifted an eyebrow.
“You’re such an obstinate woman with a loud opinion about everything. Yet, when someone does something kind for you, it’s as if you don’t know how to take it. What is it with you?”
Shrugging, I cut into my chicken breast and speared a piece into my mouth. Closing my eyes, I enjoyed the sumptuous, delicious taste of the meat, and how tender it was.
“You should not do those type of things if you don’t want a man to kiss you,” Zymir said.
My eyes flew open, and I chewed more slowly, thoughtfully, until I stopped eating and just stared at him.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I asked, grabbing my glass to sip my wine, and washing the taste down.
“You’re a beautiful woman, Karina, and a very sexy one. I find myself attracted to you, and you seem to dislike that, at times. Yet, you go and do things like you just did with your lips. Things that make me want to do something to your lips,” Zymir said.
I choked on my wine. I choked and set the glass down heavier than I intended.
He popped out of his seat and came behind me, tapping me gently on the back. I tried waving him off, but he wouldn’t move until I had regained my composure.
Damn. How embarrassing.
Zymir reclaimed his seat and dove into his food.
“Sometimes, Karina, I sense that you’re attracted to me, as well. But you refuse to acknowledge it. I think that is why you can be so mean and cruel to me at times. But since I’ve kissed you, you don’t seem to know how to act around me.”
Was he right? Was I playing games or sending mixed signals to the man?
I did find him attractive, but I wasn’t trying to start anything with him. Or anyone for that matter. Somehow, I didn’t know how to respond to Zymir at any given time, and he kept me on edge. Then there was the little matter of what he expected from me.
“What’s your point, Jamir?”
“My point is I would like to get to know you better, Karina. There is something about your personality that draws me in, and I can’t help but to want to know more.”
“Why?”
“Why not? You’re a beautiful woman whom I happen to find very intriguing.”
I set my fork down and hid a giggle behind my hand. Was I sitting here acting like a little schoolgirl?
“We couldn’t possibly have anything in common, Jamir. I’m a forty-year-old woman, and you’re what?”
“Thirty-two,” he supplied confidently with a look that said, “what’s that got to do with it.”
“We’re on two opposite ends of the spectrum. You should be looking to settle down, find a good girl, marry, and give her some babies.”
“Says who?”
“That’s what men your age are moving towards around their early to mid-thirties. Whereas, I, on the other hand, don’t have time for relationships. I’m focused on my business.”
“Which is?”
“Cooking.”
He lifted an eyebrow at me. “Why is it that you know all about my business, yet, I know nothing about yours. I only know you cook. But for who? Where? When?”
I sighed, conceding that he did have a point. After all, what would it hurt to divulge that I had a little cooking show?
“Simply Divine is my YouTube cooking show. I used to own a five-star restaurant, Level 51.”
“That was your restaurant?” he said, his eyes wide and a slow smile forming on those gorgeous lips.
“Yes, it was.”
“Why did you close it? I don’t like the new one, JayCees,” he said.
“Why not?”
I hadn’t been to the establishment because I couldn’t bring myself to part with my final memories of the place. It was too difficult.
“The classiness is gone. It’s just a place anybody can come to eat at, ...like your everyday family restaurant. You wouldn’t take a date there or have a business luncheon there. Completely different than what your restaurant offered.”
“Yes, I can imagine that might be different,” I concluded.
“So, why did you sell it?”
And that was the reason I hadn’t wanted to share what I did for a living. Any conversation around my show would inevitably lead to my restaurant, and the reason I no longer owned it.
“It was just time,” I said.
He seemed satisfied with not pushing me as he pouted his lips, nodded, and turned his attention back to the food.
I had lost my appetite, and despite how good the food was, I just couldn’t finish it.
“You have served a fabulous meal. I have never consumed a meal so delicious as this, other than at Level 51. Thank you, Karina.”
I smiled sadly at him. “You’re welcome.”
“Can I infringe upon you for another one sometime soon?”
I laughed. “I do owe you, so I guess I can prepare another one.”
“When?”
“When do you want it?” I asked.
“How about tomorrow evening at seven-thirty? Your place this time.”
