Chapter 14

Raya

I sat there waiting for his reaction as he took a bite. Somehow, I expected him to grin, or moan when he ate it. Nope. His face said he hated it.

"How can you not like it? It's a perfect combo like peanut butter and chocolate," I said.

"Another thing that I don't enjoy."

My mouth dropped open. "Well now I see that you're not perfect. Because anyone who doesn't like a peanut butter cup is..."

"Hey, you're judging me on candy preferences?" he asked, stunned.

"Well, I guess we could come to some sort of agreement. What kind of chocolate do you like?" I asked.

"Dark chocolate."

"Milk chocolate for me. Ok, how about candy in general? And please don't tell me you don't like it," I pleaded.

"I like candy."

"Thank God," I said, dramatically. "What kind?"

"When I was in college, I had an addiction. I couldn't study without a bag of Swedish fish. You know the red chewy fish-shaped candy?" I nodded and he continued, "My roommate got me hooked."

"What broke your addiction?" I asked, teasingly.

"The dentist. I had never had a cavity before that. But two years into college and two cavities later. I decided that no matter how much I liked them, I loved my teeth more. Haven't had one since," he said.

"Wow. That's willpower. Very impressive. Not sure I could do the same thing with a peanut butter cup. Thankfully, I haven't had to try. But you have redeemed yourself."

He grinned. "So, I'm perfect again?"

I laughed. "The jury is still out, but it is looking good for you. Just don't tell me now that you really don't like pizza."

"Oh, no. I eat it at least once a week," he said. "And on occasion, I've eaten the leftovers for breakfast."

"Verdict is in. You're perfect," I smiled before taking another bit of my sandwich. But when I did, I made a face. This didn't taste right, and I spit it out into my napkin.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I see why you hated it. It was horrible," I said.

"Don't look at me. I didn't make them," he teased.

I wrinkled my nose at him and said, "I know. I did. And normally, this is my go-to breakfast. I don't get it. Maybe it was the peanut butter. Or maybe the banana wasn't ripe enough? I'm not sure. It's so darn simple. How could I mess it up?"

He walked over and pulled me into his arms. "It's okay, honey. You're still perfect even if you can't make breakfast." he joked.

I gave him a playful slap and looked up at him. "Maybe I should try something different tomorrow?"

"How about I cook for you?" he asked.

"Cooking means that you'll need to pick me up even earlier than you did this morning," I reminded him.

"Or maybe we just spend the night together. That eliminates travel time," he said, his voice getting deeper, and his eyes not leaving mine.

Did he just suggest that we...sleep together?

My heart pounded. I wanted to say yes. He had me hot and bothered but also scared. It'd been so long since I'd had sex. Actually, not since I was married. Kind of embarrassing. I wasn't shy, but definitely out of practice. My delay in responding must have come off as a no because Orion pulled back a little.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

I grabbed hold of his arm before he got too far from me. "Orion, I'm glad you suggested it. I...I want to say yes, but...I...I'm..."

"Not ready," he finished.

"That's not totally correct. I mean, I am, but I'm not. Maybe we can go and sit down and talk about it," I suggested.

He nodded, took my hand, and led me into the living room so we could sit on the couch. As we held hands, he asked, "What did you want to tell me?"

"You know that I'm not a virgin, so it's not like this would be my first time, but...it's been a long time. I mean, I've only been with one person, my ex-husband." And he left me feeling...inadequate.

"We never talked about what happened. How long have you been divorced?" he asked.

"This is kind of embarrassing for me to talk about."

"Like you said to me, you don't have to say anything you don't want to," he replied.

The only person who knew the entire story was Kathy. I met her when I started college. She was a waitress at a diner I visited each day for dinner. We became friends and have stayed that way since.

"It's okay. I want to tell you. It's just that I don't want you to think any less of me," I admitted.

"Raya, nothing you say could do that. You are the most amazing woman I've ever met."

"I'm glad you think so, but I wasn't always so...mature. When I first got to the States and started college, I met Joseph, my ex. He showed so much interest in me and I fell for him hard. Or should I say that I fell for his lies hard because that's what they were. Nothing he ever said to me was the truth."

"I'm sorry. That must have been difficult for you," he said softly.

"I found out that I was pregnant, and we married right after that. I thought that I would have a happy life. A child, a husband and I wasn't in Tabiq. But I was wrong. I married a man who cheated on me with so many people that I can't even count. And when I had Joey, he wasn't even at the hospital with me. I had to call my friend Kathy. If it weren't for her, I'd have been all alone."

I could see the anger building within him. Orion wasn't that kind of man, and I knew hearing this wasn't any easier than saying it.

"He sounds like an asshole. How is his relationship with Joey?" he asked.

"Non-existent. He only saw him a handful of times. Joseph wanted nothing to do with Joey. And he moved out two days after I got home from the hospital with him."

"Bastard!" his jaw clenched. "You're better off without someone like that in your life. What can he teach Joey about being a man when he obviously isn't one himself?"

That was something I thought about all the time. I wanted Joey to have a man in his life, but the wrong one was worse than none. It was up to me to teach him what he needed to know. It wasn't like I was the only single parent in the States. Heck, women chose that life on purpose there. There were support groups too. It was different in the US. There wasn't a stigma that women needed a man. All better options than Joseph popping in and out of Joey's life.

"Joey doesn't know any of this." I knew Joey wouldn't understand. How could he when I didn't? I had spent years trying to, but there was no good reason that I could come up with. I mean, how could he just abandon his own son like that when he knew I had no family close by who could pick up the slack?

"I won't tell him. I'm just here to support you in any way I can."

