Little Dove

by Layla Frost

  But his eyes were too alert. Too watchful.

  Too hungry.

  The fire flickered to the right of him, casting shadows that played with his angular features.

  Devilishly handsome and sinfully wicked.

  Phase four is definitely my favorite.

  Uh, phase one and then phase four.

  Wait, phase two and three were also…

  Fine, all the phases are my favorite. I planned a good day.

  Maximo’s eyes softened and lit with amusement when he saw my supplies. “Roasting marshmallows is phase four?”

  “Technically phase four is just relaxing with the fire.” I put a marshmallow on a skewer and handed it to him. “These are a bonus.”

  Getting my own ready, I set the bag down within reach and held Maximo’s offered hand as I stepped into the water. The quiet jets were set low, the foam and bubbles soothing. It was the perfect complement to the fire.

  It wasn’t the first time I’d used the hot tub, but it was the first time I was using it at night with the fire pit. It was also the first time I was using it with someone.

  Maximo settled me in his lap before putting his marshmallow in the fire.

  In it.

  Like some kind of monster.

  “You’re gonna,” I started before his dessert turned into a torch, “burn it.”

  He blew out the flame. “That’s the way I like it.”

  And then he ate the charred mess.

  Again, like some kind of marshmallow monster.

  “You’re crazy.” Positioning mine perfectly to the side, I spun the stick like I was roasting a pig on a spit. I was careful not to get it too close, unlike the insane person who grabbed another marshmallow, jabbed it onto his stick, and then jammed it into the flame. Again, he blew out his mini torch and ate it.

  I waited until mine was just right before removing it from the heat. Careful not to burn myself, I slid it off and popped it into my mouth. The outside was perfectly browned with a hint of chewiness and the inside was liquid amazingness.

  His arm tightened around my waist as he rested his chin on my shoulder.

  Not dislodging myself, I reached back blindly until I felt the bag. Pulling a marshmallow out, I got it onto the stick and started my process again.

  Once it was done, I shifted on his lap and offered him my beautiful creation.

  After a couple bites, he nodded. “You’re right, your method is better.”

  “Of course it is. Who in their right mind would eat a torched marshmallow?”

  “I’ve never been patient.”

  “What? I’m shocked.”

  He pinched my ass under the water.

  “Hey!” I shook my head. “I shared my precious marshmallow with you.”

  Grabbing four new ones, he put two on each of our sticks. That time, he followed my expert slow cooking technique.

  “I can’t remember the last time I ate these,” he said.

  “You don’t come out every night to toast marshmallows? I’m shocked again, what with all your free time and love of junk food.”

  He pinched my ass again, and I glared but couldn’t hold it long.

  Settling back against him, I ate my marshmallows that’d melted into one mega-mallow before sharing, “I’ve spent a lot of time out here.”

  “I know.”

  Why am I not surprised?

  Maximo seemed to know every move everyone in the universe made.

  Taking my empty stick, he set it on the ledge behind us with his own.

  “Hey—” I started before one of his hands went between my legs.

  Never mind, this is better than marshmallows.

  His other hand pushed into my top to tease my already hard nipples. Low and rumbly, he spoke into my ear. “Even when I shouldn’t have, I’d sit in my office,” he lifted his hand out of the water to point to the massive window that belonged to his office, “and watch you.” Dropping his hand, he pushed it inside my suit bottoms, his finger teasing me. “Watch you swim. Watch you read. Watch you float around like you didn’t have a care in the world.”

  Thanks to you, I didn’t.

  His finger slid into me as he used his hold to grind my ass against his erection. “I watched and I waited.”

  Swallowing hard, my word came out as I moan. “For?”

  “For you. For when I could have you.” Using the heel of his palm to rub my clit, he bit my neck, sucking the tender flesh hard enough that I knew it’d leave a hickey. He trailed his tongue up my neck and his lips grazed my ear as he whispered, “And just like your marshmallows, your sweetness was worth being patient.”

