Danica glanced down at the baby, who had begun to doze off, and caressed his forehead, but her eyes were back on Orlando when she heard her name. “Yeah, I told you his first word was mama for Dani. I guess ’cause he’s around her so much now. I told you how quick he was to bond with her. It’s crazy, but she’s now mama to him.” Orlando’s bright eyes met Danica’s. “He’s still saying it, right? Like always ever since the first time.”
Danica smiled nervously but nodded. “Yeah, he is.”
She’d yet to meet Orlando’s mom in person, but she had chatted to the somewhat outspoken woman a few times over the phone. Nadia had called to introduce herself as Baby O’s grandmother and check on him the first day Danica had been left alone with her. She’d been nice enough, but as Felicia had that first day, Nadia had a few questions for Danica as well. Only her questions were more on the personal side rather than about her professional background. She’d asked Danica how old she was and if she had any kids of her own. Oddly enough, she’d also questioned Danica about the age of her boyfriend and how long they’d been together. Like with Felicia, Danica had politely answered her questions. Nadia hadn’t commented on the fact that Ted was twenty-four years her senior, but Danica had gotten a strange vibe from his mother. By the time Orlando was off the phone with his mom, the baby was good and out. Orlando walked over before she set him down in the crib and leaned in to kiss his forehead. As with all the other times he’d leaned in so close to her face because the baby was that close to her, Danica breathed in deeply. He was so close she felt the warmth of his breath as he said his good night to Oreo.
Before pulling away, Orlando paused when he glanced up and met Danica’s eyes. She’d been gazing at him and he’d caught her. Danica gulped hard, hoping he didn’t hear her because, as usual, for a moment, she felt struck. His eyes fell to her lips once again, and for just an instant before he seemed to catch himself like all the other times, he finally pulled away. She set the baby down in the crib in Orlando’s room as her heart hammered away. They both slipped out quietly after Orlando set the baby monitor. They were silent for a few long moments as they walked through the hallway of his home. “What a day,” Orlando finally said when they were far enough away from the bedroom. “I think this calls for a celebratory beer. Care to join me?”
“I’m not much of a beer drinker.” Danica crinkled her nose just as Orlando turned to her; then she remembered something. “But I did make rice pudding today. Arroz con leche,” she clarified when he started to crinkle his nose. “That’d be a good way to celebrate for me. It was my favorite growing up, and I thought it’d be a nice treat for Oreo this weekend. You don’t like it?”
“Not sure I’ve ever had it,” he said in a cautious tone, but Danica couldn’t even blame him after all the cooking fails she’d had so far. Except this was the only thing aside from putting together a simple sandwich she’d mastered, and she could kick herself for not making it for him sooner. “But just the sound of rice pudding,” he said once again cautiously. “Doesn’t sound too appealing.”
“Oh, but it is. You have to try it. My mom made the absolute best arroz con leche when I was growing up.” She went straight for the fridge when they got to the kitchen, glad her pounding heart had begun to calm. “Not sure how good it’ll go with beer, but you have to at least have a taste. I promise this is actually good. I’ve already tasted it.” Pulling out the bowl, she went on about how it took her time to perfect it, but she finally had it down.
“My mom bought us regular pudding growing up,” Orlando said, smiling when she glanced up at him. “Not even the kind in the box you make. The already made stuff that came in little cups. She’s never been much for cooking either.”
Danica laughed softly, trying not to sound as unnerved as she was still feeling. “Obviously, I don’t do a whole lot of cooking, but when it’s something I like, I tend to make it often. Believe it or not, there are a few dishes I can nail and this is one of them.”
Orlando leaned against the counter next to where Danica was standing with the bowl of rice pudding. Like earlier when he kissed the baby, he was so close she could feel the warmth of his big virile body next to hers, and it had her heart speeding up again. There’d been plenty of times she’d appreciated his vulnerability when it came to learning anything new about dealing with the baby. It made being around such a hunk of a man less intimidating. As much as she’d tried to tone it down, even in her head for the sake of not making a complete ass of herself, there was no denying it now. This close to him she could practically feel the masculinity and sensuality the man exuded.
