It was easy at the beginning, when she didn’t know him so well. It was easy then to say that she’d always be honest, she’d never tell lies like Oaitse did. But it wasn’t easy now. This was her chance to speak the truth. To come clean. But she couldn’t do it. The risk of losing him forever was too much.

She took his face in her hands. She kissed his soft sexy lips. Then she whispered in his ear, low and soft, so no one could hear but him, so it wasn’t so real and scary. “I think I’m falling in love with you.”

He moved back to look at her. He was smiling. He kissed her. Then he jumped up from his chair, not responding to what she’d said.

“I want us to go away for a few days, before everything gets crazy. Can you? Do you think you could get off work?” He spoke urgently.

“Sure. Where do you want to go?”

“I know a place, near Cape Town.” He seemed to be thinking things over in his head. Making decisions on the spot. “Let’s just go. Let’s get away from this place. Today. We’ll leave today, get back on Wednesday. Okay? Can you do that?”

He looked desperate, desperate to flee the difficult situation he found himself in. She hated that she’d done this to him. She would do anything to take everything back, to fix it all, but it was too late. Although going away together so soon in their relationship seemed a bit fast, she wasn’t going to say anything. She owed this to him. She would do whatever she could to make the next month easier for him. Then hopefully it would all be over and they could just get on with their lives.

“Yes, I can do that. I’ll make a few calls and get packed.”

*****

They pulled into the guesthouse in Simons Town in the late afternoon. It was a calm, warm day in The Cape. The guesthouse was situated on a hill that led down to its own private beach. Realeboga and Elizabeth put their bags in the room and decided to have a walk along the beach before dinner.

They walked hand-in-hand, barefoot, dodging the cold waves, laughing. Elizabeth felt lighter being away from Joburg and she could see Realeboga did as well. Somehow they both seemed to have left their problems at OR Tambo. She knew they’d be right there waiting for them when they returned, but for the next three days she intended to live in the moment and enjoy her time with this wonderful man.

They sat on some stones secluded in a small alcove and looked out over the sea, now gold and orange as the sun set. Realeboga held both of her hands in his. “What is it about you?” he asked. “I feel so comfortable with you, like I’ve known you for ever. It’s never been like this before for me.”

“For me either,” Elizabeth said.

“I’ve always been cautious with women. I think I give my heart too easily and I’ve been hurt because of it. Now I’m usually cautious. But I’m not scared with you.”

“I feel safe with you too. You’re so different. So gentle and kind. So interested in me.”

“Why shouldn’t I be? You’re interesting and beautiful. Sexy.” He smiled and pulled her closer. “Very sexy.”

Elizabeth pulled back from him. “I don’t ever want to hurt you. Please remember that.”

“Why would you ever hurt me? You make me so happy.”

Realeboga kissed her deeply, his tongue sending sparks through her body. She leaned into him. She’d been nervous about moving quickly, she thought it was likely they’d have sex that night and she wasn’t sure she was ready, but now she thought otherwise. She wanted Realeboga like she’d never wanted a man before. She swung her leg around so she was straddling him, face-to-face. She kissed him back with the same passion he gave her and she could feel him harden between her legs. She leaned back and he left a trail of kisses down her neck, toward her breasts. He cupped her breasts in his hands and Elizabeth groaned. He pulled her to him and she rocked against his hardness. His breath was coming quickly, but they were still fully clothed. She wanted to make their first time special so suddenly stood up, taking his hands, and pulled him to his feet.

“I’m hungry,” she said, smiling, knowing what she was doing to him.

“Me too, but not for food. Maybe we could pass by the room first,” Realeboga said, hopefully. “What do you think about that idea?”

“Later.” Elizabeth smiled and Realeboga pretended to pout. “I promise. I still owe you for saving my dog. I always pay my debts.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” He smiled.

“I hope you will.”

He put his arm around her shoulder and they walked back up to the guesthouse. Elizabeth felt like the entire world had gone quiet, all she heard was the song of happiness and love in her ears.

*****

Dinner was five courses, each more delectable than the one before it. Luckily in the other room, the guesthouse had a small dance floor with a band where they could work off a bit of the huge meal. Elizabeth wasn’t surprised to find Realeboga was a good dancer. She’d seen him box on the videos, he was elegant and light on his feet in the ring and the same on the dance floor. He was confident and sexy and she couldn’t stop thinking about what she had to look forward to when they got back to their room.

The band knew all the old South African favourites and Elizabeth and Realeboga danced to nearly every one. They played “Moments Away” by Mango Groove, a slow lovely song, and Realeboga held Elizabeth in his arms and guided her around the nearly empty dance floor. Elizabeth could see people sitting at the tables smiling at them. They likely assumed they were a couple in love, Elizabeth wondered- were they? She was almost certain she was falling in love with him, but he’d never said the same to her. But she wondered if it made any sense to fall in love with someone she’d already betrayed?

But Realeboga was everything she wanted in a man. Loving, respectful, interested, protective, sexy, captivating, and so mannerly, like someone from an old-time movie. He pulled out chairs, he opened doors, she couldn’t deny she liked how Realeboga treated her, he treated her like a lady. Considering everything they would be facing once they got back to Joburg, she was reluctant to admit to herself that she was in love with him. She shouldn’t be. Wouldn’t that be setting her heart up to be broken? But being so close to him, gliding across the dance floor, it felt suspiciously like love, and it frightened her, but she couldn’t stop her heart from feeling it.