by Cat Shinier
“Things are moving too slowly for me, my darling.”
“You’re changing the subject Shamar. I don’t feel like I am my own person when you take charge the way you are. The one has nothing to do with the other.”
Shamar reaches for his glass and takes a swallow.
“So you don’t like me at all?”
I sit up and turn towards him. “That’s not what I mean,” I reply while I take his glass and take a swig of coke. It is ice cold. Just what I need.
“So you do like me?” he grins.
“You seem to be a master manipulator of other people.”
“Only if I am pursuing a worthy goal.”
“And I am worthy?”
“Darling, I would do everything to have you by my side and in my bed.”
I take a deep breath. “There may be a lot of things people can say about you, but you sure don’t beat around the bush.”
“Why should I, Luna? I see you and I know that you feel the same way.”
I don’t like the fact that I am apparently carrying my feelings on my sleeve. I would have preferred keeping them to myself. But that seems to be something that is impossible for me to accomplish. My whole life I have been told that people can tell what I am thinking.
“Did you know that it is possible to make a mistake when you read other people’s thoughts?” I get up slowly to be able to retreat, but his presence is physical, despite my moving from his side. The bad part is that my body is deceiving me. He’s right. But my head tries to remain on firm ground even as he protests. “I am not mistaken, Luna.”
I turn around to flee from the situation. But in one move and with long strides he has caught up with me and is holding me by the elbow.
“One of the advantages of your being here is that you cannot run away as fast.” And while he says this he turns around and suddenly we are facing each other in what almost resembles an embrace.
My body reacts immediately to him. My nipples harden and become erect. Shamar’s hands envelope me. He has one hand on my back while the other hand is gently caressing the back of my neck. Both hands are sending out warm and erotic impulses throughout my whole body. He is almost a head taller than I am, and I have to look up at him. That very moment he bends down and kisses me on my lips. His are soft and warm. Then he separates my lips, and his tongue enters my mouth. He tastes so fresh and delicious. His tongue starts playing with mine, and I meet him half way. As if pulled by magic strings, my arms embrace him and I let my hands move up his back. Shamar groans loudly and deeply, and this sound triggers an all-encompassing erotic avalanche of emotions in me.
Our kiss becomes even more intense. Shamar is playing a game with me, and I am now a willing participant. Deep down my stomach muscles tense up again. I would never have thought that I was capable of reacting this way. I never got involved again with a man again after losing my innocence. Until now. Shamar is caressing me with hands that glide over my arms and down to my waist and back again over my breasts. I bury my hands in his black hair and tussle his hair. His hair is thick and soft. As if pulled by magic strings my hands slip lower and lower until they are resting on his backside. Then I pull him closer to myself. Oh rats, he is so right. I want him as much as he wants me. I feel his penis digging into my stomach. And his reacting to me this way makes me desire him even more.
“Oh my darling, I want you so much!”
He groans. He covers my face with kisses, my neck and my cleavage. I smell his masculine fragrance and the scent of his perfume. My hands move around his body. I can feel the muscles along his back. They feel like ropes. It is as if a big stone has been set in motion within me and is crashing down with devastating force. I lose myself in his kiss and his tenderness. And suddenly the zipper on my dress is open, and his hand is on my back.
“No, please don’t,” I manage to say hoarsely while he continues to stroke me.
“What’s wrong?” He touches my arms with both his hands, thus separating us a bit.
“Shamar, I can’t. That is just too fast for me. And furthermore, we’re not alone. Matthew could appear at any moment. Please don’t.”
His eyes are dark and glitter like black diamonds. He is breathing heavily. But he respects my wish.
“Matthew won’t barge in on us, Luna. It would cost him his job and he knows it.”
I am standing in front of him and have lowered my eyes. I feel like a child. “Shamar, I don’t know what to say.” I am completely embarrassed, and I am blushing.
“Sssshhh, Luna. I’m the one who took you by surprise. Please pardon my impatience. But when I see you all rules are suspended, and there is only one thing I want, and that is you.”
I look up at him. He is taking responsibility. Wow. I was a pretty willing participant also. Or can kisses really be unilateral?
“I am sorry. I am not really experienced. It is what I want but somehow I am unable to...”
I cannot quite gauge Shamar’s reaction. He is breathing hard and shuts his eyes.
“I won’t persuade you to do anything you don’t want to. Nothing will happen to you here. You are totally safe from everything, including me, if that must be. I promise you that.”
I can tell how hard it is for him as I feel the tension in his arms.
“I want you like I have never ever wanted anyone before, Luna. Ever since I first laid my eyes on the picture you sent. I waited for you for so long. But I will be damned if I wreck what could have been with my own impatience.”
I can feel relief pulsing through my body. “Thank you so much, Shamar.” Now I minimize the distance between us and kiss him softly on his mouth, and turn around to ask him to zip my dress up again. He does, and while he does he manages to keep up the contact of his warm fingers with my skin. When he reaches the top he kisses the back of my neck tenderly and pulls me towards himself so that I land on his chest with my back. He embraces me and puts his cheek on my head.
