Antonio Airlines AKA:"Flying to meet Noe -or- You're not going to believe this"

By Annie & Chris

Annie's story:

How is it possible for my cab driver to be so late? I called yesterday for heaven's sake. Ok, so I 'm a little nervous. I admit it. Getting to met chica Chris then from there going to meet Noe, how did we get into all of this? It was that chat! When I think of it I laugh. All the other chicas teasing us about flying out to meet the charming Noe. So what's wrong with that? He's another handsome Andalusian man. Not unlike our Antonio. Ahhhhhh, finally this must be my ride. The way this guy holds down the doorbell, it must be.

"Are you there, sweetie?" "I am the cab driver you ordered. "

I know my mother always told me never to open the door to strangers, but in my fury I practically yanked the door off its hinges.

"I called yesterday...yesterday! Do you hear me? I have...I have..." then, I saw him...This most handsome man with longish curly hair that fell into his face, his white cotton shirt clinging to his ever so smooth and rock hard body. The pants, the tight black pants that looked like they were spray painted on. OOOO to be that spray painter.

"Um I... I...have...my suitcases right here. "Please, if you could help me". All my fury left at that moment. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. I was thinking, "wait till I tell Chris this one" this cab driver looks just like Miguel. From Assassins. Only the chicas can think this way. Always Antonio on the brain.

Back to reality, as I watched the driver pick up my bags and put them in the trunk of his car. As he opened the door for me I managed to say, "Thank you." He lowered his eyes and looked directly into mine.

"You're very welcome," he said. It was then I noticed his name plate in the car which read M. Bain. Chris will just never believe this. I thought to myself. I tossed my head back and laughed the most unlady like laugh.

"Why you laugh?" he said.

"Oh nothing, nothing," trying to compose myself. "Where you go in such a hurry?" he asked.

It was also at this time I noticed a lap top computer sitting next to him on the front seat. Why would a cab driver need a lap top?

"I have a plane to catch. It's important that I don't miss this flight"

"Don't worry, don't worry, I will get you there in time".

"I am an expert driver. The best in all the city."

I was being tossed around in the back seat of that car like piece of clothing being washed in a washing machine that had seen its last days.

"Hey I would like to get there in one piece! PLEASE!" I yelled.

He just stared at me from the rear view mirror, almost enjoying the spectacle of me trying to retain my lady-like-ness, which was close to impossible at this point. He told the truth all right, we did arrive at the airport in record breaking time, with me still trying to collect the contents of my pocketbook that was strewn all about the cab. Now he was laughing. Oh, he thinks he's so charming, I thought, as I stepped out of the car, my hair going in all different directions, no make-up left on my face from the g-forces.

He says. "I think you owe me a tip, pretty lady?"

"A tip! A tip! I will give you a tip." Just as I lifted my hand to give him what I thought was a very reasonable tip, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me close to him. So tight I could tell exactly how much change he carried in those tight pants of his. With our mouths full opened and his tongue reaching almost back to my tonsils, I felt my body completely relax in his arms. When he swung me back around, all I could manage to mumble was "Tip?? Tip?? Ok." I wanted him to kiss me again.

He knew it. He turned to me and said, "I don't want to tear your heart out sweetie." He smiled this most mischievous wide mouth grin and said,"You'll miss your plane"

As my plane touched down in North Carolina I thought Chris won't believe this.

Chris' story:

What had I agreed to last night? New Year's Eve? Oh, the chat. Oh, my gosh, Annie was arriving on a plane, when did she say? I sat upright in my bed, and became shockingly aware of how much champagne, (or was it sangria) I drank the night before. I lay back down, then thought, of course, Noe! That's why we're going! A little chica welcoming committee, for all handsome Spaniards, especially those named Banderas from Andulusia! I got up, swallowed some aspirin, packed my bags, and checked to see what time Annie's flight was supposed to get in. Ok, I've got a little time. I had been trying to draw a picture of Ché and me in the first kiss fantasy story I had written, but I kept thinking he looked more like Donny Osmond than Ché. Oh, just give it up, I thought, you have the artistic talent of Ripple (my ever-patient dog). I'll just take my sketchpad along; it'll give me something to do in the airport. I would be surprised if any flights were on time today.