Pulling out a spoon from the drawer next to her, she concentrated on the damn pudding instead. She took a small spoonful of the pudding, making sure it had some of the cinnamon sprinkles on it. “Here try this.” She lifted the spoon at him, but instead of taking it, he opened his mouth. Not wanting to make more of it than it was, Danica spoon-fed the pudding to him as if it were no big deal. Even with all her attempts to hide the angst she’d been feeling for weeks, it was all she could do to keep her hand from shaking. He ate it, chewing slowly as if a bit wary that he might have to spit it out. The whole time he stared at her until he closed his eyes, and a deep moan followed. Danica’s heart spiked all over again at the almost scandalous sound. “That’s damn good.” He opened his eyes and licked his lips. Danica’s eyes were immediately distracted by that until his next word. “More.”
Catching herself before he caught her staring at those lips again, she turned back to the bowl of the pudding and took a far more generous portion of the pudding for him this time. She brought it to his mouth again, since clearly, he wasn’t planning on taking the spoon for himself. The spoonful this time proved to be a bit too generous as some of it dribbled off the side of his lip. Without thought, Danica reached up to wipe it before it dribbled down onto his shirt. Her finger caught the falling dribble just in time, and to her breathless surprise, he licked it off her finger. They both froze, staring into each other’s eyes, even as he continued to lick his lips. Danica’s eyes fell to his lips again where he still had a tiny bit just off the side. Reaching up slowly, she wiped that too and his hand caught hers. Her eyes were back on his as he took her finger and licked it clean again all the while staring deep into her eyes. Without taking his eyes off her, Orlando reached for the pudding—no spoon. He brought his finger up to her mouth and touched the pudding to her lips, and she licked it softly. Feeling her body tremble, Danica’s conflicted insides were in utter turmoil. The mental chastising she’d done that afternoon was about to fly out the window. She was no saint. There’d been a few naughty one-nighters in her past but never with anyone she’d begun to have feelings for. Never with one she’d established was forbidden. And certainly, never with one who could so easily have her panties damp this quickly. How in the world was she expected to summon the willpower to keep this from happening? As her heart sped up and Orlando closed the gap between them bringing his hard body against hers, Danica licked his finger clean before taking his entire finger in her mouth and sucking it. Once again, Orlando let out that moan that meant so much more this time. The erotic mixture of sweetness and salty flesh had Danica’s insides bursting with desire, and she knew she was a goner. In the next moment, Orlando pulled his finger out and replaced it with his mouth and eager tongue instead. Danica’s legs nearly went limp. His big hands cupped her face as the rhythm of his tongue in her mouth worked its magic in pure perfection. Danica had no idea how she could keep up. But keep up she did as she let out a moan of her own. Orlando groaned in her mouth and picked her up suddenly. A surprised gasp escaped Danica, as he placed her on the counter, but she quickly spread her legs when he slowed in response to her reaction. Taking his mouth in hers again, she pulled him toward her between her open legs. There was no way she was stopping this now, and she didn’t want him to think it’s what she wanted. After being indulged with his hard body pressed against hers, even if only for a few breathless moments, already she�
�d missed the feel of it.
Never had doing nothing more than kissing felt so erotic. But it’s how Danica managed to calm her heart. They were just kissing. Sure, the kisses were long, deep, frantic at times, and she’d never felt anything like what she was feeling, but it was still just kissing. She could allow herself this much, right? As long as they kept it at just this. Neither said anything as they continued the marathon kissing. Orlando’s big arms would drape around her at moments very possessively. Then at other times she felt him breathe in deeply with such emotion, even as their frantic kissing continued. For a moment, Danica thought she’d managed to summon the will to keep this from going any further until his lips left hers and traveled down her chin and onto her neck. Just as she’d so easily allowed the kissing in the first place, she dropped her head back, gasping for air, giving his lips and tongue an open invitation to do as they pleased to her neck.
Her entire body was trembling now, and despite her protesting head reminding her anxiously what a mistake this was, there was no way she could stop this. Running her hands up under his beanie she pulled it off and ran her fingers through his soft wavy hair. She’d seen him without the beanie many times, but she knew now why the beanie was his security blanket and why he wore it so often. Touching his hair, as often as it was sheltered, was oddly exciting. Like something only a few exclusive people ever got to do. Every time he sucked her neck, she felt it down there and squirmed in reaction, certain he knew why. Kissing his way back up to her lips, he finally stopped and stared into her eyes. Danica prayed he wouldn’t say anything. Why? Did her ridiculous head actually think they could do this and never speak of it again, as if it never happened?
