The Executive Boss (Billionaire Boss Book 2) Page 7

  Augustine nodded.

  We sat in silence before she cleared her throat and raised her cup. “I’ve finished my tea. I think that I’ll head to bed.”

  I nodded. “Okay. I’m just going to sit out here for a while.”

  Augustine stood. “Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight.” I tried to fight the slap of a possible snub. My stomach churned almost to the point of nauseousness. I neither wanted Augustine to feel pressured about getting into a relationship nor wanted to face rejection by someone already so close.

  Chapter Nine

  The hike with Augustine’s three friends began mid-morning.

  It was a quiet Sunday. The sun’s rays had yet to beat down on us. The ray’s fierceness would wait for noon before it came out in all its glory according to Augustine’s childhood friend, Hector.

  He led our hiking group. Hector was about as fit as me, except he “lived for the outdoors and avoided the gym” he told me during the hike.

  I was the second one climbing the rough terrain. Thanks to regular workouts I barely broke a sweat. I couldn’t say the same thing for Augustine and the couple in the group. They lagged behind.

  Still, I admired Augustine.

  I knew the connection between a healthy body and the affect it had on all other areas of one’s life. She’d come a long way. Though I’d never asked, I guessed that she’d lost twenty pounds.

  I stopped and turned around; the purple bandana she’d tied over her head was soaked. She squeezed the lime green water bottle she held and gulped down some water. Her eyes were down, focusing on the brown dirt track.

  The track had random grooves. Stones and small sticks littered our path, making it necessary to watch one’s steps. We were surrounded by tall trees as we hiked toward the rain forest.

  A blue bird flew straight across my path. “Wow,” I said. I’d never seen a bird so blue before. I heard the calls of birds I’d never seen before and wondered what they looked like.

  We spent a good two and a half hours, maybe three, hiking. By the time we found a comfortable looking spot to rest on a group of rocks, my t-shirt was soaked. I peeled it off.

  “Hmm,” Augustine said.

  “Like what you see, baby?” I teased.

  “Of course,” Augustine said, giving me an exaggerated wink.

  I chuckled.

  Hector laughed.

  “That hike was awesome.” Augustine leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees.

  She acted normally toward me as we prepared to leave the hotel, and I didn’t bother to bring up the night before. She’d talk to me when she was ready. When ? I asked myself, but I didn’t know. I hoped it’d be before our trip ended, because I had to fly back before her for work.

  ~

  The hiking group decided to meet again for dinner. We’d had a good time earlier in the day, the endorphins from fresh air and a strenuous climb seemed to put everyone in a great mood.

  “Fisherman’s Hangout,” Augustine said, reading the hanging sign on the wooden door. She inhaled deeply. “I can smell frying fish and onions.”

  The moon shone brightly above us. I didn’t know what it was about the islands, but I liked being able to spot a star, feel as if the moon hovered right above me. I patted my stomach “I’m ready to chow down.”

  Augustine smiled. “Let’s go in. I think the others are already there.”

  Inside, the restaurant was larger than it’d appeared from the outside. Fishing nets lined each wall. A large aquarium stood near the back and a seashell was placed in the center of each table. Augustine’s friends were already there waiting. They’d ordered their drinks.

  We joined them. When the waitress came, I ordered a Bailey’s on ice, while Augustine got the tropical island punch.

  “I was telling these two I’m so glad you came over to Tobago,” Hector told Augustine when she sat. “It’s good to catch up with an old friend.”

  I nodded in agreement while those at the table laughed.

  “I’ve been living on this island a good five years and the quiet pace suits me fine,” Hector said.

  When the waiter came back, we decided to order.

  “I think I want to try this conch thing,” I said, scanning the menu. “Anyone’s ever tried it?” I asked, looking up.

  “I have,” Hector said. “It’s pretty good, sort of like oysters. It’s expensive because it’s hard to get.”

  “Huh.” I scanned the other options before deciding on the conch.

  A steel pan band played calypso music on a small round stage. After everyone ordered, we sat back and listened to the band’s up-tempo beat. The food came quickly and everyone dove in. The conch was delicious.

  We talked about the differences between the twin-islands, about the diving adventures I’d read about in a hotel brochure that was in the lobby, about the cars available to people living on small islands, and other random topics. I liked being around Augustine’s friends. They were laid back and easy-going. There was no talk of anyone’s career or the weather, or the usual stuff a group of adults who’d met that day were bound to ask at some point.

  “It’s a different life here man,” I mused aloud.

  “It sure is,” Hector said, while Augustine nodded.

  She looked at me closely. “You have this look in your eye like many people I saw growing up—you want to stay.”

  I chuckled. “Sort of.”

  Augustine smiled. “You’d miss Starbucks too much, buddy.” She winked at me.

  I sighed. Not only because she was probably right, but because I’d miss her too.

