The Butterfly Box(26)

Mariana concealed her disappointment. ‘Well, seeing as you’re spending so much time with us I’ll let you off,’ she said and chuckled.

‘Four weeks,’ he said.

‘Is it really that long until New Year?’ she asked in amazement. ‘No, it must

be less, mi amor, we’re already in December.’

‘Well, just under.’

‘What have you got the children for Christmas?’

‘I don’t know,’ he replied truthfully. He and Helena had been so preoccupied with their own troubles they had completely forgotten about Christmas.

‘You gave Fede that stunning box. I think she’s so happy with that she won’t expect anything else,’ said Mariana, remembering the staggering beauty of that strange object.

‘Oh, Helena has bought them trunkloads of gifts. In that department they are certainly not lacking,’ he chuckled.

‘How lucky they are. We’ll have a lovely Christmas, you’ll see,’ she said, squeezing his hand.



Federica was disappointed her father wasn’t joining them for lunch in Zapallar and swallowed back her tears. Helena suffered a confusing mixture of emotions. On one hand she was relieved and looked forward to some time without the unsettling weight of his presence, but on the other hand she was drawn to him like a reckless fly about the head of a bull. She felt compelled to be near

him if only to provoke a reaction. Ignacio commented dryly that he had already had three months on his own, but after their conversation the night before he understood that his son wanted time, not on his own, but away from his wife and that saddened him. He hoped they would wake up and realize their marriage was worth saving.

Ramon watched the car disappear up the sandy track and waved at Federica who waved forlornly back with her small, pale hand.

It was very hot. The midday sun pounded against the earth with its full force. He wiped his sweaty brow with his sleeve then headed back into the house. He went straight into the kitchen in search of Estella, but she wasn’t there. So he walked hastily onto the terrace, his heart pounding against his chest in anticipation, but she wasn’t there either. His eyes scanned the sitting room with impatience. He didn’t want to lose a moment. Finally he strode down the corridor towards his room. He heard the rustle of linen and the low hum of her voice as she sang happily to herself.

When he appeared at the door of his room Estella sprung around in fright. No one had told her that Don Ramon wasn’t going to Zapallar with the rest of the family. She remained startled, blinking at him with uncertainty. ‘Don

Ramon, you scared me,’ she said and her voice was breathless. She placed her hand about her neck as if attempting to loosen the clamp that had taken hold of it.

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sneak up on you. I didn’t know you were here,’ he lied.

‘I can do your room later,’ she said, dropping the sheet and walking around the bed towards him with the intention of leaving.

‘Yes, you can do it later,' he replied, stopping her from going by grabbing her upper arm. She gasped. He then placed both hands on her arms and pushed her up against the wall. Her breasts heaved expectantly. He noticed a bead of sweat cling to the soft skin that formed the valley between them. He placed his finger there and lifted it off her body.

‘Are you nervous?’ he said, his dark eyes studying her anxious face.

‘You’re married,’ she replied foolishly.

‘Only in name, Estella. Only in name,’ he said regretfully. Then he lowered his lips and brushed them softly across hers. She swallowed to release the tension that made her throat ache and closed her eyes. He kissed the moist skin of her neck, running his tongue up towards her ear. It tasted salty and smelt of

roses. His hands found the bottom of her uniform and crept up inside it, his fingers tracing the soft curve of her thighs and hips. She caught her breath. Overwhelmed by the force of his charisma she felt her body go limp and surrender to a will far greater than hers. Moments such as these were the stuff of dreams and she was determined to steal her pleasure because tomorrow it might be gone. The bristle of his chin on her neck distracted her momentarily so that when his mouth fell on hers she realized his fingers were playing with the edge of her panties and caressing the damp skin of her upper thighs. When his tongue began to explore the smooth interior of her mouth she lost herself completely. His fingers pulled her panties aside and found the core of her longing where she ached to be touched. They remained pressed against the wall, their breathing heavy and in unison, their hot bodies bathed in each other’s sweat. His fingers felt the velvet of her most tender places and he enjoyed watching her eyelids flutter like butterflies as she abandoned herself to his caresses.