The Cheater Who Didn’t Know What She Was Getting Into

Lucía and Valeria had been sitting in the café for almost an hour when Mara appeared in the doorway. Lucía recognized her from a distance and waved for her to come over.

—Mara, over here. Sit with us. —She pointed to the other woman—. Do you know Valeria? She’s Rodrigo Fuentes’s girlfriend.

—Hi. I don’t think we’ve met before. —Mara held out her hand with a calm smile.

—Not that I remember. —Valeria returned the greeting—. How are you?

—Good, good. Don’t let me interrupt you; you were talking about something.

—Not at all. —Lucía ordered another coffee—. We were talking about boyfriends, friends, life in general. Nothing we can’t share.

—An inexhaustible subject. —Mara left her purse on the empty chair—. Come on, Valeria, tell me how things are going with Rodrigo.

—Nice guy. We’ve been together almost a month. But he seems very quiet, very domestic. I thought he liked going out more—nights out, having fun.

—Rodo works a lot. He has his own architecture firm; he doesn’t go out during the week. —Mara looked through the menu without really seeing it—. He’s always been like that.

—Yeah, I imagine. But I like partying, being around people, not staying home watching shows.

—Are you living together? —Mara asked.

—No, no. Not at all. I don’t like having to explain my schedule, account for myself all the time.

—I understand. —Mara took a sip of water—. And you, Lucía? How are things with Marcos?

—We’re hanging in there, pulling in opposite directions. We got back together at the end of last year and we’re seeing how it goes. He’s very controlling, honestly. Sometimes he suffocates me.

—That’s not a good sign.

—I know. But I gave him another chance, and here I am.

—Okay, girls. —Valeria placed her phone facedown on the table—. I’m going to tell you something, but it stays between the three of us. The other day I met a guy in a bar. His name is Matías. An amazing body, and a package bulging in his pants like a threat. He hit on me all night, pressed me against the bar, kissed me with his tongue shoved all the way down my throat, and slipped his hand under my skirt. He groped my entire ass without asking permission, pulled my panties open with two fingers, and touched my pussy right there in the middle of the bar. I was soaked, and he laughed in my ear. Then he made me smell his fingers. And I didn’t mind at all. On the contrary, it made me squeeze my thighs together.

—And? —Lucía leaned forward.

—He invited me to spend the weekend in Pinamar. Friday to Sunday, in his car. Hotel and everything. He told me, word for word, that he was going to fuck me until I couldn’t walk. And I believe him, girls. I believe him.

Mara lifted her eyes from her coffee very slowly.

—What are you going to tell Rodrigo? —she asked.

—That I have to go see a cousin in Rosario. An easy lie; he won’t ask many questions.

—Not a bad excuse. —Lucía nodded—. But if he catches you, he’ll dump you without a second thought.

—He’s not going to catch me. Besides, I think I can keep him quiet with a little affection. I’ll suck his cock one night and he’ll forget everything. He’s pretty easy to handle, honestly. —Valeria smiled confidently.

—If you say so. —Mara shrugged and picked up her glass.

A few minutes later, Mara asked for the check, kissed both women goodbye, and excused herself, saying she had an errand to run.

She walked half a block, turned the corner, and took her phone out of her purse. She stopped the voice recording, listened for ten seconds to make sure the audio was clear, and smiled. Then she kept walking.

***

Rodrigo’s office was a fifteen-minute walk away. Mara arrived, greeted the receptionist, and asked whether he had a free moment. The girl called his extension and told her to go in.

—Hi, crazy woman. What do I owe this honor? —Rodrigo stood up and kissed her cheek.

—To the fact that I’m a meddler, but I love you too much not to come. Do you have anything to drink?

—Whiskey hidden in the bottom drawer.

—That’s why you’re my favorite person in the world.

He poured two glasses, and they sat facing each other. Mara placed her phone on the desk without saying anything. Rodrigo looked at her.

—I was just having coffee with Lucía and a girl named Valeria. —She paused—. Do you know her?

Rodrigo barely raised an eyebrow.

—Yes. Why?

—Because I recorded the whole conversation. Listen.

The playback lasted three minutes. Rodrigo listened to everything without interrupting, glass in hand and an expression difficult to read. When the audio ended, he turned off the screen and handed the phone back to Mara.

—Pretty girl, honestly. What a shame. —Mara took a long sip.

—It doesn’t surprise me completely. I’d already heard comments that she was at a club on Friday. It must have been when she met Matías.

—You know Matías?

—Matías who?

