It's a long chapter. Hang in there. If you've never heard the song before, please click above and watch. I used Google Translate for the Spanish and Swahili. Translations are in parenthesis {...}. Lyrics and love poem in bold italics.

      Andre lay in his bed listening to the deafening silence. Rhonda was sound asleep next to him, not disturbed by anything. He tried his best to remain still because tossing and turning would wake her, and he didn't want that. A therapist once told him that he should try writing down his thoughts before bed to help clear his mind. He didn't do that tonight because the only thing on the list would be Xandri.

      It was awesome to see her today, although they both wished it had been on different terms. Hearing her voice over the phone didn't compare to hearing it in person. And seeing her? That was the only thing that made his episode worth it. She was still beautiful. And his heart still desired her. Andre pulled back the covers and sat on the side of the bed, trying to decide the best way to go back to sleep. So he grabbed some workout clothes, went downstairs to their home gym and he ran on the treadmill for thirty minutes, thinking that would tire him out. It didn't. He tried some sit ups and push ups. Andre worked up a little sweat but that was about it. Then it hit him: just call Xandri.

      He snuck back into the bedroom, grabbed his phone and quietly snuck back out. He walked down the hall, far enough from the bedroom so he couldn't be heard and called her. It rang a few times before she answered, her voice surrounded in sleep.

"Hello?"

"Hey Xandri." She looked over at her alarm clock, eyes barely open. It was after one a.m.

"Andre, are you ok?"

"Yeah...well not really. I'm having trouble sleeping."

"Is it the medicine?"

"Maybe. Could be the vision of this beautiful lady that was in my office earlier today. Could be the weather." She could hear his smile through the phone. "But it's probably you."

"I must have caused a hell of a commotion, huh?"

"Yes ma'am you did." he chuckled.

"What can I do to help you go to sleep?"

"May I come see you?" Direct and to the point. Xandri sat straight up in her bed.

"Come see me? Andre it's after one a.m."

"I know but I just need to see you again. Please?" She contemplated it. She could always go in the office later. It was her company. And as long as he needed to talk, she guessed it was alright.

"Okay, come on."

"Thank you. Be there in twenty." Xandri plopped back down on her bed and sighed.

"What have I gotten myself into?" she asked the air. She laid there for a few minutes, wondering if she should have changed her mind, but eventually got up and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth. She didn't want to talk to Andre with dragon breath. Then she donned her bathrobe and headed towards her kitchen. She grabbed a bottle of water, a handful of grapes and couple of chocolate chip cookies. By the time she walked into her living room to turn on a lamp, her intercom dinged. She saw Andre in the lobby and she buzzed him in. A minute or so later her doorbell rang. She couldn't believe it...twenty minutes on the dot. He must own a Bat-mobile or a cape like Superman to get here so fast, she thought.

      When she opened the door she didn't know why, but she expected to see Andre dressed in a suit. But he was dressed in some nice fitting sweat pants, very worthy of the now defunct "eggplant Friday" hashtag from Instagram, defining everything a woman would want to see (and a few gay men). She had to force her eyes to look up from his crotch. As her eyes traveled up she noticed that his long sleeved t-shirt fit in such a way that every single sculpted muscle was displayed, as if it had been painted on him. And she thought again What have I gotten myself into?

"Hi." he said and she just stared. "Xandri?"

"Huh?"

"Hi."

"Oh hey...um sorry about that. Please come in." she said stepping back to give him room to enter.

"My mom told me a very long time ago as a boy to always bring flowers to a woman so I uh...brought you these." he said presenting her with a bouquet of purple hydrangeas. "If I remember correctly, these are your favorite." Xandri took the gift with surprise.

"Oh Andre, these are beautiful! And yes they are my favorite." She inhaled the familiar scent. "And where in the world do you get fresh hydrangeas at one in the morning?" Andre shrugged and smirked.

"The flower merchants get their deliveries around this time of morning and separate them to fill flower shop orders. And, I might know a guy. Or three."

"A guy or three huh? Well, these are a very unexpected surprise. Thank you very much."