  If his hand wasn’t already sending me over the edge, his words would.

  My body tensed, my thoughts going hazy as everything faded.

  It all snapped back when Maximo’s hand stilled. He began teasing again, getting me close and then stopping.

  He’s trying to kill me.

  The bastard.

  So turned on, I was likely to explode from a strong gust of wind, I blurted, “I want to touch you.”

  It was his turn to go tense. “What?”

  “Can I touch you, Daddy?”

  “That’s something you never have to ask permission to do, Juliet. Touch me any-fucking-time you want.”

  Turning so I was straddling him, I pulled his mouth to mine. I ran my fingers through his damp hair. I rocked my hips against him.

  It was good.

  So good.

  But I wanted more.

  Breaking the connection, I peppered smaller kisses along his stubbled jaw. “I want to taste you like you taste me.”

  “Christ.” At his harsh curse, I pulled away, worried I’d messed up. But Maximo just cupped the side of my head in his possessive hold and stared at my mouth with heat that rivaled the fire. After a long moment, his hands dropped to span my hips and he lifted me to stand. He leaned forward to bite my nipple through my suit before rising to sit on the ledge. He positioned me on my knees between his spread legs.

  A jet hit my thighs, soothing my skyrocketing nerves. In all our times together, I’d never gone down on him. I hardly got the chance to touch him before he took over.

  Maybe I’d be awful.

  “Take my cock out,” Maximo ordered, leaning back.

  Since his impressive length was already stretched up and sticking out of his waistband, I tugged the fabric the rest of the way down to free him. It really was just as beautiful as the rest of him. A vein ran up his thickness, and I really wanted to lick.

  I waited for him to tell me what to do like he always did, but he just leaned back on his hands, watching me intently.

  The one time I want him to tell me what to do, he’s quiet.

  My eyes landed on the pool house and a thought occurred to me far too late. “Is Cole—”

  “At his own place.”

  Phew.

  Tentatively, I gave in to the urge to tease my tongue along the vein. Maximo’s low groan spurred me on, and I swirled my tongue over the head.

  I took as much of him into my mouth as I could before sliding back up. I repeated the process, going a little farther each time. My rhythm was choppy and my positioning awkward, but I was enjoying myself.

  More importantly, Maximo was enjoying himself if his grunts, groans, and roughly whispered praise were anything to go by.

  I knew his patience and control were running thin when he started rocking his hips. And I knew they were gone when he wrapped my ponytail around his hand and took over completely.

  Using his hold, he moved me how he wanted. Faster than I would’ve gone. Deeper than I would’ve gone.

  After a minute, he slowed me to a leisurely pace. “Drop your ass to your heels.”

  I sat back but kept my torso forward so I didn’t lose his cock.

  “My greedy girl,” he groaned, making my pussy pulse, constricting around nothing and just as greedy as my mouth. “Spread your knees.”

  When I did, the rush of water that�
��d been hitting my legs shot between them. I inched over until the jet was aimed at my clit.

  Reaching over to pop open the inconspicuous control panel, Maximo adjusted the dials until the pressure increased.

  Oh God. Too much.

  Maximo moved my head again, jamming his cock all the way back until I had to fight to relax my throat.

  Oh God. Not enough.

  I didn’t think I could come from water hitting my clit, no matter how hard the pressure. But paired with the obscene hotness of Maximo filling my mouth, it wasn’t long before I was teetering on the edge.

  The naughtiness of what I was doing.

  Of what he was doing.

  Of being outside.

  Of everything.

  It worked together, dragging every bit of pleasure from me until I was wrung raw. The onslaught of water was too intense on my oversensitive body.

  It hurt.

  I put my knees together, but Maximo pulled my hair and bit out, “Don’t fucking close your legs.”

  Tears filled my eyes, and I used every ounce of willpower to spread them.

