My Girlfriend Left Me an Unfinished Matter That Morning

—I don’t know why I feel like a little girl about to be scolded. We’re not doing anything wrong —Valeria said, squeezing Daniela’s hand tightly as they walked toward the restaurant terrace.

—Let’s be fair: they don’t look angry —Daniela replied, stopping short to look at her—. You’re on the defensive and you still don’t know what they want to ask you. They came to you, not the other way around.

She kissed her slowly and took her by the arm. Valeria reached for her hand again to go in together, fingers intertwined, like someone holding onto a cable before jumping.

Ernesto Carvajal stood up as soon as he saw them approaching. He took his daughter by both hands, kissed her on the forehead, and wrapped her in a long hug. His wife, Beatriz, greeted Daniela with two kisses on the cheeks and then repeated the gesture with her daughter, this time adding a hug. They sat down: Valeria close to her father, as always, leaving Daniela beside Beatriz.

—We thought you’d take longer, so we ordered some starters —Beatriz commented.

—You look good —Daniela replied.

Valeria took her father’s glass, pretending it was a mimosa, convinced that one drink wouldn’t do anything to her on an empty stomach. The waiter took the glass away and she took the opportunity to order a round for everyone.

—When did you get here? —Daniela asked, avoiding getting straight to the point.

—Today. We spent a couple of days in the capital and left this morning —Ernesto said—. And you?

—Last night. The flight was delayed, but I made it on time. —As she said it, she turned to look at Valeria and stroked her arm. Valeria returned the look with the most loving, radiant expression her parents had seen in years.

For Ernesto and Beatriz, that detail said everything. For the first time, they saw something honest in their daughter, without the masks of recent times.

They ordered breakfast and kept up with small talk, though Beatriz was dying to see how they behaved with each other outside the terms Architect and Engineer. At one point Valeria commented that Daniela’s chocolate-chip pancake looked better than her fruit one; Daniela cut off a piece and fed it to her. Valeria wrinkled her nose, playful and tender at the same time.

—How long have you been together? —Beatriz asked, and the question didn’t feel uncomfortable.

Valeria had been waiting for it since she sat down. She smiled nervously and reached for Daniela’s hand, and Daniela wouldn’t leave her alone.

—Officially, after I broke up with Carolina. And before you imagine anything: Dani and I have loved each other for a long time. She knew first; it took me longer to put a name to what I was feeling. —She squeezed her hand harder—. She’s my girlfriend.

—Daniela —Beatriz began—, you know I have a special affection for you. I knew your mother, I remember you as a little girl. The only thing that matters to me is that you make her happy and that you don’t hurt each other. —She paused—. My concern, Valeria, is that you left Sebastián, then Carolina, and maybe you didn’t give yourself time to think about what you want.

Daniela wiggled her eyebrows to encourage her. Valeria answered with the same gesture and they both ended up smiling.

—It was always her, Mom. I know what I want and it’s here, by my side. If I had been braver about what I felt, this would have happened a long time ago. What I feel for Dani is the only thing I’m sure of in my life.

—Thank you, Beatriz —Daniela added—. I understand your concern, but I can assure you I don’t want to hurt her. I’m very much in love with your daughter, and this wasn’t something that happened overnight.

—All very lovely, my girls —Ernesto finally intervened—. But there is one issue: you work together. Daniela, you’re already a key piece in the winery’s production. Personal and professional matters should be kept separate, and you didn’t. —He looked at them with a loving scold—. Asking you not to mix the two is beside the point now, but I hope you don’t slow down. We’re in an important moment and, if this relationship were to get complicated, I’m worried the work would be the collateral damage.

—Sir, you have my word: whatever happens in my personal life, it won’t affect my work —Daniela replied.

—I hope I never have to remind you of this. And with the serious part said, let’s toast to your relationship, which is no longer a secret. —He raised his glass.

They said goodbye, agreeing to meet the following week in the capital, where the headquarters were.

***

The rest of the day they were a pair of tourists, something rare for them, since they almost only knew each other between the winery, the office, and the bed. They ended up eating pizza and drinking beer in a hidden place, talking about everything and nothing, and got home to cuddle in front of an old movie neither of them finished.

The next day was almost identical, except they had breakfast with Adrián and stayed for a good round of gin. Daniela had to go back to the winery in the afternoon; it broke her heart, but she knew the reunion was close: the following week they both had to present their balance sheets.

