She sat back admiring her handiwork and wondering what to do first. He looked up at her, trusting her completely. She ran her finger over his lips, down his chin and over his shoulders then lower to his nipple. He gasped and squeezed his eyes tight as he called out her name repeatedly. She smiled broader. The power to make him call out to her was exquisite. She could get used to this.
She leaned over and licked the nipple. He bucked his hips almost tossing her off balance. She licked the other nipple, and he bucked again. She scratched her nails down his chest to his stomach then to the band of his sweatpants. She moved to the side and untied the string, then removed the sweats and boxer briefs, releasing his penis. He opened his eyes and she asked, “Condoms?”
He couldn’t respond. He was teetering on dynamite ready to explode. The only thing holding him back was the sheer power of will and the need to see her explode along with him. She repeated her question, and he looked to the table beside the bed. As she reached across him to open the drawer, he leaned up and took her nipple into the warmth of his mouth. She gasped her surprise, but let him have his prize. Then breathlessly tormented she pushed back and leaned away. She opened the package and covered him, slowly with as much deliberate pleasure as she could give.
Stephen tensed as she straddled him again. “Mia,” he said, and then managed to ramble a few inaudible words.
She didn’t hear him, nor did she need to. Her thoughts were solely on the pleasure of his body. She ground her hips against his groin, pressing closer and feeling the hardness of his body respond with pulsating throbs.
He sizzled, groaning, feeling the need to let her dominate and do what she did so well. “Mia.”
“Shh,” she whispered in his ear. She kissed his chest and then came to his nipple again. “Do you like how this feels?” she asked, teasing him with her tongue. He didn’t answer. She nibbled him again, and he tensed and rumbled deep. “I asked you a question, Esteban. ¿Hacen usted tienen gusto de cómo esto siente?” He nodded weakly this time. “Contésteme,” she commanded. “Answer me.”
“Sí,” he replied.
“Good, do you want more?” she asked.
“Yes, sí, más.”
She gave him more while delighting in her new role. She reached up and kissed his neck, his shoulders and down his chest, loving the taste of his mocha skin. Then, centering her passion on his nipples, she kissed then bit him, then licked his painful pleasure away. He groaned with each love bite. This was good, but now she wanted even more.
She sat up and placed her body on target. Without hesitation, she impaled her core onto him, sliding down onto his erection. She screamed at the exquisite pleasure of being filled. He was harder, longer, stronger than she’d ever felt before. He said something in Spanish, but she was long past listening to his words. It was his body that spoke to her now as her body spoke to him.
She surged in deeper covering him completely, feeling his penis penetrate deep into her body. She ground her hips, adding intensity to the sensation. Then she released and thrust again. Over and over, in and out, back and forth, she pounded into his rigid body, churning and grinding into him just as the menacing waves she’d seen earlier. The same awesome power was there building to an unimaginable climax.
She leaned down with her hands beside his chest, dipping her breasts teasingly as her hips rocked. Unable to touch her with his hands, he leaned up and took her into his mouth. Her hips pounded as his mouth suckled, the same rhythm, the same intensity, the same power. Each shuddered and writhed breathlessly building what would surely explode in blinding ecstasy.
The fierceness of their bodies connecting swelled beyond all reason. She was coming hard; she could feel her stomach tighten and her arms weaken. She was losing strength as he seemed to gain it. His mouth released her and she sat up, reaching back, holding on to his thighs for balance. With her hips continuing the surge, and his arched up to meet each thrust, she looked into his eyes. Could he see the love that burned in the depths of her eyes?
Then all thoughts scattered as the swell of pleasure peaked and her climax came in a blinding rage. It burst forth, exploding into madness. He came as well, tensing then bucking wildly as tremors took them both with wave after wave of rapturous pleasure. Still looking into each other’s eyes, he bucked his hips up again and she gasped as he hit the nub of her pleasure once more. She inched away, but not before he bucked and she moaned again.
Trembling, she reached for the key she’d placed on the bedside table. Too weak to move, she dragged herself up to release his hand. He immediately wrapped his arms around her and held tight, swaddling her with his love.
“I don’t remember that in the book,” he said, still catching his breath.
“It wasn’t in the book, but maybe it should be. On second thought, maybe not.”
“Why not?” he asked.
“Because I think my heart stopped beating,” she whispered in total exhaustion, “I don’t think I can do that again.”
“Of course not,” he said kissing the top of her head and nuzzling her even closer. “Next time it’s my turn.” He took her hand, brought it to his lips and kissed her wrist gently.
She slipped her hand away cautiously. “I don’t know about that. That means I’d have to give up control and that’s not an easy thing for me to do. Not anymore.”
“Why not?” he asked.
“I learned the hard way that standing on my own and staying in control is a lot safer on the heart. I guess maybe I’ve had one too many disappointments in the past.”
“Mia, control is only an illusion. What you gain is trust.”
“Trust is even more difficult for me,” she said. “It seems that the people I trust most let me down, like my ex. I gave him complete control over my life. I trusted him. I even allowed him to take control of my dad’s place. That was a mistake. Never again. I trusted him and he betrayed me.”
