Love Without Borders Read online

  Thank goodness the elevator had a bell that sounded once it arrived at the floor or Adam and Valentina would have found themselves naked on the floor of the elevator. Not losing contact with each other, they made their way down the hallway to Adam’s door. She held onto him, kissing his neck as he fumbled his keycard into the lock. The door fell open under his hand, and they tumbled inside, catching themselves before they hit the floor.

  Valentina managed to pull his shirt free of his pants and up over his head. Adam found the zipper on the back of her dress and zipped it all the way down. He slid the light material down over her shoulders before it fell to the floor, leaving her almost bare. Valentina kicked off her sandals as Adam sat to remove his boots. He made quick work of them as she knelt on the bed behind where he was sitting. She ran her hands over his bare back, around to his stomach, enjoying the muscled ridges and smooth skin. Once he had his boots off, he turned around to move her back on the bed. She reached for his belt and the button of his jeans.

  He slid his hands up her smooth legs, grasped the edges of her lacy underwear and slid them down over her perfectly formed hips. She had loosened his jeans enough that he pulled them all the way off. With expert skill, he reached around and unsnapped her bra, leaving them both delightfully naked.

  Adam took a moment to worship her body, from her beautifully curved hips to the slight swell of her belly to her breasts that fit perfectly in his hands. He had mentioned more than once how smooth and silky her skin was and how delightful he found her freckles, and he began kissing the ones he found.

  Valentina loved being naked in front of Adam. She wasn’t one to wander around without clothes or sleep naked, but now, with Adam, she felt as if she could leave clothes behind and be here with him forever. He looked at her with such joy, such desire, such anticipation. If Adam wasn’t the one for her, she was going to have a hell of a time finding someone better than him. His bedroom skills alone would set a very high bar.

  Adam caressed her breasts slowly, the look in his eye telling her he loved how they filled his hands. He made her moan when he feathered his fingertips over her nipples causing them to harden in response. She returned the favor, making him groan in anticipation as she stroked his cock, hard steel under the softest skin. She wrapped her hand around him and moved along the length of it.

  He put his hand over hers to stop the strokes. “Too much of that and I’ll be done,” he said.

  He trailed his hands down over her stomach until he reached her wet triangle. She was dripping with anticipation and looked at him with hooded eyes as he began to stroke her there. In and out, he started slowly. She began to move against his hand, picking up the tempo to a faster pace. She called his name as he pleasured her.

  As she drew close to climaxing, he stopped his hand and moved between her legs. He slowly slid inside of her in one long, delicious stroke. He was fully inside her, as far as he could go. He went slow and steady. Each thrust in and out was long and even. Valentina was in heaven. She held onto his arms and moved her hips in rhythm to his strokes. They were in sync as he moved faster. She tilted her hips and moved her knees until he fit even deeper into her core.

  She yelled his name as she came, breaking into waves of light. He watched the quivers of pleasure take over her body as he gave his last thrusts before he shouted. He came deep inside of her and watched the happiness in his face. As they both came down from the pinnacle of joy, they looked into each other’s eyes.

  He lay down next to her, and she caressed his arms. They lay intertwined for a few minutes as their breathing slowed.

  “Was that your plan all along with brunch in the city?” Valentina asked with a grin.

  “Will you be surprised if I say yes?” answered Adam. She laughed.

  “No. It was probably my plan all along, too. I can’t seem to get enough of you,” she said.

  “I know the feeling,” said Adam. “I don’t know what I’m going to do in Rwanda without you.”

  He pulled her into his arms and they lay close, limbs intertwined. Neither said a word as they quietly enjoyed the moment together, not knowing how many more they would have before the time came.

  Eventually, Valentina and Adam rose from bed and decided to venture outside of the hotel to get dinner at a restaurant close by. After the brunch they shared that morning, she couldn’t help but notice how little time they had left together. She was more aware than ever how short the days were before Adam left for Rwanda. Neither one seemed ready to bring up what would happen to their relationship after he left. Is that what they would call it, a relationship? Or was this still just a fun fling while Adam was on vacation?

  After they returned to Adam’s room in the Topaz hotel, they made love again. Slower and sweeter. Enjoying the moment and taking the time to learn every inch of each other’s bodies.

  Afterward, while lying together in bed enjoying the warmth of their naked bodies, Val suddenly said,

  “Hey, I’ve got a crazy idea.” She sat up and faced him. “Why don’t you come stay with me for the last few days? I know it seems sudden, but we are spending time together every day. I’m driving back and forth, and you could save a couple of days of hotel cost by crashing with me.”

  “You don’t think that would be too much for you?” he asked.

  “No, I think it would work out well. I’m not taking off these next few days—although I wish I were—because I have two weeks of vacation planned for Rwanda coming up. This way, I can see more of you before and after work.”

  “In that case, I accept,” Adam said. “I’ll work it out with the hotel tomorrow morning and take a cab over. I can meet you after work at your place.”

  “Perfect,” said Valentina and with the decision made, she tucked back into the nook of his arm. They spent the rest of the evening together, alternating between making love and sleeping.

