by Patricia Mar
“Good morning, gorgeous.” Sara stretched out, and with a gesture that had become familiar, kissed him, biting one of his lips and tugging on it before letting it go, amused.
A fleeting expression of wonder appeared in Daniel’s eyes, which were the same colour as the sky. “You’re still here with me.”
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” admitted Sara.
“Last night was fantastic. There are real fireworks between us.”
Sara laughed playfully. Daniel was right, they had given themselves to each other unreservedly, and they’d had fun, loving and satisfying each other. It was love, she thought, there was no doubt about it, and that was why she had let herself go so totally, so unhesitatingly. Daniel was the man she had been waiting for all her life – one who understood and accepted her, with all her stubbornness and fragility. Now she had found him, after a million useless dates, and she wanted to keep hold of him and not let him slip away.
She wanted to build something with him that would last – she didn’t want him to be just a beautiful comet passing through her life, but her personal guiding star. And with those positive thoughts in her mind, she let herself fall back onto the pillow and gave him a look of pure gratitude. “I’m not sure what made you want to be with me, but I’m happy you do… I’m happy about last night, I’m happy that you took me to the Desdemona, I’m happy that I wound up stuck in a lift with you and that I didn’t get that job at Inside Look. I’d never have met you if I’d got to that interview on time.”
“I’ve thought about that too.” He leaned his head on the pillow and looked at her in a sweet, almost dreamy way. “You wonder what made me want to be with you. It was you, your personality, your quick reply for everything, and the way you treat me like a normal person, not like a celebrity on a pedestal – someone to observe from a distance because they’re as fake as a chocolate coin. You tried to get to know Daniel, the person I don’t easily show to strangers.”
He caressed her face adoringly.
“It might be true that I live in front of a camera, being photographed, spied on, followed… but not many people know my real personality, the real Daniel, Sara. Only the people I allow to see him get to know me. They might all think they own a piece of me when they buy a magazine, but in fact they don’t own anything. I know how to protect myself from the media. As soon as I met you I saw something special in you. You weren’t charmed by me like all the others – in fact, you turned me down, and that made me want you even more. I was almost about to give up, truth be told, but then I talked about you to a friend of mine, and I realised… that you might be my exception, the one who wouldn’t be taken in by the fake world of my job, who would be able to look beyond all that. The one who could see me. And I wasn’t wrong.”
His voice was soft and calm, but throbbing with emotion.
Sara was smiling at him in a daze, hoping that Daniel would see how his words were healing her wounds and dissolving her doubts. “You really wanted to get to know me, but at the same time, you wanted me to know you.”
“Yes, I admit that. I could feel something between us, I was sure it could work, even though you were trying to put obstacles on my path.”
“I wasn’t—” she protested.
“Of course you were. You thought I wouldn’t call you, you were sure that after rejecting me once, when I suggested going out, you’d never see or hear from me again.”
“Touché, you’re right. I thought you saw me as an easy girl, one of those who would steal a kiss in a lift.” She raised her eyebrows confidently, propping herself up again on her elbows. She didn’t feel embarrassed that her breasts were visible, and smiled even more when she noticed Daniel looking at her with interest. “So I thought that after an initial refusal, you wouldn’t have any reason to come looking for me again.”
“And instead I knocked on your door.”
“You surprised me. I was really confused that evening.”
“It was a lovely evening. I loved every moment of it, Sara.”
“So did I. I wished it would never end, but you had to leave. You took me home and shot off as though the police were after you.” She laughed. “That wasn’t exactly flattering. And I was sure I would never see or hear from you again.”
“Maybe I was a bit off, but you seemed uncomfortable with me. It felt like you didn’t really want to spend any more time chatting.”
“That’s not true!” She lifted herself up, irritated, and he admired her in all her splendour. Sara snorted and covered herself with the sheet.
“Let me get a look at you,” said Daniel, pulling the sheet away, but she was annoyed and took it back.
“It’s not true that I didn’t want to talk to you. I thought the evening had been wonderful and I was hoping it would continue.”
Daniel flicked her nose. “I would have liked to stay – but maybe it was for the best that I didn’t.”
“But you called me again while you were having a great time in Bangkok, God knows who with.”
“I wasn’t having a great time, I was there to work,” said Daniel, pulling the sheet off again and leaving her naked.
“And there were no women with me.”
“None? I don’t believe you.” Daniel moved towards her, catlike, and snatched at one of her nipples.
“You’re cheating,” moaned Sara, as she ran her hand through his hair, not knowing what to do to avoid drowning.
“I wasn’t interested in any Thai girl. I wanted to talk to you, to see you…” He said as he continued to torment her.
“I can’t believe I made such an impression on you – you’re a natural born flatterer.”
What was she saying? She was losing track of her words. If Daniel carried on playing like that, she wouldn’t be able to help jumping on him.
“I couldn’t wait to get back and pick up from where we had left off. You should be more confident, you’re literally driving me crazy right now.”
His tongue began exploring her, and, overcome by pleasure, she melted. She lay down slowly and an instant later Daniel was over her, their bodies hunting for one another. They were ready, and began kissing again with renewed passion. At that moment, someone knocked at the door. Sara stopped immediately, going as rigid as marble.
