“I don’t think so. That would suck balls.” He must have paused. “Ha. What does she mean... her text—look.”
“The next gig, Lady Gaga,” Meg sputtered. “Oh, look, another text. It says, Rah, rah, rah, ha-ha—just watch!”
The music started, and they all went silent.
As the beginning of ‘Bad Romance’ started, the crowd cheered.
“Holy crap! The white monsters... just like the video... crawling on the stage, and Gaga. Sweet.” She heard Cruz say, and then he cheered along with the audience.
She glanced at him and watched as he scanned the bar.
Meg leaned into him. “She is an interior designer by trade, but you did say she mentioned she had to work a short while, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, but it’s been what? An hour?” His tone was harsh. “I didn’t see her all damn week—by some odd account.”
“Look! She’s really good! Enjoy the show, Cruz. I’m betting she will be done with whatever as soon as this gig is up. I bet she helped put this one together. Now watch so we, too, can enjoy the rest of the show.” Meg pegged him with her elbow.
You tell him, Meg!
She vaguely listened to Cruz read a text Jimmy sent: Watch S.H.O.W! You’ll see me, but only if you stop looking and start watching! 'Cause you're missing out. “Huh.”
He glanced at the stage and watched ‘Lady Gaga.’ She kept an eye on him as his gaze traveled from her blond wig with a black wire thingamajig, down to the shirt, and then the matching skirt, mesh hose, and—the dancing. He stirred in his seat and appeared agitated.
The crowd jeered and clanked their cups. People yelled as she neared his table. It was difficult to perform and not break out in laughter as she watched his unknowing face brighten.
“Clear the table! Clear the table,” the crowd hollered until everyone at Cruz's table removed their beverages.
She marched, swiveled, and swayed her hips as she worked her way to the far end of tables connecting to the one Cruz, Meg, and Falcon sat at. She sang and leapt onto the tabletop. Thank god, her voice was incredibly smooth tonight. One might actually believe she were the ‘Lady’ herself if they didn’t know any better.
A big grin spread across Cruz's face.
“Walk, walk,” she sang the lyrics as she strutted in fashion toward his end of the table, and then took a deep squat, went to her knees and crawled in a provocative way as she neared him.
She got closer, and closer, and Cruz continued to stare. She aimed at him—her head lifted and she drew her body back up into a squat, right in front of him. Both of her hands raised; she placed one on either side of his face. He gasped, eyes wide and frozen, jaw dropped, as she sang to him.
She sang about wanting his love and not wanting to be friends, and then she stroked his cheeks and batted her lashes.
Cruz whispered, “Daniella?”
He showed a mouth full of perfect teeth and shook his head in obvious disbelief as she continued to sing about not wanting to be friends.
She jumped off the table, singing and emphasized the word friends before she drew her hand away from his face, and then marched back toward the stage followed by little white monsters.
Roars of applause soared until the live music ended and the stage emptied. From the back room, Daniella watched Cruz's table and listened in on their conversation.
Cruz shook his head and guffawed, alarm still evident on his handsome face.
“Oh, my gosh! That was so cool,” Meg said.
A compliment from Meg. Well if that isn’t a shocker.
“Who would have guessed?” Falcon smacked Cruz on the back.
“Yeah, who would have ever... damn! And I missed most of it.” Cruz sighed.
Yes! She fist pumped the air and pulled the mini ear bud out.
~~~
Daniella whipped off the wig and shed her clothing. She did a quick wash and rinse in the small shower provided for entertainers. After putting on her own attire, she touched up her make-up and hair, which was in disarray from the wig.
“Hey, buddy, you can give me my phone back now.”
“Ha-ha! Come and get it.” Jimmy held her phone above his head and ran in circles on his tiptoes.
“Jimmy! Give me my phone back, please.”
“Walla!” He twirled like a girl.
She snatched her phone from his raised hands and stepped out of the dressing room. She took in a sharp breath and exhaled as she went forward.
There were whistles and jeers the second she stepped out of the backroom.
Attention wasn’t what she wanted at the moment. She was already nervous as she approached Cruz. When he smiled, her tension dissolved.