"You're welcome."

"Let me find a vase for these." She headed towards her kitchen and Andre couldn't help but watch her walk away. His eyes were mesmerized. "Would you like anything to eat or drink while I'm in here?"

"Hmmm?" he replied not paying attention at all.

"Would you like anything to eat or drink?"

"Oh, water is fine. Thank you."

"Sit anywhere you like." She found her favorite vase, added water then her flowers. She brought them back to the living room along with a bottle of water for Andre. "I'll put these on the coffee table for now." She handed Andre the bottle and sat next to him on the couch. He took a long drink from it as if it were a libation to settle his nerves. "So, how can I help you?" He set the bottle on the coffee table.

"Xandri, I have to be honest with you. I haven't been able to get you off my mind since you left my office. Every single thing we shared together started flooding my mind. So many conversations, memories, and feelings..."

"Nice to know I'm not the only one. That kiss was just..."

"I know right? And all I wanted was more." He reached out and held her hand, caressing her fingers.

"Me too." she admitted quietly. He tucked a strand of hair that had escaped her ponytail holder behind her ear.

"Seeing you today made my heart feel so good. I haven't felt that way in years Xandri. Years."

"But what about Rhonda? What about your love life together?" Andre sighed.

"She may be my wife but I don't feel anything when I'm with her. Not like what I felt with you today." He moved closer to her and reached for her other hand. "She doesn't make me feel like a man."

"What, like strong and masculine?"

"No, like vulnerable and wanted. I can't let my guard down with her anymore, not with the most inner parts of me. I can't share my emotions with her like I can with you."

"But you should be able to."

"We should but we can't. And that's why I talk to you. I can tell you everything I can't tell her."

"Can't or won't tell her?"

"Both."

"Andre, I'm sure if you talk to her, she-"

"No, she won't. She doesn't understand me like you do. How can I explain this... a man needs to feel liked, loved and cared for. Sometimes a man needs to feel a woman caress and touch him, kiss him all over. That touch means something to us. It means something to me. A man needs a cuddle, someone to hold him, someone who make love to him. She doesn't do that."

"So you're saying you guys don't have a sex life?"

"Oh, we have a sex life. Sex is just fine. Rhonda and I don't have a love life. We don't make love." Xandri was shocked by this statement and her mouth dropped open. "See sex is just a physical release, what the body does naturally. She can do that with her eyes closed; literally. You are the only woman I've ever had an emotional release with. And that's what I need, an emotional release."

"I'm not sure I understand what you want Andre." She looked at him. "Wait...is this a booty call?"

"No, no, no. Never that. If I want sex I can get that from Rhonda anytime; promise her a new purse, shoes or jewelry and she'll do anything I want. But she can't make love to me Xandri! My heart won't let me share that emotion with her."

"So what do you want me to do? How am I supposed to give you your emotional release?"

"Make love with me Xandri." Again she was shocked.

"Andre!"

"I'm serious mi querida {my darling}."

"You're married." she replied, holding up his left hand to focus on his wedding band but found none there. "Boy, where is your ring?"

"Downstairs in my car." Xandri gave a frustrated sigh.

"Oh my god Andre taking it off doesn't make you any less married!"

"I know it doesn't; however taking it off means I don't have to focus on it at the moment. I can focus on us and our moment." He pulled her closer until she was almost sitting on his lap.

"You know I don't like to share Andre. I don't want to be your mistress. I want all of you, not a part of you."

"Believe me, I want the same thing too. I wanna give you all of my love and attention." Xandri sighed. "Plan a future together." He pulled her onto his lap to straddle him and she didn't resist. The raw, sexual scent of him from his previous workout and his own arousal enticed her.

"And just how do you plan to do that?" The tie of her robe had come loose and it now hung open, exposing her legs. And how short her night shirt was. Andre began to nuzzle her neck with his nose, planting a few kisses there.

"Andre..." she whispered.

"I always loved kissing your neck because the scent of you, perfume or not, has always aroused me."

"What are you...doing?" she moaned softly. "And you didn't answer my question."

