The Girl I Drenched Was Waiting for Me on the Rooftop

My name is Iván, and I’d spent months alone, with nothing that even remotely resembled a romantic plan. The word “future” gave me the same feeling as leaning over the railing of a very high floor: an uncomfortable mix of vertigo and the urge to jump.

I don’t like parties. Or maybe I don’t like them anymore. Since I crossed the invisible boundary of my mid-thirties, the chaos of those gatherings has felt like a drag. The reggaeton blasting on loop everywhere seems to me less like music and more like a primitive mating ritual.

That’s why, when Rubén—my lifelong friend—insisted I go to the New Year’s Eve party his girlfriend was throwing on a rooftop in downtown Valencia, my first answer was a flat no. What the hell am I doing at a gathering full of people I don’t know? It wasn’t that I disliked his girlfriend, quite the opposite. It was her unbearable gang of friends that made me keep an instinctive safety distance.

My plan was simple: eat the twelve grapes at home and go to sleep. But, naturally, I ended up betraying my own plans under Rubén’s insistence. I wound up squeezing myself into black dress pants, a gray shirt, and a blazer. Tie? Not in your dreams.

And there I was, stepping onto the rooftop, the whole city beneath my feet and the buildings lit up in the distance like a reminder of how high up we were. A DJ in the center and, beside him, a long bar with hired bartenders serving the drinks that would eventually push us into making fools of ourselves dancing. How much money do you need to pay private bartenders?

The upholstered sofas on both sides invited me to sink into them and drink in peace. Impossible with so many people around. The tall heaters, at least, blasted out warm gusts that took the edge off the night air and kept the temperature pleasant.

I grabbed a glass of water and rested my elbow on the bar, staking my claim. Too early for alcohol.

—Come on, man! Lighten up —Rubén slapped me on the back so hard he nearly knocked me over.

—Rubén, I feel like bolting out of here.

—Iván, fuck! You haven’t stepped outside in months. Have a few whiskies and let yourself go. You might even score something.

—The truth is…

—No buts! —he cut me off sharply—. You’re an attractive guy, tall, the gym hasn’t done you any harm, that three-day beard gives you an interesting look. Forget Elena already, you broke up months ago. Enjoy yourself a little, fuck!

Rubén went off to greet some friends and left me at the bar, turning over the idea that maybe he was right. I could give the night a chance. Besides, I had already noticed a group of girls who were impossible to miss. I’d get something good out of it.

And then it happened. Glass in hand, I didn’t see the big guy dancing behind me like a man possessed coming. I lost my balance, the water flew out and soaked the neckline of a girl who was passing right in front of me.

As soon as I got myself together, I tried to apologize.

—Sor…

She didn’t let me finish the word.

—Are you fucking stupid? —she snapped, looking down at her dress—. Look what you’ve done to me!

Instinctively I searched for a handkerchief in my blazer pocket and, when I offered it to her halfway toward the neckline, she swatted it away.

—Don’t touch me! Are you an idiot or what?

Brilliant. Just what I needed: a stranger convinced the whole world is conspiring against her dress.

—It’s only water! —I shot back, swallowing the urge to insult her.

She glared at me and turned away, disappearing into the crowd. I was left with the handkerchief in my hand, knowing that wouldn’t be the night’s only misstep.

***

After the incident, I decided to focus on having a good time. Water gave way to whiskies and the music started to become more bearable, especially when I met a sizzling blonde. Lucía and I seemed to have chemistry from the first minute. Her warm smile and the way she looked at me made me forget about the brunette with the neckline. Maybe I’ll end up hooking up tonight… or something more.

The clock didn’t stop and the hours ran until midnight. The chimes gave way to the new year and to collective ecstasy. Sweaty hugs, “happy new year” repeated like a mantra, uncoordinated jumping, party poppers flying through the rooftop air, and then Lucía’s hands gripped my face. In those seconds I felt the warmth of her lips, the taste of her lipstick, her green eyes closing against mine.

This is going well.

We melted into an embrace that lifted more than just my mood.

I went back to the bar to ask for another drink before returning to Lucía, and that’s when Rubén accosted me again.

—So in the end you’re having the time of your life, huh? —pat on the back, of course.

—The party’s not so bad —I replied with a half smile, signaling to the bartender for “another of the same.”

At that moment Rubén stretched out his arm, grabbed a woman, and shoved her toward us. I didn’t realize who it was until I turned around with the glass in my hand.

—Do you know Carla? She’s one of my girlfriend’s best friends!

