Truth or Dare

“I am so excited” Fran looks out of her window but there is nothing to see. The plane is high up in the sky and it’s 4.a.m.“I cannot imagine going to Rio de Janeiro. Even better, going there with you!” She takes his arm in both hands and looks at him lovingly. Maxwell smiles back as he pats her hand. “Well, I couldn’t leave you alone in an empty house, could I?” he replies dryly.

He had promised himself to behave like a gentleman towards her. He wanted to go on this trip as friends and get to know her a little better in private. He didn’t want anything to happen too fast. It could ruin everything. Only the thought of her in a bikini made his guts turn, he so wanted to be able to control that feeling.

Fran yawns and falls asleep against his shoulder. Looking down at her, Maxwell sighs. He puts his arm around her and draws her closer to him. Not being able to resist it he plants a kiss on her forehead causing Fran to curl her lips slightly upwards. It doesn’t take long for Maxwell to fall asleep as well.

At the airport they are being fetched by Mark’s friend, Alexandro. A dark haired man in tight colourful clothes. “Welcome to Rio de Janeiro” he yells as he shakes hands with Fran and Maxwell. “You’ll have a wonderful stay here. I arranged a suite or you in the Copacabana Palace, our very famous hotel. Many pop stars and royalty have spent wild Brazilian nights in that place.” He winks at he both of them.

“Oooh wow” Fran yells out excitedly “I am already liking this place”.

“And it’s also a very romantic city” Alexandro whispers to Fran “No better place to let love blossom than here, under the sensual tunes of the samba.” He nods his head to Maxwell.

Fran laughs “I’ll do my best” she whispers back.

The ride from the airport to the city takes almost an hour as the traffic is mad. Fran can’t stop gazing out of the window as she passes the small houses made out of wood, stone and plastic, hardly isolated. “These are the favellas” Alexandro explains “the slums of Rio de Janeiro, almost half of Rio’s inhabitants live in neighbourhoods like this.”

Fran swallows. “Do these people work, or have any food?”

“Some work in the city but many are unemployed. They are usually involved in criminal activities and start dealing drugs. It’s a circle and they never get out of it.” Alexandro says with a sad voice. “There are just too many and the government doesn’t know how to help them. Or doesn’t want to. It’s complicated. Now all they try to do is keep the crime from the city. But they are not all criminals, many try to make it as soccer players or singers and dancers. Samba culture really lives here. Jenna is from the favellas as well. She had so much talent that she dances on Copacabana now every night, being able to afford a small apartment. She really has a strong mind. She almost fainted when I told her a famous Broadway producer might be interested. It is her dream to go to New York.”

“Ah, that poor girl. I had no idea” Fran says.

“Well, she doesn’t want and need any sympathy. She’ll get there herself. She’s a hard working girl. I am sure you will find her perfect Mr. Sheffield. She IS Copacabana if you ask me. Men go crazy when she dances on stage” Alexandro smiles.

“I just hope so” Maxwell replies. “Not only for here but I really need the perfect star now. Time is ticking away for me as well.”

After a while they arrive in the city. “If you look to your right you can see our famous Christ the Redeemer statue” Alexandro points out. “He watches over the city. I’ll take you there tomorrow. You will have an amazing view, especially over Copacabana and Ipanema. Our 2 most famous beaches.”

“I would love to see everything” Fran exclaims excitedly. “Uh… as long as it fits in our schedule ofrse”rse” she recovers quickly while catching Maxwell’s serious look.

“You will meet Jenna tonight” Alexandro replies “Leaving you the time tomorrow to explore the city, and each other. You have to feel the passion of Copacabana to make a musical about it”.

‘Ohw he’s smooth” Fran thinks not being able to suppress a laugh. Mark has probably informed Alex already about their relationship. He is doing his utmost best to play matchmaker as well. Fran doesn’t mind it at all.

“Just be careful” Alexandro adds. “Stay on Copacabana and Ipanema and don’t show off any expensive goods. Just wear t-shirts, shorts and flip-flops and you’ll be save. It’s also very common to just wear your beach clothes on the boulevard. Brazilians usually walk around like that in this area.”

“hmmmmm, whatta ya say Mr. Sheffield? Would you mind if I only wore my bikini?’ she says seductively as she puts her hand on his knee.

Maxwell’s body tightens just at the thought “Whatever suits you best, Miss Fine” he manages to bring out with a forced smile.

After a while they finally reach Copacabana, driving just over the boulevard, Avenida Atlantica, along the beach. Fran and Maxwell don’t know where to look. Everywhere there are people walking around in small bikini’s or very small swimming trunks. “Hmmm Mr. Sheffield. We have to find you a pair of tight small trunks. You can’t wear those big shorts of yours here.” Her hand is still on his knee and she squeezes her nails softly in his flesh. Causing Maxwell’s heart to skip a beat. “Uh …well…. I don’t know.. They show off quite a lot”.

Fran laughs inside about his familiar British reserve. She just has to put some oil on that fire. On the other hand, she herself gets quite excited thinking about Maxwell in those tight trunks. “Oh, I know you don’t have anything to be ashamed of. They’ll fit you perfectly” grinding her nails softly against his inner thigh.

Maxwell knows she refers to having seen him in the shower. Although he can’t hide a smug smile about the obvious compliment, the grinding of her nails make his blood float to areas he doesn’t want to wake up too much.

“Uh… thank you Miss Fine. I will think about it” it comes out high pitched as she moves her hand a little higher.

Fran looks at Maxwell, seeing the consequences of her teasing. She decides to leave him off the hook for just a little while. Giving him room to breathe. She moves her hand back to his knee and lets it rest there.

They pull up in front of the hotel. It’s gorgeous white building, looking out over the boulevard and the beach. Alexandro checks them in and leads them to their 3-room suite. Fran looks around excitedly. There are two bedrooms, a livingroom and a huge bathroom with Jacuzzi. “This is even bigger than my parent’s apartment” she yells out.

“I guess you’ll find your way here. I will leave you two to enjoy the day now. But remember, I’ll pick you up at 7 p.m. for dinner and dancing at “A Copa” where Jenna works.