Fuck! Maxine thought as she pushed Vince back. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! It was the only thing she could think as she finger combed her hair and pulled down her T-shirt. She was mortified and ashamed at the same time. She should’ve known better.
Maxine turned back and saw Vince’s chagrined self being berated at in Spanish by a petite blond. Was he being berated? Maxine saw the unmistakable corners of a smile tugging on the woman’s lips.
“Excuse me, Mrs. Gutierrez?” Maxine asked tentatively.
The woman whirled and smiled. “I’m sorry my son was mauling you. I thought I’d taught him better manners. Please, call me Horatia.”
Maxine laughed, relief washing over her. “It’s okay. We can forget about it.”
Horatia looked Maxine up and down. “You’re absolutely perfect! I’m so glad my son has finally found you.”
Maxine blinked at the sudden change of subject. Finally found you? Warning bells were starting to go off in her mind when Vince gave Horatia a hard gaze and strained. “Mother.”
Horatia twisted her head and looked over her shoulder at Vince. “Don’t you use that tone with me!” before reverting to a torrent of Spanish. Maxine heard that word again. “Alpha.” But she couldn’t be sure.
When she was done, Horatia turned back to Maxine. “Let me give you a tour of our home and a chance to settle in. I’m sure you must be tired.”
Maxine smiled politely as the woman prattled on and dragged her inside the mansion. Her eyes strayed to the man lagging behind them, staring very intently at her ass. Vince lifted his head, his silver eyes catching hers and looking only slightly hurt.
***
Maxine floated on her back in the pool, one of the many perks of the Gutierrez residence. For the past few days, the mansion and the small village of Huerto del Lobo had become her second home. The people were warm and inviting, treating her like royalty. There was one minor problem, however.
Since meeting Horatia, Maxine has yet to catch a glance of Vince. When she asked about it, Horatia simply said that Vince was busy with a number of affairs in the village. Every time Maxine visited, she looked for a glimpse of Vince but never found him.
Overall, her time in the village and in the mansion had been peaceful and relaxing. She’d even woken up yesterday morning to find a new phone, bright and pink with a little card on the top.
Thought you might need a new phone, since you stopped using yours. Please let me know if you don’t like it and I will return it.
- Vince
Maxine wasn’t used to such thoughtfulness. Sandwiched between the warm sun and the cool waters, she thought back to Vince, his kiss, and his touch. Her daydreams were rudely disrupted by the chirping of her phone at the other end of the pool.
She picked it up. “Hello?”
“Maxine.” It was Chuck, the owner of the strip club. “I’ve been calling you since this morning!”
Maxine rolled her eyes kicked at the pool water, sending ripples through the clear water. “I’m on vacation, Chuck. Plus, I’m eight hours ahead of you. What’s so important?”
“Jeremy’s been asking about you--” That got Maxine’s attention. “--and apparently he found out you’re in Spain. I’m not sure how, but I think he knows where you are.”
The blood drained from her face, the warm sun suddenly felt like ice on her bare back. Jeremy knows where I am? Dread snaked through her and made a tight fist around her chest. She tried to breathe but couldn’t. She thought she had been safe, but apparently neither the whole of the United States and the Atlantic was far enough.
“Maxine? Are you listening?” Chuck’s voice brought her back to reality.
“Yeah, I… I don’t know. Do you know how he found out?”
“Beats me. I think he’s watching your credit cards or something. He said something about a place near Barcelona.” Chuck said. “A Lobo something, right? My advice to you, kid. Get as much cash as you can and find another place to go.”
Maxine closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. This can’t be happening. She dealt with stalkers and aggressive clients before, but Jeremy was something different. He was more insistent than the others and he was patient. A thought that she suppressed for as long as she could suddenly sprang forward: What if Jeremy actually got me?
Something rustled behind her, shifting the still air. Maxine tensed up as the footsteps came closer.
Chapter 4
Maxine turned sharply only to see Vince standing a little ways away. The scream that had jumped to her throat died, and she smiled wanly up at him before promising Chuck that she’ll call him with updates and hung up.
Putting the phone down, Maxine pushed her fear to the back of her mind. She didn’t want to think about Jeremy right now, not when Vince was around. Like her mother had always said: Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.
“Hey.” Maxine turned around. “Fancy meeting you here.”
Maxine had heard that pick up line more times in her life than she’d like to count, but she’d never thought that one day she’d be using it.
Vince shrugged out of his jacket and sat down beside her, draping his arm over her shoulder. “Well, it is my home, Florecita. Who were you talking to?”
Shrugging, she kicked her toes in the water and watched the sun set. “My friend Chuck. He had some new for me.” She mumbled. “Isn’t that sun set beautiful?”
Maxine could feel Vince wanting to ask her more questions, but gratefully he held his tongue. The heat of his silver gaze warmed the chill that had settled in her bones as his words heated her blood. “You’re more beautiful.”
“You’re a piece of work, you know that?” She smiled coyly and threw off his arm.