"I want to make love with you." His lips traveled up her chin to her lips and she couldn't resist his kiss. She slid her arms around his neck and let herself be drawn in. After a few minutes she ended the kiss for air. And when she looked in his eyes she thought she would see pure lust, but it was something else. "Haz el amor conmigo? {Make love with me?}" he asked, the Spanish words rolling off his tongue as if they were his native language.

"¿Por qué? {Why?}"

"Porque te amo y me amas demasiado. {Because I love you and you love me too.}" She looked at him. "Y usted sabe que hacer. {And you know you do.}" She didn't want to admit it but she was in love with him. Probably never stopped loving him.

      She lowered her head for another kiss and Andre obliged. It was sensual and covered in desire. Andre gently nipped at her lips, causing her to giggle and smile. His hands found their way inside her robe to caress her legs. Her skin was still as smooth as he remembered. His touch was warm and soothing on her skin. Then he slipped his fingers inside the leg hole of her panties. Feeling lace, he lifted the night shirt with his other hand to take a peek.

"Did you wear these especially for me?" She laughed a little.

"No, I had no idea this is what you had in mind when you called me."

"So you just sleep in these?"

"Yes."

"Mmmm...interesting..." Andre brushed his index and middle finger across her feminine lips and felt her jump from the caress. "Oh, tan sensible! {Oh, so sensitive!}"

"No se me ha tocado allí desde Jordan. {No one has touched me there since Jordan.}"

"Déjame cambiar eso para usted esta noche. {Let me change that for you tonight.}" His fingers then found their way inside her feminine folds, causing a reaction that thrust her bosom right into his face. Her wetness quickly coated his fingers and he slid them right across her clit, sending a shudder through her body. Andre's fingers surrounded her clit and massaged it, making her hips roll in response. It didn't take long for her to climax and release all over his hand. Andre smiled and planted a kiss on her lips. "Something tells me you needed that." Xandri rolled her eyes at him.

"Nothing that a toy couldn't do." He laughed.

"Oh really?"

"Yes really."

"Right. You and I both know you needed that and we need more than that."

"Andre, if we go any further we'll-"

"Not if, lets, lets go further. Future plans are coming but I need tonight; we need tonight."

"But Andre we-" He put his finger on her lips to hush her.

"Shh. How about we let our hearts lead our bodies to do the talking, huh?" Xandri couldn't do anything but look at him. Then he began to sing. Which he knew would guarantee him a way in.

Let me hold you tight
If only for one night
Let me keep you near
To ease away your fear
It would be so nice
If only for one night

Andre pulled back the sleeves of her robe and began softly kissing her wrists. He loved the sound of her breath catching at his motions. She took her robe off to give him better access to her arms. He continued his song, sending his vocal vibrations through her skin:

I won't tell a soul
No one has to know
If you want to be totally discreet
I'll be at your side
If only for one night

If only for one night

"Don't stop kissing me..." she whispered.

"I won't unless you tell me to."

"...mmm....not doing that." Xandri kissed him this time, letting her lips travel down his cheek to his neck so she could nibble on his Adam's Apple. She went further down to his chest, teasing his nipples through his t-shirt, biting them and tugging on them with her teeth. Andre bit his lip in response to the pain. Hearing him moan at that motion turned her on even more.

"Am I hurting you?"

"Yes, but damn it feels good! It's making my shirt tight but you can definitely keep going." So she tugged again and he cursed a little under his breath. The shirt already looked like it was painted on his body, hard nipples made it even tighter. So she obliged him by tugging at the hem of it to pull it over his head. She let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding when she saw his sculpted chest. It was a real work of art, like he was chiseled from the finest wood. Andre's nineteen-year-old four-pack of abs she once remembered had become a washboard one, taut and ripped beyond relief. Very worthy of being on the cover of a men's bodybuilding magazine. Her hands couldn't resist resting on his chest, the right hand feeling his heartbeat.

