Carelessly Sara dropped her duffle bag to the floor, kicked off her shoes and locked the door behind her. Her visit with the Carnahans had been refreshing, if not a bit wistful.
Forgetting her bag, she immediately went to fix a cup of tea, but then remembered the photos, and retrieved them from her bag, as well as her journal from the nightstand. After fixing a quick sandwich and pouring her tea, she took a seat at the island and began flipping through the pictures.
This time, now that she was alone, it was with a bit more thoughtfulness. She suddenly realized that several of the pictures were of times when she hadn't known the older couple was present. In all of them, she and Aeric were smiling. Well… with a few exceptions, they were not unhappy times, but rather more serious than usual.
Sara dropped the photos on the counter and took a small sip of tea. She thought back on the first time she'd laid eyes on him. The smile that reached out through the photo touched her heart. The picture was of him and her sitting in a booth they'd been sharing with the Carnahans. His arm was around her shoulders, holding her close. He'd been very charming that night, attentive not just to the conversation, but also to her. She'd caught him more than once watching her. A warm feeling spread through her as she remembered how happy she'd been that night. He'd shared a very private and emotional part of his life with her earlier that day, trusting her with it and not expecting anything from her in return. It had given her a sense of belonging that she hadn't felt in a very long time.
Meeting this man had changed so much in her life in such a short time. Thanking whatever higher power there was that he'd come into her life, no matter how long it was for, or would be, she leaned back in her chair and recalled the first time she'd seen him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sara was attempting to put her carry-on bag in the overhead compartment with great difficulty. She knew it would be a long trip and had brought along a couple of books, and some snacks. But she'd also kept her camera in it along with a small walk-man stereo so she wouldn't have to listen to the in-flight movies or the conversational chatter that would soon enough fill the cabin. The bag was just too big to fit in the overhead.
A male voice beside her asked if he could help. With another hardy shove that didn't seem to budge the damn bag, it was now stuck in the opening. She gave up and waved her hand at it. "Go ahead, give it a try," sarcasm lacing her words.
A flash of a smile met her eyes and she took a step back, almost stunned by it. The man's back was to her and she could only observe his backside. And what a backside it was. The muscles underneath his shirt strained against the tight fabric as he reached up to handle her bag. With a couple of deft moves the bag was soon inside the compartment and the man suddenly was facing her.
"There. If you have any problems with it later, let me know," he offered, nodding toward a few seats ahead of hers. "I'd be glad to be of assistance."
She mumbled a dumbstruck, "Thank you," then watched as he stepped forward and took his seat. She had no idea what to make of her reaction. It wasn't as if she had never seen a handsome… ok, devilishly handsome, man before.
She shook her head and took her seat. Romanticizing the moment was beyond her abilities at that moment. She'd had enough romantic fantasies to last her a lifetime. Besides, she'd probably never see him again once the plane touched ground.
But her assumption had been wrong. Two days later she did see him again while shopping in the Emami Market. He was across a stall from her, talking with a man, a native she guessed, given his appearance. In the midst of a gesture, he turned and caught her eye. His conversation came to an abrupt halt, and then he nodded an acknowledgement to her.
She smiled kindly and moved on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
And that, Sara mused as she took another sip of tea and realized it had gone tepid, was the last she'd seen of him, until, like kismet, she learned three days later that not only were they staying at the same hotel, their rooms were across the hall from each other's.
As she put the tea kettle back on the burner, she was surprised to find that the stove was still on. This wasn't the first time in recent days that she thought she'd performed a task only to realize she hadn't. It would seem that her romantic fantasies had returned to haunt her, this time with Aeric as the main attraction.
While she waited for the water to boil, an entry caught her eye.
Today was certainly interesting. I spent the whole of it traveling the city with a man named Aeric Devereaux. He seems friendly enough and he knows quite a bit about the area. He's not a native, but his olive skin and dark hair and eyes lend him the appearance of belonging in this area.
It's strange that I've seen him before. The first time was on the plane and then I saw him again in the market. He's on a short vacation before going back to work. It makes me wonder why he's here. This isn't a place you can take in within just a few days.
He didn't at first strike me as the intellectual type, but without any argument, he accompanied me to the Birla Planetarium. It was one of the main places on my list to visit since it's the second largest planetarium in the world. I quickly learned that this man wasn't all brawn. He was pointing out the constellations and putting an enthusiasm to the dry facts that seemed to bring them alive. I kept quiet and listened to him. He really knew what he was talking about.
When we left there, it was time for lunch. I thought he'd leave, having other sites he'd wish to see. Instead, we continued discussing the planetarium and the history behind it. Before I knew it, we were in front of a small restaurant. We went inside and I ordered the Aloo Koraisutir Malaicurry and he had some sort of dish consisting mainly of prawns. I hope I didn't butcher the spelling of my dish but it was absolutely wonderful! Afterwards, we grabbed a tram that took us to the National Library.
I don't know why, but I just felt completely comfortable with this man. Well, that is until he asked me if I wanted to have dinner with him. It just struck me as wrong. Something inside recoiled at the thought.
I declined. So now, here I am, in bed early, writing this. I guess I should get some sleep though. Tomorrow should be another busy day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sara flipped the book closed. They had an arrangement to meet in two weeks in Pahrump. What was she going to do? Maybe there was a way she could get a hold of him. I wouldn't be easy; it would take time and that wasn't something she had. She was tired and only had five more hours before she had to return to the lab.
With a heavy sigh, she picked up her journal and returned it to the nightstand. Within minutes, she'd washed her face and changed into a t-shirt and boxers and climbed into bed.