I drove to the airport, wishing my head would quit pounding. What had I been thinking, and when did I think it was a good idea? I parked my truck, and headed for the terminal. I was thinking, how will I know Annie? I don't even know what she looks like! I guess I'll put her name on a card and look like a chauffeur service driver, waiting to pick up a very important client. I checked my bags for our flight to Chicago, then headed for the gate where Annie's flight was supposed to arrive. I picked as quiet as spot as I could find, and sat down. I pulled out my sketchpad, and wrote in huge letters, CHICA. I embellished the letters on my sign a bit, and as I was doodling, a man sat down next to me.

I didn't look at him at first, but I got the impression he was watching what I was doing. My curiosity got the best of me, and looked right into the eyes of…

Art? Art Dodge? Now I knew I had too much to drink last night! Wellllll, maybe not. No, it couldn't be, but jeez, could anybody look more like him? The long hair pulled back, the dark expressive eyes, the tacky Caribbean print shirt?

Annie was not going to believe this!!! I shook my head; I had to be dreaming.

He smiled, and said, "Habla usted espanol?"

I laughed, and said the only Spanish I could ever remember, "Si, donde esta el bano?" Well, I figured knowing how to ask for the bathroom was a good thing to know in any language!

He laughed, then said in somewhat accented English, "do you do anything with that pad besides make signs?" I blushed and said, "well, yes, but it is sort of for myself. Not too much I'm willing to share."

"Ah, so you are an artist?" he said.

I said, "Wwwhat?"

He said, "An artist is always their own worst critic. Let me see what you've done."

I never let anyone look at my drawings, but somehow, I couldn't stop myself from handing him the pad. He flipped through the dozens of sketches of my cats and dog, and a certain black horse named Tornado, then stopped at the sketch of me kissing "Donny." Oh gosh, my eyes rolled into the back of my head, why did that picture have to be in there? I looked at my hands, thinking, why hadn't I burned that stupid picture? He kept looking at the sketch, and finally said, "there is a lot of passion in this drawing. These two, they almost look familiar."

I sat there thinking, "does he even know who Donny Osmond is?" I suddenly realized that he was looking right into my eyes. His eyes. So dark, so huge, soooo captivating, my mind was melting. What was happening to me?

He smiled at me when I looked at him, and said, "Do you put as much passion into your kisses in person as on paper?"

Was it winter, I thought? It must be 95 degrees where I was sitting!! I couldn't think of anything to say, and as I sat there with my mouth open, he said, "let's just see."

He slipped his arm around my neck and pulled me to him. His lips met mine, sweet and warm. He enveloped me in his arms, and his tongue found mine. I felt myself slipping away from reality, as he plunged me into a kiss that swallowed me. He pulled away from me first, waited for me to open my eyes, and said, "Chica, your kiss is more passionate than your drawing. If you can capture that on paper, let me know. I will make you rich. Here's my card." I sat there stunned as he got up and walked away. I watched him leave, too stunned to think.

After a few seconds I looked at the card in my hand. It said, "Art's Gallery, Lincoln Road. All types of payment welcome. Contact Arturo Dodge." I sat back in my chair.

Annie was never, ever gonna believe this!!!

Annie:

Let's see here, one last look in my compact, to see how I look. Nothing much can improve on this face, yuk! As I closed my mirror, the plane was preparing for landing in Raleigh-Durham International airport. I thought to myself as I looked out over the rain-soaked runway, viewing my first glimpse of North Carolina. I wasn't going to see much of this state. Our plane leaving for St. Louis then on to Chicago was leaving in about an hour. How will I recognize her, I never even thought of that? Oh well, I guess I will just have to yell out her name in the airport. CHICA!!! Then my thoughts turned to meeting Noe.

