HeartBreak Central (Part 2)

I stood there for a couple of minutes; desolate, empty, alone, trying to recover my sense of self.

My croissant and latté were waiting for me, cold.

Then I glanced down; he had scrawled on my table mat his cellphone number.

And below that, “Henri. Call me!”

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday… his image played like an elusive backdrop to my days.

On Wednesday Tatiana and I were having a drink after the latest Bond movie. I told her about Henri and his ‘call me’ note.

Her intense green eyes drilled into me, “Sarah, you don’t have a clue about this guy besides you tell me he was a divine ****. He could be married with three kids for all you know. Or a serial rapist!”

“Yes but…” I trailed off.

Tatiana has been in a steady relationship for years. She has no idea what it’s like trying to sort the wheat from the chaff in today’s scene. 

“Tat, I felt that there was something there, something special, that I can’t simply walk away from.”

“He was so mysterious, so sure of himself. We connected. I can’t explain. And that cock. You have no idea what it did to me! I don’t want to chase him, but I have to find out whether there could be more to this.”

Tatiana sighed. “Baby, back you go to Heartbreak Central!”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

She’d made her point. She knew I was dead set on calling him. It was only a matter of when.

Thursday, Friday…

I woke late on Saturday after tossing and turning all night. Should I call today? Was I being too eager? What should I say?

Before I could dive back into the vortex of yes/no/maybe, I decided, “Just do it!”

He picked up on the second ring. That rich deep voice made me melt. 

“Hello, Henri here.” 

I started out light and bright. “Hi it’s Sarah. You remember we met last Saturday when we… when we…” I was losing my composure. Henri came to my rescue. 

“So Sarah is the temptress who shot me into the stratosphere last week. I wondered when you’d call.” The frisson between us zipped through the ether. There was no doubt in his voice. I felt myself responding – wet, swollen, hungry. 

He went on, “Look, I’m meeting friends for dinner tonight. Casual. Would you like to come?” 

There was no point in playing coy. “I’d love to.” 

I’m in the fashion industry so I shouldn’t have panicked over what to wear. I chose my new blue silk slip-dress that slithers over my curves and reveals my back. I left my hair loose down to my shoulders.

My nerves almost got the better of me as the uber pulled up at an upscale bistro. But as Henri got up to greet me, I knew that calling him had not been a mistake. Our eyes met and the wick of sensual promise flared, unbidden. 

Henri pulled out the chair beside him and I felt his hand slide over my hip as he guided me to my seat, hinting at the intimacy we’d already shared. I glanced up at him. I saw intensity, curiosity, and ***** desire.

There were two other couples at the table. The women appraised me coolly; who was this unknown female Henri had inserted into our cozy dinner at the last minute? Henri introduced us:

“Sarah, these are old friends, Charles and Derek. Lawyers, but don’t hold that against them.” 

The blonde and brunette, Joanne and Mercer, were their partners and, I might add, singularly smug in their good fortune.

We ordered and the others chatted. Under the table I felt Henri reach for my hand. My heart staggered.

One of the guys asked, “Henri, how’s the market this week? Any stocks I should be buying?” Henri laughed, “No insider trading buddy!” 

Then their attention turned to me. Mercer, the cool blonde, asked, “Well, Sarah, what d’you do to pass the time?” Henri was watching me intently. 

I replied, “I’m a shoe and accessory designer. Quite well known actually. I see you’re wearing my brand ‘City Chic’.” 

I glanced at Henri. From his expression, I guessed my reply was making him see me through a different lens. 

And now it was my turn, “So Mercer, what do you do to pass your time?” 

“Oh things…” she muttered, showing off her profile and pursing her mouth.

Henri chuckled and smiled at me. He liked my sass. 

The chemistry between us clicked up a notch. I felt his fingers skimming my ***** back. ******** had begun, very discretely. Beneath the table he took my hand and brushed my fingers across his groin. He was hard, ready, as aroused as I was. We were entering that exquisite bubble where no one else exists, where even the slightest contact, the merest glance, says everything about where the night will end.

Later, when we stood up to leave, he leaned across and whispered in my ear, his breath a hot caress, “Sarah, will you come to my place?” I nodded. As we walked out, I teased, “No wife away for the weekend?” 

He grinned down at me and the fan of laughter lines I had noticed that first day, deepened.

“No wife, no kids, no exes, but maybe with you, who knows…”

In the darkness of the taxi he took my face in his hands and kissed me deeply. I shuddered as that bold, strong tongue explored my mouth. I flickered my tongue over his lips in response. 

The lights of Manhattan shimmered through the vast glass windows of his apartment.

He took my wrap, then stopped, turning me gently towards him. “Sarah, no back-of-door quickie this time. I want to get to know you. Are you with me?”

“I am,” I whispered.  

Tatiana, eat your heart out! 

Maybe, just maybe, Henri would prove her wrong.  

**THE END

THAT'S ALL FOR TODAY

HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT HEHEHEHE**

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***