by Ravenna Tate
“No, especially not on a Saturday.”
“I almost always work weekends.”
She wanted to ask him what else he usually did on weekends, but any comment she made now would come off as bitchy, so she tasted the eggs. “These are seriously fantastic.”
“An old family recipe.”
“My grandmother used to make these and I thought no one could make them taste as good, but these are just like hers.”
“A grand compliment indeed. Thank you. What do you have planned today?”
“I have two lessons this afternoon, but otherwise I don’t have any plans.” That made her sound pathetic and lonely.
“Where do you teach?”
“I rent space at the gym.”
“Won’t it be nice not to have to do that anymore?”
“It will be wonderful.” Soon, she’d have her very own studio in a prime corner location. At least she had that to look forward to, but leasing the space also meant she’d run into Damien a lot more than would make her comfortable. Was it too late to back out of the lease?
They ate in silence for a few minutes. The food really was incredible, and she asked for seconds, as well as another cup of coffee. There was no sense in wasting it, and she needed to eat if she was going to teach later.
“What time are your lessons?”
“One o’clock and two-thirty.”
“Then I’ll wait until you’re free so we can visit the mall together.”
She stared at him for a few seconds. “You don’t mind? I assumed…” What had she assumed? That he’d kick her out as soon as he’d fed her? Well, yes. That was exactly what she’d assumed.
He paused in the act of bringing his fork to his mouth, placed it down next to his plate, and turned to face her. She watched confusion and then understanding fill his face, and was now totally convinced that he was a mind reader.
“Sela, did you think I wouldn’t want to spend the day with you?”
She nodded because her voice seemed to have disappeared.
“Nothing could be further from the truth. Last night was heaven. All of it. The music, the food, the sex, but most of all simply being with you. I want to keep seeing you, and I certainly hope you feel the same way, otherwise I’m the biggest fool in the world.”
She had to say something, no matter the consequences. Her pulse raced. “For how long?” He gave her a blank look. “How long do you want to keep seeing me?”
“For as long as you’ll let me.”
Enough was enough. She had to know the real truth before she dug herself in any deeper. “Damien, come on. Let’s get serious. I know your reputation. I’m very attracted to you, and I had a fabulous time last night, but I told you that I don’t want to be just another notch on your bedpost.”
His gaze turned hard. “Did you see any on there?”
“What?”
“Notches. Did you see any on the bedposts?”
She swallowed hard at the coldness in his voice, wishing she’d kept her big mouth shut. “No.”
The expression in his eyes softened. “Sela, I meant what I said to you yesterday. I used to be that guy. I’m sure Santino has told you many things I wish no one knew. I was with a different woman every month, sometimes every week. But I’m not that person anymore. I swear to you.” He took her hands. “Look, I know this is sudden, but I don’t do anything half-assed. I want you in my life. This isn’t a fling.”
She was stunned. Everything she’d assumed earlier was dead wrong. “How can you know that? You haven’t seen me for six years and admitted you hardly remember meeting me.”
“I know because your eyes pierced my soul when I looked into them on Wednesday. I know because last night was the most erotic, sensual, meaningful night I’ve ever had, with any woman. I know because I’m singing this morning, and the sight of you in nothing but that robe makes my blood boil. I know because if I didn’t think you’d run out of here, screaming, thinking I’d gone loco, I’d ask you to move in here with me today, and beg you to stay for the rest of your life.”
The rest of the eggs and coffee were going to get cold, or at least cool. No doubt about it, because Sela kissed Damien like she might never do it again. When she slid off her stool and pushed her body closer to his, he undid the tie on her robe. It fell to the floor, and then his t-shirt was off and his sweatpants were around his ankles. He turned her around, and before she could process what had just happened, she was leaning face-down, over the counter, her face inches from her plate.
“Oh, Sela…” Damien’s breath was hot against her neck as he nuzzled it, reaching underneath to caress her pussy. “You’re so wet for me.”
“As if I can help it.” Just like that, he’d chased away the doubts and she was ready for him all over again. He was either magical, or she was the biggest sucker in the world. Either way, all she could think about now was having him inside her again.
He rubbed her ass cheeks, and Sela couldn’t help fantasize about what he might smear on them this morning within his reach. It would be shame to ruin those eggs, but it might be fun to try.
As if sensing her thoughts, Damien strolled over to one of the cupboards, stepping out of his sweatpants as he did until he was butt naked. He opened the door and perused the collection of bottles and jars, finally pulling a bottle of coconut oil off the shelf. “This will do.” Then he walked over to the small desk in the corner, opened one of the bottom drawers, and pulled out a box of condoms.
She laughed. “You keep them in the kitchen?”
He had the grace to look slightly embarrassed. “No, but I bought these a few months ago and it just occurred to me that I never got around to taking them upstairs.”
She eyed the bottle of oil. “What did you have in mind that would require oil and condoms?”
He raised his brows. “One guess, niña.”
“What about the rest of our breakfast? Are we going to let it get cold?”
He sauntered toward her with a molten look of lust in his dark eyes. “Yes, and it’s your fault for being so damn seductive.”
