Manzanillo
By Gaby
“Hi!” Roma greeted John and leaned down to give him a light kiss on the lips. He took her hand and leaded her to take a seat beside him on the couch.
“Mommy, look!” Reilly said from her place on the floor in front of the coffee table. “Uncle Johnnie helped me drawing it for my homework!”. The little girl showed her a map of the continent, each country in a different color.
“It’s very beautiful, sweetie,” Roma said stroking her daughter’s hair. “Did you thank your uncle for making it?”
“Yes, and I promised him to cook him a delicious dinner tonight.”
Roma was surprised and couldn’t help but laugh at her daughter’s idea. “So, you’re cooking tonight, huh?”
“Yes... But you can help me if you want,” she said very seriously.
The three spent about 15 min. more in the living room, the Irish actress cuddled in her boyfriend’s arms silently contemplating her daughter. Her silent didn’t go unnoticed by John, who let her be lost in her thoughts for a good time until he decided to call her attention placing a loving kiss on her head. She smiled and threw her head backwards to be able to look at him.
“What happened?” he asked. “Did they get the cast complete?” He was talking about the movie Roma would be filming in a couple of weeks. She was the executive producer beside the protagonist but the director and the cast manager had had trouble the last week to find someone to play the role of a man interested on “Maggie”, Roma’s character.
“Yes, they did,” she said simply and she released herself from his embrace. John knew it wasn’t something very good, yet he decided to push his luck.
“Who is it?”
“Reilly, why don’t you go and get your things ready for school tomorrow?” Roma said avoiding John’s question. “Then you can come and cook your uncle’s dinner.”
John waited until he saw the little girl leaving the room and he repeated his question. “Who is it, Roma?”
“Michel Nouri.”
John felt something like a punch direct to his stomach. He sit up on the couch too.
Roma didn’t have to ask; she knew what he was thinking: Michel Nouri was her former boyfriend, someone she had dated during the show... when John was already in love with her. “I didn’t know...” she murmured in a tone of apology.
Her tone made him react quickly. “No, baby, it’s ok!” he said quickly taking her hand and cupping her chin to make her turn to see him. Her sad eyes made him slap himself mentally for his reaction. “Roma, you’re a professional actress and so is he, it’s not that illogic that you come to be together in a movie! I’m sorry, baby,” he could still see some doubts in her face, so he leaned down and kissed her.
“I love you, Johnnie,” the young actress murmured when they parted. “Please, believe me. Michel doesn’t mean anything to me anymore, I...”
Two fingers over her lips made her stop. “I know you love me, Roma, I can feel it. Excuse me, I couldn’t control my reaction.” He turned briefly and chuckled before looking at her again and cupping her face again. “I guess my conscience betrayed me! I can be a little overprotective about you!”
Roma cupped his face too, her eyes shinning with love for him. “And that’s one of the things I love so much in you. You’re always worried about my and Reilly’s safety...”
John looked down and then added in a serious tone. “Roma, if you don’t want, I won’t go.”
“What?!” Roma asked surprised. It had been her idea: Reilly was spending the week with her father and she had asked John to go to Manzanillo with her while they filmed the movie. She had considered they would have some time to spend by themselves, and she knew she would enjoy his warm presence around... especialy in some scenes that would be difficult for her. She hadn’t told anyone but playing the role of a woman in the days of a divorce was not something nice for her. Her two experiences seemed fresher than in a long time... and she knew she didn’t want to go through all that again, least of all with John.
John took her hand and told her in a calm voice. “I know we have all planned, but I think maybe my presence will make you feel uncomfortable now that Michel will be there...”
“John, I want you there!” Roma said firmly. “You could never make me feel uncomfortable! Michel is in my past, and you are in my present and in my future!” The way she was looking at him made his heart be full of love for her. She was talking about a future together, just what he prayed for everyday. “Please come?” she added.
He couldn’t help but smile and accept. “When you look at me that way I can’t say no,” he said leaning down to kiss her again.
“Good to know,” she replied, “’cause I’m planning to take advatage and enjoy you as much as I can these days...”
****
Roma liked Manzanillo from the first view she had from the airplane’s window. She looked at the beaches and the vast extensions of jungle and she felt her heart getting somewhat free from the apprehension she had felt for letting her little daughter going on a separate way from her.
John heard her sigh and quickly reached for her hand. “She’ll be alright and she’ll have a good time, you’ll see. When she comes back, we can take her to Disneyland again.”
Roma leaned against her seat and turned to see him, her hand squeezing his lovingly. “That sounds great,” she said. “I guess she’ll love the idea.”
In less than one hour they were at the front desk of the hotel getting registered. The Mexican style of the decoration pleased Roma a lot. “First thing we can do after being settled is going to the beach!” she exclaimed with a childlike joy that reached John’s heart.
“Whatever you want, sweetie,” he said smiling. “I’m here to please you.”
They were following the bellboy with their luggage when a surprised male voice made them turn. “Good to see you, Roma.” Michel was standing on the corridor outside of one of the suites. He seemed ready to enjoy the rest of the day as he was wearing a loose shirt and shorts. John and Roma smiled at him politely, the blond actor never releasing her hand. “As beautiful as always,” Michel said and went to kiss her on the cheek. “John,” he shook hands with him. “I’ll see you guys later, the bellboy is waiting for you.”
‘The worst is over’ the young actress thought by the time they reached the door of the suite she and John would be sharing. But besides the presence of Michel, there was something more that worried her, and it was precisely the fact that she and John would be sharing the room. They had slept together many times, but she was perfectly aware of what her idea of him coming with her implied. Reilly would not be with them this time, nor Roma’s bother or sister or Della’s mother like presence. They would be alone and she didn’t know how much she could control herself being with him in a place like this. It was not a silly scruple not a fear of sin what made her stop from giving herself to John. She was a full grown woman, she knew perfectly what she was doing and she was in love with that man. The funny part was that being in love was exactly what had stopped her. Loving him completely meant she would give him her whole heart, something he certainly deserved, but she couldn’t bear to have her heart broken once more. She knew John was very different from David and her first husband, and that made the thought of him stopping loving her even more painful.
She was so lost in her thoughts, looking at the vast deep blue ocean from the balcony of the suite that she never acknowledged the bellboy leaving the room and John coming to reach her until she felt his strong arms circling her waist from behind and pressing her against his body. “The beach is waiting for you,” he murmured kissing her exposed neck, “and I don’t see much action from your part.”
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” she replied stroking his hands.
“Yes,” he said. “And I promise it is more beautiful down there. Besides I can’t wait...”
“You can’t wait for what?” she turned to see him with a rather funny intriguing expression.
“I can’t wait to see you in a bikini,” he added in a seductive tone of voice that made Roma tremble inside. Yes, she was afraid but she also loved to feel herself so beautiful and wanted as John always made her feel, either when kissing her or only by looking at her.
The young actress turned in his arms and wrapped her own around his neck. “Then I won’t keep you waiting,” she whispered on his ear and then freed from his embrace to go to the bedroom. She still turned to smile at him before disappearing inside, and found him leaning against the balcony contemplating her.
