by Leah Leonard
As Cindy continued to navigate the crowd, a waitress with a strong accent approached and asked her if she wanted a drink.
“No, thanks.”
She wandered further into folds of the nightlife, continuing to look around until she saw something in the back corner of the lounge near the dance floor that made her wish she had ordered a drink—several, in fact.
Erick was pinning a tall blonde up against a pillar, one hand on her shoulder, another holding a drink. It looked as though she was right in his face and about to kiss him when Cindy approached and did the unthinkable.
“Hey, you! What the hell are you doing with her?” she snarled, positioning herself so she was inches from his face and brandishing her rings. “Doesn’t this mean anything to you? Get the hell up to our room or you’ll be getting divorce papers next week!”
Nearly everyone in the vicinity turned around at the sound of Cindy’s outburst, but she didn’t care. She turned to go.
A waiter with a full tray of exotic drinks with maraschino cherries and umbrellas walked past her. Cindy grabbed one with each hand and downed them both at lightning speed, then ran to the elevator and hopped inside. Just as the door started to close, a big hand stopped it from doing so.
“Just who exactly do you think you are?”
Erick glared at her, his face red as a beet. She couldn’t help but notice his top few shirt buttons were open, revealing a hairy chest she found completely irresistible, especially now that the alcohol was starting to kick in.
“Your wife, remember? Or is that only when it’s convenient?”
“You are one crazy bitch, you know that? What are you, stark raving mad?”
“You’re the one who’s mad, you liar! I am your ‘wife,’ and don’t you forget it! What if the Jibades had seen you?”
“Oh, you want to play actress, do you?”
“You told me you would treat me with respect if I came on this trip with you and pretended to be your wife and played along with all your little tricks. Well, that little display in the bar is not even close to what I call respect. You don’t treat people you’re dating like that, and you would certainly never do that to someone you were married to if you expect to keep the marriage intact.”
Cindy couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened between Erick and that little tramp if she had stayed in bed.
Erick’s face continued to flush as he pushed her against the elevator door, reached his hand down the halter top of her dress and squeezed, kissing her so hard she nearly lost her breath.
“Stop it! What are you doing?”
He removed his hand but kept his mouth right where it was, and then the elevator doors opened. Much to Erick and Cindy’s mutual embarrassment, there stood the Jibades, apparently going back to their room.
“Isn’t love wonderful?” Mr. Jibade smiled at the two of them as his wife averted her eyes from the embarrassing scene.
“Hello…we were just…”
“He was…helping me with my lipstick.” Cindy knew it sounded foolish, but she was dizzy with booze and could barely stand, let alone think.
As soon as they were off the elevator, Erick turned back to Cindy and slid his hot hand down the front of her dress again. This time, she didn’t bother to object.
If she’d been sober, Cindy would have been aghast by her lewd behavior, but whatever was in that drink she’d had, combined with whatever was happening with this incredibly obnoxious man, was a concoction that completely disarmed her. She hated to admit it, she was now putty in his hands, and she could tell he knew it.
The elevator opened and the two of them couldn’t get out fast enough, clawing their way into Cindy’s room as she pulled back the canopy around her bed. They fell into bed together, rolling around in a fit of passion until Cindy felt Erick tugging at her zipper.
“How do I get this thing off?”
“You don’t.”
He ignored her and flipped her over, unzipping her to the waist before she was finally able to register a protest.
“Uh…excuse me, but not tonight.”
“What do you mean, not tonight?”
“Just what I said: not tonight.”
Cindy was aware she was slurring her words, but there was nothing she could do about it now.
“We are both drunk as skunks—or at least I am—and we are once again in the middle of one of these strange fights we seem to like to have since we, umm, ‘got married’ this afternoon. I don’t want our first time to be like this. It will have to wait, and you will have to go—now. This will not go any further until I am certain you are treating me with the proper respect I asked you for this morning, and I did not see you displaying tonight.”
“I was just flirting with that girl. I don’t even know her.”
“That’s all the more reason why you and I will not be together tonight. You have to get a handle on yourself, Erick.”
Cindy pulled her gown up as high on her body as it would possibly go and showed him to the door.
“Good night.”
Erick walked to the door between the rooms, grinning.
“I could just go through here.”
“You will use the front door, thank you very much.”
Cindy did not want to unbolt that door now or ever. If she did, it would be all over for sure.
“I’m sorry.”
“We’ll talk about it tomorrow. Now, go.”
“You do look beautiful tonight.”
“You aren’t going to change my mind, Erick. Good night.” Cindy shut the door behind her and locked it.
As she slipped out of her dress and back into bed, she couldn’t help but chuckle at her newfound bravado. Regardless of where this crazy relationship was headed, Cindy had to acknowledge that Erick was good for her in a lot of ways.
Chapter Fifteen
A loud buzz broke though her Cindy’s heavy curtain of sleep. She cracked open an eye, noticing the bright sun shining through the crack in the canopy, to glance at the clock on the nightstand.