“Not every man is like him. People aren’t perfect, Mia, but ultimately, we get past the hurt and see the best of the relationship and the love. For that you have to trust someone and let go of all fears and uncertainties. Can you do that?”
“That’s not easy for some people. After being used and betrayed, you lose faith and trust. You protect your heart.”
“But that’s exactly when you need to open yourself up even more. You need to release all the betrayal and pain, then you’ll see that not everybody’s the same. Not everybody is going to hurt and deceive you, at least not intentionally.”
“But what if you can’t get past it?”
“Love will make you try harder,” he said. “Do you still love Neal?”
“No, and the thing is, I’m not sure I really ever really did. Something always seemed to be missing in the relationship. It was forced and strained. It wasn’t easy like—” She stopped suddenly, realizing she was about to confess that it wasn’t easy like what the two of them shared.
“Like what?” he asked.
“Like some relationships,” she said.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Really?” she asked. He nodded. “So, is that what you did with your father—tried harder?”
“Yes.”
“And it worked for you?”
“Eventually, I realized that I can’t control my father. Nobody can. I can only control my reaction to him and what he does. Do I love him? Yes, do I like some of the things he does? No. But I’ve learned to live with that.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“It’s not. I had my family to help me.”
“Do you think he’ll change?”
“I don’t know. What about your ex-fiancé?”
“I’m long past caring. I hear he’s having second thoughts. Apparently the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.”
“It never is.”
“Well, that’s his problem, not mine.”
“I’m glad he’s out of your life.”
“Me, too,” she said sleepily. She si
ghed deeply then closed her eyes, imagining next time with their roles reversed and her tied to his bed, completely at his bidding. No control. She shuddered, liking the idea way too much.
Chapter 15
Dawn came too soon. Mia welcomed it out on the balcony wrapped in Stephen’s arms. They’d been up all night, making love. Dressed only in one of Stephen’s button-down shirts, she lay on his bare chest as he stroked her back lovingly.
“I think I like having you tied up and helpless,” she confessed. “It’s a power thing. It appeals to the dominatrix in me.”
“You a dominatrix, black leather, spiked heels and a whip. That’s an interesting visual. I think I like it.” He chuckled.
She laughed, too. “Well, maybe not totally a dominatrix, but definitely the endorphin power-rush part. It’s sexy to have power and control. You always hear about women drawn to powerful men. I guess that’s why. It’s a rush of total control.”
“Actually the submissive has all the power,” he said.
She sat up instantly and looked at him. “Oh, really?” she asked. “And you know this how?”
“You see and hear a lot of things patrolling Key West.”
She laughed as she lay back down. “So tell me something. Why did you become a deputy sheriff? I get the fact that you worked with your father then quit. But you were working in a major company, and you could have worked anywhere, done anything. Why law enforcement?”
“The hospitality business isn’t as pretty as it seems from the outside. I had offers, but I was burned out. I wanted to do something completely different. I wanted to help people, not intentionally harm them. It was my—”
Mia sat up confused. “Whoa, wait a minute. What do you mean you wanted to help people and not intentionally harm them? Are we talking about you masquerading as the Joker or Lex Luther here?” she asked.
Stephen smiled calmly. “Neither. I assure you I’m not a criminal mastermind bent on world domination,” he said quickly, “at least not yet.” He considered adding more, but didn’t.
“Stephen, what happened with the fire was an accident.”
“Was it? Your father didn’t seem think so.”
She didn’t have a reply. Instead she went back to the original question. “So how exactly does the hotel business intentionally harm people?”
“The details of management can be drastic. You can completely alter a person’s life with just a few words and a signature. When you’re in a position of power like that, it can become addictive driven by ego. As vice president, I made business decisions that at times hurt others. I lost sensitivity.”
“In most cases, isn’t that just the nature of the business, any business? I mean that was your job, right? Sometimes you have to fire people or do whatever it takes.”
“You can go too far. It’s like the power rush you were talking about before. Ego and power are a scary mix. My father has that, but I didn’t want it. As an officer, there’s no ego, and the only power you wield is the power to help others.”
“My dad and your father seemed to be the same type of man, strong-willed, stubborn and egotistical. I wonder if they could have been friends in a different scenario.”
“Interesting thought.”
“After all that you still didn’t answer why you became a deputy sheriff and not a lawyer or fireman. They help people, too.”
“I mentioned that my grandfather is county sheriff. I admire him, not just because he’s my grandfather, but for what he stands for. He’s kind, generous, patient, loving and brave. I hope I can one day come close to being as honest and forthright as he is.”
“You’re all those things.”
“Hardly,” he said.
“He sounds amazing.”
“He is. I can’t wait until you meet him.”
“I’d like that,” she said. “He’s your mother’s father, right?” He nodded. “And what about your grandmother?”
“They’ve been married over sixty years and they’re still so deeply in love. He cherishes her. It’s amazing to see them together. My grandfather tells this story that he met my grandmother on a Sunday and married her on Friday.”