Chris and I are old enough to be his...his...well, old enough to know better. Or should I say know Noe better. Nope, nope, nope, concentrate on finding Noe a girlfriend, (which shouldn't be too difficult at all), and having a good time while we are there. Maybe he can take us to one of his salsa or Cuban clubs that he loves to go to dance.

Those silly Chicago girls there don't know what they are missing out on from such a wonderful man. That's why Chris and I are going to help him find his soul mate, girlfriend, companion whatever. The way he speaks of such love of his beautiful country and how he loves American girls in mini skirts. We just have to shake them up a little over there.

As I walked through the gate passed the crush of people in a hurry, there she was. I laughed when I saw what she had done. Holding a great big sign that was painted in bold red letters it said "CHICA." We hugged and we laughed and exchanged "your're not going to believe this stories." Then laughed and hugged some more.

We both agreed that we just have Antonio on our mind all the time, no matter what we do or where we go. There was no changing that and besides, who would want to.

We moved onto our next gate, moving quickly as there was not much time between flights. Chris excused herself off to the ladies room as I was waiting for the announcement to board the flight onto St. Louis.

Looking around for some place to sit a minute and catch my breath, I spotted a young man of maybe 25 or so. He looked a little lost, in his gray zip sweater jacket and blue jeans. His hair was thick and wet, tussled around a bit. He looked like he has been out in the rain for a while.

Any woman who saw him couldn't help but want to mother this boy. I went to sit down next to him and got my hand caught in a sharp metal object that was sticking out from the chair. It tore into my hand and started to bleed. "OH, great, that was dumb of me." I was looking for something to cover my hand with as drops of blood were starting to fall onto the floor. The young man handed me his handkerchief.

"Why thank you so much." Here I was going to ask him what was wrong and he helps me. The moment I took the handkerchief from his hand, I noticed that he looked pale and started to form little beads of perspiration on his forehead.

Before I knew it he had fainted dead away into my arms, forcing us both back onto the chair. So here I was sitting, my hand still slightly bleeding, with this boy in my lap. I tried to revive him. "Wake up. Are you OK?" I said, as I gentle tapped the smooth cheek of his face. I kept looking around, but there was no one around to help. I struggled to get up, which was nearly impossible. His hair was wet and it was beginning to soak through my jeans. I leaned over the side of the chair, trying to reach for the bottle of water that Chris had given to me earlier. Taking the bottle and pouring a little onto my fingertips, I tried to revive him by sprinkling a little onto that beautiful face of his. So innocent, I thought. "Hello. Come on--time to move."

It worked. He bolted straight up and fell back onto the floor. Legs and arms were flying everywhere. He began apologizing to me a thousand times, in what seemed to be Spanish. "It's OK," I said. "Not a big deal, I'm just glad you're ok," as I wiped off my pants with my good hand.

He noticed the wet mark that his head had left on my pants from his hair, and began to try to dry it off, by blowing on it.

"Oh, my goodness," I was thinking. "Get up, please, it's fine, it will dry." I think by that time my face was at least 12 shades of red. The handkerchief dropped to the floor and I noticed that on it said "EL MATADOR."

"Matador, that's your name?" I said.

"No, no, " he replied. He looked puzzled and blinked those beautiful brown eyes at me, then he said, "How do I say. It is what I aspire to become."

"A bullfighter?" I said.

"Si, si," was his reply.

As he spoke he shifted his eyes down toward the floor.

"Well, that's...great. Yes. I guess." I handed him back the handkerchief and thanked him again. "I'm sorry but I got some blood on your handkerchief, there. See?"

"Blood?" he said. "Blood did you say?" His eyes lowered onto the cloth and no sooner had the words gotten out of my mouth he was gone once again, on the floor of the airport terminal.