What John saw when she reappeared didn’t disappointed him. She was wearing a red swimming suit that accentuated her thin body. She was tying a pareu around her waist and the look of her was for John an image he would never take out of his mind. Roma knew he was examining carefully every part of her body and that simple thought made her self confidence grow. She smiled when she was closer to him. “Like what you see?” she asked in a mischievous tone.
John didn’t move even when he longed to touch her. She was leaning over him aiming for his lips even when her hands remained on her hips. “I’ve always liked seeing you, baby. You’re absolutely breathtaking!” He reached for her lips carefully avoiding to touch her with his hands, the only contact that of their mouths.
“Now I don’t see much action from you, Johnny,” Roma said when they parted.
“Your fault!” he replied. “You make me forget everything that is not you...” He kissed her again and then moved to get inside. “I’ll be ready in a minute.”
In a matter of minutes, they were under the shadow of a palm tree, cold beverages at the side and the sound of the waves filling their ears. As the rest of the production staff was taking care of the missing actors and the extra details, Roma could take that time out to relax...
The sun had started to hide when John told her he would go back to the room to take a shower so they could get ready to go to the welcome coctel with the rest of the cast. Roma insisted on staying there for the sunset so he let her alone.
“Long time no seeing, Roma,” a male voice told her taking her out of her silent contemplation. She turned to see that Michel had taken a seat on the beach chair next to her. “Where’s John?”
“He went back to the room to take a shower and get ready for dinner,” she said. “I’ll go back in some minutes too.”
“You wouldn’t miss a sunset, would you?” he asked remembering how much she loved the sea.
“I love the ocean. It reminds me of Ireland.”
Michel studied her face for a minute in silence, Roma feeling a little uncomfortable. Sensing this, he bent his head down before talking again. “I... hum... I was surprised to see you with John,” he stated directly. “I mean... Rumors are true after all, huh?” He was referring to the constant news on tabloids and gossiping TV shows that insisted on involving John and Roma in a romantic relationship. They had been a constant almost since he had joined the cast on the second season of the show, but they had been stronger after her divorce. Tabloids insisted in making them not only sweethearts but even lovers. Most of those who knew them had taken as one more rumor the official news of they finally dating.
“It is not a rumor this time, Michel,” Roma explained. “We’ve been dating for a few months now...”
“I see... I hope he’s making you happy.”
The young actress sit up on her chair feeling a little upset with this conversation. Yes, John made her happy, very happy indeed, but she had no reason to discuss it with none, least of all her former boyfriend. “Michel...”
“I’m sorry, Roma, I didn’t mean to bother you,” he excused quickly. “I was talking literally. I really hope you’re happy with him.”
Something in his brown eyes made her see he was honest. Maybe their relationship was over, but he had always been a gentleman and had truly cared for her. “I am happy now. John is a wonderful man.”
He smiled and looked at her with something that resembled nostalgia. “I’m glad he finally confessed his feelings,” Michel said and guest the question in her expression. “Of course I knew he was in love with you! I could see the way he looked at you, the way he touched you as if you were a crystal figure. I guess I always knew it was a matter of time for he to talk and for you to fall in love with him.”
“Oh, Michel! I don’t know what to say...”
“You don’t have to say anything, Roma,” he said taking her hand and patting it friendly. “if I learned something from the angels,” he smiled when he saw her smiling too,” I should say God had a plan when He sent him to work with you.” Roma’s eyes met his and showed gratitude at his words. “I’m glad you’re happy, and I guess Reilly is too.”
“Yes, she is. She loves Johnny a lot...”
“He’s her uncle Johnnie!” Michel said remembering the way the girl always called the blond actor. He examined carefully the way his former girlfriend smiled and decided she was telling the truth: John made her happy. “You deserve to be happy, Roma. I just hope John always keeps that smile on your face.”
“I’ll do my best,” John said walking behind Roma.
Michel released her hand and she turned to see her boyfriend. “Ready?” she asked. Seeing him nod, she stood up an announced, “Then I’ll go get ready too. See you later, Michel.” John squeezed her hand lovingly when she passed and then looked at the other actor. They had always gotten along when they had worked together.
“She seems happy,” Michel commented.
John took a seat on the chair his girlfriend had left and joined his hands, his elbows resting over his knees. “Yeah... She’s relaxed even though Reilly is not here.”
“I guess patience has its rewards, right?” Michel commented purposefully. “Eight, nine years?”
John lifted his face to meet Michel’s eyes and smiled. “Almost nine...” he said. “Roma was my secret love for almost nine years... I’m sorry, Michel,” he offered realizing that by saying this, he had accepted he was in love with her by the time she had dated him.
“It’s ok, John,” Michel said waving his hand. “I guess I figured it out by then. It’s me the one who should’ve been sorry for getting on your way...”
The younger actor smiled thinking for a moment about those years. “I had no chance with her by then...” he said half laughing.
“But you do now, pal, and you’re very lucky for that,” the older actor said standing up. “Make her happy, John,” he said before leaving. “She deserves it.”
“I know,” John replied firmly, “and her happiness is my only target now. She’s a divine gift for me, the most precious one...”
Michel smiled again and nodded. “I’ll see you both at dinner,” he said and went away.
****
The first thing John heard when he got into the room was Roma humming a song. He smiled thinking that he and Della used to tease her by saying she sang just as bad as Monica, but the truth was that she could get some good notes and he liked to hear her. The door of the bedroom was open but he still knocked to let her know he was there. He took his time to look at her wearing a tight lilac dress that clung perfectly to every curve of her body. “You look beautiful,” he said coming closer to her to help her clasp her necklace. He stayed there for a little while caressing her shoulders and smelling her hair.
“You don’t look bad either, Johnnie,” she replied smiling at him through the mirror. He was wearing a light caqui suit and a white shirt without tie that made him look casual, comfortable and very ‘Andrew’ like. She leaned against him and turned her face to kiss him.
“I’m looking forward for the coctel to end,” he said when they parted.
“Why?” she asked.
“I have a plan...” he teased. “I have done my research... You’ll have a night as any in your life, baby,” he whispered, and his warm breath and the tone of his voice sent shivers through Roma’s body. “Now, let’s go. The sooner we get to the coctel, the faster it’ll end.” He took her hand and leaded her out of the room.
****
“Looks like you’re not the only one breaking hearts around,” Michel told Roma later that night while she was talking to Jennifer Hartley, her stand in during the film. “Though if you ask me, they are losing their time. John only has eyes for you.”
Roma chuckled when she saw her boyfriend surrounded by Lucrecia Basualdo, Jayce Bartok and Rachel York, the three actresses that would play the roles of Rosa, Sandy and Louise at the movie. He was trying to be polite but it was obvious that the last two were trying to hit on him.
“Aren’t you going to save your boyfriend, Roma?” Jennifer asked.
The three were looking at him and couldn’t help but laugh at the pleading face he showed when he looked back at them. She finally walked towards him. He followed her with his sight and reached a hand to her when she was close. “I’m sorry to interrupt you,” she said to the three other woman, “but I need a word with this man. You can have him back in a second.”
“Thank you!” he exclaimed once they were alone.
