by Helena Rose
" Today was a little hard, but I'm fine, don’t worry." Aurora reassured him.
Lucas then changed the subject.
"The post has arrived,” he said.
"Is there a letter from my mother?" Aurora inquired. It had been some time since her mother had written to her.
"No. There is something else though." Lucas handed her a very elegant envelope. Aurora opened it curious, as soon as she started to read her eyes widened in surprise. She looked at Lucas, puzzled.
"It’s an invitation to Marisol and Federico’s wedding!"
Lucas nodded.
"So in the end he convinced her to marry him." Commented Aurora.
" Do you mind?" Lucas asked, watching her.
"Of course I mind." She answered.
Lucas looked at her coldly.
"I thought you didn’t care for Federico anymore!"
Aurora, distracted, looked up from the envelope in her hand.
"I beg your pardon! Ah, no! It’s certainly not Federico I'm sorry for! But for my cousin! Overall, she doesn’t deserve such a husband. I should probably have warned her about what happened between him and me while I was still in Mexico City."
Lucas leaned back slightly.
"Would you like to go?" He asked.
Aurora did not answer immediately.
"I don’t know ... I would be happy to return to Tampico for a visit and this would be a good opportunity. It’s some months now that we’ve been here at hacienda."
"I won’t go." Ruled Lucas, "I'll organize an adequate escort for you."
"Why?" Aurora asked. This time it was she who shot him a suspicious look. "Does it bother you to see Marisol married to someone else?”
Lucas, in response, stood up from his desk and began to nervously pace the room.
"Don’t talk nonsense! Marisol doesn’t interest me, you know that well. Going to the wedding would mean going back to the Navarra hacienda and seeing once again all the places that I have been trying to forget as much as possible. I’m also not dying to see my stepmother."
What a fool I am, I should have thought about how much Lucas would suffer. Instead I just think of my stupid jealousy.
Aurora also stood up and walked over to her husband.
"It could be the right opportunity to regain the place that you deserve and the rank that is your right by law." She whispered, "You’ve been treated unfairly, you’ve been a victim, it’s not you who should be ashamed, but your stepmother. She and Federico probably expect that you won’t go. That you wouldn’t dare challenge them on their own ground. But it’s time to stand up and be counted Lucas. Alone you're rebuilding your life, you have this wonderful hacienda, you’re loved and respected by your men, you're well-liked by all who know you. These are all the things that your brother will never have."
Lucas smiled sadly.
"I didn’t do it all alone. You forget that without your money I’d never have succeeded. And we’re so full of debts that we’re walking on the edge of a precipice."
Aurora moved even closer.
"I’ve not regretted our agreement, Lucas. I'm happy here, really, I don’t regret it at all. And you?"
Lucas took her face in his hands in a kind and gentle gesture.
"I do, I regret it. I regret having accepted this absurd deal. I regret having signed a paper by which you would just be a pretend wife. You don’t understand, Aurora? I want you, I wish you were really my wife."
Aurora felt her heart leap in her chest, and a shiver ran down her spine.
"In recent weeks we’ve got to know each other better, we’ve argued, but we’re also very close ... and you're beautiful, wonderfully beautiful, and I want you so much."
Lucas slowly brought his face close to Aurora’s, waiting for a sign of refusal on her part, but it did not happen. Aurora was unable to look away from Lucas’ beautiful face, mesmerized by the words that for so many sleepless nights she had longed to hear spoken by him. His lips touched Aurora’s in a gentle kiss, then a second. He pulled away from her a little, just enough to see Aurora’s face and make out her expression. He saw surprise and emotion. Lucas’ passion, long suppressed, burst forth. With a hoarse moan, he took possession of Aurora’s lips, his mouth hungrily kissed her with a violent passion. His strong arms slipped down to her waist and clasping her, he pulled her tightly to him. Aurora’s thoughts whirled round in her head disturbed by feelings that she had never felt before. Sighing, she put her arms around Lucas’ neck and arched her back to mold closer to his body.
