On my ride into work, my phone rang. I knew it was Michelle calling to ask why she hadn’t heard from me the evening before and probably having a little gossip for me after that scolding. I so wasn’t in the mood. I felt like I’d made a huge mistake by sleeping with Azmir. Maybe the nostalgia had worn off sometime after arranging the lunch in my office. Maybe he was onto his next conquest and would even retract his invitation to the charity.
After the fourth ring, I tapped my blue-tooth without looking at the caller’s I.D. As I tried to concentrate on merging onto the highway, I answered in a long reluctant sigh, “Hellooooo, dear,” I sang dryly awaiting the thrashing.
“Wow. An even better reception than I’d dreamt of.” His voice was velvety and mesmerizing. My heart started to flutter before I could fully process his name. My breasts swelled and my breath hitched.
“Azmir?” I was all breath and fleeting composure.
I could hear his breathing caught and then he slowly let it out, something I was sure he was unaware of. What does that mean?
“Yes, it is. Were you expecting someone else at this hour?”
What? “No.” I exhaled. It was then that I realized I was holding my breath. “I just…I am surprised to be hearing from you.” It’s been so long!
“Oh? Why is that?” The silkiness his vocal chords produced flowed through my earpiece, if only I can take some time to gather myself. I felt like I was slipping into a pool of seduction.
“Well, I haven’t heard from you in a couple of days is all.” There. I said it!
“I could say the same about you, Ms. Brimm. I haven’t heard from you and I woke up this morning purposed to do something about it.” There was a brief pause and I’d wondered if he could hear the pulse from my carotid artery because scorching blood was rushing through my now extremely delicate body. Then he spoke slowly and resolutely, “Do you trust me?” His voice deepened and had become desperate even.
Do I trust him? What kind of question was that? I trusted him to tempt me but I wasn’t sure of anything more, yet and still I answered, “Y-yes.”
“I just arrived in Phoenix and will be checking out in the morning to go to New York for a couple of days. I would really like to see you and prefer not to wait until my return home. Would you mind having dinner with me tonight? I promise to have you back at work tomorrow morning at your appointed time.”
My breathing accelerated pushing ferociously through my nostrils like steam blowing out of a train. Without thought I answered, “Sure, I’ll trust you.”
I was shocked to hear Azmir’s sharp intake of breath. Was he nervous? Am I nervous?
“Indeed. I’ll have Brett forward you the flight and car service itinerary.”
“Okay,” I breathed but with a little more stability in my voice than before. What did I just agree to? Traveling to another state for a few hours with him? But he wanted to see me and made it clear.
“Ms. Brimm…” I was snatched from my trance.
“Yes?”
“Thank you. I look forward to seeing you this evening.” His words were filled with promise. I wasn’t sure of the details of them but was receptive to whatever they were.
“Okay. Same here.” I felt my response was dorky but was proud of myself for not giving away my excitement.
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