Burn: Book 3 (The Heat Series)

by MJ Masucci

  It made Liam realize that Papi was not a person to be crossed. He had no intention of doing so, but the man made him uneasy. Now that he was in Papi’s world, he realized how uncomfortable he truly was. Thinking back to the first day of his arrival, Papi had taken him around to the local bars to introduce him. He called him “Americano de Alto,” the tall American. Indeed, Liam towered over him. Several of the men that he was introduced to scared him in outward appearance alone. All had bodyguards, and it made him wonder at the time exactly what he had gotten himself into.

  Twelve days later, he felt more comfortable but only to a point. There was that nagging reminder in the back of his head that he had given Papi his entire nest egg of two hundred grand. There was no getting it back, and as smart as he was, he neglected to ask how he would profit from the scheme.

  He was at Papi’s mercy, living in his home with “his own room” in a large brick house just outside of Fortaleza. He had several servants as well as security details. Liam was spoon fed information on a need to know basis. He didn’t want to rock the boat, but eventually, he would need to go back to the United States to finish what he started, and for that, he would need money. Ava wasn’t going to get away so easily.

  Liam’s phone started to buzz next to him.

  “Hello?”

  “Alto, get back to the office. We need to go over a few things.”

  “I, uh, have a few questions to ask you, too.”

  “Alto, just get back here.”

  The phone went dead, and Liam picked up his towel, slinging it over his shoulder as he walked towards the road. What could be so urgent? They hadn’t involved him in anything for the last two weeks he was here.

  The office was several blocks from the beach, but he didn’t mind walking. The weather was beautiful, almost always sunny. September was approaching, and New York would be getting cooler soon. Not here; it would be warm, even hot the entire year. He entered the small storefront and was ushered into the back by one of Papi’s goons. The guy creeped him out. He had a milky colored eye, and the other was as black as midnight. He had deep furrows in his forehead, and pock marks dotted his dark skin. Liam avoided his stare and shuffled by him as he entered.

  “I got some news for you,” Papi said as he pointed at him with his lit cigar.

  “News about what?”

  “The girl.”

  “Which girl?”

  “THE GIRL! That piece of ass you been waiting for. ”

  “Ava?”

  “Yeah, whatever. My spotters said she is back.”

  “You have spotters?”

  “Idiota, of course, I have spotters. I told you I would take care of you, Alto.”

  “I can’t go back yet. Traveling here made me a nervous wreck.”

  “I didn’t tell you to go. I said we are watching her for you. I need you here with me.”

  Liam didn’t want to ask for what since he had been kept in the dark for the past two weeks. It seemed like Papi just wanted his money but not his expertise in the financial markets. For now, he would sit tight until the time was right to go back.

  Chapter 23

  The lake house was just as they had left it, leading Xander to believe that some kids had tried to use the place as a hangout. It was common knowledge that several of the houses along Lake George were only used occasionally. They probably staked the place out, and when they saw that no one came regularly, they broke into the house. Annie had told him that everything seemed to be in order and her son Oliver had replaced the locks immediately.

  He left Ava in the kitchen to sort out the menu for the party and went from room to room to see if anything was missing. The only thing he noticed out of place was the laptop in one of the guest bedrooms. It usually was on the desk, but he found it on the bedside table. It could be that Annie had moved it to clean, but she normally put everything back in its place. He went back to the kitchen where he found his wife with her nose buried in the refrigerator.

  “Do you have everything you need?”

  “Yes, I think so. When is everyone coming?”

  “Tomorrow. I’m glad we came up early. With all the rooms occupied I don’t think I will get any time alone with you.”

  Ava whirled around and smiled, “Is that all you think about?”

  “Where you are concerned, yes.”

  “I hope you say that five years from now.”

  “I’m sure I will and five years after that, and so on and so on.”

  She didn’t answer but instead pulled her into his arms and picked her up, so they were nose to nose. His lips brushed over hers, and she started to flush. Her core clenched. She nuzzled his neck, smelling his scent that she so desperately loved.

  “Are you finished checking out the food stock or do you have more to go?”

  “It can wait…”

  Xander carried her to the master bedroom and put her down in front of the bed, and he kissed her passionately, his tongue spearing hers.

  “I need to taste you.”

  She looked up at him, eyes glazed with desire and began removing her clothing. She was wearing a simple yellow T-shirt of his, and a pair of cut-off jean shorts that he loved, which dropped to the floor next to the bed leaving her only in her panties and bra. Xander sucked in his breath at the sight of her. Her bra was plain white cotton, but her panties were a scrap of white cloth held together by string.

  He longed to tear them off of her, but she had already chastised him for ruining several pairs of panties in that way. Instead, he knelt in front of her and yanked at the cloth, too hard. The string on her left hip disintegrated, and he swore.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I wore these specifically for you to do that. These aren’t as expensive as some of the others you have destroyed.”

  She reached back and unclasped her bra, dropping it at her feet. He rose up and stripped his clothing as fast as possible as she scrambled onto the bed.

  “No.”

  “How do you want me? I thought you wanted to taste me.”

