JAMES' POV

It had actually taken an hour for us to finally leave Lulu's cabin. She had decided to order us food from the resort's restaurant and pack us a whole picnic basket with food, drinks and snacks. The idea to ask her to come with me had been last minute and I was glad I'd manned up enough to invite her. She looked good in the passengers side dressed in maroon sweatpants and a matching cropped hoodie. Her midriff was bare exposing her waist beads and it reminded me of the moment I'd walked into her half dressed.

Her ass was all out there on display and my thoughts had immediately gone to how they would feel under my palms. When she turned around and I got a glimpse of her cleavage, all blood rushed south. I'd never reacted so fast to any female and she wasn't even fully naked. Imagining her fully nude was making James junior rise and it had been hard enough getting him to calm down the first time.

Lulu was a goddess and I desperately wanted to make her mine. I wanted to kiss those luscious lips that she had coated with lip gloss. I wanted to feel her skin on mine. I just wanted her.

"You keep glancing at me. Do I have something on my face?"My beautiful queen asks besides me and I spare her another glance.

"No you just look more beautiful each time I see you."I admitted shamelessly before I realized what I had just said and I looked away.

"Come on Jamie, none of that. The night is just beginning. You can't start acting shy now."She whined and my ears perked up at what she had just said.

"Did you just call me Jamie?"I asked and she giggled. It was so cute, I had to resist the urge to coo at her.

"Oops, did I. I think its the wine but I like it. Wait no one else calls you that right?"

"No because it's childish."I retorted and she frowned.

"Well too bad because you're Jamie from now on. My Jamie. I like the sound of that."She whispered to herself but I manage to grasp it.

I liked it too. I was her Jamie. No, just James. But she sounded so happy when she called me Jamie I just let her be. She'd probably let it go once the wine left her system.

We got to the sanctuary just as Jack and Jasper were locking the gate to leave. It was seven in the evening and the sun was finally disappearing into the horizon. It was a full moon though so the whole area was illuminated by a beautiful glow.

We got out of the car to say goodbye to the boys before they left.

"Hi Jack, Jasper."Lulu greeted a little too cheerfully showing she really was drunk, or just tipsy.

It was fun seeing her so carefree though.

"Lulu, hi. How did this oaf talk you into joining him on duty?"Jack asked and I hit the back of his head making his scowl at me.

"I'm still you're elder."I scolded.

"Sorry boss."He muttered.

"Please hit him again."Jasper pleaded and I raised my arm to hit him too but Lulu grabbed it and looped it around her. Goosebumps erupted all over my body at our close contact and I had to remind myself to breath. It was going to be a long night ahead.

"Don't hit them. You boys run along now before I can't contain him."She joked dragging me away.

The two chuckled before waving goodbye and leaving. Lulu held the gate open for me as I drove the truck in parking it next to the shed. I helped Lulu lock the gate before we walked back inside. I did my rounds making sure everything was in place with Lulu by my side.

"It's so quiet."She whispered as if she was afraid of speaking too loud.

"And peaceful. I love this place. I had the opportunity to work in a better paying job in the city but I just couldn't find it in me to leave home."I admitted freeing myself up to open up to her.

"I'm glad you never left otherwise we would have never met."She replied smiling.

My heart raced at her words and I realized just how much weight that statement carried. Every decision I'd ever made in life had led me to this moment with the most beautiful woman by my side. She was perfect in every sense of the word and I hoped I was worthy enough for her. I needed to be because I could not imagine my life without her

We walked past one of the sheds where a sleeping Kovu and Grace were resting. The mother and daughter duo should have been with the herd but they always kept coming back. We let them stay as long as we had the space.

"It hurts knowing that if we don't preserve our wildlife our grandchildren won't be able to enjoy such beauty."Lulu huffed next to me her voice heavy with emotion.

