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  “Plain white shirt, hugging his sexy chest, cargo shorts and Nike tennis shoes. Damn, even his calves are sexy. It’s the guy with the kinda longish, dark brown hair and bedroom eyes,” she said.

  “Someone’s been staring a while to give that description.” I leaned my body more, honing in on the target. The second I did, his eyes locked dead on me.

  My breath hitched, my center heating as his eyes glittered with amusement and desire. I quickly looked away, flushing with embarrassment. I’d never reacted to a guy like that before. I didn’t get those physical reactions that every hero and heroine did in erotic romance novels. I reached out and barely avoided spilling my drink as I quickly raised the glass to my lips and downed the entire beverage; I needed to be cooled off, fast!

  “Told you.” Stella smirked, her eyes sparkling with humor and mischief as she watched me struggle to control my reaction.

  I swallowed hard, biting my lower lip as the alcohol hit my system. Instead of helping though, it only warmed my pussy more, which encouraged my wandering mind.

  “Damn, girl. I’ve never seen you react like that before. I was gonna call dibs on him, but I’ll play fair and let him choose. He’s heading our way.”

  “What?” My eyes shot open as I leaned forward.

  “Buenos noches.” He smiled lazily. His dark eyes regarded me with restraint; he was a blank cloud showing no emotion.

  “Habbla English?” Stella stumbled over the Spanish word. I swear one of these times she was going to mean one thing but accidentally pronounce it wrong and get us in trouble.

  “Si. Habla Espanol?” he countered, turning the wooden chair so he could straddle the back as he sat between us.

  “No, but you could teach me.” She lifted her chin slightly, confidence radiating off her. I hated to admit I was envious of her assurance, especially when she casually leaned into him and ran her fingers along his copper forearm.

  “Donde tu eres? Where are you from?” he asked. He asked Stella but then looked at me. I stiffened, awkwardly shifting in my seat. He watched my every move, giving no hint as to what he was thinking.

  Stella boldly grabbed his hand, pulling his attention back to her. “I’m a Georgia peach; sweet and juicy.”

  I barely managed to stifle my laugh, which probably made me look like I was having convulsions based off the raised brow Stella’s Latin lover threw my way.

  “Where in Georgia?” Again, he asked Stella but looked at me.

  I sucked my bottom lip between my teeth. I looked down at the brushed metal table, trying to avoid his gaze. It was as if he was trying to stare into me, get beyond what everyone saw to the raw layers within me. It unnerved me. My stomach was in knots and my sex began to pulse with my racing heart.

  “Enough about me. Tell me about yourself, sexy.” Stella’s voice took on a husky quality.

  “Que quieres saber? What do you want to know?”

  “I love how you’re teaching me as we go along. Shows that you listen to what a woman wants.” She scooted her chair closer to his, sidling up to him.

  “Aqui, el placer de una mujer es lo mas importante. Here, a woman’s pleasure is the most important thing.” His eyes landed on me as he placed emphasis on the last few words.

  “Uh, I’m going to find our server and get another drink. You two, um… Well… Oh, hell. I’ll be back.” I slid my chair back, the wooden legs scraping along the concrete floor.

  I turned to walk away but immediately halted when a pair of muscular arms anchored me in place. A shiver ran down my spine, sending a flutter through my womb, as he stood behind me. How did he move so quickly? He struck fast and silent like a cobra.

  I barely stifled a moan as he slid my hair away from my neck, sliding a finger along my pulse point. My skin tingled in the wake of his touch.

  He leaned in close, pressing his wall of muscles to my back. “I said a woman’s pleasure is the most important thing. If a drink will make you happy, I will go get it.”

  My eyes widened as my knees suddenly struggled not to give out. Was I supposed to read between those lines? I looked to Stella. At first she appeared slightly disappointed but quickly slipped a smile back on her face and winked at me.

  “Uh, that’s okay.” I cringed. Why was I clamming up now of all times? Not that I was ever talented in the dating department, but I’d never fumbled around like a fool before either. Okay, so most of the time…

  “You need to loosen up, nena.”

  Nen-nuh? As he stepped back my lungs refilled with air. I hadn’t even realized I wasn’t breathing, probably because my body was humming with awareness. I was hypersensitive in his presence; he made me hot in every sense of the sexual reference. I squirmed as he threw me off-kilter.

  His full lips lifted slightly at the corners, his eyes raking over me. “I know what you need.”

