"It's no problem. That's a past story now." Nima shrugged.
Silent fell upon them as he stared at her intensely, and she did the same.
"Word failed me, angel. I can't say too much now, as it would feel like a lie, but I hope we can slowly reach places where I could explain to you that it feels like I've known you for long.
I feel drawn to you so badly that it confused me even. And baby, I hate being confused cause I'm a man of control." Joel finally broke the silence.
Nima made a thoughtful look.
"Well, you said it already, even though you begin your sentence like you weren't ready to confess such. And of course, it felt like a lie, so better let's start from simplicity." Nima retorted, watching him sweep his tongue over his bottom lip and swept his hand through his silky hair.
Nima's hand itched. As if she were there to do that for him.
Her throat felt dry, imagining him sweeping that tongue over her own lips.
Although she doesn't want to believe him, she also feels exactly as he expressed. It felt like they've known each other for a long time.
"Okay. Let's not persuade that topic. Feels rushed and promising, but I can only promise you pleasure for now. Commitment is something we can try." He said, and Nima agreed with a slight nod.
"So, Nima. Can we meet? I want to invite you for dinner and maybe we can get to know each other better. We could discuss what your friend proposed as well. Being your co-host would be fun." He gave a meaningful smirk at the last line.
Nima felt like things are being rushed, because they had just met and they were chatting like they've known each other for long, but like her friend had suggested, she had to let loose and explore.
"I wouldn't want to turn down an invitation from a nosy man. Who knows what secret he would poke out, just to push me to a corner once more." Nima said.
Joel frowned a little.
"Angel, I appreciate the compliment, but let's not misunderstand something here. I can convince you for months, based on my interest, but I will never force you to do anything. I'm not that worse of a man." Joel explained, and Nima wondered if she had said something she shouldn't.
Not wanting to feel apologetic to a man who had approached her manner less, she replied "okay".
Silence ensued once more.
Each tried to maintain a straight and mature face, but the sound of their rapid heartbeat and butterflies that flapped their wings in their stomach couldn't be controlled.
It felt like the moment was meant to be.
"What is it?" Nima was the first to break the silence this time.
Joel smiled at her.
"What?" He asked, his intense gaze not leaving hers, but she wasn't shying away either.
Nima felt like something was on his mind, but he wasn't saying. Although nothing decent should be expected from a man like him, she still wanted to know.
"Your eyes look like they are helping you hold back your thoughts." She said,
She would never have thought she and this lewd man would have such a serious conversation.
"My eyes…." Joel trailed off, but the amused smirk that graced his face made Nima regret asking him in the first place.
It made her feel like she was eager for him to tell her something.
"Just forget it." She said, embarrassed.
"Angel, I can't wait to see you." Joel said, and Nima felt her breath caught in her throat.
She wanted to groan at how his tone made her feel lost like an abandoned kitten.
She was confused with the way he made her feel.
"Angel, I want to know everything about you, but I want to sit in front of you before we discuss that." Joel said, and Nima just remained silent.
"Say something, Angel." He said seriously, and Nima nodded her head.
Somehow, she looked more forward to meeting him than he did.
She felt excited.
Their conversation didn't last for long. It was more of a staring competition than talking.
They made an appointment to meet.
It went smoothly until they ended the call.
Reality soon dawned upon Nima.
She doesn't interact with people. In fact, she hated the thought of physical involvement with others, except Joel, who somehow made her forget she was having that problem.
God! What should she do!
She quickly rushed towards the kitchen to meet Emily.