A bullfighter who faints at the sight of blood! I thought as I kneeled down beside him and maneuvered my body so his head was once again in my lap. Think of that. He faints at the sight of blood. He must have seen it before when I went to sit down. This was all my fault. It was only moments when this all took place but it seemed like forever. Chris couldn't have been gone more than two minutes at the most. I tried to reach for my water bottle, which this time was too far away.

Softly I yelled, "help! Anyone." There was not a soul around; where was everyone, anyway. I reached out and touched his satiny soft lips that probably had never been kissed more than twice, I thought. This worked for Prince Charming, when he kissed Snow-white. I wonder if it work for me.

I looked around actually hoping no one would notice. I bent over to kiss his sweet lips. He returned the gesture. They were as soft as they had looked and tasted of apples. I stroked his hair and said" Better now? Chico?" He just smiled, and now his cheeks were the ones that were red. We moved around each other and were once again standing. I made sure to hold my wounded hand behind my back so he wouldn't see it again.

I said, "You faint at the sight of blood?"

"Si, si, si. It's something I must learn to control if I am ever to fight the bull."

I looked over his shoulder and saw that Chris was returning. She was holding onto her knee. "What happened?" I asked her. She replied,

"Oh, I hit my knee on the door of the ladies room, and I am bleeding just a little, see."

I turned her around in time before our matador could see it.

"Come on Chris, let's go" I said, "They just called for our flight".

"Who was that?" she asked me. "He looks like a young Antonio".

"He's a matador, I will explain it to you when we get on the plane"

"Everyone looks like Antonio to you," I kidded her.

Chris

Annie immediately recognized me with my CHICA sign, and after introducing ourselves, we exchanged our strange stories. She was right about one thing, we did both have Antonio on the mind! This was like an episode of the Twilight Zone! I excused myself to go the restroom, and as I walked down the concourse, I thought, except this was a very pleasant zone, the Antonio Zone? Then I started thinking about meeting Noe and what this young Spaniard was going to think about these two crazy women. Annie and I were two silly chicas to set out on a journey to meet this young guy, but at least so far we had met some interesting people!!!

I headed toward the restroom, and I swear, I saw another Antonio in that airport! I saw a man sitting, with a laptop in his lap, his back was to me, but could you ever mistake those shoulders, the way the hair curled up on the back of his head? It had to be Miguel Bain, but he had driven Annie to the airport in Connecticut just a few hours ago! Ok, ok quit staring, you are just having some kind of weird hallucination, I told myself. I walked by the man, but as I passed him, I couldn't help but look back one more time and he was looking right at me! I immediately dropped my eyes (oh, Janessa, I didn't have time to practice!) and moved on, but it had to be him. There couldn't be any mistaking those wild eyes. This was too strange. Where was the ladies room in this madhouse? I finally found it. On my way out, I was wondering about walking by Miguel Bain again, and somehow cut my knee on the door. Miguel wasn't sitting where I had seen him, so I just headed back to the gate where our flight was departing. As I returned to Annie, I saw her with a very young man, oh, jeez, he looked like Antonio, too! She steered me away from him toward the gate where we were to board. As she explained, I thought, I knew it, I knew it, it was Angel.

We got in line to board the flight, and I told her about seeing Miguel Bain in the airport. She laughed and said, " I left him back at the airport. It couldn't have been him!" "Oh, I guess you're right." "But the guy you were just with, it had to be Angel, it had to be! Something very strange is going on here!" She said, "It's strange, but isn't it wonderful?" I looked at her and laughed, "It's beyond wonderful, but who is ever gonna believe it?" We laughed and found our seats on the plane. We sat there on the ground for at least an hour, but Annie and I talked and got to know each other a bit, so it didn't seem that long. Finally our plane took off.

After we were in the air, I said to Annie, "Excuse me, but I have to find the restroom again." I got up and headed toward the rear of the plane. I noticed a man in an aisl e seat dressed in Arab clothing. I caught his eye for a moment.

