Valentina picked Adam up at his hotel the next morning and drove him to a rundown parking lot at the back of an industrial park. Valentina announced they had arrived, parked the car, and got out. Adam followed her around the corner to a plain brown door under a sign for the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Adam raised his eyebrows.

Carrying two bags from the back seat of her car, Valentina ignored his look of surprise and walked in. She greeted the assembled volunteers and introduced Adam around before the two of them found a place stocking shelves and getting food organized. Val showed him how to arrange the bread on the shelves so the customers could easily see and select one. After the bread was tidy, they moved on to sort cans by date and food.

Val noticed the other volunteers sneaking glances at them. She and Adam were standing close, letting their hands brush as they worked, giggling together. It must be obvious that they were more than just a couple of friends volunteering together. After making the shelves more presentable, they opened the doors and started handing out numbers to the people walking in.

The people came in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Families with young children, the elderly, and kids that looked barely old enough to be fending for themselves. Each took a number and checked in at the desk. Adam and Valentina spent the morning running the bread station handing out bread, rolls, and doughnuts to the customers of the food bank. Val took a moment to talk with each child that came through her station. She bent down to their level and asked about school or offered them a coloring sheet.

“You’re really great with the customers,” Val told Adam once the flow of customers ended. “It took me awhile to get used to communicating with guests that don’t speak English, but now I know a few of the customers by sight and recognize the kids.”

“It’s pretty easy,” Adam answered. “I’m used to interacting with people I don’t know or that don’t speak my language every time I visit a new place in Rwanda. I just relax and put a smile on my face and go with it.”

Once things at the food bank were tidied up for the next crew, Adam and Valentina walked outside back to her car.

“That’s what you do on Saturdays?” asked Adam. “You told me about volunteering at the food bank, but it’s different to experience it in person.”

“Not every Saturday but most of them,” she answered. “I’ve got too much time on my hands as a single girl to spend it reading 24-7. Besides, it makes me feel good to help out and contribute to my community.”

“I can tell it really matters to you,” Adam commented. “I can see how happy you are to talk to the kids and help the moms pack food into their bags. I saw the pile of beans you brought with us this morning, too.”

“Yeah, I try to help out by buying some of the more needed food. It makes a difference to these folks, more than those few bucks would matter in my grocery budget.”

Valentina suggested they get lunch, but she didn’t want to just go to her regular haunts. She loved their date last night when Adam had planned it and she was surprised. She loved surprises and the fun anticipation they brought out.

Valentina suggested they drive around until something jumped out at them. After a few turns, driving by strip malls and ethnic food stores, they found themselves at a kabob shop named Bread & Kabob. They pushed open the glass door and entered a small restaurant with pictures from the Middle East on the walls. Val and Adam studied the menu above the order counter before ordering: chicken for Val, lamb for Adam. Along with the meat kabob, each meal came with lentils, a green salad, and a soft, pillowy pita.

They carried their trays to a table and sat on plastic chairs while they dug into the food.

“This is delicious,” said Val as she closed her eyes in delight. Adam tore off a chunk of pita and used it to scoop up some lentils. “I could eat this warm bread all day.”

“Agreed,” said Adam. “Did I tell you about the time I tried cassava bread?”

“No, but now you need to tell me.”

“I was invited to eat at a co-worker’s mother’s house soon after I moved to Rwanda,” he began. “I’m not shy about trying new foods, so I thought it would be a great experience. I get there and we have tea and talk and walk around the house. Then it comes time to eat.”

“The mother brings out several dishes and sets them on the table. We all sit down and start serving ourselves. First, there was fish in some sort of peanut sauce. Odd but not bad. Rice and beans. Then the cassava bread. They kept saying ‘bread’ and I was thinking bread like we’re used to. This ‘bread,’” he made air quotes around the word, “was more like pudding. It was this stretchy, gooey stuff that you pulled pieces off to eat with the fish. I could only take one bite before politely turning down more. It was like chewing on rubber.”

He laughed at the memory, and Val watched him, her eyes sparkling with happiness. This lunch in a strip mall kabob restaurant on plastic chairs would forever be etched in her mind. Val loved these moments with Adam: everyday things like eating lunch made memorable by his stories and lively nature.

Adam and Val continued to trade stories over lunch about foods they had tried. While Val thought she was adventurous for having tried alligator on a trip to New Orleans, Adam had her beat at every turn with goat, several kinds of fish she had never heard of, and a couple of things even Adam couldn’t identify. He clearly wasn’t squeamish about eating new things.

After finishing lunch, Valentina drove them to her apartment.

“This is it. This is my place,” she said, getting out of the car. She was curious what Adam would think of her place.

She opened the door to her apartment and let him in first. She watched as he slowly took it in. The apartment was the perfect size for her. There was a living room with a TV, a comfy couch, and a coffee table covered in books and magazines. The kitchen was off to the side with all the regular appliances and a tiny table for eating. Her bathroom and bedroom were off a short hallway. The apartment was just like Valentina. It was practical but casual, not fussy.