Lucas' mouth fell along the curve of her neck assailing it with fiery kisses.
Carried away by his emotions Lucas bent down, lifted Aurora in one smooth motion, and strode towards his room.
He closed the door with a kick and laid Aurora down on the bed then lay down next to her. His hands went to Aurora’s bodice and tried to unlace it, to free the body he had loved so often in his dreams. Blinded by urgency he grabbed the neckline and tore it violently baring her full, pure white breasts. Aurora roused herself and attempted to free Lucas of his clothes. Soon they found themselves completely naked.
Lucas kissed her passionately, while his hands explored her body with hot caresses. His mouth came down to brush her neck and then, going lower and lower, reached her throbbing breast. He looked admiringly at her pink nipples eager for his touch and with a guttural sound took one between his lips.
Aurora let out a moan of pleasure, while Lucas’ caresses became more and more daring.
His hand slid further down, tracing red hot circles across Aurora’s stomach and then slowly moved towards her legs causing her to open them a little more with every caress. Deliberately slowly, his hands approached Aurora’s most secretive center and began to caress it with an expert touch. Aurora intoxicated by these new and unexpected sensations could barely hold back a cry of pleasure. She abandoned herself to the sensual ecstasy, moaning, wanting more.
"I can’t wait any longer," Lucas panted against her breast. He brought himself on top of Aurora who prepared to welcome him.
A strong and hot pressure took the place Lucas’ hand between her trembling thighs.
“Take me." She whispered, hugging him tightly and trying to overcome the inevitable fear she felt. She was about to lose her virginity and become a woman and a wife in every respect.
Lucas looked into her face and read trust and abandonment in it. He closed his eyes in an effort to hold back her impulsive eagerness and with ardor and delicacy made her finally his. When he felt the sweet barrier, he stopped for a moment to let her get used to the new invasion. He stifled with a kiss a moan that escaped from Aurora lips. He slowly began to move inside her, as Aurora clung even more tightly to Lucas’ muscular body. The pain vanished, replaced by a sweet languor that Lucas knowingly awoke in her body. They moved in unison in the beautiful dance of love, until Lucas felt Aurora’s body send him the sweetest of signals. Only then did he allow himself to lose control to reach the zenith of pleasure along with Aurora.
Sated and exhausted they relaxed. Lucas rested his face on Aurora’s breast and listened to her heart beat until her rapidly beating heart regained a leisurely pace, while his hands continued to lightly caress Aurora’s beautiful body, who was finally really his wife.
Aurora slowly emerged from her sweet dreaminess and muttered, “Lucas."
"I'm here my darling, are you all right?" he asked anxiously.
" Yes I’m fine." Aurora blushed suddenly looking embarrassed and trying to cover herself with the sheets. He stopped her," Don’t do that please, you are so beautiful and I’ll never get tired of being here with you and looking at you ... and touching you, so." He sighed, his eyes reflected his passion that recently satisfied had been rekindled like a fire from burning embers.
" No, please, leave me a little time to get used to ... to all of this." asked Aurora
"You want to be alone a moment?" he asked thoughtfully.
" Yes, please," she said in a whisper lowering her face.
"Fine, whatever you wish. I’ll go to your room and get your dressing gown, then I’ll ask for dinner to be brought up here."
" No, I’ll put my dress back on."
Lucas got out of bed, perfectly at ease with his nakedness, and picked up Aurora’s dress. "I don’t believe so, I'm afraid that I’ve hopelessly ruined it." He said smiling slyly and showed her the tear, that starting from the neckline and ran down to the waist.
He put his pants on and left the room.
Aurora let herself fall back among the blankets, smiling at the memory of what had just happened. Then like a flash a thought crossed her mind he never said he loved me! She wrapped her arms around herself. And I love him so much ... but if he has only deceived me?
Lucas quickly went down stairs to the kitchen where Yolanda seemed impatient.
" Dinner has been ready for ages, if you don’t go into the dining room soon everything will get cold!"
