It was nearly three when I was spooning against my Spanish love goddess, my hands still fondling and caressing her. I loved her body, and knowing that every inch of it was mine to share. My lips sought out her skin at every opportunity, nibbling, kissing, licking, tasting. Somehow, her necklace had survived the sexual marathon, and I played with it, while nibbling her shoulder.
“You should go soon,” she said regretfully.
“I know, but I wish I didn’t have to,” I told her, kissing her shoulder. “I hate for this night to end.”
She turned and kissed me gently. “It has been a most wonderful evening. Perfect. You belong here in Spain. You should stay. I can make you a very good offer. Come work with us. Take over our development team. It would be a great coupe. Bring anyone from your team you want. Stay here. Stay with me.”
I kissed her back, surprised by her unexpected request. “It is an amazing offer. Incredible. But I can’t right now.” I kissed her neck. “God, I wish I could.”
She sighed. “Maybe someday?”
“I’d like that,” I told her.
“You are a bad liar. It is those women you have at home, isn’t it?”
“It’s difficult to explain. I’m in a relationship, yes. With some very wonderful women. But none more fabulous than you. I have obligations, and commitments,” I explained.
“If that changes, remember, you are for Spain,” she kissed me one last, lingering time, then climbed out of our bed. She turned to face me, a vision of loveliness. “I don’t make this offer lightly, Jack. I think we could have something special. Something remarkable.”
“I wish it were true. It would be difficult.”
She got a hard look in her eyes. “Fuck difficult. Fuck obligations. We deserve happiness. We could make each other very happy. I believe this with all my soul. Your soul sings to mine.”
I stood and took her in my arms. “You deserve more than happiness. You deserve complete joy and freedom. Someone who loves you for all the wonderful things you are. Someone who loves you completely, with all their heart and soul, freely and with complete abandon. I’m afraid at this moment, that’s not me. Though God knows, I wish it were.”
She hugged me tightly, clinging to me like a life preserver at sea. I held her just as tightly. Her arms lost their tenseness, and she released me. I gave her one last squeeze before she pulled away.
She picked up the phone.
“Carlos? I’m sorry we’re so late. Mr. Morgan is ready to leave.”
We dressed in silence, a tenseness between us that saddened me. She escorted me to the door, and pulled me down for one last kiss.
“Tell me we’ll see each other again. Please. Say it.”
“Ana Isabel, you and I will be together again. Someday.”
I stepped out into the night, my heart feeling like it was being crushed in a vice. The sound of the door shutting behind me had a finality to it that was devastating.
I hated to lie, but I suspected that was the last I’d see of my favorite Major. And I hated it.
* * *
“Jack? It’s so late, why didn’t you call?” I heard Beth’s voice across the many miles.
As soon as I’d arrived at my room I realized I hadn’t made my nightly call. I felt terrible about it.
“Is that him?” I heard faintly in the background. Then Debbie was speaking. “Tell me you’re coming home to me tomorrow. Tell me.” She sounded crazy.
“Of course I’m coming home tomorrow. I get on the flight around one. I should be back in your arms before dark. Nothing’s changed.”
“Are you sure? You’ll be here?” she asked again, almost shrilly. It wasn’t like her.
“I’ll be there. Being away from you has been hard. It’s made me realize how much I belong with you.”
“It’s been terrible. Terrible. I need you here,” she said on the verge of tears.
“I know. I won’t leave you like this again. If I have to travel, I’ll take you with me. You and Beth if we can peel her away from the pool and classes long enough.”
“Just come home, Jack. Come home.” I heard her pass the phone to Beth.
“Hey Jack, what’s with calling so late? She’s been a bear to be with.”
“It was a big celebration here, for the end of the project. Everyone’s been so happy for it to go well. We had tapas, dinner and dancing. This city never closes. I only got back to my room a few minutes ago.”
“And still no pretty young Spanish girls for Jack?” she teased. Beth certainly didn’t seem to be worked up like Debbie had been.
“Lots of girls. Our hosts made sure of that, recruiting every cute young lieutenant and admin in any way associated with the project. I’ve never danced so much. I’m sure I’ll have blisters in the morning. But once again I came home alone. The life of the lonely traveller.”
“I’m in the kitchen now,” she said softly. “Debbie was inconsolable. She was convinced you’d found someone special, that we were losing you.”
“Be serious. Where could I ever find a woman to match up to either of you? Never mind both of you? I’m spoiled for life.”
“Make sure you tell her that.” She switched subjects, “Business is looking good. We’ve got eight kids lined up already, for Monday. And there’s several more on the fence that I think will sign up soon.”
“That’s wonderful. I’ll tell you all about this place when I get there. I really have missed you.”
“And I’ve missed you. The house seems so empty when you’re gone.”
“Come on. Four young women and a little girl? Doesn’t sound all that empty to me.”
“It’s not the same. It’ll be good to have you back. Debbie’s going to need some reassurance, I think. I don’t know what’s gotten into her. She hasn’t been herself since the day you got there.”
“I can tell. It’s finally over. It’s been fun, and really good for business, but I’m done travelling for a while if I can help it. This gets really old, fast.”
“Good. I’m going back to the room now. Try to get some rest; you’ll have a long evening tomorrow.”
“I’m looking forward to it. I love you Beth. Give my love to Debbie, and get some sleep.”
“I think we’ll both finally sleep now. Love you too. See you tomorrow.”
“Absolutely.”
I took a long shower, then settled into my bed, for my last night in Spain. I felt horrible about the Ana Isabel situation. I’d never committed myself to hiding anything from the girls. If it had come to it, I’d have told them about my Boss, and my flight attendant friend. But they’d never hear about my lonely Major from me.
I thought I’d pass straight out, but I found myself wondering about Ana Isabel, and what she’d do once I was gone. I was certain she wouldn’t lack suitors. I could almost see her, smell her, with my eyes closed, thinking about what might have been. What possibly could be?