“You are mine, Luna.”
Then he turns around and leaves.
Chapter Seven
I stand there for a few seconds, totally confused, before I drop back on the lounger again. Shamar doesn’t seem to be the kind of guy who would give up easily, otherwise he would not have been able to achieve what his company empire represents. Even though I have a hard time admitting it to myself, there is a huge attraction between us. And that is where my problem comes in. I have hardly any experience. One, to be exact. How do I explain to him that I’m an inexperienced virgin? That is pretty damned embarrassing if you get right down to it, because I can almost guarantee things are significantly different with Shamar.
The door opens, and Matthew steps outside. “Is there anything I can do for you, Miss Buchholz? Would you like something to eat or drink?” His face is completely devoid of expression. No telling whether he noticed anything or not.
“I’d love to have a glass of water, Matthew.” A couple of minutes later I am still sitting there on the lawn reflecting on recent events when Matthew arrives with the water. He takes the glass from the tablet and places it on a little table next to my lounger.
“Miss Buchholz, if you’d like to relax a bit there is a nice fitness and wellness area here at your disposal. Just let me know what you would like.”
“Is that an invitation, Matthew?”
“Yes, Mr. Shalazar’s. He thought that you might like to relax. You can even work with your own personal trainer if you would like to.”
Not a bad idea, I think to myself. I haven’t had the luxury of a spa treatment very often. Susan’s parents used to give Susan and myself spa treatments sometimes. And the prospect of being pampered here is quite seductive, and if I took advantage of the personal trainer no one would notice how inexperienced I am.
I would like to thank Shamar, even if that means facing him in person.
“Where is Mr. Shalazar?” Maybe I can still reach him.
“He left the suite about 10 minutes ago, Miss Buchholz.”
“Do
you think it would be possible to give me his telephone number?” I ask. And Matthew immediately hands me Shamar’s number. I take the little piece of paper that Matthew has probably been carrying around since breakfast and run up to my room. My mobile phone is on my night table. An SMS from Susan has arrived. But first I store Shamar’s number. Then text him.
* * *
Thank you for the spa - Luna
* * *
That is it. Immediately his response arrives.
* * *
My pleasure. Wish I was there
;)
* * *
Yes, you would, I think to myself and scroll down to Susan’s SMS. She was on the night shift for two nights and just read my SMS. She would like to know whether interesting means sexy, and I type my answer to her.
* * *
Yes, incredibly so.
* * *
And send the message off instantly. While I take a few things out for the spa my phone rings. It is Susan.
“Hey sweetie – so are you in love?”
I sit down on the bed in order to focus on our conversation better.
“Hey, Sue, how nice to hear from you. Yes, I think I’m in love.”
“Well finally, high time! And so what is he like? Tell me!”
I take a deep breath and review the last couple of hours.
“He is tall and athletic, charming, tender and he is a really fantastic kisser.”
“Well, that means you are already quite close…”
“Yes, very close. I was sick to my stomach, and Shamar abducted me from my room and into his suite. And that is where I am now. Still.”
“Sounds like he does not waste any time,” Susan jokes at the other end of the line.
“I think I would refer to it as being single-mindedly determined. He organized the whole trip to be able to get to know me. And then he did not waste much time telling me that he wants me.”
There is a slight pause.
“And do you want him?”
“I think I do. But I don’t know how to tell him. You know, what happened back then.”
I hear Susan take a deep breath.
“The best thing would probably be to tell him as soon as possible. Just tell him. And if he likes you, then he’ll be able to deal with it.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
“Then he’s not worth it.”
Susan thinks life is simple. She is always honest. After my disastrous experience years ago I was not interested in anyone anymore and was terribly embarrassed about what happened. But Susan is right, I have to tell him.
“Oh, Susy, sometimes I just wish I was you. You would have a much easier time dealing with it.”
Susan laughs.
“Please don’t over estimate me, Luna. My boyfriend wasn’t an asshole, and I did not have to live with the kind of experience you had to. Just give yourself a push and talk to him. It doesn’t matter at all whether he is rich or poor. If he does not have any compassion for what you went through then he is not the right man. And if that should be the case, then all further decisions will be clearer and easier to make than you can imagine right now.”
Now I am smiling. She is absolutely right. “What would I do without you?”
“Everything, just without me. And so now go and clear the air.”
“Yes ma’am,” I laugh. “I miss you.”
“I haven’t had time to miss you! There is so much to do here, and I should be studying for the exams next week.”
Oh no, I’m so worked up about my own stuff that I have completely forgotten that Susan is under a lot of pressure. She’s going to be completing her medical degree. Two more exams, then she is done. The first one is next week.
“I understand. Thank you for taking so much time to talk about my issues. I will get in touch and keep you up-to-date on what’s happening. You don’t have to respond. No obligations. Just take good care of yourself. I will be thinking of you.”
“No prob, sweetie, I know. Talk to you soon.”
“Talk to you soon. Take good care.”
I end the call and put the phone aside. I really do miss Susan. She is like a sister to me and her advice is welcome. I have to come up with a strategy. I can do that best when I have peace and quiet and some time to myself. So it’s time for the spa. As I leave the room, Matthew appears in the hallway.