—She didn’t give his last name. But if he’s the one I think... —Mara stared at him—. Is he a friend of yours?

—Twenty-five years of friendship.

There was a silence.

—Oh, my God. —Mara burst out laughing—. This is too much, Rodo.

—She has no idea what she’s gotten herself into.

—Are you going to do something?

—I haven’t decided yet. I’m going to do something, yes.

—How are things with Marcos? —he asked, changing his tone.

—Controlling, suffocating. You know that destroys me. I’m there, but I’m not convinced at all.

—I know. You’re not made for that kind of relationship.

—No. And if you end things with that idiot and ever feel like calling me...

—I won’t call you if you’re with Marcos, Mara. You know that.

—What if I’m alone?

Rodrigo looked at her silently for a moment.

—You ambushed me.

—A little. —Mara stood, left her glass on the desk, and kissed his cheek—. Take care, handsome.

—You too, crazy woman.

***

That afternoon, after leaving the office, Rodrigo called Matías.

—Can we meet for a drink when you’re done?

—Sure. Same bar, seven o’clock.

They met at their usual place, a bar with dark wood, good craft beer, and waiters who already knew what they would order without needing the menu. Both arrived in suits and loosened their ties as soon as they sat down.

—What happened? —Matías asked.

—Nothing serious. —Rodrigo ordered two whiskeys—. So you’re planning to go to Pinamar this weekend with my girlfriend. You bastard. —He said it in a completely flat tone, without a trace of anger.

Matías looked at him, confused.

—What are you talking about? Your girlfriend?

—Valeria.

There was a long pause.

—You’re kidding me. —Matías leaned back in his chair—. I didn’t even know you had a girlfriend, Rodo. I met her Friday; we talked, I felt her up at the bar, touched her all over, first over her clothes and then underneath. I proposed the trip with my cock hard, honestly, but we never made any definite plans.

—She made plans. Or at least she intends to. She’s calling me this week to say she’s going to see a cousin in Rosario.

—How do you know all this?

—Because Mara was at the café when Valeria told the story. And the little bitch recorded everything on her phone. In meticulous detail, too. She described how you groped her at the bar, how you put your fingers inside her, everything.

—Of course she did. Mara. Obviously. —Matías laughed—. And what are you going to do?

—What do you think I’m going to do? Dump her. But first I think we should have a little fun. Are you still going ahead with the trip?

—If she confirms, yes.

—Perfect. Make the hotel reservation. Fuck her properly, do whatever you want with her. I’ll take care of the rest.

—What does that twisted mind of yours have in mind?

—I have a table reserved at La Marea on Saturday at nine. For four people.

It took Matías two seconds to understand.

—You’re a first-class bastard.

—Are you coming?

—Of course I am.

***

Wednesday morning, Rodrigo received a message from Mara.

I ended things with Marcos. It’s over. If you ever feel like calling, you know where to find me.

He read it twice. Then he burst out laughing alone in the office.

That night, Valeria called him to meet. He made up an excuse, and that was when she told him about her sick cousin, the trip to Rosario, and how she would be back Monday. He told her he had no problem with it, hoped her family member recovered soon, and they hung up.

Thursday after dinner, Rodrigo arrived at his apartment, showered, poured himself a whiskey, and sat on the sofa with his phone in his hand. He put on some quiet music and dialed Mara’s number.

—Hi, handsome. —She answered on the second ring.

—Hi, crazy woman. Any plans for this weekend?

—None. I’m alone and in the mood for lots of things.

—How long will it take you to get here with a suitcase?

There was the briefest pause.

—Pour yourself another whiskey while the taxi gets here. —And she hung up.

Rodrigo stared at the dark screen. This is going to be very good, he thought. He called La Marea restaurant in Pinamar to confirm the reservation, then sent Matías a message telling him everything was still on.

***

Mara arrived forty minutes later with a medium-sized suitcase and a leather bag.

—A whole suitcase for a weekend? —Rodrigo asked.

—I like having options. —She gave him a long kiss on the mouth before entering. A deep, tongue-filled kiss that left no room for doubt. She bit his lower lip and tugged it outward before letting go—. Whiskey?

—I already poured you one.

—That’s why you’re my favorite.

They sat and talked for a while about inconsequential things. At one point, Rodrigo looked at her seriously and set his glass on the side table.

—Mara. I want to ask you something. And I don’t want you to answer me now, but when we come back Monday.

—I’m listening.

—Are you willing to really give it a try? To make an effort and see whether we can make this work?

