50. Thinking About You

Throughout her shift, Zahira mentally prepared herself. It was simple. She needed to tell Orion that she didn't want to go on a date with him. Simple. Nobody could force a person to go on a date.

By lunchtime, her nerves got the better of her and she wimped out. Text message, she'd tell him by text message. She agonised over the composition of words.

Sorry, I don't think we should date. Thanks.

She sent the message and then worried. What if he hadn't saved her number? Would he know who that message was from? Should she have said 'thanks'?

Zahira shook herself and tried her best to calm down. Orion was using her; she didn't need to feel this guilty about cancelling their date. Her phone buzzed with his reply and butterflies danced her stomach.

I disagree.

Zahira stared at those two words. What did that mean?!

"Have a nice day," Zahira bid a customer as they got up to leave. She moved forward to wipe down their table and felt the change in the air. She glanced up and, as she'd expected, Orion had walked into the café. She pouted unhappily. She'd feared that he'd come. Instead of heading for the cakes, Orion scanned the café – looking for someone.

Zahira tensed. Maybe he wanted to speak to Jaz again? But a shadow fell over her and Zahira looked up and timidly met Orion's intense gaze. She swallowed nervously.

"I'll wait for you to finish." He stated calmly.

"My text..."

"I replied."

He left her and headed to the till to order a coffee. Zahira bit her lip. There had to be a limit to how much she'd let herself be pushed around by this guy. She was worried about how far that limit might go.

Orion waited, as he'd promised. They walked out the café together and Zahira hung her head awkwardly, realising that her colleagues had noticed him waiting for her. Cesar looked like he was being eaten up with curiosity and Zahira knew that he was going to bombard her with questions tomorrow.  She was already anxious at the thought of it.

Outside it was raining. Orion had an umbrella and he wrapped an arm around Zahira so that they could share it. The physical contact was making it hard for Zahira to think clearly.

"I'm sorry, I forgot an umbrella this morning." She mumbled.

"It's fine." Orion's tone was brisk.

The walked in silence for a while. Zahira didn't like the silence. She wanted to know what Orion was thinking. They were approaching the traffic lights. Orion was taking them ahead, heading somewhere for their date. If she didn't want to go on this date and she wanted to take the left and go home, she needed to say something now. Zahira took a deep breath.

"I'm not going to let you into my flat again." She declared loudly. They stopped walking and faced one another beneath the umbrella. Zahira realised that his shoulder was wet from where he'd been holding the umbrella more over her then himself. "I know you searched it... that night." She mumbled.

"Do you know why I searched it?" He asked, studying her expression.

"No." She lied. He smiled slightly.

"Liar."

Zahira looked down at her feet. She wanted Orion to leave her alone, this encounter was too stressful for her. She couldn't handle it. "Is that why you tried to cancel our date? Because you don't trust me in your home." Orion asked. Zahira nodded hesitantly and he considered this. "Fine, we won't go to your place. Problem solved."

"Huh?"

But Orion already had a hand on her waist and was nudging her along to continue walking beside him. "But why? Why are we going on this date?"

"Hmmm..." He considered her question as they walked. "Because we both find one another attractive."

"..."

Zahira was lost for words.

Orion took her out for dinner at a posh restaurant. After a day of being too anxious to eat properly, Zahira was ravenous. It even overcame her anxiety about the date. She ate the food enthusiastically. They had wine with their food, but this time after her second glass – Orion stopped her from drinking anymore.

"Why not?" She asked, when he ordered a lemonade for her instead. He leant across the table toward her.

"Because I don't want you falling asleep this time."

Zahira flushed and quickly looked away. She remembered that kissing session...

Zahira struggled to look Orion in the eye after he mentioned that. 'This time' did that mean... after their food... were they going to kiss again? Zahira was completely confused. She didn't know what she wanted to do. The idea of kissing Orion was exciting, but it also felt like she was opening herself up to getting hurt. He wasn't serious about her; he was only playing. Was she strong enough to cope with that?