  “I do, but I want you to be over me.”

  “Huh?”

  “I want you to sit on my face.”

  “Oh.” Ava chewed at her bottom lip. “We’ve never done that before.”

  “No, we haven’t, but I’ve wanted to very much.”

  Xander moved over her body and lay on his back waiting for her.

  “Don’t be afraid; you aren’t going to hurt me.”

  She stood on the bed over his face and kneeled down, positioning her sex right over him. He used his hands to spread her and thrust his tongue inside her causing her to gasp and whimper. The headboard was one with dowels, and she grasped on to them to steady herself as he used tongue as well as fingers to stimulate her. She rocked her hips over him as he caressed her swollen clit with his tongue then using his lips to sandwich the nub between them.

  Ava began to howl; she was fully exposed to him, and she loved what he was doing. Her breathing steadily became a ragged pant as he worked her into a euphoric frenzy.

  “Stop, stop,” she panted, as she rose up on her knees.

  “Are you okay?” He asked with alarm.

  “I want to come with you inside me.”

  She worked her way down his chest, to his stomach and finally rubbed her soaked folds back and forth over his erection. Xander hissed loudly as her juices lubricated his length. He gritted his teeth as she pressed harder and moved faster over him.

  “Easy or you are going to make me come.”

  She gave him a lopsided grin and grasped him, rubbing his head against her cleft, then slowly sank down on him until he was buried deep inside her. She began moving at a frantic pace, and he gave up trying to match it. He was mesmerized by her. Her auburn hair was in her face, some it sticking to her sweat slicked forehead and cheeks, green eyes shining, hands flattened against his muscular chest. He made no moves to assist in her actions because he was in a weakened state. His orgasm was building, and his balls ached for
release. Xander wanted her against him when he filled her, and he pulled Ava down against his chest feeling her hard nipples against him.

  His face contorted, and he let go, kissing the top of her head, moving his hips hard against hers as drained into her. Ava pushed off his chest and moved harder over him. Her need was now primal, and she moaned with each thrust. Her sex rippled as her climax started then he felt a jolt on his member as she squeezed him, finally completing and collapsing on top of him.

  “Sweetheart, that was wonderful,” he whispered.

  “Ditto.”

  “I hope it will hold us because, with a house full of people, I doubt we will have the opportunity to do what we just did.”

  She raised her head and pouted her lips. He felt the same way.

  Friday was a flurry of activity around the lake house. Xander worked on the patio, hosing down the kitchen area and cleaning. A thin layer of dust and pollen had blanketed the furniture and counters. He wanted to make sure this was all removed. His parents had given him and Ava the home as a gift, and he didn’t want them to think it was being neglected. Meanwhile, Ava went from bedroom to bedroom straightening bed linens and adding towels to each room.

  They would have a full house this weekend with each of the bedrooms would be occupied. Her Aunt, Uncle, Robert, Sam, Jacob, Sandra, Peter, Gabby, Dani, Roger, Suzanne and her family would be coming. Surprisingly, his niece and nephew, Charlotte and Davis, were able to tear themselves away from their video games and electronic devices to join them. They wouldn’t be thrilled that they would need to share the only bedroom with twin beds, but it was either that or one of them sleep on the couch in the great room.

  Ava wished that her family in Georgia could join them, but it was a big trip to make with the children for only three days vacation. David was still not talking to her, a fact that greatly upset her. She understood his feelings, but she missed having him as her friend.

  By one in the afternoon, the house was ready for guests. Xander had stocked the under counter refrigerator in the outdoor kitchen with wine, beer, water, and soda.

  “Kitchen and patio are all clean and stocked. I’m going to shower, would you like to join me?”

  She raised an eyebrow, “I would love to join you, but if I did, then our guests would be here without a host to greet them.”

  “What time are they coming? I thought not until tonight?”

  “Uncle Daniel and your Dad closed the office at ten this morning. It was quiet, and a lot of people had already taken the full day off. Sam texted me around that time and said they are all on their way.”

  “Okay, but just remember you were the one that said no.”

  Ava stuck her tongue out at his back when he walked to the master bedroom. She wondered if her decision would come back to bite her. Back in the kitchen, she finished preparing several salads for the weekend. Steaks and ribs were marinating; burgers patties were made and hot dogs ready for grilling.

  Fifteen minutes later Xander emerged from the bedroom, fully dressed in a tank top and shorts. He walked by her to the refrigerator, and she was greeted with the smell of his cologne and body wash. She felt her belly clench. There’s that bite in the ass…

  “Did you forget something?”

  She turned around to see her engagement ring on Xander’s pinkie finger.

  “No, I didn’t want it to get slopped up, so I put it on the counter while I was working.”

  She held out her hand, and he slipped the ring on her finger. A rush of electricity went through her as his skin touched hers. A lock of hair had fallen in her face, and Xander used his finger to push it away. Please, please stop touching me. A heated flush began to creep up her body from below her waist.

  He wasn’t paying attention to her as he rummaged in the refrigerator for a bottle of water. She fanned herself with her hand, hoping to push the heated feeling away and then he was gone. Her breathing had become rapid but began to calm when he was no longer in her immediate presence. If he only knew.

