Little Dove

by Layla Frost

Me: I ask myself that same question every day. Especially after I’ve come all over your tongue.

  Daddy: Fuck, you’re trying to kill me today.

  I settled in to read another of Ms. Vera’s Highlander recommendations in between drinking my virgin piña colada, dirty texting Maximo, and taking dips in the pool to cool off—from the heat and the messages.

  A couple hours later, I was on my fifth rotation around the lazy river when Marco called, “Time to go, Juliet.”

  Damn.

  When I reached the exit point, I gracelessly hauled my butt off my inner tube and exited the pool.

  Marco was waiting with a towel. “He texted you.”

  We went back to my lounger, and I grabbed my phone.

  Daddy: I’m going to be a little longer than planned. Did Vera pack you a dress?

  Me: Just the one I was wearing.

  The floral sundress was one of my own creations and the piece I was most proud of. The thin straps and high slit were perfect for the Vegas heat. There was a peekaboo cutout right under my chest that’d taken forever to get right, but it’d been worth it.

  It was pretty, but casual.

  Daddy: Go to Hilda’s for a new one. We’re celebrating tonight.

  Me: You found a location?

  Daddy: I found a location.

  Me: Yay!

  It wasn’t my company, yet I felt a surge of pride and excitement.

  “Apparently, we’re going shopping,” I told Marco.

  He was his usual robotic self at the news.

  Dan, however, had a face full of dread, as though he were in the midst of traumatic flashbacks involving endless hours at the mall with a girlfriend.

  I’d have laughed had it not been for the glare Marco shot him.

  Uh-oh.

  Going up to the room, I showered and got ready before putting my sundress from earlier back on. We rode the elevator to the main floor, and I made a beeline for the boutique.

  The woman behind the register smiled as we entered. “Hi. Welcome to Hilda’s. Let me know if I can help you find anything.”

  A lot different than last time when I was ignored.

  “Thanks,” I said.

  Within minutes, I found exactly what I wanted. Dark gray and completely off the shoulders, it was simple yet sexy.

  As soon as I took it off the rack, the attentive sales associate gestured to an archway. “The changing rooms are right through there. Shout out if you need a different size.”

  “Thanks.” Going into a stall, I tried it on to find it was perfect. I’d probably take the hem up an inch when I got home, but it wasn’t the dress’ fault I had short legs.

  There was a soft knock before the saleswoman asked, “What size shoe are you?”

  “Seven.”

  “Okay, hold on. I have a pair of pumps that would be perfect.”

  She returned a minute later and slid the box under the door. As she’d said, the gray suede pumps were perfect.

  Switching back into my clothes, I opened the door to find Marco waiting. “All set.”

  He lifted his chin and took my purchases to the front.

  As the woman rang me up, her gaze went to my outfit. “I love your dress. Where’d you get it?”

  “Uhh, I made it.”

  “Really? What pattern did you use?”

  “Just my own design,” I muttered, wondering if she was mocking me.

  I remembered how some of the mean girls in school used to ply their victims with compliments that were actually thinly veiled insults.

  And, even though I was the one being judgy, the picturesque brunette looked like she could be queen mean girl.

  “That’s so impressive.” She gestured around the store. “Most of what we sell is on consignment from designers. If you’re interested, I’d love to carry that dress. I can’t guarantee it will sell, so you might not make any money, but I bet it will. It’s perfect for this time of year.”

  Stunned excitement roared through me even though I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

  My dress.

  My favorite dress that I labored and obsessed over for weeks will be for sale.

  In a store.

  A store in Maximo’s resort.

  The same store he told me to go to.

  My heart went from racing to freezing, and my stomach dropped.

  Oh.

  Duh.

  “No thanks,” I forced out, disappointment choking me.

  She gave me a kind smile. “No worries.”

  Marco signed for my purchases as I silently seethed. Once he had my bag, he asked, “Do you want to go anywhere else?”

