Love UnCharted (Love's Improbable Possibility) (40 page)

I lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to think of what could possibly be going through his mind. I knew he was in his office, his favorite room in the house. He spent more time in there than he did even in his bedroom. The man functioned on very little sleep. Oddly enough, he’d been sleeping increasingly more since I’d moved in. He had gone from nearly four hours to five and half hours nightly. That was progress in my book.

My stream of thoughts carried over into my dreams. I didn’t know if I were sleep or awake until a little after two in the morning when I turned over to no Azmir. I sat up on my arms and didn’t even see Azna in the bed. That alarmed me.
Was he upset with me?
My conscience told me that if the shoe were on the other foot I’d be pissed with him, so be fair. I got up to see if he had fallen asleep at his desk. In my foggy state, I tip-toed down the long corridor where I could see a light glaring from his office. Yup, he’s there. When I looked in the room I saw him there on the phone and looking on the desktop. He noticed me right away.

“Hang on, Washington.” He turned the mouthpiece of the phone down in his neck and asked, “Everything okay?” with a look of concern.

“Errr...yeah. Just a little odd waking up at two twenty-two in the morning to an empty bed.” He looked up at the clock and seemingly realized the time. 

“Now you know the feeling,” he said with a forlorn smile, referring to my working late a few hours before. “Where’s Azna?”

Azmir pushed against the wheels of his chair to scoot away from the desk. And although he was too far away for me to see, he pointed to his lap to answer my question. 

Hmmmmmm...

“So it’s a man’s world?” I said in jest.

He flashed that panty-snatching smirk. The currents flashed through my body. My smile disappeared and I suddenly feel guilty and desirous at the same time. After the bomb I laid on his lap earlier, he still has the capacity to smile.

I pace over to him on a mission. His eyes never leaving mine and once I arrive to him, I bend over and kiss his soft lips. I couldn’t stop there. I wanted to taste his lips and I did. I sucked softly as I held the sides of his face. Reluctantly, I slowly let go of his bottom lip. When I opened my eyes I see his, though filled with priapic readiness, were open. I wanted him so bad, but under the circumstances knew not to push my luck. I decided to collect Azna and return to bed. But as I went to scoop her, I accidentally rubbed against his strong erection. Subconsciously my eyes shot up to him. The cool air hitting my gums from the strong release of his lungs told me my mouth was open. Azmir’s eyes were heavy with need.
Does he want to it take there as much I do?
His body was telling. 

“Go back to bed. We have to be up in less than four hours. I’ll be there in a minute,” he said, trying to gain control of the situation.
 

With a broken ego, I obey and return to bed. It took a minute or two for me to doze back off because I had to ignore the throbbing between my legs. I accepted it as punishment for my delayed disclosure.

What a day.

Rayna

Several hours later, we were pulling into a large lot that I would soon learn is an airport in Hawthorne and that Azmir chartered a private plane for our trip. Ray retrieved our luggage from the car and Azmir assisted until airport staff came over to take them from him.
 

“Mr. Jacobs! It’s a pleasure to see you this morning. Ms. Brimm, this way,” he looked at me with a huge, welcoming, and professional smile. I returned the gesture.

“Jim,” Azmir greeted in return then held the small of my back to point me in the direction that Jim was leading. He looked preoccupied, but I didn’t know how to address it. So I didn’t. Azmir was wearing denim jeans with a graphic T and track jacket. I had on a maxi dress with a cropped jean jacket and a scarf draped over my shoulders. I wasn’t sure of what to wear, as I still had no clue of where we were going. 

We immediately boarded and were introduced to our aircraft staff that included a waitress who I could immediately tell was taken by Azmir. This happened often and I never tripped. There were times he caught on to his admirers as well and was embarrassed, but today he was so internally engrossed that he never took notice. My heart sunk.
 

The airliner was sophisticated. Too rich for my blood. I’d never flown on a private plane before. It made me wonder how often had Azmir. The plush ivory leather seats and benches were oversized for comfort. They were very fitting for a man of Azmir’s height and frame. The carpet was a rich tan shade, giving off a pristine feel of the luxury aircraft. This thing was huge and could fit over a dozen people. In the center of the cargo area was a forty-two inch flat screen television. To the left of the television area was a workstation with a desk and phone. At the far opposite end was another television mounted on the wall, only smaller.
Who needs all of this?

I turn to the man who arranged it. Azmir’s sullen disposition had me afraid to talk to him. I just didn’t know what to say. Through my peripheral, I observed him as he sat back and adjusted himself in his chair.
 

The captain announced himself on the P.A. system, gave our expected arrival time and the temperature of our destination. I quickly did the math and estimated an eight hour flight. Coincidentally, the captain announced an eight hour travel time mere seconds later.
Crap!
My suspense was on overdrive.
Where are we going?
He addressed us by name, making it difficult to forget we were on a private plane. I was thoroughly impressed. Azmir seemed indifferent and more concerned with getting some shut eye.