My smile froze halfway. My fingers tightened around the glass more than necessary when I recognized the navy blue dress with the V-neck of the same girl I’d drenched earlier that night.

She was surprised too, holding the silence until I decided to break it.

—Yeah, sure. We already knew each other. We had a little… mishap. A girl with a temper, right, Carla?

—At least now you know how to hold a glass without dumping it on me, Iván. That’s your name, right? —her light brown eyes bored into mine, defiant.

With a slow gesture, her fingers swept her fringe to one side, revealing her face. Her mane fell untouched down her back, as if the night hadn’t managed to muss it.

—I’ve been practicing these past few hours —I answered.

I was surprised by the smile she gave my comment. There was something in her, a mix of challenge and attraction that didn’t fit with our first clash.

—I’m going to dance, handsome. Iván, take care of your glass.

Carla blew a kiss in the air and moved off into the crowd while I kept following her with my eyes, fixed on her bare back and the thin straps pulled taut against her skin. Something was starting to stir in me that I didn’t like admitting.

***

I went back to the center with Lucía and her group to keep partying and, for the second time, forget about Carla. The alcohol made me realize, too late, that I was moving my body to the reggaeton beat. Lucía danced with her friends and kept coming up to me now and then, her hands firm on my waist, sliding against me as she bent her knees to the music.

People were starting to scatter as the hours went by. The first casualties of the year. The gaps they left let me see the few of us still standing more clearly and, of course, Carla, now less and less far away. Between Lucía’s dances I kept glancing at her out of the corner of my eye, and she caught me several times without looking away.

That was when she came up to our group shouting:

—Lucía! Long time no see! —she arrived with her arms raised.

Oh, fuck me. They know each other?

She took Lucía a few meters away and they chatted for a while far too long for my peace of mind. I had no idea what they were talking about, but instinct told me I was at the center of that conversation. When they were done, Lucía came toward me.

Fool that I was, I thought she’d greet me with a kiss. Instead I got a sharp slap, followed by a sudden turn that sent her hair flying. She left the party with her friends, leaving my cheek burning.

I’m losing it. What the hell just happened?

I stayed with Rubén, taking the chance to return to my world and have one last drink, when some genius started mobilizing those of us who were still holding out.

—Let’s go to the club! It’s packed!

It never even occurred to me to follow them. I stayed leaning on the marble railing, draining the last sips of whisky before making a dignified exit. The condensed drops from the glass fell into the void while I watched the city lights and listened, much farther below, to the noisy people out in the streets.

I didn’t notice her presence until I heard her voice.

—Mmm… looks like you’ve been left all alone, baby.

I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. There she was, too close, watching me: Carla.

—I was… until you showed up.

I swallowed the last drink in one gulp and set the glass down on the marble with a dull thud.

—You blew up my chance with Lucía. What did you say to her?

—Let’s say Lucía doesn’t like married men who try to cheat on her —her fingers slowly tangled in her hair as she spoke.

—But… I’m not married!

—Oh… you’re not? How careless of me. Mmm… then I messed up —she smiled without the slightest hint of apology.

—Did you make it your mission to ruin my night?

I took one step toward her. Just one, measured, slow.

—Poor Iván, I fucked up your first fuck of the year —she tilted her head gently—. I’m a bad girl.

Carla took another step and our bodies ended up too close to pretend things were normal. She lifted her chin just enough to look me in the eye. I could feel her breath breaking the distance. There wasn’t a trace of guilt in her stare.

—You’ll have to punish me —her lips brushed my chin, just enough to ignite me.

I slowly slid my fingers into her hair, threading through the strands to the nape of her neck. I squeezed, and with that simple gesture her breathing changed rhythm: her body tensed and pressed against mine.

—Do it… punish me —she whispered, tipping her head back, surrendering, ready to see how far I was willing to go.

I brought my face close to hers. A few millimeters separated our lips. I held back, enjoying the moment, feeling her warm breath. Several seconds of tension until I finally reached her. My teeth caught her lower lip, I savored it with my tongue, tugged it slightly, and without letting go, I waited for her reaction.

Carla didn’t pull away, not a sign of hesitation. On the contrary: she answered with a soft moan and the palm of her right hand tracing a slow caress over my crotch.

—Not here… or yes… let them see a little —she murmured, looking at the buildings across from us—. Don’t stop now.

I grabbed her hair hard and my mouth went straight to her neck, kissing it intensely, making it clear who was in charge, tasting her skin and nibbling the lobe of her ear. Her ragged breathing confirmed she was reacting exactly the way I wanted. I picked up the pace, brushing my lips against hers, barely giving her any room to breathe.

