by Mokopi Shale
“Well, I can’t seem to stop trying to reorganise and implement. I live, eat and breathe this project; I’ve never felt this revitalised. I know how much of a difference it’s going to make to all those struggling villagers back home; to my parents, to me, to hundreds of thousands of Batswana across South Africa. That thought keeps me going. Have you ever felt like that?”
Lesego’s entire being seems to light up when she talks about the project. Kenneth realises that she is even more beautiful than he remembered. He looks into her face and wonders what else puts that glow on her face; then he remembers the cheeky grin she gave him after they kissed, feels himself swell with desire at the recalled memory, and takes a shaky breath to calm his nerves. She looks at him with that bright, glowing, excited smile; as she catches the look in his eyes, hers also glaze over and she flushes with desire. The moment becomes heated.
She ducks her head and pretends to be tidying up the table. “I think I could be done by the end of the week. But to be safe, let’s say I can give it to you on Monday . . . The proposal, I mean. What else could I mean? What else could there be to mean? You know what I mean, right?” she says nervously.
He finds her nervousness too cute for words, and then the moment passes.
“Monday is fine; it’s sooner than I’d have thought,” he says, shutting down his computer. “Remember, if you need me, I’m available; email or call me. This project is an important one and I want to see it succeed.”
Kenneth gets up and comes around to get his cable but quickly changes his mind when he realises how close he would have to come to her. “Uhm . . . Could you hand me my cable?” he asks.
“Sure,” she says, unplugging the cable and swivelling in her chair. She hands it over, but because both are hesitant to touch each other, the cable slips through their hands and falls on the floor. Lesego bends over to pick it up. Her top opens slightly and exposes caramel-coloured, firm, well-rounded breasts clad in intricate white lace. Kenneth’s manhood springs to attention at the unintended display and when she straightens up and sees his crotch, she flushes red. He thinks it’s with embarrassment, but then she licks her lips and looks up at him, desire burning hot in her eyes.
She silently extends the cable and he reaches out for it. This time their hands do touch, and linger . . . He gently takes her hand and pulls her up. As she stands up, her entire front rubs against his. The delicious friction causes both of them to shiver with desire. Their eyes are locked on each other’s, and then in perfect sync they travel down to each other’s lips.
At this moment they both know that they have lost the battle. She rises on her toes and he bends at the knees . . . They are drawn to touch lips, to explore each other’s mouths once again and drink from each other’s nectar-sweet lips . . . to taste . . . to linger and seek out what they discovered once before in each other’s arms – a sense of belonging, a sense of home, a sense of completion.
The initial touching of lips sends a shock through both their systems. Although Kenneth’s masculine hunger demands that he dive right in to conquer and devour, he wants to savour this forbidden treasure. He knows he may never grant himself another opportunity to indulge in such delicacy as is to be found in Lesego Khumoetsile.
He sips on her lips, causing her to quiver with desire; he licks and sucks and rubs his lips on hers, melding tastes and essence . . . Even though he can sense her actively waiting, he only sneaks a gentle taste inside the nectar goodness of her mouth, which makes him moan soulfully with satisfaction.
That moan travels all the way down Lesego’s throat, to the tips of her now deeply sensitised nipples, straight to the centre of her being. She finds herself moulding her body closer to his but not able to get close enough. She opens her mouth, trying to get him to take what she offers, but he continues to savour her, licking and tasting her as if she is his favourite dessert, moaning into her mouth with such palpable desire that she begins to tremble. She has never been kissed like this before . . . This is so different, so filled with emotion.
Lesego tries to hold back and maintain a semblance of control. But then Kenneth lifts her up and wraps her legs around his waist. The perfect symphony of his masculine strength robs her of her will. She gives a low groan and feels desire rob her of strength . . . She wraps her legs tighter around him and winds her arms around his neck, trying to pull him closer so that she may taste him. She sneaks out her tongue to delve into his mouth and then experiences a taste akin to dark, luxurious Swiss chocolate.