Roma hugged him and chuckled. “You looked so cute! This is what you get for being so charming!”
“Ha ha, very funny!” He said with mock indignation. “You looked cute too playing the role of a jealous girlfriend.”
“Oh, I’m not jealous!”
“Oh, you are not...”
“Of course I’m not!” she replied smiling. “I like to see you being admired...” she leaned over to murmur on his ear the next words, “... as long as you remember you’re mine.” He smiled too and tried to kiss her, but she stopped him. “No, no, no... I came to tell you that we can go now. I’m looking forward to know what you have in mind!”
“Oh, that! Ok... then wait here.” She saw him walking to Daniel Lugo, a local actor that would also play the role of Antonio. John went back to Roma while Antonio went to talk to Lucrecia, the actress that had been with John before, and then joined them.
“If you’re ready, Ms. Downey, we can go now,” he offered politely.
“Please, call me Roma,” she added. “Where are we going?”
“A surprise, a welcome present from this country...” He leaded them through the gardens of the hotel to one of the bars. The tables were placed in an open terrace from where the customers could see the ocean. The very private atmosphere was pleasant, but what Roma noticed first was that there was live music with a Mexican trio. They took a table near the stage. When the waiter came to ask for their order, Daniel told them. “Please, let me offer you a typical drink from this place. Licores de nanche para los cuatro y dígale al trio que empiece con ‘Eternamente’” he told him. Turning back to Roma, he said: “John thought you may like coming here. What you’re gonna get is what we call a ‘serenata’, and it was a way men used to declare their love to the woman they wanted. I hope you like the songs though I didn’t choose them all. Lucrecia helped me, but so did John.”
Roma turned to see him with eyes bright with love. “How did you know?”
“I know some of this songs,” he said blushing slightly and taking her hand, “but Daniel helped me to find the ones that said how much I love you.”
“Ladies and gentleman,” the main singer started to say. “Las Hadas hotel is pleased to have here a group of very special guests. One of them has asked us to dedicate our show to the woman he is in love with. Her name is Roma Downey and the songs were chosen to tell her how much he loves her. Please, let’s give her an applause and we hope you enjoy the night, Ms Downey!”
Roma couldn’t control a couple of tears that escaped her eyes at seeing what John had prepared for her. She felt her heart filling with love just as she felt her cheeks getting red. She was used to get applause from her fans, but this time it was different: people was cheering her because a man had publicly confessed his love for her and even not knowing who she was or why she was here, they were happy for her! At that moment, she longed to kiss John heavily as much as she wanted to hug everyone at the bar, and the blond actor was more than pleased to see her so happy.
“’I’ll tell you what the song says,” Lucrecia offered Roma, and she translated her the first song, Eternamente.
Por buena suerte te encontré en mi camino,
y desde entonces yo soñé que fueras mía.
Mi cielo siempre te querré, tú bien lo sabes,
que yo jamás te olvidaré, bien de mi vida.
Eternamente te amaré, yo te lo juro.
Eres la dueña de mi amor, la vida mía,
cuando te beso siento yo que soy dichoso,
por eso siempre te diré que nuestro amor ha de durar
eternamente.
Amor
Eternamente te amaré, yo te lo juro.
Eres la dueña de mi amor, la vida mía,
cuando te beso siento yo que soy dichoso,
por eso siempre te diré que nuestro amor ha de durar
eternamente.
Eternamente.
“The next one is one that cannot be missing in any serenata, Roma,” Daniel told her. “It’s called La gloria eres tú, that means ‘You’re the glory’.”
Eres, mi bien, lo que me tiene extasiado,
¿por qué negar que estoy de ti enamorado?
de tu dulce alma, que es toda sentimiento,
de esos ojazos negros de un raro fulgor
que me dominan e incitan al amor,
eres un encanto, eres mi ilusión.
Dios dice que la gloria está en el cielo,
que es de los mortales el consuelo al morir.
Bendito Dios porque al tenerte yo en vida
no necesito ir al cielo tisú
si, alma mía, la gloria eres tú.
De tu dulce alma, que es toda sentimiento...
Eres un encanto, eres mi ilusión...
Dios dice que la gloria está en el cielo,
que es de los mortales el consuelo al morir.
Bendito Dios porque al tenerte yo en vida
no necesito ir al cielo tisú
si alma mía, la gloria eres tú.
They spent there a good long hour listening to the music. Some of the other guests started to go when it was passed midnight, most of them smiling at John and Roma on their way out. Daniel and Lucrecia finally retired too, leaving the lovebirds free to kiss and hug and to enjoy the rest of the night. Soon it was almost closing time, but before they finished, the trio offered Roma a couple of songs more.
“Señorita,” the main singer told her, “I hope you’ve liked the songs, but we wanted to sing two more for you. One is Serenata tapatía, and it says...”
Regálale a la noche la luz de tu mirada,
interrumpe la paz de tu casto y dulce sueño
y permite tierna que mi alma enamorada
se postre ante tus pies
al saber que soy tu dueño.
Mujer, abre tu ventana
para que escuches mi voz,
te está cantando el que te ama
con el permiso de Dios.
Y aunque la noche esté oscura
y aquí no hay ninguna luz,
con tu divina hermosura
la iluminas toda tú,
con tu divina hermosura
la iluminas toda tú.
Yo te juro que ni el sol,
la luna, ni las estrellas,
juntitas toditas ellas
la iluminan como tú.
Tú iluminaste mi vida,
por eso, mujer querida,
te canto esta noche azul,
por eso vengo a robarme,
un rayito de tu luz.
Yo te juro que ni el sol,
la luna, ni las estrellas,
juntitas toditas ellas
la iluminan como tú.
Tú iluminaste mi vida,
por eso, mujer querida,
te canto esta noche azul,
por eso vengo a robarme,
un rayito de tu luz.
“The last one is Ojos cafés, with all our respect and our humble admiration. Thanks for visiting us tonight and we hope to see you here again while you are at the hotel.”
Café, de un café oscuro son tus ojos,
con tintes luminosos de pasión.
Rubí son tus labiecitos rojos,
rojos y ardientes como el corazón.
Me miré en el fondo de tus lindos ojos,
en ellos vi adoración y fe.
Éste es mi camino sembrado de abrojos,
como linda estrella lo iluminas tú.
Al sentir tus labios cerca de los míos,
la emoción me llega hasta el corazón.
Al contemplarte postrado de hinojos,
me miré en tus ojos de color café.
Y al contemplarte postrado de hinojos,
me miré en tus ojos de color café.
John and Roma listened to the song, finished their drinks and finally thanked the singers, the waiter and the barman before leaving. He was sure he hadn’t seen her so happy in a long time: her eyes were bright and her smile gave her the air of a woman that knows she’s beautiful. They walked hand in hand to their suite, the cold air the perfect excuse for Roma to lean over his warm body and for John to wrap an arm around her shoulders pulling her closer.
“Thank you, my love,” the Irish actress said wrapping her arms around his neck as soon as he closed the door. “You were right. I had never had such a beautiful night.”
He smiled sheepishly and caressed her cheek while his other hand held her waist. “I wanted to find a different way to tell you how much I love you, a way that you will always remember.”
