“Angel,” he whispered.
“Mmm?”
Mitch put a hand in her hair and eased her head back. Her eyes were closed. He settled his mouth over hers, rocking her gently from side to side as Bonnie Raitt sang that it was too soon to tell. Her lips parted to kiss him, and he dived in like a man dying of thirst. Her mouth was hot and sweet from the pear vodka she’d been drinking. Heaven help him, he could drink from her forever and never get his fill.
He deepened the kiss, curling his tongue around hers, sliding his hand down her bare back to cup her ass. Lordy, but he loved sundresses.
She was moaning softly, pressing herself against him. This was the Angelique he remembered, passionate, eager for his touch, ready for anything. He turned her away from the door, bunched the fluttery skirt in his fist, and slid his hand beneath it. Thong. He groaned, kissing her more urgently. He wanted nothing more than to strip the almost nonexistent panties from her body, bend her over the nearby picnic table, and bury himself in her slippery heat. Angelique was a woman who liked sex. She liked it hot, and more often than not, she liked it rough. And Mitch was feeling dangerous tonight. He caressed one bare cheek and slid a finger beneath the edge of her panties. Her eyes popped open.
Shit! Mitch braced himself for the worst. Her beautiful eyes widened; then she swung her fist. He caught a glimpse of that damn gold crescent ring her father had given her for graduation just seconds before it made contact with the outside of his eye.
“Acosta, you pig!” She shook her abused hand, testing the movement of her fingers.
“Jesus, Doc, that’s gonna leave a mark!” He wiped blood from his left eye and followed her back into the cantina.
“Good!”
He was hot on her heels when she stomped back inside. “Good! It’ll remind me just how dangerous you really are!”
“Don’t you forget it, you deviant prick!” She drained her glass and snagged the bottle of vodka off her table.
The locals laughed as Angelique turned on her heel and stumbled out of the cantina, bristling with righteous anger. But FARC soldiers didn’t find it the least bit funny. Seth unfolded himself from a bar stool and handed him a rag with a few precious ice cubes in it.
“You know you can’t let her get away with that in public, right? If you do, she’s fair game for any man comes through here.”
Acosta sighed, shaking his head in the affirmative. “Jesus, she’s gonna hate me.”
Seth snorted and leaned in, speaking softly. “You forgetting the things we did with that little girl back in New Orleans? When you finished paddling her ass and shoved your fingers in her pussy, she came like a fucking rocket. And when we took her together. I’ll never forget that night; I guarantee.”
Mitch grinned.
“No matter how you look at it, you’re gonna have to show her, and our rebellious friends, exactly who’s boss in this little corner of her world.”
As much as he hated to admit it, Seth was probably right. Angelique had undercut his authority with the guerillas, and since he’d claimed her for himself, it was time to put any doubts to rest once and for all. He nodded. “All right. I guess it’s time to teach her a lesson.” When Seth grinned, Mitch rolled his eyes. “You don’t have to look so happy about it, asshole.”
Chapter Five
Mitch stifled an amused grin at the startled look on Angelique’s face when the door to her walled tent flew open and he and Boudreaux walked in. She drew herself up, squaring her shoulders, and said, “Get out.”
“No. Take off your clothes,” Mitch ordered. It wasn’t a request, and the set of her lips told him she knew it. He yanked his shirt over his head and tossed it aside.
“Go to hell.”
Bless her, she tried to look outraged, baring her teeth at him the way she did when she was pissed, but her nipples had hardened with his rough command.
“You have two seconds to shimmy out of that dress, Doc, or I’m going do the job for you.”
“You wouldn’t da—”
She all but snarled at him when he spun her around and shoved her against her makeshift dressing table. “Oh, I dare a lot more than that, as you well know.” He pushed the straps of the dress down and allowed the garment to pool at her feet, then disposed of her panties. With a flick of his fingers, his own shorts fell to the floor and he kicked them away.
His eyes met hers in the mirror. “That’s right. I’m gonna fuck you, good and hard. But first I’m going to paddle your ass till it’s nice and red. Make sure you know exactly who you belong to and what’s going to happen every time you buck me in public.”
