Translation of Love - By Alice Montalvo-Tribue Page 0,14
that are expected. I’ve become a master at hiding my true reactions but tonight, just for this one moment, Victor somehow gets that piece of me too.
Victor takes my hand and walks me to my door at the end of the night. Somehow he’s found a way to hold onto me since he helped me up off the ground 24 hours ago. I’m not sure why I’ve allowed it. Over the past several years, when I go out with Jordan to a club or bar, random men have tried to touch my hand when they’ve bought me a drink or hold me when they get me to dance. I always squash them like bugs.
“Thanks again for coming out with me tonight. Sometimes when I travel, it can get kind of boring being on my own. It was nice spending time with a beautiful woman.”
I try not to let his words affect me but they make me feel warm all over. “I liked spending time with you too.”
“Can I call you tomorrow?” Well at least he’s not asking to see me tomorrow, this is good.
“Sure.”
“Okay. Good night, Ellie.”
“Good night.” Victor pulls me in for a hug. I let him because I know this is coming to an end. I slip my arms around his neck to deepen the embrace, taking in his scent. A piece of him to remember when he’s long gone. It leaves me wanting more but I start to pull away knowing that I can’t give anything else. He tightens his hold on me. I tip my head up to say goodbye. Our eyes meet and what I see in his leaves me breathless. He tilts his head down and our lips meet, sending a current through me. Involuntarily, my lips part. Taking my cue, his tongue slips into my mouth and my body melts into his. He tightens his hold on me, bringing me closer, weakening my defenses. In this moment, nothing else exists and I welcome the escape. Slowly, he pulls away, leaving a tender kiss on my forehead as he goes. He clears the front steps, gives me his amazing smile and says, “Tomorrow.” He gets in his car but waits for me to make it inside and turn on my light before he leaves, taking yet another piece of my armor with him.
The insomnia comes back with a vengeance, only tonight it’s not the events of the past that keep me up. It’s the chocolate brown eyes that melt away pieces of me every time they look at me; it’s the kiss that still lingers on my lips and replays in my mind. Tonight is worse than most nights because, for the first time in a long time, it’s the fear of desire that keeps me awake.
I open up yesterday’s paper and am struck by the headline.
Fans Line up to Meet Latin Heartthrob Victor Garza
I’m even more floored by the image of the man in the picture. How can this be possible? I’m taken back to the night at the bookstore.
“You’ve been on this line for almost forty minutes and you don’t even know who you’re waiting to meet? Victor Garza is like the hottest Latin singer in the world!”
Shit! Victor Garza, the man who I’ve spent the last two nights with, is an international superstar! I don’t know how to process this information. Am I angry that he lied or do I even care? I asked him what he did more than once and he tiptoed around the question. Why didn’t he just tell me who he was? I mean, I guess I can understand that he may have wanted to fly under the radar but it’s still no excuse for keeping me in the dark. Why am I getting upset over this anyway? It’s not like I want him to be a part of my life. He didn’t even ask to see me again. He just kissed me and left. Ultimately, this is what I wanted anyway. I wanted him to leave me alone so this turn of events works in my favor.
I’m startled by a knock on the front door. It’s barely eight in the morning. I try to get a rein on my emotions as I get up to see who it is. I’m stunned to see Victor standing there with a grin on his face, a coffee cup in each hand.
“Good morning, beautiful. I thought you might like a pick me up.”