Page 69 of Wanted

I look at him and consider what he told me for a couple of minutes. He’s right, we can’t continue like this. It’s complicated, but it is also up to the two of us to do our part and he’s fulfilling his end of the bargain.

“Nothing too extra, Lionel,” I concede and point my finger at him.

“What?” He smiles, knowing he has won this time. “Does that mean I can’t buy you diamond-covered shoes or a Lamborghini?”

I make a small gesture with my mouth. “I think your definition of extra needs revising.”

* * *

An hour later, it turns out it was easier than I thought, Lionel has kept his impulses at bay and let me be. No wacky gifts or a dramatic Pretty Woman moment. But I chose a nice leather cross body bag, so soft it feels like butter in one designer store, and a white summer dress in another. That was it.

We walked around looking through storefront windows with our hands entwined, kissing and murmuring in each other’s ears like teenagers in love. Every time Lionel’s tongue touches mine, I’m tempted to rip his clothes off right here in the middle of the street or ask him to take me to some hidden corner for a quickie.

We have lunch on a restaurant terrace that looks like a cottage with a big garden, there are flowers everywhere, the atmosphere is happy and relaxed. The place is elegant, I don’t think there’s a single one around here which isn’t, but it’s not pretentious and the food is delicious. The table is covered with an immaculate white cotton tablecloth, and there is a porcelain vase that looks like a vintage jar with flowers. It was a good idea to come here, I really like it and hope to have the opportunity to return sometime, and also bring my mother. She would love to eat on the patio surrounded by bougainvillea flowers.

Lionel has ordered lobster ravioli and I, shrimp risotto. In the end, we ended up sharing, I think that starting with the food is a good idea.

Little steps.

Also, he ordered a bottle of white wine and we are on our second glass. On second thought, we needed this, to get out of the house and get some air. Relax, forget that we live with danger lurking about and be a couple like any other.

“More wine?” he asks as he lifts the bottle.

“Do you want to get me drunk to get under my skirt?”

“With or without wine, I always want to get under your skirt,” he says, smiling. He wipes his mouth with the napkin and after dropping the cloth on his lap, he rests his elbows on the table, leaning in front of me, like he’s going to tell me a secret no one else should listen to. “I have to up my game, I told you. But no, I don’t want to get you drunk, there’s still a place I want to take you to.”

Lionel runs his tongue over his lower lip and I want to be the one to do it. With my teeth. Who am I becoming? Some kind of minx or fiend?

Since last night all I can think of is being naked and in his arms. Well, that’s a lie, I’ve been thinking about it since the day we got home from the hospital.

“No more shopping, Lionel,” I warn him, but the smile on my lips lets him know I’m not upset. Not at all.

“No more shopping,” he concedes. “Although I’m sure you’re going to like this.”

Lionel leans back in his chair and gestures to one of the security details. It’s easy to forget they’re there, they are a bitter reminder of our situation, but the men are discreet and know how to fade into the crowd.

The SUV appears in front of us as soon as we stop in front of the valet stand, only this time there are no tense silences between us. Lionel is dedicated to pointing out some famous buildings as we move down the boulevard. As we drive away, we see the famous Hollywood sign disappear behind us. “Maybe next weekend we can go for a walk in the hills, if you want.”

I respond with a smile, I really would like that, just to be with him. Sharing something new.

About twenty minutes later, the car enters a large parking lot lined with tall palm trees, beyond which the sun reflects on the surface of the…

“No!” I squeal in disbelief. “I can’t believe it, we’re actually here.”

“Yes, we are.” He smiles.

“Can we get out of the car?” Because I want to see everything and even get my feet wet.

Lionel brought me to see the ocean and I want to experience all the sensations.

“Of course.” He turns to open the door without worrying about someone doing it for him.

The smell of salt fills the air. The roar of the waves sounds like what I heard from the shell. I close my eyes for a few seconds, concentrating on feeling.

He doesn’t need money to make me happy. He just needs to be himself.

“Don’t take your shoes off just yet,” he tells me as soon as we leave the sidewalk and start walking on the sand. “It’s hot.”

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