“Beautiful sunset.”
I grunted my agreement and brought her closer into me, kissing her soft head. She was holding her sleeked ponytail as we sped along. It made me want to grab it, force her near me, and kiss her breathless.
I wanted to fuck her mercilessly until my balls were empty.
I was no fucking saint.
But I wasn't giving in until Cari gave me all of herself.
Willingly.
Wholly.
Without reservations.
I heard her gasp as we approached the mega yacht. One copter was landing on a helipad and another was standing by waiting for its turn.
“What the hell is this?”
“A very exclusive club.”
“Exclusive, huh? Because you can only come via boat or helicopter?”
I nodded. “Yes. And for that you have to be invited and given that evening’s coordinates.”
The yacht was bigger than Alma. It needed to be, with twenty-one high-class rooms for the ultra elite.
As we entered through its tender garage, I helped Cari out.
“Welcome to Espíritu del Mar.”
She looked at me questioningly, catching on to the del Mar like Alma and Sal, and I smiled.
“Yes. I own it.”
“The second helipad on top?”
I flashed her a grin. “One spot is permanently mine. The other is for guests.”
“Jesus.”
She mumbled that as she looked around.
“Welcome to my floating club.”
23
Cari
Espíritu del Mar.
Spirit of the Sea, or Sea Spirit, was enormous.
And Carlos owned it.
His wealth was shocking. Not that it mattered to me, I earned my own money, but out of all the Zambranos, he may be the wealthiest.
“Smart name,” I told him during the ride up in the glass elevator. He snickered.
“It's fluid, never in the same spot. You can't find what you don't know exists. It cannot be found unless you have the coordinates.”
“Do people subscribe to a newsletter?”
He laughed. “Not quite.”
“Does it cater to the crime underworld or the ostentatious and elitist attitude of some of the wealthy.”
“Both crime and ego. Espíritu is spoken of in circles and whispered of its existence as if a rumor or folktale. Many are interested but only a few get to experience it. Purely marketing. Giving a small population something most want makes it more coveted.”
He smiled and I laughed.
Smart businessman.
“It has been a struggle to first own it. I’d worked my ass off acquiring business after business, building them up, and selling them off for large profits. I’d needed a sizable down payment. All of my businesses were paid with clean money.” He looked at me pointedly, and grinned. “I'd nearly mortgaged my soul, but I knew that when Espíritu eventually gained popularity, it would more than pay its debt a few times over.”
My eyes took his gorgeous face in. I loved that he took pride in working for what he had.
“And did it?”
He shook his head. “No.”
I laid a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry.”
He smiled and said, “It’s paid back its debt more than ten times over.”
I slapped his forearm, and he took my hand and kissed it.
I looked around when we entered the grand lobby. It was beautiful with modern marble floors and colors. Fixtures were bronze and spoke of luxury. A concierge desk was before us with staff waiting to, presumably, help fulfill the wants of those who came here.
“So what kind of amenities can you find here?”
Carlos guided me to a wall when, as we stood before it, it lit in vibrant blue.
A map.
“There are twenty-one suites. Several clubs for different tastes. And your typical amenities like massage rooms, spa areas, and makeup and hair salons. There are high end shops as well. Being in international waters allows for tax free shopping. One thing that the rich like more than spending money on their toys and vacations, is saving it.”
I laughed. He was full of jokes.
“So, where are we going?”
He looked down at me, eyes dancing. The blue of the map electrified the vivacity of his cerulean orbs.
“You're eyes are amazing.” I sounded breathless.
His stare was intense as he looked down at me. “You're amazing.”
He moved to kiss me but I turned my head in time.
“It's too early to mess my makeup up.”
His eyebrows raised, then he grabbed my chin. His mouth swallowed my gasp as it took ownership of mine.
“Don't deny me simple pleasures, Caridad.”
I was throbbing. The beat between my legs was in unison with my heart. He must have seen the heat in my eyes.
“It's all your decision if we make love but kissing?” He moved closer to me. “Don't withhold that from me.”
He kissed me again and I whimpered.
I literally hurt for him.
I had a few surprises up my sleeve, though.
“Why are you smirking?”
My answering laugh was light. “You're not the only one with surprises.”
He studied me. “Is that so?”
I nodded and turned to the map. He began pointing out different areas.
“We have four dance clubs, Tierra, Fuego, Aire, and Agua.”
Earth, fire, air, and water.
“The four elements?”
He nodded. “Tierra caters to the BDSM crowd. Fuego is a sexy upscale club. Aire is on one of the upper decks. It’s laid back and all that namaste shit that's trendy.” I laughed at the twist of his lips. “Agua has pools moving throughout the ship with grottos and waterfalls. There's a rave area for foam and bubbles.”
“You thought of everyone, huh?”
He nodded. “So, Caridad, which would you like to spend the night at?”
Carlos’ voice was like a caress on my exposed skin.
“I think I'd like to stick to Fuego, if you don't mind.”