“You tell me so in so many different ways everyday... But this was beautiful. Thank you...” she leaned and kissed him slowly and passionately. Her shoes were killing her but all that she wanted then was the kiss to last for hours.
He responded her with equal love but after some minutes, he couldn’t control the deep breath with which he tried to hide a yawn. “I’m sorry,” he chuckled a little ashamed. “I guess the day has been a little long.”
“I’m really tired too,” she said hugging him. “Why don’t we go to sleep? Tomorrow is going to be a long day for me... or today, better said.”
“Everything will be alright, you’ll see,” he said squeezing her tenderly. “But you need some hours of good sleep, so come on. Let’s have you out of that dress and those shoes and on the bed a.s.a.p.,” he added leading her to the bedroom.
****
Roma had been right about the day being long for her. She had chosen to have almost half of all her scenes filmed that day, so she had to get changed and combed and go through make up once and again. Even John had been hooked up to help them acting as the director assistant and helping them with the rehearsals. By almost 10 p.m., he was sitting on a bench looking at Roma pretending to be drunk and leading a bunch of dancing people. She then took a seat beside Michel and he ordered a coffee for her. The order of “cut!” was finally heard and everybody couldn’t help but clap at the end of such a long day. Roma walked towards John, clearly limping of tiredness and took a seat on his lap. “I’m dead! I refuse to give one single step more!”
“Hum... I was planning to take you out to dance!” he joked. Hearing her muffled sigh of pain, he chuckled. “Just kidding. You’re worn out!”
“So are you...” she said resting her head on his shoulder.
“We’ll have to talk about my salary afterwards, Ms executive producer.”
“Hum... I guess we can get an agreement. How much do you want?”
“What about a million?”
“A million dollars?!” she almost jumped.
“John chuckled finding her surprise adorable, and then reached a hand to cup her face. “A million kisses... starting right now,” he said pulling her down. “Aren’t you hungry?” he asked a couple of minutes after. “You hardly ate at dinner and it was about three hours ago. The restaurant closes at eleven, I think.”
“I’m a little hungry but I’m too tired. Can’t we have something from the service room?”
“Of course we can, angel,” he said hugging her again. “Your wish is my command.”
Roma took her shoes off before she stood up. They say good bye to the remaining staff and walked back to their suite.
“Johnny, would you mind ordering for me?” Roma said when they arrived. “I’m all sweaty and I’d like to take a shower before.”
The blond actor pulled her closer and kissed her on the cheek. “Sure thing. Go. Enjoy your bath.”
When Roma walked out of the bathroom, she smiled at what she saw. John had ordered everything to settle a good looking table for two, including a vase with a couple of roses. He had changed into shorts and a T-shirt and was already turning on the stereo with romantic music to accompany the dinner. “I hope I chose well,” he said lifting the cover of her plate to reveal a hot plate of spaghetti. He knew her well enough to guess what she’d like to eat as a late dinner. “Dessert is waiting as well and so is coffee.”
She smiled and came closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”
He kissed her before answering. “Hum... not to recently, so I need a bit of a remainder.” He smiled with her. “But we can have that afterwards. Now dinner is waiting and I know you hate cold food.”
They chatted animatedly and after dinner, they went to cuddle on the couch. The night was hot, so Roma had taken out her robe and was wearing nothing but her nightgown, her soft shoulders looking inviting to John. “So, what is it tomorrow? The snorkeling class and the wild boar thing?” he asked referring to the scenes she’ll be shooting.
“Yes, and the shipwreck part. I’ll guess I’ll have to wear tons of sun block tomorrow,” she chuckled.
“Tomorrow is my lucky day then,” he said with a mischievous note in his voice.
“Lucky?” she asked rather intrigued.
“I’ll get to see you in a bikini all day long. Tell me if I’m not lucky.” His voice was now low and it matched the way he was looking at her.
Roma felt her heart beating faster when he placed a hand over her waist for a couple of seconds and then ran it slowly over her hip and her leg. That felt so wonderful for her... the pleasant shiver that his hand sent to all her body, the fluttering in her stomach... No fears, just the wish to get in his game and do the same to him. “Oh... so what you want is to watch me in a bikini all day long, huh? Yesterday wasn’t enough?” she said lifting her head to kiss him on the neck, her hand resting purposefully over his chest.
“I’ll never get enough of admiring you, baby”, he replied feeling his whole body responding to her closeness.
“You admired me everyday for eight years.”
“Oh yes, and I will always love Monica for that,” he said. “But I actually prefer Roma, the real woman.”
She chuckled and lifted her head to look at him. “Hum... I don’t know...” she teased him. “I always found Andrew so perfectly charming...”
“But he couldn’t kiss you like this...” he murmured and tangled his hand on her hair to pull her down for a long, sensuous kiss. He moved to lay over the couch, his hands on her waist to guide her down too, his mouth never breaking contact with hers. Once she was lying over him, one of Roma’s hands slipped under his T-shirt, making him groan against her lips at the contact of her palm against her stomach. “God, you can easily drive me mad!” he murmured again finally releasing her mouth, his hands on her hair guiding her head for him to be able to kiss the line of her jaw.
“So can you,” she replied wrapping an arm around his waist and resting her head over his chest and breathing heavily.
He held her tightly, taking some minutes away of her mouth to regain control. He knew they had to stop or he would not be able to avoid what would come. “I had never loved someone like I love you, Roma,” he whispered starting to comb her hair with one had and caressing her bare shoulder with the other.
“I love you so much too...” she whispered concentrating on listening to his heartbeat to calm down too. The way he had touched her had left no place for a doubt: he wanted her as a woman and she wanted him as well, but something deep inside still stopped her. She closed her eyes, the tiredness of the day hitting on her again, her eyelids growing heavier with the monotonous movement of John’s hand in her hair.
It was hard for John not to be aware of Roma’s soft body over his. He had imagined this so many times before he could dream with it... He didn’t want to take advantage of her, he knew it was harder for her as she had gotten too hurt before. But he was a man, he was in love and he had her in his arms. He spent minutes in silence, stroking her hair and her back, no other movement at all until he bent his head down to talk again. He smiled tenderly. Roma was sound asleep over his chest, her face with the peaceful expression of a little girl that knows her parents love and protect her. How he loved her! There was no other woman in the world that could make him feel what he felt for her! He stayed there a couple of minutes more, just looking at her, and then he moved carefully to stand up and take her in his arms to carry her to the bedroom.
Roma woke up a couple of hours later and the first thing she was aware of was John’s warm breath on the back of her neck. She moved carefully to look at his watch. 5.15 am. She could still sleep a couple of hours more. She rolled carefully in his arms, trying not to awake him, so she could face him. He looked so boyishly handsome in his deep sleep that she lifted a hand to caress his cheek, his neck and his bare chest. The light contact made him stir in his dream and moved his arm that had been over her stomach before to encircle her waist and pulled her closer to him. She smiled at the realization that he loved her so much that even asleep he always longed to hold her close. She rested her head on his shoulder, circled his waist too and closed her eyes feeling completely safe and content.
