by Ann Cory
“It’s the wine we had at the Italian restaurant.”
Madeline sucked her bottom lip. So much had happened since that night she barely remembered being there. “No, it couldn’t be. Really?”
Pride shown on his face. “Yep. I ripped off the label so I’d never forget it.”
A tug at her heartstrings made her eyes water. “I’m speechless. You’ve really gone out of your way to make this evening extra special.”
“Let’s see if we still enjoy it.” From his back pocket he took out a corkscrew and effortlessly opened the bottle, filling both glasses a little more than halfway.
“For the lady.”
She took the glass from his hand and raised it in the air. “To new beginnings.”
A deep tone resonated as their glasses clinked together.
“New beginnings.”
Madeline inhaled the wine, delighted at the subtle scent of dark cherry. She swirled it to let the aroma open up more and then took a sip. The wine awakened her palate. Deep notes of berry, chocolate and pepper seduced her taste buds. It slid down her throat, leaving a bold finish. “Decadent. An excellent pairing.”
“Reminds me of us.”
Drawing her gaze downward, she focused on the red splash of color on the table where the candlelight reflected against her glass. She wondered if it resembled the mark on her bottom from the paddlewheel. An amorous heat started in her belly. In an attempt to change the subject, she looked out at the river and the moon watching over them. “This is paradise on water. Floating across the water, beneath the stars with a balmy summer wind rustling through the trees and crickets serenading us. You did good.”
Reinaldo set his glass down and reached forward, lacing his fingers through hers. “It doesn’t have to stop here. All those adventures we talked about, we can go on them anytime you’re ready.”
Could people really just get up and go? Leave everything behind and do as they pleased? “What about our jobs?”
“We’ll work around them. As a teacher you’ve got vacations, weekends and the entire summer. You know I can leave at the drop of a hat. Don’t worry about finances, I’ve saved up for years, just in case.”
Her brows furrowed. “In case of what?”
“This. Us.”
She heated even more under his smoldering gaze. How was it she’d underestimated his feelings all this time? “I knew many things about you, Mr. Reinaldo Sieranos, but I had no idea you were the most romantic man in the world.”
He brushed off her compliment with the wave of his hand. “Nah. I’ve been renting romantic comedies and taking notes.”
Madeline enjoyed another sip of wine, her hand tingling in his loving grip.
“I have to know something, though, and I want you to be honest. Did our role-playing help in your decision to leave? Were you unsatisfied with how I acted as master?”
Night after night she couldn’t shake the incredible sex they had. “Not at all. Sex was never the problem. I told you my reasons. I slipped easily into a groove with you and it both frightened and excited me. I might have acted like I had my shit together but I didn’t. Not even close. Okay?” She squeezed his hand in assurance.
“Okay. It bothered me to think I’d hurt you in any way or contributed to any unhealthy responses.”
“I promise. My adventurous spirit just happens to seep into my sexual curiosity.”
Even as he let go of her hand she could still feel his affectionate caress. Reinaldo took a bite of spaghetti and chewed, the crease in his forehead deepening. She knew some heavy thoughts were being kicked around in there.
“Let me ask you something else. Did you always like it rough?”
Madeline paused, her fork in mid-bite. “You were the first and only one I’ve ever asked to role-play with. There’s a safeness about you that I’ve never experienced with anyone else.”
The crease smoothed from his forehead, as if her words ironed it away. “I’m glad. Makes it more special. I’d do anything for you.”
She chewed her food and downed the last of her wine. When she looked over, he stared at her with a half-grin. God she loved his dimple. “This is honestly the most exciting adventure I’ve ever had. I don’t see how anything could top this.”
Mischief filled his striking brown eyes. “There’s still tomorrow.”
Madeline cock her head to the side, her curiosity piqued. “Care to let me in on any of it?”
Bottle in hand, he poured more burgundy liquid into her glass. “More of this all morning and afternoon and then a luxurious night ashore. I booked us a room overnight in an inn that I know you’re going to love.”
