by Iris Deorre
‘Oh yes you are!’ he laughed. ‘I love it. You challenge me everyday, and it’s never boring.’
She laughed, she couldn’t stay mad at him.
‘Okay,’ she said.
‘Okay what?’
‘I’ll do it, I’ll move in with you, but on my terms.’
‘And what terms are those?’ He was curious.
‘That I ease myself into the transition gently. So instead of just moving in, we can spend a few days there a week at a time until I’m comfortable.’
‘That sounds fair.’ He leaned across and kissed her. ‘And while we’re on the terms and conditions of this relationship. I have a request too.’
‘You do?’
‘Yep.’
‘What’s that?’
‘You teach me to cook, and we’ll only have Lawrence during week days, when we’re out at work. You have to admit, its great coming home to a meal already cooked.’
‘Yes, it is. Okay, it’s a deal.’
‘Shake on it.’ He held out his hand.
She took his hand and he pulled her closer and instead gave her a long wet kiss.’
‘I love you, stubborn woman,’ he whispered against her.
‘I love you too!’
****
They sat down to a candle lit dinner, and Sahara had to admit that it was the best tasting food she’d had in a long while.
‘My mother would’ve loved this,’ she said.
‘Then invite her over one evening. Just give Lawrence a ring to cater for three instead of two.’
‘Gosh, this is nuts. A life being served hand and foot, its nuts!’
‘I don’t think of it that way. I spent years working extremely hard to get to where I am. It hasn’t been handed to me. I wasn’t born into a rich family, so I believe that I should enjoy the benefits of my labour.’
‘That’s fair and fine, but I didn’t earn any of it, so I just feel a little out of place.’
‘Then feel out of place, but do enjoy it.’
She laughed. Eugene was the one giving her life lessons, instead of the other way round.
‘What’s so funny?’
‘You, you’re just nuts!’
‘I’ll drink to that.’ He lifted his wine glass and took a sip.
Sahara took a sip of her Appletiser and watched him. It was a relaxed evening and soon they drifted on to wedding talk. The date was easily set up. Eugene agreed to almost everything she said.
‘Are you just agreeing with me to get off easily?’
‘Yes,’ he laughed. ‘You’re a scary woman.’ He teased.
She laughed.
‘I could do the flowers. I know what I want.’
‘That sounds great.’
‘Is there anything you want me to do especially for you?’
‘Show up,’ he said.
‘Sorry?’
‘Just show up and that’s all I need.’
‘Oh I will be there. I will marry you, that I’m certain of.’
‘I’m very pleased to hear that.’
After the main course they were presented with chocolate mousse toped with ice-cream. It was a lovely ending to the meal.
‘I’m going to put on some weight living like this.’
‘That would be good, wouldn’t it?’
‘Absolutely. I’m so glad the cancer’s gone. I am dreading my follow up appointments. In the back of my mind I have this fear they’ll find it again.’
‘Sweetheart, live in the moment, just like Justin said. All you have is right now.’
‘I know. I know. Everything will be okay.’
‘It will.’ He stood up and walked towards her and helped her out of the chair.
He brought her close to him and they kissed passionately.
‘You taste like chocolate.’ He mouthed against her.
‘So do you.’
‘Hmmm, I love chocolate.’ He dipped his tongue further into her mouth.
He drew her towards the couch, laid her into it and knelt down beside her.
‘I’m feeling pretty stuffed to be you know. I’m…’
He pressed his lips against hers before she could finish. She tried to plead against him, but his lips only curled.
‘I’m serious.’ She giggled between kisses.
‘So am I.’ He began to undo the top of her shirt. ‘I’ll do all the work, you don’t have to do anything.’
‘So I can lie down and just fall asleep if I want to.’
‘I doubt…’ He kissed down her neck. ‘…You’ll be able to fall asleep.’ He continued down towards her chest. ‘It will be too good to resist.’ He pulled back the shirt to reveal her brown flesh. ‘Look at you, irresistible.’ He kissed over the top of her bra.
Even though she’d become comfortable with him, comfortable having him kiss over her none existent breast, there were still moments of hesitation. But Eugene quickly fixed that, by bring her back to the moment. The sensations that caressed her body, made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. He touched her so gently, so softly and with so much passion, there was no doubt in her mind that he loved everything about her.
Sahara felt safe in his embrace. Each touch, each tender kiss, allowed her to fall deeper and deeper into it. It allowed her to let go and take that leap of faith. As he explored around her waist, undid the button to her jeans, she got lost in it all. There was no more thought about the way her body looked, about how she felt, the only thing that existed were the tingles, the warm sensation, the wetness of his tongue.
He pulled back a moment and pulled off the jeans. She giggled slightly as she watched him struggle.
‘Ah, there! Success!’ He made it feel like the most natural thing in the world. Embarrassment wasn’t a word that ever occurred in his brain.
Eugene was confident and he made Sahara feel confident too.
‘Have I told you how much I love your body?’ He towered over her body, gazing down into her dark brown eyes.
‘I think so.’ She teased. ‘I don’t remember, I think you need to remind me.’
‘Well.’ He ran a finger down the middle of her chest. ‘Your body is like a forest.’
