He started seeing a psychologist a few weeks ago. Three sessions in and he felt trapped by all of the prodding and questioning. He felt even more exposed by bringing the memories to life, almost as if he was giving it power somehow. He knew, as a doctor, these things were a process and he would see it through, if not for himself then at the very least for his family. He leaned back in the chair at his desk. He was always surrounded by women, but with Ciara it was different. She was alive and full of life and she made him feel things, good things. It had been a long time…if ever, since anyone had given him the inspiration to want more.
He knew she deserved to be happy, deserved to be with someone who could feel more than he did. The last few years he had grown cold and yet with her, there was new life to things. Maybe she was exactly what he needed after all. He swore as he glanced at his watch. He really needed to get stuff done. If she did say yes, they would be leaving in two days.
He sorted through the files at his desk. There was always a pile, always growing despite his efforts to help. There was a lack of system that prevented people from getting the healthcare they needed. Even his time at the clinic giving pro bono wasn’t enough to make a dent, not really. He only wished he could do more. As he flipped through the files of items needing attention, he came across Ciara’s father’s case. He knew it was only a matter of time and he was sure she knew it too. He worried about what she would do when the time came.
How she would handle it. He also thought about how it would affect Antoine. He was a good boy, always full of smiles. He never gave much thought to a future for them. He was sure this was something mutually entertaining for them both, casual dating if you will, but if that was the case then why couldn’t he get her out of his mind? He heard his phone buzz and he glanced at it. A huge smile crept into his face. She had said yes.
He started making phone calls and getting things ready. She worked hard, too hard in his opinion. Almost every night she was out at that diner. She deserved to have the royal treatment and that weekend would be one she wouldn’t soon forget. He made a number of calls, organizing the time they would spend together. He planned outings and hoped she would be fine with letting him organize it all. He wanted her to feel as beautiful as he saw her. Oh yes, it would be a wonderful weekend indeed.
Chapter Eight – Ciara
She turned once more in the mirror. She looked fine, just fine. She knew she was fidgeting because she was nervous. She didn’t really know what to say or do about the situation any more than she already had. He was picking her up in less than an hour and she made sure everything was in order. It was part of the process, if everything wasn’t ready then she couldn’t leave. Antoine was already settled in with Miss Withers, and her father was lounging on the couch. Everything would be fine. Just fine. She had to tell herself the same thing over and over. She had never been gone overnight in Antione’s life, especially not with someone else. Her father had been in good spirits about the whole thing. Just yesterday they had talked about it at length.
“Sooo going away with the big doctor, huh.” He was peeling an apple slowly at the table as she had been cooking dinner.
“Oh, Daddy, really.” She didn’t say another word but smiled as she heard him chuckling behind her.
“He is a good one and he has money. Both good factors for you, baby girl.” He looked over his glasses at her.
“It’s not that serious, Daddy.”
“Mmm hmm.” He went on cutting and she rolled her eyes.
She looked fine. She squared her shoulders one last time and smoothed down her hair. It fell in soft waves to her shoulders and she had taken special care with her makeup.
She heard the door and the men all chatting happily in the other room. She smoothed down her dress and took a deep breath before she made her way in there to join them. Her father was laughing at something Derek had said and when she came in, they both looked over at her. She could tell her father was proud of her and Derek seemed to be…blushing really?
“What are you two going on about in here?” She propped her hand on one hip.
“Oh nothing really, you look beautiful, Ciara.” He said it all at once and she smiled at him feeling the heat rush to her cheeks.
“Thank you, Derek, are you ready to go?” At the same time, Miss Jackson, their neighbor came bustling into the apartment.
“Oohhh, well now, I am just so sorry. Your father and I, well…” She blushed and glanced at Ciara’s father.
He decided to help. “What she is saying is that she and I have a little weekend planned ourselves so ya’ll go on now and skedaddle,” he laughed.
“Omar!” she exclaimed.
