Chasing The Sun

Chapter 1 - The Ride

It was one of those steamy nights in the Californian desert. It was so hot even the AC couldn't keep Tom and Amada cool so Tom had decided long ago to just take the top off of his Audi Coupe. The sun had finally scored on them as it was now just a dim light on the horizon. The wind was slapping as they were driving West with no real hurry, just exhausted from the latest series of concerts in the southern states of this great country. Dallas, Houston, San Antonio in the so-called Lone Star state, followed by memorable performances in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

Tom had left the band in Las Vegas... gambling was not on his list of priorities. His top priority was to his right... asleep, her long black silky hair flapping against the leather seat and inside of the door. He was feeling so at peace... driving at night with the top down and Amada next to him. Amada, his "soul sister" as he used to call her, her face was angel-like when she was sleeping. As if a grin had carved itself on her soft full lips... Tom had to force himself to keep his eyes on the road instead of looking at her beautiful face. She had been talking to him about their trip for hours until her voice was slowly becoming softer, her comments less frequent. His last question wasn't getting an answer, so he glanced... and she was asleep. Like a baby, his baby.

Tom wanted to pull a blanket up and keep her warm but the hot Californian night was more than they could both handle. She was dressed appropriatly, short jeans and a white blouse revealing her delicious forms. The heat of the day had made her undo a few buttons before she fell asleep... and she now looked terribly sexy in the fading light. Her long tan legs were stretched out... and Tom caught himself glancing her way more often than a careful driver should. Maybe she wasn't really asleep, maybe she was testing him? Tom couldn't break her trust, he had to show class and respect. But his eyes were begging for a few more glimpses of her... and he gave it to them.

The Ranch was only a few minutes away. Before "Sympathy For The Devil", one of Tom's favorite songs, could end, he saw the gated entrance to his right. Tom pulled in, drove another two minutes in the long dark dirt road leading up to the house and turned off the engine. The clicking sounds coming from the engine were now the only disturbance around. The front porch light was on, but he was in no hurry to go inside. Amada was still in deep dreams (of him?). She had barely moved as Tom drove through the somewhat bumpy dirt road. Her left hand had fallen softly on her left thigh. Looking at her was such a terrible tease. Tom now had the delicate task of trying to wake her up so they could get in the house. Either that or carry her. But would she wake up? would she let him?

Tom brushed her long hair off her face, placed it behind her ear. She smiled, or at least that's how it appeared to him. Was his touch becoming part of her pleasant dream? or was she simply feeling his hand on her hair for real and showing appreciation? Tom dared to place his hand on her bare shoulder for a gentle "wake up" push. It did quite the opposite of the intented purpose as she slowly slid deeper into her seat. Tom's hand was still on her shoulder, unable to pull away from her skin. The contact felt wonderful. The setting was so romantic... but she was asleep!

In the distance, a coyote made its presence known. As the night advanced, the air was getting cooler and the skies were darker. Max had told Tom that their agent would leave the keys behind a massive rock in the middle of the flower bed to the left of the front porch. Tom grabbed his phone, opened the flashlight app and got out of the car. The little rocks in the driveway were making crunching sounds as he walked towards the flower bed. He directed the light towards it... but no "massive rock" there. Maybe the rock was not so massive after all so Tom came closer and started moving flowers and high grass away, looking for some kind of rock, or keys.

After a few minutes of intense search, it was obvious there was no rock -or keys- there. It was hard to see much but Tom couldn't find any other flower bed in the vincinity. Did the agent forget to have the keys delivered? Did Max misunderstand? Tom walked to the front door and tried the handle. Didn't buldge. As one can expect, the door was locked. It was a massive oak door with forged decorative iron protecting a small round glass window. Tom peeked and saw that a light was on somewhere inside the house. No other car in sight in the driveway, he knew they were alone. Tom glanced at his phone, 1:43am. He thought about calling Max and rant at him but decided otherwise. Tom's a big boy now, can't let a little problem affect him like that. They'll be laughing about it later.

"Tom?!, where are you?"

Tom had forgotten about Amada for a moment. Obviously she was now awake.

"I'm here, by the front door" and he directed the flashlight towards her. She placed her hands in front of her face, so he lowered the light then turned it off.

"where are we?" she asked while opening her door.

"Well... this is the surprise getaway I told you about. Problem is, I can't find the keys to get in." Tom answered with a little bit of disappointment in his voice.

She moved towards him, came up the small set of stairs and forced her way into his arms.

"It's a little bit chilly now, what time is it? and what's plan B?"

"It's around 2:00am" Tom said as he wrapped his arms around her to warm her up. Her skin was definitely colder now than earlier when she fell asleep in the car. "Not sure what plan B is. Wanna break in?" Tom asked with a chuckle.

"Whose house is this?" she asked.

"House?... Amada, this is a ranch, Casa De Pecados or something like that, we're miles away from the closest neighbour." She looked at him funny as he said the name of that ranch in Spanish. Her mom being from Spain, Tom could bet she knew more Spanish than his sad "Que tal".

"Casa de Pecados, huh?" she said with a weird smile. "And who exactly recommended that place for a getaway?"