“Daniel, wake up! Your mobile’s off!”
“It’s James,” said Daniel, amused, looking like an impertinent kid.
Instinctively, Sara pulled the sheet up to the top of her head.
“Make him go away!”
“Daniel, we’re heading off to the refuge in ten minutes. The mini van is ready.”
“Shit, I totally forgot,” said Daniel, pulling the sheet from Sara and kissing her breasts again.
“Daniel Gant, what are you up to?” shouted James, losing his patience.
“I’m getting it on with my gorgeous girlfriend. We’ll meet you in the entrance hall in half an hour.”
Sara felt like she was on fire, and not just because Daniel kept teasing her body. She was really embarrassed.
“Ah! Ok, lucky you, then! See you later.”
Sara slipped away, but Daniel stopped her. “Where are you running off to?”
“To dig a hole and climb into it. What the hell did you just tell him?”
“The truth – that we’re together, that you’re wonderful and that I want to make love to you again.”
“God you’re so shameless – where will I find the nerve to look him in the face again?”
Daniel laughed happily.
“Good – at least James will steer clear of you now. I noticed how he kept giving you interested looks. Now it’s all very clear.”
“He was staring at me?”
“Oh, yes. Although you might think it’s impossible, men notice you. You’re beautiful, funny and smart. But now you’re wearing a sign that says ‘Not available’. No chance for you, dear James.”
“So you marked out your territory,” she said, pretending to be outraged, but actually flatter
ed.
“I certainly did. Now come over here and warm me up – I’m cold.” He grabbed her and rolled her on top of him, laughing as he started exploring her body again.
Sara just had time to think that the world was full of Spanks marking out their territories before abandoning herself in the arms of her sex god.
Chapter 19
Lassie Come Home!
Having to go back home had never felt so unfair. It would have been wonderful to remain in Chamonix in her boyfriend’s arms a little longer, and it had been a shame to interrupt that dream. Those four days had flown by, and now real life was back knocking at her door, with all the usual problems. A crazy mother, a job she couldn’t find no matter how hard she tried and the inevitable bills which were piling up. She sighed, abandoning her suitcase on the floor as she entered her apartment. She looked around, thinking of her bedroom in the resort, which was bigger than her rented two room flat. In an instant, her mind was overcome with thoughts of Daniel – her heart and her mind were full of him. They’d spent the last two days together, making love in a thousand different ways. The man certainly wasn’t afraid to experiment…
Sara covered her face in embarrassment, laughing at the thought of how Daniel had made her feel pure pleasure, giving himself to her completely. She started singing.
“I never thought that you would be the one to hold my heart. But you came around and you knocked me off the ground from the start…”
She was lost inside the lyrics, swaying happily, her voice growing louder. She was as drunk on love as if she’d downed a whole bottle of spirits.
Daniel was her boyfriend.
She still couldn’t believe it. It felt as though she’d won the first prize in a lottery. Had she ever been happier than she was now? Maybe not, and she didn’t want to let ridiculous negative thoughts ruin that fabulous, peaceful mood. She waved her arms in the air as she danced.
At that moment a head popped out from behind the door – Virginia, who pointed an accusing finger at her sister.
“You’re dancing!”
Sara froze, drooping like an undercooked souffle. “No I’m not!”
“Look at your face…” Virginia walked over to her and circled her thoughtfully. “Someone here looks very happy… I wonder why,” she said sarcastically, tapping her lips with a finger.
“Oh don’t be silly, Virginia.”
“Yes, you’re radiant, your complexion is great. I guess your secret must be sport, right?”
“Stop it, immediately.”
But she was laughing. She grabbed her sister’s hands and pulled her down onto the sofa. She was acting like a little girl.
“It was fantastic. He is fantastic. I’m in love.”
“Hang on, hang on,” protested an amused Virginia, “an alien must have taken over my sister’s body in that French skiing resort!”
Sara threw her arms back up. “I can’t stop feeling like this. Daniel is fantastic. He’s smart, handsome, funny, he makes me laugh… and he’s really good in bed too.”
“Ha! That’s what I wanted to hear. So he is a sex machine, then?”
“I’m not sure where he hides his batteries, trust me!”
Virginia burst into laughter.
“My sister will finally be a satisfied woman. Enough of your stupid frustrations!”
“I’m not frustrated.”
Virginia glanced at her eloquently.
“Well, I won’t be any more,” Sara corrected herself, as she was too happy to argue with her sister, who was telling the inescapable truth anyway.
“How did he react to your picture in Gossip News?”
“He doesn’t care. He says I’m his girlfriend and he doesn’t want to hide it. He’s proud to be seen with me.” Virginia sighed loudly and Sara hit her arm bursting into laughter.
“What now? Are you both back to reality?”
“Check this out!” Sara took a key out of her jacket pocket.
“What’s that? A key to a treasure chest?”
“His house key.”
“The penthouse?” Virginia opened her eyes wide. “He already gave you his house keys?”
“Yes – he says I can go there whenever I want, that his house is always open for me. He says he hopes to spend a lot of time with me. It feels like a dream I never want to wake up from.”