“It’s okay, dear, it’s time Ciara knew anyways.” He pulled Ciara close to him and kissed her on the forehead.
“Uh okay, well, Daddy, I guess we will be going then.” Ciara was surprised, but happy for them and poor Miss Jackson looked like she wanted to be swallowed up by the floor. She knew she wouldn’t relax until they left. “Shall we?” She glanced up at Derek who was doing his best not to laugh and he held out his hand and they walked towards the door.
“I’ll be home by…”
“It’s okay, now just go and have fun, Ciara.” Her father grasped her hand in his. “You go on and have fun while you’re still young now, I mean it.”
She smiled up at him. “Thank you, Daddy.”
They left the apartment and before they were outside, both she and Derek burst into laughter.
“Poor Miss Jackson, she must be humiliated.” She could barely get the words out.
“I’ve no doubt she is giving your father a piece of her mind right now.” He held the door for her and she slipped into the cool seat.
He smiled at her as he pulled off. The drive was a couple of hours and the two settled into a comfortable patter of chatting and sightseeing as they went. Her earlier reservations were gone, she was as comfortable as she could be with him. They pulled into a lodge and he went to get the keys to the place where they would be staying. She loved the mountains and the view was perfect. He was back quickly with a smile and he drove them even deeper into the wooded surroundings.
As they pulled in, she looked at the beautiful cabin nestled into the woods just for them. She was in awe as they made their way inside. At first, all she could do was look and do her best to capture the sights of the mountain ranges in the distance. The massive floor to ceiling windows made her feel like she could fly. She gingerly went to the edge of the window and peered down. She felt him beside her and she glanced at him.
“It’s just beautiful, Derek, isn’t it?” He smiled at her excitement and she turned towards him and he handed her a glass of wine.
“To us.” He smiled and she took a long drink. It was then he showed her the kitchen.
“I took the liberty of having food stocked for us. We shouldn’t need a thing.” He gestured towards the pantry and she walked inside and marveled at the food there. It suddenly clicked that all of her favorite things were neatly stacked along one side. She spun around to look at him.
“How did you know?”
“Your father and I spoke often this week, I wanted you to have a special weekend.” He shoved his hands in his pockets.
“Thank you, it’s very sweet.” She was suddenly shy as he made his way over to her. She felt the warmth spread through her body as he leaned down to kiss her. She wound her arms around his neck and pulled him even closer. She wanted it, wanted him. It had been a long time since anyone had made her feel so alive. He pulled away suddenly.
“Ciara, I don’t want to rush you into anything.” His voice was lower, deeper somehow.
“You’re not rushing me, Derek. I want this as much as you.” She smiled up at him.
“Oh somehow I doubt that sweetheart.” He gave her a smile and lifted her arm and kissed the inside of her wrist.
He wanted her then and there, she knew it by his actions but he was trying to wait, trying to not push her into something. She suddenly felt as though she had everything she ever wanted in one moment. She walked past him to the bedroom. What she saw made her gasp. Rose petals covered the bed and there were strawberries on a table with a covered glass dome lid. The bed was already turned down and she turned to face him when he had come up behind her. Without hesitation, she slipped the dress from her shoulders and felt the whoosh of air as it landed on the floor in a heap. She heard his intake of air and she reveled in the power it gave her.
She held out her hand to him and he moved towards her in a rush. “Ciara.” His lips swooped down to capture hers in a deep kiss. His right hand buried itself in her hair as his lips began to devour hers. Over and over he kissed her and explored every part of her mouth until there was no spot left untouched with his tongue and lips.
He kissed her over and over and just when she thought he would stop, he would change direction and kiss her somewhere else, some different way or a different angle. It was all too much and she felt herself pushing against him and trying to get as close as she could to his body. She was no longer hesitant about it, about him, instead her body felt like it was on fire. She was burning from the inside out and it was all from passion and desire that she felt for this one man. No other man had ever made her feel this way and she couldn’t stop herself.