I know I will.
But you're going to be sweet to her, right? Jason asked. The worry Lucio saw in his face was touching.
You won't make her cry or anything, right? Josh added.
You have my word, Lucio said. I
The moment Genevieve appeared at the foot of the stairs, Lucio jumped from his chair, forgetting what he was about to say. If anyone had pressed him at that moment, he would not have been able to remember his own name.
Whoa, Josh whispered.
See? Jason said, pointing toward his mother. Didn't I tell you?
I was the one who told him! Josh said, punching his brother's arm.
Lucio stared.
Genevieve had poured herself into a vintage cocktail dress and was now a cross between a Bond girl and a living, breathing Vargas pinup. Her auburn hair had been flipped up at the ends and teased a few inches at the top. She'd applied black mascara and thick eyeliner in a provocative upward sweep at the edge of her upper lids. Her lips glistened in a shade of light pink. She'd added a small, dark beauty mark just above and to the side of her mouth.
And her skin! Lucio ran a hand nervously through his hair as he noted how her skin gleamed against the pale olive silk of the dress, her bosom full and succulent as it rose above the low, square neckline.
Lucio's gaze continued on to appreciate how her firm upper arms looked restrained by the tiny cap sleeves. The sight of that made him flare his nostrils. And he stared at how her waist was nipped by the darted silk, how her hips, belly, and thighs were accentuated by the tight, shiny fabric. Lucio did not think it would be possible to shove a single sheet of paper between Genevieve's body and that dress.
Which did not matter, of course, because the only thing that would be shoved in that dress tonight would be his hands.
Me dejas sin palabras,
Lucio breathed. Truly, you leave me speechless.
Genevieve gave him a knowing little smile, then she pivoted on a pair of pointy-toed black pumps, providing the view from the back. It was all Lucio could do to keep his composure in front of the boys. He stood stock-still, his breath ragged, his instincts telling him to get down on his hands and knees and crawl to her like a well-trained dog.
The Host!
He had begun to sweat! That dress was cut all the way down to her lower spine. The entire back was open. He had to get her out of this housenowbefore he went back on his promise to the boys and began to behave in a decidedly
un
sweet fashion toward their mother.
Lucio took several controlled steps in Genevieve's direction. He kissed her cheek chastely and offered her his arm.
Shall we? he asked.
Yes, let's, Genevieve said, her eyes never leaving Lucio's. Please remember to lock up when you leave for your dad's, she added without a glance back.
They'd reached the door when the boys began to laugh. They turned to see Josh holding the satin pillow and Jason holding HeatherLynn's leash. The dog herself sat patiently on the carpet, her tiny pink tongue poking out, waiting to be picked up.
Aren't you forgetting something? Josh asked.
Lucio was thoroughly embarrassed that they'd forgotten the pet that would be required for the pet portrait. Of course, he said, accepting the leash from Jason. Thank you for all your help tonight, gentlemen.
Josh leaned close and whispered, Looks like you're going to need all the help you can get, dude.
I believe you may be right about that, Lucio whispered back, giving the boys a wink.
* * *
I must askwhere did you get the incredible dress?
Ginger smiled to herself as she pushed around her salad with a fork. It was a pity that Lucio had gone to all this trouble with dinner when she didn't feel hungry. He'd tidied up Rick's lovely home and lit candles on the table. He'd poured wine. He'd pulled her chair out for her.
It was my mother's, she said. She had roles in a bunch of low-budget movies in the mid to late sixties, and I think this may have been a costume from one of them, though I can't be sure. She's given me a bunch of her old clothes over the years.
But it fits you perfectly. Did you have it altered?
Ginger laughed. No. I barely had time to have it cleaned. And it's a little tight around the hips.
I do not mind that at all, Lucio said.
She laughed. Somehow, I knew you wouldn't.
But I do not want any other man seeing you in that dress, all right? Lucio's dark eyes sparkled.
Why is that?
Because any man with the gift of sight will try to steal you away,
mi amor
. I will have to fight him off with my bare, bloodied fists!
