If Only for a Time Read online

  “The roof, I need to smoke,” Akari said simply, pressing the buttons on the elevator.

  “Since when do you smoke?”

  “What do you mean since when? We haven’t known each other that long and you’re so damn smitten, it’s not exactly like you’ve asked me much about my life.”

  “Now you’re just making me feel bad,” Rebekah said as they got out on the twenty-second floor and climbed the last flight to the top.

  “Feel what you want but I was just making a point,” Akari said, smiling, as she sat down on one of the deckchairs by the pool overlooking the city.

  This time there was no glass pane between them and the view. The outside air was humid with not so much as a hint of breeze, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. French classical music softly played in the background as some of the other hotel guests enjoyed cocktails or a night swim, leisurely draped over the outdoor furniture.

  Rebekah didn’t sit down. She leaned against the seemingly thin decorative panes separating her from the world below, staring out over the lights, the ocean, and the impressive six-star hotel across the way. The world below was alive with activity on this warm so-called winter’s night.

  Akari was lying back in the chair, eyes closed, puffing slowly on a long, thin cigarette. She had clearly been holding out for a while, enjoying every inhale.

  “So, out with it,” she said simply, not opening her eyes.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You didn’t stand there anxiously waiting for me to finish my conversation for nothing. Clearly, there’s something on your mind, so spill it. I mean, it’s not like I can’t guess, but humor me.”

  She could easily see how some might perceive Akari as bitchy, but personally, she found her straight-forward demeanor refreshing. She never had to worry where she stood with the feisty Japanese girl who looked half Rebekah’s age, but was actually a few years older.

  “Can I have a drag?”

  “You don’t smoke,” Akari said simply.

  “How do you know that? I used to.”

  “Exactly, now tell me what’s happening. Why are you here and not dancing the night away with that beautiful Argentinean?”

  “I can’t just follow him to his room, everyone would see. They would talk! My career would be over before it even has a chance to start! I’d be just another cheap girl sleeping her way to the top.”

  “Jeez, you really are a drama queen,” Akari laughed, taking another heavy drag.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You keep asking me that. If you’d just wait long enough, I would tell you,” Akari sat up straight and put out the cigarette.

  “Okay, sorry.” Rebekah sat down in the chair next to her.

  “Firstly, sleeping your way to the top doesn’t really apply here. It’s not like he’s your boss or even tied to your career. I mean really, Rebekah. Secondly, as I said, nobody here really knows who you are. The moment you remove that name tag around your neck, you could be just another guest in this hotel and even if they did know you, just don’t be so damn obvious about it. Have you never watched a romantic comedy before or read a romance novel? Nobody is saying you should walk out arm-in-arm, making out in the hallway before marching to his room. Christ. We’re in a damn hotel. Just go to his room later. There are literally hundreds of rooms in this place. It’s not like people have been keeping track of who is staying where. You really are useless with this kind of thing. I thought you were such a pro with the concept of no-strings-attached.”

  “Yeah, but usually I don’t exactly know the guy. Usually, it’s just some rando I meet in a club or a coffee shop or a train. I normally don’t even know their last name. Or get their number after! It’s a one-time thing and then I move on with my life. This is different. He knows who I am and I know who he is. I know what he does for a living. He’s not just some man. He’s a man with a past, with a life, with a future. Most importantly, a man that can find me again when this is over. He’s too real.”

  “I’ll have to Google what the exact definition of the word ‘rando’ is ,” Akari stated as she let out a big laugh. “Don’t you think you’re taking your commitment phobia a bit far here? What’s the worst that could happen? The sex is bad? So what, then you move on. We all get on a plane tomorrow and fly away. You don’t have to ever see him again if you don’t want to, or even talk to him for that matter. You live on another part of the world, remember? What do you have to lose? Do you really want this to be one of those things you think about five years down the line as you group it on your long list of regrets?”

  “You know, for one of the most pessimistic people I’ve met recently, you give one hell of a pep talk. If this engineering thing doesn’t work out, you could always go into motivational speaking,” Rebekah joked.

  “Well, that’s all you’re getting out of me before I start charging,” Akari said, getting up. “Do it, don’t do it, but I do not want to hear you bitch and moan about this all day tomorrow.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “To Skype my husband and tell him how happy I am that I’m not single anymore,” Akari smiled, hugged Rebekah good night, and started towards the stairs.

  Rebekah stared out over the lively city for a while longer, trying to organize her racing mind, before heading back to the party.

  Akari was right, what did she have to lose?

  Chapter Six

  The restaurant had quieted down significantly since she disappeared with Akari less than forty minutes ago. It seemed many had the same idea as her friend, realizing that there was nothing left for them at the party. Their real lives were somewhere else.

  The music had changed to actual dancing music now and people seemed more intoxicated judging by their animated gestures and the roaring laughter that had replaced the serious tones of intellect. Their guards were slowly coming down.

  She spotted him instantly in a group by the corner and sighed with relief that he was still around. He noticed her and tried to wave her over, but she turned away to listen to a man on her left about how he felt regarding the price of import tax in the east.