  Chapter 12

  Work passed slowly for Valentina. Steve popped his head into her office, interrupting Val daydreaming about Adam.

  “Hey, Val, what’s new?”

  Val wasn’t ready to spill the beans about Adam so she deferred. “Not much, what about you? Are you still seeing Jackie?”

  “Yes, I think. She’s driving me a little nuts. One minute she’s texting me all the time and talking about how great we are together. The next, she’s hardly responding and saying she needs space. I feel like a ping-pong ball here.”

  “Maybe this is why she is 50 and never married. She might not have the best relationship skills.”

  “Perhaps. Or maybe this is just an example of how women are confusing,” Steve said teasingly.

  “I don’t think we’re confusing, Steve. And you can hardly lump us all together. Each woman is different,” Val answered with a smile.

  “We’ll see about that,” Steve commented as he left and walked down the hall to his office.

  Valentina picked up lunch at a new place near her office. This “new life, new Val” streak was catching on for her. She wasn’t ditching all of her routines or traditions, but she was certainly shaking them up a bit. She wanted to leave work on time to meet Adam. She was nervous about him coming to stay with her. Not because they wouldn’t get along, but because it seemed like a big step. It was like he was moving in with her, even if it was only for a few days. Would he take it as a sign she wanted more commitment? She wasn’t sure what she wanted long-term, but she was interested in spending more time with him, more nights in his arms, before he left on that plane.

  Valentina decided to wait outside for Adam. She sat on a bench near the front of her building and enjoyed the warm spring weather while she waited for him to arrive. For once, she wasn’t too cold without a sweater. It wasn’t long before a taxi pulled up and Adam got out, pulling his trusty backpack and messenger bag with him. He smiled at her.

  After he paid the taxi, he kissed her and they headed up to her apartment. Valentina had picked up some groceries on the way home, so she proposed staying in for dinner. They could
cook together.

  Adam tossed his bags into Valentina’s bedroom as she opened a bottle of wine. She poured both of them a glass and started to get ingredients out for dinner. She had picked a new recipe off the internet. She thought it would be fun for them to cook together so she searched for something yummy-sounding but not terribly difficult. She wasn’t the best cook, baking was more her speed, but she could keep up. Adam took his glass of wine and asked what he should do. She had him start chopping vegetables while she put together the other ingredients.

  They worked seamlessly together to put together a meal of fish and vegetables. It started a conversation of what Adam missed while he was in Africa.

  “I’m not terribly picky, so there’s not too much I miss while I’m in Rwanda. I usually wish for typical first-world stuff like hot showers any time I want one, reliable fast internet, and sweets,” he said. “But there are things that I love about Rwanda that I can’t get here: super spicy hot sauce, these certain plantain chips, the best rice and beans.”

  He continued. “I miss more when I’m here in the States. I feel a little like a fish out of water. My parents want me to be more financially successful and to settle down and get married. I don’t quite know what I want yet. I’m happy working in Rwanda. I’d like to travel more. Who knows where that will take me?

  “I like that the simplicity of my life in Africa. Not relying on electricity and internet all the time. Getting to know people on a personal level. The slower pace of things. You’re not judged by your clothes or hair, by your car or office in Rwanda. People make an effort to get to know you. I feel valued there, like I matter as a person, and I like feeling like a part of a team that is doing something in the world, instead of pushing paper.”

  Val understood exactly what he was saying. Despite never having visited Africa, she knew what he meant by being a little on the outside here. She had felt that too. Her mom wanted her to go one way, settle down and have kids, but she felt drawn in other directions, to things like travel and adventure. She had her girls to support her, but they all seemed to be going their own way.

  They finished eating the meal and drinking the bottle of wine, and then Valentina and Adam popped out for a quick ice cream at a local shop that Valentina liked. When they returned to her place, they relaxed on the couch. They were supposed to be watching a movie on TV that Valentina had wanted to see, but they ended up making love on the couch and heading to bed early. The movie didn’t get watched, but they did fall asleep naked in each other’s arms.

  The next two days followed a slower pace. Valentina would get up and get ready, and Adam would make coffee and drive her to work. This way he could use her car while she was gone. She put in a day’s work while Adam entertained himself around town or hung out at the apartment. He even met her for lunch both days so she wouldn’t be tied to her desk.

  On Monday night, they picked up groceries and cooked dinner together again. It was nice to have some quiet time together, just doing normal, daily activities. It was calming and gave them a glimpse into what it would be like to have a life together.

  On Tuesday, they went out to dinner. Adam wanted to try something new, so he volunteered a local Ethiopian restaurant. Valentina had never eaten Ethiopian food, but she was willing to try it. They pulled up to a nondescript building with a red neon sign. The atmosphere of the restaurant was set with low-lighting, rugs scattered on the floor, and low tables. Instrumental music that Val had never heard was playing softly in the background.

  A waiter brought glasses of water and menus while Adam and Val poured over the plastic covered menus. They selected a couple of dishes, and thank goodness the menu explained how the food was served and how many things to order. Otherwise, she would have been clueless.