Ginger laughed. The poor guy could try all he wanted, but I'm only interested in you, Lucio.
I cannot tell you how glad I am to hear it. Lucio placed his elbows on the table and folded his hands, studying her. But I see that you are not at all interested in
la tortilla de patatas y la ensalada
. You've hardly eaten a thing.
No! It's very good, actually. You're an excellent cook. Ginger looked down at her lap, smoothing the napkin out over her dress, wondering how she'd tell him she didn't feel like eating.
Then why are you not enjoying it?
She looked up. Lucio was obviously puzzled, and she supposed the truth was the only way to put him at ease. She'd had sex with the manand it was the best sex of her entire lifeso why shouldn't he know where she was in her menstrual cycle?
I'm a little sick to my stomach, she said.
Lucio's eyes flew open. He looked scared to death.
I'm fine! she added, laughing in surprise at his reaction. She reached out to touch his clasped hands, his knuckles now white with tension. I just finished my period today, is all. It's nothing, really.
She watched Lucio's body nearly melt with relief. He hung his head and slowly shook it side to side, exhaling deeply.
Bonita,
he said, looking up, his eyes wide. I was certain you were going to tell me you were pregnant.
Ginger stiffened, balling up the linen napkin in her lap, stung by how happy he seemed. But of course he was happy.
She
was happy! They were both damn happy that the whole broken-condom incident hadn't put an end to life as they knew it.
Looks like we dodged that bullet, she said, trying to sound lighthearted.
He reached for her, cradling both her hands in his. I see that my reaction hurt you. I did not mean to. Of course I am relieved, but if you were pregnant, it would not be a catastrophe, yes?
Ginger kept her face expressionless. She willed herself not to cry. What was wrong with her? Why had Lucio's reaction stung so? Did she
want
to be pregnant? Did she expect him to be crushed that she wasn't? What was her
problem
?
Right then, Ginger decided she didn't care what the doctors said. She really was going through menopause. Her period had lasted just two days and barely warranted unwrapping a tampon. And now she felt as though she had a raging case of PMS. Maybe, in her case, the acronym stood for Pretty bad Menopausal Syndrome.
Ginger took her hand from Lucio's and placed the wadded-up napkin on the table. She stood. She walked from the huge open dining area of Rick's modern house and went into the living room, now Lucio's studio. She hadn't been here since the night all hell broke loosethe night Josie got kidnapped by crazy Bennett Cummings.
Tonight felt much the same, since all hell was breaking loose in her heart.
Please tell me what's wrong. Lucio had come up behind her. He placed his hands on her hips and breathed onto her neck.
I don't know what's wrong, she said. I feel ridiculous for being so emotional. I know you probably hate it. Larry always hated it when
I am not Larry, Lucio said, spinning Ginger around so that she faced him, his equal in height in those heels. I want to know all the little things about you, yes? All the hidden corners in your mind and heart. Do not apologize for them and do not assume I will react like Larry did when you allow me to see them.
Ginger's mouth fell open.
You understand, yes?
I guess, she said, baffled.
Share it all with me, Genevieve. That is what I ask. Lucio leaned forward and kissed her forehead, then smiled at her. If you get moody in your cycle, so what? Who cares? It's natural! And if you aren't hungry for my famous potato omelet? We'll wrap it up for later. It doesn't matter. But if you are angry with me because I am relieved you aren't pregnantthen you must tell me you are angry. Share it with me,
bonita
. This is what I want.
Ginger swallowed hard. Seriously?
Lucio laughed. Seriously. He reached for her and drew her close to his chest, though Ginger could tell he was being careful not to smear her makeup.
Suddenly, it all made sense to her. This is what happened to you before, isn't it? Ginger asked, still wrapped in his arms.
Before?
She slipped from Lucio's embrace and stood before him. Is that why you had to get married when you were young? Was she pregnant? Do you have a child in Spain?
