I interrupted, “Please don’t sit here and tell me you don’t have other affairs, Azmir. Please don’t insult me,” I said soft, yet sternly as my voice trembled and I rounded my neck to try to stretch out the sudden knots that had formed. It was one thing for him to qualify the various relationships he has with other women, but it’s something completely different to deny them all together.
“Allow me to finish, Rayna.” His hands were raised defensively. “I said, I’m not dating any woman but you. I may have residual relationships, but they are all meaningless and pale in comparison to what…” he hesitated.
“…to what, Azmir? I mean…I would like to know where you’re going with this,” I demanded in the softest tone appropriate for our surroundings. My emotions were curling up, self-preservation mode was threatening. Please no!
Suddenly his head cocked to the side and his tongue pushed against his molars. “You’re not sleeping with anybody else, are you?” His tone was laced with pure speculation.
I was shocked. This man had to be sleeping with at least one other chick but was trying to lock me down? The truth of the matter was I wouldn’t dare have slept with anyone else. Not only was the sex superb, but I was mentally locked on this man. I wasn’t so confident he felt the same way. Hell—he practically just admitted to sleeping with other women.
“No, Azmir, absolutely not. Why would you go there?”
He paused for a brief moment before sighing, “A man just needs to know that he’s not sharing his woman.”
“So, now I’m your woman?”
He never responded, didn’t even lift his head from his plate as he cut into his food.
This conversation was getting way too deep for me. Plus, I had to relieve my bladder so I excused myself and headed for the restroom. As I stood, Azmir rose from the table to see me off. I loved when he did that, very chivalric. When I headed off, I made sure I sashayed my ass in my new mini Betsey Johnson dress and sexy pumps, inside snickering at his insecurities about me being with other men.
While freshening up in the ladies’ room, I made sure my make-up was still tight. I was really feeling myself and couldn’t wait to get Azmir’s fine ass in my bed—or where ever he’d have me.
As I walked back to my table and spotted Azmir, I noticed a huge ribbon at my place at the table. The closer I got the better a view I got. It was a small brown gift box on top of a pink envelope both tied together with pink and brown ribbons. It was cute. The minute Azmir noticed I was back at the table his eyes were glued to me. He had been giving me that intense gaze all evening. Either he was horny as hell or Azmir was catching feelings for me.
I took my seat.
“May I…?” I asked, referring to the gifts awaiting my return.
“Please…”
He was in his usually imperturbable posture with his typical piercing gaze.
First, I opened the envelope, which was a greeting card. Among its contents it read, “In a complicated world where nothing seems to come together, one thing is simple and those are my feelings for you. I’m happy you’re in my crazy world.”
I looked up at him and I saw deep into his eyes. There was fire behind his dark orbs. They said so much. My heart warmed and all those dry feelings that had developed earlier withered instantly. Nothing could escape my mouth. Even if he wasn’t exactly saying he was in love with me, he was definitely saying he was damn near there. I could tell he was a little uncomfortable with my gaping.
“You’re not done.” He pointed to the gift box.
“Oh!”
I had gotten so caught up in the moment that I totally forgot about the actual gift. The card was a gift within itself.
I slowly unwrapped the bow on the box and opened it with shaky hands. I was still unaccustomed to receiving gifts from a man. Inside the box were the most breathtaking diamond drop earrings. I couldn’t believe he had been so generous and thoughtful. They had to be at least three carats.
“Azmir, I don’t know what to say. These are so beautiful. I can’t believe you did this.”
He nodded his head in acceptance. He was such a man's man, minimizing emotions.