Book Read Free

Mangos and Mistletoe

Page 11

by Adriana Herrera


  “Oh, I’m dead serious. If you want space, if you want time, even if you don’t want anything to do with me, I needed to do this. I had to try. Sully, you brought home back to me. My roots, my core, the things that make me me, and on top of that, you gave me this.” She said that last part as she pressed us closer. I put my nose on the crook of her neck and inhaled, feeling like my lungs could fill up for the first time since I left that castle in Scotland.

  “You’re giving up a lot, Kiskeya. What if you change your mind?” I asked, not wanting to believe this could be really be real.

  “I’ve never been more sure of anything than I am about this.” She pulled back so she could find my gaze, holding it as she spoke. “Do you want to hear how I knew?”

  “Tell me.”

  “It was the first time ever I didn’t have to wonder what came next. The only thing that mattered was being here with you.”

  A sob escaped my throat and I tightened my arms around her neck until our noses were pressed to each other. “Fuck this, I need to kiss you.”

  She grinned and I pounced. I kissed her like I’d imagined I would during all these days when I thought I’d lost her. I kissed her like she was exactly what I’d needed and thought I’d never be able to have again. After what felt like hours and not nearly long enough, I pulled back.

  “I have so many questions...”

  She pressed her lips to mine again, lingered there, until I almost swooned. “I only have one.”

  “Yes.” I grinned as she laughed against my mouth.

  “I didn’t ask yet.” Another soft kiss, and then her mouth moved across my face until her lips were grazing my ear. “Will you let me court you, Sully Morales?”

  I shuddered out a shaky breath, because she was going to wreck me forever. “Does that mean we can’t do it? Because I really hope you have a hotel where we can go as soon as I can lock this place down.”

  That husky laugh against my ear was breathing life into me. It was like my entire body was a plant getting watered for the first time in weeks. “I do have a hotel, and things are definitely getting done there.”

  “Thank God.”

  Her shoulders shook at my relief, and after a moment, she filled me in. “The show’s setting me up for a couple of weeks. Hopefully I can find a place to live by then. The manager from Canela said she’ll help with that.” I shook my head, already thinking about the different people in the neighborhood who had mentioned places opening up.

  “I’ll help you find a place.”

  She tightened her arms around me, and I could’ve wept from happiness. “We have a lot to figure out. I want to hear about your plans too.”

  I smiled at her and pulled her farther into the store. “I’m excited to think about them with you.” I stopped mid-step when I realized I hadn’t asked an important detail. “Can you stay for Nochebuena?”

  The signature mischievous Kiskeya smile came out, then: “I’ve already got an invite from your mom.”

  “My mom?” I balked. “Did she know you were coming?”

  She tugged on my hand and brought me in for another kiss. Her tongue was like a drug and by the time I came up for air, I had no clue what we were even talking about. “I had a little help getting here.”

  It was like I’d been lit from the inside. “I’m so happy you’re here, Kiskeya. I’m so glad you came.”

  “I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. Merry Christmas, Sully.”

  I pressed my cheek to hers and held on tight. “Feliz Navidad, mi amor.”

  Epilogue

  One year and one day later

  Kiskeya

  “Mmmmm, Christmas morning has never been this good...keep going, baby.”

  I licked into Sully, the tip of my tongue circling her clit as she thrust her hips, pressing her pussy to my mouth. A year later and still I felt like I would never get enough.

  “Come here, sweetheart.” She beckoned, and immediately I lifted off and made my way up her body, looking for her mouth.

  She was still wearing her pajama shirt, pushed up so she could play with her tits while I went down on her. I pinched one as I kissed her, open mouthed and hungry. I thrust my hips so she could feel the lubed dildo I’d strapped on before I got derailed.

  “Si, damelo.” She grabbed my ass and pressed me to her. Well aware nothing revved me up more than seeing her needy. “I gotta have it.”

  I brought my hand back down and dipped my thumb into her slick heat. “You’re so wet for me.”

  “Always. Come on, babe.” She moaned and I couldn’t wait another second. I palmed the dildo and entered her slowly, her moans the only sound in our little studio apartment.