He leaned down and ran kisses from my ear to my shoulder and back up again.
“Anywhere with you would be an amazing night, but I'm glad you didn't choose Tierra.”
I laughed. “Not the BDSM type?”
He continued to nuzzle me. “I don't mind a little rope or tying up here or there, but your body is for my eyes only.”
My head moved back of it's own accord. I moaned. “Is that so?”
He bit my neck and I gasped. “Yes.”
He kissed me again, grabbed my hand, and led me to the elevator.
“It's time to play with fire,” I said.
He looked back at me. “Baby, I want to be consumed by your fire.”
My heart sped up that much quicker.
It was a good thing he wanted to be, because God knows I was already seared by his.
24
Carlos
Fuck.
I'm so fucking stupid.
I turned her towards me.
“I'm sorry.”
Her eyes snapped to mine from where she’d taken in the scene below. We arrived to the third level of Fuego. This was the elite level.
“For what?”
Fuego’s music consisted of a combination of euphoric techno beats, fast-paced Spanish numbers, and sexy grinding songs.
They were meant to rhythmically beat into your body and meld with your soul to act as an aphrodisiac.
Like I needed more of an aphrodisiac with Cari. She was a walking cure for erectile dysfunction.
“It didn't occur to me that the fire around us may trigger memories.”
She brought her hand up to my cheek.
“It's ok. It's an amazingly beautiful club. Electric with life. But it doesn't trigger.”
She rocked to her tiptoes and kissed my lips.
“Are you sure?” I watched for for any tells. “We could
go to another club.”
She shook her head.
“It doesn't even smell in here. I don't know how you managed to encase fire in glass.”
I looked around and marveled at the decor as if it were the first time I'd seen it.
It had been quite an accomplishment to get the look of fire encased in glass. Most of the walls, including the large bar in the center, had clear enclosures of fire. The fires’ colors transitioned from blue hues to red and orange hues along with the music.
“I'll tell you about that headache another time. The result was worth the trouble.”
She nodded her head and turned back to me.
“Dance?”
Her smile was more electrifying than the ambiance. She grabbed my hand. “Yes.”
We walked down the stairs, which had a smaller version of the fire walls. The stairs lit and fired as you ascended and descended.
As we made our way down, I noticed several male eyes on Cari. The desire and heat I saw in them was infuriating.
Did they not see me right next to her?
Fucking assholes.
We touched down on the bottom level and I took her to the bar. I insisted we do a shot to get the night going and she agreed. We knocked it back and she smiled at me.
“Ready, caramelo?”
Nodding, she reached up and kissed me. The feel of her lips invigorated me. A pulse of need as fast as the music throbbed in my veins. It was heady as shit.
I hoped tonight was the night she wanted to make love. I didn't know how much longer I could wait to be inside her again.
Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon began playing. I turned Cari away from me and brought her back against my chest. My hands moved to her hips and held her tightly against me.
I felt her gasp and I smiled. My lips found her ears.
“Just feel the beat.”
I nipped at her lobe and felt her shudder. She leaned her head back and our eyes locked.
The passion I saw there nearly had me picking her up to go to the suite I kept here.
Sensual song after sensual song played, flooding the club with music that enhanced the effects of the firewalls. The music was fucking amazing, as it should be. I paid a goddamn fortune to have one of the world’s best and well-known DJs on my payroll.
He had a special suite here just for him and access to a helicopter.
Cari and I took shots and danced for the next hour. The music for Fuego was supposed to be sexual, and fuck was it.
My cock was harder than the steel railing on deck.
And I knew she felt it.
I'd been hearing her moan as she ground her bitable ass on my dick.
Miracles by CHVRCHES began and her body moved with mine. We hyped up the grinding when On The Floor by J.Lo came on.
When Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s Despacito played, our dancing hit a new level.
Cari was amazing at many things, and add to that list her ability to dance to reggaeton.
Fuck me.
I wasn't a bad dancer. I loved to dance, to Spanish music especially.
Our hips moved in unison. She straddled one of my bent legs, and the sensuous dance was hotter than the fire encased in glass.
Uninhibited Cari was hot, gorgeous.
Entrancing.
She had me more under her spell.
Our eyes locked and hers were hazy. I knew mine were hooded.
Our lips met in a hard, bruising kiss. I bit her bottom lip and dragged it into my mouth. We were so in tune with each other, I heard her moan even above the loud music.
Cari ground her pussy on my knee as the song continued.
Fuck.
I was so fucking hard. I was going to go out of my mind if I didn't come tonight, one way or the other.
Curve’s cover of Donna Summer’s I Feel Love began and the pulse melded in my veins with the blood that pumped furiously for this woman.
Jesus Christ.
One look at her, and it was obvious the beat ensnared her, too.
I spun her until her ass crushed against my dick and sensually rocked her. Extending her arms up, I wrapped them around her, with mine over hers. I began kissing her neck and felt her buck.
Smiling, I continued.
Biting her neck and kissing a trail to her ear, I asked, “Feel good?”
