β₯
Kaine let out a groan as she rolled to her side and tried to blink open heavy-lidded eyes. Her head throbbed, not much but there was a mild bang on her temples. She pushed back the thick-layered cloth that seemed to envelope her to the soft bed and struggled to a sitting position. Again, she struggled to flutter her eyes wider open, winced at the gritty pinch she felt. She managed to get them open though and lifted her head to stare about the room.
The sapphire-blue drapes that covered the glass windows were still drawn, so the room was only faintly brightened from the light of the Chandelier behind the pale silver-sheen wood shelf.Β She tried to get a hand on her elusive memory. How had she gotten into bed? She only seemed to recall the dinner with assorted dishes and wineβ¦
Oh God, he had carried her up the stairs and into their bedroom! Kaine felt her entire body warm and tingle with embarrassment as she recalled what happened next after he laid her on the bed.
She had asked him if he wanted to kiss her!
And he had kissed her andβwhat next?
She pressed a slightly trembling hand to her temple and stifled a groan. She couldnβt quite recollect what had happened after the kissβ¦ if anything had happened. She dropped her head and was about to let out another groan when she realised that she was wearing her nightie.
When had she⦠how did she come to be wearing the pink-lace silk nightgown Dominic had talked her into picking at her under-duress shopping trip in Lagos?
βWhen I make love to a woman sheβs never in doubt whether I did or notβ¦ trust me.β
Kaine let out a low shriek and spun her head around, wincing at the gripe of pain on her left temple because of the forceful movement. Dominic was sitting on the antique-designed armchair by the half-length armoire, dressed in a dark-coloured suit, legs crossed at the knee and he was watching her with what might be his usual amused expression.
βIβ¦β She stopped, unsure what she wanted to say. Her cheeks felt like they were burning. She wasnβt quite she if he was assuring her that nothing beyond the kiss happened between them last night. βAhβ¦ good morningβ¦β
βGood morning, beautiful Kaine. Anyone ever told you, you look softly and alluringly beautiful when you wake up?β
She couldnβt quite clearly see his face with the room not brightly lit but she could hear the laughter in his voice. βNo one has.β She reached for the coverlet and tugged it up. βAhβ¦ whereβs Tobi?β She was desperate for a distraction.
βWith mama now, I expect. Raquel came in earlier to pick him for his bath.β
βOh.β She hadnβt even woken up on time to attend to her sonβfor he was her son nowβand when sheβd finally managed to wake up, she hadnβt immediately remembered him. What kind of a mother was she?… Or wife for that matter. βAh, Iβm sorry I woke up late. I must haveβ¦ is there anything I can get for you?β
βIf youβre talking breakfast and all that, Catia took care of that. Itβs her job. And Mama was up earlyβas she most often isβto see to matters, so worry not your poor headβ¦ which Iβm sure must be pounding some.β He made a murmur as if in sympathy, then added. βBut if youβre feeling wifely, I can do with a morning kiss.β
Though the addition came in a teasing note, Kaine dropped her gaze in embarrassment. She had only been bold enough to ask him to kiss her last night because of the drinks sheβd had, now she wouldnβt dare. Nor did she want to, she silently assured herself.
βNo?β He let out chuckle, then dropped his leg and rose to his feet. βJust checking my luck this morning. Anyway, Iβve got to go the officeβ¦ the hotel, La Quinta, I work mostly there. Though now I have to oversee the Bar also and the winery all alone with my brother gone now.β There was a pause, then he expelled a breath. βIβll probably be back late but you wonβt be lonely. Mama is here; sheβs most often at home except when sheβs in the mood to visit the winery. And thereβs the house-staff, most speak passable English, so you can communicate with them for whatever you might need. And should there be any difficulty, youβve got my numbers stored in your handset, call me.β
βAhβ¦ okay. Have a good day.β
βAnd you too, minha querida. Have Catia get you some pain-relievers for that head.β He let out another chuckle before striding to the door and slipping through it.
