Love UnExpected (Love's Improbable Possibility) (36 page)

When
we approached the front desk Azmir told the concierge, “Jacobs, A.D., check-in.”

The young woman smiled politely and began
typing into her computer. She couldn’t stop sneaking glances at Azmir. He was tall and very commanding in stature. Even outside of his formal gear his beauty was breathtaking. I could have easily become offended but I was used to it at this stage in the game.

I look
ed over to the handful of people who walked through the lavish European style lobby, I was curious about their socioeconomic statuses. Affluence didn't reserve an appearance. Speaking of which, I’d suddenly become conscious of my wardrobe. I wore a pair of blue cropped jeans, white T-shirt and leopard Diane Von Furstenberg wedges courtesy of Azmir who forced me to shop at The Grove last week. I had no idea what made me so uncomfortable about him spending money on me but it really did. I loved clothes, shoes, and accessories just as much as the next but I didn't want to take from him more than I gave. Heck—I didn't get to buy his clothes. He had a personal shopper that did that. 

The concierge's voice snapped me out of my withdrawn thoughts.

“Yes, Mr. Jacobs, I see we have a superior room and a deluxe suite reserved for you for the next three nights and four days.”

I gasp
ed—I thought quietly, but apparently too loudly because Azmir turned and gave me the most alarming gaze. 

“
Is there a problem, Ms. Brimm?”

I felt so reduced. I didn't know what to say. He turn
ed completely around to me giving his back to the concierge.
Okay, there's a little privacy
. 

“
Ummmmm...no. I...I’m just taking notice of the superfluity that's taking place here. Azmir, I have an idea of how much a standard room and a standard suite costs at this place. It's a pretty penny. I mean, is this all necessary?” I whispered feeling the confidence of a twelve year old.

The sexiest, libido-provoking grin flashes upon his
gorgeous face but it's also accompanied by a twinge of annoyance. I braced myself as he turned to the woman who looked perplexed behind the desk and demanded, “A moment, please,” in all of his CEO authority. She quickly backed away from the counter as he turned his attention back to me.

“
Ms. Brimm, have you any idea of how hard I work? Do you know how many hours I put into a single day’s work?” He looked at me expectantly. If he wanted an answer I was coming up short today because I had none.

“
I work an average of nineteen hours a day. The first few years yielded very little returns but today my time and money works for me. I’ve been a millionaire since the age of twenty...very few know...and I like it that way. My point is I’m paid. I like
superfluity
—no—I love it. I've earned it and now you’ll have to adjust to it as well. I’m a large man and need space...suites accommodate that. Also, I'm traveling with a woman that I’d like to spoil with
superfluity
. That isn’t a foreign concept.”

Stunned
and extremely flushed—somewhat turned on, I murmured, “Oh, I can understand that but a suite at the local Marriott would've impressed me.”

I was so uncomfortable with this discussion. And it was clear that he was too
, but even with all of the frustration in his face he kissed me softly on the forehead, turned back to motion to the concierge and approved the rooms.

A
bellhop came to retrieve our luggage as we took the elevator up to our suite after dropping Marcus, our security, off on the floor of his room. The bellhop opened the door to the suite and I was blown away at first sight. The entire place was immaculately decorated. Our suite that had the wonderful 5th Ave and 55th Street view. 

As soon as we wer
e inside Azmir headed straight to the bedroom. I wasn’t too far behind him as I silently appraised the suite. It was obvious that he was less intrigued. By the time I entered the bedroom, he began emptying his pockets and asked, “Wanna drink...cocktail?”

He looked so wound up. I knew my questioning him down in the l
obby added to his foul mood. He’d been uneasy all day and I didn't understand why, Azmir was far from a moody individual. Around me he was usually so cool and affectionate even. I didn't like seeing him this way. Guilt started kicking me in the butt. I didn't want to ruin this trip for him. It was a big deal, as it should have been. 

“
Ummmmm...sure. Surprise me,” I said warm and seductively.

I wanted to change the course that I felt responsible for us charting. And ironically an amorous mood came upon me. I wanted intimacy to calm him and relax me. But Azmir wasn't on the same page as he quickly picked up the phone and discharged orders to the concierge.
 

He then turned to me
, “Look out for them. Dinner reservation in an hour.”

He
sauntered into the en suite bathroom and not before long, I heard the shower running. I exhaled. I didn't, until that moment, realize just how on edge I was about my setting him off. After being dazed for a few seconds staring at the bathroom door, I decided to get up and unpack my things.

I
’d showered, brushed my hair up into a bun ponytail on top of my head, applied my make up and dressed. As I heard Azmir chewing someone out on the phone from the living room I gave myself a final look-over in the full-length mirror in the dressing area of the closet. “
Not too bad, Rayna
,” I cheered myself on. I had just hoped Azmir liked it. Going out with him was always eventful and I tried to look my best.

I wore
a new figure fitting, white, mini dress that ended a few inches above my knees with a pair of cheetah print calf hair strap Givenchy sandals. Azmir snuck these sandals on the floor of my side of the bed a couple of days before our trip. When I stepped out of bed I hit the box. There was a note attached saying, “
To the best roommate ever”.
Of course he wasn't around for my reaction. I sent him a text saying thanks. It was really thoughtful. I found myself smiling in the mirror all over again recounting the event.

As I walk
ed out into the living room, Azmir was looking out the window still on the phone. I noticed the fruit and cheese platter on the coffee table and suddenly realized just how hungry I was and that I hadn't eaten much all day. I swiped a few grapes and blocks of cheese and began to stuff them into my mouth absent-mindedly when I heard him say, “Rob, I'll hit you in the morning. I've got to go,” very abruptly.

