To some people anyway. To me, it’s a habit, something to keep my hands busy.
“Do you like it?” I ask, nodding to her glass.
She starts, and much to her credit, doesn’t look away. I caught her staring and wanted her to know it. With Carina holding my stare she’s admitting to her guilt. She may do insidious things, but that doesn’t bother me because no one can grow up around criminals without being affected in some way. And this woman owns up to her behavior, something I really admire about her.
Now if only she’d admit how much she wants to fuck me, that’d be great.
Carina dips her head. “Yes. Thank you.” She takes a sip with me watching and I barely make out the way her hand trembles slightly. The wine lightly sloshing in the glass is how I know, because on the outside Carina appears collected and put together.
“Do you think it’ll begin soon?” She glances at the stage with a wistful expression on her face. “I’m not sure how much time has passed.”
“It’ll be any minute now.”
I consider giving her the engagement ring I bought earlier. It took me fucking forever to decide on one I thought would suit her and the sales lady was no help. She wanted me to buy the biggest and most showy diamond, but Carina is classic and without equal. However, when she speaks I dismiss the idea, saving the proposal for later on this evening.
“My sister and I used to play cats-in-the-cradle when we were young. Seeing that,” she says, her gaze on the rope in my hands, “reminds me of her.”
I continue tying and weaving the ends as though nothing is amiss. However, this is the first time Carina has volunteered something personal. And given the fact it had to do with her sister makes it all the more significant. I recognize the love she has for her sibling because I care for my brothers in the same way. Not wanting to ruin this show of trust, I choose my words carefully.
“I’ve never played, but I’m apt to learn.” I unravel the knots and then offer the thin rope to her. “Show me.”
She smiles at me and it’s genuine and warm. Like a person seeing the sun for the first time, I blink at her. A blush stains her cheeks and it adds to her charm.
“I feel stupid,” she mutters, putting her glass down. Yet, Carina takes the length from me and ties the two ends, forming a circle. “You’re going to put these loops on these fingers here, and then dip your middle finger under this strand here. Like this.”
She removes the rope from her hands and then reaches for me, only to stop. Her hesitation is not only seen in the way she pauses, it’s also in her gaze. I nod in encouragement. Carina’s fingers are like a summer breeze, brushing me in light strokes. Though I remember the steps she took, I let her do everything, just so she touches me.
When it’s finished she grins. “Now you pinch these two places.”
“I want to pinch your nipples. Those are two places I can get into.”
Her mouth falls open. “Rafael!”
I lift a shoulder in a half shrug. “Our privacy is secure. No one will come in here, unless there’s an emergency. And maybe not even then. They only do it during intermission.”
She nods and then maneuvers her hands so the rope transfers to her and leaves mine free. “See? I’ve always been fascinated as to how this works, since you have to go in and out of the different configurations.”
“It’s very impressive.”
Her entire body freezes, right before she snaps her gaze to mine.
Yes,viziata, I’m referring to you and the idea of going in and out of your cunt.
She clears her throat and smiles at me again, but it’s less secure on her lips. “Okay, now you do the same to me. However, it might be a little awkward the first time.”
“No, it’ll be fucking mind-blowing.”
If Carina didn’t know I was talking about sex a second ago, she certainly does now.
I execute the same move I saw her do and she claps her hands. “You did it. I’m a good teacher.”
“Yes, but now it’s time we switch roles,” I say. I remove the rope by rotating my wrists and it frees my fingers. “There’s a lot I want to teach you. So many things.”
“Rafael…”
I untie the knot just as the lights dim. When the music starts, I move from my seat to kneel on the floor in front of Carina. The ledge shielding the bottom half of the balcony covers me completely as I take hold of her shoe.
“What are you doing?” she whispers, her smile now gone.
