Traffic

Chapter 11

"Really?" she asked smiling.

Jack waited impatiently for her to accept. He wanted to dance with her.

"It's an order" he grinned.

Elena tightened her lips. She wouldn't forget her word. She always accomplished achievements. She had to, but I hate dancing...

"It's not a common order" she took his hand.

"Do you think so?"

"Yes. But you are in charge, so I can't say no" she frowned.

"That's the attitude" he hugged her possessively.

He had one hand around her, and the other on her waist. Jack felt his libido go loose. Being so close to her affected him too much. He cleared his throat.

"Why did you ask me to dance with you?" She asked staring at him.

"You said you only dance if you're obliged to" he smiled, "So I decided to force you."

"Very clever" she whispered trying to stay away from his face.

She remembered the kiss and blushed. He looked at her and couldn't help focusing on her lips. He wanted to taste them again.

"If this is your first order, I wonder what the second one will be" she frowned, "Be kind."

"I will, dear" he promised while thinking about the possibilities.

Liar...

"Your eyes say different" she whispered nervously.

He turned her, hugged her back; their bodies clashed. Elena smiled at the unexpected movement. Jack stopped breathing; her aroma, her closeness, her lips were mesmerizing.

The song finished and he pulled away from her. He turned the music off.

"You're a good dancer" he croaked, "Where did you learn?"

"I studied two years when I was 15" she explained breathing heavily.

What was that? Her body was shivering; she felt an urge to jump to his arms and kiss him passionately until she fainted, the way she had felt when she saw him coming out of the pool. She gulped.

"I took some classes when I was 13, just a year and a half" he smiled; he seemed more relaxed, "Lisa taught me the rest."

She stared at him, lost in frustration. Jack tensed up, why was she looking at him like that?

Don't do it, he asked in his mind, you're making it harder.

"I'll go to my room," she said softly.

Jack didn't move; he looked at her turning around and going up the stairs really fast. He regained control after some minutes. He felt intense heat in areas of his body that were awakening; at this pace, he would need cold showers and a miracle to keep him from his darkest desire.

***

Alejandro's surgery was finished at 9:30 am. The wound in his stomach was stitched, and since no other organs were damaged he could leave in a few hours.

"We owe you one" he heard Thomas telling Lovera, "I Probably your debt is paid off by this."

"No, this is a job" he shook his head, "A debt is a debt; I have the money right here."

"As you wish" he smiled, "How long will it take him to stand on his feet?" he pointed at Alejandro, who was pretending to be asleep.

"Three hours at the least" he indicated, "After the anesthesia wears off he will spend some time under monitoring."

"Is everything fine?"

"I'm the best at this" he grinned, "I assure you that tonight you will dine at home."

"I hope so" he warned.

"I recommend you both take some days off" he put a hand on his shoulder, "You've been under a lot of stress."

"I'll make sure we do" he affirmed, "I'll walk you to the exit. I'll let Alejandro have some rest."

He nodded and they went out of the room. Alejandro opened his eyes. He never believed he would hear his brother talking so finely and kindly, but his friendship with Lovera started since college.

He sighed as he felt the power of anesthetic work over him. He hoped his friend was correct; he wanted to go home.

***

By noon, Elena and Jack hadn't met again due to the strange situation they lived after breakfast. Elena didn't bother to strip to get in the shower; the cold water calmed the heat that invaded her. She sat in the tube for some minutes.

Jack preferred to swim in the cold water of the pool—again. With just his underwear, he jumped in the freezing water. Every muscle in his body tightened up, but one certain part of his body went back to normal.

He swam himself to exhaustion. He thought that if he felt the same every time she was near, he would get pneumonia. Lisa was watching him from a discrete distance. She couldn't believe what she was seeing; she heard about the bet. This was going better than planned. She decided to wait and help them when the time came to.

Elena took a regular shower with warm water. Then she put on an orange long-sleeved blouse, an asymmetric pearled skirt, black knee-high socks, and light brown boots.

Her wet hair made her shiver. She decided to take a nap. Jack came out of the water 40 minutes later after diving in. he wrapped himself in a shower gown and ran to get dressed. His body was shivering from head to toe, but he didn't mind. He preferred this over committing any recklessness. At the corridor, he stared at the closed door of her room.

"So close..." he whispered. It was tempting.

He turned around and went in his bedroom. In the shower he meditated about his acts; he loved her, there was no doubt. If he wanted to let her know, he would have to be very careful. Elena could reject him, and he wouldn't survive it. He went out of the bathroom to answer his ringing cell phone; Thomas was flashing in the screen. He frowned.

"Hello?" he said in a low voice.

"Jack, I just wanted to let you know that we'll come back tonight. We'll be at home by dinner time, so tell Lisa that I want a feast."

"Sure" he accepted halfheartedly, "Where is Alejandro?"

He didn't hear any noise.

"He's in the conference room" he lied, "I took a break to talk to you. See you later" he hung up.

Jack put his cell phone away. It was weir that Alejandro didn't call. He was the one that called regularly. He shook his head and got dressed. He put on jeans and a black long-sleeved t-shirt; then watched a movie. It was a comedy, but he didn't laugh. It was barely noon and he felt tired. It was probably because of the swimming. He sneezed; he rubbed his nose and cursed silently.