“Tell me Matthew, where can I sign up for the spa?” He looks at me and says that I can take the private elevator downstairs. They were already expecting me. And everything else will be arranged to my liking. Wow, carte blanche for one of the fanciest spas in the world and without even registering. I am in for some fun here, I think to myself.
“Okay,” I say cautiously. “And so how do I get out and back in here?”
Matthew nods. “Open sesame.” And while he says that he hands me a black plastic card.
“This will get you anywhere. Mr. Shalazar asked me to give you this card.”
“So I’m not in prison?”
Matthew’s eye-brows shoot skyward. “What do you mean, Miss Buchholz?”
The look on my face seems to have been too serious. “That was a joke, Matthew.” Instantly he relaxes.
“Please pardon me, Muss Buchholz, I misunderstood you. Come along, and I will show you the way.”
He walks ahead of me and gracefully descends the staircase, passes the shiny dining room table, landing in a very spacious hallway. There is a double-winged door right across from us and a switch he presses that instantly lights up. A few seconds later the doors open with a weird hissing sound. The elevator is very spacious and has wall to wall mirrors. I can get out on any floor, but need the card to be able to enter Shamar’s suite. As soon as the card is inserted, the elevator is locked for all floors so that no one else can use it. Matthew presses the bottom button and says that he hopes I will enjoy myself. He steps back, and the doors close.
It does not take long for the elevator to reach the ground floor. When the doors open, I am faced by a drop-dead gorgeous woman who is dressed in gold and white. She beams at me and gestures for me to follow her. I see that there are signs that say “Spa” but I don’t have to look for them since I am being shown the way. A few minutes later we have reached our goal.
“Welcome at the Assawan Spa,” she says and smiles. “Do you already know what you would like or should I tell you what we have to offer?”
I reply that I’d like first to hear about what I can choose from and so I am led into a room with a group of comfortable looking armchairs. The woman who greeted me comes and joins me and brings some water after offering me something to drink. Then she describes the various services the spa has to offer.
I decide on the Divine Hand and Foot Ritual, which is a relaxing wellness massage, including a facial. This program will keep me occupied for the rest of the afternoon. I get my own dressing room with a closet that can be locked with the key to my suite. I find a pair of comfortable looking thongs waiting for me, and also a white, fluffy bathrobe. The difference to the one in my room is that it has an embroidered golden crown on the back.
I feel like royalty. Like another episode from 1001 Nights. This spa ritual will cost more than I could have ever paid, and I’m grateful I don’t have to pay for it myself. The next few hours pass as if in a dream. I am kneaded, massaged, creamed, formed and relaxed.
I feel completely rejuvenated and absolutely unbelievable. In between massage sessions I take a little swim in the spa’s pool. It has blue tiles and a special mosaic design on the floor of the pool that is lit up, thus continuing that otherworldly feeling. My wellness program ends way too soon.
Thanks to this exquisite kind of distraction I abandon my plan to come up with a strategy of how to tell Shamar about my ‘first time’. During the last few hours I have managed to clear my mind of everything and think of absolutely nothing, so now I am completely relaxed. Whatever happens, it will not have been planned. I think of Susan saying that no man in the world would be worth it i
f he is irritated by my background or my life story. That is easier said than done because I am about to fall head over heels in love with Shamar, but still I wonder. What happens if he rejects me? Inwardly I shake my head and decide that after having enjoyed the level of professional relaxation that I did this afternoon it would be a waste of time to worry.
The really nice young woman who walked me here is waiting for me in the reception area of the spa to accompany me to the elevator. I am about to tip her, but it does not seem to be the appropriate thing to do. She shakes her head and smiles. I insert the card into the slot the way Matthew showed before, and the door closes immediately, making the same hissing noise as before as it starts moving. Seconds later the doors of the elevator open and I am back in the hallway of Shamar’s suite.
Even though my room is now here in the suite, I am immediately overcome by a feeling of self-consciousness when I cross the room. I carefully open the door to the terrace and find Matthew.
“Miss Buchholz, so you are back. Did you have a nice time?”
Nice time does not seem to be the right expression for what I experienced in the last few hours.
“It was overwhelming, like a dream.”
Matthew’s face lights up. “Mr. Shalazar would like to invite you to dinner at the Al Mahara.”
I read about that restaurant in the brochure in my room. The Al Mahara restaurant is situated in a gigantic aquarium. I immediately had wanted to see what it was like, but when I saw the prices I knew it wasn’t for me.
“That would be lovely, Matthew.”
“Then Mr. Shalazar would like to ask you to join him at 7 p.m.”
So I have another hour to get ready and do my hair.
“That will be great, thank you Matthew.”
He retreats while I walk up the stairs with an inner feeling of jubilation.
I decide to wash my hair which looks like it’s been fried on account of all the oil and care products that have been lavished on me. My skin feels silky soft and smooth and I’m loving the way it feels now. I dry my hair, and even my hair seems more silky and sensuous than before. The curls have a better bounce.