“I’m really happy for you, honestly,” said Virginia, “but he’s moving pretty fast.”
“I don’t believe it. The one time I’m forcing myself not to give in to stupid paranoia or excuses, you start. Wasn’t it you who practically forced me to go to Chamonix with him?”
“Well—”
“Well what?” She couldn’t continue, because her phone started ringing. “Oh, no – it’s Mum.” She pulled an exhausted face and answered unenthusiastically.
“So?” gushed Caterina.
“Hi Mum, nice to hear from you. How am I? I’m fine—”
“Enough small talk. Tell me, how did it go with Daniel?”
Sara’s eyes narrowed into slits, which she turned on Virginia, who raised her own eyes to the ceiling, pretending she hadn’t understood her sister’s expression. “You’ll pay for this,” Sara mouthed at her.
“We had a pleasant time together, it was relaxing.”
“Did you have sex with him? Did you listen to your mother’s advice? You don’t have to get married, but at least be a modern woman.”
She felt like screaming but managed to hold it in – it would have been useless anyway. “I’m glad to see that side of things is more important for you that the fact that I might be falling in love with him, and he with me.”
“Why you have to be so serious? Of course I’m happy. Love will make everything look special. The important thing is that you have a healthy and fulfilling life. Enough of being frustrated.”
“I’m not frustrated, for God’s sake!”
Virginia looked at her with a nod.
“Just enjoy this hunk. I’ve been looking at a few of his pictures and I have to congratulate you – he is in very good shape!”
That was something she would have really preferred not to hear.
“What are you talking about?”
“About that naked photo shoot he did. He has a wonderful body, you’re lucky.”
A disgusted expression appeared on Sara’s face. It wasn’t right that her mother had seen her boyfriend completely naked.
It wasn’t natural. If they ended up meeting for birthdays, Christmas, or just for a stupid dinner, would her mother be imagining Daniel naked? Would she ruin everything by embarrassing Sara? Her mind was paralysed. Caterina carried on blabbering but she couldn’t hear a single word any more. Virginia peered at her, looking confused, and Sara pulled herself together.
“I’ve got to go, Mum, we’ll talk later!”
“Keep me posted and well done on making such a good choice.”
“Bye, Mum.”
She threw the phone down as if it was burning.
“God, Virginia, it’s awful!”
“What could be worse than Mum explaining to us that sex is a remedy for all the evils of the world?”
“She’s seen Daniel naked.”
“For God’s sake!”
Virginia burst out laughing.
“Sweetheart, I think all the women on the planet have seen him naked.”
“And that seems normal to you?”
“Well, yes, since he’s a model and does nude photo shoots.”
“Does it seem normal to you that I’d seen him naked before I became his girlfriend – before I’d even met him in person?”
“Stop going on about it! Ok, I’ll admit it might not be ideal. I’d be a bit freaked out about it too, but you knew it. Now you’re in love, but you knew everything before you started dating him.”
“The idea of even Mum seeing him is grossing me out.”
“It could be worse: Grandma Glicine could have seen him too,” said Virginia, laughing.
“Ple
ase, don’t!” Sara’s face went bright purple and she covered it with her hands. “I hadn’t thought about that. Now thanks to you I’ll be wondering if she actually did.”
“Just relax and enjoy your macho man.”
“Don’t imitate Mum, it’s embarrassing enough already.”
“Sara, think about all of Daniel’s qualities, think how happy you were before Mum called, and stop getting so bloody obsessed with how many square centimetres of skin he shows, will you?”
“Yes, you’re right, that’s what I’ll do… I am done thinking of that photo shoot and of all the women in my family who saw my boyfriend completely naked – including you.”
Her sister answered with a malicious grin.
“Virginia!”
Chapter 20
Memories
They had taken their shoes off to plunge their feet into the warm sand; the day was sunny, and it seemed as though the good weather didn’t want to surrender to the first hints of cold in the air. The seagulls flew above their heads and the gentle, peaceful sound of the backwash accompanied them as they strolled along the beach. That walk had turned into a real surprise. With one hand Daniel held hers, while with the other he carried a picnic basket. Sara had a backpack and was carrying a big, colourful patchwork blanket. It was handmade by Daniel’s mother. Sara smiled, thinking that Mrs Gant would surely get along splendidly with her Aunty Nora. They continued walking along Fregene beach, which was practically deserted, except for the odd solitary runner training in earphones. When they ran past, Sara and Daniel could recognise the songs they were listening to.
A couple of girls noticed them as they walked past, then came back and stopped them. Smiling excitedly and screeching with joy, they asked if they could have a picture with Daniel. Sara took it herself. She would have never imagined one day acting like the celebrity’s girlfriend who takes a photo for other people. The scene was funny somehow, and she noticed that it didn’t annoy her the way she would have expected it to. The two fans chatted to Daniel for a few minutes and, to her surprise, included her too. They already knew who she was and said enthusiastically that the two of them made a beautiful couple. Sara blushed when Daniel took her by her waist and kissed her cheek in front of the two strangers. She enjoyed that gesture of affection more than she could have foreseen.
