Tequila Nights (8 page)

CHAPTER
15

“Bella,” Leo’s gravelly voice greeted me at his door later that night. He brought me close, kissing me tenderly but with enough force to melt my insides. As I closed my eyes enjoying his taste, my mind flashed back to our night of intimacy and the way he had expertly possessed my body for ultimate pleasure.

“Hi.” My mouth moved against his.

“Hi.” His kiss deepened. “I can see you’re going to make my job extremely difficult.”

“I hope you’re going to make my learning extremely difficult.”

His delicious lips formed a smile against mine. “The dance of love, passion and sex. I’m going to enjoy the tease of watching you dance the Bachata.”

Taking my hand in his he led me to the living room that was spacious enough to form a dance floor. Leo retrieved his smartphone from his back pocket and set it on a dock. While he selected the music, I took a seat on the plush white sofa and put on my heeled shoes.

The room erupted in the unusual tune that had captivated me the night before. I was in love. Something about it made me want to be consumed. To be possessed by the lyrics.

“Right,” Leo held his hands out to me and raised me from the sofa. “Basics first.” He led me to the middle of the room and held out hands between us. “It’s a three-step dance with a push of the foot on the fourth. You will see many just flicking their hip, but that’s wrong. Put your weight on your left.” I did as I was told. “Now lift your right heel off the floor. Push off from your toes but don’t let break contact with the floor.” Leo’s hands fell to my hips and stayed there while I rose and fell, pushing my weight from my toes. “See how your hip moves naturally from the action.”

I nodded.

“That is the ‘flick’ on the fourth. Depending on which way we are traveling depends on the flick. Your first flick will be with your left, then right and so on. Step right, close, step right, flick.”

I did the movement as he said each step, the entire time his hands stayed on my hips. We moved from side to side, repeating the step until the basics were down.

“You’re nervous,” Leo murmured. I wasn’t going to deny that the struggle was real. I wasn’t nervous as such. It was just so hard working with such a gorgeous man and expect not to be so turned on.

I was so unprofessional.

“We are breaking tradition,” he said.

“Tradition?”

“Yes, Bella. We should always begin our dance nights with tequila. Come.” Taking my hand in his, he led me to the bar which was by the French doors leading to the beach front balcony. Leo set the bottle that was exactly like the one at the restaurant on the counter followed by two shot glasses, I watched as the man I had completely fallen for poured our jet fuel inspired drinks.

Leo’s eyes met mine as he handed me a glass and I could feel he was sharing my thoughts. In silence, we walked out onto the balcony where we were immediately coated in the moon's glow. The crashing of the waves was energizing. The salty sea air surrounding us, therapeutic. Leaning against the railing, staring out at the silver tips of the waves, Leo joined me at my side.

Letting the unspoken words pass between us, we clinked glasses and swallowed the shot. Snaking his hand around my neck, Leo pulled me in close, his lips taking mine like it was the last time we would ever see each other, tasting the sweet tequila residue.

“Josie Marks,” he breathed heavily against my lips, “I’m—”

“I have to tell you something,” I interrupted, a look of concern crossing his fine features.

“Go for it,” he encouraged.

“This whole thing between us happened so fast and was so completely unexpected,” the words fumbled out and I realised I hadn’t even taken the time to think it through. “I mean, the first time I saw you, was you standing naked in my class, and that was definitely not my typical Monday night. And then your penis touched my leg and things just got crazy since then.”

Leo worked hard to restrain the twitch in his lips.

“And for some reason I feel like everything is where it should be which makes absolutely no sense, coz if it were, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.”

“Bella, please just say it.” His eyes were amused, but he could see my genuine struggle.

“I felt something between us from the word go. I’m not entirely sure if you have felt the same—”

“I have,” Leo interrupted, the look on his face melting my heart.

“You have?” This was everything I wanted to hear and didn’t need to hear all at the same time.

“Yes, from the moment you walked into your class. And spending the time with you since then, I’ve seen just how amazing you are as a woman and talented artist.”

A sharp pain targeted my heart. “Oh God, don’t say that.” Turning away from him, I took in a deep lungful of salty air.

“What is it, Josie?” Leo’s arms came to rest on my shoulders, his hard chest pressed against my back.

“Last week, I received some news.” I turned to face him to capture his full reaction. “A school, Lafayette, I had applied for last year finally got back to me through a letter in the post. It was to inform me that I’d been accepted into the exclusive scholarship program only offered to ten people worldwide.”

There was a pause as Leo digested my news. “Josie, that’s fantastic. If anyone deserves it, it’s you. How long is it for?”

“Two years studying with the best.”