Catina, the flight attendant, came over and handed us menus. I was surprised to see there were exclusively breakfast items listed. Suddenly, I felt Azmir’s hand on my right thigh, patting it gently. Without looking at me he says, “We’re in for a long flight, so get comfy. Order when you’re hungry. I’m gonna catch a few Zs. Order something for me when you’re ready. Surprise me,” he gave an adorable yawn before turning over and falling asleep.
 

The flight was long and provided too much time for my muddling thoughts of Harrison’s visit from the day before. He mentioned my presence causing a rift in his family. As I sit reclined next to this...Adonis of a man, I couldn’t help but to wonder where exactly I stood in his stratosphere. I mean, I’ve moved in and now what? We cohabitate until we grow tired of each other? Will he get bored with me? Then, I think of Azmir’s possible proposal. If that’s, in fact, what he was contemplating, he sure hasn’t produced anything—not that I’m terribly disappointed because I’m not sure if I’m any more suited for marriage than Azmir believed Tara was. But when I thought of him being with someone else,
making love to them, singing their name in ecstasy, calling on them to come home at night after work, flying them on private planes like he is with me right now...I felt sick.

Oh, I just don’t know!

One thing that I could empathize with was the loss of Harrison’s wife. Tara’s baby came at such an awkward time, and the paternity issue must take things to another level. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t know what to do. One thing was for sure, if Harrison’s objective for coming to see me was to get inside my head he had succeeded. What if Azmir wasn’t mine after all? What if I was simply the “
in the meantime
” chick? I felt an insurmountable sense of anxiety coming over me. My heart rate increased, mouth went dry and I felt wet everywhere. Panic began setting in. I felt my body jerking.
What is this!

“Rayna!” I hear my name.

“Goddamit, Rayna. Wake up, baby! Are you having a nightmare?” I open my eyes to see Azmir looking spooked. He and Catina were hovering over me as I tried catching my breath.

“I’ll get her some ice,” Catina announced before scurrying off.

“You okay?” 

I scanned around the bright room to recall where I was. Once the environment had settled in, I nodded my head. Catina had returned with a cup of ice, I assumed to help cool my body temperature. I was drenched in sweat. Azmir looked so concerned and worried. I didn’t know what to say, but clearly saw that I had to say something.

“Must be the altitude,” I managed a chuckle. He exhaled. “Don’t forget this is my first time in this type of aircraft. How much longer do we have anyway?” I asked in diversion. 

“The captain just announced about two hours,” he muttered with his eyes shut and balled up. I couldn’t fight. I had none in me. I needed him to know that, so I leaned into him, forcing his embrace. After no time he pulled his arms around me and sighed, “Ms. Brimm, you’re concerning me,” before kissing me on the top of my head.
 

For the remainder of the flight I struggled to keep all thoughts of Harrison at bay. Azmir challenged me to a game of chest. Catina offered us lunch, but my nerves were still settling and didn’t leave room for much of an appetite, so I declined and Azmir followed suit. Instead, we opted for light snacks and cocktails. By the time we landed, I’d felt more relaxed and ironically Azmir appeared the same.
 

Once on the ground, the captain announced our arrival in Tahiti.
Oh, my!!
I gasped and looked over to Azmir who looked as pensive as he always does when trying to surprise me. “Azmir, I’ve never been to a Polynesian Island before! This is a girl’s dream!”

He gave a nod and mirthless chuckle as he cleared his tray area so that we could disembark the cab. On our way out, the captain and co-captain were awaiting to bid goodbye and thank us for choosing their airline. Azmir is mildly gracious while I was awestruck by the entire experience at that point.

We arrived to our hotel and in traditional Polynesian fashion, we were escorted to a large, luxurious overwater bungalow. We traveled a ways from the reception area of the resort to a secluded portion of the property where there is lots more privacy than the other bungalows. The water is breathtakingly blue and clear, so transparent that you can see to the floor of the ocean. Our front view is in a private groove so that we see miles of water ahead. It isn’t until you travel to the back of the bungalow that you see other dwellings in the distance. Azmir did ensure privacy. This is really exclusive.

The bungalow sat two stories high with the bedroom on the top floor. The first floor had a full kitchen, fairly large living area with oversized sofas and a plasma television mounted on the wall. There was a billiard room off to the rear of the house as well as a laundry closet, dining room, office, and
powder room. The front of the house opened up to the water and had a walk-out balcony that led to an in-ground pool and inches away from that is an outdoor dining deck that you must walk through about four to six inches of water to get to.

