LULU'S POV

When I got back to my cabin Saturday afternoon after spending all morning doing inventory I felt like dropping dead on my feet. My muscles were tired and cramped up plus my legs felt swollen even though they looked normal. A massage sounded nice but Saldona had informed me that the massage parlor was booked to the max. A van of tourists had arrived the previous night and booked everything.

I stripped off all my clothes hoping a shower would help since I didn't have the option of a bathtub. Before I could turn on the shower I remembered that I had a Jacuzzi in my patio that I hadn't used in months. I squealed in excitement as I grabbed a towel and a bathrobe and walked back into the bedroom. I changed into a simple two piece light grey bikini and skipped to the backyard. I uncovered the Jacuzzi and turned on the jets. It was cleaned regularly even though I barely used it.

I decided to grab a bottle of wine, a glass and some grapes to help me unwind better. Feeling ready for a relaxing afternoon ahead, I walked back to the patio and descended the steps submerging myself halfway. I set everything up, poured myself a full glass of wine and settled down relaxing into the water. The jets massaged all my muscles and I resisted the urge to moan. I decided to relax before James showed up. He'd texted me earlier in the morning to confirm that he was still coming.

I was looking forward to seeing him. We had spent so little time together since Liams accident and I missed him. We had been so busy, it was hard to take a break to see each other. It was a wonder how five months since we met and we still hadn't moved past the friendship zone yet it was clear we were both interested in each other romantically.

I hadn't come to Ndoto to find a husband or get hitched but I had found him without even looking but lady fate was being cruel to us. My work was progressing on well. I had achieved so much in those five months but James and I were still at square one and that was frustrating.

Getting agitated I downed the glass in hand and refilled it. My phone rang besides my head and I wiped my hand on a towel before picking it up. It was my baby sister Amani.

"Hey, chubby. It's been a while. How are you?"I greeted cheerfully happy to hear from my sister.

"Don't call me that and I'm good. I miss you."She whined in her baby voice making me smile.

"I miss you more."

"I have some news, I don't know how you're going to take it but please play nice."She started and I sat straighter bracing myself for whatever she was going to tell me.

The last time she said she had some news she told me about Marini getting attacked. We'd already sorted that out and I really hoped it wasn't more bad news.

"What kind of news?"I sized skeptically.

"The good kind depending on how you react to it."She responded.

"Out with it Amani."I demanded getting impatient.

"Okay fine. So Marini and Isaac are dating."She rushed out and I relaxed into the tub.

"Really just that? I was really worried there for a minute."

"That's you're reaction? Aren't you shocked or surprised. It's Mar we're talking about. The queen of never-get-married-land."She exclaimed and I chuckled.

"I shipped them ages ago. It was just a matter of time before Marini fell for him considering he was smitten with her ever since she hired him."I explained and Amani huffed.

"Fine but you just took the fun out of me giving you the news."

"I'm sorry siz. How about you tell me about what you and Jeremy have been upto?"I asked and settled down listening to her rant out about all the exciting things she had been doing with her best friend.

By the time we hang up, I was caught up with all her drama and Marini's too and was feeling less homesick. My sisters were my life, we had been through so much together and I loved them to death. I was happy that they were both happy. I never thought I'd see the day where Marini started dating again seeing as she was so against marriage after her first failed relationship. As long as she was happy then I would be happy to see her. I decided to call Isaac and give him the protective sister talk seeing as Amani was too sweet to say anything.

He picked up almost immediately. Isaac was a nice guy, he was the perfect gentleman, responsible and kind. He would be good for my sister.

"Shouldn't you be washing elephants or helping deer cross the road."He teased immediately he picked up.

"Think you're funny don't you. What's this I hear about you dating my sister?" I asked getting straight to the point.

I really didn't need to get all up in his business concerning Marini but he had to know that my sister wasn't alone. If he hurt her, I wouldn't care that he was a veteran. I would chop him up and feed his corpse to the lions.

"I had been wondering when I'd get your call. I didn't know I needed your permission to date Marini."He replied sounding very smug.

"Isaac I'm not messing around. This is my sister we're talking about."I scolded getting serious for a minute.

"I know tiger I know. I'm not doing this for the fun of it. I'm serious about your sister and if you were a guy I'd even go as far as asking for her hand in marriage."He confessed in matching my tone.

"You're not kidding are you?"I asked wanting to be sure that he was all in.

"I never joke about my feelings. I adore and treasure your sister and I would never do anything to hurt her."He replied making me smile.

"Good and remember I know a pride of lions somewhere who obey my every command."I threatened with a hint of a smile in my voice.

"I don't doubt it."He replied chuckling.

"Okay good."

"So we'll see you at the wedding?"He asked taking me by surprise.

"Wait there's gonna be a wedding?"

"Of course. Amani and Jeremy are about to help me pick out the ring."He confirmed and I found myself grinning.

"You're serious about this?"

"Yeah so expect an invitation soon. Just don't tell your sister about the whole ring thing. It's going to be a surprise." He requested and I nodded before realizing he couldn't see me.

"Moving fast are we?"I asked getting skeptical for a second.

It was my sisters future on the line so I had to make sure he meant what he said. I knew Isaac was genuine but my sister was one of the most powerful and influential women in Kenya. I needed to know that he was marrying her for love and not for her money.

"Why wait? Marini is the only one I want and will ever want. I don't want to give her the option of choosing someone else."He admitted with a conviction that only a man in love would have.

"Good for you. Just take care of her please."I requested getting vulnerable for a moment. I didn't want my sister to get hurt.