He knew the moment she opened her mouth that she was going to scream, so he covered it with his hand. “You don’t want to do that, Angel. You scream and your friends might decide to be heroes and come to your rescue. Our boys saw us come in here. The way they see it, you need to be disciplined for what you did back there. Women do not hit men in this country, and certainly not in the rebel armies. So you’re going to be disciplined, and you’re going to be fucked into submission. Your friends try to stop that, they’re liable to get hurt. Is that what you want? Shake your head no if that’s not what you want.” She shook her head. “Good girl. Now first, I warm your sweet little ass. Make it so you’ll remember your place when you sit down for a little gossip session with your pals. Then I fuck you. Ain’t that right, my friend?”
Seth grinned, rubbing his hands together. “Oh hell yeah. Get it all nice and heated up before you shove your dick up there.” He slumped in the chair across from the bed. “You remember how it felt, don’t you, Ange? A nice big dick up your ass?” He snatched the bottle of vodka off the table and took a long drink. “Looks like you’re gonna have a hell of a party tonight.” He sat down in the only chair in the room and gestured to Mitch. “Carry on, my friend. You don’t mind if I watch?”
“You can watch until the fucking begins; then you’re outta here.”
“Well, that ain’t no fun, bro, but I guess somebody’s gotta verify she’s been punished.” He settled back to watch the show.
Mitch sat on the edge of the bed and motioned to Angelique. “Across my lap, Angel. Do it yourself, or it’s going to last a lot longer than you’d like.” She licked her lips nervously. He gave her a hard yank, and she tumbled across his lap. “I warned you,” he reminded her and shoved her legs apart to thrust a finger into her. She whispered a foul curse, and he chuckled. “You can protest all you want to, honey, but that’s some hot, juicy pussy, which means you want what’s coming to you, and I aim to see you get it.” He gestured to Seth. “Hand me one of those condoms she keeps hidden in that drawer.” He pumped her a few times, then reached for his cock, covering himself with the condom Seth tossed to him.
* * * *
She barely had time to catch her breath before Acosta’s hand came down on her ass. She yelped. Jesus, that stung. He reached between her legs, burrowing his fingers deep, prompting a moan from her tight throat. He chuckled. “Well, look here,” he taunted, holding his fingers up for her to see. “Baby wants to get her ass whipped. Hand me my belt, Seth. It’s time my Angel learned her place in a male-dominated society.” He caught the belt, folded it over twice, and swung.
Angelique hissed as the narrow belt connected with her bottom, scorching fiery lines of erotic pain across her tender flesh. Jesus, it hurt, but beyond the pain, she felt a familiar ache as her body clenched in anticipation. She remembered well how it had gone those many years before, what it’d felt like when they’d plundered her pussy; how her ass had quivered and burned when her tiny anal entrance was breached; the pressure of both men filling her; the way she’d begged and pleaded for them to fuck her, to make her come. She’d been sore for days afterward, but it had been the single most exciting sexual experience of her life, and it was about to happen again. Granted, only Acosta would take her now, but she remembered what it was like to have her ass fucked, and damned if she didn’t want it.
Over and over the belt bit into
her bottom like streaks of fire. Acosta hadn’t been kidding. He intended to make an impression she wouldn’t forget. A particularly vicious lash slashed over a tender spot, and she cried out.
“That’s right, woman,” he said loudly, flinging the belt away. “When I want something, what do you do?” When she refused to respond, he gleefully attacked her bottom with the flat of his hand. “Who’s pussy is this, Angel?”
Again, she refused to answer. She’d be damned if her coworkers would hear her declare Acosta’s dominance over her. Another flurry of slaps had her sobbing.
“Say it, Angel. This is my pussy, and when I want it, you’re going to give it to me, aren’t you?”
Her ass was on fire, and her pussy was dripping. “Yes,” she hissed.
“And when I’m gone, you aren’t going to share my pussy with anybody else, are you?” His hand burrowed between her legs, fingers thrusting deep.
“Nooo…I swear it. Just you,” she sobbed. “Ah Christ, Mitch.”