And then he asked the very question she’d been thinking from the moment his lips touched hers. “Could this day get any better?”
Danica knew how she should respond to this. No. This is as good as it’s going to get. We can’t go any further. But of course, just like her body’s reaction to him, and her inability to lie to him, her pounding heart betrayed her. Before she could stop herself, she was nodding.
There was no missing the effort Orlando made to not react to that. It was an impressive attempt, but she was staring too deep in his eyes not to miss the way his eyes went a little wide for a moment before devouring her mouth again.
Chapter 20
Orlando
He had made an effort, damn it. It’s how Orlando would mentally be excusing what could be a disastrous mistake. It’s not like he planned this. So, he hadn’t asked her if she was okay with this. Spontaneous shit like this happened all the time, and she was a grown woman. A grown-ass single and available woman capable of putting her foot down if she had an issue with it. Clearly, she didn’t, and if her body language and that last nod to what was meant as a rhetorical question was any indication, she was as for this as his throbbing cock was. Plus, she still had a chance to stop this. Yes, his weak ass was leaving it up to her because God knew he’d be incapable of stopping this from going where it seemed to be going if she let him.
The only thing that stepped in and messed with his conscience every now and again from the moment he’d felt Dani’s finger on his lip, was his son. He had no idea what exactly was happening here or how this might change things, but he knew it was a risk. How could he chance ruining this for Little Man? He called her mama for fuck’s sake! Orlando paused, pulling away for a moment to gaze nervously into her eyes. They were big and beautiful and at the moment as drunk with lust as he felt. But there was more. At least his pathetic heart was already hoping for more. He could only hope that what he was seeing amidst those deliciously wanton eyes was more than just unrestrained yearning. His heart was still trying to decide if his son calling this girl mama terrified him or if he fucking loved it. Feeling that familiar flutter in his heart again, Orlando smiled. He called her mama. Just like that, he was back to devouring her delicious mouth. Really?
One kiss was all it took? Okay, one very long epic kissing session was more like it, but it’s not like this was a first for Orlando. Not the spontaneous tearing off of each other’s clothes—of which was yet to even happen here—but if it did, it most certainly wouldn’t be the first time for him. Not the giving into being with someone he’d previously decided it wouldn’t be a good idea to be with. His dumb ass had given into his share of no-can-do’s in the past, too. So, what was it about this girl? His head kept going back to one thing: Little Man. He had everything to do with Orlando being so impressed by Dani in the first place. The baby was his life now. Of course, any girl who’d be such a big deal to him would be a standout from any other girls, right? Except, if that were the case, why hadn’t he been just as moved when Felicia stepped up? She’d done so selflessly before she’d even met the baby. That should’ve made her worth her weight in gold to him. Yet, before he’d even met Dani, and after he’d decided he’d stop at nothing to get his son back, he’d easily pulled back from anything heavy with Felicia. Now here he was in what was yet to be even one full lustful experience with Dani, and his heart was ready for so much more. Electrifying. It’s what he felt when Dani’s hands slipped up his back under his shirt. He’d heard the word used before by many to describe the feeling of being so fucking turned on every nerve in their body came alive. But this wasn’t even his dick she was touching, and it had him moaning again. This time she slid her mouth down his neck and sucked—hard. “Fuck, yeah,” he groaned. Normally, he’d be worried about getting marked up, but it felt so damn good, and this was Dani, so he didn’t even care. The moment she pulled her lips away from him, he pulled his shirt over his head and threw it off. Dani gazed in awe at his bare chest and shoulders for a moment before leaning in and kissing his neck again and working her way down his shoulder.
She’ll stop this.
It’s how he rationalized it every time things went a bit further. This time he took a deep breath as he pulled her shirt over her head and—she didn’t stop him. She didn’t stop him when he pulled the straps of her bra down, nor when he undid the bra and took it off. Taking a quick inspection of the well-endowed breasts he’d fantasized so often about, Orlando smiled, feeling beyond satisfied, not just because seeing them like this had him nearly losing it, but because he hadn’t asked her how long ago she’d broken things up with her ex. The moment he’d decided he was doing this he’d prepared himself for the possibility of traces of her ex still on her. Traces he knew, even though he had no right to, would’ve made him crazy.
