by Ann Regentin
(09/03/03)

EL PASEILLO

Jeez, what sort of demon invented the tuxedo? This damned thing is too tight. I'm afraid to breathe.

On the other hand, women like it. One of the bridesmaids just smiled at me. She's pretty. I can't believe they make the bridesmaids buy those dresses. If I had to buy this rig, I'd kill someone. Is she as bored as I am? I'm glad I didn't have to bring a date. I guess being best man isn't as bad as I thought.

Wait a minute. I've got the rings, right? Shit! Wait...whew!

I'm a free agent, there's loads of champagne. It could be worse.

PRIMER TERCIO

Want to feel like a complete ass? Make a speech at a wedding reception. At least I kept it short. I've heard guys go off for ages. And a few people laughed, even if they were dumb jokes.

I had no idea Mick and Leslie knew this many people. Have to be at least a hundred here, maybe a hundred and fifty. Why do these things have to be such a fucking big deal? This is romantic? Get the preacher and a few friends and have a real party. Why surround yourself with relatives you haven't seen in ages and blue-haired old ladies who used to babysit your mother?

SEGUNDO TERCIO (LA SUERTE DE BANDERILLAS)

Blonde at ten o'clock! Not all the women here are old and blue-haired. Wait, that's a ring on her finger -- never mind. Pretty brunette at the next table. Oooh, smile like a barracuda. Maybe not. That girl over there is kind of...oops! Boyfriend! This will be easier after dinner.

TERCER TERCIO

Is that Cristina? God, it is! Of all people. She looks fantastic. She always looked good in red. There doesn't seem to be anyone with her. I wonder if she finally dumped that idiot she was seeing when we graduated. What was his name? Brad? Bryce? Something like that. I wonder if she recognizes...yes, she does! Look at that smile. She is so beautiful.

"Alex! How are you? You look great!"

"So do you. It's good to see you. What are you doing here?" Brilliant opening line, genius, just brilliant. Oh shit, her dress has no back! Where am I supposed to put my hands? Her skin is so warm and soft. Her dress is almost as soft. I don't want to let go.

"I've been working with Leslie for the last few years. Where did you meet Mick?"

No way is she wearing a bra under that dress. Can't be. There's no place for the straps to go. "I went to high school with him. We've been best friends ever since he hit me on the head with a baseball." Good, she's laughing. "How have you been?"

"Great. You?"

"Really good. What are you up to these days?" Please tell me you're single! Please!

"Mostly working. I don't know how well you know Leslie, but we both work in the art department at Kemeter and Crandall."

"I knew Leslie worked there, but I didn't know you did. Didn't you just finish a big project?" I wish I'd gone with Mick when he went to pick Leslie up. Damn!

"Yes. We should have had another week, but we had to get it done before they went on their honeymoon. She owes me big time. What are you doing now?"

God, what a wicked smile she's got!

"Programming." Great: Hi, I'm a nerd. Why couldn't I do something glamorous, like accounting?

"You must be good. A lot of people are losing their jobs in that field."

That was nice, not what people usually say. She's so sweet. "I work on firewalls. Business is booming."

"Must be. Security's on everyone's mind these days. Do you like it?"

"Yes. It's like a gigantic puzzle." No bra. Her breasts are moving too freely. Look her in the eye, you idiot! "Where do you live now?" Someplace close to me, please?

"Down on the south side. You?"

"I've got a loft downtown." At least that's not nerdy.

"Really? Where?"

"Fifth and Sherwood." It's got an old-fashioned cage elevator and if you know how, you can jam it between floors without setting an alarm off. Want to see?

"I hear they're doing a lot of renovation there. What's it like?"

"It's fun. They started on the inside of my building, so we had these incredible apartments in what looked like a slum." Her hair's coming down a bit. It glows like gold, the same color as her earrings. "They've been working on the exteriors lately, trying to restore some of the Art Deco. Give it another few years and no one will recognize it."

"I'd love to see it."

"I'd be happy to show you." How about tonight? We'll start with my bedroom and work our way out. No, this is getting way out of hand. "Hey, would you like another glass of champagne?"

"Sure, thanks."

Breathe. You still don't know; she might be taken. God, I hope not! Get her some champagne and get your head together, Alex. Look at her. Legs a mile long. It's a lot warmer in here than I thought.

"Here you go."

"Thanks."

Her fingers are so warm. Did she mean to do that? "So tell me about your place." Oh, that's very smooth, very witty. No wonder I never get laid.

"Not much to it. A boring little apartment with just enough room for me and the lizards."

"You have lizards?" At least it's not cats. Or boyfriends.

"Two iguanas. They're not exactly cuddly, but they're affectionate in their own way."

"Affectionate?" That's a new one.

"They like to sit on my shoulder. Sometimes they wrap their tails around my neck or rub their heads against my cheek."

I'll rub against your cheek. Both heads. Fuck! This is not a good time to be thinking about my dick, especially anywhere near her mouth! "I didn't know lizards were like that."

"They can be. Do you have pets?"

"Just fish. They're not cuddly at all." I am, though. Extremely. Try me.

"Fresh water?"

"Salt." Like sweat on your skin. Jesus, it's hot in here.

"I love saltwater aquariums. I used to take my nephew to the pet store and we'd watch fish. My favorites were anemones. Do you have any?"

"Two!" Come over now. I'll let you watch them for five seconds. Or maybe in the morning.