He slid from beneath her then. “Get on your knees, woman,” he demanded, giving her another smack.
She was breathing hard as Mitch stepped up behind her. “First, I want a taste of this pussy; then this ass is mine. Boudreaux, out.”
Angelique gasped when Mitch stroked his work-roughened hands over the heated welts on her bottom. He caressed the swollen lips of her pussy, seeming to direct all that heat straight into her core.
“Uh-huh,” he said softly. “That’s what I like.” He palmed her sore bottom again and entered her with a hard, deep thrust. He didn’t give her a moment to adjust to his size but kept on pumping, fucking her hard, burying himself to the hilt with each thrust. “That’s right, honey; fuck yourself on my dick. Yeah, you love it.” She glanced over her shoulder at Mitch. He reached for the lubricant on the dressing table, and Angelique’s breath stuttered as he drizzled the heated oil over her and worked a finger inside her back opening. He slowed his pace, adding another finger, then another, stretching her bottom.
“Oh man, that’s hot. Watching my fingers fuck your ass while I take your pussy. I can’t wait to get inside this sweet little hole again, honey. You ready for me?” His voice was strained with the effort to keep control.
She wanted to scream No! at him, but she was ready. She wanted it more than she wanted to breathe right now. “Yes,” she hissed. “I want you to.”
Mitch laughed softly. “You do? Well, that’s good, Angel, because you’re going to get it whether you want it or not. Ask me nice, now. Say, ‘Fuck my ass, Mitch.’”
Angelique gritted her teeth. “Damn you, Acosta. Why would I beg you?”
“Because you want it, Angel. Plain and simple. Say it, or I’ll leave you with your red bottom, and if you fuck anybody but me when I’m gone…well, let’s just say that wouldn’t be a healthy thing for the person you took to bed.” He punctuated this pronouncement with a hard, deep stroke. “Come on now, honey; you know you want it. Just say it.”
Mitch slid his fingers from her bottom and cleansed them with the antibacterial wipes she kept at her bedside before grasping her hips to press his cock against the tiny opening. She looked back, glaring at him, but the sight of his big cock, the memory of it filling her, had her closing her eyes as she relented. “Fuck my ass, Mitch. Please.”
He pressed the broad head of his cock against the tiny opening. “Take a deep breath, honey, because I’m coming in now.”
He breached the opening with one brutal thrust, refusing to give her any quarter, and when he pulled back, she couldn’t help herself. She cried out in pleasure. “Jesus. Oh, Mitch.”
Loud moans filled the room as Mitch continued his assault, fingers sliding deep into her pussy, thrusting as her hips heaved in time with him. “That’s right. Give it to me, Angel. Come for me, honey.” He pinched her nipples, and she cried out.
“Christ! I’m gonna come.”
He deserted her nipples and used his free hand to torment her clit. “You’re so hot, baby,” Mitch cooed, then flicked his hips, easing back, then thrusting deep once more. As she panted, he began to move with purpose, setting a pounding rhythm guaranteed to drive her insane.
She was on fire! Mitch was buried deep in her ass, thrusting, stretching her even as his fingers worked in concert with the cock tunneling up her ass. She was going to come screaming.
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Acosta. The whole camp will hear me. I’m gonna come. Finish me!”
He was fucking her hard now, slamming into her as she came, seeking his own release. “Ah. Fuck, yeah,” he shouted.
Angelique’s knees gave out, and she sank onto the mattress. Mitch followed her down, still buried inside her ass. She was going to be sore tomorrow, but right now she was floating on an orgasmic cloud that left her mind in a fog and her body exhausted. At last, Mitch pulled out of her and settled her on the bed, tucking her close as they both fell into a deep sleep.
Chapter Six
The next morning, an exhausted Angelique filled a day pack and a small cooler with supplies and headed into the village to make her weekly round of house calls. Some of the older residents either couldn’t make the trek up the mountain to the clinic or they were too afraid to be seen consorting with the Americans. Gradually, they’d come to accept Angelique and allowed her to treat them.
As she started down the path, Acosta came out of the jungle and fell into step beside her.
