Unsuitable Obsession - Part One

by Trisha Fuentes

  Victor set up their tent first. Amber helped as much as she could in between feedings because Adrian Andrew Sanchez was born six months prior and Amber was already hesitant about bringing him outdoors.

  Eduardo arrived late and Victor offered to help his brother set up his tent. Eduardo looked desperately lost hammering stakes into the ground trying to put his tent together. Amber couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of him banging his thumb over and over.

  Amber was glad she had Adrian to keep her preoccupied for once. The hours she used to spend thinking about her brother-in-law were now spent on Adrian’s immediate needs. She loved being a mother, never realized how much she wanted to be a parent and Amber was surprised with the urgency she felt to start a family. She always felt something was missing between her and Victor. Their short two-year marriage was monotonous to say the least and Amber felt misplaced and occasionally unloved. Victor settled into the husband role immediately, providing for the couples’ financial needs but Amber always-wanted more. Victor worked late hours in order to pay for their expenses and Amber oftentimes felt lonely and forgotten. Amber was beginning to believe that marriage wasn’t for her and contemplated divorce but just didn’t want to hurt The Family, and she definitely didn’t want to be reminded that she could be cut from the same cloth as her mother. No, she definitely did not want to be like Sheila. Maybe a family, a child would change things, spark up their romance? Purchasing every known ovulating device known to mankind, Amber was on a mission. Seducing Victor the moment he walked in through the door, springing up on him in the shower, after breakfast, in the middle of the night, she wanted so much to have that family. She wanted everything all at once and wasn’t happy until she got the complete package. After month after month of disappointment and heartache, she was finally pregnant. In utter disbelief she couldn’t believe it and ended up staring at the damn blue line on the pregnancy test for nearly two hours. Amber finally got what she wanted, but was it enough? She had to take hormones, just as that doctor suggested. Her pregnancy was anything but effortless: acute morning sickness, Progesterone suppositories and temperature monitoring, bed rest. But the end result was magic, and oh how she loved her little boy! So much responsibility held in such a tiny little package. Amber cherished every moment she had alone looking at him, smelling his intoxicating baby essence, so much love showered over her sweet little present.

  * * * * *

  The following morning Amber left at dawn to take a shower before the baby woke up. When she returned, Victor was waiting for her with fishing gear in one hand and the baby in the other.

  “Papa wants us to meet him by the lake, feel like going?”

  Amber took Adrian from Victor’s arm and placed him on her hip. Adrian whined a little and started to whimper. “No, I’ll just stay here and put him down for an hour. How long will you be?”

  “I don’t know, two hours maybe three. You sure you’ll be OK?” Victor asked, leaning over to kiss the top of his son’s head.

  “Yah sure, I brought a book. I’ll just sit down by that tree over there and wait for you guys to come back.”

  Victor gave Amber a peck on her cheek, “Sounds good. See ya later.”

  He left quite anxiously, Amber realized watching her husband scoot off in a hurry. Victor had been fishing since the age of five and couldn’t wait to cast his lure in the water. Fabrizio used to take the boys fishing when they were little, getting up early on the weekends and driving out to the nearest fishing spot. Victor was hooked, whereas her brother-in-law was caught in another pond.

  Amber turned around and went back to her tent. What to do now? Adrian was still fussy, a definite sign of him tiring. Amber sat down on her air mattress and gently tried rocking Adrian to sleep. If her little boy wouldn’t take a nap soon he would be unbearable later that afternoon, he was just one of those babies who needed at least three naps a day. Thirty minutes later of alternating positions, singing lullabies and humming to him, Adrian was finally asleep.

  Amber peeked through the mesh one last time before she decided to step away from the tent. She walked over to the side of the cliff and took in a breath of fresh air. There was a light breeze collecting off the lake and shooting up the campsite and Amber felt tranquil. It was stunning that day—a good day to go fishing—and read a book, she decided. She dragged her camping chair over to the nearest tree and positioned herself underneath it. She stretched out her legs and opened up her book when she heard a growl. Her head whipped around and realized that her brother-in-law’s tent was occupied. Someone was unzipping the tent from the inside? But she thought she was alone here with Adrian! Didn’t everyone go fishing? Oh damn, she should have never taken that shower!