Mara looked at him for a moment without saying anything. She picked up her glass.

—You’re a piece of shit, you know that? Asking me that tonight.

—Don’t answer yet. Wait until Monday. —Rodrigo grew serious—. I don’t want to waste time and end up just like the other times. We failed both times because of things we could have avoided, both of us, not just you.

—Okay. Until Monday. —Mara nodded calmly.

—That doesn’t mean we have to be celibate until then. —Rodrigo smiled faintly.

—Of course not, you bastard. —Mara returned his smile and moved closer.

She straddled him on the sofa, her knees sinking down on either side of Rodrigo’s hips. She took his face in both hands and kissed him as if five years’ worth of pent-up desire had come crashing down on him. Rodrigo slipped his hands beneath her dress, yanked her bra down, and bared her breasts. He bent down and sucked one nipple with his mouth wide open, tugging it with his teeth, while squeezing the other breast with his free hand until she moaned.

—Oh, you bastard. —Mara arched her back—. Just like always.

—Just like always. —Rodrigo pulled her dress up to her waist, pushed her panties aside with his thumb, and plunged two fingers inside her. Mara was wet, dripping. She made wet sounds. Rodrigo curled his fingers inside her and began rubbing her clitoris with his thumb in slow circles—. You’re soaked, crazy woman. Did you think about this the whole way in the taxi?

—The whole way. Even my stockings are wet. Shut up and keep going.

Rodrigo lifted her from the sofa as if she weighed nothing, threw her onto the rug, ripped her panties off in one pull, and forced her legs apart with a sweep of his hand. He bent down and buried his face in her pussy. He ran his entire tongue, long and slow, from her ass to her clitoris, then went back down. He latched onto her clitoris and sucked and sucked, with his lips and tongue, while continuing to finger her, searching for the spot above.

Mara grabbed his hair with both hands and pressed his head against her pussy.

—There, Rodo, there, there. —She thrust her hips against his mouth—. Don’t stop, you bastard, don’t stop.

She came on his face in under three minutes, with a hoarse cry, squeezing his head between her thighs, her legs trembling all over. Rodrigo lifted his face, mouth and chin shining, wiped them with the back of his hand, and smiled.

—I missed this. —He got onto his knees, unbuckled his belt, and yanked down his pants and boxers. His cock sprang free, hard and heavy, the tip already wet with pre-cum.

Mara sat up, knelt in front of him, and took him into her mouth at once, all the way to the back of her throat. Rodrigo groaned and grabbed her head with both hands. Mara sucked him up and down noisily, one hand wrapped around the base, pulling him out and taking him back in, deliberately gagging a little, saliva running down her chin and dripping onto her breasts.

—Fuck, Mara. Nobody sucks my cock like you do.

—Not one of the twelve? —She looked up at him, the tip of his cock resting on her tongue.

—Not one of the twelve.

He gathered her hair into a ponytail at the back and began fucking her mouth, thrusting into her face and going down her throat. Mara let him, eyes wet and mouth open, swallowing and drooling.

—Come here. —He lifted her from the floor, turned her around against the sofa, bent her over the back, and opened her legs with his knee. He ran the head of his cock along the entire length of her pussy, up and down, coating it. Then he shoved it in with one thrust, all the way to the hilt.

Mara cried out.

—Ah, you bastard! Yes, like that!

Rodrigo gripped her hips and began fucking her hard, pounding his pelvis against her ass with a heavy, rhythmic slap of flesh. His cock sank all the way in each time, striking deep. His fingers dug into her hips, leaving marks.

—Tell me how you like it, crazy woman.

—Hard, Rodo, hard. Break me. Fuck me like you used to.

Rodrigo pulled out, turned her over, threw her onto her back on the rug, and lifted her legs onto his shoulders. He plunged into her again, folding her in half, her knees pressed against her breasts. He began fucking her like that, looking into her eyes, watching her moans escape between clenched teeth.

—Look at me. —He gripped her jaw with one hand—. Look at me while I fuck you.

Mara opened her eyes and never closed them again. She dug her nails into his shoulders and arched her back against the floor.

—I’m going to come again, you bastard. I’m coming. I’m coming.

She came with her mouth open, a long cry, her entire body trembling, her pussy clenching his entire cock in spasms. Rodrigo managed two more thrusts before he could hold back no longer. He pulled out, climbed over her, gripped his cock in his hand, and came across her breasts and neck in thick, hot streams while Mara grabbed his balls and milked him dry.

—Fuck. —Rodrigo collapsed beside her, out of breath.