"We’re not going to have dinner in the dining room tonight. I want it served in my room," he ordered.
He ran back upstairs and went to Aurora’s room, got Aurora’s dressing gown and went back to her, handing her the dressing gown.
" They’ll soon bring us dinner," he said kindly.
Aurora nodded and took her dressing gown. She hesitated, embarrassed about getting out of the bed naked.
Lucas laughed.
" Don’t tell me you’re embarrassed with me?" He exclaimed surprised.
"Well ... I have to get used to it, like I told you ..." she whispered, intimidated.
Lucas turned his back, smiling.
" We’re husband and wife for real now, remember that."
Aurora got out of bed, dressed quickly and went to him.
"Hold me, please," she said emotionally. "Hold me."
Lucas embraced her tightly against his chest, sighing.
"Now we're really happy," he whispered.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in" Lucas said.
Yolanda entered the room, carrying with difficulty the tray with dinner. Immediately her shrewd eyes widened to see the two embracing, practically naked. In a flash, she turned to look at the bed and saw it was completely disheveled.
Then a repugnant anger overcame her. Clouded with anger, she slammed the tray on the table and walked out without saying a word.
"Stupid girl," exclaimed Lucas, angry.
Aurora said nothing and sat down at the table to eat dinner.
Lucas followed her and began to eat in an awkward silence.
" Is everything all right, Aurora? You shouldn’t care how Yolanda behaves," Lucas said to break the atmosphere of embarrassment.
"I'm fine, thank you, there’s nothing wrong." She replied, with downcast eyes, the recent immense happiness had been replaced by a disturbing sense of unease.
What will happen now that he’s got what he wanted? Will we return to being just two good friends? Little more than business partners?
She stood up, clearing her throat.
"I'm sorry, Lucas, I’d like to go to my room." She said in one breath.
" But why?" asked Lucas disappointed. "Your room is now this one. With me."
Aurora felt faint.
"Do you want me to move in here with you?" She asked surprised
Lucas stood up and held her.
" Yes, I want you to be with me. I've been alone far too long now. I want to share the same bed with my wife."
Aurora sighed as Lucas blocked any attempt to respond with a flood of passionate kisses. She felt her lips open, to accommodate his passionate kiss. Immediately the fire of passion flared up inside her, as she clutched Lucas’ body and laced her fingers through his wild black hair.
Lucas , please don’t deceive me ... not now that I need you so much ...
Without realizing, they found themselves back in bed while Aurora hastened to undo her dressing gown. With a roar of passion, Lucas pulled her close and in one fluid motion made her lay down beneath him making her his once more. This time no inhibition overshadowed their pleasure and Lucas knew immediately how to arouse Aurora who sighed ecstatically.
Once again Lucas dragged her towards the most intense pleasure until he heard her barely able to restrain her moans. Only then did he allow himself to find contentment and with a stifled groan he let go, flooding her with his seed.
The next day Lucas gently woke her with a kiss.
"I have to get up, unfortunately I have to go back to work," he whispered.
Aurora nodded sleepily.
Shortly after she overcame the languor that urged her to stay in bed to think back to the night before and she got up.
She returned to her room to wash, lingering to savor the sweet numbness of her limbs the result of the unbridled passion of the night before. She ran her hands over her lips still swollen and puffy from Lucas’ fiery kisses. With a sigh, she shook herself from her thoughts, dressed and went down to the dining room.
Lucas was just finishing eating and greeted her with a broad smile.
" I‘ve given Yolanda orders to move all your things into our room," he informed her.
Aurora nodded silently.
Lucas caressed her and gave her a kiss on the lips.
" I'll see you tonight," he said, standing up.
Aurora finished eating and went back to her room, full of thoughts. I’ve started something that I can’t stop now, she thought. She told herself that she was stupid. It should be the happiest moment of my life, and yet I’m poisoned with doubts and second thoughts. I love him, now I know it, but why am I so insecure?