  “Fuck. Yes. That’s my good girl.” His eyes went hooded as he released my hair and cupped the sides of my head. Using both hands to keep me in place, he thrust into my mouth.

  He fucked my face.

  Relentless and brutal and unhinged.

  The power that came from making him lose his carefully held control was addicting. I didn’t think I’d ever get enough of that rush or of him.

  So fast, I wasn’t expecting it, the overstimulated ache between my legs switched to bliss. The lines between pain and pleasure blurred as another orgasm tore through me.

  “Close your legs and give me your eyes,” Maximo ordered once I was done.

  Lids I hadn’t realized had closed snapped open as I gratefully shifted to protect my tender clit. His wild gaze went unfocused even as he maintained eye contact.

  The intense intimacy was as terrifying as it was enthralling, and I couldn’t look away. I couldn’t even blink.

  And I was glad I didn’t because I got to watch as Maximo pulled my mouth off him and fisted his cock. Within a few rapid strokes, his deep groan sounded around us as his come shot out, landing on my lips and chest before dripping between us.

  Panting like he’d run a marathon in under an hour, Maximo’s eyes traveled my face. “I want to take a picture of you right now and hang it on every surface in my house.” He paused before adding, “The ones no one else can see.”

  I was relieved he didn’t have his phone because I didn’t doubt he’d follow through. The sentiment was sweet, though. Obscene, but sweet.

  Opening the control panel, Maximo turned off the hot tub and fire before standing and offering me his hand.

  I climbed out and bent to grab the marshmallows and sticks.

  I’m never going to be able to look at the hot tub the same again.

  After returning the supplies to the kitchen, I followed Maximo up to the bedroom.

  Stripping off his trunks—and giving me a beautiful view that I wanted to photograph and display where only I could see—Maximo pulled on his joggers, sans shirt. “What did you plan for dinner, dove?”

  It took me a moment to prod my brain into working. “Pizza.”

  “So you’re set on eating nothing of nutritional value today,” he surmised.

  “Hey. Our sandwiches had lettuce on them.”

  He arched an eyebrow but didn’t argue further. “What do you want on the pizza?”

  I’m not the only one who’s more agreeable after coming.

  Filing that away for future use.

  Schooling my expression and tone to be nonchalant, I said, “Extra pineapple and anchovies.”

  Okay, this is also a moment I wish I could capture and keep forever.

  Horrified disgust twisted his features as he grimaced. “I’ll order two different ones.”

  I burst out laughing. “I’m kidding. Pepperoni with extra cheese. Like, a butt-ton of extra cheese.”

  “I’ll tell them those exact words.” Palming the back of my head, he pulled me to him and pressed his lips to mine, clearly not caring what was dried there. He broke the kiss and issued orders. “Go change and clean up while I order the pizza, then meet me downstairs. We’ll watch the next movie while we eat.”

  I watched him—and his muscular back—leave.

  Maybe I can convince him to take more days off.

  I’ll just be sure to ask after I make him come.

  _______________

  Why am I even surprised?

  Standing in the doorway of the sewing room, I looked in at the shiny new Serger sitting next to my sewing machine. It was big and intimidating and unbelievable.

  Turning around, I saw Maximo’s office door was closed, which meant he was gone. Of course.

  I walked over and grabbed the note off the machine.

  Vera said this will help with your hem issue.

  -Daddy

  God. He was unreal. He’d paid attention, figured out what I needed, and then did it.

  I’d never, ever get used to that.

  Bringing up my texts, I typed out a few different messages telling Maximo he didn’t have to keep buying me things. That I didn’t need anything. That him listening to me while I’d vented had been enough.

  I deleted all of them before deciding on something simpler.

  Me: Thank you, Daddy.

  His return message came within seconds, affirming I’d made the right choice.

  Maximo: That’s my good girl.

  I’m so screwed.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Silver Tongue

  Juliet

  “LITTLE DOVE.”