“Is that true?”
“Yep, it’s true.”
“I guess when it’s love and it’s right, time doesn’t always matter. Okay, tell me more about your mother.”
“She’s a great lady. She lives in Marathon and runs a huge day-care facility. After her modeling career she was a grade-school teacher. She loves children. As a matter of fact she drives me crazy, constantly trying to send me on blind dates. She’s intent on getting me married so she can have a dozen grandchildren.”
Mia went quiet, suddenly feeling dizzy as her stomach flipped then sank. The idea of Stephen having children with another woman was wrong. But she knew she couldn’t say it. “She sounds nice,” she said, already disliking the woman.
“She is, although she’s been a bit annoyed with me lately.”
“Why is that?”
“I refused to play her debutant dating game. I told her months ago that I’d already found the woman of my heart.”
“Months ago?” Mia asked.
Before he could respond, his cell rang and he got up to answer. It was dispatch, and they needed him, he told her when he came back out onto the balcony.
Mia was standing at the rail looking out at the gray sky. She didn’t turn around. “You have to go?”
Seeing Mia standing there in just his shirt made him want her all over again. His body hardened instantly. He walked up behind her, pressing close and knowing she felt his desire. “Yes,” he replied. “But please stay. I want you here when I get back. We still need to talk.”
She turned around, shaking her head. “I don’t know if I can do that whole June Cleaver, white pearls and apron, waiting for my man to come home thing,” she said teasingly. Stephen tensed and closed his eyes as if in pain. Mia touched his face gently. “Hey, are you okay? Is it your shoulder again?”
He took a deep breath then shook his head, smiling down at her as he wrapped his arm around her waist. “Woman, don’t ever gave me a visual like that—you with just pearls and an apron on. I could lose my mind imagining all the ways I would make love to you.”
She laughed and pushed away, but he held her too tight. His expression was serious as she looked up into his eyes.
“It’s not just about the physical act of making love to you, Mia, you know that, don’t you?”
She nodded slowly seeing the power of his love for her reflecting in his eyes.
“You’re the one, Mia, the woman I told my mother about all those months ago.”
“But how is that possible?” she asked. “We just met. I didn’t know you months ago.”
“Pero, mi amor, te conocía.” He smiled, knowing that she understood exactly what he said.
“And how did you know me?” she asked, smirking at what she thought was an impossible admission since they’d only just met.
“I knew you because I’ve been waiting for you all my life. Mia, I love you.” He paused then smiled. “I’ve loved you for a very, very long time. And now you’re here with me.”
She believed him. Looking into his eyes and seeing his love was all she needed. She knew in her heart that he loved her. And as impossible as it seemed, she loved him, as well. “I love you, too, Esteban, with all my heart. I can’t explain it. I just know that I do. In just a few days everything in my world has turned upside down, changed, and you did that. It’s like you were made for me and I just had to find you and here you are.” She smiled at him, relieved to finally say the words and to hear them from his lips. “Now go to work. We’ll talk later.”
He grabbed her up and swung her around, laughing happily. “Are you kidding?” Stephen said. “How can I possibly just leave after waiting for so long to hear those words from you?” He stopped and let her slowly slide down the front of his body. “Mia, marry me, right now, today. I love you and I want to give you my body, my spirit,
my heart, all of me. I want to cherish and love you forever and beyond even then.” He fell to one knee and looked up at her. “Mia James, please marry me and be my wife.”
Mia smiled shaking her head. “Stephen, this is happening way too fast. We can’t get married just like that. There’s so much we don’t know about each other.”
“We’ll spend a lifetime learning. Marry me.”
“This is crazy. I can’t believe it,” she said breathlessly, as her heart pounded in her chest. Every nerve ending was tingling and her stomach was doing somersaults. “Stephen, stand up.” When he did, she looked up into his eyes.
“Mia, marry me, please.”
“Stephen, I do love you, but what if this is just the hurricane or just the excitement of everything going on?”
He shook his head. “It’s not. Mia, I’ve waited to be with you all my life. This isn’t the hurricane. This is for real. My grandfather once told me that when I found the one woman for me I’d know it in my heart. Mia, you are the only woman for me. I knew it even before we spoke. I know it here,” he said, taking her hand and holding it to his heart. “Marry me, please.”
“I need time. I’ll go to Dad’s house, pick up some clothes and meet you back here later.”
“No, don’t leave. Wait for me here, and we’ll go together.”
“What if you’re gone all day? I don’t have anything else to wear. I can’t keep wearing your shirts.”
“You don’t need clothes,” he said huskily, as he began unbuttoning the loose top. Five buttons later he opened the shirt and gazed admiringly at her naked body. He was instantly hard.
“We don’t have time for this, Deputy Sheriff Morales. You need to get to work to save the masses.”
“We have all the time in the world. I’m on cruise control,” he said.
“But what about breakfast? Aren’t you hungry? Don’t you want something to eat before you go?”
Sultry Storm (Kimani Romance) Page 14