Postcards from Havana, page 5
“Please make yourself comfortable. It is not much, but it is mine,” I say.
She waves her hand dismissively. “I like how cozy it is, but it could be an issue if two people didn’t get along.”
I walk over to the couch and sit down, pulling her onto my lap. Her body is warm and a little sweaty from the dancing. She is so sexy.
“We won’t have that problem.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I think we are compatible.”
She looks at me strangely. “I think you said we are compatible. I’m sorry, I’m struggling with understanding you. Maybe I’ve had too many shots of rum tonight.”
“No, it’s me. I forget to slow down when I’m speaking English. Arlene,” I say, rubbing her cheek with my thumb, “I’m really attracted to you.”
“I’m attracted to you too. I didn’t know how much until you weren’t around those days.”
“When you leave Cuba, how will you feel about me?”
She squirms on my lap, causing my penis to rise slightly. She has to stop moving before my plan takes a different turn. Not that I don’t want to sleep with her.
“You know,” she says, rubbing her finger down my face, “whatever’s going on between you and me could really be something. But I’m only in Cuba for a few more days. When I get on the plane and go back to real life in Ohio, I’ll wish I had more time with you. We definitely have a strong chemistry.”
“Who says it has to end?”
“It’s pretty obvious, Vince. I mean, Florida is still states away from Ohio. It’s at least a two-hour flight or two days by car. My meager teaching salary doesn’t allow me the luxury of traveling often. This trip was once in a lifetime for me.”
I run my hand tenderly up her smooth thigh, enjoying the silky feel of her skin beneath my fingers. “What if there is a way we can keep what we have going.”
“What do you mean?” she asks.
“I have been working in the United States for years and can apply for a green card with the hope I’d be approved. I have no reason to believe I wouldn’t. But if we were to get married, I could possibly bring my abuela with me so she can receive the medical care she needs.”
Arlene quickly moves from my lap and paces the floor. Her eyes are dark and filled with anger. “So all this wooing me was to get me to agree to marry you for a green card? Oh my God! I can’t believe I’ve been so stupid.”
“No. You have it wrong.” But does she have it wrong? After hearing the words myself, I’m not sure.
“Do I?” Her eyes are large and questioning.
In my most calming voice, I try to get her back on my side. “Arlene, I care for you more than you know. I don’t want you to leave and lose what we could have together. I see a future with you.”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “Come on; don’t try to pull that crap on me. I know exactly what you want now.”
I feel I’m losing her. I can’t let that happen. “Yes, I understand what I said would make you question my sincerity.”
Her eyes widen. “You think? Wow, that first night you had me pegged as weak and pounced on it. You knew I would fall for your suave, sweet-talking behind.”
My voice rises, but I remember to speak slowly or I’ll revert to my native tongue, losing her. “Listen to me. I did not set out to deceive you. If I wanted to do that, I could pick any woman in Miami. I was drawn to you because you struck something inside me. I saw you sitting alone and wondered what fool would do that to a beautiful woman.”
“Man, please. Can you take me back to my hotel now? I’ve heard enough.”
“Arlene, I’m serious. I watched you for a while when your friend went off with another man. I approached you once I realized you were alone. You cannot say you don’t feel what I feel between us. I dare you to say it.”
I see tears well in her eyes. I did not mean to make her cry. Now I feel horrible and wish I kept my bright idea to myself. In Miami, the women are always open for an opportunity. I should have taken one of those prospects instead of hurting a woman I’m developing deep feelings for. However, that could prove problematic when it comes to facing an immigration agent. I want to be with a woman I can say I am in love with honestly.
A single tear falls down her cheek. She wipes it away, looking at me with hurt eyes. “I want to believe you, but can’t help but feel this was a setup because you need something from me.”
“I understand that’s how it looks. Please, know I do care about you. I’m not a dishonest person, but desperate to find help for my abuela. She is the only member of my family to believe in me. I could stay here and hustle like my hermanos, but no job here pays what I make in Miami.”
Arlene flops in the wicker chair across from me. She pulls her humidity-laden hair away from her neck. “If I do agree to your scam, there will be a lot of paperwork and questions from immigration. We don’t know anything about each other. Plus, I’m not moving to Miami, Vince. My life and family is in Ohio.”
My ears perk up—she is actually considering my proposition. “You won’t have to move. My company has other locations in the U.S. I chose Miami because it’s easy to travel to Cuba. I promise you won’t regret marrying me, Arlene.”
“There is no way you can promise that, Vince. This is a fairytale in a foreign land for me. Once we are together in real life, it will be hard to form a lasting relationship based on a lie. People will assume you married me for a green card, and they’ll be right.”
“I can’t dispute what you say. Days of knowing each other is crazy and will look suspicious to everyone. Arlene, we don’t have to leave here and get married as soon as we get to the U.S. My work visa doesn’t expire for a year. We have time to get to know each other.”
“What about your grandmother? Does she have that long, and how will we get her to the U.S. for care?”
“Let me worry about that. Once I get the documents needed, I’ll prove I am her caretaker and she’s my responsibility.”