"Yeah and even though the elephants are trying to adapt by being born without tusks it's still not the right way considering their tusks are one of the most beautiful parts about them."I replied feeling just as emotional as she was.

We stood in silence for another few minutes just watching them sleep before we continued with our rounds. After we were done making sure everything was in place we walked back to the truck. I unlocked the truck for Lulu and stepped aside just as she asked. I leaned on a pole and watched her set up the bed of the truck. She spread out the shukas she had brought with her and a few pillows before opening the picnic basket and the bottle of wine before calling me over. It was a beautiful spread, more than I'd expected when I asked her to join me. It was true what they said, give a woman a house and she'll make a home. They made everything better.

"I should have thought about inviting you over ages ago."I commented kicking off my boots before joining her in the back.

"You should have."She chuckled handing me a wrapped sandwich.

I removed the plastic wrap and bit into it trying as much as possible not to stare at her. My mom was right, Lulu was perfect for me. She was real, natural, future oriented and was loved by everyone who met her. I'd never find anyone who was made for me like she was. I just needed the courage to make her mine.

After we were done eating we had dessert of my moms infamous yogurt. Later we packed everything up and lay back on the pillows watching the night sky. Lulu was enjoying her wine and I was having my beer. I would stick to two cans, not wanting to get drunk.

I jumped when I felt Lulus soft fingertips run over my arm.

"Sorry, I was just not expecting that."I breathed laying settling back down as she continued tracing my tattoos and tribal marks.

Her touch was doing things to me and I had to remind myself to keep breathing. She had no idea just how much she could affect me without even trying.

"Did they hurt?"She asked her face scrunched up in concentration.

She looked so cute. It was definitely getting harder and harder to resist kissing her.

"Yeah at the time but I healed fast."I replied.

"I have a scar on my back, it's not big but it hurt a lot before it healed. I got into an accident once when scaling a rock formation overseas. I was in the hospital for two months. I never told anyone but I almost died."She confessed and I sat up straighter looking at her.

My heart clenched in pain when I realized that if she had died then we'd never have met.

"Even your sisters?"

"Especially my sisters. We are very protective of each other. If they had known they would never have allowed me to ever leave the country."She explained.

"Is partaking in all those crazy adventures something that you want to keep doing?"I asked hoping she would say no.

I'd never stop her from living her life. She was so adventurous, who was to say she was done with that life and willing to settle down for the local veterinarian. It hurt thinking that I'd have to let her go but as long as she was happy, I would accept that.

"As long as you come with me."She replied smiling.

"What?"I asked surprised thinking I'd heard her wrong.

She chuckled and looked at me "I've done everything I've ever wanted. I want to set my roots and settle but I'm not opposed to travelling the world with you."She smirked and my grip on my bottle got stronger.

"I don't know what to say."I replied honestly.

I was honored that she wanted to travel with me. It mean that she could see me in her future.

"Say yes."She coaxed.

"Yes."I blurted out without thinking and her face lit up with try biggest smile I'd ever seen on her face.

"Perfect. I can't wait. It will be perfect."She continued and I just hummed and nodded.

I had given in so easily but I did not regret it. I'd do anything for the beautiful woman lying next to me as long as she kept giving me those award winning smiles.

"You know what I just realized."She commented after we had been silent for a few minutes.

"What?"

"This is our second non official date. We hadn't planned this but it worked out so perfectly."

I thought about it and smiled when I realized it was true. After our first date went as it had and the second one got interrupted we had stopped planning. The impromptu one we were one was perfect because we had no rush to be anywhere and hopefully no emergencies.

"What do people talk about on a second date?"I asked getting comfortable.

"I'm not sure. I've never been on one."She admitted shocking me for the umpteenth time that night.

"Really?!"

"Don't sound so shocked. I was always travelling and I never stayed in one place for long. I never liked anyone long enough for a second date or even stuck around for one."She explained.

"What about in university?" I asked curiosity getting the better of me.