I took her waist with my other hand and pulled her against me while my tongue invaded her mouth, setting the tempo, deciding when she could answer and when she couldn’t.

—You’re rock hard… mmm… —she whispered, squeezing me over my pants.

Her fingers moved skillfully, undoing my belt and button. As she lowered my pants, I came out against her wrist in a sudden surge. Her hands started running over me, slow, from bottom to top, while her neck received my bites in return.

—Mmm… Iván… let me taste it —she looked at me shamelessly.

I didn’t answer with words. I guided her by pressing on her shoulders to make her descend, kneeling her in front of me. She dug her knees into the floor and brought me toward her mouth while I held her head by the hair.

Her hand guided the tip to her lips to rub it, teasing first. With the other she stroked me. Her tongue made sure everything was thoroughly wet as she traced circles.

—Uff, Carla… —my body tensed when her mouth set the pace.

She ran her tongue from the base to the tip, stopped, looked at me, then went back down, aware she was taking me to the limit.

—Has anyone ever had you sucked off in a place this… high up? —she asked, teasingly, before swallowing it all in one go and pulling it back out—. Do you like this, baby?

—Fuck yes I do —I pushed her head against my pelvis without meaning to.

I lost control. Both my hands guided her movements, setting the rhythm myself, feeling her muffled moans against my body. Her mascara ran down her cheeks from her tear-filled eyes and the first threads of saliva appeared at the corners of her lips.

—Fuck, Carla… you’re quite the… —I didn’t finish the sentence.

She pulled her head away, leaving a thick strand connecting her lips to me, and drew in a breath with a lewd smile.

—I love your cock, baby —her stare challenged me.

My excitement grew with every second thanks to her lack of inhibition.

She straightened slowly, never breaking eye contact. Her fingers pushed the dress straps aside and, with a sway of her hips, she let it fall to the floor, stripping without hurry, enjoying being watched, showing me her firm breasts and a black string thong.

My hand instinctively moved to caress her nipples, small and hard.

She kicked the dress aside with the tip of her heel and gripped the marble railing, turning her head to glance at me from the corner of her eye.

—Fuck me. I want to do it while looking at the city lights! —she told me, stroking one of her buttocks.

I positioned myself behind her and pulled the black thong strap aside. Her hips began moving, seeking me, even before I brushed against her.

—Tonight… you’re mine —I said when I was already sliding in thanks to her movements, squeezing her ass cheeks.

—Like that… —she moaned—. Don’t stop.

I pulled out slowly. And went back in, this time halfway, feeling how soaked she was inside. I came out again, in slow motion, to drive all the way in in one sudden thrust, sinking my fingers into her skin.

—Like that, fuck, Iván! Fuck me hard!

Driven by excitement, I grabbed the thong and ripped it apart with one yank, flinging the fabric into the void.

My thrusts turned frantic, my pelvis slamming against her firm ass. Her moans were uncontrollable. Her hands could barely support her on the marble. Her mane began to dance in the wind with my blows, until I grabbed her by the hair and arched her head back toward the starry sky.

Her moans turned into cries of pleasure that alerted several onlookers in the neighboring buildings. I could feel their gazes and the occasional flash capturing the scene.

—Fuck, Carla… uff… they can see us.

—Come on, baby, give me more! Let them watch! —her words ended on a sharp note.

I pulled her hair to press her back against my chest, my pelvis battering her body, my other hand squeezing her breasts. The echo of our bodies crashing together could be heard across the rooftop.

—I’m going to come, Iván… I can’t take it anymore.

I brought my hand down from her breasts so my fingers could find her clit, swollen and drenched. I felt her inside beginning to clench around me, her gasps rose suddenly and I knew she was giving in against me. I held her at that instant, feeling her body surrender completely.

—Ahhh, yes, Iván… I’m coming… yes…

Her orgasm unleashed mine, almost at the same time. I pulsed inside her, pulling hard on her hair, emptying myself with each spasm while I kept thrusting, not stopping until there was nothing left.

We ended up with our bodies together, catching our breath on one of the sofas, massaging each other in silence after the effort.

—You broke my thong, Iván… you’re going to have to buy me another one. Will you come with me to the fitting room to see how it looks on me?

I smiled without answering right away. My pulse still hadn’t come down and I was already beginning to imagine new scenarios with her.

—That’s up to you.

When we parted, I understood that night wasn’t over up there. It was only going to change scenes. The city was still down below, waiting.