by Olivia Jake
It was a quiet ride the three of them shared back to the hotel. Alex didn’t even make any pretense to go to her room. She just walked with Marco to his.
Once they got inside, Marco scooped Alex up into his arms and held her. As much as Alex tried not to, the tears really started flowing this time. She shook and cried, and he just held her until the shaking stopped and her hiccupped breaths evened out. She was about to apologize when he leaned down and took her mouth into his, kissing her tenderly as he picked her back up and over to the bed. They lay there, on the bed, just kissing for a long time until finally they undressed each other.
That night, there was no spanking, no tying up, not even any dirty talking. They just made love. They both needed each other for different reasons, and neither was sure how things would be once they got back to LA, back to reality.
Alex was surprisingly calm on the flight back. Apparently, all it took was getting over that initial ride on the way there. Not that she enjoyed the flight. She still white knuckled it the entire way, but it was nothing compared to the flight there. They were all very quiet the whole way back. There just wasn’t much to say. Alex vowed that she wouldn’t ask him about his publicity tour. She worried if she asked, she’d sound like a desperate girl. And he didn’t offer, which only pushed her away further.
When they arrived in LA, the atmosphere couldn’t have been more different. All of their hackles went up. It was amazing how relaxed she had been on the island. But the minute they set foot in the terminal at LAX, everything changed. The volume, the crowds, the tension, the size of the place. It was all the antithesis of what they had just lived for the last few days.
Marco kept his sunglasses on, and had donned a baseball cap. Still, people stared, mostly women. Even if they didn’t know who he was, it was hard not to stare just given how damn good looking he was. Alex knew she was shutting down and pulling away. None of them said a word between deplaning and getting to the parking lot. Finally, when it was time to go their separate ways, Jesús took the bags and started walking to their car, leaving Alex to say goodbye to Marco. Once safely behind his car, Marco removed his cap and glasses.
He smiled a sad smile as he looked down and stroked her cheek. “I’m going to be on the road for two weeks. It’s a nationwide tour.” Alex nodded. “You’re going to see pictures of me out with Kimberly, going to clubs, bars…” Alex looked down and Marco lifted her chin to look back up at him, “you know it’s all for the movie, Alexandra. You know not to believe what you read. They, they want us to look like a couple, they think it will help sell our roles.”
Alex just nodded again. What could she possibly say? “I don’t want this to end between us.” He said, and again, all she could do was nod. “Alexandra, please say something.”
“There’s nothing for me to say, Marco.”
“Of course there is. You could tell me you don’t want it to end either. Unless, of course, you do.”
“You know that’s not the case.” She said flatly.
“How, how do I know that? You haven’t said a word since we got on the plane.”
“Marco, what do you want me to say? Or do? You talked about how you hated that in your job, you have no control. Well, in this, with you, whatever it is between us, I have no control. I can’t control that you’re going to be gone, I can’t control that you’re going to not just be with another woman, but that there are going to be pictures of you looking like you’re together with her. So, I’m not really sure what you want me to say. I’m not going to sit here and pour my heart out like a teenager because it’s not going to change anything. And, if you need me to tell you how I feel, then you’re not the man I thought you were.”
Alex knew she was right, and it seemed, so did Marco. She had put it into words that he understood. Neither of them liked it, but this was reality.
“Ok, mi amor. I understand. I’ll call you from the road and we’ll figure this out when I get back.” Alex just nodded again. Marco leaned down and kissed her lips lightly, then kissed them again, and again. Even such a chaste kiss Alex felt deep down inside.
“Have a good trip, Marco.” She said weakly as she turned to go. Even as she said it, she knew how lame it sounded. She was stronger than this. She could put herself out there.
“Marco?” she said as she turned back, “This trip was amazing. Spending time with you and your family, it’s maybe the best four days I can remember. It, them, you, it all means more to me than I can express. And if you didn’t know that, well, now you do.”
