|
THE MISSION
Antonio decided it was time to rouse Gabi as it was almost dawn. She had slept so soundly, never even moving as she clung to his body. Antonio hadn’t closed his eyes all night as he held her and caressed her, his mind juggling a thousand thoughts. The rain had begun to slow down and thunder rumbled only in the distance. Antonio needed to wake Gabi up and get her home. "Gabi," he whispered as he shook her gently. "Wake up, Gabi...its getting light outside." Gabi’s eyes fluttered open as she stretched a little. Antonio’s twin bed had made for close sleeping quarters, which was fine with her, but admittedly uncomfortable. She looked up to find Antonio’s gorgeous eyes smiling at her. A wide smile broke across her lips as she wrapped her arm back over his stomach and snuggled down again. Antonio laughed softly as he tousled her hair. "Gabi, come on...wake up." "I don’t want to," she protested into his side. "Please don’t make me." "You have to get home," he said as he stroked her hair. "Everyone will be looking for you this morning...how will you explain that you were out all night?" Gabi’s smile faded as she realized that she would have to return to her sham of a marriage shortly. She took a deep breath and raised her eyes to Antonio. "What happens now?" Antonio’s eyes took in her beauty as he tenderly touched her cheek. "With us?" Antonio brought his warm lips against hers as he kissed her with an emotional embrace. He pulled back slowly and Gabi could see the hurt and confusion in his eyes. "Oh, Gabi." He lay back against the pillow and bent his arm up over his head. Gabi pushed herself up on her elbow and pulled the sheet around her chest. "Last night was..." he paused and closed his eyes. "It was incredible and I will never, ever forget it." Gabi had a bad feeling she knew what he was going to say next. "I love you, Gabi...I really love you." "I love you too, Antonio," she offered strongly as Antonio looked deeply into her eyes. "But you’re married to my brother," the words tore at both their hearts. "And I’m a priest." He could see Gabi’s eyes filling with tears. "That’s the way it is, Gabi. Ricardo needs you and the church needs me." Antonio had been thinking about this all night and once again, it was easier to convince himself when he wasn’t looking at Gabi. "Antonio," she whispered as she searched his eyes. "We need each other." "We have to think about what’s best for everyone, Gabi." His voice completely lacked conviction. "You’re best for me," Gabi said as she placed her head against his chest. "I’m sorry about what I said last night...I didn’t." "I know you didn’t mean it, Gabi," he interrupted her gently. "I know you were just angry and upset about how I was acting towards you. That’s not what this is about." He kissed the top of her head. "It’s not fair," she pouted as she teased his nipple with her finger. "If we love each other so much, we should be able to be together." Antonio closed his eyes as her touch began to turn him on. "Gabi." Gabi could hear the excitement cracking his voice so she pulled herself up a little and teased him now with her tongue. "We would be great together," she murmured between kisses. Antonio rolled his head to the side as his entire body responded to her. "Uh huh." Gabi slid her hand underneath the sheet and searched him out. "No one makes love to me like you," she whispered as she grasped him firmly enticing a deep moan from him. "Make love to me again," she commanded him softly. Antonio obeyed, making love to Gabi slowly and delicately as the sun rose outside the Mission. Gabi cried softly as his body moved against her. She closed her eyes wishing they would never have to stop and go back to the reality of their lives. She pulled him deeply into her as he released himself into her tenderly. They held each other close for a brief minute more before Antonio extracted himself from their embrace and climbed from the bed. Gabi watched as he went to the closet and brought out yet another pair of black pants and a black shirt. He dressed silently and stepped over to the dresser to retrieve his white collar. He turned away from Gabi and faced the mirror. Taking a deep breath, he slid the ends of the collar into his shirt and placed his hand solemnly against his collarbone. Gabi closed her eyes, as he again became the man she knew she would never completely have. Antonio stepped to the door and placed his hand on the knob. "I’ll be in my office," he said sadly without looking up. He walked into the hallway and closed the door behind him. Gabi pulled the sheet up around her and rolled over onto her side. She tightly hugged the pillow they shared as she inhaled the scent of him. She would remember this night forever…for as long as she lived. Sadly, she climbed out of bed and dressed in her still slightly damp clothes. She took one long last look before she left his room. Gabi headed down the hall and approached Antonio’s office. He was sitting