Just a Kiss (30 page)

He fished for the truck keys in his pocket and unlocked the door. Then, from a distance, he heard someone calling his name. Pancho didn’t want to talk to the police chief or any of the officers right now, so he hurriedly opened the door.

And then again, he heard his name.
“Pancho!
Pancho! Where are you going?” It was Celina. He recognized her sweet voice. He held his breath and closed his eyes for a few moments.

“Hey.” She tapped his shoulder. She was panting hard from that short run to the truck.

He was wondering what she wanted. Did she want to thank him, maybe? Thank him, before taking off with the marshal, back to her hometown in Laredo? He figured that would be the polite thing to do, coming from a sweet girl like herself. He turned around slowly. He couldn’t help that his face had a sad look on it. A look like someone he loved had died.

“Hey, where do you think you’re going, tough guy?” She breathed in hard, flashing a huge smile. Her heart was thumping wildly in her chest, when she saw him. Nerves and excitement mingling together--he was so handsome, with rippling muscles, and an impressive stance.

Pancho didn’t say a word and avoided eye contact with her.

She moved in real close, and got up in his face. “Say, what’s wrong? What happened?” She noticed that his face looked so haggard, so tired.

He took a deep breath, then looked at her, and placed his hand on her shoulder, creating some distance between them.

He cleared his throat before he spoke. “I was just leaving, going home. I also need to return this truck, since I had just borrowed it.”

She widened her eyes.
“Really?
And you weren’t going to tell me anything?”

There was silence for a good while, before Pancho spoke. “You were busy, and I didn’t want to interrupt.”

Celina took a step back, and nodded her head. She knew exactly what he meant. “You mean you saw me with Xavier.”

Pancho blushed. “Yeah, I guess you can say that.”

“So what did you see?” She tilted her face.

“Enough.” He then looked directly at her.

“Yes, I was happy to see him, and I had several things to tell him.”

Pancho stood still, giving her a look that wasn’t convincing.

“Look, I don’t know what you are thinking, but whatever it is, you are dead wrong.” She informed him.

“Celina you don’t have to lie or pretend with me… with whatever you got going with the marshal. As for me, I enjoyed the days that I spent with you, and I just want to let you know that they were very special to me. I don’t want you to think that I enjoyed having sex with you only.”

“What are you saying? I don’t have anything going on with Xavier.” She denied his allegations.

“I saw him kissing you.” He wrinkled his brow and his fist curled. “He kissed you on the lips.” He raised his voice. “I saw the way he was looking at you.” His heart accelerated, as he remembered.

She gave him a look of ‘yeah, right.’

“Yes, I have good vision. I can see from this far, but I saw all of this from the entrance of the zoo, which is much closer than where I’m standing now.” He made his point clear.

“Okay! Yes, Xavier was pursuing me, but he’s married.”

“What? You are involved with a married man. Let me just get going,” he snarled.

She frowned, her jaw clenching. “Wait a minute,” she yelled back. “I deserve to explain myself. Then you can leave.” She demanded to be heard.

His eyes narrowed on her, waiting for her to speak.

“As you already know about my story with Homer… well then, I’m looking at moving on with my life, and Xavier knows that. At this moment, his marriage has been out of convenience, his marriage has been dead for some time. And now that I’m moving on with my life, that’s why he now wanted to divorce his wife to pursue me. But I don’t want him like that, and I told him that before I got kidnapped, and again just now. I thanked him, and I’m grateful for his time and effort in looking for me. And yes, I did kiss him,
but
on the cheek. I don’t know if you saw that.” She looked directly at him, and paused. “
He then,
kissed me on my lips. It wasn’t passionate like you think it was, because I didn’t kiss him back.”

She was right about that. He did see her kiss him on his cheek, and it was Xavier who kissed her on her lips, but then he turned away and didn’t see the rest. So now what? He was very confused.

“Well then, thank you for hearing me out and before I leave,” she paused, when she felt a knot in her throat. “I’d like to thank you for saving my life. I am very grateful for
everything
that you have done for me. Truly believe that.” Her eyes began to well up, and then she turned on her heel, and left.

Pancho stood holding the truck door, and watched her walk away. He didn’t have much experience with women, much less with relationships. The one thing he did know was that he was in love with her.

“Ah hell,” he muttered to himself. He shut the door to the truck, and ran after her. “Wait just a minute. Celina, I’m talking to you.”

She stopped in her tracks.

He then went around her and faced her. He placed his hands on her jaw line, and brought her face to meet his.

She was in tears, trying to hold back a river full of tears.

It hurt when he saw her face, so he wrapped his arms around her and said, “I’m sorry. Please don’t cry.”

The moment she heard his words, she released the dam of tears. She wrapped her arms around him, and began to cry loudly.

His heart began to ache, when he heard her release her cries. He squeezed her tighter. “Please don’t cry anymore.”

He picked her off her feet, and gave her a big bear hug. He held her, slowly rocking her back and forth on his heels.

She hugged him back tightly, reveling in the feel of his hard body holding hers, breathing in his masculine scent.

“I’m tired. I’m so tired, of this nightmare from hell. I’m so tired, of having bad shit happen to me. I can’t take any more of this.” She sobbed, and then her legs gave way.

“I’ve got you babe.” Pancho caught her and lifted her into his arms. “Let’s go,” he said, walking over to the truck.

She caught her breath and asked, “Where are we going?”

He stopped in his tracks, and looked into her eyes. “How about coming home with me for a few days?” He kissed her forehead.

