A Sultry Love Song

by Kianna Alexander

  Joi inhaled the rich aroma of apples and cinnamon that filled the air, her stomach rumbling in anticipation. “Oh my gosh, what is that heavenly smell?”

  The baker pulled out two ceramic ramekins, setting them carefully on the counter near the stove. “My vanilla apple crisp. The house specialty.”

  Joi watched with round eyes as Kelly topped the two steaming bowls with a healthy dollop of vanilla ice cream, then a ribbon of what looked like butterscotch or caramel sauce. Setting the twin desserts on a tray, she added two gleaming silver spoons, then brought the tray over to Marco. “Here you go.”

  Marco smiled as he accepted it. “Thanks, Kelly. These look great.”

  “Enjoy.” Kelly winked, and disappeared into the kitchen area.

  He carried the tray to a booth in the corner, and she trailed a few steps behind him. He stepped back to allow her to sit down first. She settled into the soft cushioned seat. Moments later, she was both surprised and delighted when he chose to sit next to her instead of taking the bench across the table.

  His eyes met hers. “Is it all right if I sit next to you?”

  She felt the involuntary flutter of her lashes as she answered him. “By all means, join me.”

  “Good, because after watching you all night from the stage, I want to be as close to you as possible.” He picked up one of the spoons and stuck it into one of the desserts.

  A shiver of anticipation ran down her spine. She sensed a pleasurable experience coming on, and not just from the sweet concoction he spooned up.

  She was about to dig into the other crisp when she noticed he hadn’t eaten the spoonful he had.

  Instead, he guided the spoon toward her mouth. His dark eyes dancing with desire, he cajoled her. “Open up, Joi.”

  The sensual double meaning of his words touched her very core, and she licked her lips before parting them as he’d asked.

  The moment she tasted the mingled flavors of the tender apples and flaky crust, accented by vanilla and cinnamon, she groaned aloud.

  His thick brows rose a few inches. “That’s the sound of pleasure if I ever heard it. I’m happy to be the one to cause it.”

  Her face flushed with heat, she angled her gaze away from him. After she’d chewed and swallowed the first mouthful of crisp, she sighed. “This is so good.”

  That remark drew a deep, rumbling chuckle from him. “It’s my favorite thing here. I’m glad you like it.”

  “Less talking, more feeding.” She opened her mouth again.

  He looked downright amused. Shaking his head, he fed her another spoonful, then another. “If I’m going to feed you, you’ll have to do the same so I can have some.”

  “Fair enough.” She picked up the other spoon, and acted accordingly.

  They continued that way, feeding each other in turn, until the two ramekins were empty.

  Using her index finger to swipe up the last bit of melted ice cream in one of the dishes, Joi stuck the tip in her mouth and sucked it gently. It wasn’t until she’d already made the gesture that she realized how it must look to Marco. When she swung her gaze his way, she found his eyes locked on her lips, where her finger still rested.

  Embarrassment rose within her, and she drew her hand away from her mouth. “Sorry. It was so good I forgot myself.”

  His intense gaze remained on her lips as he spoke. “Don’t apologize for enjoying yourself, Joi. That’s why I brought you here.” He eased closer to her on the seat, until their thighs were touching. “Forgive me for being so forward, but I’d love to give you further enjoyment.”

  Seeing the flames of desire igniting his gaze emboldened her, and she slipped her arm around his shoulder. “And I’d love to experience what you have to offer, Marco.”

  He used his fingertips to angle her face, then pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was filled with yearning, and the unspoken craving they had for each other. When he eased away, she felt breathless and dazed. She could have sworn she saw stars.

  He slid out of the booth and stood. After he reached into his pocket and pulled out a twenty-dollar bill to lay on the table, he reached out for her hand. “Where to?”

  She let him help her to her feet, then slung her purse over her shoulder. “Your place.”

  “As you wish.” Still grasping her hand, he led her out of the bakery.

  Outside in the chilly night air, they jogged back to the Blue Lounge, where his car remained parked in the lot. The two of them climbed in and buckled up, and he started the engine. As a wonderful warmth began to radiate from the seat to chase away the chill, she sighed.

  “Heated seats,” she stated softly, while sinking into the buttery soft leather.

  “Are there any other kind?” He guided the car down the road with one hand, laying the other hand atop her thigh.

  The warmth of his touch rivaled the heat generated by the seats, and she felt her core shudder in anticipation of the special brand of “enjoyment” he planned to provide her once they reached his house.

  The twenty-minute drive was filled with heated glances, stolen kisses and possessive squeezes of her thigh, and by the time he pulled his car into the garage adjoining his large Tudor-style home, she could feel the liquid warmth pooling in her panties.

  When he opened the passenger door to help her out of the car, she found her legs a bit shaky. He steadied her with a sure arm around her waist as he used his free hand to close the garage door via remote. With that done, he walked her up the three stone steps to the door, unlocked it and ushered her inside.

  Automatic recessed lights activated, illuminating his gourmet kitchen. While he removed his coat, she had just a few moments to admire the gleaming stainless steel appliances and beige-hued stone countertops before he whisked her into his arms.

  “I have another dessert in mind, one even sweeter than the apple crisp.”