“When you put it that way, I guess eating is overrated.”
Damien shook his head and placed the oil and condoms on the counter, next to her nearly empty plate of eggs. Then he nuzzled her neck again, reaching underneath to play with her nipples. “Not eating you. That’s not overrated. I will never grow tired of that.”
Sela sighed and relaxed into his body behind her. His dick rubbed her ass crack, and all she wanted was to fuck him again. “So, you want to have anal sex?”
He brushed his hands over her abdomen, and then across her pussy which was now soaking wet. “Have you had it before, niña?”
“Yes.”
Sela moaned softly as Damien brushed his cock against her swollen pussy. “Did you enjoy it?”
“It was all right.”
He moved so he could see her face. “Did someone hurt you?”
She was touched by his concern. “Not intentionally.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means he didn’t use any lube.”
Damien shook his head. “I would never do that to you. Never.”
She swallowed hard. “I believe you.” She’d been so wrong about him. He may have been a womanizer at one time, but the man standing before her now was a compassionate gentleman who wasn’t out to hurt her or use her. “And in that case, I’d love to try again.”
His soft sigh sent shivers down her spine. “Thank you.” Damien moved behind her again and cupped her pussy, rubbing her clit with his thumb. Sela moaned once more, pushing back against him. He kissed her neck. “First in the pussy, and then I’ll put on the condom and go slowly inside your luscious ass. I want you to enjoy this.”
He moved his hand to her ass cheeks and caressed them, slipping a finger down her ass crack every few seconds. Sela writhed against his touch as her moans grew louder. She couldn’t take much more. She needed him inside her now.
When he final
ly slid his dick into her pussy, Sela cried out in pleasure as he fucked her slowly. He rubbed her clit at the same time, but withdrew before she could come. She panted, wondering how he knew exactly at what point she was poised on the edge. He was such a damn tease, but she loved it.
“If you don’t like this, all you have to do is say so and I will stop.”
“Okay.” She tensed, but the only sensation was a warm, wet finger gently slipping into her asshole. Sela let out a long sigh as she grew used to the fullness and relaxed her muscles. It felt heavenly, and that wasn’t something she’d expected. Damien moved his finger in and out, stretching the walls, and then he withdrew it and inserted two fingers.
He’d also put more oil on them because everything was wet now, but she didn’t mind. That he was taking such care touched her heart, and she had to blink back tears. She’d never been the kind of girl who dreamed about her perfect man, but if she’d had to describe him, Damien came as close as possible to the one she would have conjured up.
“Are you ready, Sela?”
“Yes.”
He kissed her lower back again, and then she heard him put on a condom.
“Don’t tense your muscles, niña. Just try to relax. I promise I won’t hurt you.”
How could she do anything but melt into him at the sound of such soft, smooth words? He teased the opening to her ass with his sheathed dick, and then slowly, gently, slid it inside. He took his time, letting her get used to the fullness, whispering endearments in Spanish the entire time. Her pussy contracted, which was an unexpected boon. By the time he got his entire cock inside her ass, Sela shook her head back and forth as the orgasm began.
When he caressed her clit, her climax exploded in a dizzying display of flashing lights behind her closed eyelids. She could do nothing but grasp the edge of the counter and hang on for dear life. Damien groaned loudly and fucked her ass slowly, but his entire dick was inside her with each thrust. She felt no pain, only the most exquisite pleasure imaginable. This was definitely a first. Ass-fucked next to the breakfast dishes.
“Sela, please tell me you like this.”
“It’s incredible.”
“You feel so damn good!”
It didn’t take long for him to come, and once he did, he took off the condom and eased her to the floor to hold her tightly. The tiles felt blessedly cool against her sweat-covered body. They’d both need a shower now, and she whispered that to him.
He nuzzled her neck and chuckled softly. “What a perfectly wicked idea.”
As Damien helped her stand, he took her hand to lead her upstairs. Sela wondered how she’d have the energy later to give two dance lessons, but suddenly it didn’t matter. She only wanted to be with this seductive, passionate man.
Chapter Eight
Damien found it difficult to concentrate on work the following week. His mind wandered to the erotic weekend he’d spent with Sela, and each time it did, his dick grew rock hard and he relived every exquisite moment.
After the kitchen experience Saturday morning, they’d showered, and then he’d made love to her again on the bathroom floor this time. The woman wasn’t squeamish about trying anything new, and she had an adventurous streak he’d longed to find in a woman all his adult life.
Before her lessons, as he’d promised to do, he’d shown her his collection of antique musical instruments. She had tears in her eyes as he described where each one had been found on the surface, and how he’d lost most of the collection he used to have when the floods came, because he hadn’t had time to move it underground. All of them had lost so much, and it touched him that she understood how much things that were only luxury items to most people had meant to him.
He’d met her at the new mall after her dance lessons because it was a short walk from the gym, and she’d been delighted with the progress on the corner suite. Damien had phoned Ernest and Tomás the week before, and asked them to hurry up on that suite if possible, using the excuse that having the corner done would attract others to the project because of the visual appeal.
