by Sera Taíno
“You’re not too bad yourself,” she answered. His face brightened momentarily before all levity disappeared again. He captured her bottom lip in his and worried it before kissing her in earnest. He wasted no time in pulling her against him, his usually measured movements blazing into a frenzy of hands stroking her skin, fingers coaxing spirals of response everywhere they roamed. Soon they were both in bed, his weight pressing her with delicious heft into the mattress.
She’d been afraid. Even now that she was prepared to do wonderful, terrible things to his body, she balked at the power he had over her.
More importantly, she feared most for her heart. A cut from him and she would not soon recover.
She quieted those thoughts, wound her legs around his waist and pulled him close. The weight of his erection pressed against her, forcing what little good sense she possessed to leave the building, with no intentions of returning.
* * *
Philip nestled into her thighs, still unable to believe that he was actually here with her in this way. He held her gaze as he ground against her, his hardness sliding against the slick heat that soaked through her underwear.
“Philip, please...please keep doing that...” Her breath hitched on each word. The intensity of her kisses, the gyration of her hips under his, sent bolts of electricity exploding along his back and legs. Each time she moved, she wound him up like a fairground doll. He’d wanted her for so long that he had to bite down hard on his lip to keep himself from coming apart before she did.
When she did come undone, he was barely holding himself together.
“What the hell just happened?” she gasped, shaking in his arms.
“I think dry-humping is seriously underrated.”
“Baby...you made me...and we haven’t even...” She writhed beneath him, her nails digging into his skin. It really had been that long. “Come back and kiss me.”
That, he could do. He kissed her before making his way down her neck and shoulders, his tongue drawing designs on her breasts and the taut, dark nipples. She was silk wherever he touched her, stoking another kind of heat, which scalded him from inside and out.
Every time she touched him, she sent him closer to the edge until he couldn’t take it anymore. He grabbed her hands and pinned them over her head.
“Keep still,” he rasped.
“Or else?” she breathed, and it made her ten times sexier when she sassed him this way.
“Or else I’ll tie you down.”
“That’s really not the threat you think it is.”
He laughed, and kissed her, releasing her to blaze a downward path until he reached the border of her underwear. He caught her gaze, the half smile she gave him sending another volley of electricity through him before he nudged the elastic aside. Latching onto a spot on her hip bone, he sucked on it, while his fingernails scraped the skin of her thigh. He would leave a mark, and his body answered with a powerful rush of need.
“Here, I thought you were a nice young man.” She grasped fistfuls of his hair as he tugged her underwear down with deliberate slowness. Once free, she opened her knees in invitation.
“Please, Philip,” she begged, and he was completely under her command. He dipped his head and savored her, her body trembling in answer. She was so responsive, so easy with giving and receiving pleasure. And when she came apart again, he knew he could become addicted to the way she loved and the knowledge that he could please her.
“My turn,” she whispered when she’d come down from her high. She pushed him back on the bed and reached over, rummaging in the drawer of her end table.
“What do you have in there?” he asked.
She held the condom packet up, the silver wrapper winking in the lamplight.
“That’s my secret,” she teased as she tore it open and rolled it over him with exaggerated slowness, eliciting a long hiss from him. “I’m going for a little ride.”
He exhaled sharply, reduced to monosyllables when she lifted herself over him and sank down on his erection. Whatever control he had left, he surrendered it to her.
She brought his hands up to cup her breasts, teaching him how she liked to be touched. He held her tight as he rammed upward, until without warning, he flipped them over and rode her in earnest.
“You are... I can’t...” He dropped his head, trembling as he tried to keep himself back.
“Let go, and I’ll follow.”
Her words were enough to send him over the edge into free fall, her own release washing over him in waves until they subsided.
He slipped out of her and removed the condom, searching for somewhere to discard it.
“Wastebasket. Other side of the end table. Tissues on the bureau,” she mumbled.
He made quick work of cleaning up before pulling the duvet over them. He tucked her in a natural spot in the crook of his arm and wrapped her in his heat. He marveled that someone as tough as she was could also be so pliant.
“That was...surprising,” she said, snaking her arm over his chest, squeezing him.
“How?” he asked, muffling a yawn against his hand.
“You’re so, I don’t know, proper and everything and then, you’re still polite but like...a little freaky, too.”
He laughed. “Maybe I don’t want to scare you.” He rolled over onto her. “Maybe I like to take it slow before I pull out the key to my playroom.”
“Damn,” she purred. “That turned me on way more than it should have.”
He nuzzled her neck, dragging his nose across her shoulder and kissing the tender skin of her biceps. The crease of her elbow. The muscles of her forearm before he stopped to stare down at her, his face suddenly serious.
“You’re going to have to stick around if you want any part of that freakery,” he said, injecting humor into his words, though what he hoped for, what he wanted, was anything but light.
“You mean, we’d get to do this again?” Val bucked her hips upward.
Philip rubbed his chin, pretending to think. “Yes. But I hope there’s more than just this.”
She tangled her fingers in the thick curls of his chest. “I can stick around.”