  Amber perceived the thin ply opening up—out popped defined masculine legs. Rolling her eyes, Amber sharply turned around and gazed out at the blue water beyond. How was she going to handle being alone there with Eduardo?

  “I hate camping,” she heard him say.

  Amber swallowed hard and then rolled her eyes again. Figures. She turned to face him, “Why didn’t you go fishing.” It was meant to be a question but it came out like an interrogation.

  “I wanted to take a nap, but I’m unable to,” Eduardo complained, dusting off his shorts and shirt. “Tossing and turning, I have the most uncomfortable air mattress known to mankind,” he grumbled further, continuing to dust off his attire. Apparently there was more grime in his tent than on the ground. “How the hell did so much dirt get into my tent?” He asked, peeking through the opening one more time.

  Amber giggled, “You’re supposed to sweep it out every night.”

  Eduardo let go one of his sensual smiles as he glared back at her laughing at him.

  “Oh stop being such a baby,” Amber continued, “its camping; you’re supposed to be uncomfortable and dirty.”

  “I’d rather stay at a five star hotel,” Eduardo quipped, continuing to dust off his shirt and shorts.

  “Well, your parents wanted us to come here, it’s their anniversary and we all agreed, even you mister,” Amber complied, gazing away from him and out at the water. He was making her heart flutter again and she tried to calm herself down.

  Eduardo then dragged his camping chair over to where she sat, “This is nice,” he let out, taking in the gust flying up from the water.

  Amber gazed down at the lake. Wasn’t she just thinking the very same thing? “Yes it is,” she said quickly, but then he made her tense. There was so much more to her brother-in-law that she wanted to know! She didn’t know how to approach him—Good Lord he was making her disoriented! She knew how to act around other males; she was practically one of them, but with Eduardo, he suggested difference.

  “What are you reading?” Eduardo asked, noticing her tight clinched book within her hands.

  Amber surveyed her paperback. “Oh—some stupid romantic novel I picked up at the supermarket.”

  “I’ll trade you,” he asked, pulling out his thick hardcover from behind his back.

  Amber took one good look at it. “No thank you,” she mocked, making a sour face. “That book is all yours.”

  Amber watched Eduardo clean off his suede-hiking boots once again, then pull out a leaf from within his dirty sock. “Now I’ll need to take another shower.”

  Amber started to chuckle again; he was being such a pansy! But he was adorable nonetheless. He sure knew how to dress, even for the outdoors. Expensive Ralph Loren wool blends, beige khaki shorts and leather boots, and dammit, why was he so gosh darn cute with all his hair mussed up? Amber blushed, turned away and opened up her book. She couldn’t get passed the first few sentences!

  Eduardo opened up his book, skimmed through the first few pages. Did he really want to read this law book for the fifth time?

  Silence fell upon them. The trees bristled in the brisk wind that flew off the lake and up the canyon. Hawks soared over them searching for mice. Kids in a nearby campsite started to argue over seashells they found down by the lakesi
de. Amber couldn’t take it anymore.

  “How tall are you?” She blurted out.

  Eduardo grinned, glad she spoke first; it was a safe subject. “Six—four, why? How tall are you?”

  “Five foot eleven, rather tall for a girl.”

  “Not for a guy like me,” Eduardo teased, rolling his eyes only to close them. Why on earth did he just flirt with her?

  “I’m two inches taller than Victor.”

  Good, she didn’t notice. Eduardo began chuckling, “Yah, my little brother didn’t get the height gene like I did, took after my mother’s side of the family—all broad and lanky.”

  “I’ve always been shy about my height, how about you?”

  “On the contrary, I rather like towering over people.”

  Amber laughed and Eduardo held his breath; Amber’s eyes fairly sparkled when she did that.