Marco smiled, a big genuine smile, for the first time since they left the island. He pulled her into a tight hug and said, “Thank you, Corazon. I did know. And I hope you know that it’s been the same for me.” This time, they kissed a real kiss.
“Ok, bye Marco.”
“Hasta luego, Corazon.”
Alex walked back to her car not knowing what the future with Marco would hold. If that was the last time she saw him, at least she knew that it wasn’t because of her shutting down. She had put herself out there and made it clear how she felt.
In keeping with the tradition of silence of the day, Alex and Jesús drove for a while without speaking. Finally, uncharacteristically, Jesús asked, “You really like him, don’t you?” Alex just nodded, for the umpteenth time that day. Once again, there just wasn’t that much to say.
She was relieved when, after she dropped off Jesús, that it was just her and her animals. Alex spent time playing with and petting each of them, appreciating their unconditional, and uncomplicated love.
CHAPTER 19
“I don’t care what it pays. Hell, Kara, I’ll do it for free. Just find me a shoot. I need to keep busy.”
“Aleeexxx…” Kara knew she had to tread lightly. It was rare that Alex was ever in a mood with her.
“Kaarrrraa…” Alex replied, only to hear Kara’s soft giggle. It was virtually impossible for Alex to stay in a mood with Kara. Damn her.
“Alex, you’re going to have to tell me at some point, and you know how my mind works! I’m already making up all kinds of reasons why you’re acting so, um…”
“Yes, Kara? So um what?”
“Bitchy?” Kara said, almost a whisper.
“You do know I could fire you, right?” Alex knew that Kara could hear the smile in her voice when she said this.
“Oh, Alex! Come on, what happened?”
Alex couldn’t bear to say the words. “Come over and look at the shoot. You’ll see.”
“Ooohh, goody! I can’t wait! I’ll be there in 15 minutes.” Alex couldn’t help but both smile and roll her eyes at the girly glee in Kara’s voice.
Alex had a hard time keeping up with Kara’s squeals and ooohs and ahhs and OMGs. She showed her all the outtakes of the shots of her and Marco together. Once she saw them all, Kara walked to the refrigerator, pulled out a bottle of wine, and proceeded to pour two large glasses for both of them.
“It’s 11 in the morning, Kara.”
“It’s 5 o’clock somewhere. Now start talking.” Kara said as she raised her glass to clink with Alex. Alex shrugged, clinked and took a healthy sip.
“Does it really need any explanation?” Alex asked, surprised how easily white wine went down at 11am.
“Alex, honey, I know you. And I know your two rules: Never fly on a small plane. And never date an actor. And it looks like you managed to break both those rules.” Kara said softly.
“I had to get on that damn plane!”
“And you had to sleep with Marco?” Kara’s voice was still soft.
Alex shook her head, “I tried not to, honest, Kara.”
“It’s ok, honey. You’re the one with the silly rule, not me.”
“It’s not silly, it’s there for a reason!” Alex stared into her glass as if the wine could provide some answer, some direction. Kara knew that Alex wasn’t lashing out at her, but rather, at the situation. Though Kara still wasn’t sure exactly what that was.
“Ok, so you slept with
him. It’s water under the bridge. I don’t understand what the issue is, sweetie.”
“Come on, Kara. You know I can’t go around sleeping with talent!”
“You make it sound like this is something you do on a regular basis. As long as I’ve known you, you’ve never slept with anyone you’re shooting. So, that means that, um, he, must be special.”
Alex took a deep breath, “I don’t know, Kara. It was everything about this trip. Hell, even Jesús fell for someone. Maybe it was something in the water.” Kara laughed, and Alex proceeded to tell her all about the trip, the Flores family, Jesús and Teresa… They finished the bottle and it was barely noon.
“And now, he’s on a two-week publicity trip around the country. So you have to book me something. Please. I can’t sit here and pine away for him. I just can’t.”
“I know sweetie. I’ll get you something. And if I’m going to do that, I should skedaddle.” Kara said and giggled, “Why’d you make me drink so early in the day?” she teased and Alex just rolled her eyes as she laughed and pulled her into a hug.
