Strawberry Kisses

by Phavy Prieto

  I regretted analyzing everything as always, not being able to get carried away for once in my life and let things take their course. After all, what would have changed? I could have enjoyed the moment anyway, right?

  Let it all go to hell! Let it all happen, including sleeping with him that very night as if it were part of a plot. I too wanted my share of the cake. Even if he wanted to use me only for that, I would use him too, if necessary.

  Chapter IX

  After we landed at Edinburgh airport we headed to a car rental.

  "Did you rent a car?" I asked to break the awkward silence that had accompanied us during the flight.

  "Yes, because the ceremony venue is a bit far from the city."

  "Oh, good," I said without knowing where we were headed. "Where are they going to celebrate the wedding?" I asked.

  "In an old building converted into a hotel. It is a beautiful large villa overlooking the sea and close to a cliff."

  "Is one of the newlyweds Scottish? Otherwise I guess they would not have chosen to get married here," I said observing the people who passed by, dressed in a picturesque way.

  "The groom's family is of Scottish origin and is related to the local nobility."

  Ouch, ouch, ouch! Now I understand why she decided to replace you, the shameless one!

  "Nobility?" I asked in a pitch higher than usual. "Is he a prince or something like that?"

  "In due time Michael will inherit a sort of marquisate."

  Fancy that! A marquis! That bitch left him for a marquis! Such an event would have put a strain on anyone's self-esteem.

  "And may I know how you became the best friend of a marquis?" I sneered with a smile. I would have never mentioned his ex or ask her name, even though "scruffy blonde" would have been perfect: in my fictional universe she was necessarily blonde.

  "We studied at the same college and went to the same university together. We have known each other for many years: for me he is like a brother."

  "How about that! What a good brother who decided to marry your girlfriend," I blurted out. I saw his half-hearted smile.

  "I have never blamed Michael for what happened or I wouldn't have come here for his wedding," he replied in a serious tone.

  At that moment it was our turn at the car rental. I was silent as I listened how he spoke perfect English.

  When we got to the sports car area, I realized that he hadn't rented an economy car, which wouldn't have caused any regret if it got muddy or scratched. Of course he had not. A few meters from us there was a red Porsche 911 Carrera, so impressive and immaculate that it would have been a shame to brush it.

  "Your goal is not to go unnoticed, right?" I asked standing completely still attached to the handle of my luggage.

  "Is that so obvious?" he answered with that typical mischievous smile that came back on his face and that I adored.

  Suddenly I found myself extremely motivated to give my best during that weekend so that the farce of the alleged girlfriend would have been so credible that I too would have fallen for it. Somehow I began to feel a certain empathy for that man. Let’s face it: it must be a huge shock to be left for your best friend. And being invited to their wedding can be even worse! I was not surprised that he had decided to invent the existence of a fiancée. If it had happened to me I would certainly have invented a relationship with some international rock star.

  I went to the small trunk where Damian was putting his suitcase and handed him mine too.

  "If we really have to, then let's do it right," I said as my hands began to sweat.

  "What are you referring to?" he asked confused by my statement and looked up to look me directly in the eye.

  Oh my, what a gaze this man has. I even forgot what I had to say. Maria! Come back to Earth!

  "I mean... this," I said, pointing to the two of us. "It has to be credible."

  "What would you suggest?" he asked closing the door of the small trunk and leaning on the car while his seductive expression made me more nervous than a teenager on a first date.

  "That we have to act like a couple who..." Hell, I didn't even know how to express what I had in mind without sounding weird.

  "... who is in love? Passionate? Affectionate?" he began to ask.

  "Yes, exactly everything you have said," I said looking down to avoid contact with his gaze that made me nervous.

  "All of them?" he asked smiling. I saw him taking something out of his pocket, a chewing gum, that he brought allusively to his mouth.

  Be blessed that chewing gum!

  "And how do you expect to do that if I haven't even touched you?" he asked coming dangerously close to me.

  "Well, we're both adults and I don't think it's that complicated. We're not going to do anything we haven't already done in our life with… with…" Damn! If he had kept looking at me like that I would have fainted before his eyes.

  "If there is one thing clear to me is that you don't look anything like any other woman I've already met and I love that infinitely."

  At that moment the strawberry aroma of that chewing gum inebriated my senses. I felt a shiver down my spine. Would it have been inappropriate if I had pounced on his lips? I had the perfect excuse to say it was a test and I remembered his words: "the day I will savor your lips they will surely taste like strawberry."

  Perfect! Strawberry gum would have worked great!

  "Maybe we should rehearse before we act..." I whispered close to his lips. My eyelids closed helplessly.

  "By spoiling the surprise factor?" he said touching the corner of my mouth with his lips and then slowly moving away along with that strawberry aroma. "No, I prefer spontaneity." Just in that instant I received a pat on my butt that made me jump forward towards him. I felt how muscular and fit his body was.

  Fuck! I opened my eyes in surprise and saw his absolutely perfect white-toothed smile.

  Thinking of you as Adonis is not enough: you’re the bloody Zeus himself!