  “I bet,” she strained to believe otherwise.

  “You played baseball?”

  Amber smiled inwardly; her emotions were beginning to swirl with glee. How else would he have known that if he hadn’t already asked questions about her? “Softball, big difference.”

  “What—soft ball, baseball, no difference really.”

  “Of course you’d say that.”

  Eduardo turned away from her for a moment. She’s irritated, why?

  “Victor told me you’ll be twenty-seven next month?”

  Another harmless query and he answered swiftly, “Yep, big birthday next month.”

  “So you’re six years older than Victor?”

  “Almost seven, why? How far apart are you and Molly?”

  “Barely a year, my parents couldn’t keep their hands off each other,” she snickered, disbelieving the serenity in her own voice.

  Eduardo once more held his breath. “That must have been hard to grow up with divorced parents.”

  Amber gulped, Good Lord, she wanted to change the subject now. “Yah, consider yourself lucky to be brought up by parents who still love each other.”

  “I appreciate them every day.”

  Amber gazed out at the waves in the lake. “You live in Malibu now?”

  So many questions. “Yah, just bought a townhome near the beach a couple months ago, I’m working at a Westside law firm, why?”

  “Just wondering...”

  Eduardo was stumped with all the sudden inquiries—and then it hit him. Even though Amber was now his sister-in-law, she was still a female, and he was used to females attempting to acquaint themselves.

  Silence again. The wind began to blow more frequently, leaves and fine sand swished on every side of them. Eduardo reopened his book, smiled internally.

  Amber started to read again, her heart beat so fast; she still couldn’t get past the first paragraph! “Why aren’t you married yet?” She asked sticking her foot in her mouth. “Why hasn’t some girl gotten her hooks in you?” Good Lord, did she just come out and ask that? Well, the silence was unbearable. She’d rather have Adrian crying in her ear than sit by her brother-in-law a moment longer wondering what the hell he was thinking!

  Eduardo began to laugh quietly. He sat up and repositioned his lazy body in the fabric chair. “Why I am not married...Good question,” he let go, crossing his legs out in front of him. This was going to take awhile. “Who the hell would have me?” He replied allowing her a peek at his soul.

  Amber felt more feminine around her brother-in-law than she ever did with Victor. But why? She swiftly became further relaxed with him with each breath she drew and she ached to know more and more about him. “Who the hell my ass,” she joked back with him. “The entire female population that’s who, and don’t go shaking your head at me mister, you know you’re good looking.”

  Now that she got that off her chest Amber could loosen up even more. There—she said it; she unequivocally came out and told him that she thought he was attractive. Did he even doubt it with all the blushing that she did?

  Eduardo was taken-back. Amber was blatantly flirting with him now, only this time his coy rejoinder wasn’t so eager. This was Amber Sanchez. He was nevertheless still sexually attracted to her, but he wasn’t about to just spill his guts to her—so what if she was family. “I’m very selective Amber.”

  Amber didn’t know why but that word selective stuck in her throat. Eduardo was an egocentric (she could only assume by his appearance alone) women came onto him. He probably had a Little Black Book filled with over ten thousand names! “I’m not surprised with so many choices. You’re a spoiled man Eduardo Sanchez.”

  Eduardo couldn’t believe his luck. Here he was extremely fascinated with this girl and she was coming onto him very strong, she not only enchanted him, but her sudden openness sparked continued interest. He had to keep reminding himself that she was married—and to his brother no less! But his lascivious temperament won the battle within and Eduardo wanted to find out how far he could interest her. “Do you see me complaining? I love women. I appreciate the difference in our bodies and the way they smell. Heck, I’ll even listen to a stunning female I’m interested in talk about her cat all night long if it was guaranteed she’d sleep with me.”

  Amber stared at him agape. Good Lord! Why was his admission suddenly making her all hot and bothered? Because this was Eduardo Sanchez, that’s why! Of course he’d be a snake behind those expensive wool blends, he could afford too when there was no struggle involved. “You don’t have to be so crude about it,” Amber retorted, feeling her heart about to jump out of her chest.