  I woke up clutching my stomach. I could tell it was the wee hours of the morning and turned to the clock radio—1:26. Something was drastically wrong. I tried to breathe through it as I got up but my body unwillingly crumpled to the floor. “Augustine,” I called. I bent my head, my forehead touching the maroon carpeted floor. “Augustine,” I called again, and kept saying her name until she arrived running.

  I saw her eyes pop. “Orlando, what is it?” She knelt at my side. Her arms quickly covered my chilly back.

  “I don’t know,” I said, rolling to my side in brutal pain.

  Chapter Ten

  The doctor said it would be a matter of time before Orlando’s blood work came back from the lab.

  I paced the hospital room anxiously. I was a nervous wreck and prayed that Orlando would be okay. I’d never seen him like that. He was so fit.

  I sat on the chair at the side of his bed. His eyes remained tightly closed.

  “The doctor will come with the results soon.” I rubbed his thigh. I wanted to comfort him, take his mind away from the pain he was in.

  I’d frozen up when he’d told me the night before that he wanted us to be together, more out of shock than anything. It was true that I was attracted to him the instant we’d met, but had settled for a friendship since he was taken. If it was one thing I didn’t want—it was another woman’s man. We’d been friends to each other, then best friends, but friends nevertheless.

  I sighed.

  Something in me ached watching Orlando. I did want more. I felt it before I’d left the balcony, but didn’t know if changing what we had would be worth the risk.

  Looking at Orlando, I knew it was.

  I didn’t know what was wrong with him but hoped it wasn’t serious.

  “Food poisoning,” the doctor said.

  I was relieved to know the cause of Orlando’s illness. He was relieved after they treated him, but was still in pain and felt weak. I sat with him, not wanting to leave. But when the nurse on duty reminded me visiting hours were over, I reluctantly got up. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” I kissed him on the cheek. He gave a slight smile, though his eyes remained close.

  ~

  The next morning, I was surprised to see Orlando sitting up in bed with his legs hanging over the side. They were sculpted and muscular.

  “Hey, good morning.” I gave him my best smile. I held a cup of steaming ho
t cocoa and a butter croissant.

  He smiled back. “Good morning.” He looked me over. “You look great.”

  I felt myself blushing. “Thanks.” I lifted the items. “I’m not sure you can eat this, but I bought it in case.”

  “I think I’ll take it easy on the food,” Orlando said, rubbing his stomach.

  “What did the doctor say? He came to see you?”

  Orlando nodded. “I can leave after the discharge papers are completed, but I’m still feeling weak.”

  “Okay,” I said gently.

  “Sorry we missed our flight back this morning.” Orlando looked away.

  I shook my head. “Don’t worry about it.” I felt myself tear up unexpectedly, and walked over to Orlando and sat on the bed. Something had to be said. “I was scared too, you know. I don’t want anything to happen to my best friend.” I wrapped both arms around his body and rested my chin on his shoulder.

  Orlando let out a deep sigh and turned his head my way.

  “I love you,” I said. It was something he’d heard before. We’d said it to each other a handful of times over the years—in celebrating our graduations from college, me from Hampton University and Orlando from the University of Virginia, after talking each other through breakups, and in a random moment here or there. But now it was different.

  Orlando was silent as if he’d heard the meaning in my voice. “I know. I love you too.”

  Hector picked us up from the hospital and drove us to the hotel. I held Orlando’s hand as we walked slowly to the elevator. When we got inside the room, I helped him lay on the bed.

  “Get some rest,” I said, smiling. “I think we should try to fly back to Trinidad tomorrow.”

  He nodded, his eyes a bit blotchy. “Yeah.”

  “I’ll order soup for room service when you’re ready.”

  “Sure,” he said, turning his head and closing his eyes.

  I stood there observing him, and in that moment I knew that I would not take him for granted.

  I was watching TV in the living room when Orlando called.

  “You’re awake,” I said with a yawn, entering his room.

  He leaned back and a slight grin came across his ample lips. “Wait, what time is it?”

  “It’s after five.”

  Orlando whistled. “Geez.”

  I crossed my arms and grinned. “You were tired. Besides your body needed the rest to fight off the sickness.”

  He sighed. “You’re standing far.”

  I leaned the majority of my weight onto my right leg. “I know.”

  He patted the bed.

  I smiled and bit my bottom lip, then walked over slowly before sitting down.

  We faced each other.

  “Thank you,” Orlando said.

  I smiled. “You’re most welcome.” I looked at my lap before glancing up at him. “About the night before last ―,”

  Orlando’s expression suddenly seemed shy.

  I touched his hand. “I want the same thing.”

  “Excuse me,” Orlando said. “Hold that thought, because I really got to pee.”

  “Aww,” I said, and couldn’t help but laugh. We really were best friends, I thought. But Orlando getting up at that moment didn’t bother me.

  I sat there, wondering how we’d blend the nuances of our relationship. I stood. “I’m going to order room service,” I said loudly.

  “Okay,” Orlando called from behind the door. “I’ll take a shower in the meantime.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Twenty minutes later room service arrived. Orlando came out in the living room with a white towel around his waist.