Oh, this isn't happening! That movie hasn't even been released yet! But it was him. Had to be. Ibn Fadlan. No mistaking that face. He stared at me, and, to my surprise, I stared right back! I don't think I smiled with only my lower lip, but I couldn't take my eyes off of him. I looked him right in the eye until I got beside him, then looked back over my shoulder after I passed him. He was still looking at me! I went in to the restroom, knowing that my very pale skin was showing my emotions in full blush. I splashed some water on my face, and, thought not for the last time, this is the strangest trip I had ever have taken. I opened the door to the restroom, and there he was! His long flowing robes left nothing but his face exposed, but I froze when I looked into those eyes. We brushed past each other, but our eye contact never broke as I passed him. He suddenly reached out and pulled me toward him back into the tiny bathroom. I don't know how he got the door closed with both of us in there, but it was somehow closed. He pushed me up against the door with his body, his arms around me, and I realized that the robe he was wearing was incredibly thin. I could feel his leg muscles pressed against mine, and well, you can imagine what else I could feel, but you'll have to just imagine it.

His lips brushed mine, then, his lips parted and his warm tongue flicked across my lips, then more deeply into my mouth. I pressed back against him and his arms pulled me even closer, holding me so tightly, that I could barely breathe. Our kiss continued for a few moments, but he finally pulled away, and mumbled something about how this had gotten him into trouble before. He opened the restroom door, pushed past me, and never said another word. I went back into the restroom and tried to compose myself a little, then went back to my seat.

Annie asked me, "What took you so long? Are you ok?" I looked at her, smiled and said, "you are never going to believe this…"

"Wipe that happy Antonio grin off your face! On second thought, no don't!"

Chris told me about her adventure in the bathroom with the robed man. I said, "I tell you this trip just keeps on getting better and better."

While Chris slept I decided to get some lemon for my ice water. I could use a little walk around the plane anyways. Getting up as quietly as I could, I slipped by Chris, who was sleeping with that smile on her face. A smile that only Antonio could put there.

I walked over to the galley. "What is that noise? It sounds like a whip. Can't be. I must be hearing things," I mumbled to myself.

When I pulled back the curtain there stood a man all dressed in black. Whipping up the whipped cream, using a real whip! I tried to back out quietly, when he swung his arm full back and entangled me into the twines of his whip, pulling me in the very snug galley. "Allow me to introduce myself, chica" "I am Don Alejandro Murietta. At your most humble service. Do you require some service?"

Before I could say lemon, please, he had put his finger into the whipped cream and placed it to my lips.

"How's this?" "Sweet enough?" Just the innocent act of his fingers running across my lips with the luscious treat on the end was enough for my knees to go weak. As I licked my lips, he said, "Oh, I'm not so sure. Better let me check too? Ok?"

"Ah-huh," I mumbled. Still entangled in his whip he came at me. The cream, his lips, the heat. It was all over too fast.

"Did you just say lemon?" he asked.

"Yes, I came in here for some lemon slices, I think." My head was spinning. He pulled a sword from out of nowhere and told me to step back. I freed myself from the whip and stood back as far as I could, which wasn't very far, while he neatly sliced my lemon up into perfect heart shaped portions.

"For you," he said.

"Thank you" I replied.

"Be careful, senorita there is dangerous turbulence ahead."

I sat back down in my seat. Chris was awake by then.

"What's that on your chin, Annie?" she asked me. "What- where? Oh, just a little whip cream," I replied.

Chris looked at me and said, "Don't tell me I'm not gonna believe this. I look at her and laughed and said, "Here have some lemon."

"They're heart shaped," she said.

Chris

Our plane landed in St. Louis with no more excitement, but as soon as we entered the gate into the terminal, I saw him again!!! I grabbed Annie's arm and whispered, "look over there. it's him! It's Miguel!" She looked and exclaimed, "It is him!"

