2 - Want Her

YASMIR SIERRA

I glanced at the door of my office as it suddenly swung open, revealing my cousin Riley and Eros. Not far behind them were my two friends, Elijah and Lucas.

"What are you all doing here?" I asked, my voice tinged with a mix of laziness and surprise.

"Let's go to a bar," Eros declared with an enthusiastic grin, making me raise an eyebrow in response.

"Does your wife know about this?" I inquired, my tone carrying a teasing edge. Eros laughed at my question

"Yes, she knows I'm with you guys. Can't I go out? Work is incredibly stressful," he replied languidly, as if the mere mention of work was enough to exhaust him.

I sighed and leaned back in my chair, contemplating the unexpected proposal. The paperwork on my desk seemed to loom larger than usual, and I could feel the weight of the stress they represented. Maybe a break wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.

Turning to the trio standing in my office, I asked, "Oh, you guys too?"

"I'm broken, man," Riley said with a shrug, his tone matching the weariness in his expression.

"Nuh," Eli replied, shaking his head slightly.

"You're in the same boat?" I asked, glancing at Eli. He simply gestured towards Lucas, who looked particularly downcast.

"I have a lot of work," I said, glancing at the mountains of documents that were waiting for my attention. Each file seemed to add a layer to the mounting pressure I felt.

I leaned forward, considering the idea of joining them. The thought of escaping the confines of my office and the relentless stack of paperwork was tempting. Maybe a night out would help clear my mind and provide a much-needed respite from the daily grind.

"Fine, I'll go," I said with a resigned sigh, standing up and stretching. "But only if we make it a quick trip. I’ve got a ton of stuff to get through."

Eros's face lit up with a triumphant smile. "Awesome! It’s going to be a blast. Let's hit the bar and blow off some steam."

As I gathered my things and prepared to leave, I couldn’t help but feel a mixture of relief and anticipation. A night out with friends might be just what I needed to shake off the stress and regain some perspective.

Shit. I didn’t know whether I was still a doctor or just a paper pusher at this point. I’d spent almost eight years studying to become a doctor, but now I felt like I was trapped in an office, drowning in paperwork.

"Let’s go, Mir!" Eli pulled me up from my chair, and I grabbed my cellphone and wallet with a sigh.

"Damn it, I'll have to work overtime again tomorrow! I won’t get any sleep!" I snapped at them.

They just laughed, completely unfazed. Of course, Riley and Eros weren’t as busy as I was!

As we made our way out of the office, their laughter and banter filled the corridor. It was good to see them so carefree. Sometimes, it was important to step away from the grind and unwind with people who mattered.

In the parking lot, Eros took the driver’s seat. The drive to the bar was filled with animated conversation, friendly jabs, and the occasional argument. When we finally arrived, we went straight in and ordered drinks.

"Hey, we only get to hang out like this occasionally! Make it worth it! I’m heading back to France tomorrow, so entertain me," Riley said, grinning broadly.

"Dammit, Riley, we’re not your personal entertainers. Why don’t you just go to a strip club if you want that kind of fun? Don’t drag us into it!" I shot back; my irritation clear.

"Harsh, babe. Mir, come on, give me a kiss!" Riley demanded, but I quickly pulled my face away. Lucas then intervened, pulling Riley back.

I slumped into an empty seat and watched them with a mix of amusement and annoyance. As they ordered drinks and started their usual routine of drinking, laughing, and suddenly crying, I felt a bit disconnected from their antics.

"Why can’t Raine and I be together?" Riley blurted out between sobs, his voice wavering. The question came out of nowhere, and the mood at the table shifted abruptly. Riley, usually so upbeat and carefree, was now openly emotional and vulnerable.

“What the hell, Riley! There’s an eight-year age gap between you and my cousin, shut up!” Eros snapped at Riley, making me laugh.

“Creepy, Riley. You’re into minors?” Eli teased, only to get a light smack on the head from Riley.

“Li, if I were you, I’d find someone else instead of chasing after a kid. Damn, Raine’s only sixteen. How can you say you’re in love with her?” I asked, laughing.

Riley heaved a sigh before taking a sip on his beer. “She was fourteen when I fell in love with her,” he took another shot of glass, but Eros give Riley a harsh thump on the head with an empty bottle. Riley winched in pain and shot a glare at him.

“Damn it, find me someone else!” Riley yelled.

“She cheated on me,” Lucas suddenly spoke up, banging his head against the table.

“Fuck, we’ve been together for five years, but she cheated on me!” Lucas cried out. I rubbed my temples, trying to stave off the headache caused by their drama.

“Let’s just dance it off, Lucas.” Eli pulled Lucas and Riley towards the dance floor, leaving the two of us behind.

Eros and I were left alone, both looking troubled.

“What’s your problem?” I asked him.

He took a deep breath and took a swig of his drink, and replied, “Errol.” I nodded.

Errol still hadn’t able to talk to anyone. He was hurting himself because of the loss of his unborn child and fiance. For him, it was entirely his fault. Even I would lose my sanity if I’m in the same situation, especially that Errol saw his fiance commit suicide in their penthouse.

"Errol will get better," I assured Eros. I knew Errol was weak right now, but I had faith that with time, he’d find his way back to himself. He just needed to heal.

The trio returned, still laughing and in high spirits. Riley suddenly threw me a question. “Mir, you’re not planning on getting married, are you?”

I tossed a beer cap at him, hitting him square on the forehead. “What about you?”