—Fuck. —Mara ran her fingers over her chest, brought them to her mouth, and sucked them clean while looking at him—. Welcome home, handsome.

They lay sprawled on the rug for a long while. Then they got up, showered together, fucked once more against the bathroom tiles with hot water pouring over them, and went to sleep at three in the morning, tangled together, sweaty, and in a better mood than they had been in years.

***

They arrived in Pinamar at noon on Friday. The hotel overlooked the sea, and their room had a terrace from which they could hear the water breaking on the sand. They checked in, left their things, and went downstairs to eat at a beachside restaurant.

They spent the afternoon on the beach. Mara took off her beach cover-up and was left in a bikini. Rodrigo sat beside her in the sand and looked at her without bothering to hide it.

—Nothing has changed. —He said it almost to himself.

—What did you say? —Mara turned her head.

—That the sea hasn’t changed. It’s always the same.

—Liar.

They laughed and walked to the water. They went in together and stood waist-deep, the foam reaching their ribs.

As they walked along the shore afterward, Mara glanced sideways at him.

—Doesn’t it bother you that I’ve been with someone else since we broke up?

—No.

—Why not?

—Because I’ve been with other women too. No more than twelve, but I have.

—You fucking bastard. —Mara stopped dead in the sand—. Twelve? How many did you fuck, you slut?

—All twelve.

—You’re one hell of a bastard.

—I was honest. You asked.

—You know perfectly well that I’m jealous.

—I know. That’s why I’m telling you myself before you hear it from someone else. There’s no competition, Mara. I never think of comparing you with anyone; that’s not how I work.

—Seriously?

—Seriously. To me, you’re outside any possible ranking.

—That’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me in years.

—I’m saying it because you’re too unbearable to fit into any ranking. —Rodrigo burst out laughing and ran along the shore.

Mara followed him, laughing loudly.

They stayed on the beach until after seven. They returned to the hotel and showered. When Mara came out of the bathroom wearing only a towel around her waist, her breasts bare and her nipples erect from the air-conditioning, Rodrigo looked at her from the edge of the bed.

—Dinner is at nine. —He said it without much conviction.

—There’s still time. —Mara let the towel fall and stood naked, her skin still red from the sun and a drop of water running between her breasts.

Rodrigo grabbed her by the waist, threw her onto her back on the bed, and pulled her legs apart. He knelt at the foot of the mattress and gripped her thighs with both hands. He ran his whole tongue slowly over her pussy, savoring her without hurry.

—You taste salty from the sea. —He gave her inner thigh a gentle bite.

—Shut up and eat me.

He ate her pussy for a long time, sucking her clitoris, sliding his tongue inside her, moving up and down while Mara grabbed his hair and thrust her pelvis against his mouth. He inserted two fingers and searched for the spot above with his fingertips, pressing hard while continuing to suck her clitoris. Mara writhed on the bed.

—Oh, Rodo, oh, like that, like that, don’t stop. —She squeezed his head between her thighs.

She came with her hips lifted off the bed, gripping the sheets with both hands.

Rodrigo took off his boxers, climbed over her, and ran the tip of his cock along her pussy lips. He pushed inside slowly, millimeter by millimeter, letting her feel every inch until his pelvis rested against hers. He began moving over her with long thrusts, going all the way in, pulling almost completely out, and sliding back in.

—Just like last night, crazy woman. Just like always. This pussy is mine.

—It’s yours, it’s yours. Fuck me.

He fucked her missionary-style for a while, then turned her onto all fours at the edge of the bed and stood behind her. He grabbed her hair with his left hand, pulling her head back, and guided his cock inside her with his right. He began pounding his balls against her clitoris with every thrust, hard and eager.

—Put it in my ass. —Mara turned her head over her shoulder, her hair stuck to her face.

—Are you sure?

—Absolutely. I have lube in my suitcase. Go get it.

Rodrigo went and returned with the tube, spreading a generous amount on his cock and another on Mara’s asshole. He inserted his thumb first, then two fingers, opening her slowly and feeling her relax around his hand. When she was ready, he pressed the tip of his cock against her asshole and pushed in millimeter by millimeter, carefully, listening to her breathing.

Mara let out a long, muffled moan when the tip entered.

—Fuck. Fuck, yes, like that. Put it all the way in.

Rodrigo pushed all the way inside, his balls resting against her pussy. He stayed still for a second, letting her adjust, then began to move. Slowly at first, then faster, until he was fucking her ass with enthusiasm, his hands locked around her hips.