That week came and everyone worked at full throttle. Valeria left later than expected and arrived at the hotel around two in the morning, stealthy as a ninja so she wouldn’t wake Daniela. She undressed, washed up in silence, and only disturbed her when she got into bed to hug and kiss her. She got up early: her first meeting started at eight-thirty and would take all day. The Carvajals were demanding; since the Mendez situation they no longer left anything open to interpretation, breaking down every number, every inflow and every outflow.

—Hi, my love —Valeria answered on the phone at the end of the day.

—How’s everything going? Are you free yet? —Daniela replied.

—For today, yes. Before you distract me: I got tickets to an interactive exhibition. Want to go?

—Sure. What time?

—In an hour. I’ll pick you up in twenty minutes.

Meanwhile, Valeria was texting Sebastián about some budget adjustments. When she arrived at the hotel, she got out of the car without waiting for the driver and Daniela was already crossing the doors to meet her. Without a word, Daniela gave her the kiss she’d been waiting for all day, matched with the same hunger.

—Hi, stranger. I already missed you —she said against her lips.

—“Stranger” sounds so weird —Valeria laughed—, but I agree. Me too.

The exhibition wasn’t much, though it served as a distraction, and afterward they had dinner. Back at the hotel, Valeria opened her laptop to keep working. Daniela watched her move her eyes from one monitor to another, mark plans with colored highlighters, murmur under her breath. Her back hunched, tension locked in her shoulders.

Daniela admired how organized she was, the commitment with which she took on every responsibility; otherwise, that pace of life would be impossible. She intended to stay awake for her, but sleep won. She barely felt someone cover her and lie down beside her, with no other intention than sleeping.

***

The next morning she woke up alone. She picked up the phone: seven o’clock. Valeria came out of the bathroom, dressed in immaculate indigo pants and a white blouse, her hair straightened and combed to the side.

—Good thing you woke up. I didn’t want to wake you myself; you look so pretty when you’re asleep.

—Good morning, come here, hug me —Daniela asked, more asleep than awake, stretching out her arms.

—Good morning, sleepyhead. —She hid her face in her neck and began to shower her with kisses that soon moved up to her lips—. I ordered breakfast for you. Before I leave, I want you to sit down and eat. The driver picks you up at eight-twenty in the lobby.

Valeria tried to get up, but Daniela pulled her back into the bed and, with a deft move, ended up beneath her. Daniela took her wrists, looked at her with brazen confidence, and kissed her in a carnal way, claiming with her mouth the abandonment of caresses to which she’d subjected her all week. What seemed like resistance in Valeria was only the desire to touch her however she pleased. The position was perfect for rubbing against her thigh, and Daniela knew it.

The moment was broken by a knock at the door: room service. Daniela got up as if nothing had happened and went to open it, leaving Valeria flushed, aroused, not understanding what had just happened. She sat down to breakfast while the other readjusted her clothes, hair, and makeup, harassed by her gaze in the mirror’s reflection.

—I really have to go —Valeria said—, but this isn’t going to end here.

—I really hope not —Daniela replied, hiding her smile.

***

The day was long. Valeria presented the balance sheets alongside her parents and, by mid-afternoon, also closed her first project with Sebastián: a signed contract, an advance deposit made. When he invited her to celebrate with some margaritas at a live-music spot, she accepted: something outside family business didn’t happen every day. She texted Daniela to come meet her there.

Daniela arrived, but accompanied by the Carvajals. Sebastián ordered margaritas to break the ice and they talked about what they had achieved. Ernesto was nearly bursting with pride. Later Renata arrived, the friend who had supported Sebastián and who was clearly interested in him on another level. They toasted, had dinner, danced. Ernesto danced with Beatriz; Daniela granted Sebastián the honor of dancing with Valeria when one of their favorite songs came on.

With the alcohol flowing, Valeria had no qualms about showing her love for Daniela, and Daniela returned it without shame. The security team was split up to take everyone to their destination. For them, to the hotel.

As soon as they got into the van, Daniela climbed onto Valeria and kissed her the way she couldn’t in front of her parents. Valeria, uninhibited, took her hands to her ass and pulled her tight against her. Daniela tried to pull away, embarrassed by the driver.

—Don’t worry about them —Valeria murmured—. They signed confidentiality agreements. —Daniela nodded, now without restraint.

—I missed you —Daniela said, and showed her the neck—. Here. —Valeria spoiled it with a deep kiss—. And here. —She brought her hand to the center of her chest—. And here —she added in a muffled voice, sliding it lower.