  The conversation had only been going on for five minutes before Rebekah smelled his approach. She felt a gentle touch on her arm.

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Andrews, do you mind if I steal this young lady away? We have some important business matters to discuss,” he smiled, hand still firmly on her arm.

  “Emile! Of course! I wouldn’t want to stand in the way of such important matters,” the man laughed heartily. “I need to hit the hay anyway. Tomorrow will be another packed day. Nice to meet you, Miss Edwards.” He shook both their hands enthusiastically and disappeared.

  “Yes, Miss Edwards, so nice to meet you,” Emile said with a twinkle in his eye. Hand still on her arm, he steered her back to their spot at the window. “Wherever did you go? I thought you had left.”

  “Would that have been a problem?”

  “Definitely. I mean, I would have found you eventually. You gave me your business card earlier, but I was hoping you’d come back.”

  “I had to run away temporarily,” she smiled, trying not to drown in the sea of his compassionate-green eyes.

  “You should run away with me instead.”

  If only, she daydreamed.

  “Are you always this persistent, Mr. Martín?” Rebekah laughed, aware that her flirting skills were getting sloppy.

  “Only when I know what I want.”

  He wrapped one arm casually around her waist, the touch sending a momentary shock through her whole body.

  “I’m going to get a drink,” she pulled away quickly nearly in a panic. Clearly, she wasn’t as good at keeping her cool as she had thought.

  He didn’t protest and let his arm drop as she left hurriedly.

  She grabbed a glass of wine as intended and scoped the room for a distraction; anything but him. She ended up speaking to a magazine editor from South Africa about the local HVAC & R industry for a while, but her mind was
continually reminding her of the tall man with the electrifying touch. The conversation was an elevator speech, superficial, and she decided not contribute much.

  Eventually, when she couldn’t think of any more responses, she excused herself and returned to the window again, staring out over the city, reluctantly drawn the she was familiar with window. The man wasn’t there anymore but she wasn’t surprised. People were instantly drawn to Emile and he was never alone for long before someone dragged him into a conversation he would navigate with ease, regardless of the topic.

  “I know of an even better view for you,” Emile whispered and handed her another glass from behind. She put the glass down on the counter; she’d already had enough.

  Not turning around. She had expected him to find her. “Yeah?”

  He was standing closely pressed up against her now, his body only barely touching hers as he stared over her shoulder out towards the view.

  She couldn’t breathe. His presence was overwhelming.

  “I would highly recommend the twenty-first floor. You can even see the lit up carousel from there.”

  “What’s on the twenty-first floor?”

  "Come to room 2104 later and I'll show you," he grinned.

  “You never give up, do you?” Rebekah felt anxious, aloof. This emotional rollercoaster was getting the best of her. She didn’t know if she should push Emile away, or succumb.

  Emile didn’t answer. He simply kissed her lightly on the cheek, an arm wrapping around her waist only momentarily before he moved away casually to speak to an old friend. To anyone else, it would have looked like a “farewell,” perhaps a “goodnight,” but Rebekah saw the passion and intent through the storm in his eyes. It mirrored the churning in her stomach and the fire burning over her skin.

  Her body became aware of the missing touch. She could smell his cologne lingering in the air around her, slowly dissipating into the night.

  Rebekah picked up the glass of wine she had put down moments earlier and gulped it all down, weighing her options before leaving. Maybe she hadn’t had enough to drink after all.

  Emile was debating the viability of gray water harvesting in rural Tanzania at that point with another guest. She went back to the seventh floor without allowing him another glance upon her exit. This distance would be only temporarily, though.

  Chapter Seven

  Rebekah nervously pressed the button for the twenty-first floor on the elevator panel, scanning the empty corridors as she was transported to the top of the building.

  She was so nervous she couldn’t breathe. Not even the alcohol from earlier could remedy that feeling. She walked past the room twice before circling back and gently knocking.

  It was quiet on the other side. Almost relieved, she turned away, but the door suddenly swung open and she froze.

  "Come here," he said simply and she obeyed, once more looking the empty hallway up and down before entering the world beyond door 2104. "I thought you weren't coming," he said as she surveyed the surroundings of the room. The suitcase in the corner, the textbooks all over the desk, the neatly made bed. The TV was on but the sound was muted.

  This was the part where she should have come up with a witty remark, some flirty comeback, but she still didn’t trust herself to speak. Part of her wanted to bolt to the elevator and back to her room.

  What am I doing here? Was written on her face.

  “I’m sorry, I was just about to take a shower,” he said apologetically and she only then noticed he was dressed in nothing but one of the crisp hotel towels, wrapped around his waist. His body was as toned as she had imagined under the suit, his broad chest proudly displaying his tanned skin.

  She turned around and walked towards the giant window, not knowing what else to do. The view was indeed mesmerizing.

  “I’ll be with you in five,” he said, dropping his towel. His reflection intermingled with the bay lights playing over the glass.

