“Am I free to go?” she asked quietly.
“I’m not going to hold you here against your will, Maria. But I think we both agree that if Carlito finds you before you get off this island, it won’t bode well for you.”
Indecision flickered in her eyes. “I’ll stay the night. If we haven’t located him by morning, I’ll go to the nearest town and catch a bus to the airport.”
“Give me two days,” Oz protested, staring into her big brown eyes.
Maria reached up and brushed some windblown strands of hair from her face. “And then what?”
“Then, I kill him.”
She flinched, but didn’t move. “And if he kills you instead?”
“He won’t,” Oz assured her, taking hold of her hand. “I’m not so easily killed.”
Maria didn’t look convinced, but she allowed him to lead her inside.
She glanced around, an awed look on her face. “Wow. This is beautiful.”
Oz hid a smile, secretly loving the fact that she appreciated the beauty of his home. “Thank you.”
Her gaze landed on a door that led off the kitchen. “Where does that go?”
“Below ground. Come. I’ll show you.”
Oz opened the door to the basement and flipped on a light.
Taking hold of Maria’s elbow, he ushered her down the steps to his sleeping quarters.
Her eyes lit up as she took in her surroundings. “This is insane.”
Oz laughed. “I’m a bit eccentric, I’ll admit.”
“Eccentric?” Maria chuckled. “I love it.”
The basement, being the same square footage as the upper floor, was roomy with concrete walls and track lighting. Oz’s king-size bed sat on a dais against the back wall, near a large tiled bathroom with a walk-in shower.
Oz had designed the basement to his liking, adding a red light to all four corners of the ceiling. The white carpet covering the floor appeared pink from the glow of the red lights.
A massive, flat-screen television hung on the far wall above a fully stocked bar, while an antique oak desk sat on the opposite side of the room, with his computer and phone resting on top. Several weapons and half a dozen monitors took up most of the wall above the desk.
Maria glanced down at her feet. “Oh no. My shoes!”
“It’s all right, Maria. It’s only carpet.” Oz pulled open the closet. “If you would like to change clothes, I’m certain you can find something in here that will fit you.”
Oz watched as Maria trailed over to the closet before quickly retreating. “I’d rather not wear something left here by one of your…” She turned toward the stairs.
“My what?” Oz questioned, stepping in front of her.
Maria skirted around him without bothering to answer.
Oz caught up to her at the top of the stairs. “Hey,” he began, reaching for her hand. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, of course not,” Maria answered, pulling her hand out of his grasp. “I’m just tired is all. Where am I sleeping?”
Oz glanced back behind him. “You can have my bed. I’ll take the couch.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t ask me,” Oz pointed out. “I offered. Besides, you’re safer down there. The basement with its solid steel door was made to withstand a bomb. No one can get to you beyond that door.”
A tiny indention appeared between her eyes. “What about you three? I’ll be safe, but you won’t.”
“We’ll be fine,” Oz assured her with a wink. “I’m going to have Pedro run into town and pick up some supplies. Is there anything in particular that you want or need?”
Maria shook her head. “I’m sure whatever you get will be fine.”
“Very well. Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be busy for the next hour or so.”
Oz strode from the room and hurried outside to get some air. He couldn’t seem to breathe around Maria. She affected him in ways he couldn’t understand.
He’d spent all of his adult life and most of his teen years going through one woman after another.
Oz loved women. They were soft and sexy with bodies just made for pleasure. And they had taught him how to please in return. He’d adored them all, each and every one. But that was as far as it went. No matter how many hearts he’d regrettably broken in the past, Nicho Ozele had never been in love.
Yet there he stood, reduced to a nervous, palm-sweating idiot. And all because of one slip of a female, his enemy’s sister, with hips apparently made by the gods.
Chapter Fourteen
Maria stood at the top of the stairs long after Oz had left. She was in trouble, and she knew it. The more time she spent with him, the more attracted to him she became.