At that moment, he turned and stared right at us, then turned away and disappeared into the crowd.

"Why does he keep showing up everywhere?" I asked. Annie smiled and said, "I don't know, but after that look he gave us, I have the feeling we are going to find out."

We headed toward the gate for our next flight. We had a couple of hours to kill in this airport, so after we sat down near the gate, I said, "I need some coffee. Want anything?" Annie shook her head, and pulled out a book. She said, "I'll just sit here and read." I wandered off in search of coffee. I found a small, crowded, but fairly quiet coffee shop in an out of the way corner of the terminal. I ordered a cappuccino and waited for it to be prepared. I started hearing a jangling noise. It kept getting closer and closer, but I couldn't see where it came from.

Then a dark man entered the coffee shop. He was dressed in black, and had little chains along the sides of his slightly dusty pants. He was carrying a guitar case. I couldn 't see his face, it was hidden in shadows, but I didn't think I needed to see the face to know who it was. He moved up to the counter and ordered a cup of coffee. Yep, it was him all right! He looked at me and said,

"Would you like to share a table with me?" "Sure," I replied. I grabbed my coffee, and moved with him to the only empty table in the place. We sat down, our eyes locked together. I reached to the table to pick up my coffee, and in a brilliant and graceful move, knocked it over and poured hot coffee into his lap! He leaped up, but amazingly he didn't scream. I grabbed some napkins and tried to dry him off, as I said, "I'm so sorry" over and over again. As I tried to dry his clothes I suddenly became aware of the part of his anatomy I was frantically patting with the napkins and turned crimson red. I stopped and he his hands grabbed my arms and pulled me up. His arm went around my waist, and he kissed me. His mouth was warm, and he tasted of coffee, but much better than any coffee I'd ever had before.

He whispered, "Don't worry, your coffee wasn't very hot. It needed to be warmed up!" His lips brushed mine again, then he picked up his guitar case and left. I sat down for a minute, then wandered back down the terminal to Annie. She looked up as I got closer and said, "Looks like you got a little more than just coffee. Did you see Miguel again?" "No," I said, as I sat down. "El Mariachi."

Annie ;

"El Mariachi!" I said, "sounds like I should have gone for coffee!! We don't have much time left till our flight takes off. OH no, Chris don't look now, but there's Miguel. Chris please, take care of him for me will you? He scares me somehow. It's that one certain look he gets on his face."

"Ok, ok," she said, "don't worry, we can take him."

I was hiding behind Chris when he approached.

"Ladies," he breathed. Chris leaned back and whispered, "he seems safe enough."

"Do you remember me, I ...

"Yes, I do," I interrupted him while peeking around from behind Chris's shoulder.

"Why are you following us? I said.

Chris leaned back and said to me, "he smells so good."

"Chris, some help you are!" I replied.

Miguel then pulled something hard and plastic from his pants and puts it in my hand.

"You dropped this in the back of my cab," he said, his head nodding from side to side. "I thought you might need it and I wanted you to introduce me to your pretty friend here." It was my Mastercharge!

"Chris, this is the Killer cab driver," I said as I reached out and touched his chest. "Just kidding. Listen, I saw a gift shop a little ways down I will be back later. You two have fun."

Ooooo, if looks could kill, I think Chris had me in her sights.

I found myself wandering to the magazine isle looking for Hola! Maybe they will have it here. Some nice Antonio pictures would be good. I spotted two copies and tried to reach them, but was having trouble.

"Here allow me," a voice came from behind me.

"Oh, thank you," I said as I turned around and came face to face with a nametag that read, RN-Antonio. Reaching my hand onto his shoulder to balance myself so I wouldn't fall, I picked up the magazines.

"You like International magazines" he asked me.

Yes, I'm afraid so, when I can find them."

"Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Antonio." He reached out and shook my hand.

"Hi..hi," I said, "So, you're a nurse?"