She swirled her wine and then ran her finger along the stem of the glass. “What would have happened if your plan backfired?”
He sat back, hands intertwined and resting on his stomach. “I’d have let you stay at the inn and I’d have slept on the boat. I told you, I only hoped. There were no expectations.”
Her belly full and satisfied, she wondered if she’d be fully satisfied in another area of her body. “Tell me more about the inn.”
“From the pictures it looks stunning, complete with stained glass, Italian-tiled fireplaces. The rooms are done in wooden accents and in the suite I reserved has a beautiful four-poster bed, a hot tub for two and even a full breakfast the next morning.”
Madeline shuddered. A four-poster bed. Perfect for being tied to. “Sounds like something fit for a princess.”
“Suits you well then.”
Under the table she pinched herself and happily smarted at the pain. “I’m not sure I can ever recover from being spoiled like this.”
Reinaldo pushed his plate away and sat back, hands in his lap. “Well, then you’re going to cringe at this too. We’ll have to take a horse and carriage to the inn after the boat is docked. I’m sorry.”
“You’re terrible. The things you put me through.”
Head tilted back, he laughed, his eyes sparkling against the candlelight. “Some people think you need to get on a plane and travel somewhere foreign, get immersed in a new culture, but there are a million little out of the way places just steeped in history. I always thought big, you know, the more exotic the better. Adventure is right under our nose.”
Hand shaped like a fan, she waved it back and forth by her face. “All this history talk is making me hot.”
His gaze turned upward. “It’s supposed to be hotter tomorrow.”
Madeline couldn’t get the thick bulge in his tight, white pants out of her mind. Many times she’d dreamed of going down on him, engulfing him, practically choking on his magnificent length.
“I’m not referring to the weather. I’m hot for you.” She pointed behind him. “I see some rope hanging up over there. Why don’t you think of something creative to do with it?”
Chapter Five
Reinaldo stood and gathered everything from the table, setting them off to the side. This time he would act on his impulses and take her on the table. The only difference being there weren’t people sitting around to watch, which he wasn’t upset about in the slightest. His eyes grazed over her as he finished clearing the table. Hazel eyes soft, trusting, he’d never let her down, not in a million years. When he told her he’d only hoped things would work out between them, that was right on the money. If she ended up hating him and demanded he turn the boat right around, it would have broken his heart but he would have done it.
The breeze rustled her hair along her face. A noticeable change had taken place over the last few hours in her demeanor, mood¾everything really. She didn’t look as tired. Instead a healthy glow peeked out from her eyes and cheeks, a comfortable peace. Not only was it beautiful but damn sexy too. Her confidence held a lot of power over him. If she wanted him, he wouldn’t deny her.
Reinaldo removed the rope off the hook and unraveled it, his mind going a hundred miles an hour. Rope in both hands, he snapped it tight, eyeing Maddy hungrily.
“I’ve been meaning to fuck you on
a table since the restaurant.”
Her eyelids fluttered. Oh yeah, he had her attention.
“You have?”
“The scene replays in my mind constantly. You had my cock so damn hard. I just wanted to shove everything to the floor and bind your wrists and ankles, with your pussy exposed to everyone.”
Raspberry lips quivered. “I would have liked that.”
“Yes, I know. My little spitfire likes it rough and wild. I want you to get up and take off your robe.”
Like a shot she stood and withdrew the robe, her pink nipples bursting through strands of her hair. Intrigue and curiosity shone from her eyes. He scooped her up and laid her on the table, hoisted her arms over her head, palms together, and bound her wrists to the front table legs. With the rest of the rope he crawled beneath the table and bound her ankles to the back table legs. His tongue ran along his bottom lip, her body spread-eagle and pussy glistening in the twilight. God his cock itched for relief.