What is wrong with me? she wondered for the hundredth time. No matter what her father had done, he was still her flesh and blood. How could she allow herself to develop feelings for his killer?
She pictured Oz as a child, his mother forced into prostitution and told to sell her son into sexual slavery. A little boy who grew up without his mother after she’d been murdered by Maria’s father.
Descending the stairs to the basement, Maria dropped heavily into the chair situated in front of the desk and let the tears fall.
Oz’s sordid past was not her fault any more than he could be blamed for her being the daughter of Carlito Acosta. They were simply two pawns in a game of chess that neither of them could win.
Grabbing a tissue from the desk, Maria cleaned her face and eyed the phone. She should check on her mother. What if Carlito had hurt her or was holding her in exchange for Oz and Maria’s surrender?
She snatched up the receiver and brought it to her ear before dialing her mother’s number.
It went to voicemail.
With a shaky breath, Maria waited for the beep. “Hi, Mom, it’s me. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay with you. And to let you know that I’m safe. I’ll call you back as soon as I can… I love you.”
Ending the call, Maria slowly stood and made her way to the bathroom to rinse her overheated face.
“Are you down here?” Fiona called from the top of the stairs.
Maria dried her face and waved the other woman down. “Come on in. I was just using the restroom.”
“Have you been crying?” Fiona inquired, concern evident in her golden eyes.
Maria waved her toward the bed before taking a seat herself. “I’m just worried about my mom. If Carlito doesn’t find me soon, I fear he might hurt her. If he hasn’t already.”
Fiona’s gaze softened. “I’m sure she’s okay.”
Obviously attempting to change the subject, Fiona glanced around the room. “It looks like Al Pacino exploded down here.”
That got a laugh from Maria. “Yeah. I noticed. The guy definitely has unique tastes.”
Fiona stood and meandered over to the desk and flipped a switch. The monitors on the wall above it came to life with a soft hum. “Damn. He’s got a great setup.”
Maria quickly joined Fiona, her mouth hanging open in surprise. “Wow, he has cameras everywhere. Paranoid much?”
Fiona grinned. “I would be too if I had the Cuban cartel looking for me. No offense,” she amended, apparently realizing what she’d said.
“None taken,” Maria assured her, hating that her father had been the leader of the cartel for more than thirty years before his death.
Fiona switched off the monitors. “Gryke and I are going to check out the area near the hotel. Will you be all right here by yourself?”
Maria nodded. “Oz will be back shortly. Besides, I’m safer down here than anywhere.”
“If you’re sure?”
“Really, Fiona. I’ll be fine. I’m just going to catch up on some news. See if there have been any breakthroughs on the Incola virus.” She also wanted to explore her feelings for Oz, but Fiona didn’t need to know that.
With a slight nod, Fiona marched across the room to the stairs. “Lock this door behind
me.”
Maria did as she was told. She engaged the locks and returned to the desk, her gaze drawn to a drawer situated at the top left corner.
Glancing back at the door, she slid the drawer open, taking in the contents scattered inside.
A photo caught her attention, and she picked it up to see Oz sitting in a chair with a beautiful smiling brunette on his lap.
Jealousy tore through Maria as she gazed at the brunette’s gorgeous features. Was she an old lover or someone he currently saw?
The sound of a lock turning caught Maria off guard. She quickly returned the picture to the drawer and spun to face the stairs.
Oz stood at the top with bare feet and tousled hair.
“You’re back,” Maria mumbled, watching as he closed and locked the door before descending the stairs. He was so handsome her knees weakened just looking at him.
He moved to the bar and poured himself a drink. “Care to join me?”
Maria nodded, slowly trailing toward him. “What did you find out?”
“Carlito and his men are at the hotel. Rivera is with him,” Oz stated before downing his drink and pouring himself another.
Maria’s stomach clenched. She waited for him to finish his second drink before she spoke. “Do you know how many there are?”
