Quicksand

11|| Flightless Birds

11

Flightless Birds

WORK WAS A BORE FOR AMARA. Throughout the day, Bakari's proposal was on her mind. His offer was a wicked temptation, like the first sip of whiskey offered to an alcoholic. Every inch of her mind and body fought against it, but her heart yearned for it. Wasn't this what she wanted?

Lydia barged into the room – where she changed the sheets. "You have a client waiting for you at the reception. The person says it's urgent."

"I'll be right there, thanks." Amara smiled politely. It was genuine, but Lydia rolled her eyes and walked away.

It was a busy evening at Afrique. Some of the guests paced around talking into their phones like their lives depended on it. Some women in skimpy bikinis looked for something to do while little kids ran up and down the corridors to and from the pool area.

Andrew was her guest. He wore a white suit with a wider peaked lapel and soft Neapolitan tailoring around the shoulders. He looked as presentable as always covering up his tattoos and muscle arms. Suppressing his sense of self. He pulled it off well.

He stood beside an old woman in a pink coat bearing a sequined flower, at the reception. The old woman smiled at Amara who smiled back. Her white face was heavy with wrinkles and her smile seemed difficult under the weight of her makeup.

"Hello, Andrew."

"Hey?" At the frown on his face, Amara's practised smile fell. "Can we talk somewhere less intrusive?"

"Outside," she offered. "Follow me."

Most of the guests were crammed around the swimming pool area. Amara led the way, hurrying along the path through the perennial garden as if to avoid prying eyes. There was a choice of outdoor dining in three gazeboes and a patio that wrapped around the restaurant, giving guests a view of the beautiful garden.

She rose to her tiptoes to kiss him, not as she had anyone else, but as she did her lovers: with a hunger she'd never let herself feel before. Goodbye without saying goodbye. Instead of returning the kiss, Andrew held her back.

"Sorry. I shouldn't just assume..."

Andrew was contemplative and calm, sad. He plastered a smile on his face. "I thought you were going to call me, but you didn't."

"I got busy."

He chuckled, soon distracted as his gaze took in the guests walking past the gazebo. His dark eyes softened when he looked back at her. "Busy?"

"Yes. You promised to give me some time."

When his eyes dropped to the curve of her breasts, she fidgeted, adjusting her uniform. Instinctively, Amara lowered her head. He took her chin in his hand and gazed sternly into her eyes. "I did because I respect you. I know you don't trust easily, Amara, and I wish I could change that, but I can't. I meant it when I said that I've never met anyone like you, but I can't play this guessing game with you."

"What are you saying?"

Andrew dug into his pocket for a card and handed it to her. "My best friend is about to get married soon. They're hosting a dinner party this coming weekend and I'd love to have you there with me. I wanted to invite you in person. If you come, then it means we're on the same page."

Amara looked away, the conversation with Bakari rattling around her head like a loose pebble. Andrew held her arm. Warmth flooded through her whole body.

"As hard as I try, mere words aren't enough to express how I feel about you," he said. "So, I'll tell you about me. I love hard and trust easily and that has led to a lot of heartaches. You're not the only one afraid of commitment. But my feelings for you are greater than my fears. If you give me the chance, I'll make sure you never regret it. I am reliable and trustworthy. For those I love, I work hard to please. I won't hurt you."