Secretly (2 page)

“So, is this trip business or pleasure?” I should've realized that the taxi driver would want to talk, and I was ready for that eventuality.

“My husband and I are having an anniversary vacation in Hong Kong, and he is just finishing up some business over there and I am going to join him.”

“I’ve never been myself, but from what I see of pictures and videos, I don't see how you couldn't have a good time.” I had also done my research, and I could attest to his assumption, as I have already planned out several excursions that would be worth their weight in gold. “That destination is probably number one on my bucket list, and one of these days I will get there by hell or high water. If I get you as a passenger when you come back, I hope that you will regale me with your adventures, and let me live vicariously through your eyes.” I didn't see any reason why I couldn't do that, as I would no doubt have several photographs as a memorial to my trip.

When I got to the airport, I went through customs like a breeze, and was boarded first before everybody else. Being a VIP was something that I had to get used to, but when I finally got situated in my seat, I noticed this man across from me that I was muttering something underneath his breath. His hands were visibly shaking, and I could see that he was nervous, and maybe I could help him with a few tricks that I have learned while flying.

“Excuse me, but I was wondering if you are hesitant to fly?”

He turned his terrified eyes in my direction, and I could see that he was about to panic and go off the rails. “I…I… have never flown before... and I am only doing this because of a commitment that I had given... at the University. If it wasn't for the honor of speaking...I'm not sure if I could even manage to step on the plane. Now that I am here, I feel like I'm jumping out of my skin, and I am going to pass out any second.”

“If you don't mind some advice, maybe you should have a nice stiff one before we take off.” When I said those words, I realized just how suggestive that was. His hands stopped shaking, and he began to laugh out loud, making everybody turn around and look at him like he was some kind of crazy person. “I didn't mean it like that, unless of course you swing that way.”

“No, but I understand what you mean and I have already tried that. I just don't know what else to do, and I don't want to let these people down, especially when they went to all the trouble of getting me this first-class ticket and putting me up in a very posh hotel and adjoining restaurant.” I didn't notice it before, but his eyes were a liquid green, and so alarmingly mysterious that it made you get lost in those emerald pools. He had an air of authority about him, something that you wouldn’t normally see in a professor. There were the prerequisite patches on the elbows of his blazer, and the fact that he was carrying several books in his lap.

“Try breathing deeply through your nose and out through your mouth. At the same time, I want you to ball up your feet, and do that several times over and over again.” His eyes showed that he thought I was out of my mind, but then I motioned with my eyes for him to do it and he did it without question. I think that was the first time that any man ever took my advice to heart, and I was finding that I was enjoying the experience immensely.

Not thinking about what I was doing, I got out of my seat and joined him in the one beside him, taking his hand in mine and looking him in the eye as we began taxiing off the runway. He was doing exactly as I told him, but I saw that his eyes were straying a little further south into the cleavage of my bosom. I was flattered, so much so that I didn't even admonish him for what he was doing, and I found myself getting flushed with excitement and embarrassment.

“You are so beautiful that I can't take my eyes off of you.” He caught me off guard with that comment, as I had never had anybody besides my husband refer to me as that, and I found it quite endearing that he would boldly admit something like that. “That black hair has a tint of blue in it that makes your hair shimmer with a brilliance that is hard to ignore.” Not many people see the blue, and I suppose it comes from my Mediterranean descent.

We talked like old friends for the entire trip, and I don't think he even noticed that we were in the air the entire time. I had taken his mind off of the whole ordeal, giving him something more pleasant to concentrate on. Taking a risk, I had unbuttoned one of the buttons on my white blouse, giving him easy access to the valley between. He was so taken with my figure that he was purposely stealing glances when he thought I wasn't looking. I loved the attention that he was giving me, and it was something that I hadn't had done to me in a very long time.

“You know that we have been talking for over three hours, and we don't even know each other's names. My name is Richard O’Connell; I think you know that I am a professor in Boston University. I see that you are married, or could I wish that you were widowed?”

“No, I’m married, even though it doesn't feel like it sometimes. I'm Selena Roberts, and it is nice to meet you Richard, even if it is when you are not exactly at your best. Don't be embarrassed, I was afraid to fly my first time, and I think it makes you more human to admit when you are afraid.” That was one part of my husband that was missing from the whole package, and he wasn't afraid of anything at all, making him the kind of man that any woman would trade places with me in a second. If they only knew that a man that is in touch with his feminine side is very becoming, and I sometimes wish that he had a 9 to 5 job, instead of these erratic hours that he spends putting his life in peril.

“You don't sound like you are happily married, and I don't want to be presumptuous, but perhaps it's time for somebody that appreciates you.” The hidden meaning behind his words was not lost on me, but I could sense his interest in me as he rubbed his thumb over the back of my hand. “You have been a breath of fresh air, and something that I didn't even know that I was missing until this very moment. I am not trying to be a home wrecker, but I hate to see you unhappy, when you deserve to have all the happiness in the world. Don't settle for second best, when the man of your dreams could be right in front of you.” Oh man, could this man talk the talk and walk the walk, and he was slowly breaking down the defenses in my own mind.

