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  ‘Hey, you found it,’ I say, meeting him at the door.

  ‘It wasn’t easy. My GPS doesn’t have this street on the map.’

  ‘And I guess it didn’t help that no one spoke English.’ I invite him in, making the comment before he does.

  ‘I just had to let my instincts lead me to you.’ His smile is threatening to put me at ease. ‘Where is your mother? I brought her some quesitos.’

  ‘What do you know about quesitos?’

  ‘Wikipedia, baby. Anything you want to know.’

  I take the bag and bring it to the kitchen. ‘My mother went to play cards at her friend’s house, since I’m home tonight.’ I add, ‘But my brother Joey loves them.’ Placing them on a plate, I decide to have a little fun with him. ‘What happened to that popcorn you promised?’

  ‘I haven’t failed you,’ he says and produces a microwaveable pack from his jacket pocket.

  He’s so fucking adorable. I can’t take it.

  ‘Emi! Come on,’ Joey yells from the den and I grab the video, the quesitos and Lance’s hand to join him.

  We sit together on the sofa, with Joey intently fixated on the TV in his wheelchair.

  If Lethal Weapon III is as much a favourite flick for Lance as it is for my brother, I can’t be sure. But he manages to be enthusiastic enough that Joey is asking him to come back for TheFast and the Furious next week.

  ‘Hey, man, that’s up to your sister here,’ Lance says with a wink in my direction. ‘You’ll have to put in a good word for me, OK?’

  Joey nods in his way and flashes his twisted grin.

  ‘I’ll be right back, just have to help this guy to bed.’ As I ready Joey in his pyjamas, I still can’t believe Lance actually showed. I invited him over mostly because I didn’t really expect him to follow through. The whole thing seemed a little too sweet to be real. About as sweet as the quesitos he brought with him.

  It’s not that I want to believe the worst in people; I’d love it if he were completely on the level. But, for the life of me, I just can’t seem to buy the fact that this smoking hot slice of perfection would rather be chilling with me and my brother, than out with some rich socialite or something. There’s got to be more to it.

  ‘Noemi?’ I hear my mother calling me from the kitchen. She’s come in through the garage and I meet her there to make the introductions.

  ‘Very nice to meet you, Mrs Alvarez,’ Lance says with an extended hand.

  ‘Mommy, keep him company while I change.’ I decide to trade the velour jogging suit I’m wearing for something that’s sure to get a reaction from him and prove my point once and for all.

  ‘You’re not from around here, hmm?’ I hear Mommy saying from my room.

  ‘No, I drove down from West Palm.’

  ‘West Palm? Hmmm.’ She pauses. ‘That’s a long way. You always travel so far for a date?’

  ‘Mommy! I said to keep him company, not drill him!’ I’ve finished throwing on my tightest strapless tube dress and take a seat on the couch to fasten the platform sandals I’ve selected. ‘You didn’t think I’d send you home after that stupid movie, did you?’

  ‘I was hoping you wouldn’t.’

  I’m as tall as he is now and he takes a moment to appreciate the transformation. Lance has never seen this side of me, and I think it’s time I introduce him.

  ‘You look incredible,’ he says grabbing his jacket. ‘We could grab a bite and check out the art walk I read about online – might be fun.’ When I look a little ambivalent, he adds, ‘Or something else, I’m up for whatever you want.’

  ‘No, no. That sounds great.’ Not that I even know what an art walk is. Really, I was expecting to hit a club, just because that’s what I’d do with any other guy I was seeing. Except, Lance isn’t like any other guy I’ve dated, and I’m still not sure if I think that’s a good thing.

  He makes sure to say his proper goodbyes to my mother and hurries to the car door to open it for me. I’m certain he’s thinking I look like the perfect accessory in it, with my tangerine dress complementing his interior as much as my skin-tone. We definitely make a striking couple, turning heads from the valet and throughout the restaurant and at least I feel like I’ve got that part covered. It’s the rest of the night I’m not so sure about.

  ‘We were lucky to get a table here,’ I say looking around the crowded dining room.

