Broken Rules

by Olivia Jake

  This slow pounding was heaven. Alex could feel him hit her so deep. Then he started to go faster, still pulling almost all the way out and slamming his way back in, but now it was faster and faster and faster, Alex still gasping each time he bottomed out. As the pace increased Alex could feel her body tingling again. She still couldn’t believe this man could make her come so easily.

  Marco could tell that Alex was getting close, he was already learning her body, the way she responded. Alex started moaning now as the tingling started spreading throughout her body, starting at her core going out to every nerve ending until she finally exploded around him, this time, as she moaned and spasmed, so did Marco. After his last twitch, only then did he release her ankles and collapse on top of her while he caught his breath.

  He pulled out, removed the condom and threw it away, then came back and untied Alex. “Seeing you tied up like that, I couldn’t last any longer.” He said apologetically as he rubbed her wrists and arms.

  “Marco, you’re apologizing for making me come twice?”

  “Last night it was five. I have a reputation to uphold.” He said proudly, then broke into a grin. “But we still have all night.” He pulled Alex to him and stroked her hair as she lay her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat begin to slow. Alex couldn’t remember ever feeling as safe and comfortable as she did right then.

  Marco made good on his effort to keep his reputation in tact throughout the night, waking Alex up first as he spooned behind her. She felt his hand start on her stomach and then make its way up to her breast, capturing her nipple in between his thumb and forefinger, making her moan. Alex could feel Marco’s erection pressing into her ass. She tipped her hips backwards, inviting him to slide right in, which he did, easily. They fucked like that, nice and easy, her back to his front, spooning and fucking, easy in and out until they both needed more. Marco rolled onto his back, pulling Alex with him so that she was on top of him, but her back was to him. His hands on her hips, he guided her up and down on his cock as she rocked her pelvis and ground herself into him. She kept grinding and he kept lifting and guiding and eventually a nice sweet rolling orgasm came over her.

  Marco lifted her off of him and laid her back down. “Go back to sleep, Alexandra.” He whispered as he kissed her cheek and pulled her to him.

  “But, you didn’t come.” Alex said through a yawn.

  Marco laughed and then said, “I also didn’t have a condom on, Corazon.”

  Alex stiffened, immediately mad at herself for being so careless. “Mi amor, don’t worry, I have no diseases.” He tried to reassure her.

  “How do you know that I don’t? And what if you did come, what if you lost control?” Alex asked in a panic.

  “You’re one of the most responsible people I’ve ever met, Alexandra. I would be very surprised if you weren’t completely clean. And, as for control, there are some things I’m very, very good at.” He held her and kissed her again. Alex was still mad at herself, but she was also so tired that she let him hold her and stroke her until she fell back asleep.

  CHAPTER 16

  The following morning, Alex knew she had to have a conversation with Marco that would take them back to territory neither of them wanted to visit. But it had to be said. It was one thing to be as open as they had been with his family, but it was something else completely to be that way with the Vanity Fair reporter around.

  Alex felt like, within the span of a few days, they already had their fair share of ups and downs, all revolving around the same theme: Alex’s lack of comfort with their relationship. But Alex knew it had to be discussed, regardless of how uncomfortable a conversation it would likely be.

  When Alex raised the topic, suggesting that they not show affection for each other around the reporter, the mood immediately turned tense.

  “I’m not the story, Marco, you are. And I don’t want people to think that I’m sleeping with you.”

  “Why not? Is that so horrible? Would it be so embarrassing for people to know we’re together?” If his words didn’t make it clear, his posture and expression let Alex know he wasn’t just upset, he was hurt.

  Before he gave Alex a chance to respond he added, “You know, you haven’t just insulted me, but my family too. You have no problem with the people of this island knowing we’re together, because what? They’re just simple, backwards island people? They don’t matter? Not like the big important Hollywood people? You know something, Alexandra? You’re a hypocrite. You talk about Hollywood playing by its own rules, and you seem so disgusted by it, but you play by their rules. You let yourself be judged by them.” He paused and smiled a tight, pained smile as he shook his head. “It’s interesting, no? The people here who don’t judge, who are open, you don’t care about what they think. You only care about the superficial, the judgmental people.”

