Leticia, still in doubt had been glued to the wall. “What’s wrong Eddie? Why’d you stop?”
Eduardo looked over at her naked; her nipples were still erect and red from where he had been biting them. She was obviously in sexual agony bit it was late, it was too late. He was tired now and wanted to sleep. “I’m going to bed.”
“Eddie!” Leticia yelled at him strolling away. “I’ll do it...I will. I want you so badly; I’ll make love with you with the condom on. Please come back, please?”
Eduardo gazed at her begging. Begging? Now why did she have to go and do something as humiliating as that? Here was his supposed wife. A woman he was willing to marry and he couldn’t provoke himself enough to make love to her? She was a virtual stranger to him now, he knew of no one else but Amber in his heart. He made love to strangers before and bedded more than a few girls with no names. How could it be that he was unwilling to have sex with this particular one? Was it because she was the doting sort? Continually asking him if he was fine, hot, tired, hungry, sad, and happy constantly with no end in sight? Pleading with him now to make love to her? Why doesn’t she just get the hint already and just go away?
Eduardo suddenly found himself inside his Porsche, screeching down the calm neighborhood streets at sixty miles per hour. Find him a highway…any passageway…anywhere, where he can just go. Escape from reality into fantasy; his castle in the sky with Amber, even if it was just for a moment, just one little second. That’s all he’d asked for, he’d do anything, suffer any consequence imaginable. What he wouldn’t give for just one little kiss...a simple kiss, what could it hurt? How could he steal it? Where could he take it? He charmed her; he knew so in his heart, could sense it when Amber gazed into his eyes, the chemistry that they shared—it brought on approach so ridiculous—his boldness would be his doom. Would he be so daring? Would she slap him? Would she turn her head away?
Eduardo dimmed his headlights and rolled the car in neutral alongside his brother’s front yard. It was a normal occurrence, his weekly routine. It was four o’clock in the morning now and everyone was asleep he could only assume and laid his forehead down on the steering wheel.
“Good God...someone arrest me,” he chuckled, realizing how utterly dim-witted he’s become over her. “I’ve become Amber’s stalker.”
Fifteen
Fantasy Meet Reality
Amber didn’t expect to see them that night. Eduardo and Leticia were supposed to be visiting someone sick in the hospital. But when they opened the door and announced that they were just stopping by for a quick visit, a sigh of alleviation passed through Amber. It was nearly six months since she’d seen him. Fourth of July had come and gone since the last time they spoke. Eduardo was constantly on her mind; when she was washing dishes, raking the leaves in the garden, doing the laundry, at her job typing away, in between the thoughts during her daily routine and in between the thoughts about her children and Victor.
“Hey!” Fabrizio acknowledged. “Come—come, sit down, take your coats off and stay for dinner.”
“No Papa, we’re not here to eat, we just came by to say hello, that’s all,” Eduardo gave to him, hugging his father respectfully.
Fabrizio would have none of it. “Mehiò, sit down, I know how hard you work, Leticia, tell your husband to sit down—dinner will be done in about twenty minutes.” He walked away and into the kitchen where Rosalba was cooking. “Eduardo and Leticia are here, we have enough don’t we?” Rosalba nodded her head and finished stirring around the potatoes and squash.
Fabrizio checked on the rice. “Oh, this is gonna be good Mama,” he said to her as he kissed her on her cheek. Oh how he loved his wife. How lucky could one man be? Fabrizio was fine-looking in his younger days, and married Rosalba, a fine girl herself, when he was only sixteen. Rosalba and Fabrizio lived with her parents in the beginning of their marriage. Her family was poor, and with six kids to feed, they oftentimes found themselves starving. Fabrizio left to California first, which left Rosalba aching for him. She gave birth to Eduardo in a small country hospital just outside Guanajuato, Mexico. She hung onto letters that Fabrizio used to write to her from within the United States. He wrote to her about Brawley, California. It was a farming community and thriving in the 1960’s. He wrote for her to come be with him, he missed her constantly, and knew they’d have a better life in the United States than in Guanajuato. He already made a couple hundred dollars and was anxiously pursuing Rosalba to come to the States to be with him. With a heavy heart, she took Eduardo in the middle of the night and kissed her family goodbye. Roaming around in the darkness like thieves, she reached the border with aid from her neighbors who oftentimes passed over in their trucks full of blankets and goods to sell. Rosalba and Eduardo sat in the back with the chickens and clay pots as they drove across and entered El Centro. Imagining that once she’d enter the United States that the streets would be paved with gold, but it wasn’t. It wasn’t so different than Mexico; it was still a desert, still humid and still desolate. Rosalba’s crossing was easy and unlike stories she’s heard before where some Mexicans were forced to become slaves or died of thirst and starvation, hers was unhurried and unconstrained.
