The Girl Before Eve (20 page)

A: Wish u had let me take u 2 airport u daft bat. Hv had another request for a date from pig-woman n another from someone called Sapphire…wot do I do?

Lily huffed her frustration and hit reply.

L: Stop being so mean abt pig-woman. She can’t help it. N how the F shd I know what u shd do abt Sapphire?! What do u want 2 do?

Moments later a response came.

A: Spose I cd meet her? U neva know eh? Although I think it’s all 2 soon to try and meet ‘the 1’

Lily had secretly hoped he would give up on dating. It had been a bad idea on her part, but she appeared to have created a monster. And what the hell? He was talking about meeting
the one
? Dammit. This had well and truly backfired on her, hadn’t it?

She hit reply.

L: Go 4 it. Can you manage to dress yourself without me there?
She sniggered as she hit send. And as expected the reply was lightning quick.

A: F off! Cheeky sod! Will let u know how it goes. Bye Cheesy
. Okay, so the childish nicknames were back, were they?

L: Later pee pants
. She chuckled to herself as she hit send. He didn’t reply.

Lily decided to go for a wander in the touristy part of town and check out what was on offer in this commonly sought after holiday destination. It wasn’t yet time for the major school holidays, but she would have the opportunity to earmark some locations prior to her next trip, which is when the camera crew would join her.

She walked along a promenade lined with huge hotels, all white washed against the blazing Spanish summer heat. There were a wide variety of stalls selling handmade jewellery and locally made artefacts. She honed in on an artist’s stall. He sat there, bare chested and tanned, grinning at her. His dark hair was thick and wavy. He had the beginnings of a beard, but was probably around twenty-four-years old.

Handsome guy nodded at her as she perused his artwork. “Hola, bonita.” He grinned.

“Hola.” She smiled back and felt her cheeks heat.

“Ves algo que te gusta?” he asked her, raising his eyebrows and curling his mouth up sexily.
Do I see something I like? How about you?
She bit her lip trying not to giggle at his obvious double entendre.

“Sí, ¿Cuánto es este dibujo?” she asked how much for the sketch she was pointing at.

“Is you English?” the handsome Spaniard asked.

“Sí, pero yo hablo español.” She informed him that she was happy to converse in his language.

“Yes…and you speak it very well,” he complimented her. “I give you the sketch, but in return you give me…erm…dinner?”

She gasped at the forward nature of the shirtless Spanish hunk. “You want me to buy you dinner?”

The man shook his head, clearly exasperated with himself. “No…mierda…my English is not as best as your Spanish, bonita. I think I ask you to go for dinner conmigo…
with
me. I take you, si?”

Lily stood for a few minutes gawping at the man whilst a beautiful smile played on his lips. He was quite a few years younger than her, but she couldn’t find any reason why that should matter.

After discovering the gorgeous, muscular Spaniard was called Rafael Gaspar and was in actual fact twenty-five, she agreed to go to dinner with him. It became apparent that his uncle owned a restaurant on the seafront, and she agreed to meet him there at seven thirty. He had wrapped the beautiful sketch of the promenade and given it to her as a gift.

After showering, she dressed in a white linen dress that came just below her knees. The fitted bodice negated the need for a bra, but she draped a cerise pashmina around her shoulders and cerise jewelled sandals on her feet. Her pretty woven wicker bag finished off the look perfectly. Thankfully, her natural curls were behaving themselves in the cooler temperatures of the evening.

She could see Rafael standing outside the restaurant. He looked divine. He was wearing a pale blue granddad collared linen shirt and beige linen trousers. On his feet were tan coloured thong sandals. His thick dark hair was swept from his face in waves, and his bearded face greeted her with a warm smile. He had the most stunning blue eyes, the colour of the sea.

He leaned in and kissed her on both cheeks. “Hola, hermosa.”

“Hola, guapo.” Rafael smiled. Clearly he liked being called handsome.

“I have reserve a table so we eat now, si?” He gestured for her to walk ahead of him.

