17: I'm Not Letting Go

Cora replayed the last 24 hours out in her mind as they rode to Zola's offices. Edra and Joce could see Cora was unsettled and they were content to ride quietly for 45 minutes. They could see Cora turning over her situation in her thoughts and emotions rise and ripple through her body language and unfocused gaze.

By the time they arrived at the warehouses, a knot had risen in Cora's thoat, Cora wasn't exactly certain why.

----

", Cora, Dr. Sarin, Dr. Whipple!" Zola walked across the floor to the entrance of the industrial space. She moved right to Cora, kissing her softly on the cheek, pressing into an embrace she held for a long moment. ", I've missed you. Okay?"

All the chatter and speculation in Cora's mind receded. Cora nodded. She thought to herself," Oh. That's why. Because does that to you.' Joce is never gonna let this go."

Zola turned to Edra and Jocelyn. "Thank you so much for making the trip out to visit. We so very rarely get visitors."

"Our pleasure, Zola. Please, it's Edra, and this is Joce."

"Okay, thank you, follow me. Cristo and Marge will give you the grand tour. We do some computational design here, construction, finishing work, adjustment and repair. This space services five cities in the southeast: Austin, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, and Charlotte. We have locations in both New York and Los Angeles, and we have shoes in boutiques in 20 countries."

"Hello ladies, welcome to Basilio. I'm Marge, this is Cristo. We're happy to have you here." Marge's eyes lingered a little longer on Cora as she tried to get a read on the woman. She had become quite attached to Zola and found that her mother's instinct kicked in.

Cora smiled and as she shook Marge's hand, she squeezed gently. "So nice to meet you, Marge. My trip with Zola was incredible. I know you were a big part of that."

Marge nodded, still sizing Cora up. "Of course, Ms. Sims. Zola's happiness is very important to all of us. It seems you make her very happy." Cora nodded, hearing in the woman's voice concern and love.

"Okay then, this way, ladies." As Marge and Cristo moved through the 1st floor space, the ladies took in the design and work space with awe. Marge spoke mostly about the logistics and clientele of the business, mentioning some well-known celebrities from around the globe. Cristo spoke about the shoes and the process.

Zola moved back to walk with Cora, lacing her fingers through Cora's. Cora was fascinated by the inside look, but she couldn't help but steal glances at Zola as she watched and listened to Cristo and Marge. Cora couldn't find her immersion point with Zola so close.

For some reason, it was like she was seeing Zola in a different light with a different perspective.

Zola looked over, catching Cora in a stare. "Okay, ?"

"Oh, yes. Sorry. You're distracting me. I feel like it's been forever." Cora grinned and winked.

Zola felt heat rising and her breath caught at the sight of Cora's crooked smile. She pulled back gently on Cora's hand, separating them from the group. Once she created a little distance, she leaned over and whispered into Cora's ear, ". I have been searching for you for years."

She let her lips brush across Cora's ear. The smell of sandalwood filled Zola's senses. Cora's body tensed with the sharp need. " You are like water in the desert."

Cora whispered and her voice was raspy, her breath unsteady. "Please stop, Zola. It's torture."

"Okay, Cora, do you work today?"

"7 PM to 7 AM."

"I will be patient a little longer."

----

"So, what did you think?" Zola stood with the ladies by the front entrance.

"So beautiful, so amazing. Thank you, Zola."

"Of course, Edra, my pleasure. It's not heart surgery, but it is my family's passion."

"It's wonderful, really. We all make this world a more beautiful place in our own ways, right?"

Zola smiled with gratitude. "Right, Joce. Thank you."

". It's still my turn. Lunch? Edra? Joce?"

Joce immediately elbowed Edra, just barely shaking her head "no" and shifting her eyes toward Cora. "Oh no, thank you. Edra and I have rounds this afternoon."

Zola smiled and laughed lightly, not missing the exchange.

"Okay then, Cora?"

"Absolutely. I just need to be back to the hospital by 7:00. So, plenty of time."

", I'll ride with you back to the city then. Let me go let Marge know."

Cora's eyes did not move from Zola as she walked away.

Joce whispered, "Jesus, Cora!"