  “That’s not true, Marco.” Alex protested. “I do care about what your family thinks. I worry they see me as the gringa who’s so easy and unprofessional that I sleep with my client. That I’m the typical American woman who has no morals.” She could see he didn’t agree, until she added, “What would they think if it were one of your sisters? Huh? Can you really tell me they’d think it was ok for one of them to sleep with someone they only knew a couple of weeks, someone they were working with?”

  Obviously that resonated and Marco got down off his high horse. He didn’t say anything, but his posture and expression both softened, making it clear that he understood a little bit.

  “Do you see now what I’m talking about? Ok, so maybe I put too much stock into what people think, but it’s only because perception is reality. Especially in the industry we work in.” She paused, looking down. “You of all people should know that.”

  “But the industry is more important to you than I am, than what I feel?” he asked sincerely.

  “Marco, it’s not as simple as that. If I become seen as the photographer who sleeps with her subjects, that will be the end of me. Whether or not it’s true doesn’t matter. I understand that it hurts you, and that’s the last thing I want. And I also understand if you can’t see it from my perspective. But I can’t ruin a reputation I’ve built for the last 15 years. I can’t.” she paused.

  “Please, just try to put yourself in my shoes. Try to see it. I am not embarrassed of you. But I can’t just pretend that what people think doesn’t matter. It does. And I don’t have a support system like you do. I don’t have a loving family to fall back on if I lose my job, my career. I have no one to catch me if I fall.”

  He smiled and shook his head, “Perhaps that’s because you won’t let anyone.”

  Such an easy comment for a man to make to a woman. Easier even for someone who never once questioned not just the roof over his head, but that there would be love and support of him. She didn’t begrudge him the differences in their upbringings, but she knew that they couldn’t help but affect how they viewed the world and how they ran their lives. Alex was about to protest again, but she was getting tired of trying to explain something that he’d never understand. It wasn’t that he was dense, it was just so far from his reality. She knew he was smart enough to understand it on an intellectual level, but this wasn’t just a theoretical question. It was personal. It probably never entered his mind that sleeping with her could harm his reputation. Because it wouldn’t.

  “So, that’s it then? This was just a little fling to you?” Marco asked.

  “Come on, Marco, that’s not fair. And you know that’s not what it is to me.”

  “No, Alexandra, it’s not fair. You’re right about that. You’re making decisions for the both of us. Decisions that we should make together, as a couple.”

  Hearing that word shocked Alex. A couple? She hadn’t thought of them as a couple. She hadn’t thought of them beyond their time on the islands. Perhaps he was right, that she only saw him as an island fling. No, that wasn’t it. She just hadn’t really thought about reality, or what things would be like once they got back h
ome until Tiffany showed up, throwing cold water on them, or at least, onto Alex.

  “Ok, Marco, you’re right. This should be a discussion between us. But the only way we’re going to be able to genuinely compromise is if you’re able to see it from my perspective. Because if you can’t, then there’s no discussion.”

  “You’re making the decisions again.” He said flatly.

  “No, Marco. I’m being realistic. If you think that image and perception play no role in my career, then there’s nothing to discuss. I’m not asking you to agree, I’m just asking you to understand.” She paused. They were both getting exhausted with the direction of this conversation, but she had to make it clear.

  “Before you met me, if you had heard that I slept with talent I was shooting, what would you have thought?” She saw him consider it. “Would you have thought of me as a photographer, or would you have started to think of me as something else?”

  “Ok, I see your point. But Alexandra, does that mean that you’re never allowed to have a relationship? That’s not realistic. To let your entire life be dictated by what other people think?”