Valentina was finally asleep in the middle of the bed in her grandparents’ room and Adrian was in the other room watching cartoons when Amber walked outside to the patio. Victor was busy watching the rest of the Tyson-Holyfield boxing match (the reason they’d come over there in the first place) when Amber felt the urge to go the courtyard.
“Hit’em! Sock’em!” Victor shouted, bouncing up and down on the couch.
Leticia sat down and joined him, placing Kyra’s car seat next to him on the couch. “Who’s fighting?” She asked, putting Kyra’s pacifier back into her little mouth.
“Mike Tyson,” Victor said not looking directly at her.
“Which one is he?”
Amber knew that her brother-in-law would follow her outside, she perceived his attendance—which was why she left.
Amber turned her head around slightly and could smell his cologne as he quietly approached. That intoxicating musk that was all his consumed her in seconds and she tried to calm her heart down when he arrived alongside next to her.
“Amber, how are you?” Eduardo asked, gently brushing her shoulder.
She turned towards him, “I’m fine...how’s that sick friend of yours?” Not really caring about that sick friend just solely concerned that he was there.
“He’s fine, he wants to sue—that’s why we were there,” he explained guardedly. “Amber...I spoke to one of the partner’s in my firm, and if you’re interested, we’d like you to work for us.” Eduardo couldn’t wait to tell her. That goal he needed to find? Well, he found it, he couldn’t stand being away from Amber and came up with a plan to keep her within arm’s length. He knew that his little brother wouldn’t pass up a heavily anticipated boxing match and drove by his parents’ home hoping that they’d be there.
What?! Amber could hardly believe her ears. Being by Eduardo’s side daily? It was all she could hope for! Amber walked away from him; removed from his side for a moment her heart was still racing. God help her, she had flirted with him constantly, and every time, he flirted back. Did he feel the same? Don’t be ridiculous; he would never be interested in someone like me! Was he just being friendly? He did ask her what it felt like to kiss her. But he was drunk, probably doesn’t even recall asking it.
Amber walked towards the patio, fast, and hurried. To her surprise, he followed her; the game had suddenly gotten out of hand. When did the feeling change for her? That safe adoration she had for her brother-in-law, the expectations beyond the realness of it all. She suddenly jumped the safe harbor, gone overboard, fell in love.
The patio was long and L-shaped. The area where Amber escaped to was guarded by solid, thick shrubs that needed to be restricted, but never attended to. No one could see them. Not The Family, Victor, Leticia, the kids, no one. They were no longer saying hello or goodbye in
front of the family, or talking safely behind a phone, they were alone, unaccompanied by relatives and spouses.
“Everything OK?” Eduardo asked, hopeful, anxious. Fervent appetite washes over him. It was an open opportunity. Just one little kiss…what could it hurt?
Amber turned around and gazed at his features, his facial expression was unusual, serious by far. He was deep in thought, she could tell that much. “Oh—I...it’s nothing.” Her face was on fire and Amber walked in further behind the shrubbery. She let out a deep breath, went to wipe away the sweat now forming on her forehead when Eduardo grabbed her. Swung her around and landed a kiss on her lips so solid—so full of passion, lust—he held the back of her head to keep her mouth under his control.
It was domination so spine tingling, Amber thought for a second she might be dreaming—dreaming a wonderful, passionate, uncontrollable, raging, delusion. He was A Perfect Ten. The absolute best kisser she ever came across and couldn’t help but contribute her willingness.
Amber slowly opened her eyes and realized three things all at once: (1) when she reopened her eyes he opened his; (2) her hand somehow found his chest and his warmth radiated down to her toes; and (3) nowhere in her heart did she feel the contact was immoral.