The sensation of her tongue in his mouth causes Kenneth’s hips to thrust forward, to rub achingly against her heated centre. They both moan and the floodgates open . . . He turns around and urgently marches them to the wall, presses her back against it and spread-eagles her so that he can come in closer contact with her from head to crotch.
They devour each other . . . Not able to get close enough, not able to get enough of a taste, not able to do what they really want – delve into each other’s beings and truly experience the closeness they both crave so much. His hand slides into her shirt and at the touch of her lace-clad breast, he feels himself spring to even harder attention, rubbing even more tightly against her.
She gasps and begins to whimper with desire, moving her hips to rub harder against him, making herself ache even more. She rips her mouth free and her lips travel to his neck and suck. She takes the lobe of his ear into her mouth and gently bites down, then sucks, blows and tickles, creating a frenzy of desire in him . . . He pulls her closer to him, mashing her even more against the wall . . . She rips open his shirt to see and explore more when a phone rings . . .
It takes a while to break through their haze of desire, and a few more moments for them to break free . . . It’s Lesego’s phone.
She sighs, looks at him and says, “Sorry, but I have to see who it is.”
He reluctantly lets her slide down his front, making both of them shudder with pent-up desire. She walks over to the desk, checks the phone screen and smiles apologetically at him.
“Hello, Papa,” she says as she walks out to the garden.
Kenneth watches Lesego sashay away and stares at the sun painting her silhouette through the summery outfit. She perches on the stone side table and lifts her one leg to rest on its edge, drawing his gaze to where he was touching her earlier. He rubs his hands over his bald head, wishing he had hair to pull at in order to get some sense into himself. He takes a deep, steadying breath and walks over to the trestle table. When he picks up the trouble-making cable, his alarm goes off: a reminder for a meeting with Patrick at three. He’d better hurry; he still has some things to go through before then.
He strolls into the garden with his bag, pointing at his watch.
She lifts a hand for him to wait. “Papa, I have to go; I’m with the funders and I need to talk to them. Okay, all right . . . I’ll phone you as soon as I’m done. Bye.” Lesego turns apologetically to him. “I’m so sorry about that, but being the primary breadwinner in my family, I have to answer all calls; you never know. I guess you’re leaving now?”
“Yeah, I have a meeting.” He looks into her eyes and says, “About what just happened, I uhm . . .”
She cuts him off. “We’re consenting adults; we understand the rules. It was just a momentary loss of control. We’re both in a very compromising position and it wouldn’t be wise. I don’t want to be responsible for a scandal, or for you losing your job. After today, I know how much this country needs you and I won’t be the reason for a shameful end to your career . . . I understand. It’s fine. Don’t worry. Okay?”
He looks at her, touched that she is thinking of him and his career and dignity. He wonders what is more important: finding out how things could develop between him and Lesego, or keeping his job? He stares at her, searching her face and finding what he is looking for: that glimpse into her true feelings, the very beginning of affection. It’s fragility suddenly seems more important than life itself; he opens his mouth to speak . . .
; Lesego pre-empts him again. “Kenneth, please, don’t do this . . . I really like you and I really want this . . . but it’s impossible. I’m trying very hard to be rational, and it’s damn near killing me. Please . . . Go while you still can, while I still have my dignity, and while I still feel this little for you. Please . . .” Her voice breaking at the end is what convinces him.
He nods.
She walks back into the office and grabs the keys. They walk once again through the house and into the garage. After she has let him out, he bends over, steals one last, hard kiss, then gets into his car and drives off.
Lesego is left standing there with her fingers pressed to her mouth.
* * *
Later, as Lesego is lying on her couch, trying to watch some mind-numbing TV, the message tone goes and she reads:
It was almost the beginning of something wonderful. Kenneth.
She responds:
Yes. It would’ve been beautiful.
Chapter 5
5
Lesego is on the phone to her father, making preparations for the Batshweneng cultural village: the purchasing of the land, the building of the resort and the additional media offerings. Since they still need to finalise things with Sefalana, it is left to her father to organise all of this, and they have decided that Lesego is to come home so that he can give her detailed feedback on what he has achieved.