  Wow. I couldn’t help but stare. All of that will be mine.

  “You like what you see?” Orlando winked at me.

  I swallowed, looked down, and shrugged before looking up at him and arching an eyebrow.

  He chuckled. “Flirt.” He moved toward me. “I’m going to enjoy getting to know this side of you.”

  He pulled me up off the couch and wrapped his masculine arms around me.

  I felt a jolt run down my spine. Excitement filled me, though I tried to control it.

  Here was someone familiar, yet so unknown to me, I thought.

  Orlando’s lips pressed lightly against mine. He tasted my bottom lip before slipping his tongue into my mouth.

  I smiled and ran my fingers through his black hair, my hands landing at the nape of his neck.

  He pulled away and dropped the towel abruptly.

  I gasped out, somewhat shocked by his brashness. This was a side of him I’d never seen. And I was turned on. My heart rate zoomed.

  “Too soon?” he asked, almost like a dare.

  I looked down to see what Orlando was working with and smiled broadly. I shook my head, pleasantly surprised. “Naw.”

  Orlando smiled. The dimple on his right cheek showed. He was a handsome man. And something in me felt elated that I could finally revel in my attraction to him. Finally allow that layer that had been under the surface of our relationship, laying dormant, out into the open.

  He came closer to me and I inhaled the faint pineapple smell that lingered on his skin from the hotel soap.

  He pressed against me and I felt his hardness.

  Orlando’s hand traveled along my back as he began kissing my face before slowly moving his lips over my shoulder. Then his hands went to the zipper in the back of my dress.

  As the zip went down, the nervousness I felt went up. Having sex with Orlando would put us in territory we could never come back from. I inhaled deeply.

  He’d seemed sure about what he wanted. Me. And I already knew what Orlando had to offer, having been friends with him for so long. My racing heart told me that I wanted him. Passion was there. I clutched the sleeves of my dress to pull it off.

  “No, let me.” Orlando took off the dress.

  I stood there in my lacy red bra and panty set. I’d no idea anything would’ve happened with Orlando and I when he came out of the hospital. Now I was prepared to make him feel better in any way possible. I smiled, naughty thoughts filling my mind.

  My stomach growled. “I’m hungry,” I said.

  Orlando unbuckled my strapless bra and let it fall to the ground. “Me too,” he said. He slid one hand over my panties and plunged his tongue into my waiting mouth.

  Chapter Twelve

  I hugged my Mom and family members goodbye at the airport. Now that my relationship with Orlando had changed, the flight back by myself suddenly seemed lonely. I cheered myself up knowing he’d meet me at Dulles airport.

  From the cushioned seat of the airplane, I stared out at the runway through the narrow window. I wished I were already home, eating some butter pecan ice cream after weeks of dieting to look good on the trip, followed by laying around on my comfortable bed.

  I hoped to return to Trinidad the following year, this time with Orlando and I as a couple. I stared out the window, thinking about my mom. I’d make the effort to visit her more.

  She was right that I had focused on my education for a long time. But why not? Pursuing school gave me something in the end—a career I enjoyed. I’d seen enough friends pursue men and get left. I’d made a life for myself that was fairly secure, hadn’t I? Maybe Mom’s theory on single women was correct, but whether it was Troy or someone else, didn’t I end up single and alone for a long time because I’d spent a lot of my time, over and over again, with men who didn’t exactly fit me? And Mom wasn’t the only one who wanted me to get married. I wanted it also.

  It was nice to know I could pay my bills. What I didn’t know was whether I’d be all right if I never married. Didn’t everyone want to be with someone at some point in their life?

  But suppose my wish had been granted, and I’d become a married woman because I’d really wanted to make things work with my ex despite the signs. I would have the ring, yes, and a man who focused more on his computer animation job and triathlon training than on me. And he’d come home at n
ight and slide next to me in our warm bed after he’d heated up the cold dinner that I’d covered and placed in the microwave. And we would be beside each other in bed, and in life, like two people that had taken a picture that didn’t look quite right.

  I was happy it hadn’t worked out, leaving a chance for me and the man who’d been there all along. Getting to know Orlando as a partner and sharing more of myself with him was something I looked forward to.

  Some people were love’s willing participants, whatever their relationship status, while others felt like its outcasts, looking on at the others whom they believed had it. My mom had a right to her theory. But even if there were many lonely single women out there, there were also many lonely married wives—our mirrored opposites.

  And I didn’t intend to be either.

  As I buckled my seatbelt, I couldn’t help but shake my head. It’d taken a trip back home for me to see that I had someone right there all along whom I could make a home with. I sighed, not from worry but from relief, because I didn’t have to go through the song and dance of dating someone new or trying to figure out who they were.

  Orlando and I knew each other.

  He knew my strengths as well as my weaknesses. My likes and my dislikes. And most important—I could be myself with him. And though I wasn’t sure what would happen in our relationship, I was sure we were starting it on something all great romantic relationships need—true friendship.

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