Page 55 of Until You Came Along

“Let me pick you up, let’s go together.”

“Very well, but I ask that it not be at your house.”

Hermes looked at me, smiled, and shook his head.

“Why are you smiling?” I asked seriously.

“Because with you it’s as if my world is turned upside down. I’m usually the one who refuses to go to my house.”

“I don’t see what’s so amusing about that.”

“It’s not funny, it’s ironic,” he replied, picked up the cup and drank his coffee. “I didn’t know you held such a position of responsibility. You’re a box of surprises.”

“Why are you surprised? Do you think you’re the only one who, at my age, could take on the world?” I asked, referencing what he had told me some time ago.

“I shouldn’t have said that. It’s obvious that you’re an extremely intelligent, responsible, and clearly very capableperson, in addition to being the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life,” he remarked, looking at me with a longing that made my heart skip more than one beat.

“I need to get back to work,” I said, standing up from my chair.

Hermes also got up.

“Shall I pick you up at eight-thirty?”

“Very well.”

He approached slowly, took my face in his hands, and gave me a soft kiss on the lips. When we separated, both of us had our eyes closed, and we opened them at the same time.

“Think about what I said. It will be however you want it to be.”

I didn’t respond. Hermes left my office leaving me completely confused. I wanted to be with him, but could I trust him? Would he be willing to have a “normal” relationship? I would have to listen to what he had to tell me.

Chapter 6

"Keep in mind that great love and great achievements require great risks"

—Dalai Lama

Iwas nervous.

For that night I had chosen a pale yellow dress with a single strap that left my right shoulder bare. The skirt fell just above my knee and had a slit on my left leg. The dress clung to my figure and accentuated each of my curves, making me look sensual. I paired it with high-heeled gray shoes. I applied natural makeup on my eyes, pale pink lipstick, and wore my hair straight and loose.

Anxiety dominated me, and by eight o’clock I was ready and pacing around the apartment unable to control myself. That half-hour wait felt eternal. Finally, my phone rang with a message from Hermes letting me know he was waiting for me.

When I left the building and saw him leaning against his car, my breath caught. He was wearing black jeans and a white shirt. He was handsome, elegant, and unbearably sensual. A beautiful smile appeared on his face, and I almost tripped over my own feet and fell flat on my face.

Focus, Delfina, I told myself.

As I approached, I noticed his pupils dilate and his lips part.

“Beautiful,” he said, stretching out his hand for me to take.

“Thank you,” I replied, taking his hand expecting him to escort me to the car door, but he surprised me by pulling me toward him and kissing me sweetly on the lips.

“You’re beautiful and too sensual,” he stated, looking at me with desire.

“Don’t do that again.”

“Do what?” he asked, with an innocent face.