Val noticed the photos on the wall caught Adam’s eye. They were photos from places Valentina had traveled, and Adam recognized most of the places immediately, pointing and guessing the location of each.

“That one is the Eiffel Tower,” she explained. “If you stand directly underneath it and look up, this is what you see.” The photo was a beautiful image of black girders in a precise pattern, strong but lovely.

“I love it,” he said. He turned to her. She was standing right next to him. She could feel his warmth from their close distance. He reached for her and kissed her.

She didn’t hesitate in kissing back. She matched his passion, his power, as they communicated through their lips without words. She could feel the flames inside, heating her until she liquefied. He caressed her cheeks and neck, shoulders and arms. He ran his arms around her back until he was holding her tightly against him.

“Valentina, tell me to stop,” he said. “I’ve been trying to hold back from you, but I can’t any longer. Just tell me to back away.”

“Never,” she said. “I want you. Now.” And, as if that was all he needed to hear, he kissed her again. He caressed her skin at the edge of her shirt. It was soft and warm.

Her hand went from his back to his head, holding on to him for dear life as she deepened their kiss. She moved her hands down to his shirt and pulled it out of his waistband. She could feel his desire, feel his response to her. Once his shirt was free, she began to unbutton it, fumbling with the buttons as she continued to nibble on his lip.

He pulled her shirt up and over her head, revealing her bra. She took a step backward as she kicked off her sneakers. He stepped toward her as he kicked off his shoes. He dropped his shirt off his shoulders, revealing more muscles than she had expected. He was toned with muscles in all the right places. She longed to run her hands over him and feel each muscle as they moved under his skin. They locked eyes and kissed again.

He groaned. It only made her hotter for him. He lifted her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. She could feel his erection against her jeans. He carried her to the bedroom, and they fell onto the bed together. He began kissing everywhere but her lips: her neck, her shoulder, all the parts previously hidden by clothing. She reached for his waistband, eager to free him.

He reached for her hands and gently held her wrists. “Slow down,” he said. “We have all the time we need. I want to enjoy each part of you.”

He pushed up onto his knees and undid his jeans. To her delight, he had nothing on underneath. He caressed her body as he made his way down to her pants. He bent down to put little kisses on her stomach as he drew her jeans down and off of her. She lay there in just her bra and panties, little pink scraps of lace that matched each other. He kissed his way back up her body, paying special attention to her breasts and making her squirm. She grabbed hold him and used her hands to work his jeans down his hips as he kissed her lips again. He helped her work his jeans all the way off and into a pile on the floor.

He reached around her back and expertly unhooked her bra, adding it to the pile of clothes. “Quite the expert, aren’t you?” she joked.

“Just wait to see all the skills I have to show you,” he said, sending little shivers down her spine. He easily glided her panties off until they were both very naked. He cupped her breasts and gently pinched her nipples until she moaned. He caressed her hips as he kissed her again. It was as if he couldn’t get enough of her sweet mouth.

He cupped her mound and gently pushed his fingers between her legs until she gladly opened for him. Using smooth strokes, he made her moan again.

“Adam, I’m not going to last long like this,” she breathed. “It feels so good.”

He smiled as he kissed her again. “It’s going to get even better,” he said. As her sounds increased, he continued to stroke in and out of her heated core. As she was just about to go over the edge, he stopped. He moved in between her legs and placed his cock at her entrance. She was so wet, so ready for him. He paused, gazing at her looking up at him. She practically squirmed with need.

Slowly, he entered her as she gripped his shoulders. “More, Adam, more,” she groaned. He teased her with slowness for a moment until he gave her what she wanted. He filled her all the way, and she was beside herself with pleasure. He used his hands to caress and play with her breasts as he started to move in and out of her, slowly at first and then quicker, as he brought them closer to release. “Don’t stop,” she said. “Don’t stop.” He began to breathe quicker and heavier, almost in time with her. He was giving her such pleasure. He was going to make her come. Right now and again and again.

She pulled her knees up higher beside his hips, and he began moving faster and harder. She could tell that he was getting close to losing control. With a deep thrust, he stopped. She could feel him so deep inside her and that was all she needed. She screamed. She quivered and moaned as the waves of delight hit her. She felt the stars burst inside her head as she came hard. With a few last thrusts, he also shuddered in delight, calling her name as he came inside her.

Adam and Val took a moment to calm their breathing after that delightful session. He rolled off of her but stayed close, holding her in his arms as they snuggled on the bed. Val had a dreamy smile on her face. That was amazing, she thought. I can’t wait to see what else he has in store.

After an afternoon in bed, alternating between making love and talking, Valentina mentioned to Adam that she didn’t have much food in the apartment and they might think about getting some dinner.

“Just to get dinner.” He grinned. After locating stray takeout menus in a drawer, Valentina ordered Chinese food for the evening.