Standing still, side by side, not moving, not breathing, Eduardo and Amber remained in awe of the brief intensity they seem to influence.
“I’m not going to apologize,” Eduardo cooled down. “I’ve wanted to do that for such a long time.” He then placed his hand over hers that was still on his heart.
They stood intently looking at one another and Amber wanted to cry! Tears swarmed her eyes at once. She was so incredibly in love with this man and now to hear him tell her that he’s wanted her? What she wanted now was to curl up in his arms and kiss him again.
Amber gently pulled her hand away from under his. “I won’t mention this to anyone,” she packed away, closing her eyes in torment.
Eduardo’s intimacy level was spinning out of control. He reacted to kissing on a personal degree. If a female were fortunate enough to come into contact with his orifice then most assuredly she would know his libido. Eduardo grabbed Amber’s arm as she began trotting away. “Wait,” he said, surveying her body in a matter of moments.
Amber’s eyes locked with his. She knew now that his serious gaze was purely erotic. In his sea green eyes showed promise of what he could deliver, if only she would abandon her pledge to her husband. Good Lord why does she want to collide with him? She painstakingly wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his body back to hers.
His fervor, her heat, ignited a flame of greed. His tongue in her mouth—her stronghold embraces. It was ideal, everything Amber ever-imagined Eduardo would be like—the reality delivered, Victor had never taken her this way, never with such thirst, such longing, such supremacy. Victor was always so gentle, so thoughtful in the way he kissed her, entered her. Victor was tender period. Eduardo was dominant, forceful and flawless and he knew what he was doing. Knew how to kiss a woman and knew how to make Amber buckle to her knees.
Eduardo wanted to devour her. Her satin skin felt so amazing under his fingers. She kissed with the length of her body, her nipples hardened and he wanted to do more, explore longer, twirl his tongue around those raised beauties and hunt for further places to bring increased pleasure to her.
“OK, time to stop,” Amber settled, pushing his body away from hers. “It’s done...out of both our systems.”
Eduardo stood defeated as he watched Amber walk backwards, her arms and hands waiving and pushing distance between them. He was stimulated beyond compare. Knowing full well that she wasn’t immune to his inquisitiveness exhaustively undid him. “I take it that means yes,” he cracked and then assumed, “You’ll take the job?”
Good Lord! He was smug! But she loved it, she loved it! His conceit only fed her sensations. Eduardo gave her a triumphant smile, a rather devious exhilarating smile, she’d say.
Amber beamed, “Yes.” And thanks for rescuing me...
Sixteen
Desire Is All Relative
“Mr. Sanchez you’re in contempt!” Judge Monroe exclaimed, pounding his mallet firmly on the mahogany counter.
Eduardo stared down the judge, unreal. Does he know how comical he looks in that toupee? Maybe now is a good time to tell him. Eduardo threw a couple of files callously across the tabletop, making sure everyone in the courtroom knew exactly how much in contempt he really was. With smoke coming out of his ears, he stormed out of the courtroom after that unfavorable ruling.
“My God man, will you calm down!” Gordon Dagget exclaimed, trying to catch up to Eduardo who was hurriedly marching down the corridor towards the elevator. Gordon Dagget was Eduardo’s equal sidekick who also graduated from Harvard. A fellow associate in Aldridge & Watson, Gordon generated his fair share of second glances. Gordon’s followed Eduardo all through Harvard, he not only admired Eduardo’s accomplishments—he idolized him.
“That fucking asshole doesn’t belong on that bench,” Eduardo shouted angry. “He knows it, the bailiff knows it—even the goddamn opposing counsel knows it. That’s why they took the chance to suppress the new evidence and won!”
“I know—I know Eduardo, but you almost got sanctioned in there, you need to calm the hell down. This is only a minor setback, right? We’ll come back tomorrow and hit’em with our dexterity. We always win, right?”
“I hate that fucking judge and the opposing counsel are all idiots! A first year law student could beat them senseless, what the hell’s wrong with me?”
“What is wrong with you?” Gordon asked delicately, “You’re usually cool as ice in the courtroom, now you’re just a ball of fire.”