"Why does this feel like our first time all over again?" she said. He smiled and continued singing:

Your eyes say things I never hear from you
And my knees are shakin too
But I'm willin, willin to go thru
I must be crazy
Standin in this place
But I'm feeling no disgrace

For asking

Andre placed his hand under her chin, bringing their eyes on the same level, and he stared straight into them.

Let me hold you tight
If only for one night
Let me keep you near
To ease away your fear
It would be so nice
If only for one night

If only for one night

And now Xandri couldn't help but join in with the singing, because that's just how they were.

I tell you what I need is
One night, one night oh (and oh, oh)
What I need is
One night, one night
Of your love, of you love, of your lovin ooh
I'm asking

"Ask away..." Andre encouraged. He slid down a little into the couch and she could now feel just how aroused he was. His pants were even tighter than when he was standing at the door. Xandri loved the feel of his erection underneath her. It gave her butterflies. She couldn't deny what was going between them any longer.

"Will you take me to my bedroom?" He was more than ready for that question.

"I thought you'd never ask." He slid forward towards the end of the couch, to get his bearings. "Wrap your legs around me when I stand up."

"Okay." Andre leaned forward and stood up, cradling his arms underneath her buttocks. She giggled. "I'm not too heavy am I?"

"Oh no," he replied. "just right." He carefully walked out of the living room with his precious cargo in his arms. "Okay, direct me to your bedroom."

"Walk to the hall and it's the first room on the right."

"My right or your right?"

"Your right." Andre pushed the door open with his foot and dipped to make sure that she didn't hit her head. Once inside he placed her on the bed and she unwrapped her legs. The sight of him as he stood in front of her, shirtless and erect, was breathtaking. He leaned forward and kissed her.

"You look as if you like what you see."

"I do like what I see." And as he stood back up she couldn't resist running her hand over his erection. Andre moaned and leaned into her touch. Xandri wanted to see more so she began to tug the super tight sweat pants down towards his knees.

"Wait baby, let me take my shoes off." he said laughing.

"Well hurry up then!" In a few seconds Andre was shoeless and pantsless. She loved the way his underwear accented his manhood and she couldn't help but smile. Now it was her turn to put her fingers in his underwear and play. She cupped his balls and caressed them until he mewled. Then she slid her hand up his stiff shaft, pumping him slowly, swiping her thumb across the head and listened to him moan. Xandri urged him to come closer to her so she could remove his underwear. As soon as she did, that lovely manhood of his bounced free and Andre was sure he heard a small squeal of delight come from her.

As soon as he was close enough, he could feel her tongue swipe across the head of his penis. He wanted to pull back but she wasn't having it. She began to kiss and lick him all over and before he could protest she had taken him wholly into her mouth. Andre never asked Xandri to do that but was always appreciative when she did. Any man, straight or gay, would be. He gasped at the sensations she was giving him. He resisted putting his hands on her head to make her deep throat him. There was no need to; her nose was nestling in his hairs and she was inhaling his erotic musky scent as her tongue enjoyed the taste of him. Xandri slowly pulled up and they both heard the pop of her releasing him. He was ready for her to lay down on the bed.

"Thank you Xandri," he said "but you know you don't have to finish. Come on, let's lay down." Xandri looked up at him and smiled.

"Not yet baby." she replied as she pulled him closer. She placed her hand at the bottom of his shaft, began pumping and sucking the tip. Andre whimpered and couldn't help but thrust his hips more. But in his anxiousness he threw off her rhythm. Xandri grabbed his butt cheeks, held him still and continued until she felt those cheeks tighten. Which only meant one thing: he was about to climax. He wanted to pull out and let go on her chest but she refused to let him. She surprised him by taking it all. And she didn't need a bib. When she was done, she leaned back on her arms, crossed her legs and smiled at him.

Andre stood there sort of dumbfounded. He didn't expect that at all. His own wife didn't do that. How was he supposed to feel?

"Wow. You went from not wanting to do anything to doing that?"

"It's one night right?"

"So far, yes."

"Ok then." Xandri looked him up and down. "And who knew you'd turn out to extend your sexiness?"