Oz poured her a whiskey and handed her the glass. “Too many.”
Her hand trembled slightly as she accepted Oz’s offering. “He knew we’d be back.”
“He knew I’d be back,” Oz corrected, splashing more whiskey in his glass. “He probably figures you’re dead.”
Maria hoped her brother thought her dead. She took a sip of her drink, studying Oz’s determined expression over the rim of her glass. “What are you going to do?”
His jaw tightened in anger. “What I should have done when I had the chance. Kill him.”
“How are you going to do that without innocent people getting hurt? He’s barricaded himself inside your hotel.”
Oz dragged a palm down his face. “The hotel is empty of guests. They were evacuated after Carlito shot up the lobby.”
A thought occurred to Maria. “I can lure him away.”
“No,” Oz growled, pouring himself yet another drink. “I won’t allow you to use yourself as bait.”
Maria lifted her chin. “You won’t allow me?”
Anger flashed in Oz’s eyes. He slammed his glass down and skirted the bar. “If you think for one second that I would let you go anywhere near that psycho, then you’re just as crazy as he is.”
Maria took a step forward, tightening the gap between them. “You don’t tell me what I can and can’t do. You’ve agreed to set me free, and that’s exactly what I am. Free!”
“Where are you going?” Oz barked as Maria pivoted on her heel and marched toward the stairs.
“I’m out of—”
The rest of her words were cut off as Oz gripped her by the arm and spun her around to face him. “Don’t go.”
“But—”
“Don’t go,” he whispered, pulling her against him.
Maria’s heart pounded hard enough she was sure he could hear it. “Why?”
His lips slowly descended. “Because it’s too dangerous.” He kissed the corner of her mouth. “Because I’m asking you to stay.” He kissed her chin. “Because I need you, Maria. And if I don’t have you soon, I’m going to die.” His mouth slanted across hers.
Butterflies took flight inside Maria’s stomach. She couldn’t think beyond Oz’s words, his mouth moving against hers.
She kissed him back with all the pent-up passion she held inside. Passion unlike anything she’d ever known.
Her arms instinctively encircled his neck, and she lifted, wrapping her legs tightly around his waist.
Oz growled into her mouth, cupped her ass, and ground his erection against her now wet center.
Maria was on fire. She couldn’t get close enough. Her teeth clicked against his so desperate was she to taste him.
She wanted to bite him, lick and suck every inch of him she could reach.
The feel of his rock-hard shaft grinding against her triggered an animal instinct she never knew she had.
Maria rode his jean-clad erection in a near frenzy, reaching for the orgasm that begged to be freed.
“Son of a bitch,” Oz snarled, breaking off the kiss and striding toward the bed.
He dumped her onto the mattress and followed her down.
Chapter Fifteen
Oz had never seen such passion in a woman. Maria’s hips bucked against him, threatening to unman him before he could even remove his clothes.
Her back arched, and her mouth fell open, releasing sporadic gasps of air as she rode out her orgasm in a beautiful, climatic surrender.
Oz stayed with her until her shuddering calmed and her legs fell limply away from his waist.
She softly moaned, reaching for him as he reared up and unzipped her jeans. “Hang on, sweetheart. Almost there.”
“Hurry,” Maria whispered, her hooded gaze full of passion and a craving for more.
He dragged her jeans down her legs, taking her panties with him before releasing his own zipper and freeing his aching erection.
Gripping his swollen shaft, Oz swiped the mushroom-shaped tip through her wet heat and thrust.
Maria cried out at his entry, her legs returning to the death grip they’d recently had on his waist.
Oz’s head fell back, and his teeth clenched in an effort to keep from spilling his seed.
“Don’t move,” Oz panted, taking deep, calming breaths as Maria’s hot inner walls tightened around him.
Her eyes silently pleaded with him, centering his focus on her and off his impending release.
Oz sank deeper into her, loving the feel of her, the look of relief on her face.