After an impromptu bed picnic, Valentina was blissfully tired. She was satisfied, but more than that, she was happy. She had been a fairly cheerful person, but now she was genuinely grin-on-her-face happy. She had been excited to see Adam in person, but being around him had been better than expected.

It was amazing to have someone interested in her who listened to what she had to say and looked at her with desire in his eyes and couldn’t wait to get her naked. On top of that, she was fascinated with him, his stories, and his life.

As she was laying in bed pondering Adam’s role in her life this past week, her phone buzzed. It was a text from her mom asking if she was going with her to church the next day. Valentina had forgotten all about church; she had practically forgotten what day it was with a naked Adam next to her.

She rolled over to Adam. “My mom wants to know if I want to go to church with her tomorrow. What are our plans?” she asked.

“I don’t have any plans other than trying to get you into bed again,” he said with a grin. “Why don’t you go to church with her then meet me in the city for some brunch or lunch or something?”

“Are you sure?” said Valentina. “I don’t want to leave you stranded when I’m supposed to be entertaining you.”

“I can entertain myself for a few hours, I’m sure. Besides, I did just fine when you were working this past week,” he said. “But don’t be too long or I might get bored in the afternoon and need some entertaining in my hotel room.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her. She responded by hitting him with a pillow while reaching for her phone.

A couple of hours of pillow talk later, Val and Adam fell asleep tangled in the bedsheets.

The bright sun slowly awakened them in the morning. Stretching like a happy cat, Val rolled over to watch Adam greet the morning. With lazy kisses and a reluctant heart, Val got out of bed to get ready for church. She was enjoying the morning so much that she was going to have to hurry to make it on time. Adam dressed and took a cab back to his hotel after giving Val a sexy good bye and a promise to see her later. As she was getting dressed, her phone buzzed. It was Bri.

I haven’t heard from you since Friday, Bri texted.

Adam and I have been hanging out.

Hanging out or hanging out?

What does that even mean? We went to a Nats game Friday, and then we volunteered together yesterday and hung out in the afternoon.

That’s awfully vague. You got naked, didn’t you?

Valentina blushed.

Yes, we did get naked. Happy to know that?

Yes, I am. How was it?

He is amazing!! Valentina texted. He’s more than I could have expected.

I’m so glad for you! So what’s the plan? More naked time until he leaves?

Valentina paused. She had no idea what the plan was. She wanted to spend every moment with Adam, but she was ignoring the fact that he left the country on Friday. Not just left the country, but left the country for somewhere halfway around the world. Someplace with spotty electricity and internet service. Adam had mentioned more than once how his past long distance relationships hadn’t worked out because of the difficulties. Did Valentina think this would be different?

I have no idea. I’m surprised I’m not trying to plan it all out. Right now, I’m just enjoying our time together. I’ll take what I can get.

Spoken like a modern woman. Just be careful that you’re not getting in deeper than he is. I don’t want you to get hurt, Bri texted.

Point taken. Off to church with mom.

Val finished getting dressed and drove out to the suburbs to meet her mom. Val’s mom gave her the big grin she always did when she saw Val. The women embraced and they walked into the church close together. During the service, Val and her mom greeted several of the church members. It felt like an extended family since they had been a part of the same congregation for so long.

During the sermon, Val couldn’t keep her mind on the topic. She kept thinking about Adam. About his stories, about the two of them together, and about him naked—which brought a little blush to her cheeks.

After the service, when they were walking to the parking lot, Nan said, “

Ok, I know you. Something is up. What’s going on?”

“What do you mean?” asked Valentina.

“Oh, come on. You can’t stop smiling. You keep staring off into the distance, daydreaming. You’re the poster child for someone who is love-struck. Who is he?”

Valentina blushed when she realized her transparency. “His name is Adam. I met him through work.”

“Are you sure that’s wise?” asked Nan. “What if it doesn’t work out and you have to keep working with him?”

“No, he doesn’t work at Anderson. He is part of Engineers Serving Across the Globe, and he came to the office to give a presentation about one of the projects they are working on.”

“Gotcha. Is he local then?”

“Well, not exactly. He currently lives in Rwanda but is stateside for business and vacation.”

“Oh, Valentina. Long-distance relationships are hard enough. Do you think you can continue this when he’s in Africa?”

“Honestly, mom, I have no idea. I’m just enjoying our time together right now. I’m showing him the city.”

“I hope he’s not staying with you, young lady.”

“No, mom. He’s at a hotel downtown. And let me remind you, I am a grown woman. If I want him to stay at my place, that’s my business.” Nan gave her a pointed look, hugged her, and walked off to her car.

Val headed back to her apartment and used the afternoon to get caught up on all those “adult” things that sneak up on you: buying groceries, cleaning the bathroom, and washing a load of laundry. She thought about her preparations for Africa, which she was neglecting terribly as she enjoyed her time with Adam. Once she was suitably squared away at home, she excitedly got dressed for her date with Adam. She put on the Paris scarf again. She was not the same old Val. She was headed to Africa and she was dating an exotic world traveler. This was the Val she wanted to be.