This time, Leo sucked in a huge lungful of air. “Two years,” he said, testing how the words sounded.

Biting my bottom lip, I was unsure how to progress from here. Obviously, I would be mad to pass this opportunity up. It was my dream. My career. There was always a but.

He sighed heavily, absorbing my words, grazing my cheeks with his thumbs. “Josie, I’m not going to lie. Being with you this short amount of time has brought a new perspective to my life. It’s made me feel things I’d otherwise believed to be myths. And now, knowing we can’t build on what we have is a real shame. But, I would never expect you to give up chasing your dreams. You’re an incredible artist and you need to be recognised for that.”

I knew it wasn’t his intention to make me cry, but the tears fell anyway. I couldn’t understand why my heart was hurting so much. Staring into Leo’s saddened eyes, I could see his words of encouragement were a façade. He was, of course, happy for me. But he was right. There was something real between us. Something that rarely happened so soon between couples.

“When do you leave?”

“In just over two months.”

There was a heartbreaking silence as Leo rested his forehead against mine.

“Do you want me to go to France?”

“No.”

Silence.

“But I have no say in your decision and it wouldn’t be fair if I did. I have known you for less than three weeks, and yes, I admit, there’s something incredibly unique and powerful between us, but that does not give me the right to persuade you out of something you deserve.”

My throat tightened and heat flushed my face. I hadn’t expected to get so emotional. “Why does it hurt so much?”

“Beautiful girl, don’t for a second believe this is the end of us.”

“Two years is a long time to be away. There’s no possible way we can make this work. You have a life here, I will build a life there.” Stepping away I could see the hurt on his face, his jaw twitching uncontrollably.

“You leave in two months, Josie. Let’s just continue on the way we have and not let your departure be a dark shadow.”

I wanted so much to do exactly that. I needed more of Leo Santiago. But that was foolish thinking. If we continued the way we were going, pretending that it wasn’t going to come to an end, then the heartache would only be worse by the time I left. If it hurt like hell now, when it shouldn’t, it would be a disaster when it should.

“Leo,” my voice warbled. If only I could get ahold of my emotions. “I want nothing more than to continue on, but we both know that isn’t wise.” Suddenly, the air I had found revitalizing was closing in on me, suffocating the already strangled breath. Releasing his hands, I backed away, confusion marring his handsome face. “I need to go.”

“Don’t leave, Josie.”

“I have to.”

“No, you don’t.”

“I can’t carry on the way you want. If I feel like this now after such a short amount of time, my heart will shatter at the time of saying goodbye.”

“As will mine. But I would never forgive myself if I didn’t make most Josie Marks while I had the chance.”

“Don’t say that.” I didn’t know if he heard me, the words were choked, his face blurring with the tears in my eyes.

“Josie, I need you in my life. That much I know. If it means I have to wait to have you by my side again, then I will. We will figure it out.”

“How do you know I am the one you want? We hardly know each other.”

Leo chuckled at my assessment despite the sadness still in his eyes. “You’re asking me something I couldn’t be more certain about. In all honesty, when it’s time to say goodbye it won’t be because I don’t want to be with you.”

“Leo,” his name quaked from my mouth. The truth was, I did feel the same as he. Closing the space between us, Leo cupped my cheeks in his large hands. Shutting me up, his mouth crashed into mine with such force I groaned in both pleasure and pain. It was raw. Honest. Beautiful. The momentum carried us until my back connected with the balcony sliding door. Leo’s strong body pressed against mine.

“Josie, it will work out. But we do it together.” His lips moved to my cheekbones where they tenderly kissed away the tears. “I’m not letting you go. Not until I have to.”

***

The private lesson ended earlier than anticipated. As soon as I revealed the mountain that would soon stand between us, Leo became all too consumed in showing just how much he desired me.

It was sensual.

It was consuming.

And we didn’t even have sex.

I knew why he didn’t want to. The last thing he wanted me to think was that I was being used before we parted. What he didn’t know was that I would never feel like that. Not with him. Instead, with the music filtering through onto the balcony, Leo held me close, our bodies connecting at almost every point. His hand traveled the length of my spine before snaking around my neck holding me in place while his mouth claimed mine. We moved in time, letting the silver glow of the moon caress us.

Leo Santiago was intoxicating. A mix of all things that held me captive. He was strong and gentle. Possessive and free. But most of all, Leo Santiago was never letting me go. And that’s what scared me the most.

CHAPTER
16

The sun warming my skin woke me the next morning. It was shining brightly through Leo’s ocean facing room, a gentle breeze causing my skin to goose bump. I was wearing one of his T-shirts that while clean, still carried his delicious scent.