"You brat..." he hissed, "You're the one to blame."

He was a complete disaster; he lost control every time she was near. He constantly repeated to himself that he shouldn't take advantage of her. Lisa mocked his obvious behavior, as well as his employees. Worst of all, he had fallen in love.

Not even in his crazy teenage years he felt that way. It was probable because he never met someone that made him so crazy. Now he found her in most unexpected circumstances, and he was grateful to his uncles. He got on his feet to go warn Lisa about the banquet for Thomas. He glanced at her door and forced himself to walk by without breaking in. He literally ran downstairs and never looked back.

In the kitchen, he talked to Lisa. She frowned and removed the apron.

"That brat" she growled not caring that Jack heard her, "I'll have to go to the supermarket."

"Are you going out?" he asked alarmingly.

He would have to be alone with Elena in the house.

"I have no choice" she resigned, "I have to cook dinner for your uncle" she took her purse from a drawer.

"I'll go with you" he almost pleaded.

"And leave Elena on her own?" she frowned, "That's not appropriate, Jack" she caressed his cheek, "The driver will take me. Tell Elena that I want her to cook more stew for dinner."

Jack moaned in his inside, frightened.

"I think she's asleep."

"Wake her up. Tell her that your uncles will be back today. She'll be glad" she smiled.

She left for shopping; he grew more nervous as he saw her leaving. Now he had to go talk to Elena, damn it. His hands balled in fists. He went to the mini bar and drank whisky to gain courage. When he reached her door, he turned the knob.

The door opened slowly. It was very silent; he stuck his head in and saw her on the bed, sleeping. He held his breath; he didn't really think that she was asleep. He said it as an excuse, but now he cursed himself. His luck was terrible.

He went to near to the bed; the delicious aroma of her perfume reached his nostrils. He took a deep breath and filled his lungs with it. His heart was racing, his hands were shaking; he didn't want to wake her. Instead, he stood there looking at her. She stirred slightly and mumbled incoherent words.

"Wake up, sleeping beauty" he called. She didn't move.

He touched her face; she stretched and he noticed her clothes. Like in a movie scene, her blouse went up and revealed her lean and white belly. She twisted and the skirt also came up to show her round and firm butt—and pearl colored lingerie.

Jack gasped unbelievingly. It seemed like the universe was plotting against him, because this situation was getting of control. What else would happen?

Wake up, I beg you.

"Jack..." he heard the sleeping, half-naked beauty say.

His organ protested for such exaggerated provocation. He went in the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face. Every cell in his body ordered him to take this opportunity and get free from the delicious torture.

He went out of the bathroom and approached her slowly. She hadn't changed position. Jack put a blanket on her. He gulped his frustrated desire and sat on the bed next to her.

"Elena" he almost whispered, "Wake up."

She frowned but didn't open her eyes.

"Come on, wake up" he begged, "It's an order."

She looked at him; she blinked, confused.

"Jack... what are you doing here?"

Dying slowly, thank you very much.

He smiled and tried not to kiss her madly.

"Lisa went shopping and asked me to wake you up" he sounded as normal as possible, "My uncles will arrive today and she wants you to cook stew."

"Alejandro arrives today" she said excitedly, "That's great" she got on her feet and smiled at him.

Jack tried to look away; it was tempting.

"Thomas called me half an hour ago. They'll have dinner with us."

"Then I'll start cooking. I want Alejandro to try it" she smiled, "Thanks for waking me up."

"You're welcome" he barely smiled.

They left the room and went downstairs. Jack felt weird at Elena's excitement for cooking for his uncle. Was he jealous? It had never happened before.

"Do you think he'll like my cooking?" she asked blushing.

Jack nodded and tried to toss the thought aside.

"They both will love it, Elena" he smiled, "I'm waiting to eat it again."

She nodded. They went in the kitchen; Elena brought vegetables and meat out of the fridge to chop them. Jack decided to leave her alone for his own good; his treacherous friend was awake again and he couldn't think of other solution than diving in the pool again.

"Jack" she stopped him.

"What is it?" he felt trapped.

"Lisa saved the leftover stew. It's a lot" she showed the pot.

Jack frowned. The woman had fooled him into a suicidal mission. She knew that there was enough stew!

You'll pay for it, he thought full on anger.

"Then just heat it" he hissed.

Elena tensed up. Was he upset?

"I will" she said; she was clearly uncomfortable, "You don't need to talk to me that way."

He frowned at this; she turned her back to him, clearly offended. He scolded himself for being such a jerk; he approached her.

"I'm sorry" he put his hand on her shoulder, "I just remembered something that annoyed me."

She still didn't face him.

"It's not my fault" she whispered.

"I know" hi winced, "I won't do it again" he promised.

Elena turned the stove on.

"Ok" she accepted, not facing him.

"Elena, look at me" he asked smiling, "It's an order."

"I hate this" she sighed.

But she obeyed, and he pinched her nose, pleased.

"No complaining" he reminded her, "Now, what else do I want you to do?" he whispered thoughtfully. Damn you.