"Yeah, but the real question is why do you still have clothes on?" She looked down at her nightshirt. "Let me help you with that." It was his turn to take her shirt off. He pulled it off and threw it on the bed behind her. He looked at her breasts and smiled. "Still full and beautiful." Andre let his fingers trail up from her legs to the left breast, caressed it then leaned down to kiss her. By leaning in he indicated that he wanted her to lay down. As she did, he uncrossed her legs to allow him some room.

He started with a kisses to the valley between her breasts. He moved the left breast, swiping his tongue across and feeling it perk up immediately. Xandri's moans encouraged him as he sucked. Sucking the right breast made her back arch from the pleasure. His teeth tugged at each one, remembering to be gentle.

"Back in the day I used to pretend that your nipples tasted like the little chocolate nibs they resemble," which made her giggle.

"I never knew that." He reached up to kiss her.

"Yes, made more sense when you wore that vanilla scented lotion."

"Mmmm...I bet..." Andre started kissing his way down to her stomach, dipping his tongue in her bellybutton and softly nipping at her skin, especially along the top of her panties. As he kneeled he said,

"I'm just gonna go ahead and remove these." She lifted up her hips to assist him. He smiled and immediately nuzzled his nose in her soft curly hair.

"Andre!" He loved that. Rhonda didn't like hair there. To her, bald was better. But he loved slipping his hand into Xandri's panties back in the day and feeling the silkiness. He feigned innocence.

"What?"

"Oh my goodness."

"Keep saying that if you want, if you can." He said as he placed her legs on his shoulders.

"What do you mean 'if I can'?"

I'm about to make you speechless."

"Oh I don't...know about....that..." Xandri's words disappeared as Andre began to kiss those special lips as if he were kissing the ones on her face. His tongue traced the outer lips between those kisses. Then his tongue began to dance with her clit as if it were her tongue participating in the kisses. One slow lick up and back down had her climaxing quick. Her favorite was when he sucked on it like a lollipop while inserting his fingers. Her body would be twitching, hands grabbing the sheets (if she could), and her toes curling uncontrollably. And the orgasms would often run into each other. Good thing Andre remembered that. Four orgasms later she was pushing his head away and closing her legs.

"What's wrong?" he asked looking up at her. "That was one of our favorite things. I love tasting you." She was breathless and her body was tingling all over.

"I know, but I can't handle anymore. Oh my god!" Andre shook his head and laughed at her.

"We still had two left to go to keep the record going."

"I know, I know. I just can't."

"I know one thing that hasn't changed."

"And what's that?" she asked as she sat up.

"The sound of you letting go pulling that invisible string inside my body that brings me back to full erection." And she could see the evidence. "You're right here at the edge of the bed and I could just pound you like crazy."

"Um, no sir. We only have one night so we're doing this my way. Come here." she beckoned with her finger. As he brought his face closer she kissed him and licked her essence from his lips. She loved doing that. "Nothing fast tonight."

"Yes ma'am. Now let me find my pants." She pointed to the left side of the bed.

"For?"

"Protection." He took a six pack roll of condoms from his wallet.

"You sure brought a lot of condoms."

"A lot can happen in one night." He said winking. Then he tore one off and threw the rest onto the bed. She watched him open the condom and put it on as she scooted back towards the middle of the bed, legs spread eagle for him. Once he was covered, Andre crawled across the foot of the bed to where she was, kissing her from legs to lips.

She wrapped her arms around his waist as they kissed. The heat from his body brought back so many memories. Whether they were on top of the covers or buried underneath, the skin to skin contact always felt amazing. Xandri gently scraped her nails on his sides and back making him press his body closer to her in response. Andre raised himself up to begin teasing her with the tip of his penis, rubbing it against her clit and playing in her wetness.

"Andre, why are you teasing the both of us? Come on now."

"Are you ready for me?" She looked him straight in the eye and he knew his answer. More than ready, he slowly entered her body. Xandri gasped as her body tried to get used to the feel of him again; his length and girth. After all, it had been ten years. And it was the same for him. Her grip and warmth drew him in, overwhelming him with memories. Andre sighed at the feeling and placed his head right between her breasts. "Oh my god...I've waited forever to feel this Xandri..."

