Chapter 111

The car was parked in front of the place h e had been frequenting for the last few days. It was a good place t o dance (he loved t o dance) a n d have a couple of drinks in the company of a pretty woman. h e met Melanie in New York a n d since then she accompanied him o n his tour. That's how h e wanted it, a n d although August didn't need the woman who was willing t o have a good time with him, she was perfect, because she was funny a n d undramatic. (At least it seemed that way at first) I didn't understand how his attitude changed in a matter of three days.

He shook his head a n d cleared his mind. I didn't want t o think about that. h e was ready t o celebrate that night h e appeared in the place h e had dreamed of for so many years. For every illusionist, the MGM Grand Garden Arena was a statement that h e was reaching the pinnacle of his career. His parents knew it a n d that i s why they traveled from Scotland t o accompany him. Her little sister couldn't make it o n time because her plane was delayed due t o bad weather in Canada, where she had been living for seven months.

Las Vegas was the sixth city h e had visited a n d h e had scheduled four performances there. When his agent told him that touring America was a good idea, August hesitated for a moment, knowing that America was full of good illusionists. h e thought it would be like taking sand t o the beach. But h e was surprised t o discover that h e was very wrong. The American public loved him a n d they showed him their fascination night after night by selling out all the locations in which h e appeared.

"You can go back t o the hotel," h e told his driver as soon as h e got out of the car. I'll send you a message t o come get us.

The man nodded without saying a n ything a n d got back into the vehicle.

August walked towards the entrance of the club, unable t o stop himself from nodding his head t o the rhythm of Afrojack's Turn up the speaker. h e knew the song by heart, as it was one of his favorites when jogging. h e spotted Melanie near the entrance a n d smiled as h e met her lustful gaze.

"You look beautiful," h e whispered in her ear as h e approached.

The redhead smiled a n d turned her face t o search for August's lips. h e responded as a n y man would. After greeting each other with a passionate kiss, they both entered the club. The place was busier than usual. People danced a n d drank… normal for a place like that.

They were shown t o a table reserved for Big a n derson, ordered a couple of drinks, a n d sat down.

How Deep i s Your Love by Calvin Harris began t o play a n d Melanie jumped t o her feet. h e looked at August with those little eyes that lit him up like a torch in the inaugural celebration of the Olympic Games.

"I love this song," she said, pulling him by the hand. Let's Dance!

August smiled a n d held his drink.

"Come on," h e agreed a n d walked ahead of her until they reached the dance floor.

They both looked at each other with the same complicity they did the night they met, also dancing. Melanie pressed herself as close t o August as possible, moving with supreme sensuality. God! She was a beautiful woman a n d she turned him o n just by looking at him. She was wearing a black dress, tight t o the body a n d that reached a little above the knee, which highlighted all the curves of the redhead. She had a killer butt a n d a pair of big, round breasts. August had t o bite his lip t o suppress the urge t o undress her a n d enter her right there. h e smiled lewdly as she grabbed his neck a n d pressed her forehead t o his. They melted into a fiery kiss as their bodies moved t o the rhythm of the music. They danced for a long time, until their glasses were empty.

They went back t o the table a n d ordered four more rounds, chatting a n d kissing. August felt that if h e kept kissing her like h e was, they would have t o go t o the hotel early a n d h e didn't want that. She wanted t o keep dancing until her feet hurt.

They spent a couple of hours dancing, kissing, laughing a n d drinking until they felt very exhausted a n d decided t o sit down a n d drink a while longer, a n d then go t o continue the celebration behind closed doors.

"Well?" Melanie said suddenly.

August had t o lean a little closer t o hear her. The music was very loud.

"What?" h e yelled.

"I said, well?" she repeated in August's ear.

"Well what?" h e asked.

"I think it's time t o define where this i s going," she continued.

"Where does what go?" August didn't understand.

"Ours," Melanie said, waving her hand. What are we?

August squeezed his eyes shut as h e realized what was about t o happen. h e hated when women complicated things. Couldn't they just live in the moment a n d that's it? No. They always want more a n d more.

—We are a man a n d a woman who want t o have fun, have good sex without complications a n d…

-Yes Yes Yes. Okay,” she interrupted him. That sounded really nice at first, but I no longer feel comfortable knowing that I'm one of the crowd.

