Carla’s Prince

“I’m sorry but it kind of sounded like you said you met the Danish prince.”

Carla shrugged.

“I did.”

“Oh wow,” Brenda said quietly. “I don’t know what to say about that.”

“I don’t know what to say or think either,” Carla started as she shook her head. “I mean, it is normal for clients to hit on me and make passes but it is usually a one way thing. I felt an attraction to this guy almost immediately I saw him in Thomas’ office.”

Brenda frowned.

“Why?”

“I don’t know…maybe it was his general demeanor. I mean, perfectly tailored suit, clean shaven and a head full of hair.”

Brenda shrugged.

“You just described every man alive.”

“Yeah, maybe in the fashion world. I deal with people who on their best days put on a fresh pair of sweats.”

Brenda smiled at her.

“Su*ks to be you.”

“Tell me about it. The only time I get to see a well-dressed man, it is usually the gardener or the pool guy whose choices kind of end at shorts or pants.” Carla shrugged. “Then again, staring at a half-dressed ripped man is so much better than a middle aged man wearing pants four sizes too small which means that I get a front row seat to a whole lot of butt cracks.”

“That’s disgusting,” Brenda said, frowning.

“I know. That is how I feel every day,” Carla said. “It’s a surprise I don’t have resting cringe face.”

“Okay, enough about all the butt cracks. Tell me about this Christopher guy.”

“It’s Cristoff,” Carla corrected Brenda.

“Fine. Tell me more about Cristoff.”

Carla shrugged.

“There is really nothing to tell. I have only spent so much time with him in the two days,” Carla said.

“But you already like him?” Brenda asked and Carla shook her head.

“I really don’t know about liking him, but I really, really like his company.”

Brenda rolled her eyes.

“Well, honey, that is how every relationship begins. By two people liking each other’s company.”

“Will you stop being so dramatic? He is just a client. That’s all.”

“They are all just clients until you have a meal together, maybe dinner. Next thing you know, you are waking up next to him wondering if you even had time to get the dessert,” Brenda said.

Carla smiled. She wanted to tell Brenda that they had already had a meal, but she was not ready to throw fuel at that fire. She took a long deep breath and sighed.

“Cristoff is just a client, Brenda. That’s it,” she said dismissively as she stood up. She walked to the bathroom and took off her clothes before she changed into her bathrobe.

“Sweetie, you have to be careful with your heart. I mean, you have already had it broken before and I am just trying to make sure you are careful with your next choice,” Brenda said as she walked out of the bathroom. “People like this guy are out for one thing and one thing only.”

Carla pulled her hair back and held it in a high loose bun.

“And what would that be?” she asked in a soft voice.

“To do the things that they cannot do back at home. Discreetly.”

Carla was not sure if her answer was more confusing or simply more intriguing.

“I really do not understand a word of what you have just said.”

“Sweetie, you are a hot black woman. You have got it all, ass, legs, hair, eyes…no man alive would ever look at you and not want you in bed.”

Carla shook her head.

“What?” she asked.

“He is a Caucasian prince in America and you are the one thing he cannot find back at home,” Brenda explained.

“A private investigator?” Carla asked.

“No, a black girl. He is probably just looking to fulfill a fantasy and you are just a means to an end.”

Carla raised an eyebrow over the other.

“That’s a bit mean.”

“I am just being realistic,” Brenda said. “Now, can we go back to the living room and sit on our new rug already? That wine is not going to drink itself.”

Carla forced a smile.

“Let me get into my sweats. I’ll be right there.”

Brenda walked out of the bedroom leaving Carla alone. She took a long deep breath and sighed. She had never met anyone and felt such an intense attraction so fast and she could not really put her finger on what it was that had her that smitten. Every time she thought about him, she could not help but feel a little more attracted to him. There was something about Cristoff…something special that she had not seen in any other man she had met. What she did not know was that at the very same moment, Cristoff was also thinking about her.

                                                            *****

Carla had her second meeting with Cristoff the following day at Chez Marie before she headed off to the office. She had been a little surprised when he called and asked to have a lunch meeting at Chez Marie. She was not so sure what to expect but after the conversation she’d had with Brenda the previous evening, she had subconsciously planned to do everything to avoid seeing him so privately again. And so soon too, and maybe she had been right too because halfway through their lunch, he had reached out for her hand and it was not just a brush against her hand that had happened by mistake. This was a full on reach. He had actually held her small hand in his for a second as he looked right into her eyes. It was a long second before she finally managed to pull her hand away.

“We should probably keep things professional,” she muttered, looking away.

“I’m sorry…I should not have done that…”

“No, no. It’s okay. We just have a lot to do and everything…let us just focus on work for now, okay?” she asked in a soft voice and Cristoff nodded.

“Of course.”

Everything was a little weird from then on. She could not even enjoy her lunch, a delicious salmon nicoise. All she could think about was getting back to the office, or simply getting away from Cristoff because he was still looking at her. He was still caressing her perfect face with his eyes and she was as comfortable as ever. What was supposed to be a simple hour long lunch felt like a three hour ordeal. Her heart was racing and her cheeks were flushed. She was biting her lip every so often and she knew in her heart of hearts that he knew that she was blushing and that she was uncomfortable.

“Could we please have the check?” she asked the waiter when he came to refill their glasses.

“Don’t be silly. This is on me,” he said.

Thanks,” she said in a soft voice.

“But you barely touched your food.”

“We had a lot to talk about,” she lied and Cristoff smiled at her.

“Would you have this to go? And please make sure you heat up the salmon before you put it in there,” he said before the waiter nodded.

“Of course, Mr. Benedict,” the waiter said as he left.

“You didn’t have to do that,” Carla said in a soft voice.

“Of course I did. I know I am the reason you did not finish your food, let alone touch it.”