Azmir also advised me that we’d be surrounded by water. Shoes weren’t very necessary for this trip. In fact, we shouldn’t be needing many clothes either. This was heaven on earth. It was so serene that I took a few seconds to give God thanks for His creation. It was divine...and so was Azmir.
 

“Does it meet your satisfaction, Ms. Brimm?” Azmir called out to me as he stood in the main doorway with the property manager. Talk about customer satisfaction. What complaints could I have thus far?

I nod my head. Azmir turns to him and says, “Jack, you have the lady’s satisfaction and therefore my approval. We’re good.” He politely shook his hand. Jack turned on his heels to leave. Azmir joined me on the outdoor dining deck and stood beside me, admiring the view. 

“Mr. Jacobs, you’re making it very hard for the man that comes after you—you know,” I say, partially serious, considering Harrison’s heeding.
 

“Actually, I’m trying to make it clear there won’t be any after me,” Azmir retorts matter-of-factly and without skipping a beat. “Let’s go get cleaned up for lunch.” He turned to make his way back inside and I’m right on his heels.

Lunch was at a restaurant in the water. We sat with our feet immersed in the gorgeous aquamarine colored water. The air was fresh and the wind gentle. This entire island had ambiance that could not be orchestrated without nature, no matter how exclusive a place it was.
This is how the other half lives
. I was in awe. 

“How’s the fish?” Azmir asked as I was busy taking in the surroundings.
 

“Delightful. How’s your chicken?”

“Pretty good. The glaze is the kicker.”

“Have you been here before?”

Azmir sips his ice tea before answering, “To the islands? Yes. To Tahiti? No.”

“Oh,” I wondered if he’d wowed another women with this majestic landscaping.

“Was Tara with you when you visited the other island or
other islands
?” I ask just before stuffing my mouth with sea bass. I knew I was pushing it.

Azmir’s eyes shot up to me. He slowly lowered his fork back down to his plate, “I’ve traveled very little with Tara. A bit of Europe and the Caribbean. So, no...no Polynesian Islands.” He looked affronted.

“I was just curious is all, Mr. Jacobs.” It was my turn to be affronted.

“It’s not your curiosity that concerns me, it’s your sudden interest in my former relationship.”

Crap.
He’s right. I never pry. I’ve always felt it was useless information...until now. The truth of the matter was I loved this man. I loved him and wanted all of him; his present, future and past. I didn’t care that it wasn’t plausible. I wanted it all. With him. I never wanted anyone more than I wanted him. I couldn’t help but feel a zap of jealousy whenever the idea of another woman presented itself, particularly Tara, who—according to her dad—was in position to spend the rest of her life with Azmir. Suddenly, I had lost my appetite. I motioned for the waiter to order a drink. A real drink.

“How may I help you, ma’am?” asked the sandy brown haired, tall, and slender waiter. His tan was to die for.
 

“I’ll take a rum and coke.”

I looked over to Azmir who’s eyes were glued to me. I could tell he was surprised by my selection.

“Make that two, please,” he ordered and the waiter excused himself.

“So what made you choose this place?” I didn’t skip a beat. I had to know.

He gave me a deep gaze as he cut into his chicken, clearly annoyed. But I didn’t care. What did I have to lose? Either he was going to be with me for a long while—
whatever that is
—or I had very little time left before he rejoined sides with his long lost love, Tara. And the clock was ticking. I wanted to savor every moment I had with him from that day forward.

“Well, I’d learned it was an exotic island years ago. And coincidentally it’s known as the island of love. Plainly put: it’s beautiful…just like you and what you represent to me. I wanted to share in a destination with you, one that is new to the both of us. Luckily, I chose correctly.” He flashed the first smile he had in twenty-four hours before going back to his food.

“I think it’s more than luck. This is what you call a blessing. To experience all of this glorious seascape...” I muttered as my voice trailed off. I was overwhelmed.

Our drinks arrive.
 

I take a sip and inhale a bank of fresh Pacific air. The cocktail is strong. This must be a man’s drink. Good! I needed to lose my grasp of reality. Heck—for all I knew, this could be the last of former reality.

Azmir takes a swig of his beverage as well and then goes back to his food. He doesn’t look up very much and it dawns on me that he’s offering less conversation than he typically does. After gulping my drink once more, I confront him.

“You’re upset with me.”
 

He looks up with his long lashes as he chews his food. “Justification doesn’t escape me, do you not agree?”

I knew automatically that he was referring to my abrupt notification about Akeem. “But I was forthcoming...notwithstanding good timing, but still a noble act in my book,” I argued.

“Ahhh...timing. Not such a novel concept, I don’t believe. Don’t you think that would be something you told someone—
hmmmmmm
...once you realized you’ve fallen in love with them?” Azmir hissed, now giving me his full attention.

“The sarcasm in your tone hasn’t gone unnoticed.” I swallowed another mouth full of my rum and coke.