His gaze drifted down her stomach to the place where their bodies were connected, and all the breath left his lungs.
“Damn it, Maria, I can’t hold back.” Sitting up, Oz threw her legs over his shoulders, yanked her hard against him, and drove into her with a force completely out of character for him. His hips pounded against her ass, driving him into her deeper and deeper.
Opening his knees wider, Oz wrapped his arms around Maria’s thighs and lifted, bringing her ass onto his lap. It was a move guaranteed to reach maximum penetration, and nail her G-spot.
Maria began to pant, a sheen of sweat popping up on her forehead. “Oz?” she cried in desperation.
“I can feel it,” he growled, pumping into her with hard, deliberate strokes.
He reached down and pressed his thumb against her swollen bundle of nerves.
Maria’s body seized. A hoarse scream ripped from her throat, and warm, wet liquid squirted from her, christening his chest with her incredible climax.
Oz’s shout ricocheted off the walls as his seed burst from him with a force that crippled him.
His body shook, his head dropped back on his shoulders, and every muscle he possessed locked up.
He wasn’t sure how long he stayed in that position before he could breathe once again.
Blowing out a shuddering breath, he lowered his head and met Maria’s sultry gaze. “My God…”
She stared up at him in wonder, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction. “I didn’t know that was possible.”
Reaching up to touch his damp chest, Oz held her gaze. “It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
Maria softly smiled. “It felt incredible. Is that what men feel when they ejaculate?”
“I’m not sure, but I’d be willing to bet it’s close.”
With a stretch, Maria lowered her legs from his shoulders. “It was amazing. I’ll never forget it.”
“I’m not done with you yet.” Oz pushed her knees wide and slid between her open legs.
“You’re going to—”
He swiped his tongue through her sweet, wet slit, cutting off the rest of her question.
A moan slipped from her,
calling to the primal side of him.
The taste of her intoxicated him. He couldn’t seem to get enough.
Her hands sank into his hair as he opened his mouth over her to torment her with his tongue.
He teased and manipulated her into a frenzy, slipping two fingers inside her heat and curling them forward.
Her hips bucked beneath him, and soft, sexy sounds escaped her throat.
Oz sought out her sensitive bundle of nerves and sucked it into a swollen, hard pearl of need.
Maria went wild. Her grip tightened in his hair, her legs began to shake, and she ground herself against his face, coaxing him to move faster, to suck harder.
Without breaking the suction he had on her, Oz pumped his fingers inside her and flicked her rapidly with the tip of his tongue.
The sound that left her lungs was purely sexual in nature. She stiffened beneath him, pressing her feet into the mattress and lifting herself more firmly against his face.
The feel of her vaginal walls contracting around his fingers let Oz know to back off slightly with his mouth.
He continued to softly lick her through her orgasm, staying away from the area he knew would be too sensitive for him to touch.
“Come here,” Maria whispered, tugging gently at his hair.
With one last swipe of his tongue, Oz crawled up her body and rolled to his side, taking her with him.
Tucking her head on his arm, Oz kissed the tip of her nose. “I had a feeling it would be like this with you.”
“So did I,” she quietly confessed. “Well, almost. Some of it was a surprise.”
He reached up and traced her cheekbone with the tip of his finger. “What am I going to do with you?”
A shadow passed through Maria’s eyes. “Why did I have to be born an Acosta? Why couldn’t I be from a normal family?”
Oz hated the sadness he saw dwelling in her gaze. “I suppose things could be worse. You could be a descendent of the Bracadytes everyone wants dead.”
Maria stared at him for long moments in silence. “Are you telling me that you’re an alien?”
Oz turned his head and stared up at the ceiling. “Not fully, no. But I carry their blood in my veins.”
Maria’s finger beneath his chin prompted him to meet her gaze once more. “Do you carry the virus?”
Oz: A SciFi Alien Romance (Enigma Series Book 5) Page 6