  I shook my head, growing angrier by the second.

  I remained lost in my thoughts as we returned to the penthouse. Even though I changed into my new outfit, I no longer felt like going out. I stayed in the bedroom, pacing as my thoughts darted and my anger stewed.

  Muffled voices came from the living room before the door swung open and Maximo filled the space. His eyes seared as he scanned my body. “Christ.”

  I opened my mouth to say hi, but that wasn’t what forced its way out. “Why would you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “You know what.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Attitude, Juliet.”

  “No,” I snapped back. “I’m used to you being underhanded and manipulative. Most of the time, I even like it because I’m fucked up. But you’ve never been mean. This was just mean.”

  “Watch the way you talk about yourself.” He crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Then start from the beginning because I’ve got no fucking clue what you’re talking about.”

  I studied him, looking for signs he was lying, but all I saw was confusion mixed with anger.

  Uh-oh.

  “Hilda’s wants to carry one of my dresses on consignment,” I shared, still watching closely.

  There was a hint of surprise and more than a bit of pride. “That’s amazing.”

  I still didn’t believe him. “Last time we were there, no one said a word to me. But today, she just happened to be chatty and offer to carry my dress?”

  “Last time, people were told to leave you alone so you could shop in peace.”

  This wasn’t his doing?

  “I was there with Marco. Maybe she put two and two together and figured out who I am,” I said as I fought to suppress my ever-growing hope.

  Maximo shook his head. “Marco pulls guard and tour guide duty to VIPs on occasion. No one would think anything of it.”

  There was no holding it back. The excitement I’d had earlier bubbled through my veins, but it was accompanied by a sense of panic. For all I knew, I’d blown a once in a lifetime opportunity by turning her down.

  Not to mention, Maximo looked ready to take me over his knee—dinner plans or not.

  Shit.

  I messed up.

  “You really didn’t have anything to do with this?” I checked.

  “No, I didn’t have to. If you want to keep sewing for fun, that’s fine. You deserve fun. But if you decide to take it further, I knew you could do it without my help.” He gave me a cocky smirk. “And I was right.”

  “Unless I blew it,” I whispered.

  Maximo stepped closer, menace and tenderness in his gaze. “Gotta work on your confidence, Juliet.”

  I had no doubt part of that would involve him spanking me until I begged and then fucking me until I came undone.

  And I wanted that.

  Just not right then.

  “Later,” I said, closing the distance between us. I grabbed his hand as I moved and continued toward the elevator. “I need to go talk to that woman before dinner.”

  “This isn’t over,” he rumbled as we descended.

  Filthy anticipation mixed with my excitement. “I hope not.”

  We got off on the main floor and I continued like a woman on a mission, dodging and weaving people. When we got to Hilda’s, I scanned the storefront, but the woman was gone.
<
br />   “Damn,” I whispered.

  “I’ll have Cole locate her number.” At my unsure look, he squeezed my shoulder. “Sometimes connections are good.”

  “Yeah, okay.”

  I was about to turn around when she came out from the back and stopped. A smile spread across her face as she scanned me. And then it froze and her jaw dropped when she saw who I was with.

  Okay, no way did she fake that.

  “Hi. Hello. Uh, sir. Ma’am,” she sputtered, flustered.

  “Is the offer about consigning my dress still open?” I asked.

  “Yes, of course. Definitely.”

  Probably more so now.

  “Then I’d love to do it.”

  “I was hoping you’d change your mind.” Going to the counter, she grabbed a business card and handed it to me. “The pieces we carry in different sizes sell best. The sooner you can get them to me, the better. If you have any questions, call me anytime.”

  Clutching the card, I grinned. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. I look forward to seeing them.”

  Maximo took the card and slid it into his pocket before taking my hand. “Enjoy your evening, Hilda.”

  “You, too, Mr. Black.”

  Hilda.

  This is her store.

  And she wants to sell my dress in it.