Lucio shook his head. No,
guapa
. It has never happened before. She was pregnant, yes, but I was seventeen and ignorant and I did not even bother to use a condom at all.
Ginger was shocked. So you
do
have a child! Why didn't you tell me?
There is no child, Lucio said abruptly. He ran his hands through his hair. She lost the baby three weeks after the wedding and immediately asked for an annulment. He shrugged, a faint shadow of sadness falling over his face. It seems so far away now that it is almost like it never happened.
Ginger did not know how to respond to that story. I am sorry about the baby, was all she could come up with.
Lucio tried to smile. I believe that things happen for a reason, yes? I have often thought that God or the universe or whatever you want to call it actually wanted me to have the life I've had. Perhaps God knew I'd make a better photographer than father. His voice was soft as he brought his face to hers. All I know is I could not have accomplished all I have if there was a child and a wife in my life.
Ginger understood. On good days, she could see her years with Larry in the same light. If she hadn't met him in college then she wouldn't have Jason and Joshuaan unthinkable possibility.
It must sound harsh to hear me say that, but it is true. Lucio let his forehead rest upon Ginger's. She felt his hands stroke her back. I have never told anyone this, but there are times I truly believe that I would trade all my adventures and success to be able to know the child who was never born.
Lucio
He would be a grown man now.
Ginger put her arms around him, holding him tight.
And your boys Lucio made a sound somewhere in between a laugh and a sigh. They are a funny pair, yes? And I watch them and I can't help but think of my own son. I know that dwelling on this is ah, the word
Ginger smiled, now accustomed to the pause that occurred when Lucio couldn't come up with the English needed to finish his thought. Dwelling on it is sad?
Yes, but that is not the word I was thinking of.
Pointless?
Almost.
Maudlin. Morose? Self-pitying?
Lucio laughed. You know too many words,
pelirroja
. But you do understand. He tightened his hold on her and adjusted his head so that he could rest his cheek against hers. What I am trying to tell you is that I am relieved you're not pregnant, it is true, because I do not know if I could be a good father right now in my life. But it is not so simple. I often wonder about it, what it would be like to have a child.
Ginger closed her eyes and inhaled the scent of him. It was spicy and clean and delivered a shot of heat through her veins. She'd missed himhis voice, his touch, his scentover the last week.
He pulled his cheek from hers and steadied her in front of him. I have something I need to ask you.
Ginger smiled. You can ask me anything.
You have just finished bleeding. I understand this. And you have taken great care with your hair and makeup and it is all so perfect for the picture. But none of it can deter me. I want you.
Ginger swallowed hard.
Lucio ran his fingers inside the low, square neckline, brushing a fingertip just above her nipples. She gasped, trembling under his touch.
The moment I saw you in this dress I was the word yes! I was
reduced
! Reduced to my most base self. All I wanted was to throw you down in the sand next to the bamboo hut you share with MaryAnn.
Oh,
reeelly
?
I wanted to rip the dress off you, muss up your hair, and get inside you. Lucio's grin widened and he cupped her face with his hands. Do you have any idea how sexy you are dressed like this, Genevieve? Do you have any idea what you have done to me tonight, how you have made a ruined man of me?
Ginger tilted her head back and laughed at Lucio's speech. Wow, she said, catching her breath. So this is your way of telling me you've always had a thing for the girls of
Gilligan's Island
?
What normal man has not? he murmured, nuzzling her ear.
But which one really did it for you, Lucio? Ginger captured Lucio's earlobe between her lips and sucked gently. Tell me who you liked the best.
Ginger, of course. When Lucio chuckled it tickled her neck. For me, it has always been about Ginger.
CHAPTER 13
Modeling was more work than she ever imagined. Lucio had prepared the studio beforehand, bringing in real sand and spreading it on the floor of the plain white backdrop. He'd also acquired a lifelike palm tree, a beach umbrella, and a few coconuts. The rest of the island paradise would be added on the computer using his own stock photos of Tahiti and a little bit of digital magic, he explained.