Love Without Borders Read online

  Adam slowed his running to match her pace.

  “Sorry, I’m not a faster runner. I run twice a week, but I don’t seem to get noticeably faster. You can run ahead if you want to. I don’t mind.”

  “I would never run ahead,” said Adam. “Besides, that’s not the point. We’re here to run together, not set land speed records. I’m happy running right here beside you.”

  Val was pleased with his answer. Somehow she didn’t feel that he was upset about holding back on his speed but that he was genuinely enjoying the slower pace with her.

  “Feel free to do the talking. I’ll just keep running and breathing over here,” she said. So Adam carried the conversation, for the most part, telling her stories of his adventures, including a story about riding a wooden boat in Costa Rica through the rainforest.

  “That reminds me of the first time I went food shopping in Rwanda,” he started a new story. “I had finally settled in an apartment and unpacked my stuff. I had a few snacks but needed real food, more than I could get at the corner store. “

  Val watched him out of the corner of her eye as she ran. She had a small smile as she sensed this story would be quite the adventure.

  “I ventured a few streets over to the large street market. They had stalls for pretty much anything you could think of: clothes, cooking pots, books, and lots of food. It was easy to get some fruits and vegetables. I recognized most of what was on display. I tried to haggle a bit, but I’m pretty sure those nice ladies running the booths got the best of me.”

  Val grinned at his admission. He continued animatedly telling his tale.

  “I was almost done. Fruit, check. Veggies, check. Staples like rice and oil, check. The only thing I was missing was some meat. I passed some eggs, but I really wanted some sort of meat. I figured I could find a chicken, but after walking around several stalls, I couldn’t see one. So I decided to just get the next thing I saw and go with it. When in Rome, right?

  “The next stall with meat had goats. I knew this because there were whole goats hanging upside down, stripped of skin but with heads and hooves still on. Trying to appear calm, I asked the woman running the stall if I could buy a piece. There was no way I wanted a whole goat. After some hand motions, trying to understand each other, she cut me off a whole leg and wrapped it up.

  “I paid for the leg and carried it all the way home wondering how the heck I was going to cook a whole leg. I hardly had a pot big enough for rice.”

  Val tried to run while laughing at his tales. “What did you do with the leg?” she asked.

  “I cut it up as best I could and cooked it in a pot with rice. My butchering job was terrible, and I don’t think I did a very good job cooking it, as it was really chewy.” He laughs and shakes his head at the memory. “After that, I had a coworker take me to the market until I got more familiar with it.”

  As they neared the end of the route Val had laid out, Adam stopped short. “I just realized that I’ve never asked you what Val is short for?” asked Adam.

  “Why do you ask?” said Val. She didn’t love her full name and felt more comfortable going by her nickname.

  “I’ve only known you as Val, but I’m curious to know what it stands for. Maybe Valerie?” he guessed.

  “Nope,” Val replied. “Valentina.”

  “Valentina.” Adam tested the name. He smiled as he said it. “I love it. I’m going to call you Valentina from now on.”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Why?”

  “I think it suits you better. Val is what I would call my best friend’s little sister. Val is the lady that volunteers at the library. You are more than that; you are the lovely Valentina. My valentine, Valentina.”

  Although she felt more like the library volunteer he described, she couldn’t argue with him. He had a knack for making her feel unique and valued, like a fine wine to be savored, not one to be tossed back with pizza.

  “Ok. Valentina it is,” she acquiesced with a tiny smile.

  After the run, they headed toward the car but didn’t get inside. They walked along the waterfront, looking at the restaurants. They came across one with outdoor seating that seemed casual enough for their post-run sweaty selves.

  “Let’s get it to go,” said Adam. “We can head back to the park we just ran around and eat there. I don’t have a blanket, but we can pretend it’s a picnic.”

  Val was surprised, but pleased, at Adam’s suggestion. How romantic to eat beneath the blooming trees. “I might have a blanket in my car; we can check on the way back.”