  Once again, how is this my life now?

  Maximo and I remained silent as we backtracked to the elevator. Once we were closed inside, he pressed the button to take us to the garage before yanking me to him.

  Brushing my hair over my shoulder, he looked down at me. “You were right.”

  “About?”

  A wicked smile curved his lips, and I braced even before he said, “I gave you time, and you earned that heated ass after all.”

  Oh no.

  But also…

  Yay!

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  Belonging

  Juliet

  “WHERE ARE WE?” I asked, looking out the window.

  When we’d left Moonlight, Maximo had taken me to the huge lot he’d put an offer on. Since he’d offered well over asking—and would pay cash with no contingencies other than an expedited closing—he’d heard back within an hour.

  The land was his.

  After we were done touring the site, we’d gone to dinner. As delicious as it’d been, I hadn’t eaten much. My stomach had been a mess of anticipation and excitement and nerves.

  I’d thought we were heading back to Moonlight, but I didn’t recognize the area.

  “Nebula,” he said.

  I whipped around to look at him. “Really?”

  He lifted his chin, taking a turn and then following the path up to park near the main entrance.

  Coming around, he opened my door and helped me out, not releasing my hand as we walked through the lobby.

  Moonlight and Star were stunning, but Nebula was superior by far. It lived up to all its expensive and ritzy hype. Dark with splashes of bright colors, shimmery stars, and swirls of smokiness, it was like the VIP section of outer space. There were statues, murals, and dangling pieces of reflective mirrors.

  I’d have loved to see more, but a cursory glance was all I could catch as Maximo practically dragged me through. We wound our way around the oval-shaped gaming floor and took a turn down a Black Resorts hallway before reaching the elevator.

  Once inside, I was up and in his arms, my back to the wall.

  “Will I ever not be so damn addicted to you?” Maximo growled against my neck before biting and sucking on my sensitive skin.

  “I hope not,” I breathed, making him groan.

  The elevator slid open and he carried me into a breathtaking suite, that again, I barely got a glimpse of on our way to a bedroom.

  “Why did you bring me here if you aren’t going to let me see anything?” I teased as he lowered me to stand.

  But there was no humor in his gaze. It was just fire and lust and desire. Need. “Because there is no one below us for three floors.” His hand gripped my ass, his hardness pressed tight against my belly.

  He didn’t elaborate, but I got his meaning loud and clear—emphasis on the loud.

  How bad is this going to be?

  Or maybe how good?

  Maximo took his time undressing me, his fingers and lips and tongue touching and caressing my skin. When I stood in front of him completely bare, he ordered, “Undress me, little dove.”

  I happily obeyed, though I didn’t take my time. I greedily stripped him as though he were the present I’d wished for my whole life.

  “Love the way you look at me.” Taking my mouth, he shuffled us back until my legs hit the bed. He tore his mouth away and lifted me onto it, shifting us to the center before positioning me on my hands and knees.

  Exposed and vulnerable and on edge, my nerves got the better of me. I started to close my legs, but his hand came down in a stinging slap and I froze.

  Another nine peppered my cheeks and thighs. Warmth and pain spread through my body, wrapping around me to loosen my muscles and clear my head. My chest dropped to the mattress, and my ass tipped up.

  Into his hand.

  Into the pain.

  “So perfect,” he praised, one last sharp spank connecting. And then his mouth was on me. His tongue speared into my pussy, devouring me. Groaning as though he were the one in heaven, he licked and sucked and flicked, driving me to the edge of orgasm before easing away.

  Over. And over. And over.

  Spanking my ass had been punishment.

  But getting me so close and not letting me fall was torture.

  His tongue lifted to swirl around my tight hole, and my body tensed.

  “Relax,” he murmured against me.

  “Easy for you to say.”

  “Juliet.”

  “But—”

  “Hush.”

  Hearing that made my pussy squeeze around nothing, empty and deprived.