  ‘I’ll confess that I made reservations,’ he says with a truly bashful smile. ‘I didn’t want to be presumptuous, you seemed a little, I don’t know, cautious.’

  I bite my lip, not knowing how to respond.

  He shrugs a little. ‘For that matter, so am I.’

  ‘You? Why?’

  ‘I’m sure Jimmy told you I’m getting a divorce.’

  ‘Jimmy didn’t tell me anything. I haven’t spoken to him since the night we met.’

  ‘Hmm. Well, I’m not about to get all hung up in a conversation about the whole fucked-up mess. I just thought you should know.’

  ‘Thanks, I guess. And I’m sorry.’

  ‘Yeah. Anyway, that’s that.’

  ‘Did you cheat on her?’

  ‘What? No, never.’ He seems offended. ‘Though if I were a smarter man, I would have.’

  ‘There’s never an excuse for lying to someone.’ As I say the words, the irony of my usual conduct pricks my tongue.

  ‘Of course, I know. I left because I didn’t want to cheat. It was time to move on.’ Suddenly a smile ushers away the hurt look in his eyes. ‘So, now I’m free to enjoy the company of a woman who I’m thinking enjoys mine.’

  ‘You’re growing on me,’ I blow back with trademark coolness. It’s my defence mechanism, especially when I’m feeling vulnerable. And right now, he’s making me think that just possibly every man is not a complete asshole.

  My reply solicits a wider smile from him, but no further response on the topic, choosing to change the subject instead. ‘Have you ever been here before?’

  ‘Just for drinks.’ And a little teasing under the table before the big reveal.

  ‘The food is supposed to be excellent. Hope you have an appetite.’

  ‘I have quite an appetite,’ I say with every intention for the suggestion I’ve dangled. From the moment I saw him, I thought he was hot and if there is one place I feel confident, it’s in the sack.

  ‘I like a woman with a good appetite,’ he returns with an additional twist that I wasn’t expecting. Unlike any of the many dinner dates I’ve shared among other men, I allow myself to eat freely, without concern for calories or judgments. It’s refreshing.

  As promised, the meal turns out to be amazing, but not half as good as the conversation. By the time we split dessert, I’m digging him pretty strong.

  ‘Ready to take that walk?’ he asks as we head out.

  ‘Sure, but I don’t know that much about art.’

  ‘I’ll teach you everything you need ... to look like you know what you’re talking about.’ He grins widely and puts his arm around my shoulders. It’s a gesture I accept with a bounce in my step; happy I’d taken a chance on that fish dinner at Jimmy’s. A few blocks down, the first gallery has its doors open.

  ‘First stop on our tour,’ he announces. ‘If this gets too boring, don’t be shy.’

  ‘Somehow, I doubt I’m going to be bored at all tonight,’ It’s liberating to say that and actually mean it.

  We hardly get inside before I hear someone calling Lance’s name.

  ‘Hi, I thought that was you.’ I can see that Lance is visibly taken aback when a tight-faced woman touches him on the shoulder. ‘Funny running into you in here. Brett will be glad to know that he’s not the only one who was dragged away from ESPN tonight for some culture. Where’s Pamela?’

  She’s so busy looking around that she doesn’t even notice I’m standing there.

  ‘Cindy, Pam and I have separated,’ Lance says with simple candour.

  ‘No, when? You seemed so perfect for each other.’
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br />   I can see the muscles clenching in his jaw. This is awkward beyond belief and instinctively I clear my throat, cutting the silence. Cindy’s eyes are pulled my way for the first time, and I can see the startled realisation dawn on her face that I’m with Lance. It’s the same moment that her other half walks up.

  ‘Brett, look who’s here,’ she comments out of the side of her mouth, ‘with, um ...’

  ‘Excuse me, this is Noemi.’ The introduction is late, but polite.

  ‘Well, hello.’ Brett’s greeting is exaggerated for the very reason his wife is giving him the evil eye. At least he has the sense not to ask where Pamela is.

  ‘Noemi, this is Cindy and Brett Rubinstein, some friends from my neighbourhood.’

  ‘Don’t worry, this is Miami, right? Nothing is off limits.’ Brett is pressing his finger to his lips.