Eleven-thirty? In the morning? Already? Yikes!
Cindy sat straight up in bed, shaking herself and attempting to remember all that had passed the night before, particularly why her head was now pounding like a drum. As memories of last night asserted themselves—the woman Erick said meant nothing to him, and how he and Cindy supposedly made up—a sick feeling came over her.
But why the headache? She still couldn’t figure out where that had come from. Suddenly, she recalled of a decorative tray filled with alcoholic drinks.
Rrrrriiiiinnnnnggggg!
Cindy jerked her head toward the opposite table and saw the phone sitting there causing her head to ache even more. She cleared her throat, hoping not to sound too awfully groggy.
“Hello?”
“Cindy? Erick.”
“Hi.”
“Sounds like you had a rough night.”
“Oh yeah? And just whose fault do you think that is?”
“A little too much spearmint tea?”
“Oh I think the tea was fine. It was probably that little whisky sour I downed in the bar.”
“Little? You had them in both hands guzzling like a sailor, if I recall correctly.”
“Very funny. So what do you want this morning, Mr. Redmund?”
“Look, I wanted to apologize again and tell you that you were well within your right to do what you did. I was a jerk, okay? So can we kiss and make up?”
Cindy sat silently and listened to him breathe and recalled the sweet scent of his skin next to hers. She hated the fact he seemed to cast a spell on her, even through the phone.
“I suppose. What do you have in mind?”
“The day’s already half over, my bride, so if you’d like to do something late this afternoon, I’ve arranged for us to take some camels out into the foothills.”
“Don’t you have meetings today or somewhere to be?”
“No, for the next couple days I’m off actually, and I was
hoping to enjoy the pleasure of your company. So what do you say?”
“Yes, that sounds fine to me. What time?”
“Well, that depends on how you feel. I could have your lunch sent to you in your room so you could eat privately and nurse that hangover of yours. They have a great little concoction here for it. Then, we could meet in the lobby at three o’clock. We have to take a short drive in order to pick up the trail and I can have appropriate clothes sent to your room, too.”
Regardless of the fact the man had behaved like a self-proclaimed jerk, Cindy had to admit he had style. Besides, she admitted to herself, she couldn’t wait to see him again.
“Sounds great. I’ll see you then.”
Cindy hung up and got back into bed and stared at the ceiling for a minute before closing her eyes. As she did, someone knocked at the door.
“Who could that be?” she asked herself. Attired only in her robe, she went to the door to find a hotel employee with a huge cart of food.
“Good morning, Madame.”
“Hello…..uh, is this all for me?”
“Yes, Madame. The gentleman asked us to bring it and to give you this.”
The woman held out a tall glass with a strange, greenish-colored drink.
“What is it?”
“It’s for your…headache, Madame.”
“Of course; thank you.”
She took the glass and took a sip, nearly choking on the contents.
“Sorry, Madame, but this will help if you drink it all.”
Cindy nodded, pursed her lips, and held her nose as she downed the rest as fast as she could, immediately chasing it with a glass of water and a cup of steaming hot coffee.
The woman rolled the cart over to her breakfast table and cracked open the curtains to reveal a beautiful and unobstructed view of the Atlas Mountains. The sun shone through the windows.
“Thank you for bringing this.”
“My pleasure, Madame.”
When she was gone, Cindy walked over to get a full view of the cart, seeing a cheese omelet and several types of cereals, breads, and juices—much more food than she could possibly eat by herself.
He’s spoiling me, but I sure do like it!
After eating, Cindy took a long hot bath and felt her headache melt away.
Knock! Knock!
“Who could that be now?”
This time, it was the tailor.
“Good morning!”
“Good morning. What can I do for you?”
Cindy noticed that this time she was holding a beautiful, floor-length plum woolen gown reminiscent of the styles the locals wore, complete with a matching scarf for her head.
“I was instructed to bring this to you for your trip today, ma’am.”
“Thank you. It looks wonderful.”
As soon as she slipped it on, Cindy noticed how the cloth felt warm, yet airy at the same time. Since the mountains could often be quite cool this time of year, this outfit seemed suited to any kind of weather.
“Come take a look in the mirror, Madame.”
Cindy stared at her reflection, playing with her scarf. She didn’t know how to wrap it just right, so she just draped it over her shoulders. The gown was remarkably comfortable, not scratchy at all since it was lined with satin. Ever since coming to Morocco, she noticed that both men and women wore them, and now she could see why: they were extremely warm and comfortable.
“It’s wonderful; thank you.”
“Will there be anything else?”
“No, thank you.”
Cindy closed the door and walked over to the mirror again, running a hand through her hair. She felt exotic in these new clothes and excited about the trip this afternoon.
When the third knock came to the door, Cindy swung it open without looking to see who it was, assuming it was just another delivery, which it turned out to be. Erick stood staring at her, a tiny bouquet of flowers in his hands.
“Well, well, don’t you look like the picture of perfection?” he said, stepping in and kissing her gently on the lips.