  Their food was brought on a large metal tray shaped like a plate. It had small heaps of meat and lentils on top of injera, a flat type of bread. The injera had an interesting texture, and the waiter explained that you use it to scoop up the food. The waiter pointed out each dish, explaining the ingredients so they knew which was chicken and which was vegetable. Adam was eager to dig in, reaching for the injera before the waiter had left the table. Val watched Adam take the first bite.

  Adam gave Val a grin after he ate and urged her to dig in. They had fun tearing off and scooping up the food in a smooth manner. Most of the time, they had to lean in to make sure the food landed in their mouth and not in their lap. Giggling about their food scooping skills, the couple had a lively time finishing their meal.

  Valentina liked this about their relationship. She wasn’t sure she would have tried the restaurant without Adam suggesting it, but she was glad he did. She wanted a life with excitement, and she loved how Adam was always up to try something new.

  Once the platter of food was cleared, they ordered coffee. Sitting and sipping their strong coffee out of tiny cups, Adam turned serious.

  “Valentina, I think we need to talk about Friday,” said Adam. “I’m leaving to head back to Rwanda.”

  “I know,” she said with a little frown. “What do we need to talk about?” Friday had already been on her mind, but she tried not to jump to conclusions.

  “About us,” Adam said as he looked directly at Val. “About what we want to do with us. I am dreading that time is passing, not because it hasn’t been wonderful spending time with you, but because it’s one more moment that brings me closer to leaving. You know I haven’t had good luck with long-distance relationships in the past. Is that even an option for us?” His voice was almost pleading. She could see the sadness in his eyes.

  “Honestly, Adam, I don’t know. I haven’t had long-distance relationships like you have, but I do know that I don’t want to be apart from you. This is the happiest I’ve been in a long time. I want to see you more, continue to learn more about you, to explore what we are together.” Val tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and occupied her hands with her coffee cup. She didn’t want to look at him. She was afraid she would start tearing up if she did.

  “I leave on Friday to go to Rwanda; you arrive a week later for your trip. I’ll be able to see you then since you’ll be touring the projects I’m working on, but we won’t be spending every day together like this.”

  She glanced up sharply. “Why not? I’ve got a single room on the trip, so you can spend the evenings with me.”

  “Yes and no,” he calmly explained. “The days on the trip are pretty long, so we won’t have as much time as you think. I can visit at night, but I’m not sure how it would look for an ESAG staff person to be sleeping over with a donor on a trip. That might get both of us in some trouble.”

  “Ok. Can I come to you? What if I visit you and your apartment while I’m there?” she asked, beginning to feel desperate about seeing him.

  “That might work, except you’ll be taking a motor bike in a strange city in a strange country. And we’re back to the long days again. I’m not saying that we won’t see each other, just that it won’t be like this. Not every day, not for very long. Besides, that’s just two weeks. What happens after that? Once you leave Rwanda, any time we can squeeze into your trip will seem like a ton of time compared to how much I’ll see you once you come back.” His tone of voice was flat, hopeless.

  “When do you come back to the States?” she asked. Her eyes began to water.

  “Not for almost a year. It’s an expensive trip to make, so I usually only come once a year.”

  “You don’t come home for the holidays? Another vacation?”

  “I’m not sure about the holidays. I didn’t come back last year. That trip would be on my own dime, and it costs a lot to come back. Not that we can’t do that, just that I can’t afford to do it much.” He gave her a sad smile.

  “We’ll figure it out,” she said. “I visit Rwanda in May. Let’s say I visit again in three months. Then you can come back to the States in another three months for the holidays in December,” Val suggested. She began to speak quickly, almost panicky.


  “But is that enough?” Adam questioned. “Seeing you two times the rest of the year? Then what happens next year? Hell, what happens in between? I hardly have enough internet or phone service for predictable communications. Not to mention that we wouldn’t be able to Skype or send videos or anything complex like that. How can we sustain a relationship like that?”

  Adam looked dejected. Val was glad that things hadn’t ended up with them fighting about the future of their relationship, but she was discouraged. She was delighted that Adam wanted a future with her, but sadly, she agreed with his assessment. Adam living in Rwanda was going to be very difficult. She didn’t have a good answer. She didn’t know how they could sustain a relationship. All she did know was that she wanted to. Adam’s comments and questions told her he wanted to continue a relationship, too.

  Clinging to each other emotionally, Adam and Val left the restaurant. They held hands as they walked to the car, and then Val drove them back to her apartment in silence. Each was lost in their thoughts about the future.

  They walked into Val’s apartment and, without saying anything, walked to the bedroom. They undressed each other and made love without words. Valentina tried not to cry with the knowledge that this time together would be short lived. She put her emotion about the distance into each caress, each kiss. She craved him now. His touch, his presence, his conversation. She didn’t know how she could go without him. They were together. Whatever they wanted to call it, however they wanted to work it out, they were together.

  Chapter 13

  Valentina awoke on Thursday in Adam’s arms. She readied for work while Adam dressed and made coffee. She would miss this interaction. Miss these little rituals they had developed in such a short time. Though that morning, not a word was exchanged as they prepared to leave. In the car on the way to work, Val tried to break the silence.