  She smiled. “My... Looks like you have an even bigger sweet tooth than I do.”

  He started to back up, still holding her. As he moved the two of them across the room, he kept her occupied with hot kisses placed against her lips, jaw, cheeks and forehead. Her eyes slid closed as she gave herself over to the sensations he evoked. He drew her arms out of her pea coat, tossing it aside. She was so dazzled she didn’t notice what he was doing until he turned her around and gently pressed her hips down onto a firm, hard surface.

  She opened her eyes then, to ascertain her location. A brief glance at her surroundings revealed her to be sitting on top of a very expensive-looking table in his breakfast nook. The table occupied a small alcove in the kitchen, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows. The amber-colored drapes were drawn shut against the darkness outside.

  For a moment, she felt confused. Confusion gave way to wonder when he speared his hands through her hair and drew her in for a kiss that left her panting.

  She offered up no resistance as he lifted her gray sweater up.

  “Can I?” His words were throaty, his breathing labored.

  “Yes...” There was no other response to his masterful teasing, at least not one she wanted to give.

  She raised her arms, letting him remove her sweater and camisole. His lips blazed a trail along the top edge of her lacy bra, the heady sensations making her head loll back. In that moment, she knew she would gladly let him do whatever he wished, because she didn’t want the pleasure to end.

  But as she watched him pull out a chair and take a seat squarely in front of her partially open legs, her breath caught in her throat. She’d forgone tights or pantyhose due to the height of her leather boots, which encased most of her legs. She watched with hooded eyes as he slid his hands up her thighs.

  “Rise up for me, sweetheart.”

  She did as he asked, and as she lifted her hips from the tabletop, he dragged her panties down her legs, carefully easing t
hem off around her boots.

  She started to inquire if he was going to remove them, but as he hiked up her wool pencil skirt and leaned forward, she knew he had no interest in her footwear.

  In the next heartbeat, her boots were draped over his back.

  * * *

  As Marco let his fingertips play over Joi’s most secret place, he inhaled her intoxicating natural scent. Her arousal was easy to detect. Even in the dim light he could see the evidence as she lay splayed out atop his table. He was already steel hard, but he’d promised her enjoyment, and tonight he would give her as much as she could stand. Even if she decided to retreat again behind her barrier of professionalism, he wanted her to always remember this night, and what they’d shared.

  A smile touched his lips as he prepared to feast on the most decadent dessert a man could partake of.

  His tongue darted out, giving her a slow, deliberate lick. That first contact from his mouth tore a strangled cry from her lips. Easing back, he asked, “Would you like me to stop?”

  “Don’t you dare,” came the breathless reply. With her fingertips speared through his hair, she drew him back in.

  He did as she demanded, lingering between her open thighs with her boot-encased legs draped over his shoulders. She was sweet, even more so than he could have imagined. The more he licked, kissed and teased her core, the more her hips rose from the table. Her back arched, and her melodious moans filled his kitchen with the loveliest sound he’d ever heard. His erection lengthened and stretched in response to her. Soon his ministrations overwhelmed her, and she screamed his name on the wings of an orgasm, her body trembling with the force of it.

  He slid the chair back, and took in the sight of her in the afterglow of her enjoyment. The tableau she made, writhing sensuously atop his table, was even more beautiful than a Costa Rican sunset over the cerulean waters of the Caribbean Sea. “You are beautiful,” he said aloud, giving voice to his thoughts.

  “Ahh.” It appeared a moan was all she could manage.

  He helped her sit up, then gathered her into his arms. As he carried her toward the steps, he whispered in her ear. “The next time, I’ll spread a little honey there, and over your nipples, and devour you like the delicacy you are.”

  Another moan escaped her, and her head dropped against his shoulder.

  He brought her onto the second level of the house, and into his bedroom. Lying her atop the comforter on his king-size bed, he stripped off his clothes.

  He heard her say something, but couldn’t understand her. She’d turned her face into the pillows, and the move had effectively muffled her voice.

  “What did you say, Dulce?”

  “I said, hurry.”

  Knowing she yearned for him boosted his male pride. Not one to disappoint a beautiful woman, he made haste in getting undressed and retrieving protection from the drawer in his nightstand. Bringing the small packet with him, he joined her on the bed, fully nude.

  She sat up, seeming somewhat recovered from her first release. Her gaze beckoned to him, as did her index finger.

  He reached around her to unhook her bra, tossing the garment aside. The weight of her breasts fell free, and he spent time suckling the hardened tip of each dark nipple. When he had her breathless and panting to his liking, he knelt on the floor and unzipped each tall boot, removing them in turn. Then he dragged the skirt away from her, drinking in the erotic sight of her nudity. The lush curves of her body called to him, so he took a moment to run his hands over each peak and valley. Only when he deemed her thoroughly ready for him did he cease, so he could roll on the condom.

  Once he’d sheathed himself with the protection, he adjusted her on her back in the center of his bed. “Are you comfortable, Dulce?”

  She nodded, reaching out for him.

  As they embraced, she parted her thighs for him. While his lips crushed against hers, he angled his hips and entered her slowly.