With one eye raised I turn
ed to look at him, not immediately realizing that I had my right hand to my mouth and my left hand pining my clutch to my pelvis. Azmir appeared jarred, causing my bewilderment. With a mouth full of cheese and grapes I grumbled, “Everything okay?”

He closed his eyes and quickly flashed them open
again, only wider and muttered, “Yeah...yeah. You look...amazing, Ms. Brimm.” Azmir’s forehead wrinkled and then his eyebrows rose. “My words fail me.” 

I'd totally forgotten about my attire, distracted by the food.
My heart was relieved. Why didn't I expect him to react well to my appearance?

“
Oh…thanks,” I managed as I tried clearing my mouth. 

His deep
gaze didn't break as he murmured, “Even with a mouth full you're out-of-this-world gorgeous.”

Butterflies were released in my stomach and my carnal thoughts returned
, but so did timidity. Azmir's compliments never grew old to me.

“
Hungry?”

“
Mmmmm-hmmmm,” I replied swapping the last of food from my palate with my tongue.

“
Let's go before I change my mind and take you back to the bedroom for my dinner and dessert instead.”

Please do!
I begged in my head because I didn't have the heart to bring it out of my mouth.

Dinner that night was at
 Le Bernardin in Mid-Town Manhattan on West 51st. After we were seated, the waiter came over to introduce himself and rearranged our table. He went over the menu and specials. His script was quite lengthy but I didn't hear a word because out of nowhere, my eyes connected to and locked with Azmir's. It was most bizarre.

We started
a gazing contest and I felt such a stream of energy transmitting from him. He lost the contest when he flashed his panty snatching smirk my way. His teeth were so perfect and his supple lips were proportioned to them so well.

Man, I could eat this man
!
He was gorgeous. I giggled nervously like a child.  

I didn't realize the waiter was still there until Azmir said,
“I know you have a penchant for fish. This restaurant serves top notch seafood...the freshest.”

“Oh
,” was all I could manage. That was considerate. I idly wondered if he'd made the reservation before or after my rude scolding of his hotel choice earlier. “Thanks, Azmir,” I crooned giving a warm smile.

He gave a slight nod.
“Would you like to start with Noir or Riesling?” Azmir knowing my favorite wines never failed to warm me. Could this man look so good and be so attentive to my preferences at the same time?

“
Pinot will be fine.”

“
A bottle of your finest Pinot Noir and a Grand Marnier martini,” Azmir turned and requested of the waiter before he turned on his heels to fetch our dinks.

“
So, when exactly do you meet with Yazmine Jacobs?” I attempted to initiate conversation.

“
Sunday.” His attention was fixated on the menu.

“
Oh, okay.”
Why did we arrive here on a Friday?
“Are you prepared?”

With a raised eyebrow he asked,
“Prepared?”

“
Yeah. Do you know what you want to ask her?”

With his eyebrows furrowed Azmir proce
ssed my words in deep thought. “I haven't considered what I'd asked. I just figured I'd let her speak...explain.”

I
snorted, “Well, what if her explanation doesn't meet your needs? Surely, you have things that need to be addressed to help you move on.”

There was a brief pause as Azmir sat with his elbows pressed to the table, resting his chin on his knuckles bringing attention to his perfectly trimmed goatee.

“Hmmmmmm...good point, Ms. Brimm,” he murmured mostly to himself.

The waiter returned with our drinks and as he poured my wine he
asked if we were ready to order. My eyes darted to Azmir who was looking at me, though his head was face down toward the menu. I hadn't explored the menu. Moments later his head shot up and he ordered bass for me and steak for himself and for appetizers, shrimp cocktail and mussels in red sauce. Azmir handed the menus back to the waiter and turned his attention back to me.

“
If you had the opportunity what would you ask your father?”

Whoa!
I wasn't expecting that question. “Ummmmm...I don't know. It's been so long since I've visited those thoughts of...my dad...my childhood.”

“
We have time now. Talk it out. It may inspire my questions for Yazmine,” he said bearing no emotion before taking a swig of his martini and nodded in approval of it.

“
Hmmmmmm...I know a good one. I’d ask if there was ever a time when he was enjoying himself—having a particularly great experience and wished to himself that my mom, brother and/or I were there to share in that moment with him.” My eyes went back to Azmir and saw him nodding his head while taking in my question.

“
Okay,” he muttered as he stroked his goatee. 

He looked
so delectable.
Focus, Rayna. Focus!
I hissed to myself.

“
And what else?” he asked as the waiter brought a large plate of mussels in red sauce and shrimp cocktail in a huge martini glass decorated attractively. I watched as the waiter paced away.

I examined Azmir's face to try
to figure out where he was going with this line of questioning. But his eyes were fixated on me telling me he wanted more.

“
Uhhh...I'd also ask if he ever came to check up on us from afar. What were his daily prayers concerning us if they existed at all.” I shrugged.

“
Mmm-hmm,” he urged me to continue.

Read
y to end my time under the spotlight I shot back, “And if he were given the opportunity where would he want to be placed in my life today...and if he’d desired to be in my tomorrow.”

Azmir fed himself a mussel as
he pondered my responses. “Interesting, Ms. Brimm. All very interesting,” he muttered reflectively.

We continued our dinner
, taking on lighter conversations. We started too deep. I couldn't gauge if he was still peeved with me or had gotten past it. While waiting on dessert Azmir extended his long arms and stretched out his neck in a big yawn.

“
Excuse me,” he offered softly. I took note of his heavy eyes. He was extremely handsome even exhausted.