by Lena Hart
Judith didn’t know if she should laugh or gasp in outraged by his unsympathetic comment. She could do neither. Her throat was still constricted.
“I’m choking to death and that’s all you can say!”
He smiled. “If you were choking to death, you wouldn’t be able to tell me you’re choking to death.”
She glared at him and he simply threw her a wink. She laughed, despite herself.
“You good?” he eventually asked.
She rolled her eyes, dabbing at the moisture that had gathered in the corner. “Perfect.”
He grunted. “Yes, you are. But not everyone can handle this stuff,” he said, finishing the contents in the dark bottle. “I told you it was strong. It’s the kind of stuff that puts hair on a man’s chest.”
She snorted. “I’m sure you don’t need any more. You do just fine fitting in with your wolf pack,” she mumbled.
He looked at her, confused. “What?”
She blushed. She didn’t want to explain to him how he reminded her like one of those wild, feral animals on the prowl.
“Never mind,” she muttered.
“Oh no, muñeca, you’re gonna have to explain that one to me.”
She shrugged, her face still warm. “Sometimes you remind me of…a wolf.”
He was silent for a moment, then threw his head back and laughed. “A what?”
Despite her embarrassment, she couldn’t help but join in his amusement. “You heard me.”
He laughed again. “Like the big, bad wolf in Caperucita Roja?”
“In what?”
“Little Red Riding Hood,” he explained.
She nodded. “Yeah, but without the big eyes or teeth. I think it’s all the facial hair.” And the eyes. They were dark and calm, yet fierce and penetrating. Like a predator waiting patiently for its prey.
Right now, however, they were filled with amused incredulity.
“So you’re saying I look like the big, bad wolf?”
“Well, I didn’t say bad.”
“Good, because you know they got that story all wrong, right? The wolf wasn’t the bad guy. He actually was the hero in the story.”
Her interest was piqued. “Oh, really? Sounds like something a wolf would say,” she teased.
He shook his head. “It’s a known fact that it’s the Huntsman who turns out to be an ax murderer. The wolf just got caught in the middle.”
She burst out laughing at his outrageous claim. “Well, the version everyone else has heard is that the wolf eats Grandma and almost eats Little Red Riding Hood before the Lumberjack comes and saves the day.”
Carlos leaned forward in his seat. “Then everyone believes a lie. Let me tell you the true story of Caperucita Roja and Wenzel the Wolf.”
Laughter burst out of her again. “Wenzel? Really?”
“Yeah, he had a name, you know,” Carlos said, incensed, though his dark eyes lit up with mirth. “Wenzel also had feelings and he especially had a soft spot for little Roja. When he found out the Huntsman was in town, he followed her everywhere to make sure the ax murderer didn’t get to her.”
Judith listened, intrigued. His deep voice drew her into his every word as he continued his outrageous tale.
“One day, Wenzel decides to stop little Roja in the woods but couldn’t convince her to turn and go back home. So, he raced to Grandma’s house to stop the Huntsman.” Carlos lowered his voice for dramatic effect and Judith found herself tense, waiting for what came next.
“But it was too late,” Carlos continued. “The Huntsman had chopped Grandma into tiny pieces. Wenzel, not wanting little Roja to see her grandmother in such a state, eats the pieces.”
Judith grimaced. “Oh God.” She vaguely started to wonder where he’d heard this macabre version of the fairy tale, but was too enthralled to stop him and ask.
“When little Roja got to the house, Wenzel explained what the Huntsman had done. Together they set a trap for the real murderer and little Roja goes back to the village, begging for help.”
“But no one offered?” Judith blurted.
Carlos shook his head. “No. But, just as little Roja and Wenzel anticipated, only el Cazador offered to help.”
“El Cazador?”
“The Huntsman,” he translated. “Little Roja heads back with the Huntsman to her abuela’s house and that is when Wenzel gets him.”
Judith waited for him to continue, but realized he had finished his tale. “But then what happened?” she prompted.
His smile was wicked. “As soon as they go into the house, little Roja screamed ‘El Cazador está aquí’.”
Her Spanish was on the poor side but she knew what aquí meant—and now el Cazador.
The Huntsman is here.
“Suddenly, Wenzel bursts through the door.” She jumped as Carlos grabbed her knee from beneath the table. “He began advancing toward the Huntsman, slowly, steadily.” Carlos mimicked the same movements, gradually leaning toward her over the small table.
She held her breath.
“The wolf gets so close, he could almost smell his fear,” Carlos continued in a low voice. “Suddenly, he leaped toward the Huntsman and eats him.”
Carlos took a mocking bite of the air, his teeth connecting together with a sharp snap. She flinched back, laughing nervously. His dark eyes gleamed and his lips curved into a captivating smile.
She shook her head, amazed at his imagination. “Is this real?”
He winked. “You can’t make this stuff up. The moral of the story? Don’t judge a wolf by the size of his teeth.”
Her gaze lingered on his mouth. “Even if they’re big and scary?” Not that he had to worry about that, she thought. His sensuous lips were the gatekeepers to white, straight teeth and a generous mouth. A mouth that had been places she had only imagined in her dreams.
