New Encounters (4 page)

‘What?’

‘Bella, you looked like a kid in a candy store! Grinning away to yourself’

‘Sorry’... I blushed and looked down at my lap. He failed to say... grinning away like an idiot! Damn it.

‘Sorry? Why on earth are you sorry. It was a delight to see you smiling.’

‘Sorry... I mean...Well I was enjoying the scenery. I love travelling and seeing new places. I find it somewhat therapeutic for the soul.’

‘I am pleased that you are enjoying yourself’

I nod and smile, and try not to look into his very sexy eyes for too long so that I don’t inadvertently pounce on him. Now that would be embarrassing! The driver swung the car towards the entrance of the restaurant. It looked quaint yet expensive and luxurious. Mr Encounter leapt out with enthusiasm and grace all rolled into one. He walked swiftly around to my door and gently opened it. He held out his hand to help me out. His hand was soft yet still manly. I had to remember to let go of it, once I had found my footing out of the car. We were led to a table that was intimate and had a sea view. The balcony doors were wide open and you could hear the sounds of the waves rolling back and forth. It was just perfect.

‘I thought you might enjoy this view Bella, I hope you like it’

‘I love it, its a gorgeous place, thank you’

The waiter brought over the champagne, and deftly poured some into our glasses. To my delight it was pink and I hoped it wasn’t the cheap kind, as cheap champagne always gave me indigestion. We lifted our glasses and clicked them. Looking deeply into each others eyes, there is no denying the mutual attraction now. Good grief his eyes.... I could get lost in them.

‘To a beautiful evening, with a beautiful lady’

‘Are you always so complimentary?’

‘Only when I mean it Bella. Only when I mean it.’

Wow. This guy is intense for someone who just wanted a spot of company for the evening. We

ordered our entrees and main course. We didn’t run out of conversation throughout. It just flowed, so easily, no hardship at all. Before I know it, we are onto the second bottle of champagne and I am starting to feel a little lightheaded. I am not sure if this is from the champagne or if this is from the attention this guy was lavishing me. He just seems so different from the other men. More together and comfortable with himself, so attentive.

‘Come Bella, let’s go for a stroll’. I nod, enthusiastically. Probably a little too eager, but hey ho! in for a penny in for a pound. The perfect gentleman that he is stands up and walks around, holding out his hand to escort me. I accept his hand and immediately feel the pleasure soaring through me at his touch. We walk down some steps towards the beach the moonlight reflected off the water so perfectly. My heels started to sink in the sand, so I slip my heels off one by one.

‘Bella.... my darling, you appear to have shrunk’.

I giggled at this ‘It appears I have!’

He slipped off his shoes as well, and we walked towards the waters edge. Staring out to sea, gazing at the moon’s reflection on the water. The sound of the waves is somewhat hypnotic. He span me around and gently placed his hands either side of my face, his fingers in my hair and gazed at me. My heart is thumping so loudly I am sure he can hear it. He leans towards me and kisses me. Oh wow, his lips are softer than they look. Oh wow, I could jump up and down right now. He puts his arms around me and pulls me closely into him.

‘What time do you leave tomorrow?’

‘Urmmm I think I have to leave the hotel at 9am.’

‘Well my beautiful, I shall meet you at 7am for breakfast’

I smile at him, but feel a stab of disappointment. The evening is over, but I guess that’s a good thing. I am so attracted to this man but I don’t want to sleep with him. Well I do, but I don’t want to have a one night stand.

‘Bella, what are you thinking about’

‘Nothing...’ I squeeze his hand. Pushing the thoughts far from my mind. We walk back towards the restaurant and slip our shoes back on. The driver is waiting by the car, with the door open. I slid into the plush leather seating and I really don’t want this evening to end. He closed the door as Robert moves around the car and slips beside me. He grabs my hand and strokes my knuckles with his thumb. Butterflies are dancing in my stomach. The drive back to the hotel was too quick. As we walk into the lobby he placed his hands on the top of my back his hands touching my skin and leads me through to the lift.
 

‘What floor Bella?’

‘Floor 2’

As we arrive and walk down the corridor I resist the urge to ask him in for a coffee...... and instead blurt out
‘Would you like a nightcap’

He reaches up to my face and gently responds ‘No Bella, that would not be a good idea’. Before I have a chance to feel rejected he leans down and kisses me softly on the lips.

‘Thank you, for a beautiful evening. I will see you at 7am in the restaurant for breakfast’.

I nod and slide my key card in the hotel room door. I feel so tired, yet giddy! But why on earth does he keep saying it would not be a good idea. Surely he likes me, or he would not have gone to the trouble, and he would not have kissed me. Oh dear, I feel confused but I am so ready for my bed. I dive in the shower and have a quick wash and wash off my make up. Climbing into bed, I drift off finally......