They were greeted by his uncle, who informed her that her beauty was beyond measure.
I could get used to this
. They were presented with a bottle of the finest red wine on offer, which was made at a local vineyard. Lily unabashedly ordered Paella – predictable but it was her favourite. The food was wonderful and Rafael kept her entertained with stories from the time he had spent travelling. They had that in common, and she told him all about Australia, a place he claimed he was desperate to visit.

“So, you are a journalist now, si?”

“That’s right. I’m here to do a piece about tourism.”

Rafael nodded thoughtfully. “It is…erm…how do I say? Less tourists now. The money is not…erm…easy…you understand?”

Bless him. He insisted on speaking in English even though Lily had informed him numerous times that she was fluent in Spanish. She found it endearing. “Yes, you’re quite right. Money is tighter and people don’t have enough to spend on luxuries such as holidays. It’s okay for me. I get to travel for work.” She smiled. “I see lots of places.”

He stared at her mouth as she spoke. His eyes snapped up to hers. “Lo siento…I get distract by your accent…it is very beautiful.”

She sipped her wine and looked everywhere except into his eyes. She feared she might fall in and drown. She was already feeling the familiar effects of lust coursing through her veins, and she knew very well where this evening was heading. Well at least she
hoped
she knew.

“I may please walk you back to your hotel?” Rafael broke her away from the road her thoughts had decided to travel and she placed her glass down.

“Look…Rafael…I think you’re very sweet…very handsome too, but I…I’m not looking for a relationship. I thought I ought to point that out right away. I’m only here for a week and—

He reached over and took her hand, halting her words. “I know this…I know I am not someone you want to keep. But I desire you and I hope that you desire also me. Perhaps we walk a little?” His eyes were tinged with sadness. He was truly stunning. Young but mature in his outlook. If she was staying for any length of time, she could see herself falling into those eyes regularly.

“Si, let’s walk, Rafael.”

He linked her fingers with his own as they strolled along the seafront. Every so often he would glance over and smile at her. Suddenly, he stopped and turned to face her. His expression had become serious, and he stepped into her, sliding one arm around her waist as the other cupped her face. “Lily, I know this is…lo siento…I am not thinking of the words. I know what you say about relationships…” She could see that he was struggling. “Quiero hacer el amor contigo…this is how I mean. Me entiendes?”

Lily’s breath caught. Being told by an incredibly sexy Spaniard that he wants to make love to you was not an everyday occurrence, but it was one she liked…very much. “Sí entiendo.” Of course she understood. Even if the verbal language had evaded her, the body language hadn’t.

“And what is your answer to this, Lily?” His warm breath caressed her lips as he leaned in so that his were almost touching hers. Instead of using verbal language, she responded by pulling him down into a long, wet, lingering kiss. She stroked her tongue over his, and a low growl emanated from his chest. Electric shocks fired throughout her body and she was ready to rip his clothes off there and then, but managed to restrain herself.

When she pulled away and looked into his eyes, her own lust was reflected back at her. He smiled and stroked her cheek. “I take you to my home.” He grabbed her hand with urgency and began to lead her along the road.
Oh good grief…I’m such a tart
, she thought as she followed him willingly.

Eventually, they arrived at a small apartment block, and he stopped and turned to her. “Lily, are you sure? I am not a crazy man. I swear this... But…how can I say… Usted me no conoce… You understand? You…um…know me not, and I don’t want to ask this if—”

Lily stopped his mouth with a kiss. She had to stop him from talking her out of this. She wanted him even if it was only for tonight. She needed to feel something other than her woes over Adam.

Over the years sex had become her distraction of choice and it was working well, for the most part. To hell with the consequences. He grinned against her mouth and led her up a whitewashed stone staircase to the second floor. When he opened the door, she was pleasantly surprised. She had expected an untidy sham of a room. Something akin to a crash pad belonging to a student. Instead, white walls in an open plan living, kitchen, and dining area greeted her. The walls were adorned with his own stunning artwork. Glancing down she noted a tiled floor, which she surmised would be cool underfoot in the scorching temperatures. A leather sofa and a log burner in the corner provided a cosy and homely feeling to the bright, modern space. A small balcony looked out over a communal garden.