Sitting up, my nose was brought to life by the smell of breakfast being made downstairs. A smile crept over my face and my heart warmed as I recalled the night before. Leo had taken me to his room, undressed me and led me to the bath. There we both sat, my back against his chest, his lips kissing my head every so often. With our fingers interlaced, and soap suds crackling around us, he held me tight. There was an emotion that passed between us and while I wanted nothing more than to feel him totally, I respected his position. Falling asleep on his shoulder, he woke me up just enough to dry and carry me to bed. Closing my eyes once again, I relished in the feeling of his warm body pressed against mine, the waves crashing against the shore mere meters away.

Tying my hair in a ponytail, I watched as the gorgeous shirtless man himself strolled into the room. Sighing at the stunning sight, my eyes lingered on his caramel skin and taut muscles.

“Breakfast?”

“Yes, please,” I replied, transfixed.

“Of the edible kind?”

My guilty eyes met his humored expression. “Both?”

“Naughty and greedy,” he responded and I couldn’t help but chuckle. Climbing out of bed, I followed him to the balcony where he placed the tray of food. The sun glimmered off the ocean like a million sparkling jewels. Relaxing with the heat on my shoulders, I felt content. Like I was where I was meant to be.

“For you,” Leo said, placing a plate in front of me. Immediately my mouth began to salivate. Before me was a beautifully thin crepe covered in sliced strawberries with a mixed berry compote and a light dusting of icing sugar and cinnamon.

“To celebrate,” Leo proposed a toast with champagne and orange juice.

“What are we celebrating?”

“The fact that you are set to be the next Great Master of Art. To making history, Josie.”

My breath caught in my throat. Emotion set to bubble over once again, threatening to make a fool of me.

“Bella,” he touched my cheek with his free hand. “This is your dream. Be proud and excited.”

“I know, I am,” I reassured, even if it did sound unconvincing.

“Fate is bittersweet. Wanting us to meet and then separating us. But what kind of man would I be if I told you stay?”

“You want me to stay?”

“Without a doubt. But I know how talented you are, Josie. That talent should never be hidden away from the world. We will work it out, I promise you.”

***

Deciding to take the day off school, Leo drove me home so I could change and make myself presentable. He was heading to the hospital to see Mimi and asked if I would like to go with. Naturally I was more excited to see how she was going rather than sitting in a lecture hall.

Walking down the corridor in the west wing of the children’s hospital we could hear Mimi and Jase laughing. Rounding the corner, we found a playful Golden Retriever puppy furiously wagging his tail, demanding kisses from a sick little girl who looked like she had never been happier. The volunteer carer let Mimi finally kiss the pup before taking him to the next bed.

“Josie! Uncle Leo!” She squealed, still on a high.

“Hey, baby girl,” Leo tickled up her sides causing her to squirm in delight and kissing her hand like the little princess she was.

“Look,” she said, eyes wide with anticipation. Wriggling to the side table she grabbed the art book and flipped a few pages in. Carefully tearing out the page she turned and showed us.

It was naturally child-like but better than most. It was beautiful. “That’s you and Uncle Leo dancing.”

The room burst into giggles because it was so naïve and so perfect at the same time.

“That is just wonderful,” I said, taking it from her outstretched hand. My heart swelled painfully in my chest at the symbology of it. “And that’s definitely your Uncle Leo.” I bit my bottom lip as Leo studied the five-year-old’s depiction of him. He was taller than me with brown skin and unnaturally large biceps.

“Better than any photograph,” he reassured Mimi.

We stayed and chatted for ten minutes and sat in awe at how well Mimi seemed given that not so long ago she had taken a turn for the worst. She was a soldier. A fighter who refused defeat. I found that as the boys were talking, I watched Mimi in admiration. Leo had been right. While physically the weakest, she was the strength within her family.

Farewelling them, Leo snaked his hand around my waist guiding me through the maze of the hospital.

“Jase believes Mimi will be released by the weekend.”

I looked up at his face. “For real? That’s awesome! She is looking so much better than last week.”

“Her ups and downs are stressful. Some days her body just refuses to move, her mind blank. Then the next day she’ll be laughing and teasing her dad like there isn’t even anything wrong with her. I believe it’s the meds. Anyway, Jase wants to have a homecoming for her, you in?”

“Of course. Do you mind if I bring Nicole? She’s always keen to get out of the house on weekends and loves kids.”

“Absolutely. She can bring Brett too if she likes.”

“Oh, I don’t think that’s necessary. I’m almost certain that short-lived relationship is over.” I couldn’t exactly tell him Nicole ended things over a pinky sized penis.