"Anything but dancing" she said before she could stop herself.

Jack's eyes gleamed at the memory; he wanted to repeat it, but he had better plans.

"Tell me who and how your first kiss was" he ordered and waited for the answer.

What?

She frowned; she knew the exact story of how this happened, but a new image invaded her mind. A boy was forcing her into kissing. When did that happen? She closed her eyes and shuddered.

"That's..." her voice hesitated, "That's very intimate."

"No complaining" he sat at the table and looked at her.

Elena stirred the stew with a wooden spoon. The image vanished.

"I was 15" she said carelessly, "I had to dance with one of my classmates. He tried to kiss me several times, but I didn't allow him."

Jack frowned; what a bastard.

"He didn't succeed. The kiss occurred when I said goodbye to a friend" she smiled, "She turned around and kissed me on the lips."

She turned to face him; Jack was motionless, not even blinking.

"You're joking, right?" he asked trying not to laugh.

"No" she sat beside him, "It was an accident."

Jack couldn't hold and roared in laughter. Elena sighed. It didn't surprise her; her first kiss was with a woman.

"What about you? Was it similar?"

"Sure. I also kissed a girl, though it wasn't an accident" he winked at her.

"How was it?"

"I fancied a girl from one of my classes. I invited her out, and we kissed in the cinema."

"There's no better place than the dark of a movie room to kiss" she said sarcastically.

"Not only for kissing" he licked his lips.

She winced.

"I notice you're very experienced with women, Jack."

"The age is worth it" he said arrogantly, "I had several girlfriends, but none of them was important."

"Just fun?"

"Just s*x, if that's what you mean" he smiled; he was enjoying her reactions.

She tightened her lips. She was angry, but why? Jack smiled; he was having fun.

"That's not what I meant" she blushed, "if you say so."

"Come on, you must have thought about it."

"I'm not like you" she pouted.

"Say it. It's an order."

Elena gave him an annoyed glance; she felt like punching him.

Bastard.

"Just a bit" she hissed, "But I didn't think you were talking about it."

"Everybody think about s*x once in a while, especially men. We think about it more often" he felt his body stirring.

Elena stared at him. She understood his between-the-lines message, but she didn't know how to react.

"It's a disadvantage, since it's more difficult to conceal male arousal" she said smiling.

Jack's ego expanded.

"Indeed. I always have to take a cold shower; otherwise I have to get to work."

Elena went red. How could he talk about m**********n so carelessly?

"I recommend a dip in the pool. It's more effective."

"I already did, dear" he got on his feet.

She gasped. What exactly did that mean?

Jack went to the stove and extinguished the flame. He tasted the stew and smiled.

"It's ready" he looked at Elena.

She got on her feet and snatched the spoon from him.

"You ate more than one ration. This is for Alejandro."

"And Thomas" he reminded her.

Jealousy flooded him unexpectedly.

"Yes, for both" she whispered.

Jack stared at her thinking if she would dare to obey this order.

"If I asked you to kiss me, would you do it?"

She frowned; she was annoyed rather than ashamed.

"Is it an order?" she hissed.

"It's an order" he grinned.

Elena took a deep breath. She knew this was a test, and she wouldn't fail. Jack was grinning and waiting for her reaction. Elena approached him, cover her eyes with her right hand, and put her lips on his.

***

Thomas went back to his brother's room some hours later. He was clearly happy for the departure. He found Alejandro sitting; a very attractive nurse was feeding him.

"Lucky you" he smiled, "I'd like to be in your place."

Alejandro frowned.

"Leave us, dear," he asked her in a whisper.

She nodded and left the room.

"You are a womanizer. Your assistant will be crossed."

Bastard.

"She's not the kind of assistant you're suggesting" he wiped his.

"If you say so" he sat on the couch dismissing his comment, "Good news" he folded his arms, "We're leaving in a few hours. We'll arrive at dinner time."

"Did you talk to Jack?" he cleared his throat.

"I told him everything" he lied, "Lisa will cook a feast. Can you eat solid food?"

"You know I can't" he hissed.

"Oh, my, I forgot. I guess Lisa can blend a shake for you" he mocked.

"You're an asshole" he closed his eyes.

And a murderer...

Thomas enjoyed his little malice. It made him think of his childhood; the biggest advantage of being twins was committing mischief and pretending to be his twin. Alejandro always received the punishment. While his brother was locked in his room, he enjoyed his parents' attention.

"I'll go have some fun" he got on his feet, "Lovera payed off his debt, so I can squander."

"Will you kill another woman?" he frowned. He wasn't looking at his brother.

"They're whores. They stop being women from the moment they sell they bodies" he adjusted the collar of his shirt, "They don't deserve any respect.

Swine.

"Don't be imprudent. That's what you always tell me" he opened his eyes as if to confront him.

"I don't leave clues behind. You are too gallant to wipe off evidence" he walked to the door, "I'll come get you in a few hours. Have fun with the nurse."

Alejandro took a deep breath to control his mouth. Thomas enjoyed his malice. His hands fisted; he had been able to warn the nurse, but the rest of them wouldn't be as lucky.