He greeted her in the middle of the floor. “You. You didn’t tell me. What a surprise.”
“What was I supposed to say? Guess what? Sometimes I do a Lady Gaga impersonation?”
“Nah. I like the way you told me on the table.” His eyes narrowed. “You can tell me again, later.”
His look—sexy. Serious. Hotter than hades.
A shiver of desire coursed through her and she trembled.
‘The Beautiful One’ by Prince happened to be the first song to play after her gig, and it brought a crowd of couples to the dance floor.
Cruz held Daniella at the waist. His grip was different, more dominating and she liked it, but she was afraid to look up, afraid he could take control of her.
Cruz whispered the lyrics about wanting him, in a seductive tone, drawing her ever closer.
Hell yes, I want you. You're so friggin' hot!
His scent, the outline of his body, the way he ran his hands along her back, the warmth of his breath against her neck…
She wanted him… in the worst kind of way, or maybe not.
As the song ended, Daniella stood on the tip of her toes, and pulled Cruz’s head down. Against his ear, she whispered, “Let’s get out of here. I want to go.”
Cruz leaned back, the crease in his forehead deepened as he stared into her eyes. “Where? Home?”
“No. To your place.” Daniella’s cheeks warmed. Unable to look at Cruz, for fear he’d see her secret desires, she glanced toward Meg and Falcon.
“Why do you do that? Look away? As if you’ve just asked… like you want—never mind my wishful thinking. Let’s go.” He dropped his hands from her hips and settled for her hand.
“Hey you two, Daniella and I are ready to go. You coming or staying?”
Meg grumbled inaudible words as Falcon shook his head.
The crisp, cool air chilled Daniella’s heated cheeks as they headed toward Cruz’s red BMW.
He fiddled with the music player connected to the stereo. Grinning, he sped out of the parking lot and headed down the highway.
‘Bad Romance’ blared through the speakers. Cruz’s grin widened.
“Great!” Daniella sank into her seat, regretting she’d let him see her perform.
“What? It’s my new favorite song! Unless you can do this one.” She watched him flip through the songs.
‘Teeth,’ another Lady Gaga song, filtered through the speakers.
“Um. I could do that one, but I don’t think you’d like the way I dance to it,” Daniella said, no longer embarrassed.
“Mm. You can show me in the privacy of my home, and I’ll let you know how I feel about it.” Cruz reached for her hand, entwining their fingers.
~~~
The instant they stepped into his living room, Daniella feared she’d no longer have control. She watched Cruz as he flipped through the digital media. An impish grin formed along his lips while he turned the sound up.
“Teeth.” Daniella grinned, dropping her head and shaking it.
Insert foot into mouth… kick teeth out, and never put thy self into such situations again! Arg!
“Show me,” Cruz insisted.
Daniella glanced up and smiled, showing a mouth full of teeth. Just what he asked for.
“Ha. Funny girl. Now show me the dance. Don’
t be shy. You did just perform in front of a large audience, so this should be easy. Come on, please?” Cruz pleaded, begged even.
“Great! Fine, but don’t laugh or I’ll leave.” Daniella frowned and wiggled a finger at him. She knew she was at his mercy. She didn’t have her car so she would have to walk, if she really wanted to go.
“Ready, set, go.” Cruz hit ‘play’.
Daniella shook her shoulders, swung her hips and marched to the beat of the song. Cruz observed. A dirty little grin spread across his lips when she grabbed her crotch, went down on all fours, and popped back up, marching away from him.
He grasped her hips from behind, blew a breath against her ear, and slowly, his hips tipped forward. She rolled with him, pushing back against him.
“That’s sexy as hell,” he whispered, and nipped her earlobe, sending shivers down her spine.
He splayed his hands along her stomach, traced the lining of her skirt, and pulled her into him at the same time he rotated his hips.
His tone rugged, he said, “Mm. Bad romance, huh?”
She was speechless… and breathless, and her temperature rose in the already heated room. The music thrummed, and he continued to roll his hips in a mixture of soft and hard, depending on the beat of the music. Wanting more, she reached up and tangled her fingers into his hair. He moaned his approval, dragged his hands slowly up her abdomen, over her breasts, and then trailed them along her arms.