“Ngwana’ka, I’ve given Tshepiso money to come home for their break, but since you will be travelling down anyway, I told her to buy a ticket to Joburg, sleep over at your house and then you two come here together. I hope that’s okay?” her father says.
“Yeah, no problem, Papa. It’s been a while since I saw her and it would be good to have company on the road,” she answers. “Then I may as well get the contract and bring it home so we can sign.”
“Yes, that’s a good plan. All right, I have to go now; there are some things I need to take care of at the farm. Bye.”
They ring off.
* * *
Lesego and Tshepiso are driving back from the airport. Tshepiso is a chocolate version of her sister – just as beautiful, just as fit and with the same cheeky expression waiting to burst forth; it is obvious that good genes run in the family. The younger sister’s eyes have a constant naughty twinkle which can very quickly turn to a flash of exasperation or anger, although right now they are glowing with happiness to be with Lesego.
“You’re lucky; you’ll walk straight into a job when you graduate. Your clever sister has a wonderful position waiting for you,” says Lesego as she changes lanes, getting ready to take the off-ramp from the N1 into Houghton at 11th Avenue.
“I know, but I still think it would be a terrible mistake if I came on board to run the finances of a multimillion-rand project without practical experience,” Tshepiso responds. “I mean, this project is important for us and our people, and I would hate to be the one who makes it flop.”
“Okay, I hear what you’re saying,” answers Lesego as she flicks on the indicator and heads for 11th Avenue.
“Yeah, so I think I should at least get some experience,” Tshepiso insists. Her brows furrow with confusion and she asks, “Where are we going? Have you moved to Houghton? Are you already embezzling money from the project to afford your decadent lifestyle?” There is a naughty look in the younger sister’s eyes.
Lesego sucks her teeth and gives an exasperated smile. “Stop being silly! I need to pick up the contract.”
She ignores her sister’s incessant teasing and turns in at the Sefalana offices. Having parked the car, they walk into the reception area and on their way in – luckily or unluckily, depending on how you look at it – they bump into Kenneth.
“Hi,” Lesego says awkwardly.
“Hello,” he replies.
Tshepiso looks from one to the other and flashes an amused smile at her sister, wiggling her eyebrows. Lesego widens her eyes in reproach.
“Kenneth, this is my incorrigible sister, Tshepiso. Tshepiso, this is Kenneth Tumaole, a fund manager for Sefalana.”
He and Tshepiso shake hands and exchange pleasantries.
Then the young girl asks him, “You guys don’t happen to offer internships or vac jobs for students? I’d love to gain some experience and earn a bit of cash, rather than spend the time getting fat.”
“We sure do,” Kenneth responds. “I’m not doing anything right now, and if you aren’t in a hurry, I’ll introduce you to our HR manager so that you can exchange details and maybe organise something.”
“Really?” Tshepiso asks, slightly taken aback.
“Sure, no problem,” Kenneth replies.
Tshepiso looks at her sister hopefully. Lesego doesn’t know how to respond. She feels a little trapped, but since she is on leave and has nowhere to rush off to, she can’t really refuse her sister this opportunity. She smiles in agreement, and they walk to the lifts.
The lift is full, so they have to squeeze in. Lesego’s back is pressed up against Kenneth’s front. They both try to move away, but get disapproving looks from the other people in the lift. Lesego flushes red and Kenneth’s eyes glaze over with desire. Tshepiso looks at them and is amused. The lift stops at the floor where they need to get out, and Lesego and Kenneth are eager to do so.
“So, where did you guys meet?” Tshepiso asks cheekily.
“In a bookshop,” they both say at the same time, and then give each other a warm smile.
“Oh, so you’ve known each other for a long time? You haven’t told me about Kenneth,” Tshepiso inquires from her sister.