"I promise. Bye tiger. Don't forget to water your zebras and feed the vultures."He teased making me groan.

"Piss off."I replied and hang up.

Looks like my sister was getting hitched. I thought that Amani would be the first of us to get married seeing as she was the sappiest of us all who believed in love and happily ever after. Looks like all that Marini needed was to find the right man who broke all those walls she built around herself. Maybe I'd go next if destiny allowed. At the rate at which everything was happening between James and I it didn't seem likely. I knew it would happen though, I felt it deep in my bones. James and I were meant to be and our time would come no matter how long it took.

Some time later I reached for my glass of wine only to find it empty and so was the bottle. I had no use how long had I been out there seeing as I'd already downed a whole bottle. I wasn't a light weight so I decided to grab another bottle from the kitchen and continue my one person party. I didn't bother with a towel since I was alone.

I was a little tipsy but not drunk enough. I had the whole weekend night to cool off so I decided to go all out. I had just reached for the bottle when there was a knock of the door startling me a little. Thinking it was Saldona, I yelled out that the door was open before continuing to rummage the fridge for something to accompany the wine.

I turned around quickly when I heard something heavy hit the floor. I thought Saldona had dropped something but I was surprised to come face to face with a gawking James. His eyes were as wide as saucers, mouth wide open in surprise with a bundle wrapped in a shuka lying by his feet. I looked at myself to see what he was staring and smiled in realization. I was half naked, drenched in water, my nipples poking through my bikini top, the curls of my hair sticking to my face and since I was bending over when he walked in, he must have seen my ass cheeks. Instead of being embarrassed I just smirked ask straightened up.

"Like what you see?"I teased placing the bottle on the kitchen island and towards him.

I normally wouldn't be so brazen since I understood that James was a little shy but I had a bottle of wine in me altering my common sense. James didn't reply just kept looking at me. I reached him and stood toe to toe with him meaning I had to tilt my head up to meet his gaze. I lifted my hand and propped up his chin shutting his mouth for him.

His scent washed over me making me a little heady as his dark slightly chapped lips called out to me but I resisted the urge to kiss him. There was only so much he could take before running away.

"Wanna join me for a dip?"I asked in a sultry tone lifting both hands to place them on his chest.

That must have been enough to jolt him from the trance he was in since he jumped away. He looked away clearly embarrassed making me chuckle.

"I'm sorry, you're just a easy to tease."I apologized half heartedly.

He didn't reply just picked up the bundle he had dropped and shoved it into my arms.

"Thank you, what is it?"I asked walking towards my bed to open it.

"I'm not sure. It's from my mom."He replied his voice tight.

My coordination was messed up because of all the wine so it took me a few minutes to get the knots undone. I opened to reveal a beautiful blue Shuka and jewelry. It was similar to what James made me just with more intricate designs.

"This are beautiful, thank you James and extend that gratitude to your mom."I appreciated putting them away.

"I will." He replied and I turned to see that his gaze was still turned away from me.

Chuckling to myself, I grabbed the shuka and tied it around myself.

"You can look now."I informed him and he hesitated for a few seconds before looking at me.

He looked physically relived as I walked back to the kitchen.

"You don't have to look so happy. I know I'm not much to look at but you could at least pretend for the sake of being polite."I asked trying to find the corkscrew I'd used earlier.

James looked alarmed, "I didn't mean to. It's not that. You're just..."He fumbled over his words and I couldn't do it to him anymore and burst out laughing.

"I'm just teasing James. I know I don't have the body of a model or the most curvaceous of figures but I'm proud of my athletic body. I've worked hard to maintain it as it is."I consoled and his face relaxed.

"I didn't mean any insult you. It's just that you're very..." He trailed off seemingly looking for the right word to use.

"Very what?"

"You're very beautiful and it felt rude to stare."He explained and I smiled.

"Thank you James. You're very handsome too."I complimented giving him a once over. He blushed to my comment but didn't reply.

He was dressed in a black T-shirt, blue skinny jeans that outlined his long muscular legs perfectly and brown boots adorned his feet.

I finally found the corkscrew and managed to get the bottle open.

"Wine?"I invited grabbing another glass.

"I'd love to but I'm on guard duty tonight at the sanctuary."He replied and I huffed putting the glass away.

"That's too bad. I would have loved to spend some time with you. It has been a while since we hang out."I replied my disappointment clear in my voice.

"Me too but I can't, maybe some other time."He consoled looking just as hummed as I was.

"Yeah maybe. Thanks for passing by."I replied.

"My pleasure."He replied and turned around to leave.

He stopped at the door and turned to me with a hesitant look on his face. His face settled after some internal battle meaning he'd made up his mind.

"How about you come with me? If you don't mind spending all night awake star gazing and listening to hyenas laugh in the night."He invited and a huge smile graced my face.

"I wouldn't mind."I replied and he smiled back at me.

"Awesome but you will have to change into something warmer."He said motioning to my current state of undress.

I chuckled and made a mock salute at him.

"Yes sir. Just give me thirty minutes to take a quick shower and get dressed."I requested walking into my closet to grab something to wear.

"Sure I'll be here."He replied turning fully around.

"Okay make yourself at home. I won't be long"I rushed out finally having everything I needed.

I was so excited to finally get some time with James. A whole night together under the stars would be a dream come true. We would get to know each other more and hopefully we would finally seal the deal in our relationship. Looks like the stars were finally aligning to our favor.

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Writing this book in the middle of the third wave of the pandemic is the only thing keeping me going.

Keep reading, voting and sharing. Your votes, comments and reads are what motivate me to keep writing.