“I’m only twenty-three! Don’t compare me to you, being twenty-six and all! Eros even beat you to it!” he shouted, causing more laughter from everyone.

I was about to respond when a woman approached us and locked eyes with me. Before I could react, she kissed me. I was taken aback, but I saw their grins and realized what was happening.

I quickly reciprocated her kiss. Our tongues danced and battled within our mouths, and I couldn’t help but give in to the intensity. Her kiss was passionate, almost feverish, and I was drawn to it despite myself.

She carried an irresistible vanilla fragrance, a scent that was oddly captivating. Even though I usually disliked vanilla, her aroma was so alluring that I found myself unable to resist. It was almost intoxicating, wrapping around me like a warm embrace.

I pulled her onto my lap, and she wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me closer. The heat in the room seemed to escalate, or maybe it was just the effect of the passionate encounter. My breathing grew rapid as I savored every kiss, feeling the heat of her body against mine.

The growing warmth was becoming almost unbearable. My bulging junior pressed against her, and the sensation was overwhelming. The room seemed to pulse with our heated exchange, making it hard to think clearly. Every touch and kiss felt more intense, making me question why I was unable to pull away.

I find myself squeezing her waist tightly as our kiss intensifies, becoming increasingly wild and impassioned. Though tempted to explore further and touch her breasts, I exert restraint, mindful of the potential consequences. The last thing I want is to inadvertently lead her back to my condo. Damn, this is testing my self-control.

Why is she having such an effect on me? It feels like she’s draining all my strength, consuming me like an uncontrollable fire. Or maybe it’s because she’s intoxicated? Damn.

The noise from my friends and cousins pulls her out of our heated moment. She quickly stands up, preparing to leave, but I rush to stop her.

“Do you plan to leave me hanging, miss?” I ask, gesturing toward my erection. She glances at me, biting her lip and avoiding eye contact. Damn, she’s adorable.

Fuck. I’m so turned on. I want to take her right here, right now.

She maneuvers through the crowd swiftly, disappearing like smoke in the wind. I chase after her, scanning the room, but she has vanished. Defeated, I return to our table and slump into my chair with a heavy sigh. The lively chatter and laughter of the bar seem distant as I stare into my drink, the swirling liquid reflecting my tumultuous emotions.

“We’ll be expecting a wedding invitation soon,” Eli teased, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he nudged me with his elbow.

I rolled my eyes at his joke, a smirk tugging at my lips as I reached for the beer cap on the table. With a flick of my wrist, I sent it sailing through the air, aiming directly for Eli’s head.

The cap made contact with a satisfying thud, causing Eli to yelp and instinctively reach up to rub his forehead, pretending to tend to an imaginary bump. His exaggerated reaction drew laughter from our friends around the table, adding to the already lively atmosphere of the bar.

“Ulol,” I muttered under my breath, casting a glare at Riley.

“Aw, feeling disappointed?” Riley shot back, his eyes dancing with mischief. I gave him a look of mock annoyance before taking a long sip from my drink, silently hoping the conversation would shift away from the awkward topic.

“How was the kiss, Yasmir?” Lucas asked with a sly grin, leaning in with apparent curiosity.

“She’s hot though,” Eli added with a smirk, draping an arm around Lucas’s shoulders and turning the moment into a playful exchange. The table erupted in laughter and teasing, the atmosphere light and jovial.

The combination of their teasing and my own internal frustration made me feel overwhelmed. I needed a break. “Excuse me for a moment,” I said, rising from my seat and stepping outside the bar. The cool night air was a welcome relief from the heated banter inside. I pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag, letting the nicotine calm my frazzled nerves as I tried to make sense of the evening’s events.

Two days had passed, yet her image lingered in my thoughts, more than just her face—her lips haunted me. I craved the touch of those sweet, soft, rosy lips. Damn.

Standing up from my desk, I decided to take a stroll through the hospital corridors, a ritual to clear my head amid the chaos. A few doctors trailed behind me, perhaps out of duty or respect. I wondered if their presence was more about my position than genuine interest.

Standing up from my desk, I decided to take a stroll through the hospital corridors, a ritual to clear my head amid the chaos. A few doctors trailed behind me, perhaps out of duty or respect. I wondered if their presence was more about my position than genuine interest.

Walking through the familiar hallways, the rhythmic sound of my footsteps provided a soothing backdrop. The hospital's bustling environment was oddly comforting, a stark contrast to the storm of thoughts swirling in my mind. Despite the activity around me, my thoughts remained fixated on her intoxicating presence.

Despite my status as a resident, it's curious how they seem to follow my lead. They discuss various patient cases, seeking my input and guidance, as if I hold more authority than I actually do.

Arriving at station one, I notice a cluster of fresh-faced interns. I signal the attending doctors to leave, and they exit, leaving me alone with a patient chart. I review it briefly before returning it to its spot.

My attention shifts to a young woman nearby, engrossed in writing. She seems familiar, but I can't quite place her. As our gazes lock, her eyes widen in recognition. A surge of triumph hits me—I remember her impulsive kiss at the bar, and excitement ignites within me.

I grin at her, noticing the surprise on her face upon seeing me.

"Is that one free?" I point to a chair near her.

"Ah, no, doc. But if you want her, I can arrange that for you," Ms. Cha stammers. Want her?

A mischievous smile spreads across my lips as I stand before her. Now that I have found her, it's time to have a little fun. Let’s play a game, little kitten.

"I want her." She smiles at my words. Without hesitation, I move to take her.

She's dangerously hot. Fuck. Doesn’t she realize that?