She frowned.
‘Bear with me, I’m trying to be creative here.’
She giggled.
‘Your body is mysterious, like no other body I’ve seen before. It has turns and curves that sometimes I feel so lost, I don’t know what to do with myself.’ He leaned forward and kissed her chest. He managed to unclip the bra, remove the added padding that was there to hide the lack of breast and began to kiss her scar.
‘You are nuts.’ She shrilled.
‘Nuts about you.’ He ran his tongue over her scar and then over to her normal breast. ‘I’m so nuts about you that I’d do anything for you.’
‘Dangerous thing to confess, Mister Gallagher.’ She mumbled as he continued to explore her body.
‘Well, it’s the risk I’m willing to take.’ He arrived at her silky panties and took them between his teeth.
With expert ease he pulled them down her gorgeous thighs, until they reached her feet. Sahara simply stepped out of them. He opened her legs a little wider and allowed his tongue to explore her middle. She let out a light groan as he teased her ever so gently. He had a way with her, a way with his tongue that she couldn’t fathom. It sent thrills down her body and caused her to act in ways she’d never want anyone to see. But she felt safe with him and she let herself get carried away by the sweet tender play.
It wasn’t long before she was giving into swelling excitement that made her body tingle all over. He gazed up at her satisfied.
‘I told you I didn’t need you to do anything, and I also told you, you wouldn’t be able to resist my charms.’
Sahara was tickled. She looked at him, stretched out her arms, touched his face and brought him towards her.
‘And you were right.’ She breathed heavily, and their lips touched.
He placed his arm beneath her and
pulled her towards him, her body was so close to his, he felt himself swell. He pulled back and unbuttoned his shirt.
‘They should make shirts that just fall off on command.’
‘You’re a businessman, why don’t you create one.’ She laughed.
‘I will, the quicker I can get undressed for you, the better.’ He pulled off the shirt and started for his trousers.
‘Look at you, all sexy and naked, just for me,’ she said.
He smiled down at her, brought her forward and motioned her to the floor.
‘Sit on top of me,’ he said.
She did as she was told and guarded herself onto him. She threw her head back, shut her eyes as she engulfed the pleasure between her legs. He threaded his fingers through hers as she lifted and fell on top of him. Sahara found a new high, a new awareness of her body she’d never allowed herself to feel. She wanted to take what he was giving, and as she did so, she fell forward, and their eyes met.
‘Hi,’ he breathed into her.
‘Hey,’ she let out.
He placed his hands behind her bum and lifted her up and down his length. Their gaze kept, there was a slight curl to their lips. They didn’t have to speak, everything was said, and unsaid at the same time. Finally she shut out the surroundings and allowed herself to be carried away. He watched her ecstasy, and that was all he needed to reach his release. All he ever had to do was watch her, and that made him the happiest man.
****
Sahara turned and squinted across the room. ‘Hey, what are you doing up so early? And why do you look as though you’re about to run a marathon?’ She stretched.
‘Good morning,’ he walked over to the bed. ‘I didn’t want to wake you.’
‘What time is it anyway?’
‘Six o’clock. My fitness trainer, Seth, will be here any minute now.’
‘Fitness trainer? Am I having a dream?’ she asked.
‘No honey.’ He laughed and gave her a kiss on the forehead. ‘This isn’t a dream, you’re wide awake. I need Seth to get me into shape for The Great North Run.’
She pulled herself up into a sitting position. ‘You’re running the Great North?’
‘I am, I’m running as the charity I set up for Justin. A few others have joined too.’
‘Oh wow, why didn’t you tell me?’
‘I’m telling you now. I guess it slipped my mind.’ He kissed her again.
The doorbell rang.
‘Ah, there he is, I hope to be back before you leave for work…and oh Lawrence will be here soon to make breakfast.’
‘Urm…about that, did he…you know…yesterday.’
‘He’s professional. He left while we were still having dinner. Don’t worry about him.’
She wanted to protest, but decided not to, instead she watched him as he put on his running shoes.
‘You do look sexy in that gear,’ she said.
‘Hmm, thank you. You make me want to come back to bed.’
‘You wouldn’t want to do that to Seth. He’s woken up so early for you.’
‘He’ll get paid either way.’
‘Well, you don’t want to disappoint Justin.’
‘Of course not.’ He laughed. ‘Anyway, I better go. If I don’t see you this morning, I’ll see you at lunch.’
‘Oh yes, where are we meeting?’
‘At the Malmasion in Leeds. I’ll ask one of the drivers to pick you up.’
‘Urm…I –’
He kissed her lips before any words could depart. Sahara wanted to tell him she could drive herself, but then she also remembered Alice’s words, and decided not to fight it. Instead she lay back in bed and tried to get a few more minutes in, but it was futile because a few minutes after Eugene had left, she heard Lawrence at the door.
She threw back the covers and headed for the shower, she had to embrace what was now in her life, there was no point fighting it. She stepped out of the shower and the smell that came from the kitchen made her stomach rumble.
‘Wow,’ she said under her breath. ‘This is some life.’