“Having a way with words is not going to get you into my pants.” You would think that I had just slapped him across the face, as he pulled back from me, with his hand breaking the contact between us. “Don’t get me wrong, I'm really flattered by all of this, but I think that you might be barking up the wrong tree.” I was trying my best to let him down easily, and maybe make it easier for him to turn his attention to some other woman that deserved it.

“I... didn't mean to... upset you, but ever since my wife died of cancer, I find that I want to live every day as if it was my last. If there isn't anything here, and I am just reading into something that isn't there, then by all means tell me to get lost.” He was putting me on the spot, and those green eyes were doing nothing to make me turn the other way.

“I just don't want to give you the wrong ideas, and I have really enjoyed our time together. I'm still married, and I don't see that ending any time soon.” He smiled and took my hand, looking me in the eye and giving me this soulful expression that made me speechless.

“You can't blame a guy for trying, and I can assure you that I don't give up that easily.” His persistence was endearing, and if I had only met him at a different time and a different place in my life, then I don't know what would've happened. As it was, we landed in Hong Kong a couple of hours later, getting to know each other on a personal level, and not taking it any further than that. We bid each other a fond farewell, and separated at the airport on the way to different destinations.

I never did find out what hotel he was staying at, and I suppose not knowing was probably for the best. I didn't want to have any kind of temptation to visit him, especially now that I was feeling that we might have a connection that went beyond the physical.

I got a text message saying, “Unavoidably detained, and you’re going to have to find your own way to the hotel. My apologies my love, but I assure you that I will be there shortly.” I was getting annoyed; feeling like he wasn't doing what he said he was going to do. If I wanted to give him another chance, I was going to have to forgive him for this latest disappointment.

Gathering up my luggage, I went out to find a taxi, and this elderly Japanese man came out of the next taxi. I thought for sure that he was going to have a heart attack, but he surprised me with how easily he put my luggage into the trunk, and then opened my door like a true gentleman. “Miss, I'm afraid that we are going to have to double up, because the transportation committee is on strike, leaving very few taxi drivers on duty. Don't worry, I'll make sure that whoever has to share the taxi will be going the same way as you are.” I didn't mind letting somebody tagalong, as it seemed like the only thing to do, and would make it easier on everybody.

The door opened up, and when I turned around, I saw the same man that I had seen on the plane. “Sorry about this, but I don't like this any more than you…wait it's you.” For somebody that I wasn't going to see ever again, for some unknown reason the world was destined to throw us together once again. He was carrying a small bag over his shoulder, which he placed between his knees and then turned to make conversation with me. “So, you must be going to a hotel that is near mine.” He mentioned the name and I couldn't believe that we were not only going in the same general location, but in fact the exact same hotel all together. It amazes me to see how small the world really was, as if this was all meant to be, and no matter how much I fought against it, it wasn't taking no for an answer.

“It is a big coincidence that we are staying at the same place, but I don't want you to read anything more into it than that. I've told you before that I am taken, and my husband is supposed to meet me at the hotel, so it would do nobody any good that you get involved in my life.” He took my hand, and held it gently in his own, looking me in the eye and then pulling me forward, until he was kissing me hard. His other hand was around the back of my head, holding it steady as he delved deeper into my mouth with his tongue.

It took me off guard, but it was not unpleasant, and I felt myself sinking into his embrace. I didn't know what I was doing, only that it was feeling very good, and I had no desire to stop anytime soon. After all, this was the only physicality that I had in some time, and I was finding that I was missing the feel of a good man next to my skin. I spent too much time sleeping alone, wondering if Frank was going to walk through the door or if I was going to get a call saying that he was killed in the line of duty.

His lips were demanding, and I could feel myself getting lost in the moment, letting his hand explore my body with his fingertips. I loved the way that he held me close, forcing my chest against his, no doubt feeling the hard nipples poking him in the chest. Rubbing up against him, I let myself feel, and I was amazed at how aggressive he really was.

Cupping my breasts, I looked up into the review mirror to see that the old man was watching with rapt attention. I don't know if he really cared if we were mauling each other in his cab, but something in his eyes told me that he was more than willing to supply the means, as long as she was able to watch the way that we went after each other.

“Selena, I'm sorry, and maybe that was impulsive, but I just didn't want to leave you without doing that. You deserve to have a man that will put you on a pedestal, and someone that is going to treat you like the Queen that you are.” I thought that I had that with Frank, but he was being less forthcoming with his affections as the days slipped by one after the other. The years that I had spent with him was some of the happiest ones of my life, but now they just seemed so bleak and something that I didn't look forward to anymore. “Please, say something, because I am starting to get a complex over here.” He was looking into my eyes, and I think we both knew that this wouldn't be the last time.