DARK TEMPTATION PART 1

August 4, 2009

That evening was very dark and chilly as I headed into a restaurant in New Haven with my boyfriend Jordan. We had gone for camping in this small town near New York for two weeks and this was our last day. Jordan was to drive me to the airport and I was to take a flight to Los Angeles the following morning for work. I worked at Sanchez O engineering company in LA as an assistant to the company's CEO. I loved my work and I missed my workmates too. Shivering with cold, Jordan took off his coat and placed it over my shoulders as if preventing me from catching a cold. I was asthmatic and Jordan always make sure for me to wear warm clothes. We reached the restaurant and I sat down placing my bag on a table waiting for the waitress to give us their menu. I noticed that the restaurant was full of people whom I didn't even care to know. I had only come for two weeks just to refresh and enjoy myself with my boyfriend. Jordan ordered himself some blue wine and I insisted only for a drink and salad. Jordan kept on drinking and I shook him.

''Jordan remember you are going to drive me to the airport. Do not drink that much.'' I said.

''Come on Bella,'' that was my name,'' Don't worry we will go tomorrow, ok?'' I laughed. Was he joking?

''Jordan please! I don't want to miss work again. I will be dismissed.'' I said with pleading eyes.

''Stop fretting for nothing Bella. I will drive you tomorrow. Surely you know I can't drive you to the airport in a state like this.''

''So you drank intentionally Jordan just to delay me. I hate you for this.'' I replied angrily. He laughed and I banged my fist on the table with fury. Suddenly two guys dressed in black coats entered and their tall figures seemed to dominate the whole restaurant. I looked at Jordan who was already drunk.

''Jordan let's go!" I told him.

''Come on Bella just wait for a few minutes.'' I sat in frustration looking at him angrily. Damn him! Just because he knows I cannot drive wouldn't make him to do such a blatant thing. I looked around and noticed one of the tall guys looking at me oddly. I was too angry to concentrate on his motives, instead I stood up, took my bag and went to the bathroom. I opened the tap, letting the water ran thoroughly on my sweating hands. As i turned to pick up my bag the tall guy who had given me an odd look walked in.

''Hi.'' he greeted me.

''Hi yourself.'' I said in response.

''Are you okay?'' he asked. I looked at him surprised by his question.

''Yeah, yeah I'm okay. Thanks.'' I looked down on my shaking hands and clasped them tightly. There was a moment of silence.

''I'm Kane Williams.'' he introduced himself at the same time offering his hand for me to shake and I took it in my small palm. His hand felt so big and warm in mine.

''Bella Coleridge.'' I told him mine.

''A very beautiful name just like the owner.'' he said a smile dancing on his lips.

''Thanks.'' I replied chuckling at his compliment. I removed my shaking unsteady hands from his. My heart was now pumping too high increasing my blood pressure. ''Excuse me...'' I opened my bag and took out my tablets. I placed two into my mouth and held a glass of water to my mouth. My hands were shaking so bad that I felt embrrassed as Kane held the glass for me, supporting it for my mouth. I gulped at the water and he put the glass down.

''I'm sorry...for putting you into this. I'm asthmatic ..''

''I smelled it.'' he replied.

''You smelled?'' I asked him in surprise.

''Don't mind that. Is that your mate whom you left on the table?'' he asked.

''You mean my boyfriend Jordan....my soon to be ex?''

''Yes but I thought you were married.''

''No I'm not.''

''So you live with him as your mate and you are not married?''

''What is a mate.'' I asked failing to understand his terms.

''Someone's life partner.'' he replied. ''That's how we call it in my tribe.''

''Tribe?'' I asked again.

''Yes in my tribe.'' he changed the subject. ''So what are you up to?''

''Jordan is supposed to drive me to the airport but he won't because he is drunk. I can't drive myself but I don't wanna miss my work. I will be fired.'' I replied almost crying.