  He resumed licking, his skillful tongue quickly driving me past the point of embarrassment. His thick finger pressed against my ass, but he only teased me before replacing it with his tongue.

  “Please,” I begged, my muscles so tense, my body ached.

  Rather than giving me the release I needed, Maximo took his touch away. “Don’t move.”

  “What?” As the bed shifted, I reflexively lurched upright to yank him back to finish what he started.

  His wild eyes shot to me. “I said don’t move. Don’t make me repeat myself again, Juliet.”

  Dropping my face to the mattress, I couldn’t see what he was doing. There was some rustling before he returned.

  His teeth sank into my sore ass cheek, making me cry out. “When I tell you something, I expect you to listen.”

  The comeback I had on the tip of my tongue disappeared when the tip of his tongue speared into me. He worked my clit, pussy, and ass until tears of desperation burned my eyes.

  I was vaguely aware of something clicking behind me before cold, slick lube coated my hole. That time when he pressed his finger against me, he continued, sliding it in.

  My breath caught in my lungs from the pain. The fullness. The stretching.

  “Breathe,” he whispered, his other hand rubbing my clit as he pumped his finger in and out.

  Easy for you to say, I wanted to repeat, but I couldn’t form words. Especially not when he added a second finger.

  If only two fingers made me feel like I was splitting apart, I didn’t know how I’d possibly take his cock.

  But the longer he worked me, the more I wanted to find out.

  “I need you,” I whimpered.

  “We’re just playing tonight,” Maximo said, his voice strained and husky with arousal.

  I may have been terrified of the pain and uncertain of the logistics, but that didn’t mean I didn’t want to do it. Or at least try. “Why?”

  “I need to get you ready.”

  “I am ready.” I rocked my hips back. “I need you.”<
br />
  “I’m still going to fuck this greedy pussy.”

  “I want to try.”

  Maximo hesitated for a long moment. “You sure?”

  No.

  “Yes.”

  Biting out a harsh curse, he removed his fingers and put more lube on me. I looked over my shoulder to watch as he coated the long length of his hard-on with it.

  Length I was going to take.

  What was I thinking asking for this?

  But then I stared as he stroked himself and remembered.

  I wanted him in every way I could get him. I wanted to continue trying new experiences because I trusted him.

  Because I loved him.

  He shifted to kneel behind me, the thick head of him pressed against my tight hole. “Tell me when to stop, Juliet. Don’t try to take it if it hurts too much. Understood?”

  “Understood, Daddy.”

  He eased in, and I felt like I was being shredded from the inside out. My muscles burned and stung with the intrusion, but there was an undercurrent of pleasure.

  A very under-undercurrent.

  “Relax, little dove,” he gritted out, not sounding all that relaxed himself.

  I did my best to inhale deeply, filling my lungs with much needed air as I forced my body to loosen.

  Maximo inched in farther. “Christ. So fucking tight.”

  He fucked me with the tip, shallow and slow. Every few thrusts, he pushed deeper. It skirted along that thin line between pleasure and pain until I couldn’t tell which was which.

  Shoving my face in a pillow, I muffled my throaty moan. The pillow was snatched from under me.

  “No one is on the floors below us,” he reminded me. “I want to hear you scream.”

  When he thrust in harder, I gave him what he wanted because there was no way in hell I could hold back. My moan mixed with a harsh cry, forming a sound I didn’t even know I could make.

  And Maximo loved it. Groaning, his arm circled me to play with my clit, adding to the confusing rush of overwhelming sensations.

  It hurt.

  It was amazing.

  I was so full.

  I wanted more.

  I was ready to explode.

  I was sure it would kill me.

  As his movements grew erratic and uncontrolled, I decided death by orgasm was worth it. I needed to come more than I needed my next breath.

  Maximo must’ve felt the same urgency because his speed and the pressure he used on my clit increased. His voice was low and strained. “I’m not gonna last much longer.”