Reinaldo walked to the side of the table and cupped her breasts gingerly, bringing his mouth close, chin against her soft skin. He blew on her nipples, a short gasp emitting from her lips. Between his fingers he pinched the sweet buds, her body squirming while confined. Feral eyes told him all he needed to know. With her arms and legs bound, she begged for him. He lazily dragged a hand down her body and sank one finger inside her pussy. She was always so damn wet and her scent rocked his senses. There was no waiting. He had to taste her now. Slowly he dragged his hand back up and pinched both nipples, her eyes glazing in the moonlight.
“Do you remember your room number, Maddy?”
Her voice sounded far away, mumbling and whimpering as his fingers pinched her nipples harder. “Num-number sixty-nine.”
“Exactly.” He let go and tore off his pants, swiftly climbing on the table, his cock hovering over her mouth.
“Master wants to feel your lips wrapped around his cock.”
“With pleasure, master.”
She opened her mouth wide, lips pulled back while he guided his cock inside. Reinaldo drew in his breath as she took him in further to the hilt. Her mouth was hotter than he remembered but it felt like home. While he eased in and out of her tight mouth, he bent forward and teased her slit with his tongue.
“I’m addicted to your taste.”
Expertly she worked his cock in her mouth, suckling, her lips tight, tongue warm, breath hot. He eased his cock out from her mouth and back again while fighting his need to climax.
* * * * *
Madeline went wild at the spicy flavor of him. His cut bronze body positioned above her, fucking her mouth, while his fingers pried her pussy open¾a full four fingers, stretching her wide. Slow jolts started in her legs when the tip of his tongue stroked the sides of her raw clit. She rocked her hips upward, wanting to seal his mouth with her pussy, tight but not suffocating him. At the same time she deep-throated his cock, suckling his flesh ravenously. She’d always loved his taste, his smell and his hot flesh filling all the right places.
His breath turned to pants and he bobbed his length in and out her mouth quickly.
“Dammit, woman, I’m going to come.”
Reinaldo hopped off the table and coated his white heat across her belly and breasts, a fierce growl filling the night air. The muscles in his neck twitched as he groaned, spilling the last of his seed. The thrill of watching him climax only made her covet his cock inside her more. He disappeared from her view, the rope binding her ankles to the table legs loosening. At the end of the table he stood and slid his hands beneath her ass, prompting her closer to the table’s edge. She watched in fascination as he wrapped the rope solely around her ankles, prompting her legs high, feeling a draft along her exposed pussy.
“Keep your legs in the air while I fuck you.”
“Yes, master.”
She braced herself, muscles tense, pleading to the moon for him to fuck her right then and there.
“Sorry to keep you waiting but I’m working the condom on. I wish you could see your pussy from where I am. So fucking beautiful. It’s going to feel good inside you.”
Then do it, she screamed inwardly. Put us both out of our misery. It took every last bit of strength to keep her legs held in the air.
When Madeline didn’t think she could take anymore, he thrust his cock in, spreading her damp folds open. With her legs held together high it offered new sensations, made him tight, almost too tight. Every ridge of the condom brushed against a nerve, his thickness widening her center. Fingers jostled her sensitive nub, taking turns between fast and slow, applying pressure, while she forced her trembling legs to stay put. Blissful euphoria.
Head tilted up, she stared into the sky. Black velvet with white jewels sprinkled everywhere. His moves were like velvet, taking her on an exotic mind journey. He pumped hard, moving the table a little with each meaningful thrust.
She whimpered to show she was ready to come but he held back his consent. Thoughts of cursing him out vanished as quickly as they appeared. At his mercy she held the orgasm at bay but refused to make things any easier for him. She tightened and released her inner muscles around his cock, knowing full well it would speed up his climax.
“You’re playing with fire, sweetheart,” he groaned.
Madeline smiled to herself. Let him suffer a little. To match her added challenge he pumped harder, keeping attention on her raw, throbbing clit. Her jagged breath drowned out all other sounds. He still had the control, the way she liked it.
In her weakened state she spoke freely. “Please, master, I need to come.”
He quickened his thrusts, rocking her clit between his fingers.