  “Tell me how it feels,” I gasped as I thrust in earnest, one hand leaning on the bed and the other rubbing circles on her clit.

  “So good. Harder,” she pleaded, as she rocked her hips with mine. “I’m so close.”

  I thrust in and out of her with the strap-on and worked my fingers on her exactly like I knew she liked. Soon, her legs were trembling with the incoming orgasm. She stiffened, her head thrown back, mouth open in a silent cry, as I fucked her through one, and then a second orgasm.

  I pulled out and quickly took the strap off, knowing what she’d ask for next. As soon as she heard the thump of the silicone toy hitting the floor, she crooked her finger, eyes still closed.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, already crawling up her body. “I’m not sure what that means.” I pressed myself to her, so she could feel how wet I was.

  She opened one eye as she shoved a pillow under her head. “It means, sit on my face.”

  Maybe someday, sex with Sully wouldn’t be all-consuming. Maybe...eventually. But today, this room, this bed, this woman, it was my whole world.

  “Come here, baby.” I came to her as I always did, needing her, and immediately she licked into me. Strong hands gripping me tight, bringing my pussy to her mouth so she could have me, just like she wanted me.

  “Mmm, yeah suck on that. Tighter, corazon.” I leaned on the wall and rocked my hips as she kissed, sucked, and licked me into a frenzy. And soon I was coming, again, and again. When I was spent, I lowered my sated body until I was on my side face to face with the woman I loved.

  “Merry Christmas, mi amor.” It was useless to try and keep the smile from my lips.

  “Feliz Navidad, mi vida.” She said, tangling our feet together as she reached out for my hand, as if her calling me “her life” was no big deal.

  “How about a summer wedding?” she asked as she looked at the engagement ring I’d put on her finger last night at her mother’s house.

  “I’d do it tomorrow. I just want to be married to you.”

  A sweet smile and more kisses were her answer. “Now that your job at the bakery will have more responsibility, it’s probably better to wait a few months.”

  I shrugged at that. Canela, had just opened a new branch in the Upper West Side which I was the executive chef for. It was a great job, and I wanted to do well, but Sully, us, that was my priority. “I already let them know I may need time off for the wedding.”

  “So you’ve been this planning for a while?”

  I scoffed and pulled her in for another kiss. “As if you didn’t know that already.”

  “True, you’re a chronic planner. We can think about timing later. I have the new bakers, and Mom is managing the finance side, so in theory, I can take time off.” I grinned at how off-put she looked, even though her business was booming. Sully’s online bakery had taken off this year. She’d started a nonprofit in the end, and part of the mission was to train survivors of domestic violence to bake commercially. A way for them to be financially independent. Her first couple of students had ended up doing so well, she hired them full-time. It was a beautiful project and I was so proud of her.

  “We’ll figure it out. I just want to honeymoon somewhere warm where I can have access to your body twenty-four-seven.” It really was my only requirement.

&nbs
p; “That can be arranged, I’m sure.” She answered happily as I moved in to kiss her, already feeling the lust building again. I tangled my tongue with hers, my hands roaming over my favorite spots.

  “Again,” she encouraged as I opened her with my fingers, always ready for more.

  Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

  “Leave it, babe. Don’t stop.” I wasn’t planning to.

  She was delivering fevered open-mouthed kisses as I touched her, when the phone on my side of the bed started buzzing too.

  “Dammit.” We both pulled apart as I felt around for the phone.

  “You know it’s my mother,” Sully grumbled as she buttoned her pajama shirt.

  I squinted at the screen and grinned. “It’s your mom and my sister. She wants to Facetime later.”

  “I love that she likes me, but your sister’s timing is as bad as my mother’s.”

  I snorted as I sent texts to our family, assuring them we would surface eventually.

  “I don’t know what the rush is,” my fiancée complained. “All Mami has this morning are leftovers and Mimosas.”

  “I got the mango custard pie. I didn’t bring it last night because she told me if I left it there, she’d eat it,” I said, still texting with Sully’s mom.

  She sucked her teeth, but I could hear the smile in her voice clearly. “You two and your weird arrangements.”

