Читать книгу All Inclusive - Farzana Doctor - Страница 7

∞

Nora’s place was a small room just around the corner from the coffee shop. Like my own, a few blocks away, it had space for a desk, a dresser, and a single bed. She fiddled with her boom box, popped in a Duran Duran cassette, and then flopped onto the bed. She beckoned me over from where I stood awkwardly by the door. I sat gingerly beside her and she took my hand. I wasn’t surprised by the gesture; she’ d slipped her arm through mine on the walk over.

She leaned in close and I could tell she wanted me to kiss her. How unshrinking and unafraid Canadian girls were! I pushed my face into hers, and didn’t breathe for a long time. I wrapped her in my arms and she let me hold her tightly.

We talked and kissed for hours. My fingers groped her soft waist, the downy peach-fuzz on her arms. When I gazed into her eyes I sensed a rare and special connection.

And then suddenly we were tearing away our clothes.

In my fantasies, it would have happened in cinematic slow motion. Unhurried, we’ d have progressed to that point over several romantic dates. And when the disrobing finally happened it would be an alluring striptease. Perhaps in reality things always move more quickly.

∞

I left soon after the sex, lying to her about needing to get work done. I never did tell her that I would be on an airplane the following afternoon, but rather, I remained vague about my departure, speaking about the future as though it were more expansive than it was. Perhaps I didn’t want to disappoint her.

I promised to call the next morning. Maybe we’ d go for an early lunch. She gave me her number and, foolishly, I forgot to offer mine.