“Is that it?” he shrugs. “I don’t know. We can make it anything we want. No promises, no expectations, just live in the moment. Isn’t that what life is about? A collection of moments, breaths, and milestones. I can’t promise you anything but honesty.”
Honesty is something I don’t often receive, especially from a man. Roland promised a lot, but he was never honest with me. With Iskander, at least I know that it’ll end, but I can enjoy it. What can go wrong?
A lot. Your job is in jeopardy for one.
“It was a one-time thing,” I say.
He smiles at me. “You don’t have this kind of chemistry with just anyone. We should explore what’s happening between us.”
“I’m not a fan of flings, and I don’t believe in off-the-charts chemistry. It’s just a lie to have good sex with someone,” I say, pretending that I believe my own bullshit.
He is right. Sex has never felt so good before.
“So maybe it’s you,” he suggests.
I touch the base of my neck. “It’s me?” I ask. “What did I do?”
“Listen, I’m thirty-four, and it’s never been this good for me,” he explains. “Either it’s the chemistry between us, or it was so fucking good because you’re… I have no idea how to describe it without sounding corny or creepy.”
“Why creepy?” I chuckle.
“What would you think if a guy said something like, ‘You’re the sunlight in a tunnel full of darkness,’ after only knowing him for a few hours?”
He gives me a look that says it doesn’t-make-sense.
“You’d be running far away from me or having me committed,” he explains. “I’d like to imagine something special may develop as we get to know each other. That at some point, I can tell you that maybe you’re my destiny. Right now, it might be the endorphins talking.”
“Oh—my heart,” I set my hands on my chest dramatically. “Did you learn to be such a great poet from Neruda?”
He grins. “No need to be sarcastic. Just let things happen. I’m not asking you to marry me or run away with me. It’s a sequence of dates.”
“Hotel and janitor closet dates?”
“No.” He extends his hand. “I’m Iskander Cantú. I own a consulting company, but at the moment, I’m tending to the family business. I don’t know what tomorrow will look like, but I can promise that I’ll be a good boss in the office. Outside the office, I want to be withyou.”
“Are you married?” I know he’s not. His grandfather always complains that none of his grandchildren like to date, plan on getting married, or have children.
He shakes his head. “I wouldn’t have done what we did today if I were married.”
“Can I think about it?”
“Yes, but please, don’t quit.”
“Or sue you for sexual harassment?” I joke, since Nydia mentioned that earlier.
“I didn’t…” He holds his breath. “That wasn’t my intention.”
“I know. I was upset when I said I could do it.”
Something flashes in his eyes. “So, it wasn’t Nydia’s idea?”
I shake my head. “Nah, she wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
“Do you think you can convince her to rent us the guest house?” he asks.
I shake my head. Why would I want him living next door to me? “See you later, Iskander.”
“How about a date tomorrow?”