THIRTY NIGHTS OF REKINDLED FLAMES

I'm hungry for your eyes, mouth, and body...

James said those exact things to me right away.

I yearn for your mouth, your eyes, and your kisses.

He was reading a poem in both Spanish and English in front of the University of Miami class on a beautiful October day. During the first week of classes, he had moved to Public Speaking 101. On the day he read aloud, he was observed by all because he had already missed several courses.

He was the center of attention for all the girls. Both were unable to

It was my nineteenth birthday.

James, who was rather tall, had on a simple black T-shirt and faded trousers. With his short black hair, dark lashes, and dark eyebrows, his face was covered in dark stubble, giving him the appearance of the devil's finest pupil. A red-lighting threat to my heart.

James just stared as he spoke. At me. I took a seat in the second row. I wanted to kneel at his feet and beg him to do everything he wanted with my body and soul because his eyes were so full of possessive need.

James gave me a half-smile that hinted at pleasure as he regarded me after he had finished speaking.

I was out of breath. Hypnotized.

"I'm grateful, Mr. Menendez. The professor's voice startled me so much that I quickly gathered my papers and said, "Ms. Lavoie, you're next." I grabbed one that had fallen to the ground and picked it up with trembling fingers.

I moved by James as he took his seat and stepped to the front of the room. Our eyes locked for a brief moment, and I swallowed hard. I folded my arms, and my lips were uncomfortably damp. I would have liked to take off my vintage Betsey Johnson slip dress with its black and rose print and my black flip-flops because I knew they scraped against my flesh. James looked at me, and I felt exposed. made me desire to strip off. alongside him.

The professor asked, "Could you please tell us the title of the poem you're reading?"

"I've chosen 'Sonnet Seventeen,' by Pablo Neruda," I said, stuttering as I looked down at the floor.

"Open your arms wide. Additionally, you'll need to speak up more. Recall that this is a lesson on public speaking, not whispering in public."

The few pupils who bothered to look up giggled, and I looked up at James. With his lengthy legs spread wide and taking up room in the front row, he slouched low on his chair. A seductive smile developed on the contour of his lips. My curly hair was tucked behind my ear.

I took a deep breath and started.

As I read the poem aloud, James gave me slow, lingering looks. His mouth opened, allowing me to see his tongue poking out from the corner. I grinned by the time I got to the second sentence. I kept it a secret from him. We had the impression of being the only two people in the space.

I shivered with restless need as I ran outside into the white-bright Florida sun after class. My wrist was softly grasped, causing my fine hair to shake on my nape.

"Mary?" he said in a soft voice.

"Yes."

I think I had kissed a couple guys at that point, maybe a bit more. I used to be somewhat shy. Additionally, I avoided guys that resembled James, primarily because I thought they wouldn't be interested in a woman like me.

"Where are you from?" My tiny wrist appeared so frail in his large grasp.

"St. Augustine."

James's smile showed off his dimples beneath his stubble.

He rhymingly added, "So, Mary from St. Augustine," and instantly won my heart. What do you have planned for the weekend? Are you planning to attend the Fantasy Fiesta costume party that everyone is talking about? Do you have makeup?"

For a moment, I could only laugh. I was notified about the party by my closest friend Diana, and she was pushing for me to go too. No, I had replied.

However, perhaps I would if James was present. Heat burst through my skin, like I'd been at the beach all day in August. His eyes glinted in the sunlight, a most unusual color, almost coppery.

"I have no plans," I said to myself.

One more smile, this one evil. I had never seen a man with such long eyelashes.

"Do you know what you should be for Fantasy Fiesta?"

He looked at me for a long, smoldering beat after I shook my head once more.

"Mine."