Kaine blew out a breath the moment the door shut after him and closed her eyes. She let go of the coverlet and pressed a hand against her fast beating heart. Gosh, sheβd slept beside him all night long without even knowing it. Her first night in what was now her home and sheβd ended up so tipsy she barely had any recollection of the night.
And what would he think of her now that sheβd asked him to kiss her after begging for time to get to know him first before any intimacy? Kaine let out a low groan and pushed her hands over her face in mortification.
β₯
Β
Dominic stared blankly ahead of him in his contemporary, lavish-furnished office. Heβd spent the last hour attending to a load of backlog work and there was still plenty left but even with his busy day, he couldnβt quite get last night out of his mind.
Having her ask him if he wanted to kiss her had done unspeakable things to his senses. Heβd barely had any sense left when heβd leaned down and helplessly taken her lips in his. Heβd sunk into the kiss since heβd wanted to do nothing more all evening.
Sheβd chosen a foil-lace waist-flared, cup-sleeved dress for the dinner and had, as was usual these days, pulled her dark ebony hair up and had only accessorized with a pair of silver drops and a bracelet. She hadnβt exactly been looking to appear dressy, Dominic was certain of that, but sheβd looked stylishly elegant and heβd found himself returning his eyes again and again to her all through the dinner.
Heβd noted the swift, almost nervous, way sheβd emptied her wineglass and had wanted to caution her given the experience of their wedding evening dinner together but feeling a little mischievous, heβd opted to let her be and had instead enjoyed the way her full, pouty lips laid over the rim of her glass.
But the pleasure had doubled when heβd kissed her and her soft mouth, tangy with the taste of the wine, had moulded perfectly with his and had yielded willingly to the pressure and passion of his kiss.
Heβd kissed her for a lot longer than heβd planned toβ¦ he couldnβt resist the temptation to linger and to savour, especially when sheβd slipped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. And he had almost succumbed to the temptation to do more than just kiss her but even as they kissed, heβd felt her arms go limp and her response start to die off. And when heβd pushed back and looked, her eyes had been droopy with sleep and she had only let out a murmur and then shut them.
It had been either leave her to sleep in her dress or undress her himself and put her to bed. Well, it hadnβt been a difficulty making the latter choice but it had been an arduous punishment seeing her flawlessly beautiful body and being unable to do more than just slip her nightwear on it and push the covers over that alluring perfection.
And having to lay next to her with a hard-on that had stayed-on for the better part of an hour had even been a worse punishment.
But heβd borne it and heβd woken up proud of his self-restrain. Now, after watching her sleep and wake up, he wasnβt so sure how much longer that restrain would last.
He was a man, a very virile man. He wanted a womanβhe wanted Kaine.
β₯
Camilla had heard of his return. If sheβd known heβd be coming back yesterday sheβd have been at the airport to welcome him. But she hadnβt because he still didnβt pick her calls and his saintly mother wouldnβt tell her anything, even if sheβd asked.
But now he was back and she was impatientβno, desperate to see him. There had been some buzz about his return but she wasnβt the type to listen to idle chatters from lower-ranked officers and in any case, there was always a buzz when you worked in a hotel and are surrounded by entertainment-seeking folks.
She had dressed right for this reunion.Β Itβs been almost two weeks since they last saw and with him now acting like his attention was waning, she needed to ginger-up afresh his interestβ¦ to help him remember how much he canβt resist her charms. And so, sheβd carefully chosen the pinstripe plaid-ruffle pencil dress and had made sure not to cover up its sleeveless straps and plunging V-neckline with a jacket. Sheβd pulled up her hair, rolled and pinned it up, knowing his almost fetish-like love for a womanβs long, flawless neck. And the rose-pearl beads around her neck, gifts from him, were so his attention would be drawn there.
