A Game of Hearts

by Tigris Eden

  “If I know, then why do you need me to say it?”

  I took a step back, letting go of her hip with my other hand. Her entire body shuddered as she swayed toward me.

  “Zori.” My voice was harsh and impatient.

  Her eyes snapped to mine, and her mouth opened and she said exactly what I wanted to hear. “Yes, Mateo, I want you.”

  I took two more steps back, and just about hit the bed as I shrugged out of my shirt and tossed it to the floor. My hand went to the hem of my undershirt, and I was deliberately slow as I peeled it off my body. Zori sighed, and everything below my waist got tight and ready. What little brain cells I had left shifted focus. I wasn’t Matty here… Zori’s best friend. I was just a man…a man that was hell-bent on showing my woman what she’d been missing.

  Chapter 7

  Zori

  Shit just got real, girl.

  Like for real, for real.

  Mateo was shirtless, and all his raw masculinity would invade my dreams for years to come. His muscles were a work of art that flowed smoothly and fluidly with each movement of his body. Like a panther, he was lazy but sure in his gait. It only took him three strides before he stood in front of me, gripping the sides of my lace underwear. In one smooth move that left me breathless, Mateo slid them down my hips, nipping the delicate skin there as he continued his descent. Wherever one of his hands touched, his mouth followed, until my underwear were on the floor around my ankles. His head was level with my opening, and he leaned forward and pulled in a deep breath.

  “I’ve been dying to taste you here,” he said against my inner thigh.

  I was about to respond, but I didn’t get the chance. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I should have sensed what would happen next. But I didn’t. My body was so hyped up on lust, all I could do was close my eyes as the first heated lick of his tongue between my legs stole my breath away. Heat flooded my face, and my body tingled in awareness due to the delicious things Mateo did.

  “Perfect,” he groaned.

  I would have fallen forward, but Mateo was there, holding me by the waist before hoisting me up into his arms. He turned with me as I grabbed on to his shoulders. He placed me gently on the bed and then put a knee at the edge of the mattress. He crawled toward me, head bent, a look of pure need on his face. His mouth glistened with my juices, and I couldn’t hold back the moan that crawled out of my throat when he rumbled. “Tastes just like I thought it would. Sweet and strong. Dulce y fuerte. Your scent is going to be on me for days.”

  Why did he have to say it like that? This was a side of Mateo I hadn’t seen before. He was blunt, and not exactly a gentleman. His shoulders pushed between my thighs, spreading me further, and my head fell back on the pillow as I threw my hands over my face. I felt entirely too hot. My body was on fire, and every nerve ending was aflame and sensitive from his touch. My breath tore from my chest as I tried to gain composure. I could feel the heat of his massive body hovering over me, but I was too afraid to look. Scared of what I might see, what I might have to admit.

  “Watch me, Zori, move your hands.”

  I didn’t listen right away.

  “Zori, don’t make me make you. Ahora dulce Zori.” Now, sweet Zori.

  Gah! When he spoke with that sure, confident voice, I was helpless to do anything but obey. I moved my hands and rose up on my elbows so that we were face-to-face. He wore a half-smile on his beautiful lips, and his eyes swam with unrestrained passion. My gaze followed the movement of his as they searched mine.

  “Now that I have your full attention, I want you to listen very carefully because I’m only gonna say this once.”

  I nodded. What else could I do?

  “Zoraida Lemes, you are mine. Mia. There isn’t going to be any more arguing about it. Understand?” He waited a beat before he spoke again. “Nod your head if you hear me.”

  I nodded.

  He’d said I belonged to him. Check. Got that.

  “We’re going to see this thing through. You and me. And there is no getting off this ride. Not unless the other wants out. Deal?”

  I nodded again.

  The air is infused with my eagerness to oblige him, give him anything he wanted. I was so wet, so needy, I’d agree to it all if it would just get him back to doing what he was doing.

