"More feel-good stories?"
"Hey, it's not as illustrious as the crime and politics reporters, but it's a job."
Later that week she again found herself at her computer on another sleepless night. She had installed a newly released program, and it was showing a zoomed in aerial map of the city with color coded pins dotting the landscape. She shuffled through papers, checked her bookmarks, and dropped more pins. Slowly, a pattern began to emerge. Nothing to be sure about, but one area had a slightly higher concentration of pins, a small barrio near Los Volcanes.
She knew she couldn't just go and wait for him on a street corner. She also couldn't go door to door asking if anyone has seen a luchador. Even with her reporter credentials she wouldn't be able to get away with that. People would think she was crazy. She had to come up with something though, some way to find him.
Who knows everyone in a barrio?
"In nomine Patris, et filii, et spiritus sancti."
"Bless me Father, for I have sinned. It has been one week since my last confession. Since my last confession, I have lusted after a man I do not even know and done impure things to my body. You must help me."
"God helps and forgives all my child," the priest said in a soothing voice, "Are there any other sins you wish to confess?"
"No father, you must help me. This man saved me once, and you must help me meet him so I may thank him."
"How would I help you find a man you do not know? Pray to God, and he will surely guide you on the path he has planned for you."
"I have prayed father! I have prayed and I have worked hard and God has guided me here!"
"Señorita, I cannot..."
"He is a luchador, padre! The Luchador!" she exclaimed. "Father, I know you cannot tell me who he is, but you must help me. Please, I beg you. Tell him I want to meet him. To thank him. He is the bravest, most selfless man I have ever met and I must show my gratitude."
The silence within the confessional seemed to last an eternity. Tears of frustration spilled down María's face. With a shameful shock she realized that she was confessing her lustful sins in one breath then demanding the priest help her find the object of her lust in the next. She covered her face in desperation and embarrassment.
"I will pray for you child... and your message will be passed. Say two rosaries for your penance."
"Thank you, Father! Bless you." She sat upright, wiped the tears from her face and clasped her hands together. "My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christo suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. Amen."
The priest spoke again. "God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church, may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Go in peace."
As she stood to leave, he added, "If it is in God's plan, I will see you at this time next week."
She left the confessional and made her way to the front row of pews. Kneeling, she prayed as the bare wood dug into her knees, but it was a small pain compared to the suffering of the savior whose visage was nailed and bleeding on the cross before her. She rolled her black rosary beads through her hands, her nerves settling through repetition of her well practiced prayers.
Finished with her penance, she left after one last benediction. "Jesus Christo, I know I am not worthy but please. I love him."
She slept like a baby every night that week. For the first time in months, she did not worry. She had put her faith in God to see her through this and knew that if nothing came of it, God was telling her to move on.
She knew she would always think of him, no matter what happened when she next went to that church. But if the priest told her to forget the luchador, if she married another and had a family, he would still always remain in in her heart. The mysterious savior. An angel among men.
She entered the confessional exactly one week later, to the minute, wearing her best summer dress and understated makeup. She wondered what would happen if the priest had arranged a meeting. Would she burst out of the booth and run frantically down the aisle? Would she freeze? Would she come to the moment of truth and refuse it, afraid to ruin the perfection of the mystery?
"In nomine Patris, et filii, et spiritus sancti."
"Father, I came back, just as you asked when we spoke last week."
"Yes, I remember you my child. Are there any sins you wish to confess?"
"Father, have you talked to the luchador?"
"First, are there any sins you wish to confess?" The priest asked.
"No, Father. This has probably been the most virtuous week of my life. I have prayed every day, have controlled my thoughts and my tongue, and have begged God for mercy on my soul and an answer to my prayers. My only sin is that of wanting fulfillment when I know I am not worthy."
"Thank you, my child. Never forget the purpose of this place. Now, if you have no other sins you may go in peace to the church garden and meet him."
"Father, thank you! Thank you!"
She quietly stood up and calmly walked to the front of the church. Standing before the grand figure nailed to the cross, she kissed His feet and whispered, "Thank You." Then she turned and all but ran out to the church garden.
He stood there, a large muscled figure beneath a tree with a small rose held delicately in his hand. He was wearing the same linen suit and the same red and green mask as he had on Christmas Eve. The same soft, peaceful brown eyes gleamed, even in the light of day. "Hello María," he started, "I know my mask is not appropriate for this season but I thought it would be best to wear what I did when we first met."
"You remembered my name?" she said in surprise.
He handed her the perfect single rose. "María, I have saved many men and women in a few short years, but you stood out. I remembered you and to my surprise, saw your name in the papers every week. I am a huge fan of your reports, they bring a little light and hope into this city. I like to think I have gotten to know you through them. Besides, you are the only person in this city with the drive to hunt a man such as me. No policeman or crime reporter has ever gotten as far as you have."
"Luchador, I have dreamed about you since that night."