“In that case,” he said, dragging his nose back up to her ear. “I might even talk dirty to you.”
“Dios mío.”
* * *
Val blinked the sunlight away, and the night before came rushing back in all its intimate and scorching detail. The combined aroma of perfume, cologne and sex hung in air. A weight rested over her waist and something pinned her leg down. It was hot—hotter than she was used to. She shifted her leg, freeing it, and slid it out from under the bedsheets. But the weight around her waist tightened, pinning her against a chest and other hard parts.
This waking up next to Philip was something she needed to do regularly.
They were nothing more than worn flesh and strained muscles but he clearly wanted her again. He stroked her hips and sides, coaxing her body to life when, without warning, her stomach released a long rumble.
Philip pulled back, smiling down at her. “Are you hungry?”
She shrugged. “Maybe a little.” Her stomach rumbled loudly again.
“Maybe a lot,” he answered.
The slam of a door reverberated through the apartment, and Val shot up into a sitting position. It finally registered that it was light outside, and not particularly early in the morning, either. She grabbed her phone, which only confirmed her suspicions.
“Dammit, we overslept,” she whispered. “Nati’s home.”
She slipped out of bed, though to do what, she couldn’t be sure. Hide out until her sister went to bed? Face her like a champ and give her something to gossip about until they entered another Ice Age? She looked to Philip, hoping for an idea, but he merely lifted himself onto his elbow, his gaze raking over her naked body as she stood. A glance at the t
ented sheet revealed where his thoughts stood, as it were.
“Will Nati be upset that I’m here?”
“Upset? Are you kidding me? She lives for this kind of stuff. I’ll never hear the end of it.” She rummaged around the room. “I need my robe.”
She bent to rummage through the closet, annoyed that her robe had decided to take a walk.
“Haven’t you ever had a guy over before?”
She shut the door, throwing her hands up in clear frustration. “Yes, but I’m always very careful. She’s my little sister, you know? And to be honest, you staying last night was not exactly preplanned.”
“Take it from someone who makes plans for a living, they are completely overrated.” He stood, the blanket sliding off his naked boy. She swallowed hard as he approached and tapped her nose. “I’ll hide if that’s what you want. But you’re hungry and you gave me quite an appetite, so we’re going to have to leave your room at some point.”
“I could have breakfast delivered to our room.”
Philip laughed. “Why don’t we start with getting dressed?”
Right. Val pulled on the first pajama set she found—green pants and tank top covered in Baby Yodas.
Philip admired her outfit. “That’s the best thing I’ve ever seen. Now I want to kiss you.”
“First, there’s a brand-new toothbrush in the bathroom drawer. Go!” she ordered. “Then we’ll see.”
“Of course,” he said, barely repressing his laughter.
When he was done brushing his teeth, he came back out, pulled her to him and gave her the kiss he promised until they gasped for breath. He then dragged his lips along her chin and up to her ear. His fingers played a fugue along the bumps of her spine as he whispered, “Let’s go face the firing squad. Ready?”
Val glared at the door. “There’s no way to get ready for my sister.” Short of forcing Philip to leave through the fire escape like a horny teenager, Val was going to have to woman-up and face Nati, knowing full well that everything would get back to Olivia. Yet again, she was giving them something to talk about.
At least this time, it involved Val getting laid, instead of getting dumped, so that was a qualitative improvement.
And anyway, Val was hungry. Nothing, not even facing her sister with Philip in tow, was going to get between her and breakfast.
“I’ll field my sister,” she said. “Will you give me a few minutes?”
“At your service.”
She considered him through narrowed eyes. He was taking this all too lightly, but she found it difficult to be angry when he lay sprawled across her bed in his rumpled tuxedo shirt and pants, looking gorgeously disheveled.
“Five minutes.” She opened the door to her bedroom before he could befuddle her thinking and stepped out into the narrow corridor that led to her kitchen. She glanced at the familiar wall, a mural of the Yunque, making her corridor look like she could take a step and plunge headlong into the forest, which she would’ve loved to do to escape her sister.
The aroma and telltale bubbling up of coffee from the cafetera enticed Val, though the source of her anxiety was puttering around the kitchen. Two coffee cups and a plate of sliced pan dulce sat on the counter while Nati sipped from her favorite mug.
“That coffee for me?” Val asked.
“You and your company.” Nati took a sip from her mug without looking up. “Sucia,” she muttered into her drink, her face stern.
Val’s face went numb. “Wha—Don’t call me dirty!”
“Whatever. I happened to get off my shift early last night.” She shut off the cafetera. “So I thought I’d sneak in, because God forbid, I’d wake you up when you’re sleeping.” Nati took the tea bag from her cup and dropped it in the compost bin. Val caught the aroma of chamomile. Her sister would be going to bed soon and wouldn’t ruin her sleep with caffeine. “Anyway, I guess I was a little too quiet because, girl...” Nati shook her head, leaving the rest to be understood.
“Nati—” Val began, leaning weakly against the counter.
“After about an hour of trying to sleep through that—” she waved her hand, her face pinched in disgust “—I got up to make myself some tea. Now, I have sounds I’ll never get out of my head again. I might need a therapist.”