Gordon finally maneuvered Eduardo over to a nearby corner, he knew Eduardo was headed towards the parking garage and he wanted to remain with him.
“I’ve got a lot on my mind,” Eduardo stated, still holding onto his briefcase with both hands. He was supposed to meet Amber for lunch that afternoon. After months of finding the opportunity to ask her out to lunch, Victor called out of the blue to let him know that he’d be down the street at noon and asked if they could meet. Eduardo had no other choice but to lie to his brother and said he was free. Needless to say, Eduardo had been on edge ever since the phone call, he was looking forward to spending some time with Amber. The past few nights he could hardly sleep. Just couldn’t get those never-ending questions out of his mind. She yielded. He felt her embrace him back, there was even a level of necessity behind her kiss. But why!? The awareness sent his thoughts packing. Did she desire him as well? Or was she just curious? He’s never known a woman to be simply curious, it was all or nothing where he was concerned. Women were impatient not investigative, and now—Good God—was she just probing? Or did it go deeper than that? Did she think about him? Did she ever think about him? Good God, this could all be in his head. What a puffed up peacock he was! She probably didn’t even consider that kiss anymore. Out of her system, she said. Out of her system? When was he ever in her to begin with?
“Personal shit?” Gordon asked openly.
Eduardo gazed around them; other attorneys like themselves congregated and descended down the hallways of the downtown Los Angeles courthouse. “Something like that.”
“Hey Eduardo, if you ever wanna talk I’m here for ya,” Gordon voiced, patting Eduardo on his shoulder.
Eduardo wasn’t about to confide in another complacent bastard like himself. Talk, huh? Not where Amber was concerned. Piss off. “Maybe another time. I’ve gotta head out and meet my brother.”
“OK...sure, then I’ll see you back at the office then?”
Eduardo began walking away and didn’t turn to face Gordon as he did. Eduardo waved his hand in the air to let Gordon know he’d see him later and disappeared through the revolving glass doors.
Fortunately, Victor was in the area and the two brothers decided to meet at a nearby restaurant. It was within walking distance and Eduardo welcomed
any fresh air. It was springtime in California and the leaves on the sidewalk trees turned a spectacular orange and began to slowly fall off.
Eduardo was unruffled when he finally reached the restaurant, so far the day’s events were not favorable, and meeting Victor was no exception. He was suddenly nervous as hell and felt guilt running through his veins. Even though Amber returned his passion, Eduardo still felt to blame for initiating the contact and truly felt ill at the thought of betraying his brother’s confidence.
A beautiful blonde waitress (obviously an out of work actress) approached Eduardo for his order. “Are you ready?” She asked, flashing him an ultra-pearly white smile.
Eduardo’s salacious nature peeked; the girl was a prime piece to look at and he freely gave her one of his ardent grins. “I will be in a few moments.”
The waitress took hold of the rouse and temporary interest from Eduardo. “If in fact you truly are,” the waitress matter-of-factly expressed, jotting down information on the back of an order slip. “I’m off at five, here’s my number.”
Eduardo remained relaxed, he was used to the directness of women; their boldness for him was a natural occurrence and he took the piece of paper but didn’t look at it. “Thanks for the offer.”
Victor walked through the door a moment later and waved at Eduardo already seated. “Hey bro...How’s it goin’? Day’am you look good.”
Eduardo let go a laugh. Good God how he treasured his little brother. Growing up in Burbank (a little suburb in Los Angeles) practically being the only Mexican kids on the block, they constantly got into fights over ignorance and stupidity. Eduardo was always in charge of Victor when they were younger and Victor was constantly getting picked on at school, the only thing that saved him was sports. Being able to play baseball and basketball helped with the neighborhood boys and they would oftentimes seek Victor out to complete their teams. Victor didn’t mind, he was just a kid and simply wanted to be included. Eduardo would wait on the sidelines, or would offer to be the referee just so that he could keep watch over Victor. The one and only time Victor ever got beaten up was the one and only time Eduardo decided to throw caution to the wind to give his valuable time to a girl he was dating. She was constantly coming over and had been sent away, but on that terrible day Eduardo decided that it was more important to get to second base than to watch his little brother slide into second.
Unsuitable Obsession - Part One Page 13