CHAPTER 5

My alarm goes off at 6am. Oh god, to my horror I realise I am leaving this morning and I have not packed a thing and I am meeting him at 7am for breakfast. My heartbeat quickens at the prospect. I have the quickest shower of my life and run around packing everything. I throw on another suit, and apply some make up. Looking at my hair it is a tad unruly today so it’s best to tie the sodden thing back. A ponytail will be fine.

On walking into the restaurant, I spot him immediately. Sitting in a window looking like a model that belongs in a magazine or a Hollywood actor. Wow he is a hot. He makes everything look just so effortless and graceful. I just always look like a clutz! Within seconds he spots me and smiles. I walk over to him and hope that he didn’t notice me perving at him. He stands and kisses me on my cheek.

‘Good Morning. Did you sleep well?’

‘I did sleep well, but to my horror this morning I realised I had not packed a thing. Its not a favourite job of mine’.

‘hahaha..... its not one of mine either. Would you like coffee or tea?’

‘Coffee please’.

‘How do you take your coffee?’

‘Milk with one sugar and as strong as possible this morning’.

He chuckled again.... I have to stop gazing at him. He is going to think I am one of those Psychotic women!

He asked about what I was doing for the rest of the week. Who I lived with and what I liked to do. He asked for my number, so I wrote it down on the napkin for him. It was only when I realised that I had to go and get my luggage from my room and check out, that I realised I have not asked him half as much as I would have liked. But it was definitely time to go.

‘Bella, I would walk you to your room, but I am afraid I have to leave now for a meeting.’ I nod and smile and he stands as I stand. He looks at me, like he is looking into my soul. Leans towards me he kissed me gently on the cheek and whispered ‘I will be in touch’. I nod at him and smile. Walking away, I could feel his eyes burning into me.

After retrieving my luggage I check out and before I know it I am en route to the airport again. He said he will be in touch? I feel exhilarated, yet sad. I don’t want to leave yet. I have had a holiday romance.... well a business trip romance. Where would it have gone if I could stay for a few extra days. Oh well, it was nice to feel attractive again. But then I wonder.... wonder what he meant when he kept saying that we shouldn’t. Oh well.... maybe one of life’s mysteries. Time to do more work at the airport and fly home.

Within an hour of being home, the washing machine is shaking away like a demented animal. The tumble drier patiently awaits its turn. Ash will be home any minute. I am going to have a shower and get my unruly hair washed.

As I am drying my hair I hear the front door closing.
‘Hey Bells. Get your ass downstairs and fill me in with your gossip’.

I smile and shout ‘Give me 5 minutes’. I need 5 minutes to prepare myself before the round of questioning that’s about to come my way.

A large glass of red is waiting for me and Ash is sat at the breakfast bar looking like a very excited 5 year old. ‘SOOOO???’ I take a sip of my wine, and a large breath before filling her in. After I finish, I have a gulp of wine.

‘Bells..... this is so exciting?’

‘Is it?’

‘ISN’T IT??’

‘Ash, he rejected me twice and why is he going to get in touch?’

‘Because he wants you dummy. As for the rejection, he was still kissing you, so he technically didn’t reject you. Stop over thinking it and revel in it instead.’ I nod. She is right. It is high time I stop over thinking things. We have dinner and I am in bed early. I have so much work to do tomorrow, that I actually do not know where to start.

The next day was dull at work. Full of phone calls and emails. It was a day where I am so busy  but getting absolutely nowhere. Where you get no where fast, and achieve nothing. I find myself repeatedly checking my phone, which is annoying. I get a few texts from my friends. But nothing from him.

After work I drive home through the rush hour traffic and the usual plebs on the road that pull out at the last minute... Very annoying. As I pull up outside my house, the next door neighbour comes out. I groan internally, and then scold myself for doing so. She is so lovely, but when she starts talking she really doesn’t stop.

‘Hi Emma’ I try to sound cheery as I clamber out of the car and go round to my boot to retrieve my laptop.

‘Hey Bella. I have a package for you.’

‘Oh right thanks’. Ash has probably been ordering again from Amazon, but then I notice it’s a slender white box. My heart rate quickens.... what is this?

‘Thanks again Emma, gotta dash I am dying for the loo’. She smiles and says cheerio and I go into the house. I open the box and there is another coral rose with another card

*Beautiful Bella. I look forward to seeing you soon. x*

‘Oh my god!’ I am jumping up and down like a kid. Wow...... I can’t believe he sent this. Actually, how the hell did he know where I am? How does he know where I live? Oh I don’t care. He wants to see me again. I haven’t felt this excited for years. Later that night Ash is actually as giddy as me and as perplexed as to how this guy knows where I live! But we are too excited for minor details.

CHAPTER 6

I was a bit too excited to sleep last, and this morning as I glimpse through squinted eyes in the mirror I have aged around 10 years over night. Is it possible? Looks like it is. Then the rush of the excitement from last night comes flooding back. My aim is to get through the mountain of work today and try not to sit all day long day dreaming.