"You have been doing that since the day we met. I am not sure I would have stayed here if it weren't for you. You make me feel...cared for," I said, avoiding a word that I battled saying.

"I do care about you very much. And I'm glad you shared what happened with your ex. I might want to knock his ass out if we ever met, but I'm glad I know. It helps me understand what Joey has been through too. He hasn't had it easy," Orion said. "And neither have you."

It didn't matter how hard it had been on me. I was the one who brought Joey into the world. Now it was my job to do everything I could to help him grow up to be a good human being.

"No, but I try hard to give him everything he would've gotten with two parents. And having Kathy around is a huge help. She is the one watching Joey for me until I can bring him here." I couldn't believe that I almost forgot to share my good news with Orion. Guess you're a bigger distraction than I thought. "You're never going to believe it, but Bennett confirmed that Joey will be here in three days," I said smiling. "I can't wait for you to meet him."

"Three days?" He looked around the living room, then back to me. "I think we have a lot to do in this place to get it ready," he said.

Decor was not on my mind. And Joey didn't care. "It's fine," I replied.

"No. It doesn't represent you. It looks like a single guy lived here. Maybe tomorrow after work we can go shopping and find things to decorate the place. What do you think?" he asked.

"I am not sure I want to spend that kind of money just yet." I was still a single parent and needed to save because it all fell on my shoulders.

"Don't remember asking you to pay. This is just my fixing up the place for the new people who are going to be living here. Simple," he smiled.

"Speaking of places, how do you like your new one?" I asked. "Is there anything you need to shop for? It is more important than this place."

"Why would you say that?" he asked.

"Because it's not like anyone important will be stopping by here." I realized that didn't sound good. "Not that you're not important, because you are. I mean, you're the Vice President, but when we're together, I somehow forget that."

"Good. Because when I'm with you, all I see is the woman before me. The world vanishes, and it's just us," he said, his voice husky.

I knew we never finished talking about tonight. Did I want to spend the night with him? Was it going to be a mistake? It wasn't like I hadn't made one before, but Orion was nothing like Joseph. He wasn't a player. If he were, he'd have made a move the first time I kissed him.

"Orion, I'd love to stay and continue this...conversation, but I have to get to work," I said.

He looked at his watch, then got up quickly. "We better go now, or you'll be late."

I rose and replied, "Time does get away from us, doesn't it?" He nodded. I continued, "But there was a question that was left...unanswered."

"What was that?" he asked.

"If we should save on travel time and spend the night here. Together," I said.

He looked down into my eyes and I felt his need right to my soul.

"I didn't want you to feel pressured. I don't mind traveling back and forth if that is what you feel more comfortable with," he stated.

Mustering all the confidence I could, I said, "I want to stay the night with you. Unless you have changed your mind."

"Hell no." He pulled me into his arms and said, "The only thing I am reconsidering is how late is too late."

I chuckled. "Tardiness is not in my vocabulary, and I don't think it is in yours either."

"Never thought it was, but for you, I might even consider calling in sick for the day, never mind being late. And I know exactly how I would spend my day too," he grinned.

I gave him a playful slap on his biceps and said, "Keep it up and you will be spending your day in detention. Now, are you giving me a ride or am I walking?"

He kissed me and it ended so quickly that I didn't even get a chance to kiss him back. Releasing me, he reached into his pocket, pulled out the keys, and dangled them in front of me. "Last chance. Do I lose them or not?"

He was tempting me and each time it was getting harder to say no. I reached for the keys and he let me take them from him. I knew he expected me to toss them aside, but instead, I said, "I always wanted to drive a big SUV. Maybe I should drop you off at work instead."

Orion laughed. "Okay. Car shopping for you before redecorating this place." I handed him back the keys and he added, "But both of those things are going to have to wait until tomorrow. Tonight, I am cooking you a meal you won't forget."

I'm sure there will be a lot I won't forget about tonight if I'm right.

"No peanut butter and bananas?" I joked.

He shook his head. "But there might be some chocolate involved for dessert."

I blushed. Not sure what he had planned for dinner, I knew what I wanted. Licking that chocolate off him.

"What are you thinking," he asked, just before his cell phone rang.

Perfect timing.

"That you should answer that call," I smiled.

He pulled out his cell phone and I could tell from his eyes that he was anxious to answer.

"Hello Grandmother. Is everything okay?" he asked. I wished I could hear what she was saying. "Okay, I'll come over now." He put the phone back in his pocket and said, "She said everything is okay, but she needs to see me."

"I was serious. I can walk if you need to go quickly," I offered.

"No way in hell am I allowing you to walk to work," he stated.

Allow? That was a word I hadn't expected to hear come out of Orion's mouth. My ex, well since he liked to control everything except for himself, he would've used it with a lot of curse words.

"Orion, what makes you think I'm not capable of taking care of myself?" I asked firmly.

He smiled and said, "I'm not worried about you taking care of yourself. Maybe of breaking those sexy ankles of yours. You've seen our roads. Not meant for walking in those heals."

I looked down at my feet and he made a valid point. I'd probably end up in a ditch halfway. "They're not practical," I said.

"But they look great on you," he winked.

"Thank you," I smiled, shyly. I wasn't used to compliments. At least not one that included the word sexy. I liked it. At least coming from Orion.

"I'll drop you off, and then go see her." I nodded and he added, "Raya, I really am looking forward to tonight, but I'll text you if something changes after I meet with her. Okay?" he asked.

"No explanation needed. Go and take care of your grandmother." I knew what family meant to me, and seeing how much he loved his grandmother only drew me to him even more.

You're one hell of a man, Orion. How am I not going to fall in love with you?

As we walked to his car, he opened the door for me, I realized that it might already be too late.