****
Roma sighed and closed her eyes the next day when she felt the warm water of the Jacuzzi massaging her tired and aching body. She was still wearing the blue bikini that had wore most of the day and it was missing just one more scene that day but it would be filmed at night and on the beach right beside the hotel. There was still some daylight, some people at the pool too, and from her place on the Jacuzzi she could hear the voice of the director giving orders to place the lights and the things on the scenery that they would need. She never felt John getting into the Jacuzzi too and slipping to her side until his strong hand was stroking one of her legs under the water.
“One more scene and we can change this for the Jacuzzi of our room,” he murmured placing a kiss on her cheek. “I guess you’ll feel great when you get out of this bikini.”
“In fact I will,” she said keeping her eyes closed. “I feel the skin on my shoulders as if it was burning.”
He bent his head to examine her shoulder and noticed the reddened skin after a long day under the sun. “Do you want me to get a special after sun cream?” he asked seriously, his romantic antics suddenly forgotten. “I think I’ve seen some at the souvenirs shop of the hotel.”
Roma opened her eyes and smiled at his obvious concern. “I’ve brought one. I supposed this could happen.” She reached to stoke his cheek sensing he wasn’t too convinced. “What I will need is your help with it...” she added in a calm voice.
The look in her eyes let John know she was enjoying his physical contact. Placing his hand on her leg again, he leaned down to kiss her on the neck and up to her earlobe.
“Johnnie...” she murmured, “people are looking at us!”
“You shouldn’t kiss me like this unless you mean it like that, remember?” he said releasing her leg to cup her face, and pulled away of her neck. “You shouldn’t talk to me like this, unless you mean it like that, baby.”
She chuckled at the memory of the song he was referring to, one of Toby Keith they had used in a rehearsal in the episode “Most likely to succeed”. “I talk to you like this ‘cause I mean it like that...” she said lifting her eyebrows and smiling purposefully. “Save it for tonight, Mr. Dye,” she added running a hand over his chest before closing her eyes and going back to her original position in the Jacuzzi, mockingly indifferent to his presence next to her.
Later that night she walked back to her room shaking the sand off her hair after the last scene they had filmed. John had disappeared and she wondered where he had gone, but she had decided she’d take a shower before she went to look for him. When she got into the room, she was surprised to find it lightened in a soft light. The only part that seemed fully clear was the bathroom, its door invitingly open. She walked until there and saw the Jacuzzi ready, two Alexander waiting at the side.
“Hot and ready,” John murmured on her ear slipping behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. “Just what the doctor recommended.”
She chuckled at his comment and let her head fall to the side to expose her neck to him. He got the clue and placed soft kisses over it and down to her reddened shoulder. He pushed her gently to the bathroom, slowly taking his hand to her shoulder to pull down the suspender of her bikini.
Roma’s breath caught in her throat at this but it was not fear what she was feeling. It was expectation, the anticipation of the most intimate moment she’d spent with the man she loved so much. She wanted to turn and kiss him deeply, but she decided to let him take the lead. She helped him undoing her pareu but allowed him to take off the upper part of her swimming suit revealing her breasts. He did nothing to touch them even if she was longing for him to do so. He kept on pulling down the wet clothe until she was completely naked in front of him. He pulled a little away to admire her slim back and caressed it tenderly. “Go on, enjoy your bath,” he murmured pushing her gently towards the bathtub.
Somewhat frustrated, Roma turned quickly and wrapped her arms around his neck, her breast pressed against his chest. “Not fair,” she whispered and pulled him down to kiss him. She started to pull his T-shirt out of his trousers and slipped her hands under it.
John was having trouble in thinking. He had promised himself he would not push her and now she was there in his arms, completely naked and kissing him as she had never done before. “Roma...” somehow he managed to break the kiss.
“You shouldn’t touch me like this unless you mean it like that, remember?” she replied taking off his T-shirt and roaming her hands and kissing his exposed chest. “Come on.” She met his stormy green eyes at the time she reached to unbutton his pants.
John looked right at her eyes for some seconds, trying to find out if she was thinking on the same he was. He couldn’t see a trace of doubt; what he saw was a burning desire and pent up lust. He let her deal with his pants while he tangled his strong hands in her wet hair to kiss her deeply and hungrily. They finally entered into the hot water and continued with their sensual explorations. The warm water felt wonderful over Roma’s tired body, but not as much as John’s hands on her skin.
As for John... he felt he was living a dream being able to touch every inch of her silky skin freely, without fear. They stayed there for about an hour, sharing caresses, some audacious and some timid, as those of people who discover love for the first time.
Clean and relaxed, both actors finally showered to take out the soap, wrapped themselves in towels and went back to the bedroom. John took the after sun cream and started to take care of Roma’s shoulders claiming at the same time her mouth in a demanding kiss. She held him tightly, her hands running along his strong back, marveling at the way his body responded to her touch. When John started to do the same with her, her towel felt to the floor, revealing her to him again. “You’re gorgeous...” he whispered releasing her mouth, his hand finally cupping one of her breasts. “Breathtaking, beautiful, perfect...”
Roma ran a hand around his waist and his towel felt too. They walked back until they reached the bed and he gently pushed her to it, lying at her side a second later. He rolled to cover her body with his, keeping his weight away from her with his elbows.
“I love you,” she murmured feeling the way their bodies melded perfectly.
“I love you more,” he replied. “You’re my entire world.” He started to kiss her again, feeling as if he was touching the real Heaven with every contact of her skin.
Suddenly, as something very far, the ring of the phone interrupted them. They were trying to ignore it, but it was insistent, ringing and ringing. Something deep in her heart told Roma she had to pick it up. “John, we should see who it is...” she murmured in between kisses.
“Ok...” he replied and sighed deeply before answering it. “Hello...”
“U-uncle Johnnie?” Reilly’s trembling voice made him react immediately and sit up in a fraction.
“Reilly, what is it?! What’s wrong?!”
Hearing him calling her daughter, Roma sit up too. “What’s happening?!”
“Baby, why are you crying?” John was trying to understand the girl’s word. “Yes, your mommy is here, hang on a sec.”
Roma took quickly the phone, her heart beating wildly. “Reilly, please, why are you crying?!” she asked her daughter feeling herself about to cry too.
Reilly explained her mother that she was crying because of her sister, because their father seemed to be wanting to pamper just her and tonight he had scolded her because of her sister’s fault. “I want to go with you and uncle Johnnie, mommy!” the little girl concluded, and John saw two big tears that rolled over Roma’s cheeks.
“Sweetie, I wish I could go to pick you immediately, but we’re in another country and I can’t. Besides your dad wants to spend some time with you.” Roma spent some more minutes claming her daughter before asking her to put her dad on the phone. She reached to take John’s hand before David spoke. “What’s happening there, David?!” she asked coldly. “I know and I understand this is a normal fight between sisters but this is Reilly we’re talking about and she’s the most important person in my life! I let her go with you because you promised she’d have a nice time, not that she’d call me in the middle of the night crying and asking me to pick her up immediately! Of course, I’m upset! This is my daughter and she’s suffering! So David, be sure this is the last time something like this happens or I will take the first plane to go get her! Yes, I mean it and now let me talk to her again!”
