Kate Hoffmann - A Fare To Remember

Sabina shook her head. “I won’t be staying.”

A moment later, Alec appeared from behind a set of double doors. Sabina stared at him for a long moment. Emotions welled up inside of her-anger, humiliation, frustration and, above all, desire. But she pushed them all back and composed herself.

“Sabina.”

His eyes caught hers and locked, penetrating to the very depths of her soul. Her heart beat fast and she tried to draw a deep breath, but she felt paralyzed. “I brought the papers,” she finally said. She held out the envelope, but he didn’t take it from her.

After another long silence, Sabina spoke. “This is what you wanted. Take them.”

It was difficult to stand near Alec without losing the capacity to think or speak. When she looked at him, her mind filled with images of them kissing, his mouth on hers, his hands furrowed in her hair, his naked body lying beneath hers. She’d never experienced feelings so intense for a man, and even with time apart they hadn’t faded.

She felt the words forming on her lips. Just two words would be all it took and everything would be all right. Kiss me. Kiss me. “Kiss me.”

“What?”

Sabina sucked in a sharp breath. Had she said that out loud? “What?”

“Did you say something?” Alec asked.

“No,” Sabina replied.

“Oh, I must be imagining things.”

“What did you think I said?” Sabina asked.

“I thought you said ‘Kiss me.’” He frowned, deep lines creasing his brow. “Is that what you said, Sabina?”

She swallowed hard. What could the truth hurt? At this very moment, she felt as if he could read her mind. But he didn’t wait for her answer. Instead, he took her hand and pulled her along with him through the double doors.

Sabina resisted, but only just a bit. It felt so wonderful to have him touch her again. They turned a corner and walked into a huge office. Alec shut the door behind them, then steered her toward the desk.

“Say it once more. Go ahead. Don’t be afraid.”

“I didn’t say anything,” Sabina lied. She stepped back, anxious to avoid the warmth and touch of his body. But she ran up against the edge of his desk. “And I’m not afraid of you.”

Alec reached out and cupped her cheek in his palm. “That’s funny,” he said softly, his breath warm against her lips. “Because I’m afraid of you. You scare the hell out of me, Sabina. I’m afraid that I’ll never see you again, or touch you again. I’m afraid that I’ll wake up every morning and wonder why you’re not lying beside me. I’m afraid that I’m going to go through life regretting that I didn’t tell you exactly how I felt.”

He opened his mouth to continue, but Sabina reached up and pressed her fingers to his lips. She knew if he said it she’d be compelled to return the sentiment. But Sabina wasn’t sure how she felt, or even if she could trust Alec’s feelings for her.

“Don’t. Don’t make this more difficult than it has to be. Don’t you see, Alec? This was doomed from the start. It all happened too fast. We were caught up in the passion and didn’t bother to see the reality.”

“And what is the reality, Sabina? I love you and I think you love me. It doesn’t matter how long we’ve known each other. Hell, maybe we knew each other in a past life. Or maybe this was love at first sight. If you don’t believe in the possibility that this might just work, then we’re going to miss out on the best thing to happen to either one of us.”

She stared down at their hands, hers clasped in his. “My grandmother gave me a love charm the morning we met. And that first night you spent at my apartment, she put a potion in your tea. She’s probably been casting spells on you as well, although she hasn’t admitted it.”

“So? What difference does that make? I don’t believe in any of that stuff.” He stepped toward her. “This is what I believe.” He slipped his hand around her nape and pulled her into a kiss. Sabina felt the hum of desire racing through her body. She was acutely aware of every detail: the warmth of his lips, the taste of his mouth, the way his tongue slowly teased until she surrendered to the kiss.

The moment she did surrender, the only thing she really thought about was making it all last-a minute, a day, a month. It didn’t matter. She wanted to kiss Alec until she couldn’t possibly kiss him anymore. She wanted to wash away all her doubts and insecurities, to forget everything that had happened in the past and turn her eyes to the future.

He gently pushed her back against the edge of his desk and then lifted her up to sit in front of him. Sabina parted her knees and he stepped closer, their mouths still caught in an endless kiss. His hands drifted from her face to her thighs and he bunched the gauzy fabric of her skirt in his fists.

When he finally drew back, his eyes were cloudy with desire. “That is what I believe in,” he said in a husky voice. “That feeling. That’s all that matters, Sabina. And I hope you’ll realize that someday.”

With that, he grabbed Sabina’s elbow and escorted her to the door. He opened it, then pushed her through, before shutting it behind her. She stood outside, dazed and bewildered, the envelope still clutched in her hand.

“Well,” she said. “At least I know how he feels. I guess I just need to figure out how I feel.”

THOUSANDS OF TINY LIGHTS illuminated the rooftop garden of Ruta’s building. A small crowd had gathered there for an engagement party for Mario and Iris. Sabina’s grandmother was taking full credit for giving Mario the courage to propose, so she’d felt compelled to throw the party. Yet another one of her prophecies had come true.

Sabina grabbed a bottle of champagne and filled her flute, then gulped it down in a few quick swallows. She refilled the glass before wandering over to the hors d’oeuvres table. It was wonderful, she had to admit. Mario was head over heels in love and it was clear that Iris shared the sentiment.

“Don’t they make a lovely couple?” Ruta stepped up from behind her and slipped her arm around Sabina’s waist.

“They do. They seem very happy.”

“You know, I have been considering what I might do with all my money once the sale goes through. I thought I might take a trip back to the old country. And I would like you to come with me. I think you need to know where your ancestors come from.”