  He’d said we’d see this thing through to the end. What thing? The sex thing… Pay attention, Zori. Right, sex, we’d see it through to the end. Wait, no. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship. We wanted different things.

  “Mateo.” I pushed against his shoulders, and he rose up, resting on his heels. “We can’t do this. It’s going to change everything. I don’t want that.” My brain was still foggy, but my mind was slowly making its debut.

  “It will change in the best kind of way. You haven’t been paying attention to what I’m saying. I want you to be mine, and I want to be yours.”

  Funny, he hadn’t wanted that when we were in high school.

  “This isn’t high school.”

  “Pull your head out of your ass and grow a pair.”

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “Dead serious. You need to wake up, Zori. I’m right here. Open your eyes.”

  “My eyes are open, Matty.”

  I watched as he huffed out a breath and grabbed the back of his neck, shaking his head.

  “Put your clothes back on.”

  Wait. What? Why?

  Feeling all kinds of stupid, I scrambled off the bed, snagged my dress off the floor, and put it back on. Why couldn’t he see that this was a bad idea? You didn’t think so a moment ago. As I straightened my dress, I saw Mateo’s retreating form. He’d actually up and left the room. Well, shit. My plan had been to come here and have a fantastic time, but not at the expense of his feelings. I didn’t know if I should go after him or not. But I chose not to. I ordered room service and tried to figure out what I should do about Matty and me. I couldn’t sleep. After I’d eaten, I tried to come up with a solution that would benefit both of us. But there wasn’t one.

  I waited all night for Mateo to come back to the room. He never did.

  * * *

  Zori

  I was supposed to meet with Kenderly in less than five minutes, and Mateo still hadn’t made an appearance. I hadn’t seen him at breakfast either. Where the hell could he have gone? I decided to take the meeting with Kenderly in the private cabana. I was given the option of meeting her there, or where everyone had gathered yesterday. I was a bit tired and a whole lot cranky, so I settled for beautiful scenery to brighten my mood.

  The beach looked like a bed of crushed pearls as it glistened in the sun. Lush undergrowth and leaning palms were off to the left—an invitation to an adventure. The sound of the surf as it kissed the shore was calming. Mario brought me a mimosa and a plate of fruit. I wanted to relax, but I worried about Mateo, and I felt like a major bitch for the way I’d acted the night before. The warmth from the sun wasn’t too hot this early in the day, especially with the breeze coming off the ocean. It was a combination ideal for a morning stroll. Which would be perfect was if Matty were here....

  “Aaah, there you are. Mario said you wanted to meet out here. Perfect choice,” Kenderly said, touching my shoulder as she took the seat next to me.

  “Good morning,” I said quietly. My mind was still on Mateo and his whereabouts.

  “I’ve read over your file, and I have to say, I know the perfect fantasy for you. It’s a little unconventional, but I think once you experience what is offered, you’ll be more than happy with the results.”

  I perked up at her words and looked over to see Kenderly staring at me with a thoughtful smile on her face.

  “I doubt I will leave here married.” Although that had been the original plan. Well, the proposal part anyway.

  “All good things come to those who are willing to take the chance and accept what is instead of what they want. We all want things, dear, but sometimes it’s the things that are needed that he
lp us gain the stuff we never truly knew we wanted.”

  She had a point.

  An image of Mateo flashed in my head, and I was reminded again of how selfish I was.

  “Have you seen the guy I arrived with yesterday? His name is Mateo Vargas.”

  “Yes, Mr. Vargas requested his own fantasy, and already started his journey. Did he not tell you?”

  No. No, he most certainly hadn’t told me anything. He’d walked out of our room, left me wanting. Granted, I had been the one to put a halt to things, but still. He could have at least talked to me. We still needed to resolve a few things. We needed to come to an understanding.

  “So he’s at least still here.”

  “Yes, of course.”

  Kenderly smiled widely and leaned back in her chair, sighing.

  “I love it here,” she said wistfully.