in his chair with his back to the door staring out the window. She started to enter, then stopped and turned away quickly. A tear slipped from her eye as she made her way out of the Mission and back to the house without saying goodbye. BEN & MARIA’S Gabi slipped onto the patio and peered in the window. Ricardo was still passed out cold in the same position as she had left him. She gingerly opened the door and tiptoed inside. She made her way to the closet and removed her damp, cold clothes. Hurriedly, she pulled on her nightshirt and came back into the bedroom. She stood in front of the dresser looking into the mirror. She took a deep breath as she recalled Antonio dressing in his priestly garb, as she lay naked in his bed. She closed her eyes. "You look like you slept well." Ricardo’s deep, gruff voice nearly sent her out of her skin. She spun around and grabbed her chest. "Did I scare you?" Ricardo was beginning to come out of his drug-induced slumber and had been watching Gabi from the bed. "I though you were still sleeping," she mumbled as her heart began to decelerate. "Did you just wake up?" She tried not to sound panicked, but she was afraid maybe he had woken earlier and found her not there. Ricardo stretched his arms over his head. "I haven’t slept so well in a long, long time." He rubbed his eyes. "I don’t know what happened…I just kind of passed out." Gabi heaved a sigh of relief. "Yeah, you pretty much did. I had a hard time getting you into bed." Gabi moved to the side of the bed. "Are you ready to get up?" Ricardo reached out his hand. "Why don’t you come back to bed?" Gabi felt her stomach twist as Ricardo smiled seductively at her. She couldn’t lie in bed with now…not after having just left Antonio’s bed. "Ricardo," she faltered trying to find a reason. "I...I was just going to the kitchen. To get some coffee." Ricardo grabbed her hand. "Coffee can wait." He pulled her down onto the bed and into his arms. She closed her eyes as his arm slipped around her and held her to his chest. "You feel so good," he whispered as he ran his fingers through her hair. His lips grazed the top of her head and her heart pounded in her chest. Her mind was screaming and all she wanted was to jump out of bed away from him. "I just feel so rested this morning," he said softly. "You know, we could make love if you were on top." Gabi pulled herself away from him roughly as she fought to catch her breath. Ricardo’s eyes searched hers with confusion. "Ricardo, I…" What would she say to him now? "I don’t think that’s such a good idea." You’ve done it now, she told herself. "Why not?" he asked her with curiosity. "Because I..." Think, Gabi think. "I wouldn’t want to hurt you." Great, Gabi, you sound like a guy. Ricardo couldn’t help but laugh. "Gabi, you weigh like 95 pounds." He smiled at her. "I sure you won’t hurt me." "That’s not what I mean, Ricardo." She felt herself blushing. "I mean, you know, what if...if it didn’t work." Ricardo reached out his hand and took her hand in his. "It works," he said huskily as he rubbed her hand over him. Gabi felt like she was going to pass out and she lay down quickly on the bed. "Gabi? Are you okay?" Ricardo could see the color draining from her face. He forgot all about his growing desire and touched his hand to her forehead. "I’m fine," she said quietly. "I just felt a little dizzy. I’ll be okay." Just then Maria knocked at the door. "Are you guys awake?" her cheerful voice called out from the hallway. Ricardo pulled the sheet over his waist to hide his still excited state and yelled for Maria to come in. "Gabi, are you alright?" Maria’s eyes fell on Gabi’s pale face. "I’m fine, really." She tried to sit up as Ricardo assisted her. "Just a little dizzy." "Ricardo," Maria said. "Why don’t I help you out to the kitchen and Gabi can rest for awhile." Ricardo begrudgingly agreed as Maria helped him to his chair. "You are getting so much stronger, Ricardo. You are using your legs much more." Leave it to his sister to be so observant and vocal, he thought. "Gabi, if you need anything, just shout," Ricardo said as he touched his hand to her forehead once again with a smile. Gabi smiled weakly as Maria took him from the room. When the door closed, Gabi felt her whole body begin to tremble. She wasn’t ready to be with Ricardo, especially not so soon after making love with Antonio. She closed her eyes and fell instantly to sleep…still exhausted from her passionate encounter with Antonio. He was the only man in her dreams as she slept. Gabi woke up to find darkness filling the room. She strained to focus her eyes on the clock. "Six-thirty!" She had slept the entire day. She climbed out of bed and dressed in a flash before hurrying out to the living room. "Well, hello sleepyhead," Ricardo called out to her teasingly. "Are you feeling better?" Gabi’s eyes dropped as she found Antonio sitting next to Ricardo on the couch. I was, she thought as her stomach fell to her