Page 22 of Love Bites
Katheryn let out a breath. A twinge of frustration shot through her gut. She wanted him to kiss her, dammit! She wanted to join bodies until Hunter was wiped from her mind. Patience had never been her strongest suit, and she didn’t want to have to wait until they happened upon each other by chance again.
Ignacio rose from his seat slowly, pulling her up beside him. “Do you feel tired? Would you like me to walk you back to your hotel?”
Katheryn shook her head. She didn’t want the night to end, didn’t want to leave his side. If night could last forever, she’d gladly take it, as long as she had Ignacio by her side. “I’m all right.”
His lips quirked in a half smile. “Then, may we continue our journey through the streets of Spain, love?”
The endearment sent her heart fluttering. She nodded.
“May I?” he gestured at her hand. When she nodded again, he laced his fingers through hers, a perfect fit, and led her away.
They arrived on a busy street. Lights were on in every locale, and people bustled in and out. Restaurants, shops, internet cafes... Everything was full of life.
On another sidewalk, they passed by a restaurant that had its seating outside. Each table had a lit candle on top, although few were occupied. At one table sat a large group of people, and beside them, standing, was a group of men dressed in strange attire.
Tight black pants with silk, lace and gold trimming down the sides in floral designs; black, pointed shoes; and cropped jackets in black and gold. Each one wore a red bandana tied in a bow and ribbons around their necks as if it were a tie. Their hair was loose and curling in the breeze.
Katheryn stopped to stare. Each man had a different instrument. One had a guitar, another a violin, a trumpet, guitar, and an accordion. One man had nothing but his voice. Together they played lively music for the table.
Their fingers moved expertly along their instruments. Some closed their eyes in passion of the rhythm; others smiled widely and move in place as they played. Their song was vibrant, loud and fun.
Ignacio began tugging her along toward the men. Katheryn dug her heels in.
“What are you doing?” she demanded.
He threw her a smile. “You’ll see.”
Ignacio let go of her hand and rushed over to the singing men, who had just finished belting out their last note. He whispered something to the group, gestured at their instruments; they all smiled and sauntered toward Katheryn.
“Bella peliroja!”the singer called out to her. She blushed, although she had no idea what he had said to her.“Este hombre enamorado desea tocarle a usted la canción del amor. Y nosotros le ayudaremos.”
Katheryn blinked at them.
Ignacio smiled. “I am going to play you the song of love...with their help, of course.”
One of the men handed his guitar to Ignacio, who took it with a smile. He hooked the strap around himself, adjusted a few knobs and smiled at her. Katheryn fidgeted uncomfortably as everyone stared at her.
Ignacio struck the first cords.
He played a nice, soft rhythm. It wasn’t too fast or too slow. His fingers glided along the strings of the guitar in almost sensual movements. The rest of the gang joined in on their instruments.
Then Ignacio began to sing. A note escaped his lips. “Aaahh, ahh, ahhh.”
His voice was the most beautiful Katheryn had ever heard. Deep, sensual and smooth. It lulled her, made her smile from ear to ear. He began moving around with the other men, singing lyrics in Spanish she didn’t understand, but it was beautiful just the same.
The melody had her swaying on the balls of her feet, smiling and laughing. Ignacio handed the guitar back to its owner, but the group kept the song going, the words and melody filling the night air.
Ignacio danced over to Katheryn, gripped her hand then pulled her to his chest. His hand found her waist, and he twirled her around and between the tables. She laughed and moved with him, relishing the feel of their bodies pressed together, the way he spun her in circles and held her protectively. Throughout it all, he never stopped singing, never stopped smiling down at her.
She held her breath as the words rose to a crescendo, as he whirled her one last time. Then, just as it ended, he pulled her to his chest, both hands resting on her waist. Her arms were around his neck. She felt breathless and, for the first time in forever, joyous.
Katheryn couldn’t help herself, not when the tips of his brown hair teased her fingers invitingly. Not when he looked down at her with joy, wonder and amusement. She stood on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss firmly against his lips.
That’s all she had meant for it to be, anyway. But the moment their lips touched, sparks struck between them, and their mouths melded together, hot and heavy. The only sound able to break them apart was the whistles and cat calls of the band behind them.
“Sorry,” Katheryn whispered. “I couldn’t help myself. No one’s ever done anything like that for me.”
Ignacio smiled before touching the tip of his nose to hers. Then, he turned to the band, flashing them the biggest of smiles.