"You're not one of the bunch," she couldn't help but say. She smiled a n d h e could see a glimmer of hope in those gray eyes. h e wanted t o take it back a n d say something less compromising. "You're special," h e blurted out out of inertia.

"Shit! What am I doing? h e thought.

He must not delude her with corny words, but h e never learned t o be cruel. h e couldn't tell her that what they had was just sex. That always hurt women. Ray! Why couldn't h e be like Macarena, the beautiful green-eyed brunette h e met last year o n his last trip t o Spain? She was always clear about what they had a n d enjoyed it t o the fullest. She never made dramas or tried t o get more than what h e offered her. She was a very broad-minded woman a n d enjoyed her sexuality without taboos. Both said goodbye after having a strenuous sex session a n d from time t o time they exchanged messages o n W******p. Why did Melanie have t o complicate everything?

"Am I really special t o you?" Redhead's eyes sparkled.

August would hate himself for a couple of months for what h e was going t o say, but it was the only way t o make amends. h e didn't love her a n d h e couldn't lie t o her just t o make her feel good.

-Of course! I've never had a woman perform oral sex o n m e like you do before,” she blurted out a n d wished she had a rock t o hit her o n the head with.

Melanie put her hands t o her mouth. I was horrified.

"Is that what I am t o you?" Just sex?” h e shrieked.

"What do you want m e t o tell you, Melanie?" h e shrugged. I was honest with you from the beginning. I told you I wasn't looking for a n ything serious a n d you were willing t o be with me.

—I thought it was just a saying, because when we say that we are not looking for a n ything serious, in reality we hope t o find that special person who makes u s vibrate.

“That's the problem, Melanie. When we say that we are not interested in a long-term relationship, it i s because we are not. We don't disguise our words...

"I thought…" Melanie's voice cracked.

"Shit!". August hated making women cry a n d that's why h e wanted t o be as transparent as possible when dealing with someone. h e didn't like collecting broken hearts as h e went. At this point in his life, h e learned that t o avoid hurting someone h e had t o be very sincere a n d not fake something h e didn't feel, much less get romantic if all h e was looking for was sex.

Not that h e was a vile heartless scoundrel. h e always treated the ladies with kindness a n d respect, as his mother taught him t o be a gentleman. It's not that h e cheated o n them a n d used them a n d then discarded them. All the women h e had were aware of what h e was looking for a n d they all accepted without complications. It was after a while that they began t o invent fantasies a n d mix fairy tales with reality.

He couldn't deny that o n some occasions h e tried t o fall in love with one of his conquests, because h e believed that they met all the requirements h e was looking for in a woman, but in the end it was just a physical attraction. Until now h e had not found the woman with whom h e had a spiritual, mental a n d emotional connection. h e was afraid h e would never find her.

"Please don't be like that." His voice was calm. h e tried t o calm her down. I didn't mean t o hurt you...

"You lied t o me," she muttered.

"What?" August pretended not t o hear what she said.

"You lied t o me," Melanie said again. You made m e believe that you loved me.

August felt a recalcitrant fury course through his chest, because it was a slander. h e was not a liar. In fact, h e hated lies, deception, a n d falsehood. Although for some they were synonyms, for him they were not. h e always acted with the truth in front of him t o avoid feeling like a jerk. h e had t o take a deep breath t o keep from blurting out a bunch of insults.

"I never lied t o you," was the only thing h e managed t o say.

"Yes you did," she said, a n d a few tears rolled down her face.

"What part of I'm not looking for a n ything serious, all I want i s t o have a good time, have good sex without complications, don't you understand?" h e asked, trying t o remain calm.

—You said you would introduce m e t o your parents, t o give you time t o do it a n d…

“I told you that because you were pressuring me. Fuck! Why do you insist o n changing the rules of the game? I was honest with you a n d you made m e believe that you were a mature woman who was prepared for this kind of relationship. Don't you understand that at this point in my life I'm not looking for commitments of a n y kind? I told you many times, Melanie. This i s not serious. I reminded you every time I could a n d you replied that you were aware a n d that you didn't care, that you only cared about living in the moment.

"I was hoping you'd fall in love with me," she confessed.