feet. Antonio turned over his shoulder and gave her a warm smile. Gabi wanted to break down crying right then and there. "Ricardo told me you weren’t feeling well." His voice was quiet and concerned. "How do you feel now?" Gabi felt her heart pounding wildly as he spoke to her. She tried to mask any emotion on her face. "I’m okay," she replied simply. "Excuse me." Gabi made a dash for the kitchen with Antonio’s eyes following her all the way. Maria was fixing dinner. "Hi, Gabi. How are you feeling?" "Better," she lied. "Maria, what’s Antonio doing here?" She tried to sound nonchalant. "Oh, he’s leaving in the morning for a week long retreat, so he stopped to say goodbye." Gabi’s stomach churned and she grabbed on to the back of the chair. "Gabi?" Maria shouted as Gabi slumped to the floor. "Antonio!" Antonio leapt from the couch when Maria yelled for him. He raced into the kitchen with Ricardo yelling for them both from the living room. "Oh my God," Antonio cried as he knelt quickly beside Gabi. "Gabi, Gabi?" He rolled her onto her back and put his ear near her mouth. "She’s breathing…I think she just passed out." Antonio stroked her cheek trying to revive her. "Gabi, hon…wake up." He fought to keep himself from slipping up in front of Maria. Just then, Ricardo pushed open the kitchen door with his foot. "What happened?" he demanded as he saw Antonio cradling Gabi on the floor. "Maria, what happened?" Ricardo resisted the overwhelming urge to jump from his chair. "I don’t know, Ricardo." Maria was flustered. "She was standing her talking to me and then the next thing I knew, she hit the floor. Antonio, why don’t you take her into their room?" Antonio picked up Gabi tenderly as he carried her out of the kitchen past Ricardo. He walked quickly to the bedroom. When he was out of Ricardo’s earshot, he whispered to Gabi. "Baby, wake up. Please, I’ve got you." Gabi’s head rolled to the side as she wearily opened her eyes. "Antonio?" she mumbled softly as a smile softened his worried countenance. "What…?" "Shh," he instructed her. "You passed out." Antonio laid her down on the bed and pushed the hair lovingly from her forehead. "Gabi…I love you," he felt the need to tell her. "Are you okay?" Ricardo rolled himself into the bedroom. "Is she okay? Gabi, are you awake?" He nearly ran over Antonio’s foot as he made his way to Gabi’s side. Gabi’s eyes were still on Antonio as he reluctantly stepped away from the bed. Ricardo leaned over her. "Gabi?" Gabi dropped her eyes from Antonio. "I’m okay, Ricardo." She smiled softly as he touched her cheek. Antonio turned away to avoid seeing Ricardo’s affectionate caress. "I don’t know what happened." "I think we should take you to the hospital." Ricardo turned to look for Maria. "Ricardo," Gabi touched his hand. "I’m fine...I’m just exhausted. Please, I don’t want to go to the hospital." She squeezed his hand to calm him down. "Well, I guess," he relented. "But if it happens again, or you’re not better tomorrow, you’re seeing the doctor. Deal?" "Deal," Gabi smiled as she settled back against the pillow. Antonio turned back to her with apprehension in his eyes. Ricardo was straightening the blanket so Gabi looked up to Antonio with a comforting smile. Antonio felt himself relax slightly seeing the color returning to her lips and cheeks. "I’m going to get you some water," Ricardo announced as he wheeled his chair to the door. "I’ll be right back." He was so worried about Gabi that he didn’t realize he was leaving her alone with Antonio. Antonio stepped quickly to her side. "Gabi, are you really okay?" He touched her cheek lovingly as a tear slipped from her eye. "Yes, Antonio." She blinked and the tear rolled down her cheek. "Maria just told me that you were leaving and…" "I’ll be back," he smiled. "It’s just for a week...I promise." Antonio wiped away her tear. "I know," Gabi said sadly. "And I know I shouldn’t get upset about what you do. It’s just that after last night…and then when I got back…" Antonio felt a small wave of panic. "Did anyone know you were gone?" "No," she said quickly. "But Ricardo...well, he wanted to..." Antonio’s eyes dropped away from hers and she reached for his hand. "It’s just been a long couple of days. I’m fine." Antonio smiled at her. "I love you," she whispered as Ricardo made his way back into the room. Antonio pulled his hand away and stepped back from the bed. Ricardo thought for a second that he had just interrupted something but dismissed the idea due to his concern for Gabi and took her the water. "Here, take a drink," he held the glass for her as she sipped the refreshing liquid. Antonio stood at the door and watched Ricardo tend to Gabi. He dropped his head and left quietly. He wouldn’t stop loving or caring or worrying about her no matter what their commitments were, but he was anxious that in an unintentional, intimate moment Ricardo might discover their true feelings for each other. Antonio vowed never to let that happen.
|