The night air was warm as the flamenco music drifted in the balcony doors. The city sounds were growing as the hour grew late. It was night time in Sevilla. The cafes in the Barrio de Santa Cruz were starting to fill up with friends meeting for tapas and drinks. I stood on the balcony, leaning on the railing, sipping my sangria. Loving the fruity wine taste – swirling it in my mouth, savoring the sweetness, thinking of how alive I felt – here, now, in this city. It was as if I have lived here before, in perhaps another time. I had put on the strappy peasant top and skirt in white that I had purchased that morning while strolling through the shopping district.
My hair, blondish brown, tumbled over my shoulders as I looked out over the city and watched the lights come on and the night come alive with passion. I don't know what it is about Sevilla, but it feels sexy, passionate, pulsing with life. Maybe it is the gypsy musicians that go from table to table playing their flamenco and dancing. Maybe it was the warmth of the air, or maybe it was just me. I had this whole apartment to myself for a month. I scanned the crowd and watched couple meet with kisses and smiles.
As the taberna opened its doors and the music started to pour out, I decided to go down and have a seat and enjoy the crowd – and maybe meet someone interesting. I tied my new strappy sandals up my ankles and grabbed my little purse – full of Euros. I missed the pesetas. They were so uniquely Spanish. I settled in at a table in the corner and ordered a glass of sangrÃa and some jamón Serrano, manchego, and aceitunas. I let the music take me in and I closed my eyes and smiled and let my head fall back a little.
"Te gustarÃa otra copa?" I heard from a very masculine voice, I brought my head down and opened my eyes to see the most glorious dark brown eyes and brilliant white smile.
"Si me compres..." I responded.
"Claro que sÃ, bella."
When was the last time someone called me beautiful. Oh, it was wonderful to be in a country where the men appreciated beauty and told you. I signaled to the seat across from me and you sat.
You were dressed so "Spanish". A classic white shirt with a black blazer, and nice fitting, pressed jeans with black loafers. Your thick dark wavy hair was cut short and only curled slightly at the tips.
"Americana?" you asked.
"Si," I answered.
You switched to English with a beautiful Spanish accent – not thick or faltering, but distinctly Spanish.
"My name is Berto. And you?"
Mmmmmmmmmmm, Berto, was that short for anything? "Debb," I responded.
We chatted about Spain and why I was there, how I knew Spanish. I feel as if I have always known Spanish, as if it was in my memory from some other time. I was there to enjoy myself, to celebrate for my 40th birthday, by myself – no husband, no kids. To siesta when I wanted, shop, stroll in the Parque de Maria Lucia, read a book at the Plaza de España, sip sangrÃa for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
You suggested dinner at a local place. The sangrÃa had started to take effect, and I thought it was a good idea. So you got up and came to my side and placed your hand under my elbow – such a manly gesture, that no one has done in a long time.
As we walked the few blocks to the restaurant, you draped your arm around my shoulders. As we passed others, they admired us as a couple. We ate and enjoyed our tortilla and albondigas and talked more – about your life, your wife in Madrid, your business in Sevilla, your kids.
The more you talked – drifting between English and Spanish, the more heated my body became, thinking of those lips on mine, on my neck, on my nipples. Oh, I was being naughty. You ended with "¿no?", but I hadn't a clue what you had been saying. I had been off in my own world, wondering what kind of lover you were and if you could make me cry out, make me feel as if I was bursting with passion.
You must have seen the smoldering look in my eyes because you smiled and leaned forward to kiss me. Lightly at first then your hand slid into my hair and held me as you deepened the kiss. When you pulled back, I held my breath, hoping for more.
"Want to go dancing or shall be make our own music?" you said. If I had heard that line from anyone else, I would have laughed at it. But I didn't.
"I want to dance with you, close."
You smiled that brilliant smile and took my hand and helped me up to leave. We went to a nice little place where the mood was romantic and the music sensual enough that the couples were moving together, body against body. The Latin rhythm was pulsing. You pulled me to the dance floor, and pressed your body against mine. I hadn't danced like this in years. You moved with me as if you knew my body, had seen me before. One of my favorite song came on, La Tortura, by Shakira. The sangrÃa and the heat from your body took over my senses and I moved seductively against you. Our pelvises rubbing each other. Your hands placed in the small of my back held me as if we were making love.