  Ava avoided her husband for the time until their guests arrived. She didn’t trust herself near him. One kiss, one brush of his fingers and she would submit to him even with the potential to be caught by their guests. He had the power to do that to her and some days, like today, she could easily fall. Of course, he had no idea of her desire; if he did, their guests would need to entertain themselves for an hour or two.

  By 3:00 PM, the entire house was filled with guests. Ava was thrilled to host a party in her home even if no one had a clue that they were married. In her mind, she pretended that everyone was aware. She circulated the house and the patio. She looked around and noticed that Sam was not around; Robert had gone off to play horseshoes with Xander and Jacob.

  Upon entering the house, she heard crying and quietly followed the noise to one of the bedrooms on the second floor. The door was ajar, and she pushed it open to see Sam, with her back turned, sitting on the bed. It distressed her that her usually bubbly friend was weeping. She called to her. Sam wiped at her tears trying to hide her discomfort.

  “Sam? What’s the matter? I’ve never seen you cry.”

  It was true. In the ten years that they had been friends, Ava had not seen Sam shed a tear except for happy tears at her wedding.

  “It’s nothing; I’m just hormonal.”

  “I don’t believe you,” She said as she sat beside her.

  “It’s hard to talk about. Robert doesn’t understand though he tries.”

  Ava started to feel anxiety as it invaded the pit of her stomach.

  “Tell me, maybe I can help.”

  “I…”

  “Just say it. Maybe it will make you feel better.”

  “I had a miscarriage a few days ago.”

  “Oh my God, when?”

  “On Tuesday evening. Robert rushed me to the hospital because there was so much blood.”

  Ava remembered that she hadn’t seen Sam in the office all day Wednesday, but she wasn’t sure if it was because she was busy or because Sam wasn’t there.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  Ava’s sentiments sent Sam into another round of hysterics, and she tried to comfort her friend with a tight hug.

  “Sam, this happens to many women. You can get pregnant again.”

  “It’s not the first time,” she whispered.

  “What? I didn’t know you were pregnant before.”

  “It was my freshman year when we didn’t know each other yet. I was stupid and careless. I don’t know if I want to tell you this.” After Sam had collected herself, she started the story. “I had an affair with my psychology professor. He got me pregnant and then when I told him he said it wasn’t his and that I had a reputation on campus. None of that was true. He was the only one I had been with when I got pregnant. In fact, I gave him my virginity. I wanted to file a complaint against him, but I decided against it especially after I miscarried.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

  “What if I keep miscarrying? I want children.”

  She looked Ava in the eye, “How do you deal with it knowing you can’t have children?”

  Ava looked down at her hands, “It’s hard, but I try to remain hopeful at least for Xander’s sake. I wish I could offer you some words of wisdom.”

  “I don’t want to cause you pain. I just wanted to know how you felt.”

  “I know, Sam. I’m trying to see what my next steps are as far as pregnancy. I don’t recall them telling me why I couldn’t have children. I recently saw my doctor, and she set this test up called HSG or something like that. It’s a start to see what is wrong inside me.”

  “You didn’t tell me that. When are you going for it?”

  “I’m scheduled for the twenty-sixth. We just want to see what our options are for the future.” She felt a pang of guilt not telling the whole truth to her best friend, but the fewer people that knew about their marriage, the better.

  “Ava! Are you up there? I need help with dinner,” Xander c
alled.

  “I’ll be right down.”

  She turned to her friend, “We better get downstairs, or everyone will think we are up to something.”

  She squeezed Sam’s shoulder as she got up from the bed.

  The temperature had changed outside as the sun started to sink. It was cooler, and Ava decided to change into jeans after dinner. She sat at the table with Sam, Gabby, and Mavis drinking wine in large crystal goblets. The men played volleyball and badminton a short way from the patio. They could hear their whoops and hollers as the game got rowdy.

  Sam seemed to be in better spirits than she had that afternoon and Ava hoped that it was because of their conversation. She was still shocked that Sam had an affair with a professor. Brooke had also had an affair with one of her professors at Cameron, but Ava never revealed knowing. It was something she couldn’t fathom since her undergraduate days were spent buried in a book and hiding in the back of a classroom.

  In bed that night, she stared out the undraped window into the dark. Xander slept near her but not curled around her. The tension between them was torturous. She wanted him, but with others in hearing distance, she chose not to pursue sexual activities. She remembered his words when she got ready for bed that evening.

  “Do you have to wear that?” He said as he gestured to her champagne colored satin nightgown.

  “What’s wrong with this?”

  “You know. You look so sexy. I prefer you in those ratty flannel pajamas right now.”

  “So don’t look.”

  “I won’t,” he slipped into bed and turned on his side facing away from her.

  Exhaustion took over, and he was asleep in a few minutes. Hours later she awoke with him snuggled against her and a nagging feeling between her legs. His erection was pressing against her hip, and she wiggled hoping to stir him.

  “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing that you can’t fix.”

  Xander was now wide awake, and he nuzzled her chin with his nose.