  “No dove here.” I burrowed into the pillows to hide my eyes from the evil bedside lamp. “Only a raccoon.”

  “Need you to wake up for a minute, then you can go back to sleep.”

  Cracking one eye—it was the best I could do—I peered up at Maximo.

  It didn’t matter if he was up crazy late or just working from home, Maximo was always awake, showered, and dressed at an ungodly hour, like some sort of weirdo.

  But he was a weirdo I missed.

  It’d been almost two weeks since his day off with me, and I’d barely seen him. Each day, he’d been gone by the time I woke and got home after I’d gone to sleep.

  “You awake enough to listen?” he rumbled, amused tenderness threading his tone.

  “Mmhmm.”

  “I’ll make it quick before you start snoring again.”

  That was enough to make both lids pop open. “I do not snore.”

  “Like a foghorn.”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Like a forest of lumberjacks sawing wood.”

  “Didn’t you have something important to talk to me about?” I gritted out.

  “You’re coming to the fight tonight.”

  I shot upright, nearly hitting his jaw with my head. “What?”

  “And staying the weekend with me at Moonlight.”

  “I am? We are?”

  I’d been dying to visit his hotels. Any of them. All of them. I didn’t care, I just wanted to see. But I’d kept that desire to myself. Part of it was I understood how busy he was. He didn’t have time to entertain me or be a tour guide, and he’d likely feel obligated to do both.

  Mostly, though, I’d worried he’d say no. Taking me to the underground fight where everyone had been wrapped up in their own depravity was one thing. But taking me to his place of work was far different. While logically I’d have understood if he didn’t want his personal life aired at work, I knew I would’ve felt like his dirty secret if he refused me. That would’ve hurt.

  And that hurt would’ve festered. It’d been easier to not even put it out there.

  I couldn’t get rejected if I never asked.

  His lips tipped. “I take it you like that idea.”

  “A lot.”

  “It’ll be a lot of waiting around.�
�

  “That’s fine. I’m just excited to finally see one of your resorts.”

  His eyes narrowed.

  Oops.

  And shit.

  “Have you been wanting to?” At my non-answer, he lifted his chin. “You’ve been wanting to. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Not sharing the main reason, I gave him a smaller truth. “I know you’re really busy, and I didn’t want to be in the way.”

  “You’d never be in the way. A distraction, fuck yeah, but one I want. I didn’t know you wanted to come. You never said anything so I thought…” His eyes went soft as he stroked my hair and finished, “I thought casinos would be hard for you because of Shamus.”

  “Gambling is probably ruined for me,” I agreed. “But there’s more than just that, right?”

  “Right.” His lips tipped before going serious. “If you want something, you need to tell me. Sometimes the answer will be no, but telling me what you want is a rule. Understood?”

  “Understood.”

  “I’m betting you don’t want to wake up and come with me now.”

  “I do not.”

  He grinned.

  And it was beautiful.

  “Ash will bring you later. I’ll have Vera pack you a bag, so make sure you let her know what you want. One of your dresses ready?”

  I wish. Maybe then I wouldn’t want to put my head through the pretty dove canvas.

  I shook my head. “But I’ve got—”

  “I’ll send something over.”

  “Maximo, I have…” I started before his eyes narrowed.

  “Who am I?” he bit out.

  “Daddy.”

  “And what does Daddy fucking love to do?”

  “Take care of me.”

  “Then stop trying to take that away from me, or I’m not going to be happy. And neither will your burning, red ass.”

  Because he’d been gone so much and therefore unable to spank my ass, his threat made a surprising amount of longing surge through me.

  And I must not have done a good job hiding it because Maximo’s expression shifted from hotly stern to just hotly hot. “You like that.”

  I did.

  A lot.

  “Not the you-being-unhappy part,” I clarified.

  “Noted.” Stroking my hair, he lowered his voice. “I haven’t been doing a good job taking care of you. I’ll make it right.”

  You’re the only person who’s ever taken care of me.