“Really?” her eyes widened.

He rested his forehead on hers. “Yes, I think you need some time to rest, you’ve been through a lot. You need to
eat,
rest and be loved.”

She smiled and rested her face on his chest, drinking in his scent.

“Good choice.” He continued to walk toward the truck. “I also have something that belongs to you.” He put her down, to open the truck door.

“You do?” she replied, with much curiosity, trying to see what it was.

He leaned in, and reached for her Victoria’s Secret bag. He then handed it to her and asked, “What in the hell is in this bag, that you have refused to part with throughout this whole ordeal?” His eyes gazed steadily at her, and then his lips curled with a smile.

She smiled, taking the bag from him. “I’d love to show you, when we get to your place.”

Studying her, he beamed a big, boyish, wicked grin. He stepped away from the door, and motioned with his hand. “Well, let’s not waste any time, hop in. I can’t wait to see it on you.” He then swatted her behind.

She paused before getting in, and said, “I missed you.” She looked into his deep, dark, brown eyes.

He leaned forward and kissed her between her eyebrows. Then he moved in closer with his mouth close to her ear and whispered, “And I missed you. He didn’t hurt you, right?” His voice was soft with concern, as he tightened his embrace.

She nodded her head, then pulled away, looking right back into his eyes, and whispered, “No, he didn’t. You know I can’t believe that all of this happened because of just a kiss.”

“Neither can
I
. I’m sorry that you went through all of this, but if you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have met you. And I’m so happy I did, Celina.” He clasped her hand, lifted it to his lips, and grazed her knuckles with a sweet kiss.

She caressed his face with her fingers, stroking his cheek. “Well, now that it’s all over and we’re okay, I’m happy that I’m here with you.”

He kissed her lips tenderly, and then said, “Ditto.” Then he flashed
her a
huge smile. “And I’d like to talk you some more, about you and me becoming a permanent item.” He took a deep breath. “What do you think?” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Do you think you are ready to take the plunge with me?”

She bit his bottom lip softly, and said, “I’d like that very much, if you’ll have me. However, I must warn you--I can be very dangerous to be around.”

He chuckled, “Then I think I’m the right man for the job. Wouldn’t you say that I have all of the qualifications needed?”

She threw her head back, giggling, and said, “Oh yes, you are very much qualified in every department, Francisco Guerrero, maybe overqualified, sir.”

“
Ay,
Celina, I love you more than the air that I breathe every day.
Tu
eres
mi
vida
, mi
vida
.”

Epilogue

Surviving doomsday and one year later

After the end of another workday at the salon, Celina stopped in front of the newly painted double wooden doors to her condo. “Give me a hug, girlfriend.” She opened her arms to hug Valeria. “And thank you again for the ride,” she said, pulling away.

“Anytime,
Cel
.
I’m just happy that we still live next door and I don’t have to drive elsewhere to pick up your ass.” She looked at Celina’s tired face. “Go inside and get some rest.”

She took a deep breath. “Pancho wanted to take me out for dinner. We are celebrating the day we met at the club.” Even though she was exhausted, her eyes brightened at the mention of her celebrating that special day.

“I can’t believe a whole year has passed.” She shifted on her legs.

“Me too.
Actually, doesn’t it feel
kinda
weird that we don’t do the crazy shit we used to?” Her lips puckered for a moment.

Valeria laughed. “Yeah, it does. Doesn’t it? I feel old, not doing all the crazy shit we used to.” She glanced in the distance at her front door. “Do you want me to watch over
Esmi
?”

She shook her head.
“Oh, no Valeria.
Thanks anyway. You get some rest yourself. We are lucky to have Bertha. She has turned out to be a wonderful housekeeper. And besides, we shouldn’t be long.”

Valeria patted her shoulder. “Okay, then. You know the offer still stands. Besides she is my goddaughter.” Her eyes widened.

She gave her a warm smile. “Yes,
Esmi
has the best godmother on this planet.”

Valeria’s eyes scanned the two-story building.
 
“Don’t get this wrong, but I’m so happy to have some peace and quiet around here.”

“I know, Val, you’ve been a happy camper with all the construction that went on around here, but hey--in the end you found yourself a man.” She pushed on her shoulder.

Valeria smiled. “Yeah, I think David said he wanted to come over later this evening.”

“Oh, so what’s it been now, two months of seeing my construction foreman?”

She bit her bottom lip and nodded with bright eyes. That had been the longest that Valeria had dated anyone.

“Well get going and freshen up, because I myself am eager to see my man too.” She kissed her cheek and put her house key in the lock. “And don’t forget to give Miss Puss a good scrub, just in case she gets lucky tonight.” She giggled.

She laughed loudly. “Have a good evening,
Cel
and give my best to Pancho.”

Celina pushed open the door. “I will.”

She closed the door to her re-modeled condo of over four thousand square feet. Pancho wanted a bigger home, but Celina could not part with having Valeria as her neighbor. So, Pancho
managed to cut a nice deal with Celina’s neighbors, Olivia and the
Cartwrights
. He bought their condos using some of his reward money; the project took over seven months to complete.

“
Hola
Bertha. ¿
dónde
está
mi
marido
?
” she asked the housekeeper, looking around the living room. She knew he was home, because his black Ford Raptor was parked outside.

“
E
stá
con la
niña
.”
She looked up from dusting a long wooden console, filled with recent pictures of Celina, Pancho and their newborn baby girl.