Mara slid three fingers into her pussy while he fucked her ass, rubbing her clitoris with her thumb. She came screaming into the pillow, biting the case, her whole body trembling, her asshole clenching Rodrigo’s cock in violent spasms.

Rodrigo held on for a few more seconds, then emptied his entire load inside her ass, teeth clenched, gripping her hips to keep from falling.

They stayed still for a minute, breathing hard. Then Rodrigo carefully pulled out, fell onto his back on the bed, and laughed.

—We’re going to be late for dinner.

—And who’s the bastard who just came in my ass? —Mara turned over and settled beside him, sweaty—. Give me ten minutes to shower.

They arrived at the restaurant ten minutes late.

***

La Marea was a restaurant with wooden tables, low candles, and a menu that took the day’s fish seriously. When they arrived, the other couple had not yet come. They sat down. Rodrigo chose a chair with his back to the entrance.

—I forgot to tell you. We’re meeting another couple here tonight. —Rodrigo said it while arranging the napkin on his lap.

—Who? —Mara picked up the menu.

—They’ll be here soon.

—Do I know them?

—Yes.

Mara looked at him over the menu. He was smiling at the dessert list.

—Rodo. Who exactly did you invite?

—They’re almost here, I told you.

Mara turned her head toward the entrance. She saw them at that moment: Matías walking toward the table with a calm smile, and Valeria on his arm. Valeria wore a strappy dress and an expression of perfect unconcern that lasted precisely until Rodrigo stood up and she recognized him.

The color drained from her face in a single instant.

—Good evening. —Matías greeted Mara with a kiss—. Good to see you. —Then he turned to Valeria—. Vale, this is Rodrigo. A friend of twenty-five years.

—Hi. What a surprise to find you here. —Rodrigo kissed Valeria on the cheek without stopping his smile.

—I... yes, well, what a... surprise. —Valeria finished none of her sentences.

—You know each other? —Mara asked with impeccable innocence.

—Turns out Matías stole my girlfriend from me. —Rodrigo sat down—. Funny how things happen.

—I didn’t know you two were together, Rodo, I swear. I only just found out. —Matías raised his hands.

—You’re Rodrigo’s girlfriend? —Mara looked directly at her—. How strange. You didn’t tell me anything when we had coffee the other day.

Valeria opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.

—The thing is...

—Relax, Vale. —Rodrigo calmly raised a hand—. Let’s leave it for now. You came to Pinamar to have a good time, so have a good time. We’ll talk Monday, if there’s anything to talk about. For now, let’s have a peaceful dinner.

—Well said. —Matías signaled to the waiter.

Valeria sat down. Her hands were clenched in her lap and her eyes fixed on the tablecloth. She never fully regained her color for the rest of the night.

The conversation continued without her, light and fluid, as though the three of them had seen one another the week before. They talked about the restaurant, the sea, and a trip Matías was planning for the winter. Mara asked about a mutual friend. Rodrigo ordered a bottle of white wine from the coast. The three of them laughed at something Mara had said.

At one point, Mara leaned slightly toward Valeria and lowered her voice.

—Advice, woman to woman. The city seems huge, but really it’s a very small world. These two have known each other their whole lives and respect each other. It’s not a good idea to take a chance with either of them without first finding out exactly who you’re dealing with.

—Why are you telling me that? —Valeria looked at her for the first time that night.

—Because I think it might be useful. —Mara smiled and picked up her wineglass.

—Was that an insult or advice? —Matías asked from across the table, having listened without pretending otherwise.

—Advice. —Mara raised her glass—. Fortunately for her.

—I speak from experience. —Rodrigo clinked his glass against Mara’s.

—What’s that supposed to mean? —Mara asked.

—That it took you three years to learn this pair is indestructible. —Matías laughed.

—And it cost me dearly. —Mara nodded without denying it.

Rodrigo looked at her for a moment.

—It cost both of us.

Valeria listened to everything without uttering a single word.

At eleven, Matías and Valeria said goodbye. Once they had gone out into the street, Rodrigo and Mara remained alone at the table with the last few inches of the bottle and the nearly burned-out candles. Outside, they could hear the sea.

—How do you feel? —Mara asked.

—Fine. It wasn’t what I wanted anyway.

—What do you want?

Rodrigo looked at her.

—I already told you not to answer until Monday.

—I’m asking about you, not me.

—I already know what I want. —He poured the last drops of wine into the two glasses—. That’s why I called you Thursday.

Mara took the glass without saying anything. Outside, the sea kept breaking, the same as always, the same as before.