“When you asked me to come home with you, I never imagined this. Boy, was I ever misled.”
I cross my left leg over my right knee and settle back on the couch. “I didn’t mislead you. You’re right about my intentions in bringing you here. Yet I thought getting this out of the way first would prove I am not using you. I want very much to make love to you.”
“Honestly, I’m an emotional mess right now. You have placed a lot on me, Vince. How’d you expect I’d handle something so overwhelming? It may seem like a fix for your predicament, but for me, marriage is a serious matter. I only want to do it once.”
“Solo una vez para mi también,” I reply. I too only want to get married once.
“So we are on the same page?”
“Tell me, Arlene, can you picture me as your marido? I can picture you as my esposa.”
“Not off the top of my head, but how is that possible for you?”
“Un salto de fe,” I say. Her eyes tell me she understands.
More tears escape her eyes. “Right. It will take a big leap of faith to pull it off.”
I hear the uncertainty in her voice and decide to pull the plug on the whole suggestion. If she is having doubts, it won’t work, no matter how much effort I put into it. I get off the couch and stand in front of her. “Forgive me for being so insensitive. I did not realize how my selfishness would affect you. You are crying, and it hurts me to know I caused it. So, to make this right, I am withdrawing my request.”
She releases a deep breath. “Gracias. Thank you so much.”
“De nada. I’ll take you back to the hotel now.”
As we start our drive back, Arlene seems relieved to be off the hook, and her upbeat personality has returned. She asks, “What will you do now?”
I smile, letting her believe I am unfazed by her backing out. “I’m sure there is a woman in Miami that’ll help me out for a price.”
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out with me, Vince. I’m not the risk-taking type.”
“No problem,” I reply. But it is a problem.
We reach the hotel and I say goodbye outside. The drive over was strained enough—no need to walk her to the door. Though reeling from the disappointment, I’m still a gentleman and take her hands.
“Good night, Arlene. Thank you for spending time with me.”
“No, thank you. I don’t know if I will see you before I leave, but I enjoyed being with you. You taught me to kizomba dance and introduced me to new foods. I’m glad to have spent some of my vacation with you.”
“It was my pleasure to be your guide in Cuba.” I lean in to kiss her for the last time. When our lips meet, the kiss is as passionate as ever.
I hear her moaning, and pry myself away from her lips but keep her close to my body. I whisper in her ear, “Eres una persona hermosa, Arlene. Nunca te olvidaré.”
Before she can answer me, I turn and leave, thinking I’ll never be able to remove her image from my brain. She is forever in me.
Chapter Seven
Last day in Havana (Arlene)
I wake up still thinking about last night. For the life of me, I can’t shake off the feeling that I’ve made a big mistake concerning Vince. His last kiss, and him saying I’m a beautiful person that he’ll never forget, touched me deeply. But what’s done is done. I get out of bed and gather my things to take a shower. The girls and I stayed up late talking about our adventures in Cuba. I confessed and told them about Vince’s proposition.
Of course, Mia went in on me. Josie remained mutual, and April wasn’t around for the discussion. She still hasn’t made an appearance, and I’m starting to worry about her. She and Kamau have been hot and heavy since day one. I only know she’s been back to the hotel by the mess left in the bedroom. Her clothes are everywhere. April is not playing around. She is showing Kamau interest, and he is giving it back to her.
I stand in front of the mirror and think about Vince. When his strong arms circled my waist, my breath whooshed out in surprise, causing me to momentarily forget to breathe. I should have pushed out of his arms and gone inside the hotel before that kiss happened. But no, that thought never entered my mind when he looked down at me with those striking brown eyes.
I’m totally drawn by his incredible magnetism. His voice alone sent ripples up my spine then down to my toes when he said, “You’re beautiful.” I know for sure there was more to it, but I can’t remember everything he said. He left before I could say anything. However, I did see pain flash through his eyes before we parted. The same intense pain I felt at his apartment.
I look at myself in the mirror and wonder if I’ve made a mistake. My mother always said I should never let myself be seduced and enthralled by a man’s pretty face or words. What Momma didn’t know was the passion and heat Vince and I share. He gives me goosebumps. I feel them rising across the surface of my skin now. When I close my eyes, I feel the way my tongue instinctively licked out to stroke his, the perfect fit of my body against his muscled hardness—this is the kind of passion couples strive to have in a relationship. Just kissing him made me feel that maybe there is more to us.
I squeeze toothpaste on my toothbrush, trying to force those last moments with Vince to the back of my head. The window is open and I hear music already playing outside. God, what do I have to do to stop the feelings and images from taking over? I’m leaving Havana in less than twenty-four hours; it’s a wrap after that.
My body starts to tingle as I recall how good it felt to be in his arms and how quickly his kiss heated me up. He showed me the passion, the wild heat, and the wonder that I’ve been seeking for so long. Instead of stopping him or pushing him away, my dumb butt moved even closer between his strong thighs and twined my fingers into his soft, damp, dark hair to keep his mouth against mine.
For a few perfect moments, we were equal partners in passion. He wasn’t leading and I wasn’t following. We were both taking and giving to each other exactly what we needed.