  “It’s never been an issue before, Marco. So I don’t have an answer to that.” She took his hands in hers. “If there weren’t a reporter here whose sole job was to chronicle your life, both professional and personal, then it wouldn’t be as big a deal. But there is.”

  He nodded. He understood that the timing sucked. But the reality was that there was someone here documenting his every move. And unless he wanted the story to be about his relationship with Alex, he was starting to realize that they would have to be more circumspect.

  “You’re right, Alexandra.” He said as he rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb.

  She visibly exhaled. “Thank you.”

  “So now what?” he asked genuinely.

  A huge grin spread over Alex’s face, “Now, you put those amazing acting skills into play. You’re an actor. Act like we’re not together.”

  Marco didn’t find this as amusing as Alex did. “It’s ironic, no? You want me to do exactly the thing that you were afraid of.”

  “I’m sorry, Marco. But it’s the only way. For right now, while this story’s being written. Please.”

  He nodded and stood up, holding his hand out to Alex. She took it and he pulled her up to him. “I don’t like it, Alexandra. I want there to be no misunderstanding about that.” He said with such force that she felt sick to her stomach. Alex just nodded. There was no possible way she could misunderstand him.

  CHAPTER 17

  They all went back to the Flores house where they waited for Tiffany Yi, the reporter, to arrive. Once she did, the dynamic changed instantly. Alex was on guard, hanging back while Tiffany talked with all of the Flores women. Marco had asked everyone to be truthful in their answers, but that the one area he would not discuss was his love life, and asked that none of them answer any questions about it either.

  After a couple hours, Alex suggested this would be a good opportunity for her to get a family portrait. They set up in the living room, all the women surrounding Marco. To see all those sets of blue eyes looking back at her stilled Alex’s heart. In such a short time, Alex had come to know these people and be welcomed into their home and their hearts. Pretending she was just the photographer was harder for her than she thought it would be. She missed his touch, his terms of endearment, and just the attention he had paid her. Alex had become used to it and now that it was temporarily gone, she realized just how hard she was falling for this man.

  “I’d love to see some of the shots you’ve captured so far, Alex.” Tiffany said after the family portrait.

  “Sure, when we get back to the hotel, I can run through each setup in my laptop. I don’t have all the drives here.”

  “That would be great. In fact, let’s go talk on the patio about what else you’d like to shoot and we can all go together.”

  Alex nodded and followed her out, thinking it odd that she wanted to talk out there. Once alone, Tiffany said, “I still can’t get over how gorgeous he is! I don’t want to gush like a schoolgirl, but Jesus! And as much as I’ve talked with him, he really does seem like a nice guy.” Alex just nodded, unsure what she was supposed to say. “You’ve spent a couple days alone with him down here, is he really that nice? Is it really not an act?”

  Alex wasn’t expecting this. She was a little tongue tied at first. All she could come up with was, “as far as I can tell, he really is.” Tiffany waited for more, but Alex didn’t offer anything else.

  “Well ok then.” Tiffany said, clearly disappointed. “So, what have you shot so far?” Alex described everything they’d done, and as she was finishing, Marco walked out onto the patio. They both had to hold themselves back from going to each other to embrace or kiss. Alex hoped Tiffany didn’t catch that.

  “So Marco, Alex just shared all the things you’ve done while you’ve been down here. I’m sorry I got here as late as I did, it sounds like I missed out on a lot.”

  Marco grinned, “Alexandra, you’ve shared everything?” Alex shot him a look.

  “I think I got it all.” She deadpanned, not wanting to encourage him, though it was nice to see his playful side directed at her after the last few hours of distance.

  “Well, I’m sure there’s more to do, more to experience. I still have a few tricks left up my sleeve. Vamanos.” Marco said with a wink that seemed to be for both women. Alex didn’t react but Tiffany actually giggled, surprising Alex. Tiffany Yi was a very well respected reporter, but obviously Marco’s charms were hard to ignore, no matter how professional the woman.