  Adam ordered their meals, sure to pick a dessert that they could share and, once again, paid.

  “I’m going to pick up the tab for our next date,” Valentina insisted.

  “No way,” said Adam. “I may pretend to be a modern man, but I can be a little old-fashioned, too. I want to pay. Especially with you doing all the planning for these dates, the least I can do is pick up the cost.”

  “If you insist. In what other ways are you old fashioned?” she asked with a smile.

  “Besides paying for dinner? I like to open doors and I’ll give you my jacket when you’re cold, but you know that I don’t hesitate in going for a good-night kiss.” Val blushed at his statement. Adam grinned. “I’m not much for fussing, but I think that’s my modern side. I wear clothes that are comfortable and do the job. I carry an ancient backpack instead of a fancy suitcase. I hardly dress up, and I enjoy things like this more than a formal event any day.”

  Valentina wasn’t much for fussiness either. She dressed for comfort, preferred books to people in a lot of situations, and didn’t pretend to be someone she wasn’t. She didn’t stand on tradition much, although she let herself get stuck in everyday routines. But that was changing. Her planned trip to Rwanda, time spent with this handsome stranger, and shaking up her wardrobe were helping her to break out of that.

  Adam and Valentina found a ratty blanket in the back of her SUV that she had last used to cushion something she moved in her car. With the blanket and food in tow, they found a flat spot in the grass of Hain’s Point to eat their picnic. It made Valentina’s day that he had ordered a dessert for them, and she happily shared it with him as they enjoyed the scenery.

  As they started to clean up the picnic to head back to the car, Adam leaned over toward Valentina. “You have some chocolate on your lip,” he said as he used his thumb to brush away the sauce. He licked the sauce off his thumb, and Valentina’s mouth went dry. “I want to be sure there isn’t more,” he said as he leaned in and kissed Valentina.

  There was no hesitation in her kiss. She parted her lips, and they deepened their kiss. Adam stepped closer to her and put his hands on the small of her back. As he kissed her, he gently drew her closer to him until their bodies were touching. Valentina dropped the edge of the blanket that she was holding and put her hands on his arms. She slowly slid her hands up his strong arms. Adam took one hand and used it to hold the side of her head. He kissed her like he couldn’t get enough. She matched his kisses. Her warm mouth eagerly returned his advances, and his touch brought fire to her skin. He touched more of her, her hair, her skin.

  As they parted, both breathless, Valentina smiled. Adam smiled back. “I’m finding it hard to tear myself away from you,” he said, “but I also don’t want to rush things. I want more of you, but only what you are willing to give.”

  Valentina didn’t have a response. What was she willing to give? She wasn’t one to hop into bed with someone on the first—or second—date, but she felt like she had known Adam longer.

  When Adam took her hand and led her back to her car, she slowed her pace because she didn’t want the night to end. Would he invite her up to his hotel room? He said he would wait for her, but how long was she willing to wait?

  Chapter 9

  Valentina drove back to Adam’s hotel, and instead of just dropping him off, they had a drink in the back of the hotel bar. Using the darkness to hide their sweaty clothes, they held hands and nursed drinks far
longer than the bartender probably preferred.

  “Tomorrow is Friday. Why don’t I take off work early so we can do something together?” suggested Valentina.

  “That sounds great,” said Adam. “But this time, let me plan the date. You’ve already picked two for us; I’m sure I can find something for us to do for one night.”

  “It’s a deal,” she said. “Let me know where to meet you or if I should pick you up.”

  He walked her back to her car in the parking garage and watched her get in the driver’s seat. He leaned in and kissed her, and Val was glad that they had the car between them to prevent things from getting too heated.

  “Until tomorrow,” said Adam.

  Valentina couldn’t wait to hear from Adam on Friday. She was excited to see what he would plan for them. Would it be a romantic date? Something more active? For someone who barely knew the city, would it be something well known?