"Si, si"

"That is wonderful"

I could tell he seemed to be a kind and compassionate man, with tattoos that flapped or flew or something.

"You have to be someone special to do that job," I said.

He replied, "well, they are the special ones, not me. Take for instance this one sweet person I am taking care of now. Her name is Lillian, sweet gal."

"She sounds nice, Antonio." I said.

"So where are you headed?" he asked me.

I replied, "to Chicago. CHICAGO! Oh, I have to go."

"No, time for coffee then, huh?" he said.

Why can't these things happen to me in Connecticut, I thought. "No, I can' t, but thanks anyway."

I started to run back to the gate to met Chris, when I heard,

"Wait, wait chica!" I stopped and turned and there was Antonio waving around my magazines.

"For your trip," he said.

"But I didn't pay for these. Let me pay you," I said.

"You can pay me in a kiss," he said, invitingly.

"Well, I have always been attracted to men in a uniform. OK, but..."

"Tut tut tut... No speaking except in Spanish," he said.

I was laughing as he tugged on the sides of my jeans pulling himself closer to me. His lips were gentle and smooth. He moved his lips down to my neck and back again, ever so slowly. I had my eyes closed; I didn't want the moment to end.

NOW BOARDING AT GATE 96. LEAVING FOR CHICAGO.

"I have to go," I whispered.

"Safe flight chica," he said. I watched him walk away and thought, not every man can get away with wearing white shoes and look that good, but then who was noticing his shoes.

I managed to get back to Chris on time and she didn't look mad anymore, in fact she had a big smile on her face.

Handing her a copy of Hola. I said, "OK. Spill your guts. What happened, where is he?"

Chris

Annie left me standing there face to face with Miguel. Gee, thanks a lot, I thought as she moved away. I knew what she meant about being a little scared around him, but he smelled so good…What was that scent? It reminded me of warm places, warm kisses, hot, steamy, sweaty… Ok, Chris, get a grip. I said, trying to sound businesslike (or at least not scared), "Don't tell me you have been everywhere we have just so you give Annie her card back! I don't believe that for a minute!" "Ooohh, so you are a tough one, eh?" he hissed. Well, if you must know, the truth is I thought you two were following me, and I wanted to see what you were up to. You are up to no good, si?"

"Well, not that it is any of your business, but we are on our way to Chicago to meet a very nice young Spaniard named Noe Banderas," I snapped. "A Banderas, I see," he said in that husky half whisper. "You women are all attracted to them, aren't you?" I didn't know quite how to answer that, but then he said, "You know, I have always been attracted to tough women. I thought you looked like someone who isn't afraid of much.

"You are not afraid of me, are you?" "Of course not," I said, getting more and more nervous.

"Should I be?" He laughed and said, "I don't know. Are you sure you haven't been following me?"

"Whatever for?" I said, trying to keep up the tough image. He was attracted to that? He laughed again, a kind of maniacal chuckle that made me cringe a little. This was the scariest person I had ever met, and yet somehow I didn't think he was going to hurt me. But his glittering eyes were not quite sane; his smile was that of a mad man. His smile, those lips, full, inviting, warm…

I knew that the tough cold facial expression I was trying to maintain was melting away rapidly.

He said, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking, "Oh yesss, the ice is thawing now. I just love to watch the tough ones melt. You cannot resist Miguel." He took me in his arms, and I could feel his hard warm body against mine. His tongue licked my lower lip, as he grasped my hips and pulled my body against his. I tasted the saltiness of him as his tongue explored my mouth, probing ever deeper. I could feel the heat from him through our clothes, so much that it was if nothing separated us. I could taste that indescribable smell and I did not want this moment to end.

He moved his hips, a little swivel against mine as he continued to urge my body closer to his. I knew that he was all that was holding me up at this point, and I let him hold me. His lips finally pulled away from mine, and he whispered in my ear as he continued to hold me, "Are you afraid of me now?"