"I wasn't interested in boys then. Marini was busy building her company so I took care of Amani. I just wanted to study and take care of my sisters."

"Wow."I commented and she smiled.

She was way more outgoing and confident than me yet I'd had longer relationships than her. Maybe the problem wasn't me, it was just how she affected to the point where I lost all sense around her.

"What about you? What was your longest relationship?" She asked catching me by surprise. "Don't worry I won't be jealous and besides you're here with me now."She continued seeing the deer caught in head lights look in my eyes.

"Umh. Never more than a few months. I thinking my longest was six months. They always kept leaving me because I didn't want to go out partying with them or because I wasn't rich enough to take them out on fancy dates."I confessed a sense of insecurity washing over me after that confession.

I was in a better place than I was in college but Lulu was wealthier than me. She didn't flaunt it but I couldn't help but notice. She could have any rich man she wanted so why would she settle for me. What could I give her that she couldn't sleep give herself?

"Whatever you're thinking stop. I'm not those girls and I want you for you not for what you can provide for me."She cut into my thoughts and I blinked to focus on her angelic face.

She sat up on her knees so our thighs were touching, her eyes on mine. She had normal brown eyes but they were so captivating, I couldn't look away.

"I wasn't born rich and if it weren't for Marini's wealth, I'd probably be in the same situation you're in only in the opposite side of the country. I've never been as captivated by anyone as I've been with you James. Don't second guess what we could have because of how much money I have. I don't care about any of that. I only care about you, you're heart, soul, mind and maybe someday your body."She ended with a wink making me chuckle while looking away.

Her words made me feel relived. I knew she wasn't that kind of girl but it was nice to hear those words from her.

I found myself looking at her lips and noticed that her lip gloss had wore off but they still looked plump and desirable. I swallowed hard and looked at her eyes only to find the same wanton looks in her blue brown orbs.

"As much as I want to, you're going to have to make then first move so I can be sure we're moving in the same direction."She said licking her lips and its as if a certain force I couldn't control pushed me forward.

My lips landed on hers and my eyes widened in alarm that I actually had the courage to do it. Before I could second guess myself and pull away Lulu looped her hands around my neck pulling my face closer to hers deepening the kiss.

Her lips were softer than I could have imagined with a taste of wine on them. I never really liked wine but on her it tasted amazing. She threaded her long slender fingers into my dreads and tugged making me groan and open my mouth. She took the opportunity to deepen the kiss with our tongues dancing against each other. Hesitantly my hands found their way into her bare narrow waist and I pulled her closer, practically putting her on my lap.

Our first kiss should have been slow and innocent but we had been anticipating the moment for almost six months. It was hard to slow down. I'd never kissed anyone with so much passion and desire before. It was driving all my senses into an overdrive and parts of me were waking up that even I wasn't ready for. Reluctantly I pulled away because we both needed to breathe and I also needed to calm other parts of me. She pecked my lips before laying her head on my shoulder and we embraced in our first hug ever. She smelled devine. I held her closer to me we both tried to control our breathing but that was hard to do when her intoxicating scent was all over me.

"You smell so good."I blurted out without thinking and was about to start defending myself and apologizing when she chuckled softly making me relax back into the crook of her neck.

"You smell good too."She replied breathing in deeply before breathing out as the air tickled my neck making me shiver in delight.

After a few more minutes, Lulu pulled away cupping my face in hers.

"I want to kiss you again."She admitted her eyes on my lips.

"What's stopping you?"I asked and instead of replying she smashed her lips back on mine.

It wasn't the last kiss we shared that night considering we did a lot of that under a full moon and a star filled sky. For the first time since we met, we had the best date ever that ended better than I would have anticipated. I was definitely looking forward to more nights like those.

🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀

It finally happened after twenty chapters. Their first kiss of many. When I started writing this chapter, I did not expect it to have that ending but it just felt so right.

I hope you guys enjoyed it.

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Be blessed. I love you all.