Chapter 44
Days Later
I’m trying to calm down.
I take a deep breath, as Mom taught me the first time I had to give a speech to run for a position on the student board at school, but it’s not working.
The day before yesterday, I went to Saks Fifth Avenue to see if Julien’s friend could get me a dress for a price that wouldn’t make me have to sell an organ, like a lung, for example. Guillermo wanted to gift me the outfit for the opera, but I declined.
Luckily, the saleswoman had a magical eye for clothing. She found me a long, black, strapless dress that makes me look slim, disguising my hips a bit, although my breasts still appear larger than I would like.
It’s hanging on the chair as I try to put the finishing touches on my makeup.
I’ve watched several makeup tutorial videos, and the first attempts almost made me laugh out loud. I didn’t come close to achieving the results the girls in the videos did, but now, finally, it seems I’ve managed to do a decent job, albeit not veryelaborate. Ava, Julien’s friend, suggested I leave my hair down, and since I don’t know anything about fashion, I’m following her advice.
We’ve gone out for dinner since we announced our relationship, but today is different. This opera performance is an exclusive event for a select group of Boston Opera House patrons, and I know we’ll have to stop and talk to some of Guillermo’s acquaintances.
I’ve been sleeping at his house every night, but I’m determined to get an apartment just for myself. With my salary and without debts, I can afford a small place to live.
This has been a point of tension in our relationship because even though things between us are beyond amazing, I prefer to keep my feet on the ground.
To my surprise, the day before yesterday, his younger sister, Martina, called me, saying she was sorry about the scandal and knew I must be uncomfortable continuing to live in the hotel. Therefore, she said I could stay at her apartment until I found a nice place to move into, as she was postponing her return to the United States once again.
So yesterday, I brought my things here, and although Guillermo insisted I stay with him, I stood my ground tonight and said I’d get ready at my new temporary home.
Now I’m in my underwear, bra, and garter belt—which I bought especially for this occasion—and I check the clock to see that I still have an hour before he comes to pick me up.
If drinking were a habit for me, this would be the time I’d have a glass of wine to calm down. I’m very anxious. Today, my Cinderella dream will be put to the test.
Lord, if someone had told me some time ago that my life would change like this, I would never have believed it.
I have a job with a great salary, the prospect of starting university in a few months, and also a boyfriend who, forheaven’s sake . . . makes me want to lock him up and use him only for my pleasure.
I tried in every way not to fall in love, to push away the things he makes me feel, but I can’t keep lying to myself. I know that what we have is not just sex. Not for me and not for him either. Maybe he doesn’t love me back, but I can feel every time we make love that there’s so much more than desire between us.
I look at the full-length mirror in the closet, still unsure whether I should leave my hair down, when I hear the doorbell.
My heart races wildly within seconds because only one person knows the apartment is occupied.
I should dress, but instead, I send a message to his phone.
Me:You’re early.
The response comes immediately, and the commanding tone it carries sends a shiver of desire through my body.
Guillermo:Open the door.
I know what he’ll feel seeing me like this. Our physical attraction is overwhelming. We can’t keep our hands off each other.
I unlock the door carefully but stay hidden behind it on purpose.
In two steps, he enters, and when his gaze finds me, I feel like I’m on fire.
The hunger with which Guillermo observes me makes my legs turn to jelly.
Instinctively, I step back, while also devouring every inch of him.
He looks handsome in his black tuxedo. I let my eyes wander from the shoes hiding his large feet to his muscular legs and broad shoulders, finally reaching his masculine face.