There was an emptiness in me when he pulled his mouth back. I imagine he was protecting himself from everything he felt right then, and didn’t want those feelings to go away; I felt the same.
Damn!
I finally found someone who makes me feel good. But the cautious voice inside my head, I had tried so hard to ignore, popped up and I no longer could ignore it. Why couldn’t I just go along with his plan? What if I just threw away the best man to ever enter my life?
Mia enters the bathroom, and I shove my thoughts to the side. I’m sure she will have more to say to me, but I’m not in the mood for her holier-than-thou soap-box lecturing.
“Sucks this is our last day,” Mia says around her toothbrush. “I was just starting to have fun. Good God, Rico is so sweet, kind, and sexy. I can’t leave him tomorrow.”
I hold my hair back and spit in the sink. I’m tired, cranky, and not in the mood to hear Mia gush over her new love. My stomach clenches at the thought of them together. Get over it, I tell myself. Just because I can’t be with Vince, doesn’t mean no one else can be happy. And Mia definitely needs a little fun in her life.
“He sounds amazing, from what you’ve told me,” I say.
“He is, Arlene. I’m sorry it didn’t work out with Vince. I mean, that took balls for him to ask you to marry him. I hate a con artist.”
“Whatever,” I say, wiping my mouth on my towel. Vince left a bad impression on Mia. So her calling him a con artist probably is true in her mind. I hate to think he was conning me, and don’t believe he was. Josie agrees.
Mia continues, “I mean, his game was nothing but bullshit. Since you refused to listen to me, I’m surprised you didn’t fall for it.”
She meets my eyes in the mirror. I feel like she’s regretting some of her words. My expression shows the hurt I’m feeling inside, since I’m not that good at hiding what bothers me. I like Vince; I really like him. I feel so stupid, and can’t wait to leave this damn country.
“Say what’s on your mind, Mia. I guess I deserve it,” I say, and walk out of the bathroom.
“Arlene, come on, I didn’t mean it that way,” she says.
“There is no other way to put it, Mia. Yes, I was an idiot to think Vince would be interested in me. This is exactly what our government tries to convey to dumb American women like me. Don’t fall for the bullshit foreign guys throw at you.”
Josie sits up on the couch, turning around to see what the commotion is about. “Mia, stop scolding her like a kid! Arlene, don’t beat yourself up. Personally, I don’t believe his intention was to scam you. I could tell he’d fallen hard for you.”
I drag my suitcase to the door. Our plane leaves tomorrow, but I want to be ready to go early in the morning. “Well, that’s because you’re a hopeless romantic, Josie. I have to commend him for trying, though. If my grandmother or parents were in need of medical help, I’d do anything to get it too.”
“So why didn’t you help him?”
Josie’s green eyes pierce straight through me. “I did give in at first.” I hear Mia sigh in disbelief, and ignore her. “Vince sensed I was uncomfortable and withdrew his offer.”
“Does that sound like a con man?” Josie asks. “If he wanted to con you, he would not have given in so easily. I think you should talk to him before heading home, Arlene.”
“Are you crazy, Josie? Why advise her to do something so stupid? She needs to cut ties and forget the guy,” Mia says.
“Good grief, Mia, you’re bitter toward any man since your divorce,” Josie says. “Face it, girl—not every man is a cheater like your ex-husband. You were married for years before the blinding light left your eyes. Let Arlene decide for herself if Vince could be the man for her.”
Mia shoves past me to get to Josie. “Let’s not get started on the losers you’ve had over the years, Josie. As for my marriage, you don’t know a damn thing about it, so shut the hell up.”
Josie lifts off the couch to face Mia. “I know what you’ve told me. You should have kept your big mouth shut or I wouldn’t be throwing it back in your face.”
I go back to the bedroom and close the door. The arguing is giving me a headache. I love both of them dearly, but not enough to listen to this petty crap. Josie and Mia have both had man trouble over the years, and the mudslinging could go on for hours.
Lying on the bed, I listen to the music drifting through the open window. If my mood slips any lower, I’ll turn into a slug. Last night, I was so intent on experiencing a first with Vince that I temporarily forgot everything but him. And that’s what got me into the predicament of possibly accepting his proposition. I couldn’t let myself forget how hard my last relationship was. But Vince made me feel special just by looking at me.
Was it love at first sight? No. Do I have feelings for him? Yes. Should I seek him out and talk to him? If I do that, I might not be able to control my emotions. Hell, he might not want to talk to me.
Anyhow, I’m sure he’s moved on to Plan B. He did say he would ask a random woman in Miami to marry him. The thought sends a hot flash through my entire body. I put the pillow over my head, blocking out the music and images of Vince and another woman.
The bitch would have her hands on that magnificent body, and his lips would be…
Fuck!
I get off the bed and fix my ponytail. I need to get some air. I walk through the living room, where it appears Josie and Mia have reconciled their differences. I don’t even ask, and keep walking until I reach the door.
“Where are you going?” they ask in unison.
“I need some air,” I reply staunchly.
“We’ll go with you—”
