Never a Bride

by Caridad Piñeiro

  “This looks amazing,” she said.

  He picked up his knife and fork and said, “Bon appetit.”

  Her stomach did a little rumble and she dug into the appetizer. The asparagus was earthy, but a perfect foil to the saltiness of the cured ham and sweetness of the balsamic vinegar and figs. She laid a hand against her mouth and said, “OMG, this is fabulous.”

  A wry smile quirked his lips. “I’m glad you like it. I have to confess I love any excuse to use figs and Serrano ham together.”

  “Well, it works,” she said and polished off the rest of the dish so fast, she was embarrassed at her gluttony. “I’m sorry, but this was so good.”

  “No problema. Excuse me while I finish up the paella.” He rose, cleared off the plates, and walked back to the range. In seconds he was taking something else from the stove and dishing assorted things from the pots.

  “Can I help with anything?” she said, feeling a little guilty to just be sitting there.

  “Nope. It’s all good,” he said and in no time he was returning to the table with the dinner plates.

  Her mouth watered again at the fragrant aromas and the sight of the wonderfully elegant presentation. A beautiful heap of rice with the crusty crispy socarrat bottom off to one side. Perfectly grilled scallops, shrimp, and half a lobster tail were nestled on top of the rice along with bits of browned chicken, colorful chorizo sausage, roasted peppers, and peas.

  “It definitely looks all good,” she said. She forked up some scallop, chorizo, and rice first and the flavors exploded in her mouth. The chorizo was smoky sweet and the rice had the earthiness of the saffron, but it was balanced enough not to overwhelm the delicate flavor of the scallops. A moan of satisfaction escaped her and she covered her mouth with her hand and heat burst across her face.

  “I’m so sorry, it’s just amazingly delicious.”

  CARLO NEARLY CHOKED on his food at the sound of her moan because all he could imagine was her making that sexy sound as he made love to her. Coughing to clear his throat, he said, “Glad you like it.”

  “I love it,” she said and buried her face in her meal, but it wasn’t enough to hide the flush of color on her cheeks. Once again, his mind went to sex and how that delightful flush would paint her beautiful body with color.

  He hardened and forced himself to focus on dinner. He even reconsidered that maybe he shouldn’t have chosen foods that included some known aphrodisiacs because he clearly didn’t need any help to get hot and needy. Trying to distract himself from what might have been ill-advised menu choices, he said, “Have you heard from Connie at all?”

  Emma grinned and chuckled. “She’s on her honeymoon, Carlo. I think she’s probably got better things to do than to text me,” she said, and more color flooded across her cheeks, probably at the thought of what her friend might be doing. What he hoped they might be doing later.

  “Yeah, probably. Maggie and Tracy doing okay?” He knew how important her friends were to her.

  Emma was mid-chew, but after she swallowed, she said, “Maggie’s busy with all the last-minute holiday events at her store and prepping for spring. Tracy . . .” She paused and sighed. “I worry about Tracy.”

  And he worried about Paolo being interested in Tracy. “What’s up with her?”

  “She’s moving to Sea Kiss,” she said and forked up a bit of the lobster tail.

  Great, he thought. Not. “I guess you’re happy about that,” he said, but it was unfortunately obvious he wasn’t.

  Emma stopped eating and peered at him. “She’s not a bad person, just a little . . . confused. She was always in love with being in love and because of that she made a big mistake.”

  “I’ll say. It didn’t take a genius to see he was a shit,” Carlo said and regretted it again immediately. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to judge.”

  “It’s okay. Just promise me you’ll try to give her a chance. See the real Tracy we all love,” she said and laid a hand across her heart to emphasize it.

  “For you I’d do anything,” he said and meant it without hesitation despite his concerns with Paolo’s interest in the older woman.

  Emma glanced at him, her gaze thoughtful, as if considering if he was truly serious. Seeming to realize that he was, she nodded and said, “I appreciate that.”

  He’d wanted to change the topic, but not go to such a negative place. This was supposed to be the night where things might move forward. Since they’d almost finished their meals, he said, “I’m glad you could come tonight.”

