Make-Believe Marriage by Dill Ferreira

same time. “How fragile she was from affection and
close contact”, she thought. How could she feel such things exactly with her
best and only friend? “It was so ridiculous and sad to think that one let herself
die as a woman because of a man who had never given her love.” That contact was
waking her up to the needs of her body and was immensely enjoyable, but unknown
and dangerous by the fact they're just putting on an act. Yet she would
surrender to that brief feeling because she knew that it would be short, enough
not to leave major scars. Against him, Amanda remained for a long time feeling
the accelerated beats of Antônio’s heart who probably was as embarrassed as she
was.
    – We're going to have to
move on to the next level because he doesn’t stop looking at us. -Antônio spoke
in hushed tones so as not to spoil that moment that was pleasing him so much
and that asked for much, much more. He would need to contain himself not to get
where his thoughts insisted on taking him. After a little control, Antônio
kissed Amanda’s ear lightly and got away to search for her lips. The kiss
started slow. Amanda looked surprised and embarrassed, but since she did any reject
it, he deepened the touch. She half-opened her mouth to receive him and that
had been the last barrier for Antonio to savor the sweet honey from the mouth
he so much desired. Antonio's kiss was so hot, sweet and domineering as she'd
never experienced before; it made her unresponsive, because her body was asking
and her reasoning no longer had the domain she cultivated in that long time by
herself. The kiss, even though it was tender, had been full of seduction and
pleasure. The synchronized movements of the lips. The tongues involving each
other in the hot and sensual touch. All that fled from what they were trying to
represent, but none of them were prepared to see and maybe wouldn’t ever be. With
the explosion back to normal Antônio reduced the intensity of the kiss not to
scare Amanda away and she took the opportunity to pull herself together and
moved away quietly.
    -You didn't have to be so
convincing. -She said still gasping.
    -You agreed to let me make
the decisions. -Antônio recalled smiling fondly.
    All right! I will try not
to forget this – she answered yet unsure if she had made the right choice. As
the magic was over, the two continued to dance until Amanda asked to leave,
because she was tired and with a thousand thoughts in her head. They went again
by Breno's table but he did not seem so courteous this time, as before. Amanda
could guess the reason.
    When they were going home
Amanda looked furtively to the driver. Antônio was very seductive that night. Although
they had been friends for a long time they hardly ever had moments of very
intimate contact, except for a kiss on the cheek when he arrived at her store. This
could be the reason for her to be feeling bad about that sudden closeness
between them. Upon arrival, Antônio was going to get out of the car to open the
door for her when Amanda stopped him.
    - Don't bother, Antônio,
I’ll do it myself — she mentioned by pressing the button. – Thank you for a
lovely evening, we did a great job, worthy of professional actors. -She had
hated herself for saying such words, but knew she would not think of something
better after everything that had happened.
    -You’re welcome. - it was
the only word he said in a low tone before she left and closed the door behind
her giving him a slight bye.
     Amanda disappeared
through the door. Antônio stood for a moment staring in the direction she had
gone and his thoughts took him to Amanda’s apartment. He wondered how she would
be reacting to that situation. He convinced himself that he was nothing more
than a guarantee to achieve her freedom, or she, just like him, felt confused
and eager to go a little further? Antônio wouldn't know the answer, not now. Starting
the car he took leave of that magical moment and fled full of