Authors Note:
Dear Reader,
I strongly recommend reading my story Fire in the Belly (first part) before this second instalment, to gain necessary context.
If you enjoy the story, I will be delighted to hear about it. Constructive criticism is also welcome.
Cheers,
Caerwyn
***
"I do appreciate atmosphere," Jill commented happily, glancing around the restaurant from the booth she was sharing with her companion, Matthew Quinn.
She saw: walls clad in seaweed green finger tile, laid in diagonal crisscross; dark wooden chairs, simple, light, strong, their limbs delicately curved, their deeply padded seats covered with gleaming chestnut leather; heavy circular tables to match; jungle plants lending an exotic air; golden light streaming from globular fittings hanging like heavy fruit. The patrons, quietly conversing, occasionally smiling and laughing, gave an impression of ease and contentment.
Having evaluated her surroundings, Jill returned her gaze to Matthew... and shook her head in wonderment at the thought of the seismic shift her life had undergone since meeting him.
Within less than twenty-four hours after their first encounter, his status in her eyes had been transformed from enemy hostage to the one true love of her life, for whom she felt affection and devotion -- and lust -- far beyond her fiercest dreams.
Right now, though, the centre of her personal universe seemed ill at ease.
"We shouldn't be here," Matthew said tensely.
"At least, I shouldn't," he added.
"Do you like Spanish culture?" she asked. "Spanish people?"
Matthew frowned at the cheerful irrelevance of her question... then, trying for her sake to put aside his concern, smiled and shrugged.
"Well, apart from anything else, flamenco has got to be one of the most captivating human inventions I know of," he said. "Why do you ask?"
"Have you heard how young Spanish men and women are supposed to be exceptionally passionate?" she asked.
"Certainly," Matthew said, "though I'm wary of stereotypes."
Jill shrugged.
"So am I," she said. "Still, I hesitate to strip them away entirely. Whether Spaniards are more passionate than average is neither here nor there. For me, it's enough to enjoy the romance of the idea."
Matthew considered her answer, and was obscurely pleased. He found it typical of Jill's nimble approach to the complexity of human existence.
"Sounds good to me," he said.
He looked at her quizzically.
"Not that I'm objecting, but why are we suddenly discussing the ins and outs of young Spanish men and women?"
Jill chuckled, causing Matthew to blush a little.
"Ah... I mean, why are we suddenly talking about Spanish culture?"
"Because I don't want to keep calling you 'Mister Matthew Quinn' for the rest of my life - seems a bit formal after all the rumpy pumpy we've been enjoying together - and Spanish endearments have an exotic flavour that pleases me."
Matthew raised his eyebrows enquiringly.
"They do?" he said. "I don't know much about Spanish endearments."
"Let's try some out," Jill said. "See which ones make your pupils dilate."
For no apparent reason, Jill covered her eyes briefly. When she revealed them, her expression smouldered with such intense sexuality that Matthew blushed and quivered in response.
"Oops," Jill said. "Too strong. We already have maximum dilation."
She toned it down somewhat, then gazed carefully into his eyes.
"Mi cariño," she said, experimentally. "Mi amor... mi corazon... mi alma."
"I don't know what you're saying," Matthew said, "but I like it."
"Judging from your reaction, I think any of them will do," Jill said.
She resumed smouldering.
"Kiss me, mi amor," she husked theatrically.
Whether she was play-acting or not, Matthew felt strongly motivated to accept her offer.
Smiling, he rose from his seat and leaned over the table. Jill laughed quietly, then followed suit. Their lips met and played for a long, happy moment.
When she sat back, Jill's face was flushed and her breathing accelerated.
"We'd... probably better not go any further right now," she said quietly. "It's been hours since we last fucked, and I can definitely feel my inner mink heating up."
She shook her head incredulously.
"Unbelievable how susceptible I am to you."
"Which brings me back to my former point," Matthew said. "This is potentially a dangerous place for me to be... dangerous to other people, I mean. I really shouldn't be here."
Jill shook her head in disagreement.
"I know you don't mind the solitary life, mi amor, but since you aren't alone any more, we're going to have to find a balance between complete isolation, and some semblance of a healthy interaction regime with humanity at large," she said. "If you can think of a better way of doing that than experimentation, let me know."
Matthew shrugged uneasily.
"As you wish, Miss Jill. I just hope I don't infect anyone."
Jill nodded, a little too casually for Matthew's liking, then took another look around the restaurant.
She frowned suddenly.
"That's odd," she said. "But to be expected, I suppose."
"What's that?" Matthew queried.
Jill indicated the restaurant clientele with a sweep of her arm.
"The men here," she said.
Matthew looked, and saw nothing out of the ordinary.
"What about them?" he asked.
"I'm used to checking out the talent in any human gathering, mi amor," she said, "but here, I might as well be checking out different brands of yoghurt in the supermarket, for all the effect they're having on my libido."
She gave an amused pout.
"Another odd effect of getting intimate with Matthew Quinn, it seems... a girl completely loses interest in every other guy."
"Oh," Matthew said. "Uh... I don't know whether I should apologise, or feel relieved."
Jill raised a reproving finger. "What have I told you?"
Matthew chuckled. "I know, I know: don't apologise for things I have no control over."
"Even so," Jill confirmed. "And as for feeling relieved... were you afraid I might stray?"
Matthew thought a moment, then shook his head.
"Even if I hadn't... uh... enchanted you," he said, "I don't think I'd ever have had reason to be jealous as your partner: you strike me as the fiercely loyal type."
Jill smiled.
"You'll never know," she said, ambiguously.
Matthew's brow wrinkled... then he smiled.
"There's a lot to unpack in that simple statement," he observed. "I'll have to think about it some time."
A thought occurred to him.
"Uh... just out of interest..." he said, then hesitated.
"Mmm?" Jill queried.
Matthew cast a glance around the restaurant, seemed about to speak, then apparently thought better of it.
Jill looked puzzled for a moment, then smiled. "Ah. You're wondering how I feel about the women."
Matthew hesitated, then nodded self-consciously.
