Page 35 of My Heart's Doctor

But the voice of that Orson interrupted us and the bubble we were in burst beyond repair. She didn’t answer me.

“You’ve had your dance, Cavaller. Shall we go back to the table, Devon?”

“Thank you for the dance, Mr. Cavaller,” she said, moving away from me and leaving me with a great emptiness.

I looked at her and nodded; I couldn’t do anything else. I returned to the table knowing that the evening was over for me; I no longer felt like being there.

I said goodbye to my acquaintances and left the hall with a mix of emotions that I couldn’t understand. Never in my life had I felt so confused about a woman. When they brought my car, I got in and started driving, intending to go home, but after a few streets an idea crossed my mind. She might have left me wondering about her relationship status, but I had a chance to find out. I changed direction and headed toward her building. The event was about to end, so if she had nothing going on with that Orson guy and they were just friends, she should be back at her apartment soon. If she didn’t return there, it was because she had gone with him, or if they came back together and he stayed, that would also be proof that they were more than friends.

I arrived at her building, parked several meters away, and waited. Time passed slowly, and at that hour of the morning my eyes started to feel heavy, but the adrenaline from trying to discover her love life kept me awake.

A while later, a gray car parked at the entrance of the building, and I could make them out. They stayed talking for a few minutes and then said goodbye with a kiss on the cheek.

Thank God! I felt like shouting. For me, that was sufficient proof that there was nothing romantic between them. The guy honked his horn and left. Devon entered her building alone, and I almost jumped out of the car and started dancing in the middle of the street. I didn’t hesitate; I was already there, and she owed me an answer, though I already knew it. I desired that woman, and if there was the slightest possibility of sleeping with her, I wasn’t going to waste it. I walked toward the building with confidence but with a certain nervousness. The doorman recognized me from when I had returned her phone and opened the door without me having to ring the bell. What he said made me understand that he thought we were returning together from a party. I suppose seeing us both dressed formally and entering the building within minutes of each other led him to that conclusion.

“Did you enjoy the party?” he asked pleasantly.

“Yes, although business parties aren’t usually too much fun,” I said, not correcting his misunderstanding.

“You might be right. Good night, sir.”

“Good night to you too,” I said, and headed for the elevators.

When I stood in front of her door, I was about to turn around and go back to my car because I started to lose my nerve. I was as nervous as I couldn’t remember ever being before. But I wasn’t a coward, especially when it came to a woman. I rang the bell and waited.

And the door opened. And Devon was so surprised that she stared at me, moving her lips, but nothing came out of her mouth.

“You owe me an answer,” was what I thought to say to justify my presence.

“Mr. Cavaller? What are you doing here?” she asked, completely bewildered and surprised to have me standing in front of her.

“The very same. And I came for my answer,” I insisted.

“I don’t understand.”

I was already there, in the early hours of the morning, so I decided to play all my cards. I relegated any sensible thoughts to the back of my mind and let myself be carried away by desire. Devon was all I could think about. I leaned toward her and my mouth brushed against her ear again, and I had to make a great effort not to bite it sensually.

“I asked if you were in a romantic relationship and you didn’t give me your answer because we were interrupted. I don’t usually leave questions unanswered, I don’t like it, so I’m not leaving until you give it to me,” I whispered, and I could tell she was breathing rapidly, which emboldened me. “I need your answer, Devon, because a man should be clear about what he’s facing,” I stated, making my intentions toward her clear.

“No,” she whispered, but I wasn’t sure what her denial meant.

“No, you won’t give me the answer, or no, you don’t have a relationship?”

“I’m not in a relationship,” she confirmed, and at that moment I knew what I had to do. I wanted her desperately.

“Perfect.”

I was unable to resist her. My hand encircled her neck and I pulled her toward my face to kiss her... and that was my undoing.

My lips and tongue traced hers, and in that moment I felt that my mouth fit perfectly against those full, delicious lips. Iurged her to open them and, when she did, I invaded her mouth and my tongue explored it masterfully, sweeping and exploring everything in its path. I had never been so aroused by a simple kiss. Her tongue danced with mine and she emitted soft sighs that drove me increasingly wild and desperate for her.

“Cavaller...” she said, breathlessly.

“Tell me, ‘Sweet.’”

“This isn’t right.”

“This is the best thing I’ve done in a long time,” I affirmed, without any doubt, and to not give her a chance to change her mind, I made her step back so I could enter her apartment and close the door.