Hungry eyes trailed up her naked body as she stood up. She’d been naked around men plenty of times but this was different. She felt like she was back in the car again and Vince was stealing furtive glances at her as he drove.
She dove into the pool and came back up, water sluicing off her body. “Coming in? The water’s great.”
Vince's smile was both playful and hungry as he rose from the edge of the pool and stripped off his clothes. Lines of muscles flexed and bunched as he slid effortlessly into the water. His thighs parted the barest bit to give her a glimpse of something thick lying almost flat against his stomach before the water engulfed his body.
“Oh my…” She muttered under her breath, her eyes darted around the pool, trying to spot Vince’s body.
“Got you!” Vince gasped triumphantly as he came up behind her, his arms locking around Maxine’s body, bringing her flush against him.
Oh yes you do. Maxine thought as she gently rocked her hips against him, the water lapping gently at her breasts. “Vincent.” She used his full name.
Vince spun her around in the water and forced her to swim backwards until her shoulders hit the edge of the pool. Maxine looked up into his silver eyes, shining brighter than before in the dwindling rays of twilight. For a second she saw something else more in those silver depths, something animal and not fully human. But as quickly as it came, it was gone.
“Maxine” His tongue caressed her name. “Just say the word.”
Those words were loaded with meaning. There was more than sex implied, something that Maxine felt was far more serious. She didn’t understand it, but she could feel it. It was something that was permanent, something she could never turn back from. If she decided to be with him and give herself to him, then she’d be cementing a bond.
But she couldn’t. She shouldn’t because Jeremy is coming and if she knows what was good for her, she’d leave before he even got here. Damn him! Damn him to hell and back!
Maxine thought about what she might have to do. Why couldn’t the world give her what she wanted for once? Why couldn’t she just stay in Huerto del Lobo with Vince? She wanted to stay with every fiber of her being. Being held by Vince in his strong arms in this pool as the sun dipped into the mountains, smearing a brill
iant scarlet orange across the sky.
She didn’t think that if she slept with Vince, she’d be leaving tomorrow. But if she stayed and gave herself to him, she’d also her giving him all the troubles of her life. That wouldn’t be fair.
The caress of his thighs against hers, his chest against her nipples, and any thought of worry dissolved in her mind. She wanted him, she wanted this. To hell with Jeremy. To hell with life. This is what I want and I will damn well have it.
“Yes.” Maxine whispered, moving a little so she could twine her arm around his neck and drag his head down to hers for a kiss.
Bitter sweetness with the barest hint of coffee filled her mouth and Maxine was hopelessly addicted. Tilting her head, she deepened the kiss, stroking her tongue over Vince’s lips and teeth, trying to find every drop of his flavor and make it her own.
Maxine gasped into Vince’s mouth as his hands gripped her around the waist and lifted her out of the pool. Groaning, she lifted her legs and wrapped them around his torso, desperate to get closer to him.
Vince drew back, sucking and nibbling on her lower lip. Maxine let him go and let her lids fall shut as his tongue stroked against the pulse jumping wildly at her throat. Vince’s tongue was magic, trailing hot wet kisses down her neck to the valley of her breasts. His fingers kneaded the soft flesh of her breasts as his mouth closed hot and wet around of turgid nipple.
A moan escaped her before Maxine could silence herself. Maxine bit her lip, shivering all over as Vince’s mouth moved to her other nipple, his other thumb rubbing slow circles around her areola and teasing her mercilessly.
“I want to hear your pleasure, Florecita.” His accent grew thicker and the English words became nearly indiscernible to Maxine’s ears.
But she didn’t need to understand. She felt his desire and request. Her lips parted and her voice quivered in a throaty moan.
“Better.” He whispered against the underside of her breast and nipped her lightly.
The sun had completely set, and the dim lights of nearby street lamps cast a soft glow over the pool, making flecks of red and yellow dance in the dark brown waves of Vince’s damp hair. Maxine ran her hands through it. The softness was a delicious contrast to his muscles. He pulled her closer and she felt his strength take command of all her senses.
“Vincent!” Maxine gasped loudly, feeling his tongue stoke against her taut belly.
“Si, Florecita?” Vince laughed into her flesh, his tongue dipping into her belly button before continuing its trail south. “What do you need?”
She knew exactly what she needed, but Maxine doubted he’d give it to her with the direction his tongue was taking. She felt him lift her thighs and place them over his shoulders, his face dangerously close to her center.
For a brief moment, Maxine panicked, wondering if her legs were too prickly or if her Brazilian wax had held up. But then she felt his teeth and tongue on the inner flesh of her thigh and all thought fled her mind. “Please…” Maxine mewled helplessly as she felt his fingers on the lips of her sex, spreading her.
“Tell me what you need, Maxine.” Vince growled and nipped a little harder at her flesh.
Maxine collapsed back onto the cement surrounding the pool, her back turning to mush under his ministrations. “You.” Maxine whispered brokenly, her usual saucy attitude gone, leaving her naked and wanting.
