“It’s not a dream.” He spread his fingers on my stomach, pressing down lightly. The hot palm scorched my skin beneath the dress and the unusual feeling between my thighs surprised me. It felt all wet and warm. “It’s a promise,” his husky words kissed my ears then he was releasing me and stepping back.
Biting my lip to stay my resolve, I headed for my car, not looking back. It took several swings before I could start the car and drive off. Twenty minutes later, I closed the door to Ishara’s apartment and leaned against it for a moment. Still, my body shivered from the memory of the stranger’s touch.
“I could be wrong, but you look well and truly fucked.”
My head shot up to find my cousin’s curious gaze running rampant over my flushed body and face.
“Spill. Now.” She closed the gap between us, crossed her arms over her chest, and waited.
“Can I at least sit down?” I asked still fighting the sensations spearheading the need to slide under my downy coverlet.
“Nope. Details. Now.”
I sucked in a breath. “I kissed a stranger.”
Ishara’s brow lifted. “Not Jake, I take it?” Slowly, I shook my head and my cousin laughed. “He must’ve had some impact to leave you looking like that.”
“God, Shara, it was...” I spun around the room with a laugh. “It’s hard to explain. I felt so...so grown-up...so sexy.”
Ishara followed me into the living room and dropped to the couch with me. “Why didn’t you take it further?” she asked.
“Because I didn’t know how to act after I found out he wasn’t Jake.” I scratched my head, leaning forward. “Don’t laugh. I got all wet and thought I might’ve peed my panty when he was holding me. Is that freaking normal? To get so wet from being held.”
My cousin, goofball that she was, burst out laughing before she grabbed me in a playful tackle. “My sweet, innocent Ria.” She kissed my cheek. “Were you that turned on? What were you doing when that happened?” After I explained, her eyes grew wide. “Damn, that man must’ve been something to make you wet with just a touch. I’ve got to meet him. Maybe I should try the blind date thing.” She laughed.
“Speaking of which, what happened to Jake?” I asked when we both stopped the giggles.
She shrugged. “Rex hasn’t mentioned anything. He’ll probably know tomorrow.”
“Know what?” Rex walked out from Ishara’s bedroom, his brow furrowed in a deep frown.
“Ria didn’t meet Jake, she—”
“What the fuck,” Rex cut her off, startling the both of us with his abrupt anger. “What the fuck happened, Ria?”
“What’s up, Rex.” Ishara frowned.
“Your fucking cousin stood up my friend and he hasn’t called. So, where the fuck is he?” Rex left the apartment before both Ishara, and I could question his attitude.
“What the hell?” Still staring at the closed door, my cousin blew out a sharp exhale. Suddenly, I wasn’t sure who was angrier. Rex or her.
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled.
Ishara looked at me and smiled. “Nothing to be sorry about, babe. He’s an ass.” She stood and held out a hand. “Come on, let’s get some hot chocolate and you can tell me all about your sexy date.”
“Well, it’s a waste.” I followed her into the kitchen.
“Why?” She opened the fridge and retrieved the milk.
“Because I don’t know who he is, no contact details, and unless I stake out that restaurant, I have no other way of knowing if I’ll see him again. Then again, I’m not sure if I want to. The man was way too intense for the likes of me.”
Ishara set the milk to heat and glanced over her shoulder. “Serendipity, babe.”
“Huh,” I screwed up my face in confusion.
“If something is meant to happen, it will and nothing. Not the weather, the world, or any person will be able to stop what’s written in your destiny. If he was meant to be, he’ll find you.”
“That’s only if you believe in that,” I mumbled, handing her the mugs she gestured to.