My eyes widened, and I quickly shook my head. I didn’t want him in my space. The space that I shared with the love of my life. Not when I wasn’t sure what I was feeling for Zymir.
It was too easy to confuse feelings of appreciation with feelings of adoration. Or it could simply be my excitement over being noticed by a member of the opposite sex.
“No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“Jamir! I just don’t want you in my place, is that okay?” I argued, my voice getting louder than I intended.
I stood as I felt myself growing upset.
“Wait, where are you going?” Zymir asked, moving quickly to my side, and grabbing my wrist. “Please. Don’t go just yet. I was enjoying your company.”
“But I think that it’s time I did go, Jamir. This was nice and all, but I don’t know what you expect,” I said, shaking my head and tugging my wrist free of his grasp.
He stepped closer to me, cupped my cheek, and brought his lips to mine. “Just this,” he whispered sweetly against mine.
CHAPTER 15 – ZYMIR
I was uncertain what I had done to Karina to cause her to shut down on me. One minute we were having a good time, good conversation, and I felt she was relaxing. But then I said something, and she shut me out. It had something to do with her restaurant, that was the only thing I was almost certain about.
Perhaps she did have financial troubles, and that’s why she sold her restaurant. That would explain why she hadn’t taken good care of her car or house, although she said the money was not an issue. Maybe her pride was at stake, and she just did not want me to know.
Either way, she was gone, and I was left alone with my thoughts. Throughout the night, I was trying to figure out another way to see her again. I refused to give up on Karina and just needed her to know that we might make a good fit if she would just give it a try.
When I returned from the shop the next evening, I headed to Karina’s house after I had a chance to shower and change and take care of a few things.
“Hi,” she greeted with a confused look on her face.
“I’ve got something to show you. Think you can come over to my place?”
“Um, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Do you have plans?”
“No, but I...,” she couldn’t seem to meet my gaze.
I watched as she looked beyond me to the other houses on our street.
“Well, do you?”
“I don’t, Jamir, but I can’t come to your house.”
“Please. I’d like to share something with you. Just this once, Karina. And if you don’t like it, I promise that I will not bother you anymore,” I said.
She was rocking on edge. I could tell she wanted to say “yes,” so I gave her a little motivation to nudge her onto my side.
Placing my hands together and tilting my head to the side, I said, “Pullleeez!”
Those plump lips quivered on the verge of a smile.
“You know you want to say, yes, Karina. Just go with the way you feel. Do what makes you feel good right now,” I encouraged.
She lifted one perfectly arched eyebrow and crossed her arms over her midsection.
“And how do you know what makes me feel good, Jamir?”
I took a step closer to her, and she stiffened in her doorway. Although I was standing on the porch, I still looked down on her.
“Would you like for me to remind you what makes you feel good?” I asked in a low growl.
“I’ll be right back,” she said, backing up nervously and pushing the door closed in my face.
I walked down the steps and stood in the front yard, chuckling.
Karina could put up a front. But I could read her body language, and the truth was, she wanted me as much as I wanted her.
Within a couple of minutes, I heard her in the doorway behind me as she closed it and then jogged down her steps.
“I’m ready, Jamir. This had better be good,” she said, giving me a sideways glance as she came to stand beside me.
“I promise it will be.”
As we walked across the street, I thought about everything that I wanted to say to her and how I planned to present my argument.
Karina was gorgeous today in a long black maxi dress with red, yellow, blue, and lavender flowers. The dress was simple enough, but I swear she made everything look just a little extra. It wasn’t a form-fitting dress, but the sleeveless V-neck gave her golden-brown cleavage the perfect amount of boost. And when she walked, the skirt of the dress outlined the sway of her hips.
“Something smells delicious in here,” she said, sniffing the air and tilting her head to the side after I opened my front door.
I took her by the hand and showed her to a small half-bathroom off the hallway.
“You can wash up in here,” I said.
“Wash up?”
“Yes, your hands. I’ve prepared something special for you.”
Her eyes lit up with delight, and the laughter she released was like music to my ears. I hadn’t ever heard Karina laugh. Not like that before.
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