After a moment of pure admiration and another sip of beer, Julio decided that asking the next question just might be worth it, so with his straightest face possible asked, "So, what do you think makes sex amazing?"

Desiree smiled, this was by far the most interesting and amusing conversation she's had in a long while, and the company was so very intriguing."Well, first I think there has to be a mutual attraction, and it should be more than just looks. Looks can be a start, but there should be something else, even if you can't explain exactly what it is." Desiree started, "the next most important thing has to be honesty and trust. No lying or broken promises."

"But," Julio interrupted, remembering how bedroom talk had caused so many problems a few years ago, "what if it's something like my job, police related, that can't be talked about outside of work?"

She thought for a moment then said, "I don't think that would matter, as long as you didn't lie about it. If something happened at work, you should be able to tell your partner that something is going on but you can't talk about the facts of it. It's still going to affect you. Trust has to work both ways." One look at Julio's face and Desiree could see that he was thinking about her answer.

"So, mutual attraction and trust? That's what makes sex amazing?" He leaned a little closer and lowered his voice so she had to lean a little closer to hear, "I remember it differently."

His comment made her sit up and laugh. Her laughter was clear and open, almost childlike. It made Julio smile to watch her and it caused several people in the bar to look toward the two of them and smile as if they were in on the joke. When Desiree realized she was becoming the center of attention she put her hand over her mouth and blushed. Julio couldn't help but think that it just made her more beautiful.

After composing herself, Desiree sat up, looked straight ahead and took a calming sip of wine. Julio was still turned toward her, now his elbow was on the bar, hand supporting his head and trying not to laugh every time she glanced over. Without making eye contact and barely loud enough for him to hear she said, "I wasn't finished."

This time Julio couldn't contain his laughter, which made Desiree start laughing all over again.

This time the outburst took several minutes to get under control and caused most of the bar patrons to at least look toward the two of them. A few even looked at the couple with the same longing in their eyes that Desiree had looked at them earlier this evening.

"I'm not sure that this is the best place to continue this conversation, we seem to be attracting," Julio whispered as he looked around, "a lot of attention."

Desiree looked at all the smiling faces around them, "Oh, I don't know, they seem to be enjoying it. That is everybody except your brother, he looks a little worried."

"He's probably worried that I'm going to try and take advantage of you." He sighed, glancing up at Victor but staying close to keep his voice low.

This time Desiree leaned closer and asked coyly right next to Julio's ear, "And, you're not?"

Being so close he caught the scent of a subtle perfume mixed with the fruity smell of her wine, the combination was mystifying, he thought about putting his hands on her shoulders and pulling her close just so he could inhale the essence of her again, but instead he asked, "Is it taking advantage if we're both interested?"

Desiree noticed that Julio's voice had gotten lower and a little husky. Knowing she was causing this reaction only made her more confident of her own feelings. He was inciting ideas in her that she had deprived herself of for such a long time.

So, without really thinking about it, she acted on one of her earlier thoughts.

She kissed him.

It was just a quick kiss, it was over before Julio had time to react, but it told her what she wanted to know. His lips were soft, and warm, and did, taste slightly of lime.

Desiree sat up. She could feel a flush going through her whole body and finally making its way to her face. Oh my. She thought. What did I just do? Looking over at Julio she could see, first a look of shock and then the start of a small grin.

"I'm so sorry," she finally said, hiding her face behind her hand. "I'm not sure why I did that." She was trying to collect her thoughts, but everything seemed to be reeling inside. She was envisioning taking his face in her hands and giving him a real kiss and him kissing her back. Just thinking about it made all the warmth inside start again.

"I thought you were just answering my question, or were you already planning on taking advantage of me?" Then he leaned closer and looked intent on returning the kiss but then she pulled away. This made Julio look at her with a puzzled expression. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, no, you did nothing wrong." She started to reach for his hand, but stopped herself. "Just, just give me a minute," she stammered.

Desiree was being overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions that hadn't surfaced for months. She closed her eyes to help her from getting distracted and tried to just think. It wasn't her usual style to want to get to know a man better after talking to him for such a short period of time and yet, their conversation, that kiss. That tiny, little, kiss.

Taking a deep breath and opening her eyes, she focused on a rather confused Julio and smiled. "Well, I wasn't exactly planning on taking advantage of you but, I would like," she paused, "a real kiss." He brightened immediately and leaned closer, she added, "I would rather do this without the audience, but." The rest of her words were lost when their lips met.

It started slowly, his lips were still very warm. She could feel the tip of his tongue tentatively reach out to part her lips. She opened her mouth, slightly at first and then more, accepting that small part of him inside of her. His tongue now mingled with hers and Desiree's senses once again tried to overwhelm. She could still taste the lime and the dark Mexican beer but now aromas were there too. A fleeting musky scent of aftershave still lingering after a long day at work, mixed with the manly smell of sweat and something, more acrid. Gunpowder?

The flush that Desiree had felt earlier was forgotten and replaced by what felt like fiery butterflies dancing inside of her. It was hard sit still, she put a hand on Julio's shoulder in a hope to garner some of his strength and keep her balance. His hand had found its way to the side of her face, she could feel his fingers lace through her hair and hold her close.

When their lips finally parted, both realized that they, again, were the center of attention.