Gamble on Me

Lucas stared at the different array of emotions fleeing across her face. He waited patiently for her to respond. Maya was shocked, she was stunned by the sudden declaration of love. One side she it was the exact thing she has always wanted to hear but on the other side she was scared.

Maya was never a risk taker. Hence why she never ventured into business. She was always cautious and had the principle ' Once bitten, twice shy,' engraved in her mind. She knew she loved him. She couldn't understand the the speed she fell for him but she was certain it was love. Hence it nearly broke her when she left him and moved away.

Looking back at their past, she could not blame him for the situations that they were subjected to. He was innocent in a way. She left because she feared her own feelings. She refused to gamble on him and their future, he was not a safe bet for her as he controlled her heart entirely and any wrong turn would shatter her instead.

" Answer me," spoke Lucas softly whilst keeping a firm grip on her waist and holding her close. " I need time to think," blurted Maya to escape the situation. That was the only way she would have the peace of mind to make a decision. " Okay, take your time," answered Lucas with a sigh.

He knew he had a long way to go to convince her of his true feelings. He knew how much she meant and he was willing to wait an eternity to get her. She was his one and he couldn't afford to lose her. Just the reminder of those lonely days and frustration was enough to give him a cold sweat.

The ruthless businessman, the suave entrepreneur was nowhere in sight. Lucas was a nervous teenager when it came to his feelings for her. " Are you planning on letting me go?" asked Maya with an arched brow. " I have to strengthen my proposal in your eyes," said Lucas mischievously and pulled Maya in for a kiss.

Maya closed her eyes as he brushed his lips against hers and melted her into his frame. The kiss deepened with him prying her mouth open and entwining their tongues together. Maya was soon breathless and only then did Lucas pull away from the kiss.

" You said you would give me time!" Maya accused him. " I didn't say I would not kiss you," cheekily replied Lucas. " You're unbelievable!" exclaimed Maya as she tried to free herself from his clutches. " I am sorry I kissed you without your permission but I am warning you here on that it would be a common occurrence. I can't promise to behave if you are within 50m of my reach," declared Lucas with the most innocent expression on his handsome face. Maya was flabbergasted, he was tricking her into falling for him, without realising she loved him as much as he did her.

I love him, thought Maya to herself. She scowled at him but her eyes shined brightly. Lucas picked up his keys and wallet and walked her out of the office. " Where are we going?" questioned Maya. " On a date," answered Lucas nonchalantly. " We are currently working! You are the CEO and I am the project manager! We can't just play truant to go on dates! We have work!" exclaimed Maya as she was being dragged out of his room.

" I am the boss and I am granting both of us the rest of the day off," answered Lucas with a shrug. " Go grab your things, if you are not here in the next 5 mins I will come looking for you," declared Lucas with a serious look. " Huh!" puffed Maya as she walked to her cubicle. " She just grabbed her bag and switched off her computer and passed on the signed documents to her colleague before walking towards the elevator.

" That was more than 5 mins," whined Lucas impatiently. " Well unlike you I have responsibilities and have superiors to answer to," huffed Maya unhappily. " Well I am your superior's superior so only my opinion matters," sulked Lucas. This was the first time Maya saw the childish side to him. She just shook her head in defeat.

" Can I know where we are going now please?" asked Maya as they walked into the empty elevator. " We are going for a movie," answered Lucas as he held her hands in his. It was a simple gesture but it brought a blush to both their faces.

" Can we go home first? I would feel stuffy going in these clothes," complained Maya as she pointed to her clothes. Lucas just smiled and nodded. He looked so handsome at that moment that she stopped breathing for a moment. Lucas was pleased with the infatuation he saw in her eyes. He knew she was attracted to him, he just needed her to fall in love with him.

They walked hand in hand to the car and he opened the door for her and closed it as she sat in. He then got in and drove them towards their apartment complex. As they alighted the vehicle, he took her hand in his again, she was surprised but she didn't reject him. She loved the way his big palm would engulf her tiny fingers.

They walked hand in hand till they reached their respective doors. With much reluctance he released her hands and waited as she opened her door and walked in. She leaned against the door as soon as she closed it. She was still reeling from the hand holding and the fact that they are going for a movie together. She needed time to decide her choice and she needed time to think. Every minute she spent next to him she was falling deeper.

She decided to take one day at a time. She would go for the movie and then she would ask for time to decide without being seduced by his charms. She then washed up and started deciding what to wear. She was nervous and felt like it was a first date all over again. She recalled how her first date ended and was blushing to her roots at the thought of how that date ended.

We are not going to sleep with each other! Breathe Maya! She calmed herself as she picked out clothes to wear. A tiny part of her wished the date would end the same way. She missed the intimacy and love making they shared. She pushed all naughty thoughts out of her head as she tied her luscious ebony locks into a messy bun above her head. She decided to wear a black jeans with a mickey mouse loose fitting t shirt which she knotted at her side. She applied her signature kohl liner and colourless lip balm.

She then walked out of her apartment in her black high top converse slinging her bag on her shoulder. She looked like a college student. Maya's features always made her look younger than she actually was, making her life stressful as she was carted twice at bars and clubs.

As she walked out of her apartment she came face to face with Lucas. She froze as she looked at the handsome man across her unable to believe her eyes. He stood in front of her in a white polo shirt and dark blue jeans and in louboutin loafers. His usual slicked back hair was ruffled and messy. She wished to run her fingers through it. He exuded charm and class but still managed to look like a college student as well.

She was swallowing the saliva in her mouth as he took her in as well. She looked like a high school student with her mickey mouse t shirt and converse. She looked so young but still so breathtaking. They both were lost in each other for a minute. She then realised she was staring at him unabashedly and cleared her throat and turned towards the elevator.

He took her hand in his and never wished to let it go ever. He wished she would gamble on him.