“Thanks for coming over, Kara. It helped talking about this.”
“Anything for you, sweetie. And, hey, if things don’t work out, you could always send him my way.” Kara winked.
“Kara! You’re horrible!”
“I’ve seen the pictures. I’m just human.” Kara said, flashing a shit-eating grin. “Ok, honey, I’ll find you a job. But call me if you need to talk.”
No sooner did Kara leave than Alex’s phone rang. Without looking, she assumed it was Kara and answered, “What did you forget?”
“I forgot to ask you to come with me on this trip, mi amor.”
Shocked, and a couple glasses of wine too many, Alex’s voice was higher pitched than usual, “Marco!”
“Alexandra, have you been drinking?” his voice couldn’t possibly have been sexier if he had tried.
“Of course not, Marco! It’s only noon here.” Alex tried to convince him.
“I’m only gone for one day, and you’re already lying to me.” She could hear the humor in his voice.
“Ok, maybe I had a glass of wine or two.”
“You miss me that much that you’ve turned to the bottle?”
“It’s your modesty and humility that I miss, obviously.” They both laughed.
“So, how’s the trip so far?” Alex asked. It was weird talking with him on the phone. In fact, this was the first time they’d ever had a phone conversation.
“We did our first round of interviews for morning talk shows earlier today. We have a break now, and then more interviews in a bit and then there’s a screening tonight. And you know my lovely co-star. She’s a, como se dice, peach?”
“Is her whole entourage there with her, too?”
“Oh, si, claro. I don’t know how she is able to do anything. She can’t make a move that’s not pre-approved, scheduled, okayed… Dios, she’s really something.” Alex could already hear the exhaustion in his voice, and it was only day one of his tour. “But I didn’t call to talk about her, mi amor.” And just like that, his tone turned to pure sexiness.
“Oh, no?” Alex asked coyly.
“No. I called because I missed you. I wish you were here with me.”
Hearing that melted Alex’s heart and made her stomach flutter. Emboldened by the wine, Alex asked, “And what would you do with me if I were there?”
She heard Marco chuckle and then take a deep breath in, “Oh, Alexandra, so, so many things. I would think of something new for each city. Mmmmm. I like the idea of that.”
“I like the idea of that too.” Alex purred.
“If we keep talking like this, I’m not going to be able to go to my next interview.”
“Are you hard, Marco?”
“What do you think, Alexandra?”
“Mmmmm. Will you pull it out, Marco? For me? Will you stroke it? Just a little bit. Just touch it for me.” Alex heard his breath hitch as he inhaled. “You know, I love watching you stroke your cock, Marco.”
His voice sounded strained, “Alexandra, you know, I’m just going to have to punish you for teasing me like this when I get back.”
“Mmmmm, promises, promises.” She purred and heard him chuckle.
“I didn’t think you liked the idea of punishment, mi amor.”
“Well, I’m not sure I like the idea… But I liked it when you spanked me.”
“Oh, Alexandra, dios, I wish I had more time, but we have to stop, you have to stop talking like this. I have to meet Kimberly downstairs in the lobby in five minutes.” Alex felt suddenly insecure, which she knew was ridiculous, but the cold water he just splashed on her woke her up.
“Well, that’ll help sell the story of the two of you together, a nice bulge in your pants.” She knew her tone sounded bitchy, but she couldn’t help it.
“Alexandra.” His voice warning.
“I’m sorry, Marco.” And she was. It wasn’t his fault he had obligations. She was the one acting like a teenager.
“Me too, mi amor. I do wish we could continue this, um, conversation.” She heard the smile in his voice again.
“I’m glad you called.”
“Igualamente. Next time, I’ll make sure there’s more time.”
“Good. Ok, good luck with your interviews.”
“Gracias, Alexandra. Be good.”
“You too.”
