Read Online Obsession (Year of Fire) by Florencia Bonelli - Free Book Online Page A

as though to bring an end to the matter, and leafed through her book. Matilde was becoming a challenge, and Al-Saud suspected that behind her angelic appearance she hid a rich spirit, full of both light and shadow. Matilde, who are you, really? What were you doing with Blahetter’s grandson? Is he your husband? He didn’t want to know.
    “I suppose you have to love children to decide to become a pediatric surgeon, right?”
    “Yes, of course.”
    “Are you feeling better?”
    “Yes, much better. I’m completely recovered.”
    The flight attendant came over with glasses of champagne and informed them that the new year had just begun in France. Juana jumped up from her seat and joined them in the toast. After they had clinked glasses, Eliah leaned over to Matilde and kissed her on the left corner of her mouth.
    “Happy ’98, Matilde.”
    “The same to you.”
    She looked down uncomfortably and, while Juana and Eliah were wishing each other a happy new year, she wondered whether he had meant to audaciously kiss her close to the lips or it was just because of their uncomfortable position in the seats. She noticed that he had put the full glass of champagne down on the tray table; he hadn’t even taken asip. When Juana finished her glass, Matilde handed her her own without saying a word.
    “You don’t drink champagne, Matilde?” She liked how he said champagne ; she liked it even more that he hadn’t drunk any.
    “Mat drinking champagne? Not in a million years, Eliah. My girl hates alcohol. She never drinks.”
    “Neither do I,” he said.
    He stared at her deliberately, and Matilde knew that his kiss had been intentional.
    “You don’t drink?” Juana was surprised.
    “No, never.”
    “How strange! I don’t know any men that don’t drink. Don’t you like it?”
    “I don’t care as much about it as everyone else seems to. I like other drinks. For one thing, I don’t like how alcohol slows my reactions and for another thing, the human body wasn’t made to process alcohol. It’s damaging.”
    “They say red wine is good for your health.”
    “There are other perfectly good ways to keep your arteries clear that don’t affect the liver like red wine.”
    “You must take good care of yourself,” Juana supposed.
    “It’s the only body I have.”
    Matilde had grown in confidence and, while he was addressing Juana, she watched him with naked interest. She was captivated by his lips, not just because of their shape—thick and moist, though small and well-defined—but also the way he moved them when he spoke, with the top and bottom lips barely touching. She was surprised to find herself noting his teeth; she never noticed that kind of thing. Maybe his teeth look so white because his skin is so dark. She realized that he wasn’t just tanned; he was dark-skinned, like Juana.
    She admired how easily he and Juana spoke to each other, with a facility that hardly ever occurs between strangers. In fact, Juana could form a relationship with any living creature; Matilde was the one who had had trouble striking up friendships with people, except children. She quickly looked away when he turned back to address her.
    “You neither, Matilde?”
    “Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”
    Juana swallowed a giggle. Her friend was as subtle as a bull in a china shop.
    “I was asking if you’ve been to Paris.”
    “No, I’ve never been.”
    The flight attendants collected the glasses before dimming the lights, plunging the cabin into twilight. Juana stretched.
    “The champagne has made me drowsy, so I’m going to try and get some sleep. Good night, Eliah.”
    “Good night. Are you tired, Matilde?”
    “Not at all,” she admitted.
    “Neither am I.”
    He had all the attributes of a frivolous, womanizing man. A rake, as her grandmother Celia would say. Still, she was hoping that her newfound attraction would take her down a path where she’d never dared to venture. It’s just for a few hours , she justified