A daring glint flashed in his eyes. “Well, the bigger the mouth, the better it is to—”
She leaned over the small table and quickly placed her hands over his mouth. “Don’t say it!” she said fiercely, her eyes wide with horror. She frantically glanced around the small restaurant to see if the man who was still lounging in the corner had heard. He hadn’t, but her face still burned with embarrassment.
Carlos kissed her palm and it tingled. He removed her hand from his mouth and held it. “I was just going to say kiss you,” he said, his eyes lowering to her lips, still gleaming mischievously.
Her eyes narrowed. “Yeah, right,” she muttered.
But all teasing was temporarily suspended as the familiar charge between them ignited and began to spread. They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity.
The harsh sound of a fallen tray in the back kitchen finally broke their sensual trance.
She glanced down at her hand still clasp in his then pulled it away, her face heating up. This time it had nothing to do with embarrassment and everything to do with the irrefutable fact that she wanted him.
“It’s getting late,” he said, his eyes lingering on her lips. “I should take you home.”
“Okay,” she said, trying not to think too much about what would happen when they got there.
Chapter Six
The drive back to her apartment was tense. Neither of them knew what to say or do to break the awkward silence that had taken over.
He walked her to her door and still few words passed between them. She agonized over the right words to say to invite him in. Tonight could be her one and only chance to know what it was like to have all of him.
When they stood outside her apartment, he finally broke the heavy silence.
“Tonight doesn’t count, you know. I still owe you a proper dinner.”
She smiled, though she didn’t want to commit herself to anything. It wasn’t far from her mind that he was investigating the person who had broken into their offices last night and that meant she would need to leave Royal Courts soon. But this could be her last opportunity and she couldn’t let him leave here without eve
r knowing…
“Dinner tomorrow night?”
She glanced down at his chest. “Why don’t we take it one day at a time?”
“Whatever you want, muñeca.” And without warning, he cupped her chin and kissed her. A soft, gentle kiss. The kind that was meant to be savored.
She brought her hand up to his chest and leaned into his embrace. It soon turned hot and heavy and she lost herself to the desperate needs of her body.
But with a low growl, he tore his lips away. “I should go.”
She licked her lips, trying to keep her disappointment from showing. “Okay.”
“But I don’t want to,” he said, brushing her lower lip with his thumb.
She stared up at him, unable to look away from the hypnotic pull of his dark gaze. “Then don’t.”
His head jerked in surprise.
“You…you could come in…for coffee.” She groaned inwardly at the clumsy words. At that moment, she wished more than anything that she had the courage to just tell him what she really wanted.
Him.
“Sure,” he said, watching her closely.
They walked into her apartment to find Prince still on the sofa, his furry head rested on his paws. He opened his eyes just enough to verify that it was her coming to the apartment.
Now that she had Carlos inside, she racked her mind for what to say or do next. She was more lost and unsure of herself than before. She turned to find him staring at her, his expression unreadable. It was both unsettling and arousing at the same time.
“Um, can I get you something to drink?” she asked, needing to give herself something to do. “I actually don’t keep coffee around, but I have tea and water or maybe—”
Her next words died on her lips as he strode toward her in quick, short steps. Without hesitation, he pulled her to him and kissed her—kissed her like it was their first and last time together, like he was afraid to let go.
With a soft sigh, Judith instinctively brought her hands up to his shoulders then moved them up to the sides of his neck, feeling the strength and restrained desire there.
He kissed her deeply, not leaving room for doubt of how much he wanted her. The sounds of their heavy breathing filled her small living room as his tongue dipped slowly between her lips, then made a slow retreat in the most erotic imitation of what her body ultimately craved.
And the quivering throb between her legs demanded more of his attention.
His hand slid down the curve of her spine and trailed past the small of her back until he came to the hem of her skirt. Slowly, he glided his hand over her thigh and she trembled from the gentle caress of his rough palm against her warm skin. She gasped when his fingers curved around her butt and gripped her tightly. He drew her up against his hard frame and she arched her back, desperately seeking out more of his touch.
He pulled away and stared at her with such stark need, it stole her breath.
“If you don’t want this, muñeca,” he said thickly, his face hard and flushed with desire, “now would be a good time to kick me out.”
He looked as if he was holding on to every ounce of his self-control. Her heart thudded in her chest. Just the thought of taking all that passion inside her made her body clench. Tonight, she would set aside all her inhibitions, all her doubts, and let herself get lost in the magnetic desire that tugged between them.
“I want this.”
Need burned brightly in his eyes and he pulled away from her. Before she could register what was happening, he removed his jacket and shirt in record time. A black tattoo of a vicious bulldog was printed boldly on the left side of his broad chest with the words Semper Fidelis beneath it.
She was mesmerized by his muscular frame and the strength exuding from him. But, he was gentle with her when he pulled her to him for another long, searing kiss and her body began to ease and open for him.
He tugged off her thin sweater as he moved his lips down the side of her neck. She closed her eyes as shivers coursed through her from the light touch. It took a moment for her to process that he was now pulling up her skirt.