"I have dreamed of you as well, María."
"You know, you don't need to save my life to walk me home again," she said coyly as she stepped closer to him, lifting her face toward his.
The luchador held her gaze but held her fast with one hand on her shoulder, her face inches from his own. "I apologize for being old fashioned, but I could never be with a woman without first being married," he said softly.
Up until this point she had always tried to live her life logically, taking her time, ensuring she knew what she was doing, but something about this man led her once again to do something she wouldn't normally do. "Then let us marry! We have a church and a priest, what else do we need?"
"Señorita, you don't even know who I am, what I look like."
She had not come all this way to let him slip through her fingers. She told him, "I do know you! You are the man who saved me. You are the man who once ran into a burning building to save strangers, the man who has stopped more thugs and rapists than any single policeman! You are the man who has thrown himself into danger time and time again to help others. You are the man who defeated the rudo Santiago in the second round, and persevered after suffering through the luchador Diablo's Grande Mask Slam. I know you, Luchador, and you are the bravest and most selfless man I have ever known."
"You do not even know my face."
"I don't care. I don't love your face. I love you."
He paused for a long moment and finally
took her hands in his. "I too, am in love with you, María. You are the last person I think of every night and the first person I think of every morning. Are you sure about this?"
She nodded emphatically. "I am more sure than I have ever been before."
"Then I have something for you." His hands went to his neck, unclasping a thin gold necklace and lifting it out of his shirt to reveal a bright set of gold rings dangling from the end, diamonds flashing in the sunlight. "María, these belonged to my mother. I have carried them always since she passed away."
He dropped to one knee on the grass of the church yard, looking up at her. "If you will accept me as I am, it would honor me, María Peña, if you would be my wife. Will you marry me?"
María looked into those soft brown eyes, eyes she could just melt into. She felt light headed and short of breath. She had never experienced a moment where she had felt so pure and yet so physically desirous at once. She wanted to tackle this man and kiss him, to take him, to love him.
"Yes!"
The ring slipped on her finger like it was made for her, and the masked man was barely on his feet before she had him by the hand, dragging him straight for the church. In her excitement, she shoved the door open with unexpected force. The startled priest stared at the unusual couple from the tabernacle as she marched them forward.
"Marry us. Now!"
"Señorita, this is most unusual."
"I know. This isn't exactly how I pictured my wedding day either, but God has his own plans for us."
"Do you feel this is God's plan for you as well, señor?" he asked the masked man.
"Si, Father Reyes. María Peña Rivera is my true love, as improbable as that sounds."
"Very well. Under the circumstances, I will allow it. I am assuming you will have a proper wedding for your families later, with an audience and dresses and rice. Your parents will be very disappointed if you don't."
María nodded with enthusiasm. "Yes father, we swear it."
"Well then. Please stand over here, you may hold hands if you like. Dearly beloved," he gestured to the empty church, "we have gathered here today to witness the joining of Emilio Garza Ruiz and María Peña Rivera in holy matrimony."
The realization of his name struck her like a bolt of lightning. For the first time, even if she didn't know his face, she knew his name. What her name was going to be.
Father Reyes continued, "Have you both come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?"
"We have."
"Yes, we have, Father."
"Will you honor each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives?"
"I will, Father."
"Every day. I will."
"Will you accept children lovingly from God, and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?"
"I will."
"I will."
"Emilio Garza Ruiz, do you take María Peña Rivera to be your wife? Do you promise to be true to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and honor her all the days of your life?"
"I do."
"María Peña Rivera, do you take Emilio Garza Ruiz to be your husband? Do you promise to be true to him in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love him and honor him all the days of your life?"
She looked into his warm brown eyes, knowing that she was surrendering to the life God had planned for her, with the man she loved in her heart, even if she never saw his face. She was willing and eager to embrace this fate, no matter where it may lead. With more certainty than she had ever had in her life, she uttered the final, "Yes. I do."
"What God has joined, men must not divide. You may kiss the bride."
She didn't care what the world would think of them as she leaned in to kiss him through his mask. Before her burning lips could meet his, Emilio put up a hand to stop her, saying, "Wait...we must do this right."
He reached behind his head, loosening the laces of his disguise. He paused for a moment, his eyes showing anxiety before he whispered to her with a trace of hope mixed with fear, "Please, love me for who I am." Slowly, he lifted the mask off his head.
María's mouth dropped open in shock and for a moment she was at a loss for words. Finally, she managed, "You're...the most handsome man I have ever seen."
Her eyes swept his face from the familiar brown eyes over a face that could have been carved from stone. Tanned, blindingly handsome stone. His strong jaw, full lips, and high cheekbones were set in a chiseled face, and his short, wavy hair was the deepest color of midnight. She couldn't wait to run her fingers through it.
