Twisted Classics

That Sexy Brazilian Lady-3

All through the conference, whenever she walked into our office, she’d come over behind my desk while she talked to everyone. I can’t remember how many times she’d placed her hands on my shoulders while she was talking and absentmindedly rubbed or massaged them. How many times had she leaned over my shoulder to point to something on a report on my desk and I could feel her breast pressing into my cheek? It may have been absentminded on her part, but it was nowhere near that on mine. Every time she’d touched me, it felt like I’d been seared by a cattle prod. I’d felt her touch through my entire body. Yes, entire.

The rest of the week was filled with activity and getting people to the right places at the right times. This was our best conference yet. Everyone seemed satisfied. Now all the attendees and most of the staff had gone home. The only ones left were the five of us and Rafaela, who would pack up the equipment and left-over gifts to be shipped home.

We packed and cleaned up the rooms we had used as offices, and finally, in late afternoon, got to sit down. The massive shipping crates we used were only half full, so each of us added a suitcase or two.

“Is that everything?” Jim, one of my co-workers, asked.

“I think so.” Allen checked the clipboard he always carried. “Computers, paperwork, extra handouts, leftover gifts. What else?”

“That’s all I have,” I said.

“Me, too,” Gillian added. Andrea agreed.

“Okay, then,” Jim declared. “Lock them up and I’ll tell the shipping company they can come and get them anytime.”

“I will miss you all,” Rafaela moaned as she stood in the center of the room. “I’ve had a wonderful time this past week.”

“We’ll miss you, too, Rafaela. You have been a dynamite addition to this team. We really appreciate your help,” Gillian said. “You are the best local we’ve ever hired.” She reached out to hug Rafaela and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Everyone agreed and Rafaela went from one to another of us for hugs and cheek-kisses. When she got to me, though, she turned her head at the last minute and kissed me softly on the lips. She looked into my eyes for a second, but then looked away.

“One last dinner by the pool?” Andrea called out. “I leave first thing in the morning.”

“That sounds good,” Gillian answered. “I think I’m on that flight, too.” Allen agreed.

Jim’s and my flight wasn’t until tomorrow afternoon. We’d be the last to leave.

“Why don’t we meet at the pool at seven?” Jim asked.

We all agreed that sounded good.

As we got ready to leave, Rafaela stopped me.

“I have something for you.” She held out a thin bracelet that had been handcrafted by a local artisan. It had several beads, intricately carved from local woods, polished to a soft sheen, and woven together with thinly woven hemp. As she’d carefully knotted it around my wrist, she said, “I wanted to give you something to help you remember your trip.”

The way she’d emphasized “something” sounded very regretful, as if it wasn’t the bracelet that she’d wanted to give me. But then, it could have been my overactive, imaginative libido listening.

“This is gorgeous!” I exclaimed. “You didn’t have to give me anything.”

“I wanted to make sure you had something so you would not forget.”

“I’m sure I’ll never forget it,” I said softly. I drew her into my arms and hugged her tightly. I so wanted to kiss her but I held myself back. No, I’d never forget.

She smiled, hugged me back, and walked away.

A few hours later, we met at the hotel pool restaurant. We pulled two tables close so we could sit together and ordered our last meal. We shared stupid stories and laughed at jokes that weren’t really that funny. We were just letting off steam.

Then Rafaela walked up. She slid into the one empty chair.

I sighed as her warm smile spread across the table. Yes, it was definitely my one regret of the conference: I’d never get to know her; to hold her and kiss her. I would have to be content with my fantasies.

Now, as we sat across the table, her deep, dark eyes looked at me, a seductive smile crossing her lips. Then she casually joined in the banter with the co-workers who remained.

Some comment was made on how good her English was.

“Yes,” she smiled shyly, “I only have trouble with English right before I fall asleep if I’m tired…or very early in the morning.” Her eyes lifted only to stare directly into mine. Did I see an eyebrow start to rise?

I lifted my glass to my mouth, partly to hide my gasp. What was she doing? Was I imagining it or was she trying to seduce me right here in front of my business associates?

“Your bracelet shines so pretty in this light,” she said to me. I gulped my drink. Was I blushing? I could feel my face getting hot.

“Yes,” I stammered. “I love it. It was…is…a gorgeous present.”

She glowed. “Yes, from someone who…” she stammered, “from a…Oh, my English is not good tonight.”

What had she started to say?

We looked at each other. I was a little embarrassed to have an audience. She looked away.

Then someone else commented on the conference and the conversation veered away from my jewelry.

Someone else ordered another mug of beer.

“Let me show you how we drink it here. Hold on a minute.” She rose and walked into the bar, reappearing a few seconds later with another glass of beer and a cold bottle of Coca-Cola.

“Have any of you ever tasted it this way?” she asked as she poured coke into the beer.

Everyone gasped. Eyes darted from one person to another as my co-workers grasped the concept of Coca-Cola and beer.

“It is wonderful!” she exclaimed. “Try it!”

Her exuberance was so contagious that everyone gladly sipped the concoction as it went around the table. I have to admit, as did many at the table, that it was quite delicious. Who would have thought that coke complimented beer the way it did rum? Some immediately ordered beer and coke. It became the beverage of choice as the evening wore on.