Tomás was fine with the plan, but Ernest had tried to give him shit, saying Bart Tabor, the building inspector, wasn’t the kind of man who could be pushed into anything. Ernest had said that even if they finished the unit well ahead of the others, that was no guarantee that Bart would give it a green light without the others done.
Damien had built far more structures in this city than anyone, and one additional phone call to Bart had taken care of Ernest’s concerns. Bart had said he’d be happy to push up the inspections on the unit whenever Damien needed them. He hadn’t told Sela that the unit was now slated to be ready in two months instead of three. He’d wanted it to be a surprise for her.
Every day he sent fresh wildflowers to her, and on Friday evening when he came by her apartment to escort her across town to a club where they were having dinner before enjoying the live music, he was delighted to find she still had the flowers everywhere. Each of the bouquets was in a colorful vase. When he asked about them, she said one of her students made them.
“She wants to open a studio, but right now she’s working in a coffee shop to make enough money. She’s not only a gifted dancer, but quite a budding artist. I’m thinking of taking her on as a part-time instructor because I know she’d make more money teaching than serving coffee.”
“Is she that talented?”
“I believe so.”
“The vases are lovely.”
“They’re still a bit crude, but she’s taking classes at the university. I think with a little work she could make a living doing this, as well as dancing, or at least teaching it.”
He smiled and brushed a hand across her hair. He loved touching it. It was wild and untamed, just like her. “You’re kind to help her. A lot of people in the arts wouldn’t do that much for someone who might be competition for them one day.”
She waved a hand in the air. “I’ve never believed in that kind of behavior. This isn’t a zero sum game. There’s room for all of us.”
“You have a generous heart. Most of my employees could learn a thing or two from you and Santino both.” At the mention of her brother’s name, Sela frowned. “What’s wrong?”
She averted her gaze and reached for her bag. “Nothing.” When she glanced at him again, her smile was forced. “Ready to go?”
He placed a hand on each shoulder. “Put down the bag, and tell me what’s wrong.”
****
Sela sighed and placed her bag back on the table. Telling him would only cause trouble for Santino at work, but Damien was too sharp. He hadn’t missed her reaction to her brother’s name, so she was stuck.
“Santino came over Wednesday morning to bring me some gypsy peppers from one of his neighbors. He’s been trying to grow them in the courtyard of the apartment complex, and finally had so much success that now he has too many. Santino thought I’d like some, so he stopped by only I wasn’t here, of course. I was still at your apartment.”
She’d spent more time in Damien’s apartment this past week than her own. “That was the text message I had Wednesday morning.”
He nodded slowly. They’d been interrupted by the sound of Sela’s phone as they were having a leisurely fuck in bed before getting ready for work. “I called him as soon as you left, and he was still waiting for me when I got home.”
“What did he say?” asked Damien.
She shrugged, but she already knew he wouldn’t be satisfied with a half-assed answer, and he didn’t deserve one. “He didn’t know. About us. I guess I had assumed you might say something.”
“Why would I do that?” he asked quietly. “It’s not my place to gossip about you to your brother.”
“I understand.”
“Why didn’t you tell him about us yourself?”
“Because I wasn’t sure what to say.”
He watched her face carefully. Too carefully. “Are you afraid this won’t last? Is that why you didn’t say anything to him?”
<
br /> She’d never be able to hide anything from this man. “I wanted to wait a while and see where things went.”
“You don’t believe what I said to you Saturday morning.”
“I want to believe it.”
“But you don’t.” He pulled her close and stroked her hair, which was such an unexpected gesture that she was at a loss for words. “It’s all right. I understand. Everyone you loved was taken from you, and it’s difficult to trust in anything again. I’m the same way.”
She pulled out of his embrace to look into his eyes. “What do you mean?”
“I mean I’m the same way, or I used to be. It’s why I went from woman to woman for so many years. I was afraid. I didn’t want to trust in anyone because everyone I loved left me.”
She swallowed hard against the sudden lump in her throat. Not even Santino had ever admitted feeling this way, but she knew he did. To hear Damien voice it aloud, and tell her he understood her reluctance to trust in this relationship, was like a breath of fresh air—real fresh air.
“I don’t want to be this way any longer,” she said, “but I don’t know how to change. How did you do it?”
“It’s not a pretty story.”
“Will you tell me anyway?”
“I will, but first I want to hear more about what Santino said to you. It obviously upset you.”
“Damien, I’m really uncomfortable telling you. He works for you. I can’t come between him and his job. It means too much to him.”
She could see the struggle on his face, but wasn’t sure what he had difficulty with. “His job is intact. I need him as much as he needs me, but you’re my niña. I won’t let any man hurt you or make you feel insecure about us, and that includes your brother.”
Oh, he was so getting another blowjob later. “He said you were a player.”
“He doesn’t know I’ve changed. I don’t discuss my personal life with my employees.”
“I tried to tell him you had, but he wouldn’t hear it.”
Damien sighed, but his expression wasn’t angry, and for that she was grateful. “I’ll speak to him.”
“What will you say? I don’t want him to think I asked you to run interference for me. Santino and I have always been close, even if he is a bit too overprotective. I don’t want him to think I no longer trust him.”