  ‘Brett, they’re separated,’ Cindy breathes. Then, as if speaking to herself with no regard for anyone who hears her, she muses, ‘I’ll have to call Pam, see if she’s OK.’

  ‘Don’t listen to her. Splitting up is rough, but you can’t fault a player for making a great rebound.’ He gives Lance a playful shot in the arm with a nervous laugh.

  ‘Yeah well, it was nice seeing you two,’ Lance says with a parting shake for each.

  ‘Don’t be a stranger, man. Then again, it looks like you have every reason to go missing for a few months, eh?’

  ‘Come on Brett, we have five more galleries to get to.’ Cindy is pulling him away already with just a flit of a wave for both of us.

  Between her cold shoulder and his sleazy remarks, I feel as cheap as the dress I’m wearing.

  Lance reaches for my hand, but it eludes him. ‘Sorry about that. What are the odds?’

  ‘What are the odds that someone you know would see you with me?’ Unfortunately, the uncomfortable sensation that has invaded my skin didn’t go away with the Rubinsteins’ exit.

  ‘Noemi, I didn’t mean–’

  ‘Just admit it. You thought it might be fun to have a hot little piece of Latina pussy while you lick your wounds.’

  ‘It’s not like that at all.’ He’s speaking softly, trying not to make a scene.

  I’m feeling a familiar sense of purpose replacing the nagging insecurity that’s plagued me since we first met. ‘It’s OK, Lance. Didn’t you say you were up for whatever I wanted to do? Well, I want to cut the shit and just fuck already.’

  ‘What?’ He looks surprised.

  ‘We could easily get a hotel room down the street.’

  He finds my hand after all and pulls me out to the sidewalk.

  ‘I don’t just want to fuck you.’

  ‘Oh, so you don’t want to fuck me?’

  ‘Well, of course I want to fuck you. Just not like this.’

  ‘What’s the matter? You think you need to butter me up some more?’ I’m digging in, but the hole is looking quite dark all of a sudden.

  ‘Listen, I just got out of a fucked-up relationship. I’m done trying to convince a woman when a good thing is staring her in the face.’

  ‘Aren’t you arrogant?’

  ‘Actually, no. I’m the exact opposite of arrogant and maybe, that’s my problem.’ He takes a breath. ‘If you want some asshole to fuck you and lose your number the next day, then I’m sorry I wasted both of our time. That’s just not me.’

  I hear him, but the grip of self-defence has my jaw locked in scepticism.

  ‘Noemi, look, I’m not trying to jump into something serious here, far from it. But I’m not interested in even dating someone who’s not going to appreciate the way I want to treat a woman. I’m just done with that shit.’ My continued silence spurs one last remark after an exasperated sigh. ‘OK then, let’s call it a night.’

  He’s started for the car, shaking his head in disappointment over the turn of events. As he walks away, I can only see Jimmy’s words spelt out in his prophetic text: Noemi, when will you be ready …

  ‘Lance, wait!’ I scurry behind him in my platform sandals and take an unfortunate misstep on some uneven pavement. My ankle has me crying out in pain and Lance hurrying back to my side.

  ‘Are you all right?’

  ‘I twisted it. I’m such a fucking klutz.’

  All the frustration is gone from his voice. ‘Can you walk?’

  ‘I think so. Can I use you for support?’

  ‘Any time.’

  He slips his arm around my waist and my arm finds its way around his shoulders. ‘Lance?’

  ‘Yeah?’

  ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen a good thing this close-up before.’ He stops for a good look at my face. ‘I guess I gave up on hoping for something good a long time ago and just settled for being the first one to be bad.’ It’s my turn to lay it on the line. ‘You know, I liked feeling like I was too good for a guy, superior even. But you make me see that I’m the one who doesn’t deserve someone real until I’m ready to stop hiding.’

  ‘We all have our baggage.’ He smiles a little and shrugs again. ‘Some of us are just better at carrying it.’

  I produce an acerbic chuckle. ‘Think you’d like to carry some of mine for a while? It’s getting kind of heavy.’