  Before she heard from Adam, Bri texted her.

  Hello? What’s up with you and hunky Adam?

  Hi. We’ve been seeing each other since he got into town Wednesday. Two dates and another tonight.

  Can’t get enough of each other, huh?

  Pretty much. He’s better than I imagined, and I’m trying to hold myself back from totally throwing myself at him.

  Is he good in bed?

  What?!? We haven’t gotten that far, but I can tell you he is an amazing kisser.

  That’s good to hear. I’m sure it won’t be long until I get the good-in-bed update.

  Bri! I do not just jump in bed with guys. I really want to, but I’m trying to give it a little time. I’ve only technically known him two weeks.

  Two weeks, two years. What does that matter? You have need; he has needs. You can scratch each other’s itch.

  While I’m not opposed to that, I’m waiting for it to happen naturally. I’ll keep you posted.

  What are you two lovebirds doing tonight?

  Not sure. Adam is planning a date, and I’m going to enjoy the surprise.

  Maybe it’s in his hotel room? Just kidding.

  What are you and Fritz up to? Friday plans?

  Maybe. Fritz is not one for advance planning, and it’s driving me a little nuts. I’m not one to have it all planned out, but more than a couple of hours’ notice would be nice.

  Oh no. Trouble in paradise?

  We’ll see. He’s not out yet, but he’s not knocking my socks off, especially in that manner.

  Valentina knew that Bri put high weight on someone knocking her socks off in bed. If Fritz wasn’t doing that, Valentina didn’t have faith that he would be sticking around much longer. But Bri did raise an interesting point: Valentina had spent more than a moment or two daydreaming about Adam in bed.

  Based on Adam’s lack of hesitation in kissing her, she didn’t think Adam would hesitate in sleeping together either. Instead of feeling rushed, Valentina found herself looking forward to the time that she and Adam would get to enjoy more than a kiss.

  Adam instructed her to meet him at an address downtown at 3:30 pm. She didn’t know the address, and she was tempted to Google it and find out what the plan was, but Valentina loved surprises and wanted to enjoy the anticipation.

  Despite her impatience, her workday passed fairly quickly before she was able to head out to the meeting spot. It was Friday, so she was in normal casual Friday work attire: jeans and a floral top. She did have on her favorite yellow flats though. They were becoming a wardrobe staple. She hoped it wasn’t a fancy place since she didn’t have a change of clothes with her.

  She easily located the address, a café, but didn’t see Adam when she drove by. She found a parking spot a few blocks away and hustled back to the meeting spot. By the time she got back to the café, Adam was there waiting for her. He smiled as soon as he saw her.

  He said hello and wasted no time in kissing her. For someone who she had only met a few times, she felt surprisingly comfortable kissing him all the time. The first kiss they shared warmed her on the inside, but now, it took no time for his kiss to cause a flame to heat up inside her, as if her insides were on a path to slow boil if she didn’t touch him more.

  Before they could get into full on make-out mode on the sidewalk, Adam ended the kiss with a grin.

  “I’ll never get tired of kissing you,” he said. “But right now, we have a mission.”

  He took her hand, and they began walking along the city street. After a block, he took her inside a sports store, which sold gear for the Washington Nationals, the local Major League baseball team.

  “Pick a hat,” said Adam. They spent a few minutes trying on choices before she settled on a pink one. After paying, they left the store and headed farther down the block. As they walked, Valentina could hear noise building. They turned the corner and she saw Nats Park, the stadium for the baseball team.

  “A Nats game!” she exclaimed. “How fun!” Adam smiled at her. They hadn’t talked much about sports, so she didn’t know how big of a fan he was. She enjoyed a casual game now and then.

  “Being in Rwanda has made me appreciate soccer, even a little cricket or rugby, but I’ve been missing American sports,” said Adam. “I’m not a huge fan, but I remember going to games with my dad as a kid and enjoying it.”