“It is a small apartment. I have it from my uncle. He lets me to live here.”

“It’s lovely Rafael,” she said as she admired his beautiful artwork.

He sauntered slowly toward her. “I like how I hear you say my name.” Coming to a halt before her he stroked a finger down her arm, sending shivers through her body that settled in her core. “I need to feel you. Por favour, Lily?”

“Si, Rafael.”

He covered her mouth with his and fisted a hand in her hair. His arousal pressed into her as his other hand grasped her bottom and pulled her into him. He broke away and pulled her by the hand through a door to the left. Another white room. This one had a large black wrought iron bed in the centre. He let go of her hand and pulled his shirt off over his head, revealing his muscular chest with the dark smattering of hair Lily had enjoyed looking at the day before. She gasped at the sight of him, stepped forward, and lightly dragged her finger nails down his torso. He closed his eyes and inhaled through his teeth.

He turned her around and slid the zipper of her dress down her back, pushing the shoulder straps down her arms and letting the dress fall to the floor. She stepped out of it and turned to face him in just her white lace panties.

He groaned. “Hermoso pechos…Lily…you have beautiful breasts.” His eyes were filled with lust as he stepped toward her and cupped one breast running his thumb over the tight bud.

Lily moaned and let her head roll back. She heard a zipper and opened her eyes to see him standing before her in all his naked glory. His arousal strong and ready to take her. He pulled her to him and together they tumbled onto the bed. He caressed her breasts and took each nipple into his mouth for a lingering wet kiss. Pleasure rocketed through her body, resting at her core as she grasped and tugged at his thick hair.

He slid his hand into the front of her panties and stroked her slowly and languidly. Once he had touched her for a few moments and almost sent her soaring, he slipped her panties down her legs, kissing her stomach, and mumbling incoherently in Spanish. She didn’t much care what he was saying. Placing himself between her thighs, he sheathed himself before hovering over her and gazing longingly into her eyes. She could tell he wanted confirmation that this was okay once again, but he had given up on words. She simply nodded and pulled him toward her body. He entered her on a slow thrust.

He caressed her body with his mouth and fingers while he feathered her skin with kisses. He continued his Spanish words of passion telling her how incredible her body felt around his and how he could stay like this forever. They rolled around the large bed, their sweat covered bodies sliding together as their breathing became one combined staccato rhythm. His biceps flexed and stretched as he held himself over her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. They both cried out in unison and collapsed in a tangled heap of racing heartbeats and entwined fingers.

Rafael was a skilled lover and brought her to orgasm several more times that night. Afterwards as they lay in bed, she told him that on completion of the brief research trip she was heading back to the UK to be with a friend for an important anniversary—she didn’t explain about Adam or the fact that it was his wife who had died a year ago—and that she would return shortly afterwards to film the piece she had been working on. He asked if he could see her again and she agreed. The sex, after all, had been pretty amazing. But yet again, she was very much aware, on her part, that it was
just
sex. There was no emotional connection. There never would be.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Owner of a Lonely Heart
(Yes)

July 2010

Lily had been gone almost a week and was due back in a couple of days. The anniversary of Eve’s death was looming, and Adam was relieved to know that she’d be back with him to help him get through it. She was only home for a few days, however, and was getting straight on another flight to cover yet another story in yet another foreign country. That was the nature of their friendship. One needed the other and there they were. No questions asked. Except it seemed to be Adam doing all the needing these days.

Thankfully the anniversary fell in the school holidays, meaning he could take his time to wallow in his misery and reminisce about the happy times in his life when everything actually worked and he smiled frequently. The times when his world revolved around Eve and things were all about the future. Not the past. These days everything was about the past.

Lily arrived on his doorstep at eleven o’clock on the dreaded day. He hadn’t been sleeping and it was evident, he knew from looking in the mirror, thanks to the dark circles around his eyes and the five o’clock shadow covering his square jaw.