And with that, they hung up. Alex sat back stunned. He’d only been gone a day and he called. Definitely, not the normal guy. Most certainly, not the normal actor. She hated how good it felt to get that call. Maybe it was the wine. But before she had too much time to think about it, her phone rang again.
“Si, mi amor?” Alex answered.
“I’ve always thought of you as a close friend, Alex, but I’m not sure I’m your love.” Sam Davis said. Damn, second time that happened!
“Sam! Sorry, I thought you were someone else. I just hung up with… oh nevermind.”
Sam laughed, “Well, at least you didn’t answer, ‘hey, asshole.’ Then I might have been worried.” They both laughed again, “Is this a bad time?”
“No, no, it’s perfect. What’s going on? How are you?”
“Good, I’m good.” Sam paused as if making sure that was accurate. “So, remember when we had drinks and we ran into James Willen?” Sam asked, sounding excited, and before Alex could answer, “Well, he just emailed me, he’s back in town and wants to set up that double date!”
Alex and Sam had drinks a few months earlier and ran into a director who was working with her then boyfriend, now fiancé, Laurent. Alex and James flirted for a bit that night, but she had completely forgotten about him. Until now.
“Wow, um, okaaaay.”
“Alex, you ok?”
“Yeah, definitely.” Alex did her best to sound convincing.
“So, what do you think? Are you up for a double date?”
“Sure! Sounds like fun! Plus, I’ll get a chance to meet Laurent, finally.”
They chatted a bit more, setting it up for the end of the week before hanging up. Alex rationalized that it would be a good distraction, and it wasn’t like she and Marco had made any commitments to each other, and it was just a date. Of course, the more she rationalized, the more she knew that she was trying to convince herself that she wasn’t doing anything wrong.
Alex hadn’t heard from Marco for the rest of the week. That, coupled with her impending date, by the time Friday rolled around, Alex was a bundle of nerves. She had enjoyed meeting James a few months back, and at the time, thought a date sounded like a good idea. She wasn’t dating anyone then, and the guy seemed fun and interesting for the few minutes that they talked. And he wasn’t an actor. And he was older than her, and handsome, and successful, and friends with her friends. So basically, he was perfect. Not that Marco wasn’t, but he was an actor, and he was a lot younger than her, both things that, on paper, made her nervous and insecure. He never once made her feel anything other than beautif
ul, sexy and wanted, but in the back of her mind, she couldn’t help but worry about the fact that she was eight years older than him, and in this town especially, she couldn’t imagine the older woman / younger man thing lasting too long. Of course, having him out of town only played further into her insecurities and pushing her more towards liking the idea of going out. Until her phone rang.
Alex tried to keep the guilt out of her voice when she answered, “Hi, Marco!”
“Alexandra? Have you been drinking again?” he asked, and she could hear the smile.
“No, not yet. I’m just happy to hear your voice.” Everything she said felt like a betrayal. It was true, she was happy to hear his voice. Usually. But hearing it now, moments before she was about to go on a date with another man, just made her feel guiltier and guiltier.
“Hmmm, ok, Corazon.” He said, and if she didn’t know any better, it sounded like he doubted her.
Alex had never been a big fan of phone conversations. Being a photographer, she was a visual person. She could tell so much about what people were thinking, feeling, sensing, all by their body language, their expression. It was one of the things that kept her job interesting, finding those subtle nuances in a person’s expression that could change the emotion of a shot in an instant. But on the phone, there were no visual cues. And right now, moments like this, were exactly why she felt inadequate over the phone. She needed the reassurance of seeing who she was talking to. Then again, she knew that as perceptive as Marco was, perhaps it was best that they weren’t face to face. For he would immediately know that she was hiding something.
“How’s the trip going?” She knew that asking such a generic question sounded lame. She felt lame asking it. She could have asked the same question of a total stranger rather than someone with whom she had been so intimate. All the more reason she disliked phone calls, and just one more reason why dating an actor wouldn’t ever work for her. In his line of work, he could be gone for months at a time.
“Lo mismo. It’s all very good practice for me.”