“I'm so sorry, Melanie, but that didn't happen, a n d it won't. Me…

Suddenly, a sharp slap made August fall silent.

"You're a jerk, Big a n derson," Melanie sneered, jumping t o her feet. I do not want t o see you again! she added a n d turned t o storm off.

"Melanie!" h e stood up too. She rubbed her cheek a n d ran after the redhead. Melanie, wait.

He knew that she was very drunk a n d it was not sensible for him t o let her go like that in that condition. Although h e was not in love with her, h e appreciated her very much. The thought of something bad happening t o her made her stomach turn.

She saw someone she knew a n d signaled for him t o stop her. A security man, who had declared himself a loyal admirer of the wizard two nights ago, nodded a n d prepared t o intercept Melanie. She was furious a n d didn't want t o stay where she was. h e crossed the dance floor, taking a few people with him.

"Melanie!" August said again.

She continued o n her way without bothering t o look back. In the middle of his retreat h e did not notice the woman who was t o one side of the bar. h e also swung her forward, causing the drink t o spill o n her.

"I'm terribly sorry," h e said t o the woman who looked very upset. I apologize o n her behalf. The poor thing left in a rage because of me.

August gasped as h e realized that in front of him was the most beautiful woman his eyes had ever seen. Blonde, green eyes, very white skin a n d beautiful lips. h e had a slim body but with well-distributed attributes. It was what her father defined as: a n  a n gel's face a n d a goddess's body. She couldn't help noticing that her blouse was a bit see-through. h e had t o look at the floor so as not t o make her uncomfortable. She looked up briefly a n d noticed that Melanie was sitting o n a bench, next t o the security man she had asked t o stop her. h e felt calmer.

"Here." From his shirt pocket, h e took out a cloth handkerchief a n d handed it t o her. It must dry. I could catch a cold.

The woman accepted her handkerchief a n d tried t o dry herself as much as she could. h e thanked a n d turned t o leave. August remembered the handkerchief. It was special because his mother gave it t o him when h e was eleven years old a n d it was the first one h e used t o do a magic trick. h e carried it with him night after night at every show. It was his amulet.

"Hey! My handkerchief.” h e stopped her before she could walk away. It has great sentimental value.

She turned around a n d handed it t o him. She gave him a shy smile a n d h e thought it was the most beautiful thing h e had ever seen. His heart skipped a beat. The girl turned around, determined t o leave. I couldn't let her go. Not like this.

"Allow me, please, t o buy you a n other drink of…" I study the glass in her hand. Vodka? Tequila?

"No thanks," she said. I don't drink liquor.

August frowned. It seemed strange t o him that someone in the middle of a nightclub, where h e was going t o dance a n d drink, would say that.

"So what did you drink?" h e asked.

-Water.

-Voucher! Let it be water, then,” August said, waving his hand for the bar tender t o come closer t o him. When h e did it-. Please attend t o the lady. Give him what h e asks for a n d put it o n my account,” h e said, winking at her.

"No need." She waved her hands in denial. I have how t o pay what you ask.

A sly smile touched August's lips. Beautiful a n d proud, h e thought.

"Please, let m e make it up t o you for what happened," h e commented, unable t o help looking at the lady's wet blouse.

She blushed when she noticed the man's libidinous look a n d crossed her arms t o cover herself.

"If you want t o make it up t o me, stop looking at m e like I'm a piece of meat," she snapped. August opened his eyes, surprised by the girl's rudeness.

Aháva wanted t o hold her tongue so she wouldn't be so sharp, but she couldn't help it. That's the downside of growing up with a n  Asperger parent. h e learned t o say whatever h e thought without stopping t o think about whether his words were harsh or not. In the end, the truth doesn't hurt a n yone. Or if?

"I'm very sorry, I didn't mean t o make you uncomfortable." August felt very embarrassed. "I," h e suddenly felt very nervous, "will go to..." h e couldn't finish the sentence, because the intense gaze of the beautiful blonde intimidated him. h e looked t o the side a n d saw Melanie still sitting next t o the man who had helped him stop her.

August walked away very slowly. God! She wished she could stay here, but she had t o make sure Kenny took Melanie t o the hotel. Then h e would return t o learn more about this beautiful woman who seemed t o be immune t o his charms.