I said, "yes" as I shook my head no. He laughed, but only so I could hear him. He kissed me again, just his lips touching mine.

"Sweetie, your heart is mine now, si?" he said. I nodded, and he let go of me. I fell into the chair behind me and watched as he walked away. He turned back, winked and disappeared.

I was still dazed when Annie got back. She handed me a magazine, and as I focused on her face, She said, "spill your guts." But I could tell by her smile and the light in her eyes, that someone had kissed her, too. "You first," I said, "you already know who kissed me." She said, "c'mon, they called our flight, didn't you hear?" As I leaped up she said, "I'll tell you about it as we board."

Chris and I spend the rest of the flight talking about Antonio and the chicas at the Mall and about the upcoming convention. Both of us kept looking around for the robed man and Don Alejandro, but no luck. We had to cut our own lemons this flight.

We were excited about meeting the mysterious and guapo espanol Noe. Tease us at chat, will they! We will never live this one down, but he had sent the most charming emails. We just had to meet him and shake up those Chicago girls who couldn't see what they had right before their eyes. He had promised to take us dancing to one of the Chicago salsa clubs. We laughed about that, since neither one of us can dance very well. It should prove to be interesting.

Who could resist a trip like this, I ask you? Even without all these kisses, we were excited about meeting Noe.

We wanted to hear everything, about where he was from and his family. Just everything. We had fallen prey to the charms of yet another handsome Andalusian man.

The plane had landed and we were on the ground at O'Hare airport. We were getting ready to exit the plane, and, of course we were the last ones off. We were too busy checking hair and make-up, and just a little nervous about meeting our new friend. As we moved to the front of the plane, we could hear someone singing.

"Do you hear that?" Chris said. "Is that High Flying, Adored?" "I think it is," I said. It was coming from the pilot's cockpit. The door was open and the pilot was there. Singing. Like an angel. The words flowed from his lips.

When he saw us there watching him, he stopped singing and seemed a little embarrassed.

"The echo in here is good," he told us. We burst into applause.

"Bravo!" we said. When he removed his cap to introduce himself to us, we noticed that his hair was dark and brushed straight back, with just a hint of curl on the ends. "My name is Che," he told us.

"Please, finish the song?" Chris asked.

"Yes, well, ok," he said.

We stood there captivated by the sweet strains of his voice. Such passion with every note. We couldn't stop telling Che how marvelous his voice was. As he kissed each of us on the cheek, he said, "We've made sure you made it to your destination safely. Please fly with Antonio airlines again soon.Now go chicas. Someone is waiting for you in the airport."

"Oh, gosh, Noe," we both cried, as we rushed off the plane. As we walked up the ramp into the terminal, Chris said, "Hold it, Annie. Did he say Antonio airlines? And it was like he knows who we are here to meet. Were we being protected on our trip by guardian Antonios?" I looked at her and we said in unison, "Nobody is ever gonna believe this!!!"

Meeting Noe

"OK, let me see you. You look great," I said to Chris. "Now me?"

"Perfect!" Chris says, "Are you ready for this?" We both inhaled deeply and said "Yes" at the same time.

As we walk down the hallway leading to the exit gate we were practicing what little Spanish we knew: Hola. Guapo espanol. Que me cuentes? All three lines we kept practicing over and over.

I turned and said to Chris, "How will he know us?" She said " Maybe he will be holding a sign up that sayschica! We both let out a nervous laugh. There he stood at the end of the gate exit waiting for us with such a warm and welcoming smile that only a true Spaniard man can wear so well. He also had a twinkle of mischief in his eye. We knew we were in for some exciting moments getting to know our new friend. Espero que nuestra amistad dure mucho tiempo!

I placed my arm inside his and Chris did the same on his other side. She leaned back and said to me.. "Chica...Noe es muy muy guapo!!" I replied, "si !! Chris guapisimo!" Then we each gave him "un beso unico."

Noe smiled.

The girls at the chat are never going to believe this one!