''What if I offer to drive you there?'' I looked at him with unbelieving eyes.

''Are you serious?''

''Yes I honestly feel like driving you there and I'll drop back.''

''Oh my God! What a coincidence to meet a good person like you. Thank you.''

''Don't mention but I have to drink a glass of milk first.'' he said and I smiled as we headed back into the restaurant. Jordan was already cursing obscene the time I went in and I realized he was also talking to his long time friend who stayed in New Haven. I ignored him as I went and sat with the handsome Kane. He quickly noticed me with Kane and he walked towards us.

''What are you doing with him?'' he asked.

''Talking,'' I replied, '' and he is soon driving me to the airport.''

''What? '' Jordan asked puzzled. ''Bastard! '' he cursed.

''Kane here is just being nice Jordan. You are drunk and you cannot drive in this state just like you have said. Don't be such a freak.''

''No Bella! You can't do that! You can't run away with this pervert,'' he looked at Kane, '' Who are you?''

''I'm Kane and I just offered your mate a drive to the airport.''

''Nonsense....'' Jordan grumbled angrily and raised his fist to strike Kane who ducked it and it missed him. I felt embarrassed. I picked Kane's hand.

''Can we just leave?''

''Sure.'' Kane said without hitting back at Jordan. We left the restaurant to his car. He opened the door for me into his car and immediately he started driving to the airport. For a moment we were in silence.

''Is your mate such a freak?'' Kane asked whilst my mind was occupied elsewhere. I looked at him and he was looking at me too at the corner of his eye.

''The ''mate'' word is very unusual to me. I think I've heard it used in the animal kingdom.'' I said.

''Like wolves and foxes ...they take mates for life but others just mate and separate.''

''Oh,'' I sighed ''So you've a mate?''

''Not yet. I haven't met the right one and you?''

''Me too ...'' I sighed again.

''Never been proposed to?'' he asked.

''I had two boyfriends before Jordan and I realized I didn't even love one of them. They were not meant for me and I think it's the same with Jordan. We are not meant for each other.''

''So how do you tell if a man is the right one for you?''

''If I'll find someone who truly loves me, someone who will always be there for me when I need him is enough .'' I said

''Why then don't you find someone who care about you?'' he asked looking at me.

''I never thought of it but I'll try. I'm almost twenty-nine ready to settle down.'' I changed the subject.'' Do you believe in love at first sight.''

''No,'' he began,'' I believe in attraction at first sight. Love will come later.''

''So you never loved?''

''Not really. In my tribe we fall in love once and for all.''

''Sounds interesting. So where do you live?''

''In California where my home and family is. And what do you do Bella?''

''I work at Sanchez O engineering company as an assistant to the CEO and you?''

''Medical doctor at a hospital near my tribal lands. I even built a cabin house there.''

''Wow! a cabin house?'' he nodded

''We are almost there.'' he informed me and I don't know what happened but I think I had fallen asleep. I woke up and found his hands on my lap. My body was now very warm and uncomfortably hot. I realized that we were both attracted to each other. Damn! What if he doesn't really want me? I asked myself. At first I was tempted to let him drive me now this insane feelings? I wanted him to continue touching my thigh but he seemed to sense something as he drew his hand away. I looked at him and he turned away instead.

''Any reservation around here?'' he asked.

''I- I.....booked a room at a hotel near the airport.''

''Good.'' he said, ''I'll drop you there and I'll drive back to my homeland.''

''Why?'' I asked in confusion, puzzled.

''I have to be there for my people's safety.''

''Come on, you will drive tomorrow Kane.''

''No Bella! I have to go!"' he said firmly and I zipped my mouth shut. I wanted him to stay but I didn't know how to tell and convince him. How could I tell him to spend the night with me. Damn temptation! He was irresistible. We reached the hotel and he picked my luggage to my room. I unlocked the door in silence and turned to face him. For the first time I recognized his brown eyes and his dark handsome features.