She didn't know what she was expecting, but it wasn't this. Not even a hint of a broken nose from fighting. A perfect, toned gentlemen, as beautiful in body as he was in soul. The slightest hint of crow's feet formed when he smiled at her and said, "Believe me María, these looks have been a curse. Women have thrown themselves at me for my looks and my family's money, but I wanted someone who saw past that and loved me for who I am. The only way I knew how to do that was to hide my face and identity."
She had heard enough. "Emilio Garza Ruiz, you know I love you for who you are. If you don't kiss the bride right now, I will slap you." He finally leaned close enough to kiss her, their lips meeting with barely contained passion. Her arms rose of their own volition until they were wrapped around his neck, and she never wanted to let go. She was suddenly swept off her feet as he lifted her into his arms, carrying her out of the church.
The priest called after them, "I expect to see both of you back here for a proper ceremony within the month!" They made noises of agreement without breaking lip contact, and María flashed an OK signal before the door of the church closed behind them.
She didn't know how far he carried her, but soon enough they arrived at a small, well-kept modern house. He cradled her in one arm and opened the door, carrying her across the threshold. She caught glimpses of the tidy, clean, sparsely furnished house while she was carried down the hall. It appeared to her more a lightly used summer home than the house of someone who lived here full time.
He placed her delicately on the floor in front of a large, inviting bed with luxurious sheets. "María, are you sure? I have waited, and can continue to wait for you, until you are ready."
She kicked off her shoes and reached behind her, unzipping her dress, and letting it slip down her form to pile at her feet. She stood before him in her bra and panties. "I have been dreaming of this moment for too long already," she purred.
He paused and stared at her nearly naked form, eyes following the curves of her body as she reached out and took his hand. María kissed him as she guided his hand to her breast, gasping as his fingers first brushed the lacy fabric and then her soft flesh. He cupped her breast and squeezed, letting his thumb roll over her sensitive nipple as his other hand slid from her waist to her firm buttocks. His hands lightly glided over her skin and underwear, exploring the contours of a woman's body for the first time as his heart pounded in his chest.
He took her into his arms and kissed her as he unhooked her bra and slid it off. She moaned into his mouth as one hand cupped to her chest, lightly pinching a nipple as the other ran in long strokes from her back to her buttocks. She ran her hands through his thick, wavy hair and held him to her in a kiss while dressed only in panties, grinding herself against his leg. She dropped one hand down, running roughly down his hard muscled chest and across the ripples of his abdomen until she came across his hard, erect member straining against his pants.
She grabbed him and rubbed him through his clothes. He broke away from their kiss and threw back his head, letting out a guttural moan. She frantically pulled his jacket off and began clawing at the buttons of his shirt as they fell backwards upon the bed.
The weight of him on her felt good as he pushed against her, fabric separating them from carnal bliss as she pulled at his belt. He broke away from her lips and kissed his way down her neck whispering in her ear "María, tell me if
you want me to stop."
"I will," she panted.
He kissed down her neck and shoulder, slowly working his lips and tongue to her breast. With one firm hand he cupped a breast to his mouth, squeezing it as he ran his tongue tantalizingly over a hardened nipple before taking it in his mouth as his other hand moved between her legs. He rubbed her hot vulva through the fabric of her underwear, exploring her hidden contours, wandering over the sweat of her thighs and the hot moistening fabric, teasing at the elastic as he lustfully devoured her breasts.
Soon she found him kissing lower, over her stomach, and lower still, until he had hooked his fingers through her panties and was pulling them down her long, smooth legs. She had never had a man kiss her there before and her body tensed for a moment as his warm breath met her skin. The moment she felt his warm tongue all tension melted away as she fell into his loving offering. Hands rubbed over her legs and fingers teased her skin as that strong tongue explored every inch of her, lapping at her folds, plunging into her, and delicately circling her swollen clit. She wrapped her smooth legs around his chiseled shoulders, holding him to her as she lay back and enjoyed the sensations, her pulse hammering as warmth flooded her body from her loins. Her breath quickened and her muscles tensed as his pace quickened, reading her body and playing it like a beautiful instrument. She cupped a breast in one hand, pinching a nipple as she dug her other hand into his hair, begging him not to stop. Her body began to convulse in orgasm, a piercing moan escaping her as her body rocked and spasmed.
When her vision cleared, he was holding himself above her, the rest of his clothes removed, his erection hanging like a club. The size of him scared her, but she wanted him more than anything and she reached to him, pulling her toward her, feeling her body open to him like no other. He took his time, slowly rocking his hips against hers, eyes locked to hers for reassurance. She wrapped her legs around his tapered waist, urging him deeper and deeper inside her until she felt the fullness of him completely, hearing him let out a primal moan as he settled deep inside her.
He gently increased his thrusts as he felt his way with his new lover. All the time looking at her with those beautiful eyes as she guided his speed, encouraging him to go harder as her body grew used to his size.
Love for the Luchador (A Modern Romance) Page 2