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Havana Holiday Excerpt

Victor and Eve

"You're the hotel gigolo then?  I haven't enough money to afford you I'm sure.  You look expensive." Eve asked

"I'm not sure.  Was that a complement?  But, no not the hotel gigolo.  That's the fellow in the straw hat by the door.  The old women look for him, you should never have need of his services."

Eve took a look over at the door.  A very handsome man flirted with a matronly woman judging by her batting at him as if he just said something naughty.  "How much do you think he would charge for a wedding on short notice?"

His eyebrows furrowed.  "You need to be married?"

Eve just about choked at the thought.  "No, just to attend one.  I've been planning a vacation with my friends for two years and my former fiancée just showed up with his new fiancée.  They are to get married here tomorrow and he invited me."

"Ahh."  That one word and he expressed everything, understanding, sympathy even.  "Save your money.  I will take you tomorrow.  Every one knows who he is, it would not have the effect you think it would."

"And you should have a better effect you think?"  He smiled again.  God would he.

"Undoubtedly."   

"What qualifications have you then?  You aren't the gigolo or the cheering committee could you pull it off do you think?"  That was like putting a red flag in front of a bull.  His hands slid far from proper, cupping each hip as they danced.  Gentle fingers skimmed up the length of her back and she tried not to sigh.  Tried not to kiss the man then and there when his hands held either side of her neck, his thumbs caressing her cheek. 

"Would it not work better if the man you find was actually interested in you than in payment?  My first qualification would be that I am surely interested querida."  He spun her unexpectedly, Bill and Anna sat in the front table watching a man making love to her under the guise of dancing.

"He's right there."  She hissed in horror.  She was spun back around as her partner looked.

"Him.  He has the face of a weasel.  It is better you did not end up marrying him."

Eve couldn't help but laugh into his shoulder.  "Well perhaps."

"You hide your smile.  How will I know if I'll melt?"

Her bare back grew warmer as his hands settled in the curve of her waist, maybe her hips were safe, but this was skin to skin contact now.  Eve was going to kill Nora she was the one that modified her dress removing the puff sleeves and cutting out the back.  Nora hadn't thought it was daring enough for Havana, land of anything goes.  She couldn't help but gasp as his fingers dipped beneath the fabric. 

Mojito recipe

1 teaspoon powdered sugar

Juice from 1 lime (2 ounces)

4 mint leaves

1 sprig of mint

Havana Club white Rum (2 ounces)

2 ounces club soda

Place the mint leaves into a long mojito glass (often called a "collins" glass) and squeeze the juice from a cut lime over it.  You'll want about two ounces of lime juice, so it may not require all of the juice from a single lime.  Add the powdered sugar, then gently smash the mint into the lime juice and sugar with a muddler (a long wooden device, though you can also use the back of a fork or spoon if one isn't available).  Add ice (preferably crushed) then add the rum and stir, and top off with the club soda.  Garnish with a mint sprig.

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