“I swear I didn’t realize you were home,” Val continued, mortified. “I’m so sorry.”
Nati gave Val a withering look that made her die a thousand deaths inside. Without warning, Nati burst into hysterical laughter, setting her cup on the counter and doubling over until tears squeezed out the corner of her eyes.
“What are you laughing at?”
“Oh. My. God! The look on your face! Why didn’t I take a picture?” Nati rummaged in her robe for her cell phone. “Do it again so I can take a picture.”
“If you don’t put that phone away...” Val calculated all the ways she could dispose of Nati’s body without getting caught. “I can’t believe you had me going.”
Nati continued laughing, until she came up for air, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “You’re so gullible... I would have gone on longer...but... I couldn’t anymore... Your face!”
Val scowled at her sister as she howled with laughter.
“The only reason I knew you were with someone was because I remembered the Alpha Romeo from the last time my dude was here.” Nati’s easy smile evaporated as she leaned in close to her sister, dropping her voice to a whisper. “So, like, are you guys a thing now?”
Val whispered, as well. “It’s a long story. Just...go easy on him, will you?”
Nati sighed. “Okay, but I’m going to need a full explanation because I don’t get this at all. That enemies-to-lovers stuff is great in romance novels, but in real life...?” Nati’s eyes shifted and her features brightened. “Hi, Philip.”
Philip gave Val a sheepish smile. “Nati.”
She cocked her head in the direction of the table. “Have a seat. I picked up pan dulce from the bakery this morning. Can I offer you some?”
“That’s really nice of you. Thank you.”
“I’ll help.” Val mouthed, “Thank you,” as she passed by her sister. Val prepared the coffee mugs while Nati and Philip bantered easily. Nati was the most extroverted of the three siblings and her friendly manner put everyone else at ease.
Val watched her sister and her... Lover? Boyfriend? She wasn’t sure what to call him, but she couldn’t believe this man, who was now in her kitchen, laughing at her sister’s ridiculous jokes, was the same man with whom she’d been with last night, the same man she couldn’t stand to see just one month ago.
She took another sip of her coffee and caught Philip watching her. His expression was gentle but intense. He didn’t break eye contact until she turned her head away. This was a lot, and she was simply grateful her sister was making it easier by behaving.
The front door clicked opened, jolting Val from her thoughts. Nati stepped out into the hallway, and a wicked grin broke across her face. Val realized too late what had her sister practically rubbing her hands in glee.
She could count on Nati to cooperate with her. She was a goofball, but she’d learned the art of diplomacy in med school. Rafi was more direct, a consequence of working with teenagers all day, and less inclined to filter himself.
“I smelled the coffee and knew you were still up. What’s Val making?” Rafi said as he bent to give Nati a kiss on the cheek.
“Val didn’t make breakfast,” Nati said meaningfully, barely suppressing a giggle.
Philip stood just as Rafi noticed him. Rafi looked from him to his sister. “I’m Rafael,” he said slowly. “And you’re...?”
“Philip.” He offered his hand. Rafi looked down at it, then back up at Philip before slowly shaking it.
“Philip? As in Philip Wagner?” he said, giving Val a smile that was so fake, it looked painted on.
“Oh.” Rafi crossed his arms, appraising him. “Didn’t know you worked Sundays.”
“Pardon me?” Philip asked.
“Rafi,” Val warned.
“I’m just saying, you’re out here on a Sunday morning. Are you trying to buy this building, too?”
Nati shoved a mug of coffee in Rafi’s hand. “Callate! That’s not why he’s here, dummy.” She gave him a pointed look. “Nothing at all to do with the building.”
Rafi looked from Nati to Val, then to Philip, then back to Val again. He must have registered Val’s crazy hair, the fact that she was wearing pajamas while Philip sported a crumpled shirt and tuxedo pants.
“Well, damn,” Rafi whispered before recovering himself. He turned to Val. “Bueno, hermanita, parece que ya desajunastes...” he said in a singsong voice, taking a sip of his coffee. Val bristled at the double entendre of him telling her she’d already had breakfast.
Val opened her mouth to put him in his place, but Nati quickly intervened. “You just coming in?”
Rafi’s gaze lingered on Philip over the rim of his mug. “I was only out dancing, scandalous ones. Then Roberto and I went to an after-hour.”
“Roberto?” Nati asked suggestively.
Rafi looked at Nati with extra attitude. “Nothing like that...yet. Like I said, I leave the scandalous behavior to my big sis.”
“You can quit it now,” Val snapped.
“Aw, come on,” Rafi said, slapping Philip’s back a little harder than necessary. “If Philip wants to hang with us, he’s gonna have to get used to being teased. Just try not to buy our building, okay?”
Philip nodded solemnly. “Promise.”
“Humph.” Rafi took a seat next to Nati, not quite taking his eyes off Philip. Val took that as a qualified win.
“¡Que jodienda!” Nati cried out, pulling everyone’s attention toward her. “What a pain! Please tell me I wasn’t the only one up all night actually being an adult.”