  “Magalys and I understand each other.”

  “Yeah, baby, you do.” She leaned in and gently took the phone out of my hand. “No more texting. We’ll be there soon. But let’s enjoy our little nest before we have to go out into the snow. No rushing,” she said, pressing a soft kiss to my mouth. “Today’s a no-bake day, just a play day.”

  I smiled at that. “I love our play days. Te amo.”

  “Kiskeya, mi bella.”

  Our phones buzzed at the same time, probably a message from my sister or more instructions from her mother. But we ignored them all and took refuge under our warm blankets as the snow fell outside on our little corner of the world.

  Acknowledgments

  To the LatinxRom crew who in helped me grow this idea into a story. I am so grateful to have you all as part of my author family. To Annabeth Albert for helping me figure out this first venture in self-publishing. To my SC Sisters LaQuette and Harper Miller for all your support. And to Leigh Kramer and Nini for all your input about the story. I appreciate you all immensely.

  Also by Adriana Herrera

  American Dreamer

  American Fairytale

  American Love Story

  American Sweethearts (March 2020)

  He’s Come Undone (May 2020)

  Finding Joy (June 2020)

  Don’t miss my next release!

  Sign up for my newsletter for updates.

  Or visit adrianaherreraromance.com

  American Dreamer

  A TODAY SHOW BEST NEW BOOK TO READ THIS SUMMER

  No one ever said big dreams come easy

  For Nesto Vasquez, moving his Afro-Caribbean food truck from New York City to the wilds of Upstate New York is a huge gamble. If it works? He’ll be a big fish in a little pond. If it doesn’t? He’ll have to give up the hustle and return to the day job he hates. He’s got six months to make it happen—the last thing he needs is a distraction.

  Jude Fuller is proud of the life he’s built on the banks of Cayuga Lake. He has a job he loves and good friends. It’s safe. It’s quiet. And it’s damn lonely. Until he tries Ithaca’s most-talked-about new lunch spot and works up the courage to flirt with the handsome owner. Soon he can’t get enough—of Nesto’s food or of Nesto. For the first time in his life, Jude can finally taste the kind of happiness that’s always been just out of reach.

  An opportunity too good to pass up could mean a way to stay together and an incredible future for them both...if Nesto can remember happiness isn’t always measured by business success. And if Jude can overcome his past and trust his man will never let him down.

  American Fairytale

  Fairy-tale endings don’t just happen; they have to be fought for.

  New York City social worker Camilo Santiago Briggs grew up surrounded by survivors who taught him to never rely on anything you didn’t earn yourself. He’s always dreamed of his own happily-ever-after, but he lives in the real world. Men who seem too good to be true...usually are. And Milo never ever mixes business with pleasure...until the mysterious man he had an unforgettable hookup with turns out to be the wealthy donor behind his agency’s new, next-level funding.

  Thomas Hughes built a billion-dollar business from nothing: he knows what he wants and isn’t shy about going after it. When the enthralling stranger who blew his mind at a black-tie gala reappears, Tom’s more than ready to be his Prince Charming. Showering Milo with the very best of everything is how Tom shows his affection.

  Trouble is, Milo’s not interested in any of it. The only thing Milo wants is Tom.

  Fairy-tale endings take work as well as love. For Milo, that means learning to let someone take care of him, for a change. And for Tom, it’s figuring out that real love is the one thing you can’t buy.

  American Love Story

  No one should have to choose between love and justice.

  Haitian-born professor and activist Patrice Denis is not here for anything that will veer him off the path he’s worked so hard for. One particularly dangerous distraction: Easton Archer, the assistant district attorney who last summer gave Patrice some of the most intense nights of his life, and still makes him all but forget they’re from two completely different worlds.

  All-around golden boy Easton forged his own path to success, choosing public service over the comforts of his family’s wealth. With local law enforcement unfairly targeting young men of color, and his career—and conscience—on the line, now is hardly the time to be thirsting after Patrice again. Even if their nights together have turned into so much more.