John heard her talking with Reilly for some more minutes until the girl was calm again. “I love you, princess,” Roma told her daughter. “Yes, I’ll see you on Sunday. Yes, he’s here and he sends you all his love...” John smiled when Roma turned to see him, knowing Reilly was asking for him. “Bye, bye, sweetheart. I love you.”
Roma hang up the phone and stood up, getting her robe on the way and walking to the window. John got up and walked to her, carefully placing his supporting hands on her shoulders. She started to cry and he made her turn to hug her. “I’m making her suffer, Johnnie!” she said. “I’m making my daughter unhappy! What kind of a mother I am that I’m hurting my baby?!”
He held her close, resting his chin on the top of her head. “You’re a wonderful mother, Roma, that’s what you are! David is her father and he has the right to see her, but I promise you we’ll make her forget any bad moment she may had had as soon as she’s back with us. You know I can’t stand to see her suffering too.”
Roma kept on crying for some minutes, her hands tightly wrapped around John’s warm body. She felt terrible for her daughter and she felt equally terrible for this man that loved her so much. She had been on the edge of giving herself to him, of putting away her past and loving him as much as he deserved, but now her fears were back. She had loved David so much, they had had a daughter and now Reilly was suffering because of them. How could she risk her baby girl to suffer as much again with the man that had been more than her father during all her life? That was why she had resisted for so long John’s attempts to conquer her. She knew Reilly was too attached to him and if their relationship didn’t work, they would hurt her in the process. But John had been so persistent, loving her in silence, never pushing her, and when she had finally accepted him, he had given her the most wonderful time in her life. She couldn’t regret any of the moments they had been together but she feared a future without more of them, and a future for her daughter without her second father.
“Roma, I will never stop loving you and I will never stop loving Reilly,” he said almost reading her mind. “God gave me you two nine years ago and you’ve been the greatest gift He could’ve given me. I have promised you I’ll be by your side as much as you allow me to and I will. We won’t hurt Reilly. If you love me, Roma, I will be here forever. I promise you I will never make Reilly suffer.”
Roma sobbed again against his chest but little by little her pain and anguish slow down. Feeling her calm, John pulled away and cupped her face tenderly, kissing her cheek. “Thank you, Johnnie. Thank you for being here every time I need you. Thank you for holding me and let my cry in your arms.” She was looking at his bright green eyes and at the big love she always found there. “And thank you for loving Reilly so much...”
John smiled at hearing the last words and touched his forehead against hers. “You don’t have to thank me, Roma. I love you and I can’t be anywhere but by your side. That’s the only condition God asked me to fulfill when He gave me you,” he said trying to joke and was relieved when she chuckled lightly.
She leaned over to kiss him tenderly on the lips and the hugged him again. “I’m sorry for tonight...” she whispered in a guilty tone.
John quickly pulled her away again, cupping her face so she had to look at him. “Roma, no!” he said. “Please, don’t even think about this!”
“It looks like every time we’re close, there’s something in the middle...” she tried to joke.
“Roma,” his voice was serious, “I don’t want you to think that that’s the only thing I want from you. I love you, baby, and making love with you is just one more of the ways to show you how much, but it is just as holding you or kissing you like this,” he kissed her forehead, “or waking up with you in my arms as I’ve done these last days.”
The young actress took his hand and kissed his palm. “How can you be so perfect?” she asked.
“I’m not perfect, sweetie. I’m only human, but I’m a human in love with a perfect creature of the most perfect God.” She smiled tenderly, leaning against his hand, her eyes shinning with love for him.
*****
“John, will you help us with this...?” the director asked the blond actor.
“Huh?”
“I asked if you can help us with this...” he repeated handling him a new screenplay.
“Sure,” the actor replied but his attention was not on the papers but on Roma, who was seated on a lonely bench out of the scene at the park, in front of the building where they would film that day. She was reading her own screenplay but her expression was very sad. John had let her alone for a while, always keeping an eye on her, but when he saw her wiping a tear away, he almost ran to her side. “Baby, are you alright?” he said taking her hand and tilting her chin.
“Yes,” she said with a slightly trembling voice. “It’s nothing.”
“Roma, what’s wrong?” John said, worry clear in his eyes. “Are you feeling bad? Are you still worried about Reilly?” The director had been surprised by John’s sudden leave, but when he saw them, he decided to take a break for all.
“I’ve just called her. She’s fine,” the Irish actress said. “After all it seems it was nothing but a kid’s problem.”
“Then what is it, sweetie?” John kept on asking tenderly caressing her cheek. “I know you, I know this pretty face and something is bothering you...”
“No...” she started but then changed her mind. “Yes... It’s silly, but...”
“Nothing about you is silly for me...”
“It’s just that I can’t stop feeling somewhat sad for this...” she murmured showing him her script. He understood at once: it was the part where Maggie goes to sign the divorce papers and suffers the humiliation of George leaving her there.
“Roma...” John stood up and took a seat by her side to hug her.
“I know it shouldn’t affect me,” she said leaning over him and wiping a tear away. “I’m a professional and that’s the past but...”
“I know, baby, I know...” he stopped her and kissed her head repeatedly. Of course he knew. He had been there. He had hugged her for hours in her room at the set while she cried out her anger and her pain. He had suffered with her, his heart had broken to see her crying, clutching tightly his shirt, her tears wetting his chest, her small body trembling with the sobs. He would have given anything to spare her from that pain, but he could do nothing but be there by her side. He tightened his hold on her at the memory of those years. “But that’s never gonna happen again,” he murmured on her ear. “I promise.”
“I wouldn’t bare it, Johnny...” she murmured back.
“Roma,” Tim Matheson, the actor that played George’s role, came near them. “Are you ok? We have to start filming but if you don’t feel ok...”
“No, Tim, I’m fine,” she said swiping one more tear. “The sooner, the better,” she tried to sound cheerful and John reluctantly let her go. He kept an attentive eye on her the rest of the day, not missing how vivid were her trembling lips or her eyes full of tears. Still, Roma went over her feelings and all the scenes were ready at the first time. It was missing just Maggie’s walk around the botanical garden and the lunch and the farewell walk with Michel’s character.
It was late in the night when Michel saw the lonely figure of Roma walking along the beach, barefoot, a light shawl covering her shoulders. She seemed to be deep in thought, concentrated only on the water touching her feet. John was nowhere in sight, so the older actor decided to reach her. “What are you doing here alone?” he said smiling at her.
“I guess Maggie stayed where you left her,” she joked.
“Where’s John?”
“I... I wanted to be alone for a little while. I haven’t returned to my room yet.”
“Is there something wrong, Roma?” he asked truly worried. “Do you have problems with him?”
“NO!” the young actress shouted. “No, everything is fine. I mean, he’s a wonderful man but...”
“But...?”
Roma sighed realizing she had said a lot and now Michel would certainly keep on asking. “It’s something too personal... I don’t know if I should talk about this with you...” she said looking down.
Michel stopped and placed himself in front of her to force her to see him on the eyes. “I understand but Roma, let me be your friend. I know you in a way a common friend would not and I care enough for you to want to see you happy. If there’s something I can do now is listening to what is troubling you...”
