“Shall we head back to the hotel and order lunch?” I ask.
“Didn’t you want to check out some historical stuff?”
I’m surprised she remembered—or was willing to remind me. “You said you’re starving.”
“Yeah, but we can grab a hot dog on the way.”
This is interesting. I wouldn’t have pegged Esmerelda for the hot-dog-on-the-boardwalk type. With all the designer clothes and shoes she brought with her, I’m surprised she hasn’t insisted on caviar and crackers every day.
“Be careful, Esmerelda. I might start thinking you have a nice side.”
She snarls at me. “Do you want to go to your stupid museums or not?”
I raise my hands in mock surrender and laugh. “Let’s go.”
As we makeour way through the hotel lobby after our excursion to the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the concierge comes rushing out from behind the front desk, hand raised as he approaches us with a friendly smile.
“Mr. and Mrs. Benyamina, my sincerest apologies for missing you yesterday when you checked in.”
Esmerelda bristles at the use of my last name and shoots him a smile that looks a lot like death welcoming someone to thepits of hell. I try not to let my amusement show, but I can’t help fucking with my wife.
I hold out my hand for the concierge to shake and give him a knowing smile. “It’s no problem at all. We didn’t see many people yesterday. You know, newlyweds.”
She whips her head around at my blatant lie and glares at me.
The concierge shoots me a knowing smile. “Ah yes, of course. Well, if you are so inclined to mingle this evening, we have a bonfire tonight down at the resort’s private beach. Do join us.”
Esmerelda shoots me an overly sweet smile. “Honey, do you think you’ll be able to let me out of the bedroom long enough?” She looks at the concierge. “He was a virgin right up until we were married. Isn’t that sweet? Now I can hardly coax him out of the room.”
Well played, wife. Well played.
The concierge shoots me a sympathetic smile and awkwardly starts shuffling his feet, a sure sign he wants to get away from this conversation.
“We’d love to join you at the bonfire later,” I respond, trying not to let on that Esmerelda is getting to me.
After we both go our separate ways in the suite for an hour or so—me to do some work, and Esmerelda to feed every stray cat in the resort again—we meet again to leave for the bonfire.
Esmerelda is wearing an ankle-length red dress with white flowers that flows like silk. Her wild hair is somewhat tamed and frames her face, except on one side where she pulled it back with a floral clip. The outfit is soft and flowing and feminine, and I can barely take my eyes off her.
When we take our seat at the bonfire, we’re handed cocktails in hollowed-out pineapples. Frankly, I’d prefer a whiskey or some water, but when in Rome.
Esmerelda is so lost in thought as she stares into the fire that, for a moment, I’m worried about her. I’ve been going throughthe motions, and sometimes I forget to stop and think about what she’s had to sacrifice to do this.
For some reason, I’m compelled to make her laugh.
Lucky for me, an inebriated couple across from us get into a lovers’ tiff over how many cherries he got in his drink versus hers. The woman all but has both her hands in his drink, trying to fish out what she deems to be her fair share.
As I lean in to tell Esmerelda this, the wind changes direction, and a whiff of her floral perfume hits me. I shake myself out of it and lean in to whisper in her ear, but just as I do, she turns, and my lips brush her cheek.
As with every time I touch my wife, I feel the same sharp zap of electricity. Fuck me, is this the life I’m prisoner to? Feeling electricity between us but despising her so much I’ll never act on it?
Esmerelda turns to look back at the fire, and I do the same. The pinched look on her face tells me she feels it too. Well, unlucky for you, wife. If I have to be plagued by it, then so do you. I can also pretend I didn’t feel anything.
Easier said than done.
Esmerelda turns to face me again.
“I’m tired,” she says suddenly, her voice softer than usual. “I think I’ll head back.”