Flipping her around, cupping her behind, he picked her up and she had to wrap her legs around his waist for security. Placing a hand on each side of her face, he pressed her head against the wall. His kiss, ever so deep, tender and rough, hypnotic and seductive, made her dizzy. Certain he couldn’t get any deeper, he proved her wrong and she was sure he could taste her own desire. He touched fervently, and she trembled. She imagined him inside of her—the thought alone, inebriating.
She squeezed her legs tighter, not wanting to let go, and held his head tightly.
Loosening his grip, and his tongue, Cruz leaned back. “I’m crazy for you and I need to let go before I can’t stop myself.”
Clenching her legs tighter, back against the wall, Daniella said nothing, but smiled as she caressed his cheeks. She blinked a few times, never breaking eye contact. She wasn’t ready to part from him.
Holding her with his body still hot-pressed into hers, he held her gaze with a deep penetrating stare. “You don’t want to be friends?” he asked, not once faltering eye contact.
Words would not move, but froze in the center of her chest. Daniella answered by shaking her head.
“No?” He continued, his lips grazing her cheek, and then her ear. He whispered, “Tell me then, what do you want?”
How could she possibly speak when he seduced her with his fingers inching up her skirt, hands gripping her thighs, chest against hers, rising and falling in lustful breaths?
Cruz stopped and released his grip. Daniella’s legs dropped, and she stood before him. He didn’t say anything, only took her hand and led her to the couch and sat. Pulling her down on his lap, he pressed her back to his chest, straddled her legs over his, and swept the length of her hair over her right shoulder.
He dragged his lips along the exposed flesh between her shoulders, worked the hidden zipper down the front of her shirt, and removed it. Placing firm hands against the center of her back, he drove them up roughly and unfastened her bra. Holding each breast in his hands, he bowed her back against him and nibbled her neck, causing her to shiver with desire.
What Cruz did next—sinful. His hands greeted her thighs and slid her skirt up. He pressed into her, one arm wrapped around her waist while the other caressed her, stroking from behind, slipping lower, between her legs, creating sensations deep within her lower belly. A tiny moan escaped her.
“Mm,” she hummed as he dipped between the soft flesh, rubbing her sensitive spot, and slowly working a finger into the heated wetness he created.
“Dang…” he worked his finger deeper and stopped. Without warning, he pushed Daniella forward and slipped her off his lap.
What the hell?
Startled, Daniella covered her breasts with crossed arms, suddenly embarrassed and alarmed.
“You let me get this far. Last time you almost left, but I stopped you. Then I didn’t hear from you for a few days. What happens this time? How far does it go before you walk out… or I hear from you?” Cruz stood.
Unprepared, Daniella didn’t move. She willed her legs not to give out and swallowed hard at the lump forming in the back of her throat.
Two steps forward, and he reached around and drew her into his chest. “Talk to me. Tell me what you want.” He grasped her hands and pulled them around his waist, then cupped her face, tilting her head, feverishly taking her lower lip and biting it, sucking it. He moved to her neck—his tongue laved her skin and astounded her. Her emotions went crazy.
Releasing her head, he pulled back, removed his shirt and dropped his pants. Daniella suddenly felt nervous. His boxer briefs were still on when he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, and touching his lips to her chest. She stood motionless as he went down, kissing her abdomen while he tugged her skirt down.
Cruz came back up and weaved his hands into her hair, clenching it and tilting her head. “I don’t want to be friends, either.” One hand glided down her neck, stopping at the center of her chest right over her heart. He whispered against her ear, “I want this. Not for one night, or for a week. And certainly not for a contract. I want to take you for my own.” He shifted his pelvis, pressing into her abdomen, his taker wanting to take, full and ready.
Oh, jeez! Please don't stop. She melted.
Daniella couldn’t refuse him, not after the last incident. Her heart was already beating, pumping every bit of his life into her very own, intoxicating her with every kiss, poisoning the independent person within, bonding his very existence with her own. The possibility of him slipping away, deserting her, removing his person, was a terrible thought that crossed her mind.
