I felt the sweat dripping of my back as my eyes were searching the bags that appeared on the carousel in the crowded hall. The majority of the other passengers was gone already, like always the airport workers seemed to save my luggage for last. It was my second time in Portugal, I had visited once before in my youth for a football tournament. That had been in springtime, and not as warm as now in mid July. I decided I would slip into my swimming shorts and flipflops as soon as I'd reach the hotel room. Just as I turned to look over my shoulder Maria came walking back with her pink suitcase and a diet coke.
"Pay attention, there's your suitcase already!"
The week after that day at Maria's work I had tried not to think of her anymore. I had surpassed all levels of shame. My first deception had been most dubious, but with this second derailed action I had no doubt crossed all moral boundaries.
My attempts to forget were futile. Every night when I got home I redeemed myself of a raging hard on by masturbating while thinking of how Maria was taken by those black beasts.
Exactly two weeks after that day she texted me. I hadn't heard from her directly for over five months.
"How are you?"
We actually started talking again, only superficial at first. After two days she asked me to come by. I was stunned. She hadn't uttered a word about what happened in Antwerp or at her work. Overcoming all logic, she took me back, and our relationship continued as if nothing had happened. My sins were left unspoken.
The air-conditioning of the bus brought me some relief as we were brought to our hotel past the Portuguese coastline. We had been (back) together for four months.
Maria was in a good mood, her hand was resting on my leg while her other pointed out the pretty white houses near the beach or hilltops. She was the one who had booked the holiday, a four star hotel in a midsized beach town in the Algarve. Our room turned out to be simple but spacious, with besides a bedroom a large bathroom and balcony.
Before we knew, ten days in Portugal had passed. We would spend the mornings relaxing by the pool or on the beach, while we would take our rented car to see the town and surroundings and enjoy the local seafood in the many restaurants in the evenings.
Sex had actually improved since we got back together. I would secretly still fantasize about the events of months before, the ultimate aphrodisiac for me. Maria had become more passionate, more willing to try things. Even though she didn't let me notice, I could tell she was able to take a lot more than I would give her both size and stamina wise. Only when I gave her oral pleasure was she able to reach her climax. Of course I knew why, but we never spoke a word of it and enjoyed what we gave each other.
We had four days left in Portugal when while having dinner in a restaurant, Maria suggested to go out dancing instead of heading back to the hotel straight away. She was wearing a tight cocktail dress with a leopard print, and had her hair tied up. Her cleavage didn't show much, but the shortness of her dress and high heels easily compensated for that. It accentuated her slim but curvy hips perfectly. Her choice of clothes seemed influenced by her idea.
Tired from the wine and day at the beach I was in little mood to dance, but after Maria insisted I asked the waiter for a good club. Without giving it a second thought he told us "The taboo" was the place to go and gave us directions.
Near midnight we walked hand in hand through the alleyways of town towards the place. After a ten minute walk we arrived at the high square building with big neon letters saying "the taboo". The muted beat of the music was hearable from two streets around. There was a big queue already, somewhat disappointed I wanted to go stand in the back. Maria however walked straight up to the front. Wondering what she was up to I followed, passed the queue.
Two broad Portuguese bouncers in black suits were checking out the group of ladies standing in the front when Maria walked up to them.
"Hey handsome, could me and my assistant go in please? I want to dance so bad tonight and I hate waiting," she said as she stood in front of one of them closely and gently touched the man's broad chest with her hand. He was about 6'2, towering over her 5'3.
Slowly he let he let his eyes glide over her from top to bottom, then he looked at me. He placed his hand on Maria's side and answered with a smile.
"All right miss, just don't forget to drop by for a chat before you leave".
The group of Portuguese ladies in the front of the queue looked at us bitter as Maria walked past the bouncer and I paid him the twenty euro fee for men before entering the club.
The taboo was obviously more high-class than the small bars we had seen in town before. A big round dance floor was surrounded by vip areas and balconies where men in suits and ladies in small dresses sipped their cocktails.
Maria and I walked over to the biggest bar, and after trying to get her attention for ten minutes I ordered two cocktails from a pretty but bitchy looking bargirl. I handed Maria her glass, without even looking at me she let her gaze go through the club. A minute later her glass was empty.
"So, are you gonna dance with me or what?" she yelled in my ear above the loud music.
"Let me just finish my drink first honey."
I saw her lips move but couldn't hear what she said above the music. She put away her empty glass and walked away from me towards the dance floor. Surprised I watched her walk off, and I wasn't the only one. Slick Portuguese guys around us were following Maria's tight round ass with their eyes. Without paying anyone any attention she made her way through the crowd and untied her hair. Standing by the bar I could easily see her at the dance floor, which was slightly lower. She was standing right in the middle, her hips moving with the beat of a Latin salsa track.
Being of Greek descent she had always had more rhythm than me. More and more people started looking in her direction, as most other ladies in the club were sitting in the VIP sections instead of dancing. The groups of people who were on the dance floor were mainly guys. Among them was a group of black men, probably originally from some former Portuguese colony. Their tight shirts gave away the muscularity of their bodies. Seemingly effortless they were dancing along with the music.
I saw them starting to look at Maria dancing there by herself, they seemed to be making comments to each other about her. Maria didn't notice or was pretending she didn't, and continued dancing. Slowly the group came closer and formed half a circle around her. I considered if I should go to her, but I couldn't overcome my desire to see what would happened.