“Don’t hold back, Maddy, I want you to come all over my cock.”
A frenetic orgasm swirled in her core and she welcomed the release. The black velvet sky rippled, scattering the white diamonds until they blurred. Vaguely aware of his groans, she let her body go slack, her mind drifting in and out.
Reinaldo bent her legs and untied her feet, his eyes glazed, face flush. His hair was soaked with sweat. A few strands curling into ringlets. “Woman, I get lost in you.” He moved to the front of the table and released her arms.
“One sec, I’ll grab a towel and clean you up.”
Her body continued to quake while he tended to her.
When he finished, she nestled with him in the lounge chair, her head against his chest listening to his heart beat. Rather than analyzing it or thinking too hard about it, she said exactly what was on her mind.
“I love you, Reinaldo.”
He tilted her face to him and kissed her deeply, his breath a hot wind along her throat. Her scent lingered on his lips, not at all uninviting. He kissed her cheek and the bridge of her nose, his arms a tender shelter.
“I love you too. I never stopped loving you.”
Madeline raised her hand to his face, lips primed for another kiss when a series of loud snaps erupted. The quiet splash of the paddlewheel had stopped and the riverboat came to a standstill.
Marcus’ voice cut into the night air filled with concern. “Reinaldo, we’ve got a problem!”
She didn’t like the sound one bit.
He hurried into his pants and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “I better check it out.”
Unease spread through her. She chewed on her thumbnail as he hustled away. “Couldn’t you let one of the others take care of it?”
“Mike trusted me with this boat, so I’ll be the one looking it over. Don’t worry. We’ll be cuddled up beneath the stars again soon. Remember, we have tomorrow too.”
She watched him sprint downstairs, the clanging of the stairs intrusive. For the first time all night she shivered, but not from a sensual touch or ticklish delights. A strange cold drifted inside her. The same cold she experienced before her mother died. Hoping to warm up she wrapped the robe tighter around her, but the cold remained. Unable to sit still, she paced. Each second passed like an hour. She took turns chewing on one nail, then the o
ther.
Her mind wandered until she heard an unexpected anger in Marcus’ voice. Tired of waiting, Madeline hurried down, right into the middle of a heated argument with Reinaldo sounding agitated.
“I’ve got to fix this. Mike entrusted this boat to me and he’ll kick my ass if I’ve busted it.”
“You’re always so damn stubborn,” Marcus countered.
She watched the veins throb on both men’s foreheads.
“This isn’t just any boat, man. It’s a replica. If something is stuck in the paddlewheel and you don’t remove it a certain way, it will cost thousands of dollars, maybe more. Let me call someone to come take a look.”
Madeline cleared her throat. “I thought the Twilight ran on engines.”
From the corner of her eye she saw Lee approach. “It is but something stalled the paddlewheels and if we try to push her it could get damaged.”
“Even more reason to proceed with caution and get an expert to check it out,” Marcus reasoned.
Reinaldo pushed past him. “Look, I know how to handle boats, even ones as special as this. Have some confidence in me.”
Like a scene from a movie, she watched him dive into the water and out of her sight. She heard the water splash as he swam. She was lost as to what all the fuss was about and all she could do was watch. Lee ran up to the captain’s lookout and manned the steering wheel while Marcus watched, brows furrowed. The tension in the air was heavy and added to her discomfort.
“Is there something wrong with him going down to check?”
He attempted a smile, but she could see right past it. “It’s dark and there are alligators and snakes down there. He’s so hell bent on making sure we stay on schedule, and proving to you that he can handle everything, that he’s willing to jeopardize his safety to do it.”
She swallowed hard, ignoring the fizzing sound in her ears. “Alligators?”
“Dammit, I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry. He’ll be fine. I need to find another flashlight, I’ll be right back.”
Madeline knew he could swim but not seeing him poke his head out of the water frightened her. Why did he need to prove himself? She wanted to punish herself for having hurt him before. How could she make him understand that she loved him, always had, that the break-up was all about her?