The thing was she wasn't tired. She entwined her hands behind her head and lay staring up at the ceiling. Her thoughts revolved around one thing, one person. And she had no idea where he was. She knew where they had been, but not where they were headed. A few weeks ago she thought she knew; now she wasn't so sure.
She remembered his face when she declined his dinner invitation. It must have been the same expression she'd had when Grissom refused hers. The two men were nothing alike, except for their age. Aeric was forty-four while Grissom was almost forty-eight. Aeric had an insatiable urge to laugh, about anything, including himself, while Grissom would make small puns or jokes, but rarely laughed.
Grissom held an air of mystery, one which Sara had always found intriguing and worked hard at deciphering. It was a challenge. To Sara there was never a challenge she met that she didn't like.
Aeric, on the other hand, was an open book. She knew about his family, his parents, both of whom were still living. She understood why he travels and enjoys doing so. She understood his love of animals. However, his love of humanity grated with the humanity with which she had personal experience. Maybe that was for the best; she'd seen so many awful things caused by 'man' that she had an encumbered view of it.
Grissom drove her to always analyze, to be objective, to never assume, while Aeric helped her discover a different view, another way of looking at things that showed the inner, as well as the outer, beauty.
And Aeric, unlike Grissom, was willing to take a chance. Life wasn't going to pass him by. Their first date proved that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hello, again," Aeric greeted, leaning indolently against the door of his room.
Sara strode down the hallway, her keys swinging next to her within her grasp. Her eyes traveled the length of him, noting his attire of black slacks and a purely white muslin shirt with the top button open. The shirt was in stark contrast to his olive skin. "Hello," she replied pleasantly. "Are you leaving?"
"I was," he drawled.
She stopped before her door and glanced back at him as she went to unlock her door. "So, you aren't now?" She noticed his door was closed. "Did you lock yourself out?"
"No… I thought I'd try my luck again and ask if you'd join me for dinner. Or perhaps you're too tired after your excursions today?" The amusement in his voice drew her attention back to look at him. He was smiling and it made her feel guilty, as if she'd lied to him about her reasons for not joining him the night before.
"I really was tired last night," she stated firmly.
The laughter died away from his face. "I didn't mean to imply you weren't being truthful. I'm sorry if I did that."
For the first time, Sara heard an apology from a man about a possible offense. She hadn't really taken it as an offense. It was more about her making sure he understood. "No, I didn't think that. I, um…" vacillating briefly, she decided resolutely that she wouldn't remain idle. "Were you going to ask me to dinner?"
He stepped back, a reaction from her abruptness. The woman had a hidden fire that he was uncovering, albeit slowly. "I believe that's what I said."
Sara turned back to her door and opened it. "No, you didn't, you said you were going to try your luck again and ask me." Turning back to face him, she continued, "You haven't actually asked." She watched his lips turn up into a grin and she decided then and there that he should always have a smile on his face.
Stepping closer, his eyes piercing hers, he asked, "Would you have dinner with me tonight?"
"I would love to." She heard him exhale and it warmed her to realize he'd been anxious for her answer. "Would you give me a few minutes to freshen up… maybe a half hour?"
"Certainly. I'll just go make reservations."
With a tilt of her head, she shyly smiled at him then entered her room and closed the door. She turned back around and peeked through the peephole and saw a huge smile on his face as he looked up to the ceiling, words forming on his mouth. He moved away from the door, and away from her view. She rested her forehead on the door and inhaled deeply. A half hour, she said. That was barely going to give her time to shower and change. She hurried to the bathroom.
With lively steps, Aeric strode to the elevator; his intention was to make a reservation with the hotel's restaurant. However, when the elevator dinged its arrival, he changed his mind and went back to his room. There was another place he had in mind that he hoped she'd enjoy more.
Almost to the minute of a half hour later, Sara opened the door of her room to catch Aeric about to knock. His hand fell to his side and his eyes strayed from hers down her slim body, and back up to her eyes. Normally, she'd be a bit terse with someone staring at her so, but the way his eyes traveled over her, she felt desired. Her heart skipped a beat and she licked her dry lips nervously. "I'm ready."
"Yes," he breathed, his eyes skimming over her once again. "Yes, you are."
She smiled. As always, she made the men in her life tongue-tied. She'd taken most of her little time dressing; at last, deciding on an Indian red silk blouse, the top two buttons left open, with light cream silk slacks that flowed about her legs as if she were wearing a skirt. The added touches to her outfit were the sandals. The wide strap across the base of her toes was adorned with tiny multi-colored jewels sewn into the leather. The two-inch heel caused her no undue concern as Aeric was a good several inches taller. Her toes had already been painted the night before in a similar shade of red to her blouse, and she'd donned her newly acquired gold toe ring. Nick had often told her she was stunning in red, and judging by the look that Aeric continued to give her, he hadn't lied.
Aeric seemed to gather his senses and held out his hand. She took it gingerly and stepped out of her room. Aeric shut the door, and hand-in-hand, they strode to the elevator.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Drifting off to sleep was proving once again to be difficult. Her thoughts weren't filled with dread or recriminations. She didn't have to lie awake wondering what Aeric's' turn of phrase meant or if they were laced with double entendres. No, what she had to worry about now was how she was going to meet up with him in less than two weeks.
She turned on her side, lifting her head to punch her pillow in frustration then lying back down with a heavy sigh. Was it ever going to get any easier for her?
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A/N: I must apologize for the lateness of this chapter. It just wasn't what I expected it to be. But with LSI and Marlou's help, I think we turned it around. The next chapter, however, will be much later due to real life. My 2nd job is playing havoc with me this week. I'll see if I can't get out the next chapter, not this coming weekend, but possibly the next.
Please give me some feedback!