  After driving through a landscape of green meadows and rolling hills, accompanied by pleasant weather and the sight of the sea on our left, in an awesome red convertible car, I wasn't sure if I were really in Scotland or in a movie where the protagonist falls madly in love. Because you had to be extremely stupid not to fall in love with that lifestyle.

  "We have arrived," Damian informed me while slowing down, and I realized that the huge villa that could be seen on my right was the place of the ceremony.

  No doubt that Michael must be full of money.

  "Wow!" I exclaimed as the car moved slowly on the gravel bed of the driveway.

  It was an imposing building, probably from the 16th century, very well restored, enriched by small ponds, fountains, and plants everywhere which, together with the beauty of the place, gave the idea of luxury, social status and power of the people who came there to stay.

  Oh my God, will I ever find myself in a similar situation?

  As soon as I got out of the car, a parking attendant arrived and another member of the hotel staff unloaded the luggage to bring them to the reception. I felt like a princess.

  "Are you guests of the ceremony?" asked the bellboy in an English accent that was difficult to understand for me.

  "Yes. We have a reservation under my name: Damian Devoir," he confirmed, taking a step forward. I noticed how his hand slip and stop on my waist to exert slight pressure to invite me to walk with him.

  A hot shiver went through me, from the tip of my toe to the roots of my hair. I tried not to look tense in my new role as a girlfriend in front of any person who could observe us.

  "This evening there will be a gala dinner for all the guests who have already arrived and a small reception in honor of the future newlyweds. Breakfast will be served at nine o'clock in your room. There you will also find the program of the whole ceremony. You can contact the reception for any needs you may have," the receptionist said kindly after giving us a key card to both of us.

  "Do we have adjoining rooms?" I asked entering
the elevator and looking at the room number on my card.

  "We have the same room, honey," he replied allusively. My eyes widened in surprise.

  In the end, would I really sleep in the same bed with Adonis? Oh, my! I could not endure such a great temptation. My flesh was too weak.

  "The same... the same?" I stammered.

  "Don't you like sharing?" he asked in a tone that seemed either ironic or he was just pulling my leg.

  "It depends on what you have to share," I replied, staring at him.

  "The bed, of course," he replied with his intriguing look.

  "Is this part of the plan or are you really trying to seduce me?" I asked at this point tired of not being able to decipher his intentions.

  He did not answer immediately, but waited for the elevator to reach our floor and the doors to open. Neither of us was about to go out and we stood watching each other until he began to move closer to me.

  "That’s something you will have to find out, my precious," he said in a low voice near my ear. I felt his nose caressing my neck and touching the nape of my neck.

  Damian, Damian, may your mother be blessed!

  "Damian! You are here!" exclaimed a male voice with a strong Scottish accent.

  We both turned to see the figure of a fairly pale blond boy, with some freckles and incredible blue eyes.

  "John! It's been ages!" Damian answered with equal affection, leaving the elevator to hug his friend.

  It was difficult for me to understand in detail what they were saying due to that unfamiliar accent. I got out of the elevator and moved next to them feeling a little like an intruder.

  "Michael told me you were coming, but I wasn't quite sure you'd show up at his wedding after…" at that moment John realized I was there. "Are you together? She's beautiful! " he said directly to Damian pointing to me.

  "Yes," said Damian smiling, drawing me to him and holding my waist tightly. "She is my future bride, Maria."

  Roll sound. Roll camera. Marker. Action!

  "Michael didn't tell me you are getting married too!" he exclaimed surprised. "Congratulations!" he said aloud, patting him on the shoulder. "It is a real pleasure to meet you, Maria."

  I was amused for the way he pronounced my name with that marked accent. I couldn't help but smile and accept the two kisses he gave me.

  "Thanks," I beamed. "I'm glad to finally meet my fiancée's college friends," I added.

  "Well, I'm not holding you back. We'll have plenty of time to talk more. They are waiting for me at the hotel bar. They have all come. Why don't you get ready and we meet downstairs for a drink before dinner?" he asked walking around us to call the elevator.

  "Sure, that would be great. See you later then," Damian agreed before heading to our room.

  I must admit that I didn’t expect that huge suite with Jacuzzi, impressive view and an extra large bed: a detail that I hated because the smaller the bed the more opportunities I would have had to come across that body created for sin. So I began to consider that weekend as a luxurious mini vacation.

  "Do you like it?" he asked me, drawing the curtains and opening the window to let in all the light.

  "Do I like it?" I asked aloud. "I could stay here for the rest of my life," I said admiring the vaulted ceiling with wooden beams. "This place is spectacular!"

  "Yes. We've always loved coming here," he admitted.

  "Isn't this the first time you've come here?" I asked feeling a bit stupid for a question with such a predictable answer.

  "No. This place once belonged to Michael's family. They sold it and later it became a hotel. Since they had good relationship with the current owners, I came here on many occasions when I used to visit Michael with…" His silence made me think he was referring to his flirtatious… er… ex-girlfriend.

  "Good! For me it’s the first time and I want to enjoy the experience" I said as I took off my shoes to run and throw myself on the bed. "My God! It's so comfortable!" I shouted.