The goosebumps blowing over her skin was my answer, as was her moan. She freed one arm and reached back, cupping my head. She turned and crushed her lips to mine again and our tongues danced. I tasted the rum she’d thrown back. The dark amber liquid had coated her mouth, making her more addictive.
One of my arms snaked around her and the other palmed the back of her head, keeping her body tightly against mine and our lips fused. She continued to grind against my knee and I heard her moan.
I pulled back with a small smile. “Don't you come, Caridad.”
Her smoldering eyes, which reflected more green from the fire illuminating around us than hazel, focused on me.
My smile was slow.
My head moved closer so that she couldn't mistake my words under the music’s beat.
“I'll punish that ass if you do.”
Her palms slid to each cheek. Leaning up, she kissed my lips.
“Let’s go,” she growled into my ear.
I leaned down and asked, “Are you going to give me what I want?”
She pulled back and her smoldering eyes studied me. Reaching up on her toes, she wrapped her arms around my neck and whispered in my ear.
“Trust me.”
I turned my head so that I spoke into hers.
“I do. Do you trust me?”
She reached down and grasped my hand.
“Lets go.”
I kissed her.
“I have a suite onboard.”
She shook her head.
“Let's return to Alma.”
Grabbing her hand, I kissed it, and walked as quickly as she could in her fuck-me heels.
“Hey, Carlos! Que hay de nuevo?”
What's new?
My fucking libido that was out of control, that's what. I stopped and looked around.
Fuck man. I had to run into someone now?
“Oye. Pero adonde vas tan temprano?” He looked at Cari and down Cari.
Where was I going so early?
Yea, 1:03AM was early for a club but I was fucking late if you asked my dick.
I stepped in front of Cari and waited until his eyes refocused on mine. We were business acquaintances, that was all, but I was annoyed. This was keeping me from being alone with her.
Actually, it was more like I was the investor and he was the prospect. I wondered, if he needed the investment money, how the fuck he could afford to come on Espíritu. Further, I don't know how he got the coordinates.
“Si tienes un minuto, quería hablar sobre el proyecto.”
I did have minutes, plenty of them, but they were all reserved for Cari, not his project that I was investing in.
Or maybe I wouldn't be.
“Ahora no. Estoy con mi mujer. Llama Ileana para una cita.”
I directed him to my assistant for an appointment. Couldn't he see I was with my woman?
Fuck bro.
He lifted his chin and his eyes again left mine and returned to Cari.
“Bella, no?” I asked. It was the equivalent of “Beautiful, huh?”
Smiling, his eyes returned to mine. The smile melted off his face.
“Para de insultarla y a mi. Tu no vez que ella esta conmigo?”
I told him to stop insulting her and me, and asked him if he hadn't seen that she was with me.
Swallowing, he nodded.
“Mantenga los ojos lejos de ella.”
Keep you eyes away from her.
He nodded. “Perdóname. Buenas noches, Carlos.”
He walked away, but I was still fucking annoyed.
“Calm down there, Tarzan. No need to beat your chest. He apologized.”
My eyes looked at her. She reac
hed up and smoothed my eyebrows. Smiling, she said, “It’s ok.”
“Gawking at you, is not ok. First, you're more than just a hot body. Second, you're fucking mine. Is that how men normally look at you?”
She laughed and came in closer to me. She brought my hands up to her lips.
“No. I spend my days in a doctor’s coat. Not very attractive.”
Roughly, I brought her forward.
“You're fucking beautiful. In whatever you wear, or don't.”
My kiss was rough and carnal.
Possessive.
I hoped he was looking.
I'd have to rethink who I invested in.
“He needs my money so bad for his business, but he has no financial difficulty coming to Espíritu.”
“You mean being filthy rich isn't the only criteria?”
I snorted. “Hardly. The cover fee is a mil.”
I laughed at her expression as I guided us out.
25
Cari
Wicked Game,
Theory of a Deadman
I was nervous.
So fucking nervous.
Like, virgin-nervous.
I'd never made love. It scared the shit out of me.
No one had ever seen my body. I'd never allowed anyone in that close.
My breathing was beginning to pick up. My nerves were out of control.
My eyes critically moved over my body.
I had on a simple black negligee that reached mid-thigh, with panties underneath. It was all that I could dare to wear.
Baby steps.
I wasn't going to wear a see-through lingerie get-up, when I couldn't even be in front of anyone in a simple bra and panties.
Doubts began eating at me.
What if he was disgusted? What if he couldn't even bring himself to touch me?
My scars weren't as bad as they could've been. I was lucky my skin had done well after my surgeries.
But I lacked confidence. I couldn't help it.
Ask me what I think about other burn victims, and I'm empowering. I encourage their return to “normal” life. They are beautiful to me.
Strong.
Courageous.
Yes, I realize the hypocrisy in me. It seems that I'm not as good of a friend to myself as I am to others.
Carlos: A Zambrano Family Novel Page 13