She wished though that they didnβt have to have their reunion at his office. If only heβd called her and made arrangements, they would have spent last night together and she would have rightly welcomed him back. Anyway, one made the best of the opportunities granted.
She illuminated her smile, straightened up her shoulders and with her chest slightly jutted forward, she placed her hand on the chrome doorknob and pushed open the leaded, frosted-glass door without knocking.
Camilla studied his expression as she glided towards him with long, swaying strides. He was quick to replace the frown of displeasure with a mild smile but sheβd seen it and it worried her.
She buried the worry as she cornered the L-shaped desk and leaned down to kiss him. βMeu querido, how Iβve missed you!β She murmured against his lips.
βCamie, how are you?β He said, pushing back his chair.
She squashed the disappointment that followed his withdrawal. βHow do you think I am?β She sent him a pout, lowered her bum onto the soft-leather-top of the desk. βHow could you neglect me so, meu Nico?β
βI beg your pardon, Camie, but I was caught up in Nigeria handling some personal affairs. I could hardly find time to attend to other matters.β
Though he smiled, there was an edge to it. Camilla found herself frowning. βWhat personal affair was this? You have some woman in Nigeria?β She said the last bit with a teasing twinkle but she saw his hesitation before he lifted his shoulders.
βI do now, I guess.β
βO quΓͺ?β Her heart skipped a beat. βWhat do you mean, Nick?β
βMaybe you should sit comfortably while we have this talk?β He suggested, gesturing to the seats in front of his desk.
Camilla was about to brush aside the suggestion when a glint caught her attention. βIs thatβ¦ the ring on your finger, is that a wedding band?β
There was a long pause as Dominic dropped his left hand and looked down at it. Then he let out a long breath. βSim, Camilla, it is a wedding band. I am now married.β
βΓ meu Deus!β Camilla exclaimed, gaping at him in utter stupefaction.
*** ~~~ ***
TRANSLATIONS:
Γ meu Deus!: Oh my God!
Meu: My (for men)
O quΓͺ?: What?
Meu querido: My darling, my love, my sweetheart (in reference to a man)
The ghen ghen part yaf want to start… Awwwww, how I love Dominic honesty…
Spanish is a great love language and suite this storyline perfectly thanks TM
Ah han na! This was the shortest episode ever!
Kaine the sooner u stop worrying ur head, the better..
Camilla, pele ti e ooo
Thanks TM, I love this episode
This is not fair oh, the episode keeps getting shorter each week.
Hmmmmnn, honesty…..that’s a good one Nick. Action about to start.
Well done, good job madam TM.
Oh, Camilla! Maybe it’s time for you to leave newly couple ? and start your new life afresh, after all mama, doesn’t like you before
Nick is a honest guy… thank you for not denying kaine….. the real drama begins. I well done WEST, but please it too short ooo.,except you are giving us a bonus?. smiles
but you rock!!!
I love Dominic’s honesty, I guess he is already in love with Kaine……..thanks TM for this episode though it’s kinda short.
uuuuuwwwwwweeeehhhhh!!!! and it starts.
The part i have being waiting for. Nice.
Next episode, please.
Ghen ghen!!! Just what I’ve been waiting for…
Ok now, let the drama begin. Thanks TM. Short but regular episode is fine
Poor Camille??….thanks TM for the lovely episode ?β€οΈ
Thanks TM!
Thank you for beautiful writing and the consistency
?
This is a Book I would love if it would turn out to be a movie. TM made me comment and I must say, I’m HOOKED!!!! Thank you. A bit short but fun to read none the less. Can’t wait for the next episode. Obrigado
wow wow
am so loving this and i like nick for being honest with camie
welldone TM
I love this story. Well done, Ma
Uhmm .. I do hope camie won’t be aggressive with this news
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! the do did not happen. Dominic is my new role model for a man now. Quite a gentle man he is. I love his not taking advantage of Kaine being tipsy. Love his self control. Camila girl, sorry. Dominic is taken. Another splendid episode.