She quickened her pace, hoping he’d get the hint. He didn’t. “Are you following me?”
He smiled, teeth white in a deeply tanned face. “To the ends of the earth, Angel.”
Jesus, what was it going to take? “Go away, Mitch. Wasn’t last night enough for you?”
“No can do, babe. And no way. I’ll never get enough of you.”
She skidded to a stop. “What is it you want? Seriously, what do think is going to happen? You think I’m just going to fall into your arms again?”
He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his cargo shorts. “I miss you, and I want you back, Angel. And the falling into my arms works for me. But today, I’m here to help you with your rounds. Like I used to do whenever I was in the same village with you.”
She started down the trail again, shouting at him. “I don’t need your help with rounds, nothing is the way it used to be, and you can’t get back something you never had. You can force yourself on me, the way you did last night, but I will never willingly let you back in my bed.”
“Forced myself on you?” She could hear the anger in his voice. “You were begging for it like a cat in heat, Doc, and you damn well know it.”
She spun to face him and gave him a hard shove. “So what?” She shoved him again. “You think you’re different from any of the other pretty boys I fuck? And there have been dozens of them, Mitch. Dozens. All of them gorgeous. All of them with hot bods and nice big dicks. You’re nothing special, and there will be no happily ever after with me. Got it? Now go away and let me do my job.” She raised her hand in greeting to her first stop of the morning.
“Hola, poppy,” Angelique called to the elderly man sitting on a wooden stool outside his little shack. She referred to most of the elders as “poppy” or “mommy.” She’d begun by speaking to all of them in Spanish, but a few wanted to learn English so she tried to speak her native tongue to those who could understand her.
She ignored Acosta’s presence and grasped the old man’s wrist to check his pulse. “How is your toe today? Are you taking your medicine?”
The old man gave her toothless grin. “Sí, Doctor. I take the medicine. The foot is look good, no?”
Angelique squatted and lifted his foot to her knee, offering up a big smile. “Sí, it does. Much better. No more organ meat, sí? No heart, no liver. Bad for joints, okay? And no liquor.” She pulled her blood pressure cuff out of her pack and checked his pressure, smiling when it came back as close to normal as it had been in quite some time. “It’s getting better, poppy. You need more pills?”
He nodded. �
�Yes. Not so many left.”
She dug around her pack and found the medications he’d need to treat his high blood pressure and his gout, and reminded him again how to take it.
“Less meat and more vegetables, okay? Much water. You need me to go to the well and fill your jugs for you?”
The old man waved her away. “I can get.”
Angelique gently placed his foot on the ground and patted his knee. “I tell you what. You make me a cup of your good coffee, and I’ll fill your water jugs for you. Deal?” When she stood, her knees cracked, and the old man laughed. “Oh, you think that’s funny, do you? I’m getting old.”
He struggled to his feet, tapping his own chest. “Guillermo is old. Pretty doctor is just a girl.”
Angelique kissed his grizzled cheek and fanned herself. “Guillermo is a tease.” She ducked inside his hut, dropped her gear, and retrieved a plastic cooler with a spigot and several plastic jugs, then headed for the well. “Coffee,” she reminded him when he tried to take the cooler from her.
And so it went for the next three hours, tending the sick, checking to see wounds were healing the way they should, Acosta tagging along the entire time. She didn’t get it. How could he be so gentle and kind one moment, and cruel enough to shoot a man between the eyes the next? It was too easy to forget what he’d become in the face of the generosity he showed to those most in need. And yet something had transformed him into the hardened mercenary who had forced her to submit to him last night. It was as if there were two Mitch Acostas, and the frustrating part was that she never knew which one she was going to see on any given day. Here he was hauling water and tending gardens after she’d thrown in his face the fact that she’d slept with dozens of men, insisting he was but one of many. None of it made any sense. Angelique groaned and reached for the five-gallon water container she’d filled while Acosta picked vegetables for the last patient of the day. She narrowed her eyes at him when he hurried to her and hefted the heavy load as if it weighed nothing.
Beyond Redemption Page 5