  This is the part where she should had left. Instead, she found herself taking off her earrings and placing them on the nightstand.

  She could hear the shower running in the background, but she didn’t turn around, just moved closer to the brilliant window that consumed the entire wall.

  What am I doing here? She kept asking herself, but she knew the answer. She wouldn’t have gone back to her room after the function and gotten herself perfectly ready if she didn’t know the answer, but that had happened almost like running through a task list at work. She only planned this far, but not for what would actually happen when she got to his room.

  The stream of water stopped. The shower door opened and she heard the shuffling of feet. Her body sensed his approach even before the reflection in the cityscape betrayed his proximity. He simply stood right behind her without touching her. Watching her watching the world.

  Finally, he ran a single finger down her bare back and fingered one of the thin straps. He traced her spine, leaving a trail of shivers in its wake.

  She didn’t turn around. Her gaze was locked on the view, even though every one of her senses was focused on the presence behind her.

  “You weren’t lying about the view, it’s stunning,” she finally said, turning around to face the man who was still dripping from the hot shower, wrapped only in a white robe.

  “The best view in Singapore,” he smiled, but he wasn’t looking out the window.

  For a moment they simply stared at each other.

  He gently slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer, wrapping his big arms around her in a hug.

  He felt good, warm and strong.

  She let herself be held, closing her eyes and drowning in the embrace. She may have not known what she was doing, but her body did and she let her mind wander far away as Emile softly kissed her neck, breathing in her scent as he moved his kisses up her chin.

  His hungry lips found hers and his gentle kisses grew more passionate as she pulled him even closer to her body, her tongue playing over his. In one smooth sweep, he cradled her up off the floor and carried her away from the view and towards the bed, his lips never leaving hers.

  She held onto him tightly, arms wrapped around his neck as he laid her down on the massive king-sized bed. He lowered himself with her body, placing her carefully on the bed without letting go.

  Rebekah let her arms fall back, gripping the headboard as the man hovering over her finally broke the embrace. Emile kneeled on the bed, carefully undoing the clasps of her heels and throwing them to the floor. He kissed her toes and slowly made his way up – her ankles, her calves, pushing the long black dress up as his path of kisses found their way closer and closer to her center. She wriggled in anticipation, digging her heels into the soft mattress for a grip that she wouldn’t find.

  He pushed the dress up further over her hips and stomach, exposing her black lace panties she had put on with only him in mind.

  Her whole body tensed up as he placed a single, gentle kiss over the black lace. Her hips bucked upwards as he slid her panties aside to let his tongue explore her, taste her.

  Rebekah groaned as he feasted on her; his tongue lapped over and over the places that drove her wild. Her release was building, but Emile was not ready for her to completely let go. His mouth left the soft flesh between her legs and continued his exploration upwards, his hands continued to push the dress up as he went, revealing goosebumps on her skin.

  Past her waist. Past her breasts. His hands paused momentarily, letting go of the bunched up black fabric to clutch her supple chest beneath. His large hands firmly cupped her bare chest and her breath caught as his grip tightened only for a moment in a squeeze.

  Past her shoulders, her neck, over the arms clutching the headboard. He triumphantly discarded the dress on the chair in the corner and sat back on his knees to admire the goddess beneath him, now dressed only in the lace underwear that scarcely hid the treasures he sought.

  Rebekah stretched her long legs and playfully wrapped them around him, pulling him clos
er again so her mouth could find his. She could feel his excitement pressing against her stomach, only separated by the overly-white hotel bathrobe, still loosely tied around his waist.

  She pulled on the cotton knot, untying the garment, running her hands up his exposed torso, reading his excited body like brail as her fingers found its way to his chest.

  He quickly slipped off the robe, bending over her again to return to the kisses that he started longing for the second he moved away. He was fully naked now, his throbbing erection gently touching her skin. With her delicate hands, she reached out to grasp him, her mere touch sending a rippling shock through his body.

  Rebekah sat up and with one hand still encircling his desire, she pushed him back with the other. He was powerless in her hands and obeyed without a second of hesitation as they shifted positions. She pinned him down between her thighs.

  Her hands moved over his naked body, exploring the unfamiliar terrain of his flawless skin. She kissed his mouth and only when they both gasped for air did she break away to slink further down.

  Her tongue left a trail of wetness over his chest as she moved down towards his burning desire, teasing him. She kissed his inner thighs sweetly and he squirmed under her, the tension building up to almost unbearable levels. Just when he thought he couldn’t take it anymore, her warm lips found its destination, slowly circling the tip of his fully erect cock. Now it was his turn to grip the headboard as she devoured him whole, inch by inch, her moist tongue flicking slowly over him.

  With the taste of pre-cum still on her lips, he pulled her back up for a kiss. He kissed her mouth, her cheeks, her closed eyes. Sweet little caresses rained on her face. Sweet but fervid.

  He caressed her breasts passionately, squeezing them firmly before moving his grazes to the erect nipples below his touch. He gently bit the supple flesh and she let out an involuntary moan as her entire body tensed in pleasure.