Roma met his eyes and saw the sincerity of his concern. What she didn’t see was John’s figure walking away... “I’m afraid, Michel,” she finally confessed.
“Afraid? Of what?”
“Afraid of getting hurt again as I did with David...”
“Are you planning to get married, Roma?” Michel asked.
“No, not yet. We haven’t discussed it... I... hum...” she took a deep breath before she could continue. “I haven’t even been able to... have intimacy with him...” She blushed deeply at her words.
“Why?” he asked surprised but then he explained himself. “I mean, by the way you look when you’re together I would’ve thought...”
“I’m afraid of losing him, Michel!” she said starting to cry. “I... I want to... There’s nothing I want more than to do it but I’m so, so afraid of losing him. I love him so much that I know I couldn’t live without him after that!” Michel pulled her closer to hug her and let her cry, feeling her heart getting free of a heavy burden. “I’m so confused. Michel! Why can’t I be sure about this if he loves me so much and if I love him as well? Why am I so afraid?”
“Because, Roma, you’re truly and deeply in love,” the older actor said stroking her head. “Because you’ve found that absolute love we all dream about, because you’ve been defending yourself from pain for years and that instinct of self-defense is blocking your sight from the fact that you’ve found the love of your life. Roma, you’ve been blessed with a great child, and many men would be glad to give you their love, me included, but your heart has chosen one and he certainly deserves you. Don’t be afraid. He is the one for you. You being so in love proves it.”
“How do you know?” she asked pulling away.
Michel smiled tenderly and kissed her forehead. “Because when we were dating, you didn’t have any doubts as it wasn’t even a choice. And now it is for you the last step, the way to tell John you trust him with all you are. Trust him, Roma, he loves you and he will never stop loving you. His eyes say so.”
A touched tear crossed the Irish woman’s cheek and she wiped it away before smiling. “Thank you, Michel.”
“Be happy, Roma,” he said leaning down to kiss her cheek. “I’m leaving tomorrow morning. I hope to see you happy the next time I have the privilege to see you.”
“Take care,” she said thankfully.
“I will. Say bye to John for me, ok?”
She nodded and saw him go. She turned to see at the ocean, the big full moon reflected over the waves. After a couple of minutes, she decided to go back to her room. She found the lights off and it seemed strange for her, but she soon realized the door of the balcony was open and John was there. She walked slowly until there, her bare feet making almost no sound. “Johnnie...” she called him.
“Roma, be free to tell me whatever you want to,” he said without turning to see her. “I love you, but I don’t want you to be with me if you don’t want to.”
It took her some seconds to get what he was saying. Was he doubting her love? She gave the last steps towards him and stood right at his side so he had to look at her. “What, John?”
His expression was very sad to say the least, and he did nothing to touch her. Instead he buried his hands in his pockets. “All I’ve ever wanted is your happiness, baby, but if it is not with me...”
Roma’s mouth curled in a rather ironic expression, her eyes directly on his. She crossed her arms in silence. ‘God, men can be so stupid sometimes!’, she thought unconsciously shaking her head.
“What?” the blond actor asked when he couldn’t stand her sight.
“We’ll talk after tonight,” she replied and then wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him down for the most passionate kiss she had ever given him. Her eager lips parted his immediately and the rest was like a dream for John. He couldn’t think more about his doubts as he started to feel light headed when their tongues touched and started to dance. He was having trouble even at breathing and Roma smiled mentally knowing he would not argue more.
And he certainly could not have argued. Roma had the ability of making him forget anything but her, her body, her lips, her soft skin. His hands seemed attracted to her body as by a magnet and he needed to feel her closer. He barely acknowledged them getting into the bedroom, his hands hungrily unzipping Roma’s dress.
“I want you, John, please...” the Irish actress whispered on his ear when her entire body was aching for him.
“And I need you, baby,” he whispered in reply. “I need you more than the air to live.” He then claimed her mouth again, stifling their screams when they finally consumed their love.
A couple of hours later, John was laying on their bed fully awaken but feeling as if he was in the middle of a dream. Roma was sleeping peacefully over his chest, completely naked and he could feel the warm contact of her skin against his. His left hand was running up and down her back, marveling at how it felt like velvet. His thoughts went back to the time when they had first met. Since that day, he had wanted her, knowing deep inside of him she was the right woman for him... and finally that dream had come true. His life suddenly seemed complete and he wanted to thank God for all the gifts He had given him since the day he had signed the contract to play Andrew.
The slow movement of Roma waking up took him out of his reverie and he rolled over his left arm and slipped under the sheet to be face to face with her. Her eyes seemed brighter to him even when the lights were turned off. “So beautiful...” he murmured, his right hand running along her left arm to her neck and to her cheek. “So perfect... and mine.”
Roma smiled and reached to stroke his cheek too. “You’re mine too now, Mr. Dye,” she whispered.
John pulled her over to kiss her lovingly. “I’ve been yours since the first time, and even before. I’m sure God knew I belonged to you from the moment He created me.”
“I love you...” Roma whispered leaning over and almost touching his lips. But instead of crossing the small distance and kiss her, John turned his head and looked away. “Johnnie...?” the young actress asked somewhat surprised.
He took a deep breath before turning to see her, and placing a hand over her cheek looked deeply into her eyes. “Roma, there’s something I need to know, please...” he murmured, his green eyes showing anxiety.
“What, Johnnie?”
“When you and Michel were dating... Did you...?”
“John...” Roma interrupted him not willing to have that conversation on that night. “I told you Michel is in my past...”
“I know, baby...”
“Why do you want to know about the past?”
“I know, Roma, but... I feel I need to know. I don’t care about it but I want to know.”
It was the fierce love and the need of reassurance she saw in his eyes what told her to be honest. “No, Johnnie... never,” she said and she saw how his expression changed immediately. “I wouldn’t have been able to... I haven’t since... David.”
“Why?” he asked still in disbelief. “Why me and not him?”
Roma felt her heart swelling with tenderness and love for a man that couldn’t see how wonderful he was. “Because I never loved him the way I love you,” she said stroking his hair and looking at him in complete adoration.
Her face was just inches apart from his, and John could feel her breath over his skin. “There hasn’t been a day when my love for you has stopped growing, Roma,” he told her pulling her closer, “and there won’t be one either. But just tonight, my love has grown ten times ‘cause you trusted me with all you are... and I will never deceive you, my love.”
The Irish actress could feel the electricity running along her body when their lips were almost touching, so she closed her eyes and brushed a feather like kiss on his mouth. “I know,” she whispered, “that’s why I’ve trusted you.”
John closed his eyes too and responded to her light kiss with another similar, the almost-contact more exciting than nothing. He inhaled her perfume and grazed the skin of her back painfully teasing her and he himself until he couldn’t stand it more and kiss her deeply rolling her to lay over her back and to give him full access. “I adore you,” he murmured when he broke the kiss for air. “I simply adore you.”
****
“Now, John, let me go!” Roma shouted struggling to get free from his strong arms.
“No!” he said firmly, keeping her in place right beside him.
