Sweets

Aromas from the evening entrees blend with the sultry breeze off the ocean, enticing me.

The air is as rich as the chardonnay on my lips, moist, full of sophistication, allure, and confidence.

Freshly clean and slick, my legs glide against each other as I cross them under the table.

I’ve been active all day at this resort in Sechura, Peru, so my muscles are warmed up and relaxed. The waves whisper behind the toasts of clinking wine glasses in the patio restaurant, while the setting sun casts a mesmerizing glow on my dinner partner’s unshaven face. As I sink my fork into my luscious order of lobster and white cheddar cheese macaroni, the steam rises like the fog in a crystal ball, promising throngs of possibilities for the night.

The guy dining across from me wears a smile that I’ve seen before on former boyfriends, a playful mask that tempts me, yet doesn’t compromise his independence. He had introduced himself as Aidan right before the tour this morning. At first, although I didn’t come here to meet anyone, I thought his looks were the type that could grow on me.

Average build and height, no gut, thin lips with a rugged face. I sized up his age to be mid twenties. The years I had over Aidan had to be obvious to him, but he didn’t broach it once. Throughout the day, his wit made him more attractive.

Slicing off a forkful of salmon from his plate, he asks, “How did you find out about this place, Veronica?”

“Hey, if there’s one thing women love, it’s chocolate. No way you can hide it from us. The blogs are all lit up about this cocoa getaway. When they promised that it wouldn’t blow your diet, I was sold.”

“Doesn’t look to me like you need to diet.” He takes a bite of his fish and slowly closes his eyes as if in culinary ecstasy.

Right now, I don’t feel like I have to torture myself over the swell of my ass or the jiggle of skin around my naval. With my skin tight from a tan, the softness of my legs, a sense of accomplishment after hiking the jungles and seeing cacao seeds up close, I feel like a goddess. It helps, too, that this younger man is complimentary about my physique, although I know that the flattery is part of his pursuit. Being a nurse, I’ve received hordes of passes like his. “Thanks, but with all the treats I intend to coddle myself with, I need something to keep me grounded.” I finally relish the first bite of my dinner, moaning from how delish it is. “What about you?”

“I heard there’d be lots of babes here.” Aidan rolls his eyes and nudges his chin up a bit to concede his sarcasm and to cue me that he is really going to answer now. “My sister suggested it last year since she knows I’m fascinated with the history of chocolate and how it affects our culture. Sure…I like candy.” He throws me a devilish gaze after saying that. “But the in-depth experience they promised is what hooked me.”