  “I’m glad too. It’s nice to finally get to spend some time with you in your home,” she said and forked up the last little bit of her rice. “This was delicious. Was there something besides saffron in the rice?”

  He nodded. “A little bit of chili and paprika to add more pop to the flavor.”

  “It totally worked.” Then, as if a light bulb went off in her head, she added, “Those are all aphrodisiacs, aren’t they? So’s the seafood.”

  “A guy has to do what a guy has to do,” he said with a shrug and an unrepentant smile.

  She laughed and with the sexy smile of a temptress, replied, “Totally not necessary.”

  The words exploded from his mouth, “Caralho, Emma.” But he was determined not to rush the seduction he’d planned so carefully. Shooting for a more lighthearted tone, he said, “I wish I’d known before I worked so hard on dessert.”

  She chuckled again and shook her head. “I can’t wait to taste it. I’m sure it will be . . . tantalizing.” She lifted her glass, her hand slightly unsteady and he picked up his glass and tapped it to hers.

  “I hope not to disappoint,” he said. “Why don’t we have dessert over on the couch?”

  Glancing back toward the sofa, and maybe thinking about where it might lead, she nevertheless said, “I like that idea.”

  “Go get comfortable and I’ll bring the dessert over in a minute.”

  “I can’t wait to see what it will be,” she said.

  Chapter 20

  Emma finished off the last of her wine, stood, and hurried to the couch while Carlo cleared off the table and returned to the kitchen. He loaded their plates into the sink and in no time, he was walking toward her. He placed the two plates, linen napkins, and spoons on the coffee table and sat next to her.

  A perfectly molded flan was topped with a rich caramel sauce. A trio of chocolate covered strawberries rested beside it.

  “Looks delicious and tantalizing as promised,” she said. She plucked one of the strawberries off the plate and offered it up to him to eat like Eve offering Adam the proverbial apple.

  With his perfect white teeth he took the strawberry between his teeth and stared at her as he bit down through the chocolate. A bit of strawberry juice squirted onto his lips and it was just too much for her to resist. She negligently dropped the remainder of the strawberry on the plate, shifted close, and licked away the sweetness from his lips.

  His gaze locked with hers, questioning, as he sat, his body visible vibrating as he struggled for control. “Are you sure, Emma?” he said, the tones of his voice low. Strumming alive something dangerous inside her.

  Her voice wavering, unlike her determination, she said, “I’m sure, Carlo.”

  He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close, kissing her with restraint until she bit his lower lip playfully and said, “I promise I won’t break.”

  “Meu deus,” he said and unleashed his control.

  He hauled her tight to his chest and deepened the kiss, thrusting his tongue past the seam of her lips to dance it with hers. Retreating to explore the edges of her lips, he cupped her breast and her hard nipple pressed into the palm of his hand beneath the fine cashmere of her sweater. He swept his thumb across the tip and tempered his kiss, beginning a gentle exploration of her mouth that had her straining against him until it just wasn’t enough.

  She slipped into his lap, her thighs cradling his body. Her center pressed intimately to the long ridge of his erec
tion with only the denim of their jeans separating him. As she moved her hips back and forth across that hardness, he groaned and grasped her waist, his hands so big they almost spanned her waist.

  “Please, Carlo. Please don’t stop,” she said as she shifted across him, passion building inside her.

  A muttered curse burst from his lips and he bent his head to the crook of her neck to place a gentle kiss there. His breath was hot and unsteady as he slipped his hands beneath the hem of her sweater and slowly drew it upward to reveal the black lace demi bra she had worn in anticipation of a moment just like this.

  He roamed his gaze all over her body and lightly skimmed his hands across her shoulders and down her arms. “You are so beautiful, meu amor.”

  My love, she translated and shook with the pleasure of it and the need as he slowly trailed his hands upward to cup her breasts through the thin lace. His gaze fixed on her face as he teased the hard nubs between his fingers and she grabbed hold of his shoulders to steady herself. The heat of desire and sudden shyness sent warmth through her body and up to her face.