"What?!"

"It's to be around you two. You both have blinking neon signs over your heads. And you don't want to know what they're flashing!"

"Joce, stop it. It's not that bad." Cora grinned. "Is it?"

Edra chimed in, "Yes. It is. We should have driven separately. And what is ?"

Cora flushed slightly. "It's 'dream.' She sometimes refers to me as her 'dream' in Italian."

"Jesus, that is not fair. No offense."

----

They settled in the SUV, Zola in the front passenger side, Cora behind Matthew, Joce in the middle, and Edra behind Zola. Cora could see that Joce and Edra were right. The trip back into the city was excruciating. The conversation was light and easy, but Zola kept glancing back at Cora and the look in her eyes was making Cora's skin flush.

Cora could see in the space between the front seats Zola's legs; crossed and her skirt just slightly shifting up her thigh. Cora was fairly certain she was continuing to torture her.

"So, Cora told us you'll be leaving soon for Fashion Week?"

"Yes, Edra, major cities across Europe have Fashion Weeks. Paris, Milan, I'll be traveling with my family. We work with some of the designers and we have some private clientele as well. We will see them for fittings and delivery."

"How long will you be gone? We need to know how long Cora will be moody at work."

"Joce!"

"What?! It's true!"

Zola laughed. "I completely understand."

She looked at Cora. "" Cora's crooked smile emerged and she raised her eyebrow. "It means I will miss you too. Literally, 'My life without you is like a day without sun.'"

"Jesus! No offense."

When they pulled up to the hospital entrance, Matthew opened the rear door, letting Edra and Jocelyn out. He also smoothly opened the front door. "Ms. Basilio, I would feel much better if you rode in your normal position."

Zola smiled with gratitude. "Thank you, Matthew, that's very thoughtful."

"Of course, Ms. Basilio, it's safer." Matthew slipped behind the wheel and started toward the Austonian. Cora recognized the route.

"We're ordering in?"

"I think it's probably best. Don't you?"

Cora leaned toward Zola, speaking softly and sincerely. "Zola, if I kiss you now." Cora's eyes were fixed on Zola's bottom lip, "I might never come up for air."

Zola smirked and pulled her bottom lip back with her teeth and Cora's restraint faded immediately to nothingness. She released her seat belt and crashed into Zola's mouth.

She sighed at the texture, the fullness, and the soft skin. Cora kissed her with urgency and eased her assault only when her lungs screamed for relief.

Cora broke the kiss, gassed, and started to draw in the air. She started to shift back to her seat but Zola's hands rose to frame her face and stop her motion. Both the women were quite content to share the space for the short ride.

Zola kissed her so deeply and so slowly that Cora lost herself in the connection and didn't realize the car had stopped and Matthew had exited to give them some privacy.

"Cora," Zola spoke in the small breaks in their contact as they continued to kiss each other. "We're ... here." Zola pushed her buckle and laughed as Cora took this as an invitation to straddle her and continue her pursuit. "Cora, please."

Cora did not break. " ... please ... (my heart) ... take me upstairs."

Cora shifted slowly, lightly kissing Zola's eyelids. "Okay, let's go."

In the elevator, Zola was surprised that Cora stepped in behind her and positioned herself as far away from her as possible. When Zola stepped closer, Cora shifted to maintain distance. "Cora?" Zola smirked at the dance.

Cora's smile was dangerous. "Zo, the next time I touch you, I'm not letting go until I've experienced you completely. I've been spinning and I need to find my immersion point without any more interruptions." Cora grinned, "It's too hard to disengage."

"Okay, I understand, but if you let me. I would have you dreaming of this elevator."

Cora's eyes dilated and she winced. Zola leaned back on the wall opposite Cora, she whispered intimately.

I am weak for you."

. I could look at you all day."

" Heaven's in your eyes."

" Every time I kiss you I forget where I am."

Cora swallowed, feeling her blood rushing through her body, her heart now pounding. The elevator doors mercifully opened and Zola exited the space, stepping backward and watching Cora follow. Cora's smile widened as Zola reached back for the door. Zola pushed through the door and Cora closed the distance quickly.