The first stroke of his tongue on the swollen flesh of her inner lips made Maxine cry out, and the next made her scream. The man knew his way around a woman’s body, and with every bite and lick he brought her closer to the edge. It was as if he had created his own world for her, where she was completely at the mercy of his talented fingers and tongue. And when he bit lightly on her puffed sex, broke her world, shattered her body into a million pieces and sent her careening off.
Maxine wasn’t even aware of his hands beneath her back, lifting her up and dragging her back into the cool pool water. The only thing that registered in her mind was the feel of him at her entrance, the large head of his cock and the blunt tips of his fingers spreading her.
“More!” She cried out as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
His fingers entered her slick channel and spread her wider. In the next instant she felt him. Long male strength burrowed into her in one steady push, stretching her. Maxine tightened against the heat and she chided herself for even thinking about leaving. The heat pushed deeper into her until she shook. There was something that made her want more--even if she couldn’t take it.
“I’m hurting you.” Vince groaned and stopped, barely inside her.
Maxine’s laugh was a half sob as she tilted her head back to look into Vince’s silver eyes. She shook her head. “I’ll let you know when you’re hurting me, Vince.” Her hips swiveled and sank down onto his length. “And you’re not even close.”
The water shifted, the air became charged, and it was a split second before Maxine realized what she’d done. She’d given him permission to let go even as inadvertently as it had been, she was feeling him--all of him—plunging deeper and deeper until she wasn’t sure where she ended and where he began.
“Maxine!” Vince’s voice drew her towards some unknown edge, dizzying and breathtaking. But his voice sounded different, words forced out of a mouth with different vocal cords.
Maxine opened her eyes blurred with tears from her lust and could have sworn she saw a wolf move around in the silver of Vince’s eyes. She felt the wolf sink its teeth into the tender flesh of her breast but felt Vince’s warm silken tongue playing with her nipple and the wolf faded.
A wild half sob sighed from her lungs and stole her breath away. Her nail raked across his back, demanding more. He obliged and quickened as he moved in an ever-rising tempo. His fingers kneaded her waist as he held onto her. Then he was right there with her, flooding her and exhausting her will.
“Wow.” Maxine said quietly, drawing breath into her sore lungs.
“Yes.” Vince intoned and pulled away from her breast to give her a kiss.
“I don’t think I can walk.” Never had a lover made it impossible for her to even think about leaving, let alone try. And instead of being freaked out, Maxine was impressed. She’d finally found a man to match her.
“I’ll carry you, Florecita.” His voice was hoarse and seductive.
Maxine laughed tiredly and snorted lightly. “Of course you will.”
Chapter 5
Maxine woke up in warm sheets, wrapped in muscled arms, with early morning sunlight streaming in. Frowning, she tried to think about what had woken her, and then she heard it again, her cell phone.
“It’s too early for this.” Maxine muttered as she shifted under Vince’s embrace to search for her phone.
“Hello?” Vince’s soft and tired voice floated to her, as she peered at him over the covers. He had her pink cased phone to his ear and looked scrumptious in nothing but a navy blue tousled sheet. God, he looks good.
“I am Vincent Gutierrez. Who are you?” He snapped.
Maxine tensed. Oh no… “Who is--?” Maxine asked but was cut off by Vince’s upraised hand.
“Jeremy” Vince’s voice lowered and his body tightly wound as he sat up in the bed. For an instant he turned to her, his eyes softening incrementally. “This is your one and final warning: Do not contact Maxine again.”
It took a few deep breathes before Vince was able to speak to her. Maxine let him work through his anger. She sensed that Vince wanted to say something else to Jeremy, something far more than just a warning. Something deadly serious and it terrified her.
She didn’t want to imagine the horrifying alternative that Vince implied with simple curt warning. It would ruin everything Vince meant to her. The thought of fleeing wriggled into her mind again and she started fumbling for her purse.
“Maxine.” Vince reached over and took her wrist. “You know I’d never let anything happen to you.”
“I know, Vince.” She nodded yet she continued to look for her purse.
And that’s why I have to leave. Their tumble in the sheets was something Maxine had wanted for a long time but it made her careless and she lost sight of everything for a single night of passion. As much as she disliked Jeremy, she just wished he leave her alone. No threats, no warnings.
“Are you leaving?” His voice was heavy with regret, as if he knew that he made her uneasy.
“I…” Maxine paused. She didn’t want to leave but she had no choice. Jeremy was coming for her and if the threat in Vince’s words was true, then staying here was no true option either.
“Vince.” She finally started. “I want to stay. I really do. But… you have to understand that I came to Spain to get away from Jeremy and…” And what, Maxine? The violence? She knew what she wanted to say but she couldn’t. It was the car all over again. If she said it, it would become true. She said Jeremy was stalking her and now he’s coming to Spain. If she said that Vince’s brooding anger terrified her… She didn’t want to think about it.
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