  “I’ve dreamed of this. Of seeing this beautiful blush paint your body,” he said, and stroked his thumbs across her taut nipples. “Of tasting you,” he said and peeled down the lace to suck the tight tip into his mouth.

  She moaned and closed her eyes against the sight of him suckling her. He rubbed her other nipple with this thumb and forefinger, every tug and pull of his mouth sending bursts of need to her center. Desire building until it wasn’t enough and she started to move against him again, seeking release. Urged onward by his soft entreaties as he loved her with his mouth and he tightened his hand at her waist to guide her movements.

  Arousal built at her center, growing with each stroke of her hips. With each lick and suck of his mouth at her sensitive breasts until with a gentle bite, he sent her over the edge. She shuddered violently and called out his name and he wrapped his arms around her. Gentled her with tender kisses and the stroke of his hand across his hair.

  “You are so beautiful. So special,” he said as he calmed her as her climax ebbed.

  But as it did, embarrassment set in. “I’m so sorry. You didn’t –”

  “I loved giving you pleasure, meu amor. It gave me pleasure,” he said and brushed back a lock of hair that had come free of her french braid, his gaze fixed on her face.

  She licked her lips, suddenly shy again. “I . . . I want to give you pleasure, too. I want . . . Tell me what you want.”

  CARLO SUCKED IN A BREATH and tightened his gut, fighting the desire to rip off all her clothes and take her right there on the couch. Holding his breath, he mustered the barest self-control and slowly exhaled. “I want you in my life, Emma. I’ve wanted you in my life since the moment I laid eyes on you.”

  Surprise flitted across Emma’s face. “Does that mean . . .” Her voice trailed off, confusion replacing surprise.

  “I want you in my bed, too, meu amor. I really do, but I also want you to know it’s not just about sex, even though all I can think about right now is what it would feel like to be inside you.”

  A faint half smile came to her lips. “Really? Because that’s what I’m thinking about as well.”

  Carlo closed his eyes and lifted his face upward. “Emma, I’m barely hanging in here, trying to be a gentleman.”

  “Again, really?” The rustle of clothing was followed a second later by the brush of lace across his nose and then his hands.

  “Caralho, Emma. Please don’t tell me –”

  “Open your eyes, because as much as I adore your restraint, that’s not what I want from you right now. Or tomorrow. Or the next day.”

  He tightened his hands on her waist to keep from touching her, dipped his head down and did as she asked and nearly lost it. She had removed that tempting black lace bra and was now naked from the waist up. A flush of delicate color deepened the peaches and cream of her complexion and the dusky deep rose of her tight nipples.

  “Emma –”

  “Touch me, Carlo. Make love to me because that’s what we both want,” she said, her voice filled with determination.

  No saint could resist, and he was no saint. He surged to his feet, his arms bracketing her back, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. His long strides ate up the short distance to his bedroom. At the side of his bed he urged her to slip down his body, but kept his hands at her waist, keeping her close. “Are you sure, meu amor?”

  “I’m sure you’ve got too many clothes on.” Emma chuckled, grabbed hold of the edges of his collar and with a sharp jerk, sent buttons scattering across his hardwood floor as she yanked open his shirt. She soothed her hands along his midsection, tracing the ridges there before moving upward. Cupping the thick muscles of his chest, she ran her hands across his nipples which were already tight with desire. He trembled from the need racing across his body, barely keeping his passion in check.

  Emma slipped her hands onto his shoulders and eased off the shirt. She leaned forward and kissed the underside of his jaw. Shifted to the crook of his neck and then down to suck his nipple into her mouth and his knees weakened from the force of his need.

  “Emma,” he said and cradled the back of her head to him.

  She bit him gently and he groaned and reached for the button on her jeans. “I want you, Emma. I need you.”

  She dropped her hands to her jeans, undid the zipper. The rasp of it was loud in the room, but not as loud as their rushed breaths. She quickly shimmied out of her jeans and after she did so, she sat on the edge of his bed, leaned back on her elbows and spread her legs slightly apart. With a sexy smile, she said, “What are you waiting for?”

