Page 69 of Sombra
“My desire in bed is adventurous. I enjoy the feeling of control. I want someone to submit to me, or I’ll submit to them. Entirely. I’ll switch. But I get off on the play.”
“Play.”
“I’ve been looking for a partner who is willing. Is that …” I’m suddenly shy. “Is that something you’d like to try?” A ramp of delicious tension goes throughme, and I hold my breath, waiting for her answer.
Her glowing face betrays her nervousness, but her words give me hope. “I can think of nothing I want more than to let you have your way with me in the bedroom. That’s all I ever wanted since I’ve first laid eyes on you.”
With a flush on her cheeks, she beckons me closer, and her voice is a hot, strangled whisper on my skin. She tellsme about a dream she had after she first met me, where she’s naked on a white fur while I use a feather and my fingers to make her come.
My heart is beating so fast, and my brain’s gone haywire. I am falling badly for this woman, and it could not be worse for her or for me. But instead of pushing her away, as I should, I hug her so tight I’m sure she can’t breathe and whisper fiercely,“You are, without a doubt, the perfect woman for me.”
She nods and presses her fingers to her lips. Then she kisses me and we go back into the store. We buy the scarf, some ribbons, and in another shop down the way, a blindfold. I don’t know who’s more excited—Kim, or me.
At about eight o’clock,we arrive at Trent and Dani’s garret apartment a few blocks over, having stashed our purchases in my car. When Trent opens the door, he says in English, “How nice to see you two. Come in.”
“Where’s your Spanish, amigo?” I ask, handing him a bottle of wine we picked up down the street.
He looks abashed. “I know, I know. Sometimes it’s easier inEnglish.” Studying the label, he says, “Thanks for this.”
I give my friend a quick, tight hug. Kim steps in, hugs him, and waves to Dani, who is bustling behind him, setting the table.
“I love this place,” says Kim, peering out the open, floor-to-ceiling windows to the street below. “It’s exactly what I thought Europe would look like with the balconies and cobblestones and narrowstreets. The bell tower of the cathedral’s off in the distance.” She takes a picture.
Dani comes over and gives her a hug. “I love it too.”
This tiny, unconventional apartment doesn’t have enough room for guests, so two people are going to sit on stacked suitcases and a low table serving as a chair. But as long as Kim is with me, I don’t care where I am.
Trent hands me a beer.Like I need one after lunch at Sergio’s. But I’m not drunk. Just happy. He clinks his bottle to mine and asks in a low tone, “Are you and Kim together?”
I hedge. “I want to be.”
He gives me an understanding nod. “I know what that’s like. I waited so long for Dani. It was wrong timing.”
“This is wrong timing too.”
He sips his beer. “You’re meant for each other. It’llbe okay.”
“I hope so too, amigo,” I say. I call to Dani. “Need any help?”
“Absolutely not. Go sit on the couch and drink beers and scratch your belly with Trent.”
Before I sit down, my phone buzzes in my back pocket with an email.
De:William Thrash
Para: Gustavo de la Guerra
Fecha: 17 de septiembre
Asunto: Asunto: Trouble
Tavo,
Come visit again. Money will figure itself out. Can’t tell you much about the heart, though. I think you know what you’re doing.
Will
He’s right.I do. I sit by Trent and keep watch on Kim helping Dani, enjoying the easy way she works in the kitchen.
