It took a few seconds for it to register in Ximena’s mind what exactly was going on.

Was he kissing her?

Almost immediately she shoved him away and then was out of the alcove quicker than lightning. Her heart was pounding just as fast as her legs were carrying her back into the grand hall. What had just happened? Had she imagined it all. Her lips were most definitely tingling from the feel of Adriano’s lips on them. Before she got to even ponder on it for a moment longer, someone wrapping their arms around her from behind.

“Birthday girl,” she whispered into her ear and Ximena turned around to see that it was Chelsea. All too excited, she threw her arms around her best friend, engulfing her in a bone crushing hug.

“It’s been too long since I’ve seen you. I thought you said you weren’t going to make it?” She said as she let her go.

Chelsea shot her a wide grin. “And miss my sister’s birthday party, no way! You look particularly stunning Mena. Gold is such a good color on you!”

Ximena blushed but she could only imagine just how red her face was not only from the compliments but from what had just occurred. “T-thanks. You look gorgeous too!” And she really did. Chelsea was clad in a sleeveless floor length bright red dress with slits on either side paired with red stilettos. Her hair was down in voluminous brown bouncy curls and her make up complimented her light brown skin tone.

“So,” Chelsea began, wrapping her arm around Ximena’s. She started to lead her further into the room, where most people were now seated and chatting moderately over the soft jazz tunes. “Where is your hunk? I’m yet to be introduced to this man sandwich and you know I’ve been literally dying to meet him for some time now. I wonder if he is as hot as he is in the magazines,” she gushed and Ximena gulped.

Ximena remained quiet for some seconds as they approached their designated table. Everybody was now seated, including Adriano’s two friends. As soon as they came into sight, Santiago’s eyes instantly landed on Chelsea. Their eyes locked and he stood from his chair and made his way over to them.

Chelsea’s eyebrows furrowed. “Have we met?” she asked as his face seemed quite familiar.

“I don’t believe we have, well no formally at least,” he said smoothly, flashing her a charming smile. “I’m Santiago Fuentemayor, Adriano’s- “

“Bane of existence…otherwise known as the thorn in my side,” Adriano’s voice erupted from behind them. He came into view and stood beside Santiago. He looked calm but he kept on stealing glances at Ximena, who made too apparent that she was avoiding eye contact.

Santiago tsked and slapped his best friend’s back lightly. “Without me, you’d be lonely and bored. Just face it Adri, you love having me around.” Adriano rolled his eyes but smiled nonetheless.

“Now, now. You can’t have the fun all by yourselves.” Omar joked, as he too came to stand at Adriano’s side. His eyes were solely trained on Chelsea, her body to be more specific, and Santiago noticed this which made him feel very pissed.

Chelsea extended her hand to each of them as she introduced herself. “I’m Chelsea Wallace. Nice to meet you all, particularly Adriano,” she smiled at them all. Santiago audaciously grabbed her hand and began to lead her to the table.

“There’s an empty chair right by me,” he said confidently, causing Chelsea to giggle. Omar rolled his eyes at this and then went back to his seat, clearly disappointed. Chelsea began to greet everyone at the table and introducing herself to the others. Santiago couldn’t keep his eyes off her. This time he was determined to make a good lasting impression and nobody would get in the way of that.

Ximena glanced at Adriano, who was already looking at her with a smirk plastered on his face. “Looks like there is only one seat left…we might have to share,” he teased lightly and Ximena looked away.

“I’ll find somewhere else to sit…” She had begun to say but Adriano just grabbed her waist and directed her over to the huge round table. Taking his seat, he placed Ximena down on his lap. No words could describe just how uncomfortable Ximena was truly feeling at that exact moment. Everyone at their table looked over their position that she just wanted the whole world to swallow her whole.

Emilio was the first to speak up. “I see we’ve run out of space at the table,” he said tersely, seeming unamused.

“It’s quite alright, I don’t mind sharing. Right carino?” he said huskily, rubbing his hand across her stomach. Ximena did not respond but her face was increasingly becoming hotter.

Just then a waiter arrived to place their orders. “You are hell bent on embarrassing me tonight, aren’t you? First, you drag me out of the dance floor like a damn caveman and now you have me on your lap like I’m a toddler,” she spat indignantly, looking straight into his eyes. Adriano simply smiled at her and tucked a stray hair behind her ear and leaned into it.

“I’m just trying to teach you a lesson. You have quite the temper, amor and I think I’m the only one who can tame you. And besides, we’re getting married. This kind of intimacy is normal between couples who are in love.”

“But we’re not in love,” she countered saucily. What they were having was just heat of the moment bursts of attraction. It was electric but it certainly wasn’t love…but could it turn into something more. The waiter reached them and them both what they’d like. Ximena placed her order but Adriano just asked for a glass of rum on rocks.

She found it very odd that he had not ordered anything but she chose not to ask why. Conversation across the table resumed. She got to find out that Omar was in fact the son of some royal person in Saudi Arabia, which managed to pique the interest of her little sister. By the time the food came, everybody was ready to eat. Ximena picked up her fork at took a bite of her food. It tasted delightful.

“How come you didn’t order anything?” she asked Adriano, who was just sipping his drink silently and watching her every movement. He shrugged.

“I’m not that hungry.” She rolled her eyes, took his glass and placed it on the table. Cutting a piece of her steak, she directed it towards his mouth.

“Open up,” she said but he shook his head. “Adriano, you better open up that mouth of yours before I make you,” she warned and much to his surprise he actually opened up and took the piece of meat in. He chewed slowly, not breaking eye contact and swallowed. Ximena smiled triumphantly at him.

He nodded his head in appreciation. “Not bad.” And that went on. She would take a bite and then next she would feed him as well. Although they didn’t notice it, people were paying attention to this. A few pictures were even snapped without them noticing. By the time her plate of food was finished, everyone at the table was looking at them weirdly. It wasn’t everyday you’d see a grown man being fed by a woman. The waiters came to take their dishes away. Looking around, Ximena noticed that some couples had left their tables to sway to the music.

Noticing that she was becoming uncomfortable, Adriano leaned into Ximena’s ear. “Shall we dance?” She hummed in agreement, got up off his lap and he stood and led her to the dance floor. Wrapping his hands around her waist, she placed her arms around his neck and they began to move to the soft tunes. They were looking directly into each other’s eyes.

“I hope you’re happy with yourself right now. You’ve humiliated me in front of almost everyone I know and all for what? Just so you could prove a point,” she spat through gritted teeth.

He laughed. “Hey, I didn’t ask you to feed me, okay? You did that all on your own. Now, I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy that…” he trailed off, pulling her even closer that their chests were touching. A strange feeling began to course through her veins and she was becoming extremely aware of their proximity. “You know Ximena, I meant what I said earlier.”

She gulped softly. Her eyes flickered down to his lips and then back up to his eyes. “What exactly are you referring to?” she asked, trying to act oblivious. She knew exactly what he was talking about. For some unknown reason, instead of being mad at him for being so damned possessive all she wanted him to do was to say it again.

“You are mine,” he stated confidently and then he brought her closer to his chest as they continued to sway to the soothing tunes of jazz.

________________

Enjoy.

~Deetronite