  Eduardo was puffed up pleased with himself. Amber went on the defensive, noticed her cheeks flush red as she turned away from him. But then he felt contrite. Should he apologize for having just made her covet him?

  “You know what Eduardo? I believe you,” Amber sharply returned. “You should be selective. You need to find someone who will love your faults more than they treasure your looks. In fact, that’s the very reason why I fell in love with your brother; I looked beyond the exterior and found a wonderful human being.”

  Eduardo noted her coldness and gazed away from her for a moment. What the hell was she doing? Helping him find a girlfriend now? This was a first. He knew he got to her; Amber suddenly attacked him with waiving her devotion to his brother in front of his face. But, wait a minute, what did she just say… “What faults?”

  Amber seethed, “Oh please Eduardo you’re not perfect.”

  “Who said I was?”

  Amber closed her mouth. Yikes! She just better shut up now, was that Adrian crying? No, darn it! “Well, I’m only assuming you think you are, but I see differently.”

  Amber thought he was flawed—unreal. Never in his pretentious life had he come across a woman who thought he was lacking. It further intrigued him. “OK Amber, define your findings then. Why do I appear imperfect to you?”

  Amber gulped. Damn his Harvard Law School dialect! She really did it this time. Her flirting got out of hand and now she’s irritated him. Good Lord did he look magnificent annoyed! “OK sorry—you’re perfect then.”

  “No—no, you can’t just toss accusations around like that and decide to alter your judgment.”

  Amber sat up straight in her chair. “You’re high maintenance.”

  Eduardo guffawed. “I am? And what else?”

  What else? Good Lord, did she really start this embarrassing conversation? How the hell does she get out of this? “...And you’ll never be able to find a partner who will meet your expectations.”

  “My expectations? And what do those appear to be?”

  What would those be? Good Lord! What the hell was she doing? “...Well, now don’t get mad when I say this—and don’t go telling Victor I told you so—I really don’t want to hear his words later.”

  “It’ll be our little secret.”

  Amber’s mouth went very dry. “You do realize that you’re unattainable.”

  “Now, why would I be so unattainable?”

  “Oh gee Eduardo, do I really need to spell this out for yo
u? You know already, I can tell by that stupid smirk on your face.”

  Eduardo’s grin diminished instantly. “OK—I’ll be serious, I truly want to hear your conclusion.”

  Amber drew in a long breath. With his legs spread apart, Eduardo had one limb casually up on his thigh. She brought her eyes up from his physique and gulped when she noted his expression changed from annoyance to sensual, and then she knew but immediately denied it, the warmth from his eyes alone spiraled through her core. “Have you ever been in love?”

  Eduardo’s heart sunk, it was a direct hit through the inner layers of his psyche. “Does it matter?”

  “Yes.”

  She seemed serious. “No...But I’ve been in lust though,” he taunted her.

  Amber’s grin decreased. Having Eduardo confess that he’s never been in love affected Amber in such an extrusive way. All of sudden his affection was all that mattered. And, why, oh why, did she want him to fall in love with her? Good Lord, what an awful question bouncing around in her head. She had Victor; she finally had her baby boy salvation so why did she now want her brother-in-law? “Not the same Eduardo, you’ve got a lot of self-examination to muddle though.”

  Eduardo looked at her quizzically, self-examination? “How so?”

  Amber noted that his usual intoxicated expression mellowed to a stern blank pout. “I think you need to lower your standards when looking for a mate,” she spat out, surprised at how easy it was to insult him. “I think you’re used to drawing in all the attention and that each date has to be better than the next. You don’t seem to settle for someone who’s merely adequate, but seek excellence and I don’t think you’re going to find that perfect girl.”

  Eduardo, for once, was silenced by her sudden analysis of his partiality. How did she know? How in the world could she read him so easily? He gazed away for a second and then back at her. Amber met his eyes and held his stare. “Maybe I’ve already met her.”