Page 13 of Love Bites
“Agua de horchata,”their server, a woman, said.
“I would like to try that as well.” Katheryn turned her blue-eyed gaze up to him. “Can I?”
His heart nearly melted.
“Whatever you wish,” he choked out.
Her gaze was so passionate, so intense and innocent, it was hard to say no, which was why he found himself paying the woman for two foam cups of the stuff and walking away with Katheryn to a park bench.
The bread was harder to eat than the taco. It was dry and scraped the roof of his mouth. He found himself trying to down it with the milky water and nearly gagged. His stomach expanded unpleasantly. It felt as if it would burst. The food seemed to be trying to claw its way back out, but he forced it down and attempted to ignore how it made him feel, but Katheryn made it too damn hard.
She’d finish eating one thing, then she’d pull him off to another stand for something different. By the time they were finished, he was nearly heaving. Noting his discomfort, Katheryn placed a hand against his sweaty forehead.
“Are you okay? You’re running a fever, and you look pale.” Her palm rested on his cheek but the fire of her touch brought little comfort.
He swayed on his feet and leaned on her for support. “I’m fine,” he said. He forced a smile but was sure it didn’t reach his eyes. She noticed.
“Woah, what’s wrong?” She steadied him when he swayed again.
“Nothing, nothing. Just feeling a little unwell. But I’ll be fine.”
Concern crossed her flawless features. “Is there something I can do for you?”
His stomach bubbled.
“No,” he gasped. “Well, maybe, we could call it a night?” He grinned despite the pain that gnawed at him.
“Yes, of course. Go home; get some rest. Do you want me to walk you to your house?”
“No, no.” He righted himself and waved her off. “I’ll walk you back to your hotel.”
“I don’t think so, Ignacio,” she said, sternly. “You can barely stand. Get in a cab and go home. I’ll be fine.”
He wanted to argue, but the fiery glare she gave him told him that there was no room for argument. So he obeyed as she sat him in a taxi.
“I apologize, Katheryn,” he whispered to her before the taxi could take off. “I’ve ruined a night in your vacation with my illness.”
She waved that off. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s not your fault, and my night hasn’t been ruined. I actually had a good time.”
“I’m glad.” His head was out the cab window, and she bent down so their faces were at the same level. “I hope to see you tomorrow, for I had a good time as well.”
Their lips were only a few inches apart, and for a moment, it made all sickness and pain fade away, forgotten. Heat crackled between them. Their eyes met, yellow and blue. Their bodies seemed to draw together, magnets pulled them closer. The tips of their noses touched ever so slightly. The need to press his lips to hers was strong. He wanted to, by God, he longed to explore what he only had in a dream.
“I’d like that,” she whispered, blowing her breath against his lips. She smelled sweet. “To see you tomorrow.”
“Good.” He wanted to close the space between them, but she stood back and tapped the cab. “Call me?”
“See you tomorrow,” she whispered as he drove away.
Her absence jolted him back to his full senses and his pain. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Antonio. He couldn’t go home now. Not if his mother was going to be there. She would worry senselessly about him and fuss and lecture him.
“Antonio!” he cried gruffly when his friend answered. “I’m coming over!”
He hung up, gave the driver Antonio’s address and heaved the whole way there.
“Dude, what’s wrong?” Antonio reached for his friend as Ignacio fell from the cab and dry heaved on his hands and his knees. “You’re sweating like a pig.”
Ignacio wiped his brow with the back of his hand. He felt disgusting. A pain twisted his gut like nothing he’d ever felt before. “I...” He heaved. “Ate!”
