Carpe Diem

CHAPTER THREE

The Rio Carnival was indescribable. A sea of color and people exploded into the night on the narrow streets like colorful fire flowers in the sky. Everyone danced closely together, laughed, drank ****, and the exotic music quickened their hearts and made their blood boil. At first, Jodie had found her skimpy choice of clothing too provocative, especially for a married woman and mother, but she quickly realized that she was still more modestly dressed than most of the other men and women. She quickly blended in with the crowd, and despite her awkward samba steps, everyone was captivated by her and danced with the white woman. Then, at some point, Ricardo pushed his way out of the crowd, smiling as he headed straight for his destination. He only wore a samba dancer outfit with crystals, sequins, rhinestones, feathers and beads.

"Oh man..." she whispered quietly to herself, not knowing exactly what she meant by that.

To the secret anticipation of continuing the beach conversation, that the hunter had targeted her as his prey, or that her legs wobbled at the sight of him. It was his confident gait alone that impressed Jodie, which she found a little strange. He was just walking toward her. What could be sexy about that? Very sexy, in fact, as Jodie had to admit.

"Hey, there you are," he said, beginning to move rhythmically to the music.

It was an invitation that Jodie hesitantly accepted and then moved with him.

"This is what I came for."

"And do you like it?"

"It's great."

They could barely hear each other over the music and the crowd.

His eyes slid down and up hers, and he unashamedly showed that he liked what he saw. Jodie did the same unconsciously, and her reaction was positive.

"You look fantastic," he said.

"Thanks, you too."

"Do you want to feel my muscles?"

Ricardo took her hand without asking and let it slide over his chest, a little further down, along his abs, to the waistband of his shorts. Jodie's heart leaped, and there it was again. That lust blazing in her eyes. Swallowing, she pulled her hand back.

"Feels good," she said quickly.

"Not only that, it feels good from me." Jodie immediately understood this ambiguity. She took another closer look at this young man. He was completely different from Mike. More carefree, took what he wanted, and very confident. Jodie didn't know if it was the ****, the atmosphere, or the sweltering heat, but her body and emotions took over a little. Her heart leaped, and, even more surprising, butterflies danced in her stomach. Butterflies... It wasn't just Ricardo's appearance, but also the way he looked at her, the way he complimented her, the intensity of his gaze, and the occasional touch.

"You dance samba very well for a white woman," he added, prancing closer to her.

"Thanks. I had a few lessons at home, but my husband gave up."

Ricardo snuggled up to Jodie, letting his hand stroke her bare back.

"Your husband is an idiot. You're a born samba dancer and you look fantastic in that outfit."

Their hips began to move in circles to the beat, rubbing against each other, their sweaty bodies almost sticking together. Between Jodie's legs, she was now beating faster than her heart could ever have. It was all too much for her. The heat was becoming oppressive, the air too stuffy, and there were too many loud people around her.

"Why don't we go somewhere a little more private? I can teach you a samba step or two that you definitely won't learn at home."

"Ricardo. I shouldn't..."

"Carpe diem," were his last words as he took her hand and pulled Jodie behind him.

Ricardo had said it so directly and in a tone that left no other choice or possibility. Jodie felt as if a bucket of ice water had been simultaneously poured over her head and a column of fire had raced up her body. With any other man, in any other situation, she would have considered this behavior arrogant and brazen. But not with him. Quite the opposite. Carpe diem was his motto, and Jodie wanted to subscribe to it...