“I don’t know, Nana. I’ve got so many things to decide. I’ve got to find a new place to live, and if I’m going to open a boutique, I’m going to need to find retail space.”

“Have you talked to Alec?”

Sabina watched the bubbles rise in her champagne glass, then took a long sip. “No. I’ve been trying to decide how I feel. I do love him, Nana, but after all that happened, I’m not really sure that he loves me. What if he did fall in love with me because of the amulet and the potion?”

“Bina, you needn’t worry. The amulet is just clay with a few scratches in it, held by a piece of red yarn. And the potion was nothing more than honey and a bit of brandy.”

Sabina gasped. “Really? But I thought-”

“It is all…how do they say…smoke and mirrors. The man loves you and that much is true. Now, what are you going to do about it?”

Sabina felt emotion clog her throat. “Oh, Nana, I’ve been so stupid.”

“Yes, you have, Bina. Why don’t you be smart and go talk to that man of yours.” She nodded to her right. “He’s over there.”

“He’s here?” Sabina whirled around and immediately saw Alec, perched on the edge of the rooftop wall. He was dressed in a casual shirt and khakis, and even in the heat, he managed to look cool and composed.

“Dance with that young man of yours, Bina. He looks lonely sitting over there.”

“What is he doing here?” Sabina asked.

“Mario invited him. He tried a little matchmaking between the two of you and it didn’t work out. He thought he’d give it one last shot. This is his party, Bina. Make him happy and dance with Alec.”

Sabina straightened her spine and pasted a smile on her face, then slowly crossed the roof deck. Alec saw her and stood, taking a few steps toward her. They met in the vicinity of the dance floor, but Sabina found herself frozen in place, unable to move.

“How’s the ankle?” she asked.

“Great,” Alec replied. “And I’ve been sleeping well. No more bad dreams. And business has been good. Thanks for lifting the curse.”

A blush warmed her cheeks. “Alec, there was no curse. I have no powers. Absolutely no talent for anything that has to do with the psychic arts. In fact, until I met you, I wasn’t much of a believer.”

“What changed your mind?”

“I guess I couldn’t really believe that a man like you would fall for a woman like me. At least not in any natural way. I thought it had to be the charm I wore or the potion.”

Alec chuckled and shook his head. “Sabina, you are a very foolish woman. And you’re lucky I’m a patient man. I’ve waited my whole life to find you, and now that I have, I’m willing to wait as long as it takes for you to believe in my feelings for you.”

“I do believe,” Sabina said, tears flooding her eyes. “I do. I love you, Alec. And I don’t care what has happened in the past. All I care about is my future with you.”

He drew her into his embrace, then kissed her so softly and so exquisitely that it took her breath away. When she looked up at him, she saw the emotion in his eyes and knew that she wasn’t wrong. He loved her and he wanted her, for today and forever.

“I have something for you,” Alec said. He grabbed an envelope from his back pocket and handed it to her.

“What is this?” She opened the envelope and unfolded the papers. She recognized them immediately. It was the signed offer he’d made on her grandmother’s building.

“It’s yours. I’m going to buy the building from your grandmother and give it back to you. In return for the fortune you told me that first day in the shop. You said there was something I wanted. I think you used the word covet. You said I’d be tempted to use trickery, but that wouldn’t bring it to me. That only honesty would.”

“My grandmother’s building. See?” Sabina said. “I was right.”

“But that wasn’t what I wanted.” Alec paused, his gaze searching her face. “It was you. I wanted you.”

Sabina felt tears press at the corners of her eyes. She stared down at the papers, then slowly put them back into the envelope. “We’ve come full circle,” she said. “Your grandfather and my grandmother. You and me. And this building. Maybe this was meant to be all along.”

“I think it was,” Alec said, tipping her chin up until their eyes met again. Slowly, he bent forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “I love you, Sabina. And I don’t care what it took to get here, but we are here. This is the beginning of our future together.”

“It feels right,” she said, a smile teasing at the corners of her mouth. “Do you really love me?”

“I do,” Alec said. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her long and hard.

“And I really love you,” Sabina replied breathlessly.

Alec glanced over his shoulder. “Do you think your grandmother would miss us if we skipped out early? My ankle has been feeling sore today and I really should get off my feet. And you do have that very comfortable bed downstairs.”

Sabina tipped her head back and laughed. “My grandmother would be deliriously happy to see us leave together. And I would hate to disappoint her. But then, she’s psychic. She probably knew this was going to happen all along.” Sabina wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed the spot below his ear. “Why don’t we mess with her a little bit? Let’s stay for a few dances.”

“Whatever you say, sweetheart.” Alec took her hand and drew her along to the small dance floor set up in front of the band. Sabina stepped into his arms as if she’d been dancing with him her whole life. As they swayed to the music, she stared up into the night sky and thanked the fates that had brought them together. She was glad she wasn’t psychic, glad that she didn’t see him coming. It made the surprise of falling in love all that much sweeter.

RUTA SAT AT A SMALL TABLE, a glass of champagne in front of her. She watched the couple dance to the small combo she’d hired for the party. A smile broke across her face and joy welled up inside her.

“They make a beautiful couple,” Mario said. “I was right. They belonged together.”

“You were right? But I was the one who saw it first. It was my amulet, my potion. You just drove the man around the city a few times.”

“I thought you told Sabina there was nothing to the potion and amulet,” Mario said.

“So I told a tiny white lie. What harm can it do? She’s never really believed. And I would rather see her happy with a good man than alone and confident in my talents. The charm and the potion worked. I am satisfied. This afternoon I saw a wedding in my crystal ball.”