Chapter Eight
Amber made her way through the crowds to get to the café where Elijah wanted to meet. Her date last night had been interesting, but she knew she was never going to date Dale again. He was fun to be around, but there was no chemistry between them. The kiss they shared was nice, but again, it was nothing exciting or exhilarating. Every second she spent with Elijah was exhilarating, frustrating, and annoying. Together they possessed heaps of emotions and chemistry.
Even from his text she’d been aching for him.
She found Elijah sat, reading a paper as she walked into the café.
He put the paper down the instant she approached the table.
“You’re right on time,” he said.
Taking a seat, she watched Elijah signal the waitress over. They both made an order for some coffee. She wasn’t hungry for food and declined the offer.
“Why did you want to meet here?” she asked, flicking her hair off her shoulder.
“This is our first date.”
He reached across the table taking her hand.
“It’s the morning.” She glanced around at the empty café.
“In a few hours this place would be heaving. I wanted to get a good seat and have some time together before the chaos starts up.”
Amber laughed. “You call this a date?”
“We’re together. I never thought you wanted to date.”
She stared at him. “You didn’t want to date me.”
“I’ve never really dated anyone, Amber.”
The waitress bought their coffee and left without a word.
“Have you, erm, have there been a lot of women after me?” she asked.
In all the years they’d been together she’d never once thought to ask him about his other commitments with other women.
“No. Since the moment we were first together there hasn’t been any other woman. You’re the only one I’ve been with. Erika, the blonde, wasn’t anything. I never spoke to her after that moment. Please, don’t think about her.”
Amber nodded, not wanting to think about the blonde. She was happy with the news about his lack of other women. For the first time she felt awkward in his company.
“This is why I don’t like to date. There is always a lot of pressure to make everything perfect. When we’re together, I feel the world moving, and I never want that feeling to end.”
“Then why do you always walk away?” she asked.
“Because part of me was always afraid of losing that feeling with you, and don’t forget, you walked away as well.”
“I know. What makes you think now is different?” His words lifted her world and brought her down again with a large crash.
“We’ve been doing this for over seven years, Amber. If we were going to fall, it would have happened. Every time feels like the first. My world explodes when I’m with you. Even now, holding your hand, I feel tingles like electricity shooting up my arm. I’ve never felt this with anyone. I love you. I want to be with you, and I’ll date you. I’ll do everything I have to in order to prove to you that I’m not going away.”
His grip tightened on her.
“Oh, I’m also banning sex,” he said.
“What?”
Elijah smiled. “I’ve made myself a promise. I’m going to prove to you we can be together without everything else. The sex is the best I’ve ever had, but for a long time, we’re not going to have it. This is going to be about us getting to be together without any other pressure.”
“I’m not sure about that. I like sex.”
“Then you’ll love it when we get back together after a short break. I’m not f**king you. I’m going to seduce you without all the other crap.”
She sipped at her coffee and watched him. There was something different about him that she couldn’t put her finger on. None of it made any sense to her. Why was Elijah adamant to date her?
“What’s changed?” she asked.
“Last night is what changed my mind. Seeing you in the arms of another man opened my eyes to what I’ve been doing wrong. It’s not acceptable to let another man touch you. You’re mine, and now I’m going to prove it with more than words. There’s no way I’m going to lose you because I was a dick and didn’t give you what you needed.”
Amber couldn’t stop the tears from filling her eyes. “You’re being serious about this?”
“Deadly serious.”
She could live without any sex. Six months prior to him walking back into her life she’d been without.
“All right.” She nodded her head and then picked up the menu.
“I don’t want any bullshit either. If you’re not up to going out or you’re too ill, tell me.”
“I will.”
He gazed at her for several minutes before taking the other menu. “I’m starving. I’m thinking eggs, bacon, and some toast. What about you?”
She agreed with him. They ordered breakfast and ate in silence. The quiet wasn’t tense or awkward. She was comfortable around him.
After they were finished, Elijah led them outside. The city was getting busier as it always did on a Saturday.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“We’ve got to walk there. I didn’t bring my car.”
She hadn’t driven her car either. Driving around the city was too stressful, and it took too long. It was much easier walking to places.
“Okay, where are we walking to?”
“That’s the surprise.”
He took her hand and headed off up the street. She held her bag tightly on her shoulder, following behind him. The city was too loud and crowded for them to have a real conversation. She couldn’t believe they were doing something in public. Club Kink was not really in public. The customers and owners were very selective on who they allowed into their club. There was no way she’d ever see Heather or Connie frequenting one of the clubs.
Elijah stopped at the opening to the city center. It was full to bursting with different stalls. She saw a huge selection of food, clothing, and wines. Everything her heart desired was stationed at some stall up and down the city town center.
“You’ve brought me to the market?” she asked, smiling.
“Shopping is great way to relieve stress. Also, I’m cooking dinner at your apartment this evening. What better way to kick off dating than starting with fresh ingredients bought today?”
She’d just fallen head over heels in love with him, all over again.