She wanted to refuse him after his horrific behavior last night, but for some reason, she couldn’t resist, and actually leaned into him so she could taste him clearly and smell the musky cologne she enjoyed so much.
It was the first gentle kiss they’d shared, and the first time he hadn’t attempted to rip her clothes off. It was so sweet, she thought she might have to be the one to rip his clothes off this time.
“Hi! Thank you for these; they’re beautiful.” She spoke quietly in order to preserve the delicate balance of peace she felt inside.
She held out her arms and spun around in front of him to show off her new ensemble. “Well, what do you think? Is it me, or what?”
“Yes, I do. At this point, I think you would look good in anything.”
Cindy noticed Erick was wearing pants and a plain grey woolen shirt with a round collar.
“So, where’s your outfit? Don’t tell me that’s it!”
“Yes, I’m afraid I don’t do skirts under any circumstances.”
“Well aren’t you a spoilsport! What kind of fun are you, anyway?”
Cindy reached out to touch the sleeve of his shirt. When she did, Erick pulled her closer and the initial sweet tender kiss was soon replaced with one more like what they’d shared yesterday. He was still able to send shivers through her body.
Erick handed her a pair of designer sunglasses. ““So, you ready to go? The car should be waiting downstairs.”
“I am now; thanks.”
Erick held her hand as he opened the door and they went into the hall. He felt the ring on her finger and twisted it in his, looking down at his own plain gold band.
“Still wearing your ring, huh?”
Cindy rolled her eyes at him. He is such a smart ass, she thought. “Let’s not get into that today. I just want to drop it for now and have a good time. Okay by you?”
“Yes, dear. I just think it looks good on you, that’s all.”
“Thanks.”
Erick put an arm gently around her shoulder as they waited for the elevator. Anyone who saw them together would have assumed they’d been a couple forever, and Cindy couldn’t help but smile to herself at the thought of it.
The same driver from yesterday waited patiently for them.
“Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Redmund. Allow me.”
Still playing charades today, are we?
Cindy walked to the far side of the car and allowed the driver to help her inside. Erick slid across the seat to be closer to her, taking her hand in his and smiling mischievously.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Far, far away, Mrs. Redmund, to a place few people have ever seen or ever will see.”
“Will I make it back in one piece, or should I call my parents before we leave and tell them it was nice knowing them?”
“Ah, I think you’ll live to tell about it. In fact, I’m sure you will.”
“Well, that’s reassuring.”
Cindy looked out the window as the car pulled away from the long circle drive. In what seemed like only a moment, they appeared to be in the middle of nowhere. The vast desert surrounded them as they drove closer and closer to the large mountain range that had once been off in the distance.
Erick squeezed her hand and pointed out the window. “These are the Atlas Mountains. We are going to climb up in altitude and visit a private home.”
“One of your movie producer friends?”
“No, of the Berbers. They are the local tribe here and few people on earth have ever seen them.”
“Sounds incredible. How are we getting access to such a special place?”
“I have my ways.”
“I’ll bet you do.”
Cindy watched their car pass by a gift shop nestled in the side of the mountain. A tour bus was parked in front, and dozens of tourists were walking around carrying bags of souvenirs.
“Hey! Are we going to stop here?”<
br />
“No, where we’re going, few others ever will…”
They held hands as the car climbed further into the jagged mountains.
“It is absolutely gorgeous up here. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
Erick cupped her cheek with his hand and smiled, sending a warm feeling through Cindy’s heart.
“I’ve never seen anything like you before.”
“You are too kind.”
Within the hour, they pulled up to a set of mud homes built right into a cliff and the car came to a stop.
“We’re here.”
“This? This is amazing!”
Erick held her hand and they walked up the steep stone steps. A beautiful woman with long, black hair and dark eyes greeted them with a bow and a smile before ushering them into a small living area with a dirt floor. Cindy and Erick had to duck their heads to enter and their hosts gestured toward a seat on a built-in mud bench on the outer wall of the room.
The lady sat in front of a pile of freshly cut spearmint leaves and held two large teakettles in her hands. After she filled the kettles, another woman brought a huge pan of boiling hot water and poured it, instantly filling the room with the smell of spearmint.
“Mmm. It smells so good!”
“I know how you love the tea here; just think of how good this will be!”
A young girl brought over a plate of sweetbreads and treats and placed it in front of them.
“Thank you,” Cindy said.
The girl nodded but none of their new friends spoke any English, so the all conversation was conducted nonverbally after that.
As they enjoyed their treats, a man entered the room who spoke to Erick in French. Cindy didn’t understand what they were saying; she only thought whatever it was sounded relaxing and added to the exotic flavor of their adventure.
“What did he say?”
“He wanted to welcome us and to ask if we are enjoying the tea and breads.”
“Oh…”
Erick must have realized Cindy felt left out because he took her hand and looked deeply into her eyes.
“The film festival in Marrakech has attracted all sorts of people from around the world, but it wasn’t long ago when only the French and a few British were coming here, so the people still have to learn English.”