  ‘You’d be surprised how strong I can be for someone who needs me.’ He’s looking at me like a gardener in a neglected flowerbed – like nothing would make him happier than to nurture the beauty only he can see. ‘First thing is to get some ice on this ankle.’

  Then we can see about healing the rest of me, I think to myself as he helps me into his car.

  Never have I wanted to make love to a man more than with Lance, right now. But after the ice is in place and the sweetest kiss goodbye sends chills creeping up my spine, I know that’s exactly why we are going to wait.

  Chapter Thirteen – Jimmy

  I CLOSE THE DOOR and dial her extension.

  ‘Why don’t you come up and bring me that last copy revision, I can’t wait to see it.’ What I mean is I can’t wait to see her, but Tina already knows that. I’ve been thinking about her all morning and since I had to cancel our stealth lunch date for a last-minute conference call, I figured I’d try my luck on sneaking a few private moments in my office.

  ‘I could email them to you.’ She’s teasing me as usual, and the mere curve of her voice drives me wild.

  ‘You could. Butdon’t you think this project is important enough for a face-to-face?’

  I can visualise her smile on the other end. ‘I’ll be right up.’

  The minutes drag as I wait with my cock growing behind the fabric of my pants ahead of her arrival. I kissed her goodbye this morning and knew for sure that I was truly sprung. She has her hair up today, looking as prim and proper, as she is sexy and free in truth. When the knock comes on my door, I don’t even try to conceal how much I’ll enjoy our private meeting.

  Her eyes light up at the sight of my cock in my hand, as I roll my chair away from my desk.

  ‘Look at what happens when I miss you,’ I say to her while she locks the door.

  ‘I see you have quite a big problem there.’

  ‘And getting bigger. Can you offer me some assistance with this?’

  ‘Let me see what I can do.’ Tina steps out of her panties and her flouncy skirt is perfect for straddling me as I sit.

  Every time I enter her, it’s like the first time, dizzying my mind and making my heart jump. Her hips roll forward, swallowing my cock to its base with her wetness.

  Apparently, Tina was prepared for the agenda I had planned for our impromptu meeting. She takes complete control, rocking herself to the beat of her choosing, taking pleasure from me as if she knows it’s hers and hers alone. And it is. I can’t remember the last time I thought of having another woman. She is just so fucking perfect.

  I can feel her thigh muscles griping me, pulling me into her. And her round ass bounces lightly in my lap, making me imagine the soft waves produced on impact. I inhale her perfume as I nuzzle my face against her slender neck,
licking and sucking on her rich brown skin. She knows exactly what I like, and a few more twisted whips of her hips brings the words to my lips: ‘I’m going to come.’

  It’s her idea to slip off of me and take my cock into her mouth. And the sight of her full lips wrapped around my swollen head sends another spurt of fresh come spilling to the back of her throat.

  ‘A bonus,’ she says playfully when I’m biting my tongue to keep from crying out.

  ‘You are just amazing.’

  ‘Wait until tonight. You’ve gotten me all riled up and right now there’s no time for round two.’ She tidies up and continues, ‘20 minutes is about as long as we can be in here without your busybody colleagues getting a clue.’

  ‘You’re right. I’ll pick up take-out and you can be waiting in my bed.’

  ‘No, I’ll cook for you tonight. You can relax at my place while I hit the market.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am.’

  ‘I plan to rock your tastebuds and collect on both favours afterwards.’

  ‘I’ll be ready to pay, don’t worry.’

  ‘Oh, I’m not worried.’ She points to the folder she brought in with her. ‘Let me know what you think.’

  ‘I will, but you’d better get out of here. There’s no way I can concentrate.’

  ‘Here’s the key to my apartment. Just let yourself in and I’ll be there within the hour.’

  ‘You got it, Tina.’ One last kiss and I almost tell her I love her, but it gets caught in my throat.

  Later, as I turn the key in her door lock, I wonder why I didn’t just say it. There’s no question about how I feel about her. But still, it’s not right until she knows everything. I can’t tell her I love her and keep her in the dark about the things I’ve done – things that will be difficult to say ... and difficult to hear.