In truth, she knew what was troubling her. If only I had the certainty that he loves me ... if only I could convince myself that I’m not one of his many achievements but the only woman in his life! She also remembered the words that her cousin Marisol had told her that day on the beach, Lucas is not a man that is content with just one woman ...
She was distracted from her thoughts because someone entered her room. It was Yolanda.
"Oh, excuse me." Said Yolanda, "I thought you had already gone out. Lucas has ordered the transfer of all of your belongings to his room."
Strangely Yolanda’s manner was not as arrogant as usual, she seemed rather sad and resigned.
"Fine, Yolanda. I’ll go now, so you can work quietly."
Yolanda began to empty the wardrobe.
"So you decided to give up the European fashion of separate rooms?" She asked impudently.
" Yes, we’ve changed our minds." Replied Aurora coldly.
Yolanda said no more, but with deftness emptied the wardrobes.
Aurora took a moment to look at her. Maybe I should make an effort to understand her and to be her friend. I’d probably act the same if I was in her shoes.
" You’ve known Lucas for a long time, haven’t you?" She asked casually.
Yolanda turned to look at her with cocky air.
" Yes, ma'am, since I was very small. When his stepmother drove him from the Navarra hacienda together with the cook, Amparo, my father decided to leave too and we all moved to Tampico. I’ve practically grown up with Lucas." Answered Yolanda
" You know him very well, then." Replied Aurora
" Yes, indeed. I know him better than anyone else apart from my brother Santos."
"Were you very surprised to know that he would marry me?"
Yolanda grimaced.
" You can’t imagine how much, you’re not at all the kind of woman he's interested in."
" Ah, yes," said Aurora resentfully. "And what kind of woman would be more appropriate for him?"
Yolanda smiled nastily. "Joyful women, witty, lively, who would take care of him and satisfy him in all ways, someone like me" She eyed Aurora from head to foot and added, "and above all beautiful."
Yolanda gathered an armful of clothes and left the room without another word, leaving Aurora stunned with astonishment. Little witch, she thought. Her attempt to improve their relationships had failed miserably
. Evidently Yolanda had not yet given up her claims on Lucas and she had made it perfectly clear that she was still considered a rival.
All Tampico was in turmoil over the wedding of the year. The noble Marisol Vargas de Coronado Rivera was going to marry the wealthy scion of Navarra y Reyes family.
If the previous marriage, Lucas and Aurora’s, had been considered a tempting subject for the gossips of the coastal town, this second marriage between the two families was definitely considered the social event of the year.
The Count and Countess of Rivera were paying no attention to the expense of organizing the ceremony and had ordered much sought after flowers and tropical plants from as far as Chiapas to decorate the church, and the bride's dress was said to have been ordered directly from Paris .
On her part, Doña Raquel Navarra y Reyes was organizing the reception to be held at the hacienda with every refinement possible. It was rumored that she had specially hired an army of chefs from Europe to offer guests the most sought after delicacies that would delight the palate.
There was no one in Tampico who was not speaking of marriage between the two heirs.
Among all of these voices, at the market, in the taverns, outside the church, moved a stranger who tried to go unnoticed. Short hair hidden under a wide-brimmed hat, a long unkempt beard and aloof blue eyes that perpetually stared at the road.
The person was Don Hector Navarra y Reyes who took long solitary walks along the beach. Then he went to the market full of people, hiding himself in the crowd, watching, searching for a face that he still dreamed about after all these years. Once he caught sight of the young man who had traveled with him on the ship during the voyage from Europe. Immediately he changed direction, he did not want to talk to him. From the talk that he had heard in the Fisherman’s Tavern, he knew that the young man had become an integral part of the town’s social fabric. He was welcomed in the homes of the most prominent inhabitants, participated in all the parties and get-togethers. In a short time he had become the most famous lawyer in Tampico.
One day Hector finally saw her. She was walking in the market, accompanied by a maid. She wore an elegant walking dress, her bronze hair tied back gracefully, her warm hazel eyes examined carefully the goods on display.