"I know baby; me too."

"You feel so good..." he started to move slowly causing both of them to moan. The slow grind was one of their favorite parts of making love. Xandri would wrap her legs around his waist, Andre would go as deep as he could, and he would rock her body with his strokes.

"Mmmm...right there...yes...ohhh..." she whispered. Andre could feel her heels digging into his buttocks and her nails in his arms. He changed his rhythm and soon the soft sound of skin against skin filled the bedroom. That first orgasm ripped through her body, her inner muscles massaging him with every squeeze. Their lips found each other, kissing until the need for air forced them apart.

More kisses to her body were applied followed by words whispered into her skin. At first Xandri wasn't sure what she heard, if anything. Between moans, sighs, kisses and her own orgasms it could've all been gibberish. She didn't want to break the mood by asking so she hoped whatever it was that Andre would say it again. She didn't have to wait long.

Andre reached for her hand and kissed it. "Nzuri simba jike {Beautiful lioness}." Her eyes shot open at the sound of those words. She hadn't heard them in over ten years. She remembered how she felt when he said them...it set her insides a flame. Just like now. Andre looked into her eyes and smiled. "Upendo wangu {My love}."

The former lovers had a lot of classes they had to take for business degrees, foreign languages being some of them. French, Spanish and German were the basics. But Swahili they learned for fun, for intimate times. There was a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the History department with an emphasis in African-American Studies. He was trying to get the University to add a few new classes: Swahili, African-American History and African-American Literature. He thought that if a substantial amount of students would take interest in the subjects by joining a club, maybe the classes could be added.

It was hard at first to learn it, but it was something they wanted to do. After learning the basics they started writing down phrases and words they wanted to know. Lioness was one of those words. Andre was a Lyon; he was in love with Xandri and saw her as his queen, his lioness. It was a creative way for the two of them to create pet names and have conversations without people getting into their business. Her favorite for him was simply, Simba {lion}. Of course there was some teasing from friends because of the movie but Xandri didn't care. At the least, it represented his name. At the most, it described exactly who he was: strong, ruler, leader, wise, protector.

"Mfalme wa moyo wangu {King of my heart}." she whispered. Andre's heart fluttered and an awesome overwhelming feeling washed over him, almost like confirmation of an answer that he'd been looking for: this is exactly where he needed to be. His heart was safe with her.

"You remembered."

"How could I forget? Furaha ya moyo wangu {My heart's joy}." Those words fueled his passion. And it ignited their bodies. Words and feelings mixed with physical actions brought them completely over the edge. A breathless, panting, and blissful Xandri held Andre closer to her. It was then she felt wetness on her chest wasn't from their sweat. It was tears. "Andre?" He looked up and she was correct; tears were streaming down his face. "Are you ok? What's wrong?" He modded his head.

"I'm fine. I feel so safe right here, right now with you. For once everything feels so right. And the only thing that's wrong that we can't experience this everyday."

"Oh baby..."

"I love you Xandri. And I want to be with you. I need to be with you. Usalama (Safety)."

"Ndiyo {Yes}."

Rhonda opened her eyes because she heard Andre's voice. She thought he might be on the phone but she didn't hear it ring. She turned over expecting to see him sitting up and talking, but he was lying with his back to her and his hand was frantically moving inside his pajama pants. He was moaning and whispering in a language that she didn't recognize. Rhonda wasn't sure what was going on.

"Ninakupenda {I love you}Xandri, Ninakupenda." She definitely perked up when she heard Xandri's name mentioned.

"He's saying her name in his sleep? And she swore they weren't sleeping together!" Rhonda looked at her husband in disgust. She didn't know whether to shake him awake or just push him onto the floor.

"Nzuri simba jike, nzuri simba jike..."

"What in the hell is he saying??!" She reached for her phone to record the words, hoping to look them up later.

"Usalama...Usalama..."