Breathless, she rasped, “Take… me. I'm… I'm yours for… for the taking.”
With each slip of his hand, each stroke over her abdomen, her breathing surged with fear and desire, rippling through her chest and throwing her hormones into frenzy. He only made it worse when he guided her up the steps into his bedroom.
He laid her down and gently slipped off her laced panties. In his eyes, she could see a deep desire burning fiercely. With bittersweet fervor, he captured her lips again. The sweetness of his mouth drove a passionate urge inside of her. Not wanting the emotions to end, she slipped her hands along his chest, down ripples of his abdomen, and… he gripped her hand and stopped her.
Before she could speak, he was down the middle, spreading her legs, sliding his finger, pushing deeper. “Ohh-kkay,” she stuttered as he continued his sweet assault, slipping between her open thighs, sliding his tongue in one long, slow stroke, parting the silky flesh. He did it again and again, moaning several times as he continued.
Daniella clenched the sheets and arched her back as Cruz slowly came up, stroking and kissing her abdomen. He lay over her, his arms under her shoulders, he held her head in his hands. His eyes steady, he eased himself, just barely entering her. He held her firmly as he gently and slowly worked his way inside of her. It took a while before he finally filled her entirely, and he never looked away from her. She knew her mouth was agape, but her eyes never left his.
He caressed her breasts, kissed her shoulders and her neck as he settled inside her. His breath warmed her cheek, and he let out a sound so primitive and masculine. Slowly, he rocked in and out, gently and aggressively.
Daniella whimpered with pleasure, raising her pelvis off the mattress as his driving thrust forced her hips back down. He stayed deep inside of her and then pulled back, only to repeat the motion. Just when she was about to lose herself, he lifted her without disengaging, and penetrated deeper into the very heart of the secret spots she never kne
w existed. He held her hips, steadied her, controlling each movement, forcing her to halt when she wanted to keep grinding.
Holding her, frozen in the moment, he arched inward, dipped his head, sucked half of her breast into his mouth, fondled her nipple with his tongue and rolled back on the bed.
Daniella was now on top of him though he still gripped her hips. He swayed her back and forth, embedding himself deeper with every thrust of his pelvis and just as he was breaking into her ecstasy, his breath, harsh and uneven, he said, “Marry me.” Then he rocked into her.
“Oh, uhh. Oh… mm-mary… y-you. Oh GAWD! OOhh… huh—” The bliss of orgasm sizzled through her, and she shuddered….
Skin slapping against hers, he called out, “Daniella. Damn. I… I…” His head dropped, and he breathed harder. His hips jerked a few more times, and with a final thrust, she could feel the warmth of his release.
Drenched in sweat, hair clinging to her face, Daniella tuckered out and fell on top of Cruz’s sweaty body. His words played in her head, but she didn’t have enough energy to ask him about it. She just lay there and listened to the rapid thud of his heart winding down while he continued to caress her. He brushed the sticky strands of hair away from her cheek and kissed her forehead over and over again. A smile stretched ear to ear as she closed her eyes.
9 - Little Miss Nosey Pants
The sweat on Daniella’s body sent an icy chill down her spine. She woke to find herself on top of Cruz. One of his arms rested on the middle of her back, while the other lay tucked beneath his head. Daniella stared at him. His jaw was not too square, nor too round and his skin was smooth. She examined his mouth, the full luscious lips she wanted to kiss again and again. His cheekbones were square, masculine, and he had eyelashes any female would give her right arm for.
She rolled off him, her back to his, and yanked the sheet up to her chin. Cruz grunted and shifted positions. The warmth of his skin pressed against her back and he draped a hand over her abdomen.
Inside, Daniella got those warm fuzzy feelings and a new sensation she had never experienced. It was a naked feeling, not in a physical sense, but one of opening her soul and letting him touch her spirit. It was like sharing her personal thoughts, fears, and the hopes and dreams of wanting a future with him that made her feel naked.
Of Love and Deception Page 9