  For the first time, Patrice is tempted to open up and embrace the happiness he’s always denied himself. But as tensions between the community and the sheriff’s office grow by the day, Easton’s personal and professional lives collide. And when the issue at hand hits closer to home than either could imagine, they’ll have to work to forge a path forward...together.

  American Sweethearts

  Juan Pablo Campos doesn’t do regrets. He’s living the dream as a physical therapist for his beloved New York Yankees. He has the best friends and family in the world and simply no time to dwell on what could’ve been.

  Except when it comes to Priscilla, the childhood friend he’s loved for what seems like forever.

  New York City police detective Priscilla Gutierrez has never been afraid to go after what she wants. Second-guessing herself isn’t a thing she does. But lately, the once-clear vision she had for herself—her career, her relationships, her life—is no longer what she wants.

  What she especially doesn’t want is to be stuck on a private jet to the Dominican Republic with JuanPa, the one person who knows her better than anyone else.

  By the end of a single week in paradise, the love/hate thing JuanPa and Pris have been doing for sixteen years has risen to epic proportions. No one can argue their connection is still there. And they can both finally admit—if only to themselves—they’ve always been a perfect match. The future they dreamed of together is still within reach...if they can just accept each other as they are.

  Coming March 2020 – Preorder Now

  He’s Come Undone: A Romance Anthology

  “Appassionata” by Emma Barry

  Piano technician Brennan Connelly lives to control details: the tension on a piano string or the compression of hammer felt. But he’s never faced demands like those heaped on him by Kristy Kwong, the diva who’s haunted his dreams for two decades. Kristy’s got her own secrets—the debilitating stage fright that’s kept her from performing publicly for years to start—and this concert is the last chance to save her career. But can he locate her lost
passion without losing his precious control?

  “Unraveled” by Olivia Dade

  Math teacher Simon Burnham—cool, calm, controlled—can’t abide problems with no good solution. Which makes his current work assignment, mentoring art teacher Poppy Wick, nothing short of torture. She’s warm but sharp. Chaotic but meticulous. Simultaneously the most frustrating and most alluring woman he’s ever known. And in her free time, she makes murder dioramas. Murder dioramas, for heaven’s sake. But the more tightly wound a man is, the faster he unravels—and despite his best efforts, he soon finds himself attempting to solve three separate mysteries: a murder in miniature, the unexplained disappearance of a colleague...and the unexpected theft of his cold, cold heart.

  “Caught Looking” by Adriana Herrera

  When best friends Yariel and Hatuey’s gaming night turns into an unexpected and intense hook up, Hatuey can’t wait to do it again. Yariel is less certain—the major leaguer might seem to all the world like he has a heart of stone, but he’s been carrying a torch for his friend for years, and worries this will ruin the most important relationship in his life. That means Hatuey has to do all the work, and he’s planning to give it all he’s got. Yariel may be the one hitting home runs on the field...but Hatuey is playing a game of seduction, and he knows exactly how to make Yariel crumble.

  “Yes, And...” by Ruby Lang

  When rheumatologist Darren Zhang accidentally sits in on acting teacher Joan Lacy’s improv class, he’s unprepared for the attraction that hits him—and he’s a man who likes to be prepared. Joan is caring for her ailing mother and barely has time to keep up her art, let alone date. But as the pair play out an unlikely relationship during stolen moments, they both find themselves wanting to say yes, and... much more.

  “Tommy Cabot Was Here” by Cat Sebastian

  Massachusetts, 1959: Some people might accuse mathematician Everett Sloane of being stuffy, but really he just prefers things a certain way: predictable, quiet, and far away from Tommy Cabot—his former best friend, chaos incarnate, and the man who broke his heart. The youngest son of a prominent political family, Tommy threw away his future by coming out to his powerful brothers. When he runs into Everett, who fifteen years ago walked away from Tommy without an explanation or a backward glance, his old friend’s chilliness is just another reminder of how bad a mess Tommy has made of his life. When Everett realizes that his polite formality is hurting Tommy, he needs to decide whether he can unbend enough to let Tommy get close but without letting himself get hurt the way he was all those years ago.

 

‹ Prev