  A few moments later I felt the mattress sagging: Damian was next to me lying on his back.

  "Are you upset about sharing a bed with me?" he asked turning to me on his side and his head resting on his hand.

  "Should I have reasons to feel upset? After you stole from me, blackmailed me and deceived me, I don't know if "upset" is the right word to define how I feel," I said with an ironic tone and a hint of a smile.

  Damian rolled over on his back again and began to laugh.

  "When you say it like that, it sounds very bad. I don't know why you didn't run away."

  "Isn't it clear?" I replied quickly. "You still have my bloody black planner."

  "It's true. It is still in my possession and, if you were wondering, I didn't bring it with me to prevent you from running away with it."

  "Traitor!" I grunted with a big smile. I took my luggage and locked myself in the bathroom to freshen up.

  Nerea had convinced me to pack two evening dresses in case there was an important event. Despite my reticence, I decided to pack them. At that moment I was infinitely grateful to her, even though I would never admit it. I picked up a long red dress with a heart-shaped neckline. I put on the same shoes that I was going to wear to the wedding, but I was sure that people would be distracted by my cleavage and wouldn't notice it. I quickly took a shower and, in order not to be too late, I accentuated the eye contour with mascara and accompanied it with red lipstick to match the dress. My hair remained perfect and more voluminous than usual perhaps because of the humidity due to the proximity to the sea. After less than ten minutes, I was able to leave the bathroom free. I heard Damian talking on the phone and I started looking for the small box where I had put the jewelry that I would wear to complete my look.

  "I think I'll need to control myself tonight," I heard next to me. I looked up to see if Damian was actually addressing me or continuing his conversation on the phone.

  "Are you talking to me?" I asked somewhat annoyed.

  "Obviously," he confirmed by carefully analyzing my dress from top to bottom and vice versa.

  His reaction made me blush a little. I would never have got used to that walking monument watching me with desire. Or at least in a way that I perceived as desire.

  I opened the box with the few jewels I had brought with me to wear them: two rings, a bracelet, a pair of earrings and a pendant, but before I could take them out, I saw his hand stopping me.

  "Tonight you will wear only one jewel," he said in his deep voice that gave me goosebumps.

  I looked at him without understanding what exactly he meant and then watched him pull a small blue velvet box out of his pocket.

  Oh, mamma mia! Is it what I think?

  I waited for his next movement, and when he opened that little box, there was the most beautiful ring I have ever seen in my life.

  "It must cost a fortune," was the only thing I was able to say.

  Chapter X

  His big smile dissipated the awkwardness between us.

  "If you're worried about robbers cutting off your finger to steal the ring, I'll be by your side all the time, so don't worry," he reassured me while I was observing the way he took the ring out of the box, grabbed my left hand and slid it over my ring finger.

  "I could get too attached to it and decide not to give it back to you," I ventured, observing the beauty of the diamond.

  What a diamond! I wondered if one day there would be a man who could love me enough to give me such a ring.

  "Play your part well and maybe you can keep it," Damian said.

  His words made me turn my gaze to him immediately. Was he out of his mind? That ring could cost the equivalent of my full year's salary. Or he was probably so rich that that kind of money wouldn't have affected his bank account at all.

  "Are you trying to bribe me, Mr. Devoir?" I asked smiling.

  "It would be more appropriate to say that I am motivating you to give your best, Miss Acosta," he replied before entering the bathroom and closing the door.

&
nbsp; After only ten minutes he came out of the bathroom in his best bib and tucker: he only had to wear a suit and tie and he was perfect. There was no doubt that the blue colour suited him well. I had not yet seen him so attractive before.

  "It's just because he gave you a ring of who knows how many carats, my dear," said a voice inside me that I instantly repressed. If Damian seemed handsome before, now he was absolutely irresistible.

  "Shall we go?" he said. I was completely in awe by watching him as he adjusted his tie and the cufflinks.

  "Yes, let's go. I would really like a drink," I said enthusiastically. Some alcohol would help me to cool down. Or maybe not.

  Think that I'm going to sleep in that bed with him tonight! And the next night too! My God! Better three drinks, because one won't be enough!

  We went down in the elevator together with other people in complete silence. Despite the fact that I felt observed, I did not look at anyone, so as not to reveal my agitation. My anxiety stemmed from the unpredictability of what could happen during the evening: if he had treated me like his fiancée, that is, his future wife, would he kiss me in front of everyone? As much as I wanted to, I didn't really want our first kiss to be a farce.

  As the doors opened, I took a step forward and his hand grabbed mine to slowly cross our fingers. I stopped and looked at him, but I only got a hint of a smile in return. I assumed that holding hands was just a way to best interpret his role. After all, that was what couples did, wasn't it? It would have been strange not to.

  I did not know who Damian's friends were. Everyone gathered between the bar counter and some armchairs. Damian introduced them to me one by one: six in total of whom only two with their partners.

  "I heard you’re getting married too!" one of them exclaimed in a cheerful tone.

  "Well, yes," confirmed Damian. "The time has come for me too to submit to the yoke of marriage!" he added jokingly. Since everyone started laughing, I too joined the general amusement.