  “I don’t watch the Nats on TV or anything, but I do like going to a game. I’ve been a couple of times since they started in DC, and I like the stadium experience,” said Valentina.

  They walked into the stadium and found their seats. They were mid-level seats, not the front row but not nosebleed either. They ate hot dogs and drank overpriced beers and held hands as they watched the game. Adam explained some of the finer points of the game to her, and they reminisced about playing sports as a kid. Adam shared a few stories of him and his dad going to games in Florida. He seemed relaxed and comfortable revealing parts of his childhood to her.

  In the end, the Nats triumphed over the Mets and the Nats fans all left happy. Adam and Valentina walked out of the stadium arm-in-arm. Adam suggested that they get some real food now that the game was over. They headed in the direction of Valentina’s car, so she would be closer to it after they ate.

  Finding a casual restaurant, they ate a late dinner and talked about the week. Val was having fun playing tour guide for him, and she thought he was enjoying it, too.

  “Now it’s my turn to surprise you,” said Valentina. “Tomorrow, I will take you to a place that I go often. Then we can get lunch and see what we want to do for the afternoon.”

  “You already surprised me with the cherry blossoms,” said Adam.

  “Sort of. You knew we were running, just not where. This will be a total surprise.”

  “I’m game,” said Adam.

  They finished their meal, including a dessert, and Adam paid the bill before they walked back out into the evening. It was getting chilly, and the cold air caused Valentina to shiver. Adam put his arm around her, and they went to find her car.

  Adam kissed her standing outside her car. Valentina sensed his hesitation and guessed he was holding back for her, trying not to put pressure on her for what he seemed quite ready for.

  The kiss had stoked the fires inside Valentina as well. She had felt Adam’s response to the kiss and was happy she had such an effect on him. He made her weak in the knees with his kisses and fascinating stories. She could listen to him all day. She really liked him, could actually be falling for him.

  She didn’t ask him about his hesitation in the kiss. She let herself be carried by emotion in the moment. She didn’t want the kisses—or the evening—to end, but Adam drew back from the kisses and told her goodbye.

  “We’re not even near your hotel,” said Val.

  “I know, but I want to walk around a bit. Get some air. Your kisses are affecting me quite a bit.”

  Val was happy that he was experiencing the same heady feelings that she was. His hesitation confused her a little, but she took him at his word that she was influencing his though
ts.

  After their goodbyes, Val got into her car and pulled out of the parking space. Adam watched her and Val could see him give a little wave as she drove off. Val drove off into the night, thoughts of their kisses—and what might come next—swirling in her head.

  Chapter 10

  Valentina picked Adam up at his hotel the next morning and drove him to a rundown parking lot at the back of an industrial park. Valentina announced they had arrived, parked the car, and got out. Adam followed her around the corner to a plain brown door under a sign for the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Adam raised his eyebrows.

  Carrying two bags from the back seat of her car, Valentina ignored his look of surprise and walked in. She greeted the assembled volunteers and introduced Adam around before the two of them found a place stocking shelves and getting food organized. Val showed him how to arrange the bread on the shelves so the customers could easily see and select one. After the bread was tidy, they moved on to sort cans by date and food.

  Val noticed the other volunteers sneaking glances at them. She and Adam were standing close, letting their hands brush as they worked, giggling together. It must be obvious that they were more than just a couple of friends volunteering together. After making the shelves more presentable, they opened the doors and started handing out numbers to the people walking in.

  The people came in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Families with young children, the elderly, and kids that looked barely old enough to be fending for themselves. Each took a number and checked in at the desk. Adam and Valentina spent the morning running the bread station handing out bread, rolls, and doughnuts to the customers of the food bank. Val took a moment to talk with each child that came through her station. She bent down to their level and asked about school or offered them a coloring sheet.

  “You’re really great with the customers,” Val told Adam once the flow of customers ended. “It took me awhile to get used to communicating with guests that don’t speak English, but now I know a few of the customers by sight and recognize the kids.”