  Her hands drifted down to his waist, drawing him in until he’d entered her fully. The warm tightness of her body sheltering his felt heavenly, and as he began to stroke, the sensation of ecstasy only increased.

  Her soft, throaty cries mingled with his groans as he made love to her. Her eyes were closed, and her head moved back and forth over the wealth of pillows supporting her. Her legs wound around his waist, spurring him to lengthen his thrusts. He followed the cues she gave him in altering his strokes to her liking, all the while doing his best to hold back the orgasm he felt building inside. He wanted to make her come again, wanted to feel her inner muscles flex around him.

  Fate chose to grant his wish, because in the next breath, her shouts of joy echoed inside his bedroom. He knew she was coming because he could feel her body spasm, capturing him in the most sensual grip. Before long, his own orgasm roared through his body, and he growled at the behest of the magic radiating through him.

  He withdrew from her, and left her briefly to dispose of the condom. When he returned, she lay on her side with her back to him. His eyes rested on the lush curve of her backside as he approached. The closer he got, the easier it became for him to hear her light snores ruffling the silence.

  With gentle hands, he shifted her around until he could get her beneath the covers. She barely noticed as he pulled the sheets and comforter up over her. When he thought she looked comfortable, he lifted the corner of the bedclothes and slid in next to her, his body pressed against hers in a spoon position. Draping his arm over her, he pulled her close. Still sound asleep, she snuggled into him.

  He intended to go to sleep himself, but he found he couldn’t close his eyes. All he could do was stare at her, looking so peaceful and at home in his bed, and in his arms. His heart turned over in his chest, and he knew that if she changed her mind about being with him, he would be lost. As much as he dreaded where it might lead, he knew he was developing very serious feelings for her. He wouldn’t exactly define what he felt as love, but whatever it was, it was possessive. He didn’t want any other man looking at her, much less holding her this way.

  As he watched her sleep, he tried to tell himself that he was still in control, even though he knew it was a lie. She now held immeasurable power over him, and he saw no way to shift that dynamic. If she walked away from him now, after what they’d shared, getting over her would be next to impossible.

  Chapter 12

  When Joi entered the bank Monday morning, she found herself looking around the interior with new eyes. She knew that nothing had changed there, but plenty had changed inside her. A smile spread across her face as she thought of Marco, who she assumed was in his office by now. She cheerily greeted her guards and the bank staff as she made her way through the double doors in the glass wall separating the office corridor from the main customer area of the bank.

  She couldn’t remember when she’d had a more fantastic weekend. She’d awoken in Marco’s arms Saturday morning, and they’d spent part of the day at a local bookstore, perusing the record section. She’d left with a copy of The Very Best of John Coltrane on vinyl, and he’d dropped her off at home. She’d then passed the rest of the weekend enjoying her new album and catching up on the stack of books she’d been intending to read for the past several months. Today, she felt renewed, refreshed and a little bit like a schoolgirl who’d landed a date with her crush.

  When she rounded the corner past the vault, she saw him leaning against the frame of his office door. He was dressed in yet another well-cut suit, this one in a shade of beige. Beneath the sport coat he wore a royal blue shirt and a blue-and-white-striped tie. He had an open newspaper in his hands, and wore a pair of black-framed reading glasses that somehow made him look even more dashing.

  “Good morning, Marco.” She felt her body temperature rising as she entered his space.

  He placed a fleeting kiss against her temple. “Good morning, Dulce.”

/>   She could feel the heat rushing to her cheeks. “I thought we agreed you wouldn’t call me that here at work.”

  “My apologies. Your beauty made me forget my oath.” He grasped her hand, lifted it to his lips and kissed the back of it.

  A soft giggle caught their attention.

  Both Joi and Marco turned their focus toward the vault, where Jackie had just taken her assigned post. Amusement was clearly written on the guard’s face.

  Joi gave Jackie a stern look, to which Jackie responded, “Carry on, you two.”

  Marco chuckled. “I’m tempted to do just that, but then no work would get done around here.”

  Knowing he was right, Joi edged away from him. “I’m going back up front with Yolanda. I just wanted to come see you for a minute.”

  “Have a good day, Du... I mean, Joi.” He tipped an imaginary hat in her direction.

  Sighing, she turned around and went back the way she’d come.

  A couple hours later, Joi was standing with Yolanda in the waiting area, going over Yolanda’s request for time off. A sudden long, shrill beeping sound cut through the conversations of the bank’s patrons, and both Joi and Yolanda turned toward the teller’s desk, where the noise was coming from.

  Nancy, the lead teller, had hopped down from her stool and was now staring at her computer screen in bewilderment. “Something’s wrong. The computer won’t let me pull up any account data!” She had to shout to be heard over the sound.

  Joi rushed over to the desk, with her phone in hand. Dashing off a text message to Chloe, Karen’s tech assistant.

  One by one, the other two teller computer terminals shut down, and began making the same loud, obnoxious sound as Nancy’s machine. Joi didn’t have a clue what was going on, but whatever happened, she knew she had to stop that sound, because she was starting to get a headache.

  Apparently, the customers in the building agreed with her, because the ones who hadn’t already left the premises now had their hands placed over their ears.