  Marco took them to some beaches they hadn’t yet visited, and to another local bar, and Alex captured a few more shots, but it wasn’t at all the same with their third wheel. Fourth wheel, technically, since Jesús was with them, but he was family, and Marco, well, Alex wasn’t sure what he was. But Tiffany was definitely not part of the core group. As the day was winding down and they pulled up to the hotel, Alex offered to show Tiffany all the shots and setups so far. Tiffany was excited and Alex suggested that she go to her room as it would take her and Jesús a little bit to unload the equipment.

  Once Tiffany was safely inside, Marco looked at Alex and asked, “So, this is how you want it to be, Alexandra?” he had been happy and charming all day, but apparently that was an act. He was mad. Hurt.

  “No, Marco. It’s not. But we’ve talked about it and we agreed that the story would be about us if, if…” she didn’t have to finish her sentence.

  “I will be in my room, waiting for you after you show Tiffany the shots. Don’t take too long.” He said sternly, but bent down and kissed her forehead. Then they both walked into the hotel, going to their separate rooms.

  Alex went through all the setups, pulling a few shots from each and put them into a separate folder. The last thing she needed was for Tiffany to see all the shots of her and Marco together.

  Alex and Tiffany went through the images, and Alex shared a bit about each setup, trying to sound as objective and professional as possible.

  “There’s no way this guy can be single. But every time I’ve asked, and everyone else I’ve tried to get information out of, no one knows about his love life.” Tiffany said and Alex just shrugged. “God, I hope he’s not gay.” And Alex actually spit. Tiffany laughed and said, “Yeah, doesn’t seem to be, but you never know.”

  Alex composed herself and agreed, “Yeah, you know, actors, models…”

  “So, what else are you hoping to get tomorrow, since it’s our last day here?” Alex asked. She really hated the fact that she had to share her time with Marco with this woman. Nothing against Tiffany, Alex just hated not being able to be with him.

  “Honestly, I was hoping to have him to myself tomorrow.” Tiffany said and Alex immediately felt sick to her stomach. “I think I’ll get more out of him alone, nothing personal. And it seems like you’ve gotten a lot of great coverage.”

  “Um, yeah, I’m fin
e with that. There’s a ton to choose from already.” Alex hoped her jealousy didn’t show.

  “Great! And who knows, maybe I’ll be able to find out personally if he’s straight or not!” Tiffany said and grinned.

  Alex returned her smile and said, “Well, if we’re all good, I think I’m going to turn in for the night.”

  “Yep, good night!” Tiffany said enthusiastically, clearly excited about the prospect of having Marco to herself tomorrow.

  Alex went straight to Marco’s room and knocked, her heart pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears. She was so anxious to be alone with him, she could hardly wait another second. The minute she was inside and the door closed behind them she threw herself into his arms. “God I missed you today.” She panted in between kisses. She could feel him smile against her lips.

  “Igualamente, mi amor.” He said as they continued to make out. It was like they hadn’t seen each other for days, when in reality they were together all day. But having to hold back from each other had clearly taken its toll as they were both starved for the other.

  Alex wasn’t sure how long they stood there in their embrace. When they finally broke apart, Alex said, “Tiffany wants you all to herself tomorrow.” Making Marco frown. Alex tried to make light of it, “I think she, um, really wants you all to herself tomorrow, entiendes?”

  Marco rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Do you see, Alexandra, if we were together, then I wouldn’t have to play games with this woman.” Before Alex could answer he said, “I know, I know, we don’t need to go over why again.” He trailed his hand down her cheek, brushing her hair behind her ear and then this tender move changed in an instant as he reached around and grabbed Alex’s ponytail, pulling her head back forcefully.

  “One positive thing came out of our little act today, Alexandra. Do you know what that is?” Alex now recognized his tone, the shift was obvious. She tried to shake her head, but he held it in place.