"Tell me what you're thinking." Orion urged in a gentle voice. He reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear. She was thinking, that they were both going to disappoint one another.

"I like the food here."

"Me too." He tweaked her nose playfully. "Now tell me the truth."

She bit her lip.

"I'm thinking about you."

His gaze became heated.

"I like that."

After their meal, they stepped out of the restaurant. The rain had stopped and the air smelt and tasted fresh. It was dark but the city's bright lights meant that there was a haze of light reflecting off the puddles. Orion and Zahira faced one another. If Zahira wanted to head home, then she needed to turn back to retreat back down the hill. She hesitated, watching Orion.

"Don't look at me like that." He whispered huskily. "If you're not going to let me have you."

Zahira's stomach tightened. Was it possible that he truly desired her? Technically, instead of using her for access to her apartment – he was potentially using her for sex instead. But she wasn't quite as upset about that. She was thrilled that he wanted her.

Moving slowly, Orion leant in – giving her time to pull away. She didn't. Instead, Zahira closed her eyes. He kissed her and it was more careful this time. Sweet. Zahira felt like she was melting. With kisses like this, there was nothing she could do to keep her heart from pounding. The kiss deepened and Orion held her closer against him. The honk of a car horn, reminded Zahira that they were on a busy street.

She broke apart from the kiss, her face flushed. But Orion wouldn't allow her to completely escape. He held her hand, threading his fingers with hers.

"Come."

They didn't head for her apartment. They headed for a hotel room instead.

Zahira's insecurity and embarrassment kept hitting her in waves as Orion organised their room. But his touch on her elbow, steering her along with him, stopped her from wanting to run away. The receptionist handed over a room key and Orion shepherded Zahira into an elevator. He seemed a riot of impatience as they slowly ascended the floors. Zahira bit her lip. They hadn't spoken a word to one another since entering the lobby. But she didn't know what to say.

The elevator pinged on their floor and Orion seized Zahira's hand once more and propelled her toward the room door. His strides were wider than hers and Zahira had to jog to keep up. The card reader beeped, accepting their key card. Zahira got a brief glimpse of the nicely furnished room, before Orion closed to the door behind them and pounced on her.

He pressed Zahira against the wall and kissed her wildly. Zahira's heart raced. Orion's hands were quick to work, rapidly wasting no time in undressing her. Zahira tried to do the same, but she was all fingers and thumbs trying to unbutton his shirt and Orion was determined to have his own way. He wanted her undressed, so she was the priority. Her top was discarded on the floor, swiftly followed by her bra and then skirt. She kicked off her shoes and then stumbled on them as Orion hastily moved with her closer to the bed.

The bed was soft as they crashed into it. Zahira giggled but her laughter quickly faded as Orion began kissing her neck. She titled her head back and made a little whimpering sound of pleasure. His hands explored her body as he kissed her, enjoying her breasts but eventually trailing further down.

Zahira was exposed, covered only by her knickers. Whilst Orion was still mostly dressed. Orion finally stopped getting in Zahira's way and instead helped her to remove his clothing. He didn't pause, but Zahira half-wished that he would. She wanted to soak in the sight of him. He was stunning.

Her hands trailed along his broad shoulders, his strong arms, his back – appreciating what her eyes weren't able to. She was feverish from his touch, her body shuddering as he continued to overwhelm her.

"Zahira..." He said her name over and over – murmured appreciatively against her skin. Was he drowning in her too?

The night wore on and Orion was insatiable. Sweat glistened on their skin and they were both panting for breath. "What have you done to me?" He whispered, even his voice was shaking. Zahira couldn't reply, she could only hold onto him. He rested his damp forehead against hers and tried to catch his breath. "You have to be mine. You have to be." He declared possessively. Zahira blinked, her gaze unfocused.

Orion kissed her nose and cheeks. "My Zahira..."