So, he continued onto his bountiful canvas now, inspecting her once again because he already knew where he was going with this. Kneading a luscious breast in each hand, he took them in his mouth one by one, sucking them hard, and proceeded to mark them up. She didn’t stop him. Instead, she moaned in pleasure as he sucked her sweet flesh, never once protesting the trail of love bites he was leaving all over her chest. This had to be more than just a fluke thing she was giving into just for the fun of it. No way could she—would she—be with anyone else anytime soon. Right? Shaking those thoughts away, Orlando decided to just enjoy this for what it was worth. For now. He could worry about all that later. For a good while, they took turns sucking each other’s upper bodies. They alternated from that to kissing long and deep. Orlando just couldn’t get enough of her lips, her tongue, the taste of her mouth. That is until he needed more. She’ll stop me. Slowly lowering his hand to her crotch area, he rubbed in between her legs over her jeans. That alone had them both breathing a little harder against each other’s mouths. It was such a simple thing, and yet it felt so fucking erotic. But again, it was only enough for a very short time. Just feeling the warmth between her legs even over her jeans made the need to do more completely overwhelming. Did he dare?
She’ll put an end to this insanity. Slipping his hand down to the front of her jeans, Orlando devoured her mouth, breathing heavier as he undid the button on the front of her jeans. As soon as the button was open , the fly was down, and the jeans were loose enough, he slipped his hand into her pan
ties, moaning when he felt how hot and wet she was. “Jesus Christ.” He groaned against her mouth when she spread a little more for him. With his finger sliding up and down her slick slit, he had her moaning now. Dani’s breathing was just as heavy as his was now, and he could feel her heart pounding against her chest. Not to mention her body was beginning to tremble as he continued to play with her wet folds. As Orlando continued to tug at her jeans to pull them further down her thighs, Dani slipped off the counter. For a moment, his heart was completely conflicted. A part of him was beyond disappointed that she was finally putting a stop to it while another very small part was oddly relieved. That is until he realized she’d slipped off the counter to make pulling her jeans down easier. He nearly groaned in ecstasy when he saw her pull them down further. “Oh baby,” he said, burying his face in her neck. “I need you.”
“I need you too,” she responded immediately, squeezing his arm.
With her pants and panties at her ankles, there was no question about whether this was happening. Only how and where. Without further debate, he leaned into her ear. “Turn around.” Slipping one foot out of her pants leg, she spun around and spread for him. Orlando’s heart nearly stopped at the sight of her voluptuously delicious ass. Despite the distraction of the glorious sight before him, his eyes zeroed in on the small tattoo on her upper hip. Using one hand, he pulled her toward him as his other hand undid his fly. All the while he inspected the small tattoo closer, even touching it to make sure it wasn’t a temporary thing. At first glance, he thought it a simple black heart with some fancy decal and just a speck of color because it was all he saw. But upon closer examination, he could see the decal was actually words written in a heart shape. And that speck of color was another tiny blue heart on the top corner of it all. Not wanting to ruin the moment in case she’d tattooed some other dude’s name on herself, he grabbed her ass with both hands as his cock burst out of his pants. Keeping the tattoo completely covered with one of his hands so he wouldn’t be tempted to try and make out the writing, he brought his other hand between her legs. Instantly, his mind was on something else as his finger was covered in her juices. Groaning again unabashed, he brought his finger to his mouth and got a taste of what he was in for. No way could he wait another second or take his time. He needed in her now. Bending her over further, he brought the tip of his cock to her wet opening and teased her a bit. But just a bit because it was all he could stand before slipping into her with a grunt. Moaning loudly, Dani took him in all the way spreading even more for him. Orlando slipped in as far as he could and held her for a second just like that, wanting to savor the gloriousness of being in that deliciously tight space. Then he went at it, sliding in and out enjoying every moment. He started off slow, as slow as he could manage anyway, until he was pumping her hard. Their flesh slapped together loudly as they moaned and grunted with each thrust. It was an erotic sound he was familiar with. Orlando reminded himself this shouldn’t be any different from all the other times he’d been here. This shouldn’t feel any different from all the other times he’d happily done this with someone else without an inkling of what might happen next.
Orlando: Boyle Heights #4 Page 21