—I’ll take care of that part in a little while —Valeria replied, drawing her close again.

The ride felt endless. They behaved in the elevator, though the tension only grew. Once inside the room, they melted into a voracious kiss, tossing bags, shoes, and clothes aside as they went. They fell onto the bed and, trying to kiss, clacked teeth; they burst out laughing, partly because of the tequila.

Valeria climbed on top of Daniela, unclasped her bra, and sent it flying to some corner.

—What did you tell me in the car you were dying to do? —she asked.

—Mmm, I said a lot of things —Daniela replied, playing along.

Valeria kissed her shoulder, her collarbone, ran the tip of her nose along her neck and inhaled her perfume. She planted a kiss with a soft bite that made Daniela tighten her hands on her. She moved up the neck to her ear and, in a hoarse voice, whispered:

—I said I want to run all over your body, kiss you all over, but above all I want to bite your nipples. May I?

As if obeying the declaration, Daniela’s nipples hardened. Without saying anything, she took her face and guided her where she wanted to be kissed, holding on firmly. For her, the time without being touched with desire had felt like an eternity, and that wasn’t enough: she wanted more, needed more.

Valeria pushed her down onto the mattress with more determination than force. She took both breasts, squeezed them, and moved down her body, removing the last lace garment she had imagined all afternoon. She kissed her thighs, opened a path with her tongue until she caught the clit and sucked it lightly. Daniela drew in a deep breath, lifted her hips. Valeria repeated the move, this time tracing her slowly, completely, before returning to the same spot.

Daniela tried to silence her moan and couldn’t; Valeria smiled against her and kept going, slipping her tongue in, moving it with the best of intentions while Daniela’s hips rose. For some reason she insisted on holding back her voice, but the muffled moans only turned Valeria on more, and she held onto her hips so no area would go untouched. Daniela felt it coming, grabbed her head trying in vain to pull her away, until she gave in and let herself be swept away by everything she had built up, biting her hand, the other buried in the bedspread.

Having fulfilled her mission, Valeria went back up with kisses, pausing for a moment on those breasts she couldn’t resist. The kisses on the neck were calmer, so Daniela could come back to herself.

—That was intense —Daniela panted.

—It was necessary. A case of urgency. Come here and kiss me.

No need to insist. They kissed tenderly and voraciously at once. Valeria, still on top, adjusted her crotch against Daniela’s and began a slow swaying of hips. Daniela, underneath, only had her hands to work with: she wrapped her arms around Valeria’s back, pulled her by the ass. In a sudden impulse, Valeria asked her to climb up and, at the look of bewilderment on her face, pointed to her own mouth. Bewilderment turned to lust, and there was nothing else to explain.

As soon as she settled in, she felt Valeria’s nose tracing over her. With her tongue, in that position, she worked her with hunger, plunging in as deep as she could, drawing her in with her hands. Something snapped in Daniela: her movements, abrupt, sought more, and she moaned without restraint until the imminent climax —building since they had said goodbye that morning— shook her completely. She clung to Valeria hungrily, as hungry as the orgasm that left her breathless and numb all over.

Daniela pulled back to kiss her, because she felt she was going to come again and still had plans. She lowered her hand, played with her, checked in her own fingers how ready she was. She settled on top, opened her legs wide until she felt herself “caught” and resumed the hip movement, slow but firm, holding onto her breasts just to avoid falling. Valeria let her do it: the way Daniela claimed that body that already belonged to her was scorching.

The surprise came when, abruptly, Daniela turned around, giving her back to her, and went back to find her target. Something seized Valeria at the sight of that back, the way it swayed. She caressed as much of her ass as she could reach like someone touching clay for the first time, not wanting it to end, certain that image would stay with her for the rest of her life. Neither of them moaned loudly; it was two heavy breaths and the sound of bodies meeting, music for both of them.

Valeria let go when she felt Daniela’s heat spill over her. But she wanted her girlfriend to finish the night too, so, taking advantage of her fatigue, she turned her face down, wrapped her hips with her legs, and began to rock, her clit brushing only lightly. With increasingly intense movements she came again, this time making sure everything stayed right there. Daniela, not sure whether it was the friction against the bed or Valeria easing herself over her, enjoyed that last orgasm that closed the night.

How they woke up no longer mattered. What mattered was that the body and the woman on top of her woke up beside her.