  “It is a very beautiful island.” And it was. Everything about the resort was warm and friendly. From the staff to the beautiful views.

  “Well, you should pack your things. I’ll have Mario take you to your new location.”

  “New location?”

  “Yes, dear. You’ll be taken to an undisclosed spot. It’s an open concept, but there will be a staff member on hand to assist you, make sure that you’re fed, and help you should you need it.”

  “Open concept?”

  “Aaah, you’re not familiar with the term. It’s open, as in, out in the open, eco-friendly, and boasts beautiful views, as well. Antonio owns quite a bit of the Pearl Islands, but many of them are still undeveloped. I have just the spot for you. You’ll have no contact with the outside world, there is no electricity, but there is an emergency radio should you need to get in touch with the resort. Despite roughing it, you should be fine.”

  No electricity?

  “That doesn’t sound anything like what I requested.”

  “Trust me; it’s exactly what you need. You can opt to stay here at the resort, but I promise you’ll miss out on an amazing opportunity if you do. Fate is fate.”

  You can do this.

  “Who am I going to the island with?”

  “That’s the beauty of it, you won’t know till you get there. But don’t worry. I promise you won’t disapprove. There is also one other request.”

  I was a little concerned now. What more could she say?

  “What’s the other request?” I asked cautiously.

  “You are to keep an open mind, don’t make any rash decisions, and let things happen naturally. If you’re truly to experience what you requested, then you need to let go and give in. Say yes instead of no. Understand when playing the game of hearts, you want to ensure you always hold the winning hand.”

  “What if I don’t like the person on the island?”

  Or worse, what if she was sending me on some sort of journey of self-discovery? I’d be alone. Of all the items on my list, alone wasn’t one of them.

  “Don’t worry; the other guest will be to your liking. I can promise you that, or you can get a full refund on your stay here. You have my word.”

  With that, Kenderly stood and walked away. With her graceful glide, she almost floated as her long, silvery hair drifted behind her. The woman was a very interesting character, to say the least. But now that she was gone, my thoughts are filled with Mateo.

  Where had he gone? I wanted to see him before I left. I didn’t want to be that friend. The one who brought him to a resort and then ditched him. That would be wrong on so many levels. While walking back to my room, I tried to come up with the right words to say to him. My behavior yesterday was unbecoming. I had way more class than that. If I wanted us to be friends, I needed to put out friend signals. If I wanted us to be more than friends, I had to let things progress as he’d suggested last night. There was no middle ground. Not with this.

  I didn’t want to leave Mateo behind. I tried to send him a text, only he never responded. Didn’t show at the spot I’d suggested we meet before I headed to the other island. I didn’t get the chance to say a lot of things. Mostly what I wanted to say was, “I’m sorry.”

  Chapter 8

  Zori

  The trip to my new location was quick. Less than fifteen minutes by air taxi. It was the first time I’d ever flown in a Cessna. The waves were a little rough, but for the most part, the landing was okay.

  “How do I get to the island?”

  I could see it right in front of me. A beautiful paradise to be sure. The green-blue water with its white foam glided back and forth, caressing the sand. In the distance, I could hear whales. Well, it was February, it was one of the reasons I had wanted to come to Indulgences to begin with. But now, I had a small dilemma: how to navigate to the island.

  The pilot pointed, and that was when I saw a little boat making its way over to us as the plane swayed back and forth in the water. There was a man and a woman handling the boat. They grabbed my things and helped me into the boat until I felt comfortable enough to sit. It was obvious I was not dressed appropriately. I wore sandals with a pretty high wedge, and my dress was entirely too long and kept getting tangled around my legs.

  “I am Javier, and this is my daughter, Patricia. We’re here to help during your stay.”

  “Thank you, I’m Zoraida, but everyone just calls me Zori.”

  Patricia was possibly a year or two younger than me, possibly more. She was tanned from her time out in the sun, and her father was fit for his age with barely any gray in his hair. They both wore comfortable clothing. Something I should have thought of.

