Chapter 5- Back to reality

It’s been a 5 days since I got back from visiting my parents and tonight is the fateful night. I’m standing in front of mirror staring at my reflection. I am fully dressed and ready to go but I can’t seem to get out the door.

I want to go see Gabriel, what would that mean? I get that it’s just drinks but so much goes into hanging out with him. He’s my brother’s friend and that means something to me. But I do want to go see him, curiosity and a whole bunch of stuff are going off in my head.

I look at myself even more in the mirror, the flawless makeup, my full plump lips. I smile at myself as if I made the decision already. I turn and reach for my purse. I leave before I change my mind, what do I have to lose? If I don’t like the situation I leave, delete his number, and block him. End of story.  

I get to the hotel and stand at the entrance of the restaurant wondering what I’m doing here. I start walking into the restaurant deciding not to chicken out. I look around the beautiful and vast dining hall, the tables are filled with smiling people. Couples holding hands, talking closely as if sharing a treasured secret. The dimly lit room gives off a sexy vibe, I feel warm and my senses are heightened by the intimacy. I stand taller feeling sexy too, I let the ambiance of the room wash over me. I take it all in as I look for Gabriel at the tables around me.

I find him at a table at the far end of the restaurant in a cocooned corner. The candle on the table is illuminating his skin beautifully. I stand there looking at him, I mean really look at him. He’s a beautiful man, I take in his beautiful broad shoulders. His chocolate skin, his beautifully sculpted arms, and his flawless skin. Damn! he’s beautiful, I think to myself my temperature going a notch higher. He looks up and at me at that moment and smiles that sexy smile of his, I blush feeling embarrassed that he caught me staring at him. I start walking towards him as he starts getting up to walk towards me.

 Gabriel says “Hey” and moves in to hug me when he gets to me.

“Hey” I reply moving into the hug, his masculine scent envelopes me and I have to steady my heart and lean into him to get my senses in check.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” He says as he lets me go and looks at me with this look. I look at him too trying to figure out what’s going on with him.

“I’m surprised, I’m here,” I say still looking at him in the eyes. He starts walking back to the table and I follow.

“You had doubts? “ he asks as he walks behind a chair and pulls it out for me and to sit.

“Yeah, many doubts,” I say frank deciding to go for the real conversation, no run arounds. I’m not one for question marks and games. I want to know what his deal is.

“Anything I can clear up?” he asks as the waitress walks toward our table and takes our order. I watch the waitress flirt with Gabriel, she’s completely taken by him. My eyes move to Gabriel who is friendly but not playing ball with the waitress. We order and she leaves the table.

“What do you want from me?” I ask as soon as we’re alone.

“Whatever you’re willing to give me,” He says looking at me straight in my eyes.

“Gabe, level with me. What do you want from me?” I say looking at him right back in the eyes. He sighs and looks at me. “The truth,” I say when I see a look of doubt in his eyes. I don’t want to play games, I never play games and the feeling I get when I’m with this man makes me even more sure I don’t want to play games with him.

“I like you, I want to spend time with you,” He says simply.

I raise my eyebrows at him as if to say I don’t believe you

“You don’t believe me?” He says taking my thoughts out of my mind. I shake my head no.

“No? Why not. You’re fun, funny, intelligent, interesting and sexy as fuck. So why wouldn’t I want to spend time with you? He asks. As I’m about to say something the waitress walks back with our drinks.

I take a sip of my wine and look at him gathering my thoughts. He sits there not saying anything, watching me closely. I make him wait.

“You have to understand my position here, you’re my brother’s friend. I’ve known you my entire life and then suddenly on a blue moon, “you’re drawn to me”.  I say making quotation marks.

“I understand and respect your position, I know how this whole thing looks. But when I saw you the other day I just had to see you. No lies, no games. Just that.” He says as if that’s an answer to anything.

I sigh and look at him

“What were you doing overseas?” I ask deciding to change the subject.

“I was working and seeing the world” he answers deciding to go with the flow.

“Did you see anything special?” I continue

“Well yeah, I’ve danced under beautiful Cuban skies. I swam in the most incredible reefs in Australia and I think I heard a higher power speak to me at the Grand Canyons.

“You dance?” I ask intrigued, I love a man who can dance because I can’t dance to save my life.

“Yes, do you?” He asks  smiling

“No, I do not,” I say smiling too. I am enjoying the intimacy we’re slowly building on.

“I can teach you, in fact, I would love to teach you,” he says leaning in towards me.

“Really?” I say feeling excited.

“Really!” he says simply.

“I’ve always wanted to learn how to dance. I even signed up for dance class and everything but never stuck with it.” I tell him feeling a little sad for not keeping up with the class. Learning to dance is at the top of my bucket list.

“What would you like to learn first?” He asks me