"I don't understand this." Andre moved as if he was going to turn over on his back and Rhonda quickly turned away from him, listening to what he was doing. He did turn to lay on his back and his still moving left hand made the covers move. A few minutes later he woke with a start, eyes wide open. It took him a few seconds to recognize where he was. The moonlight was supposed to come in from the right and not the left like it had been. And the light were off. He and Xandri keep the lights on while they...then he hit him that he was at home and not with Xandri. Looking to his left and seeing his wife's silouette instead of Xandri's saddened him.

Andre sighed a frustrated, disappointed sigh. He glanced at the clock and it was almost 4:30 a.m., the time he usually woke up. He started to reach across his body to turn off the alarm on his phone but couldn't because it and his pajama pants covered with semen. So he carefully tossed the covers back with his right hand, akwardly sat up and turned off his phone's alarm. He stood up and proceeded to hobble to the bathroom trying to keep what was in his underwear from running down his leg. He leaned against the bathroom door, hoping he didn't wake Rhonda. Little did he know she was already fuming at him, wondering how to take care of the situation.

He disrobed and realized that he was about to do something he had never done before: rinse out his underwear and pajama pants. He was sure their housekeeper Monica would still have questions in her mind when she did laundry in a few days but maybe she would have less if there wasn't much evidence left. Seeing Xandri really had done a number on him. Even now after that dream, he was still hard and craving her touch. Andre hoped a shower would help calm him down. Instead the warm water just reminded him of Xandri's warmth- her warm embrace, her body heat, her warm caring heart. His hand found it's way back between his legs, washing ribbons of his essence down the drain with the spray from the shower, twice. He was so engaged in what he was feeling that he had to open his eyes a few times just to make sure Rhonda wasn't taking advantage of him in this vulnerable state. If she had, it wouldn't have been the first time.

The morning sunrise found Andre sitting in one of the sitting rooms with a cup of coffee, writing. He startled Carl when he arrived to work because no one was ever moving around that part of the house that time of morning. By the time Rhonda came downstairs, Andre was sitting in the dining room eating and still writing. Still seething from what she heard, she barely wanted to speak to him.

"Good morning." Andre said as she poured herself a cup of coffee. Her reply was short but not quite curt.

"Hi." Carl set a bowl of fruit and a glass of juice in front of her as she gave him her request for an omlette.

"I didn't hear you come in last night. How was the uh...secret fashion show?"

"It was very nice. I'm glad I went." Andre looked up from what he was writing hoping to engage her in conversation about the previous day's events, but she as already checking her email on her tablet. And he could tell by the tone in her voice that she wasn't in the mood to talk.

"So what's on your agenda for today?"

"A couple of meetings, not sure what else." Carl set her omlette in front of her and took Andre's empty plate away.

"Everything ok?" She looked over at him.

"Yes. Why do you ask?" He shrugged.

"You seem a little...tense. That's all." She shook her head, hoping to wave off his concerns. She wasn't ready to confront him about his nighttime activity yet.

"I might've a little more to drink last night that I should've. A little tired. I'm fine." Andre nodded. He didn't really believe her though.

"Okay." He finished the last of his coffee. "I'm going to get dressed." and he left the dining room. Surprisingly, he left the the notepad that he was writing on. Curiosty getting the best of her, she glanced at what he'd written. She frowned when she realized that it wasn't in a language she understood.

"What the hell is this?" She quickly took a picture of it with her tablet. She stared at the words. A few of them looked like what she heard him say, but she wasn't sure. "I wish I knew what this was. And why he was saying it."

A few minutes later, Andre came back in, dressed handsomely as he always was. He grabbed the notepad, his tablet, and his phone.

"Well, I'm off to the office. Maybe I'll see you later?"

"Maybe."

"I hope you have a great day." he said kissing her forehead.

"Thank you. You too."

After he left, she looked at the photo she'd taken. The words were foreign, but his handwriting was impeccable. Romantic even. She just had to figure out what he'd written.

Yangu Nzuri simba jike

Upendo wangu

Utamu yako uongo si

Kati ya mahali ambapo miguu yako sehemu

Lakini katika maarifa ya ubongo wako

Na joto la moyo wako

Kuna usalama katika upendo wako