  His own hands shook as he popped the button on his jeans, carefully undid the zipper past his straining erection, and then kicked off his deck shoes as he stepped out of his pants.

  At Emma’s sharp intake of breath, he walked to between her legs and she sat up, skimmed the back of her hand across him.

  “You remember when the guys teased you about the size of your feet?” she said and encircled him in her hand. As she stroked downward, he closed his eyes with pleasure and groaned.

  “They were just jealous,” she said and kissed him before taking him into her mouth.

  He held her to him, but then quickly pulled away. “I’ll lose it if you keep that up.”

  A siren’s smile played across Emma’s lips as she stroked him yet again. “That’s the idea, Carlo. I want you to lose that control you’re so famous for.”

  He loved her sexiness and didn’t want to disappoint. Reaching out, he took hold of her lace panties and dragged them down her long shapely legs. Braced himself at the sight of the darker reddish curls at her center as he imagined parting her and driving in. Because he was already at the edge, he hurriedly yanked a condom from his nightstand and opened the packet. When he went to sheathe himself, she took over the task, leisurely rolling the condom into place.

  “That feels so good, Emma. So good, meu amor,” he said and cupped her breasts. Caressed her nipples as she ran her hands up his shoulders and urged him close until his erection brushed her center. Even through the condom the heat of her bathed him. He trailed his hand down her body and parted her to find the swollen nub. Circling it with his finger, he slipped another finger into her wet and stroked her, building her passion until she was shifting anxiously on the bed and grabbing at him to get closer.

  The flush of passion stained her skin which was hot beneath his hands as he grasped her buttocks and urged her forward until he was poised at her center.

  He locked his gaze with hers as he entered slowly, fighting not to plunge into her like a savage. He was feeling savage. Possessive. Wanting her like nothing else he’d ever wanted in his life.

  “You’re so tight, Emma. So hot,” he said and held his breath as she fisted around him and the first waves of her release built inside her.

  “Carlo,” she said and arched her back, deepening his penetration. “So big, Carlo. So f
ull. You make me feel so full.”

  He pushed forward, burying himself deep and held still, nearly unmanned by the feel of her around him. But as she moved beneath him and moaned, it was impossible to hold back any longer.

  Chapter 21

  Carlo drove into her and Emma cried out as a wave of pleasure nearly swamped her over the edge. She hadn’t wanted to fall over so quickly. Not when she’d waited so long for this. Not when the feel of him, inside her, above her as he shifted his big body, was more than she ever could have imagined.

  She moved her hips in rhythm with his, making love with him. Savoring the spill of his breath against her body as he bent to kiss her. Accepting the slide of his tongue that mimicked the thrust of hips until she started to shake as she neared the edge.

  “Carlo,” she called out and tangled her hands in the thick, tousled strands of his hair. Urged him to her breasts because she wanted his mouth on her. Wanted his hot lips and gentle teeth coaxing her ever higher.

  “You taste so sweet,” he said as he suckled her and ground into her, driving her closer to a climax.

  Inside her the wave built ever higher. Grew ever more powerful until it crashed over her like a tsunami. She called out his name and threw her head back, shaking and grasping Carlo to her as he continued to pump into her, seeking his own release. Driving her into the mattress with the force of his thrusts until he came and stilled, his big body trembling as he held his weight off her. His skin damp as she ran her hands across his shoulders and urged him down onto her.

  “I want to feel you against me,” she said and gentled him with long strokes across his skin.

  “I’m heavy,” he said, but didn’t move, keeping them joined until long moments passed and he finally had no choice but to leave her side.

  As he walked away, Emma watched, enjoying the sight of his powerful body and how his muscles shifted with each step, but without the weight of him, a chill settled over her. She shivered and climbed into the bed and under the covers as she waited for his return. Barely minutes later he strolled in, his smile bright. His face and body so beautiful it took her breath away and made her heart ache with what she felt for him.