“No,” Lesego answers. “I only met him about a month ago. When we met, we never suspected that we’d end up working together.” She says that with a tinge of sadness in her voice, which her sister picks up immediately. Lesego quickly recovers and covers up by saying, “Kenneth was quite arrogant and cheeky.”
“Me?” he says with mock indignation. “You were the one who was arrogant and cheeky. I see it runs in your family. My family, on the other hand, is known for their icy British politeness.”
“I thought your accent was British! How long were you there for?” Tshepiso asks.
“I basically grew up in England,” he replies. “I was born in exile after my parents escaped the apartheid police.”
“Sounds like something from a movie. I’d love to hear about it sometime.” Tshepiso smiles cheekily when her sister’s eyes widen in horror.
“Well then, I’ll have to get the proper details so that I can make my life story exciting,” Kenneth responds lightly.
“It’s a date,” Tshepiso says with a pleased smile.
“Here we are,” he says, knocking at the door of an office with the name “Thandi Kobus” on it. They walk straight in and Kenneth says, “Thandi, are you busy? You remember Lesego, don’t you?”
Thandi gives Lesego a venomous smile.
“This is Lesego’s sister, Tshepiso,” Kenneth continues, unperturbed. “She’s interested in joining our internship programme. I thought I’d bring her here and have the two of you exchange details.”
“Sure,” Thandi says, looking none too pleased but giving Kenneth her brightest smile. “Here’s my card, Tshepiso.” She turns around to her file cabinet, searches through folders and then pulls out some papers. “These are forms you need to fill in and send back to us so that we can enter your details on the system. It’s that simple.”
“Oh, that’s great! Thanks, Thandi. I’ll fill these in and bring them with me on my way back from home.”
Thandi gives Tshepiso a cold but polite smile. Lesego is perplexed but decides to dismiss it.
“We appreciate your help, Thandi,” Kenneth says.
“Yes, thank you,” Lesego adds.
“Well then, we’ll get out of your way.” Kenneth turns to leave.
“Kenneth, can I have a private word?” Thandi asks.
He nods but says to the two sisters, “Wait for me; I’ll see you out.”
Lesego and Tshepiso head o
ut and stop in the corridor to see Thandi sidling up to Kenneth, stroking his arm, smiling coyly and practically flirting with him. The HR manager throws a triumphant look down the corridor at Lesego, who raises her eyebrows in surprise; she wasn’t aware of this competition for Kenneth’s attention.
“Hao!” Tshepiso exclaims in surprise. “What’s up with the stick insect? Do you know each other?”
“She was at the bookshop when Kenneth and I met. He told me that she’d showed up at his house, wanting to jump his bones, so he escaped by taking her to the mall for lunch. I guess she’s still interested,” Lesego says pensively.
“Oh, so you guys had a thing.”
“We almost did . . . It’s a long story; I’ll tell you when he’s not about to catch us talking about him,” she mutters, flashing a bright smile at Kenneth as he reaches them.
“You got the contract?” he asks Lesego.
“Right here.” She shows him an envelope under her left arm.
“Okay, then I guess we should say goodbye,” he says reluctantly.
“I guess so,” Lesego says, equally miserable.
Feeling great pity for them both, Tshepiso says, “If you happen to be at Cresta shopping mall tonight, come round to the Ocean Basket. Lesego’s promised me the seafood platter. I’ll buy you a beer to say thanks.” Lesego can’t believe what her sister is saying. She coughs to stop her, but Tshepiso ignores her. “We should be there around seven, seven-thirty. But no pressure.”
“Okay,” Kenneth replies, “I’ll think about it.”
“Bye then,” Lesego says, determinedly grabbing her sister’s arm and practically dragging her down the corridor. When they are a safe distance away, she whispers angrily, “What’s with you? You practically invited the guy to dinner with us!”
“I know,” Tshepiso replies matter-of-factly. “I got tired of looking at you making puppy-dog eyes at each other, acting like high-school kids. I thought it would help us make a clean break from the long and lingering goodbyes.”