“I’m gonna be late!” she pleaded for her job as well as for her breath as he was tickling her neck with his nose and his lips.
“I don’t care!”
“I still have to take a shower and get dressed!” she kept on saying trying to control her laughter.
“You’re perfect like this...” he murmured now kissing her collar bone.
“I can’t go to work all naked!”
John was about to reply when the telephone rang. He growled and finally let her go. “Yes?” Roma answered clearing her throat. “Oh, yes, Jenny, I... I overslept but I’ll be ready in half an hour. Yes, please, have the make up ready. I have the suit here. Thank you...” she hung up quickly feeling John’s hands slipping along her waist to pull her towards him again.
“Now, John, it was Jennifer. I really have to go...” but he silenced her with a long kiss.
“How can you say that when you mouth is telling me the contrary?” he murmured trailing kisses along her jaw.
“Because you’re such a good kisser, Mr. Dye...” she replied bending her head to the side so he could have access to her neck. “But even as good as you are, I still have a job and I have to be there!” she said finally managing to free herself from his arms and chuckling at his complains.
It was almost midday when they had finally gotten everything ready to film the last sequence of the film. It was the last day there and curiously, they would go back to Los Angeles to film the first part of the movie. She was wearing a white two pieces suit and a big purple hat, and ‘Maggie’ had to appear happier than ever as she has just gotten her husband back.
They had already done the rehearsals and now, Tim and her were outside the car where they’d film waiting for the technicians to adjust the cameras.
As much as she wanted to hide it, it was obvious that Roma was also happier than the other days, as well as John. Her smile, the bright in her eyes showed that... and it was definitely good for her. She was another Roma.
She was reading her script one last time and she was smiling. “You look happy today,” Tim Matheson commented.
“I am happy, Tim,” she replied. “I have all I could ask for in this life...” she said looking at John, who was busy talking to the director.
He smiled at her smiling. “Well, it’s good you feel like this today. It will help ‘Maggie’ to appear as happy as you look right now!”
“But ‘Maggie’ will have to remain being happy a little longer...” John told them coming closer. “We have a problem with the plane...”
“Now what?!” Roma exclaimed.
“Something with a turbine. They say it’ll take no more than half an hour...”
“Enough for me!” Tim announced.
“Enough for what?” John asked intrigued.
“I overslept today and I haven’t had breakfast! I’m starving! See you later!” and he walked away.
“Looks like you’re not the only one who ‘overslept’ today,” John said mischievously to a lightly blushed Roma.
“But I think his reasons are a little different from mine!”
“Not as good as yours...” he added seductively holding her.
“You bet...” she conceded aiming for his lips but he lifted his head to avoid her kiss.
“Still I should be angry with you,” John told her with mock indignation.
“May I please know the reason of your anger, Mr. Dye?” she whispered burring her face in the nape of his neck and starting to kiss his skin slightly.
The blond actor groaned quietly. “You will have to make it up with me tonight after so many kisses in the scenes today.”
“Oh, I will, huh?” she asked pulling away and looking at him. He offered her a fake innocent, hurting look. “My pleasure,” she whispered in a sexy tone before reaching for his lips.
****
Roma sighed sadly the next morning when she closed her briefcase after finishing to put inside all her clothes. Their days in Manzanillo were over and they were going back home. She was happy and looking forward to see Reilly soon again, but she couldn’t help but wanting to spend another day there with John. Things have changed the last three days...
“A kiss for your thoughts,” John murmured reaching to kiss her ear.
“I’m looking forward to go back home and see Reilly tomorrow, but at the same time I wish we could stay one day more here...” she said in a hoarse, barely audible voice. John couldn’t help but giggling and that surprised her. “What’s so funny?”
“Your voice, baby!” he said sincerely kissing her cheek and walking to the bathroom to start picking up his things.
“I wonder what I’m going to do tomorrow! I can’t speak any louder!”
“That voice is incredibly sexy, you know?” he teased her walking back to the bedroom and to the bathroom again.
“I don’t feel bad at all. I don’t even know why I’m like this!” she continued truly worried.
“You screamed a lot last night, that’s what it is!” he added mischievously dodging to avoid the punch with a towel she had wanted to give him.
“Then it’s your fault, Mr. Dye!”
John dropped his shave machine over the bed, took her by the waist and kissed her squarely on the lips. “Bad news for you is that I’m planning to repeat it all over again tonight!”
“Ok...” she whispered wrapping her arms around his neck. “I can’t call on sick, but I’ll take my risk...”
****
Home. Definitely nice and welcoming. Roma lazily opened her eyes and turned to see her clock. 7:15 and her alarm was set at 7:30, so she would have time to get ready and go to the studio to film the remaining scenes of the movie. She smiled at the next thing she saw: over a chair near the window, there was her robe waiting for her and over her night table a glass of fresh orange juice. She turned on the bed and reached her arm to the other side. It was still warm, it was where John had slept. The Irish actress closed her eyes with a expression of contentment on her beautiful face, the memories of the last few days and specially those of last night coming to her mind. He had loved her and had made her feel happier than in a long time, happier than ever in her life. She was surprised at how easily had been for them to know exactly what to do to please the other, as if their bodies knew beforehand what to do by themselves. She thanked God for bringing John into her life...
Roma could hear John preparing breakfast, so she finally got out of bed, took her robe and the glass of juice and went to the kitchen. “Good morning,” she said walking to the stove and kissing him.
“Breakfast is ready! How’s your throat?”
“A wee bit better actually...” she said taking a seat and smelling the plate John was placing in front of her. “It smells great!”
“Wait till you try it,” he told her winking an eye. After so many years, he knew perfectly well what her favorite breakfast was. He served his own plate and took a seat by her side.
“You’re spoiling me a lot. I’m gonna get used to it,” she told him biting a toast.
“I’ll never complain about spoiling you, baby, so you can get used...”
She lowered her head and bite her lower lip before asking. “Johnnie, will you stay here tonight again?”
“What about Reilly?” he asked taking her hand.
Roma looked at him and she saw what she always found in his green eyes: utter love for her and her little daughter.
“It’s not the first time you stay all night... But if you don’t want to...” she murmured looking away.
John placed a hand under her chin to make her meet his gaze. “You know that’s not the reason. I’ve stayed several times, but don’t you think she’s smart enough to see there’s something different?”
“I don’t want to hide this from her, Johnnie, and I don’t want to be away from you anymore.”
“Neither do I, baby. This days... waking up with you... in my arms... have been like being in Paradise...” he said stroking her cheek.
“So?” she asked wanting to find a solution.
“We can ask her...” he proposed. “Mention somehow if she wants me to stay...”
Roma practically jumped to his neck. “She’s my biggest supporter! She loves you and she’ll say yes!”
John chuckled knowing it was true and held Roma tightly. “I’ll stay every time she wants me to.”
The young actress pulled away a little and took a seat on his lap, her smile wide and her eyes bright with joy and love. “Forever!” she murmured and leaned down to kiss him.
THE END AND TO BE CONTINUED...
(in more and more stories... a proposal... a wedding... a honeymoon... and THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER!!)