  “Am I the first one here?”

  “No, a man and a woman came before you, they’re at the house now,” Javier said as he and his daughter rowed us to shore. My shoes can’t be saved, but I didn’t complain. They weren’t my most expensive pair, and when my sandaled feet hit the sand, I sank. A man and a woman? Thought I was going to be the only woman?

  “You’re gonna want to take those off. There is a pair of water shoes in the boat so you can walk around the island. The sand is soft, but sometimes there can be bits and pieces of coral in it. You don’t want to cut your feet,” Patricia shared.

  “Thank you for the tip.”

  Patricia nodded but said nothing else as she and her father showed me to the house. Which wasn’t a house at all. It looked more like an estate. It was a Spanish Colonial that boasted a beautiful courtyard. Now I understood what open concept meant. There were no windows. There were doors, or rather archways. It was as if you were outside, yet inside. If it rained while I was here, depending on what part of the house I occupied and how the wind blew, it would be wet. There were coconut palms lining the walkway up to the house. A towering entryway with a large, spiral stairway wound around the open courtyard. There were potted plants placed around the house that gave it an indoor, yet, outdoor feel. A dining area and a wide, open-air kitchen took up the center of the house. There was no oven, but there was a cooking hearth. The only reason I knew what it was, was because of my mother’s childhood home back in Cuba. My grandmother had a working hearth. I looked around some more and found a shower and bathroom that looked to be more outside than in. There were three bedrooms upstairs, each with a bed and mosquito netting. The four-poster bed in the master suite was massive.

  As I toured the house, there was still no sign of my mystery guests. Yet I was told they had arrived before me. It was almost time for lunch. Would they be joining me? Did I even want company? I was still upset that Mateo hadn’t responded to my text, and I couldn’t get service out here on the island. I’d checked. There were candles and sconces that held torches all throughout the home. Kenderly had not been playing around. There was no electricity. Javier had explained that he’d be back to light them before it became dark.

  Patricia stowed my things in the master bedroom and said I could freshen up while she prepared lunch. She also suggested that I try to wear something a little more island-friendly. I went with a red sarong and a black bikini. I piled my hair on top of my head and decid
ed that since I was in the house, I’d pad around barefoot. The tile floor was cool and the heat outside wasn’t uncomfortable, but I could still feel it.

  This isn’t so bad.

  It wasn’t. But now I was on pins and needles about who the mystery guy was and what would happen next.

  * * *

  Zori

  “Would you like to take your lunch out on the veranda?” Patricia asked. She’d changed her clothing, as well. She wore a skin-tight dress that looked painted on. She was cute. I’d give her that. But, seriously, was it necessary? Her long, brown hair hung loosely down her back, and she wore a little too much makeup.

  “Do you have a hot date tonight?” I asked. I didn’t want to be rude, but maybe she did have a guy she was meeting and just wanted to be prepared so when it came time for her to leave, she’d be ready to go. You’re on a secluded island. True. The beach was five miles wide, and the house sat back in the dense forest, enclosed snuggly within its jungle terrain. But there was a boat.

  “No, I’m dressed this way because Kenderly asked me to. You and I are both here for the same reason.”

  We were?

  “What reason is that?”

  “Why, a game of hearts, of course. You are looking for a husband, as am I.”

  Okay, now just hold on one second. A game of hearts? I hadn’t signed up for some game. “Be open to the adventure.” I could almost hear Kenderly’s voice inside my head, although her exact words were meant for me to say yes, to be open. But I wasn’t about to play a game. I followed Patricia out to the veranda where lunch had been set up, and there, sitting at the table, was Mateo. And another woman. She was blonde, with long hair, and she wore a gold bikini top, white sarong, and sandals that probably cost more than my rent. I had looked at the other rooms of the house, and they weren’t nearly as big as mine, but I didn’t know if that was a good thing or not. With Matty here, I suddenly felt very uncomfortable. Not due to his presence, but because of the blonde, who eyed me up and down.