Judith quickly placed a hand over his, stopping him. He looked at her questioningly with passion-filled eyes, but she didn’t want him to see her body. Not under the bright yellow glow of the lamplight.
Instead, she took his hand and quietly led him into her bedroom. There, in the darkness, she stripped out of her clothes. The dim glow of light coming from the window was enough for her to see his thick erection jutting toward her as he shed the rest of his clothes. The dimness helped ease her embarrassment as she stood before him naked. Before she completely lost her nerve, she went to him and slowly looped her arms around his neck and pressed fully against the hot, hard length of him.
He shuddered as a ragged groan rumbled in the back of his throat. Knowing she had that kind of effect on him, excited her. And increased her confidence.
Reaching between their bodies, she began to stroke his hard length, enjoying the steely heat in her palm. He closed his eyes and threw his head back, the muscles in his neck working as a low, harsh groan rumbled from him. She enjoyed watching him like this, completely open and consumed with pleasure. His erection pulsed and grew harder under her caress. She tightened her hold around him and he jerked out of her hand, releasing a muffled curse.
She froze. “Carlos?”
He let out a strained laugh and pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry, baby,” he said huskily, placing a damp kiss on her neck. “I’m just losing it too fast.” He kissed her on her chin then the underside of her jaw. “I’m not even inside you and I’m ready to come.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck, warmed by his admission. “It’s okay.”
He laughed again, though it sounded a little more like a groan. Grabbing her bottom, he lifted her against him and moved them until her back touched the cool bed sheets. He removed her glasses and placed them on the nightstand, then lowered his head toward hers. He trailed light kisses down her neck and over the tops of her breast before pulling away and reaching for the lamp beside the bed.
She looped her arms around him and drew him back down to her. “Leave it,” she whispered, kissing his neck, his jaw.
“I want to see all of you, baby,” he said gruffly.
But she grabbed his head and brought his lips to hers for another mind-numbing kiss. He instantly took over, kissing and caressing her everywhere, and bringing her to a state of frenzy. He pulled her taut nipple into his warm mouth, sucking vigorously as he slid a finger into her. The slickness of her body eased him in and she gasped sharply, lifting her hips to get more of his teasing strokes. She clutched at his shoulders as tiny prickles of pleasure coursed through her core. The intense sensations from last night in the supply room returned, and her body quivered and tightened around his thrusting finger.
“That’s right, baby. Come for me.”
He continued his slow, deep strokes in and out of her as the familiar clenching in her belly drew near. With a shaky moan, she convulsed around him. He held her as the tremors continued to course through her body. But he didn’t wait for her quivering to stop before he moved over her and guided his hard shaft into her. She inhaled sharply at the sensation of her body stretching around him. He pushed into the deepest part of her and they both released a trembling breath.
He kissed her and again she was lost in the heady pleasure of his lips.
“Hmm, baby, you were made for me.” He plunged deeply into her then slowly withdrew before he drove heavily into her again. “How does it feel for you?”
She gave a jerky nod, smoothing her hands over the bunched muscles of his shoulders. There was a fire building between their connected bodies and she was unable to speak from the intense pleasure coursing through her.
“Talk to me, baby,” he said hoarsely. “Tell me how it feels.”
She gasped then moaned at another powerful thrust. “It…it feels g-good.” Her voice quivered and she tightened her arms around him.
> “Good,” he said hoarsely then kissed her again. Deeply. Until she had no breath left to give.
Bracing an arm above her, he brought his other hand beneath her, raising her up into his surging hips. Her inner muscles quivered around his hard, retreating length and they both shook from the sensation.
“Jesus,” he rasped. “Me encanta la forma en que sientes, muñeca.”
She shivered at his low, passionate words and arched her hips to meet with each of his heavy thrusts. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his harsh breathing arousing her own cries of pleasure. She dug her fingernails into his shoulders as another orgasm loomed near.
With a deep groan, he plunged into her again and again. She squeezed her eyes shut, overwhelmed by the intense pleasure taking hold of her body.
“Eres mía,” he murmured thickly on another deep thrust.
She released a gasping moan as the bed shuddered from the force.
“¿Es esta mía?”
Judith bit her lip, trying to contain the harsh gasps that were being wrenched from her throat.
“Say yes, muñeca,” he demanded huskily.
She didn’t know what he was saying, but his rough command made her tingle all over and she gave him what he wanted.
“Yes,” she gasped. On a heavy thrust, her body clamped down fiercely around him, it almost bordered on pain. A pleasant sort of pain.
With a low grunt, he gripped her hips tightly, holding her to him as he pumped into her.
Her whole world shook then shattered.
With a sharp gasp, she convulsed around him, her orgasm ripping through her almost violently. Her nails dug into his sweaty back as harsh whimpers of pleasure trembled from her throat.
A few more strokes and his strong body tensed over her. With a long, harsh groan, Carlos too descended into the dark void, joining her where nothing but pleasure and fulfillment awaited.
****
He wanted her again.
He was spent, his heart hadn’t stopped racing, and his breathing was still shallow and rough. Yet, he wanted her again. From the delicious way her thighs still trembled around him, he knew she was still feeling the effects of their lovemaking.