"I'm impressed. Saltwater aquariums are tricky."

"Keeps me out of trouble." Impressed? I'm probably boring her. She isn't boring me. She'd be interesting just standing on the other side of the room. Damn, I can't think of a single, intelligent thing to say. All I really want to say is your place or mine?

"That was a good toast."

"Thanks. I tried to keep it short. Didn't want to bore anyone." Probably a good thing I didn't see her then. I wouldn't have gotten a word out. She's so fucking sexy.

"You didn't, believe me."

She's laughing again. I swear her hand's left a mark on my arm. It's way too hot in here. My tie's too tight. "I've never given a speech before. I wasn't sure what to say."

"I've heard a few best-man speeches, and I think yours was the best."

"Been to a lot of weddings?" Oh, brilliant! I can't think, not with her playing with her champagne glass like that. Does she know what it looks like? I want to come in that glass and watch her drink it. Oh, fuck! Fuck!

"You know how it is. Everyone's getting married."

"Not you?" Please, not you!

"No. I'm still having way too much fun. How about you?"

The gleam in her eye when she said that, her voice so low and sexy. Want to have some fun? Come home with me. I'll kiss every inch of you, every hot, wet inch. "Not yet. Maybe someday, but not yet."

"Still having too much fun yourself?"

Not often enough. I want to take you home tonight and change that. "I guess so." I can't think! Not when you're smiling at me like that.

"Do you want to dance?" I want to hold you, to touch you.

"I'd love to."

Fuck! What was I thinking? Where the hell am I supposed to put my hands, her ass or her bare back? I wonder how you take this dress off? Must be some kind of fastener around her neck, something...ah...zipper at her hip. Leave it alone, Alex! Just leave it! If I hold her any closer, she's going to find out I've got a serious hard-on. With my luck, I'll step on her foot and it'll all be over. "You look so nice tonight."

"So do you. A bit of a change from the last time we danced, hmm?"

"You remember?" That smile. Positively wicked! I remember. Vividly. She was trying to make someone jealous, what's-his-name.

"Of course. Who was the girl you went home with?"

I can't take much more of this. "Her name was Marcy and I just walked her home. She was drunk."

"That was gentlemanly of you."

Gentlemen don't tear dresses off old acquaintances and shove their cocks into them. "It seemed like the thing to do. What about you? What was his name?"

"Brent. We all make mistakes."

"Come on. He can't have been that bad." She's so cute when she wrinkles her nose. I bet she makes all kinds of faces in bed. I wonder what she looks like when she comes?

"He was. I was so dumb."

But she's laughing. "No dumber than the rest of us. Hey, it's really good to see you. You look great." I mean that. It's not a line. She does. I want to kiss her neck. I want to run my hands over her bare back and down her ass.

"Thanks. So do you. And you're still an excellent dancer."

Don't breathe in my ear, dammit! Oh, Christ, now she knows everything, knows how much I want her. This has gone way too far. "Thanks. So are you."

The way she's dancing. Her breasts against my chest. Her body brushing my cock, making it ache so bad. Does she know what she's doing?

"The only people I knew here were Mick and Leslie. It's nice to see an old friend."

Friend? Not just a friend! Hands on my shoulders. Soft, golden hair against my cheek. Breath on my neck. Her skin is so cool under my hands. How? It's so warm in here. I can't breathe. "It's good to see you, too."

I want to see you naked. God, if I'm not careful, I'll kiss you here and now. Song's over. Good. I need some air. I can't think like this. It's too hot in here. "Can you excuse me for a minute?"

"Sure. Don't be long, okay?"

SUERTE SUPREMA

Out. Outside. It's too hot in this stupid tux, I can't breathe. Christ! She was pretty when we were in college, now she's downright dangerous. What the fuck am I supposed to do? Does she know what she's doing? Is she just playing? Come on, Alex, get a grip! Deep breath.

Maybe I should go home. But I have to say goodbye to Mick and Leslie. She's still in there and I can't face her.

It's a nice night. Lots of stars. Leslie wanted a June wedding because it's romantic. Right. Red silk and skin softer than the silk: That's what I call romantic. Cristina. I'd have taken her to bed five years ago, in a heartbeat.

"Alex?"

"Hi!" No! Not yet! Christ, wait until my dick goes down!

"I wondered where you'd got to. It's a beautiful night."

"Yes, it is." What night? I can't see anything but you. Don't come any closer; come closer!

"Chilly, though."

The way you're holding yourself, rubbing your arms. Your nipples are hard. I can see them through your dress. I want to...I have to do something. I have to cover you up. I can't look at you. "Do you want my jacket?"

"Thanks."

Fuck! That was totally counterproductive! You look so damned sexy wearing my clothes...like the morning after. I want you. I want you more than anything.

"Want to go back inside?" Better that than alone with you. I want to fuck you right here on the balcony and I don't give a damn who sees us. I want to make you come; I want to hear you scream.

"Not just yet."

Don't touch me, not even my arm, not like that!

You don't know what you're doing! Don't look at me like that unless you mean it. I'm too hard and you're too beautiful and I need you. Come to me, Cristina. Come to me. Yes. Let me touch you. Let me hold you. Let me kiss you.

Yes. It's all right. Oh, God, it's all right. You taste like champagne. I'll put this fire out in you tonight. Will you let me? I think you will. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

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