She looked through the closet and wondered what to wear. Did she or didn’t she want to impress Logan? It was hard not to want to impress the woman who was the closest to Eugene, but life had also taught her that it was too short to try too hard to impress anyone. She stood for a while, maybe looking good for herself would be great. So she ditched the jeans and shirt for that day and pulled out a sky blue dress with polka-dots. She added her white cardigan, and then looked at herself in the mirror.
‘Where do you think you’re going young lady?’ She pointed at herself in the mirror. ‘A garden party?’ She giggled. ‘Well yes, you could say that, but I don’t care, I think I look splendid anyway.’ She was tickled by the self talk.
It had been something she’d done a lot during her fight against cancer. It was the way she brought herself up and made herself feel good.
‘What about lipstick…what colour should I go for?’ She walked over to the dressing table that contained all her cosmetics. ‘Perhaps a neutral colour.’ She ran the brown lipstick over her lips.
Next she ran a comb through the little bit of hair that had started to grow. ‘Looking good.’ She pouted. ‘Looking good.’ She felt like a little girl being silly.
She picked up her belongings and headed downstairs.
‘Good morning, Lawrence.’
‘Good morning, Miss Young.’
‘It’s Sahara. Please don’t go all formal on me, you work for Eugene, not me.’
‘I work for both of you.’
‘Well…I’d still like you to call me Sahara.’ She smiled.
‘Yes, okay…I’ve made fresh fruit salad to start, a cheese omelette and some salmon slices stuffed with cream cheese.’
‘Sounds divine.’ She pulled out the chair in the kitchen. ‘You don’t mind if I sit here do you?’
‘No, this is your home.’ He smiled
‘Sit with me, have breakfast with me.’
He hesitated.
‘Please, I insist. I don’t want to eat all this lovely food alone, and I’m sure Eugene won’t finish it all alone.’
The man nodded. ‘I’ll get your green tea.’
She nodded, she assumed Eugene had briefed him on what she liked in the mornings.
He put the steaming cup in front of her, and sat down opposite her. Sahara smiled and he smiled back.
‘So, tell me how long have you been working for Eugene?’ She tried a bit of the fruit salad.
‘It will be five years this November.’
‘Wow, so it’s been a while.’
‘Yes, I really enjoy it, he’s a great boss.’
‘I’m glad to know that.’
‘Do you have family?’ She gazed at his ring finger that was bare.
‘A girlfriend, we wish to marry soon.’
‘I see. What does she do?’
‘She’s a school teacher.’
‘Oh that’s nice. It must be challenging.’
‘She seems to enjoy it.’
‘What year group does she teach?’
‘Year fives.’
‘Awww, they’re still so young then.’
‘Yes, but she loves it.’
‘It’s great to do the thing you love as a career. I love what I do.’
‘What do you do?’
‘I’m a florist. I run my own flower shop. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.’
‘I know what that feels like. I love cooking. I love making meals, and I’m so glad I do it for Mister Gallagher. He always has some function where I can practice my skills. He’s been good to me.’
She nodded. ‘Eat something, please.’ She nodded at the delicious food.’
‘Yes okay.’
They ate and chatted here and there. Just as she was about to finish, she looked at him and smiled.
‘So you’ll be catering at our wedding then?’
‘Urm…Mister Gallagher hasn’t mentioned it yet.’
‘I do, but they only work on a temp basis. When is the wedding and I can make arrangements?’
‘In about six weeks, I’ll confirm the date as soon as I speak to my friends.’
‘Okay, I’ll block it out on my calendar.’
‘You’re great!’
With that she left him and headed out to face the day.
****
The shop wasn’t as busy as it was the previous day, but it wasn’t without orders. The coming Saturday was going to be busy, and even though she’d promised she would teach him to cook, it wasn’t going to happen in the next couple of weeks.
‘You look great!’ Alice had said that morning.
‘I don’t look like I’m going to a garden party, do I?’ she asked.
‘Nope, you look like you. Beautiful and fresh, the hair suits you.’
‘Thank you Alice, you always know what to say.’
‘It’s true, you look amazing.’
Sahara smiled.
‘So, you’re off to lunch with future in-law.’
‘Yep.’
‘Nervous?’
‘Yep, but I’ll be okay.’
‘Don’t sweat it, I’m sure it will be okay.’
‘She seemed okay. But I think I’ll really get to know her today.’
‘The fact he wants you to meet her means a lot.’
She nodded.
‘Okay, I better get some work done before I leave. My mother should be here before twelve, she’ll give you a hand.’
‘That’s great. Your mother is an amazing woman, she really is.’
‘Yes, I don’t know how I would’ve coped these past few years without her.’ Sahara was truly grateful for her mother, she had been the rock she’d leaned on for a very long time.
‘And now you have that wonderful man to be by your side too.’
‘Yes I do.’ She beamed. ‘I’m still trying to get used to his lifestyle. Do you know he has a chef and a personal trainer?’
‘Wow that must be a great life.’
‘Wouldn’t you feel uncomfortable?’
‘Not at all. I’m all with going with life processes. The world unfolds as it should without our interference. I guess somehow you’ve drawn this man into your life, now you’ve just got to let everything unfold as it should.’
