Robert instructed John for tonight. It was quite bad timing for him going out. The restaurant would be flooded tonight when the news of the Michelin stars got out. But he needed to see Cora. He was so happy when she reached out, he said yes right away. He got scolded by both Anna and John for leaving at this moment, but he knew they would do fine and he would be back before opening.
He got in the tube and walked the last part to the cafe. It was situated right next to The St. Paul. Cora wasn't there yet. He picked out a table with a good view on the church. He had always loved this city. He was born and raised here.
The waiter came by, but he waited with ordering; he wasn't sure what Cora would want. She was more of a coffee girl then a tea girl, if he had to guess he would say a coffee girl. He noticed he was picking the skin of his fingers. Why was he this nervous? Cora was the one who reached out, she wanted this. Or did she reach out to make an end to it?
His train of thoughts got interrupted by a soft hand touching his back. His whole body reacted on the touch, Cora had small slender hands. Softly her thumb rubbed his shoulder blade. Robert turned around and looked up into Cora's smiling face.
"Good to see you again." She smiled.
Robert got up, put his hand on her shoulder and kissed her cheek. "It is wonderful seeing you again." She smelled wonderful.
Cora sat down, still with a smile on her face. "I have to apologize for my behaviour."
Robert raised his eyebrows. "Why?"
"I left you in the dark for the last week."
"I could have picked up the phone myself. We both didn't, so don't blame yourself. What do you want to drink?"
"A coffee please."
Robert laughed.
"What's so funny?" Cora asked.
"Sorry, I was thinking earlier if you would order coffee or tea. And I was right, you are a coffee drinker."
Cora smiled. "I like both, but at the moment I prefer coffee and you? Let me guess, a real tea drinker? Like a real English gentleman should be."
"So, you think I am a gentleman?" Robert teased.
Cora lowered her eyes, but smiled at the same time. Was he flirting with her again? She liked that idea. She needed something nice after last Friday. The therapy had been difficult. She got EMDR therapy and it had hit hard. Yesterday she spent the day on the couch, not wanting to do anything, she wasn't able to do anything. She was tired to the bone.
Robert softly touched her hand. "Cora, do you want something with your coffee?
He startled Cora. She looked up and he saw she had been miles away. "We will need a second." he said to the waiter. He looked back at Cora. "Are you alright?" He said softly.
Cora blinked rapidly, why were there tears in her eyes. She didn't want to cry. Robert had seen her cry enough.
Robert was still touching Cora's hand, he closed his fingers around her hand and softly squeezed. "I am here for you." He saw her looking up and with her free hand she brushed away a tear that escaped her eye. "Was therapy that hard?"
Cora's eyes grew a little bigger. "You remembered?"
Robert gave her a smile. "Of course I did."
"I haven't slept since Friday. Well not properly."
"Are you having flashbacks?"
Cora nodded, pulled her hand back and turned her face away when the waiter came.
"Tea and coffee please." He said he waited for the waiter to leave again. Robert looked at Cora unsure what to say. He didn't want to make it worse. "We don't have to be here if you don't want to." He finally said, after watching Cora's internal struggle for a while.
She gave him a faint smile. "No, no. I will be alright. I have to be."
The waiter brought their drinks. Cora directly took a sip, of course it was hot and she burned her mouth. She shook her head. "I hate the effect Anthony still has on me."
"Cora, that's normal. You have been with him for a long time."
Cora shook her head again. "I want to get rid of him and enjoy life again."
"Give it time. You will learn how to enjoy life again."
Now Cora looked up, she locked eyes with Robert. There was a smile playing around her lips. "You could help me with it."
Robert stared back at her. He swallowed visibly. What did she mean, how could he help her?
Cora got up from her chair, Robert followed her with his eyes. She sat down next to him on the bench where he was sitting. She leaned into him, put her hand on his leg and said. "You had something to tell me."
Robert looked at her hand on his knee. He felt and saw her thumb softly stroking his leg. He looked up and saw Cora's beautiful eyes looking at him. She smiled softly at him.
"We received a second Michelin star." He said in a soft tone.
Cora gasped, her hand moved from his leg to his shoulder, her other hand moved to his cheek and then he felt her lips on his. "Congratulations, that's wonderful news." She said smiling, once they broke the connection.
Robert just looked at her, he was stunned. He hadn't expected this. He loved the feeling of her lips on his. He wasn't quite sure if she really wanted this, or if she was forcing herself. Although it hadn't felt forced, when her tongue touched his lips.
Cora moved her hand back to Robert's cheek. "I am so incredibly happy for you. You and your team deserve this recognition so much." She kissed him again. She loved his taste and wanted more. No, she needed more, she felt something lift off of her shoulders as soon as she kissed him.
Robert moved his hand to Cora's back, he pulled her closer, pressing her against him. He wanted to have her close to him. Feel the warmth of her body.
Cora laid her head on Robert's shoulder, her fingers tangled in his. She could sit here the whole day. She had never felt like this before. It was so different from Anthony. No, she scolded herself. Don't think of him. Stay in the present.
Robert sensed a change in Cora. He softly squeezed her hand. "There is no pressure or hurry. Take your time. I am here and will be here."
Cora lifted her head. "Do you mean that?" She looked at him.
"With all my heart. Cora……." he fell quiet for a second. "I like you very much and would love to explore where we could go together."
"Oh, Robert." Cora kissed him, long and passionate. "You are saving me again."
Robert's hand rested in her neck. "I need you, as much as you need me." He looked at the clock and shook up. "I am incredibly sorry, but I have to go back to the restaurant. It will be busy tonight, now the announcement of the new Michelin stars is done."
Cora smiled. "Can I see you tomorrow?"
Now it was Robert who initiated the kiss. "I can't wait to see you tomorrow. Why don't you come over in the evening? Around 20.00 o'clock I can make myself free?"
"You will see me tomorrow. Now hurry up, John will scold you for being late."
Robert chuckled, "Anna will be worse." He got up, but bent down for another kiss. "I can get used to this." He said smiling.