  My mouth went dry in response to his naughty, sexual innuendo. My nipples hardened despite the hundred-degree temperature outside. Oh God. This was bad. I had never wanted to rip a guy’s clothes off like I did right now. I certainly had never wanted to rub my swollen clit against anything so bad. I needed to get away from him.

  “Those your friends over there?” Stella asked, nodding her head towards the table he’d been sitting at. Two males sat back casually sipping beers, but their eyes were glued to us, intensely watching the scene we were creating.

  I suddenly realized I didn’t even know his name. Nonetheless, he jerked his head, motioning for his friends to come over. They dropped a couple bills on their table and walked towards us.

  His friends weren’t as muscular as he was. One was tall and thin, with lean muscle that showed slight definition, his left bicep barely protruded under his half sleeve of tattoos. His hair was gelled upwards, showing off a mohawk, thankfully without a rat-tail. His other friend was a couple inches shorter and appeared far more bulky standing next to his skinny friend. He wasn’t overweight, merely beefy in comparison. Even his hair seemed overgrown and puffy compared to the other guy.

  “This is Ramon,” he said pointing to the lankier male. “This is Jaffi, and I’m Cruz.”

  “I’m Stella, and that’s Summer. Now cut the crap and tell me your real name.” Stella crossed her arms in front of her and stood tall, not wanting to be dwindled by our new friends. She stood 5’7” without heels compared to my micro stance of 5’2”.

  “It’s not, but if you call him by his first name, he’ll shoot you.” Ramon’s brows wagged as he playfully pursed his lips.

  “He won’t shoot me, but I can already hear some Spanish curse words floating my way. Would you be so kind as to tell me his first name, Ramon? After all, he is trying to shack up with my friend, and just in case he tries to pull anything, I need to know what name to give the police.”

  “Stella!” Half the heat flooding my core shot to my cheeks. She was my best friend, but she definitely kept me on my toes and out of my comfort zone. I loved and hated her for it.

  Ramon bent down, cupping his hand around his mouth and Stella’s ear. A moment later he stood up straight; Stella was grinning from ear to ear. He laughed at the stern disapproval painted on Cruz’s face. “Lighten up, bro. It’s not the end of the world.”

  “Por yo, no; por tu, si.”

  “Ay! Let’s get our salsa on,” Jaffi exclaimed in his accent thick. He sashayed his hips for effect.

  “Vamados.” Cruz jutted his chin out towards the exit. I grabbed my clutch. Just as I was about to pull out my wallet, he threw down a hundred-dollar bill.

  “I was-“

  “Let’s go,” he clipped. His hands landed on my hips as he pushed me towards the opening in the gate surrounding the patio.

  His hands were firm, assured. He knew what he was doing. Nerves shot through me; my insides churned with excitement and fear. Stella and I had talked about a vacation fling, but girls always daydreamed about that stuff, though it never actually happened.

  Chapter 3

  The guys led us a few blocks over
to a white Lexus SUV. Hundred-dollar bill for dinner, like it was nothing and a luxury SUV… Clearly these guys had money, or at least Cruz did, since he was the one with the keys and the cash.

  I smiled when Ramon copped a feel as he helped Stella into the back seat, his hands slid down from her waist to her ass as she moved forward. I laughed out loud when she swatted at him. My laughter quickly faded as I considered the situation. We were getting into a vehicle where we were outnumbered. Walking to another location was one thing, but driving amped-up the danger. They could lock the doors and take us anywhere they wanted.

  “Come on, girl. Live a little.” Stella sat primly in the middle of the back seat, her clutch appearing smaller than it actually was in her lap.

  I took a deep breath. This is a vacation. We’re supposed to be living a little and having fun, I told myself.

  I went to climb in behind her, but Cruz redirected me to the front passenger seat. “You, mi reina, are aqui.” His hands snaked around my hips as he lifted me into the seat. I screamed, trying to reach for the door. He was fast though; he handed me the seat belt before I had a chance to catch my breath.

  Doors slammed as everyone settled in. Cruz turned the key in the ignition. When his eyes landed on me, my heart took off again. I could tell he was just like Stella. I would never know what to expect from him. It both scared and excited me.

  He leaned across the console and kissed my cheek. “I can’t wait to make you scream like that in my bed later.”

  Every part of me halted except my libido. My pussy clenched, an ache igniting. I barely contained a whimper as he stomped on the gas pedal, jerking us out into the heavy street traffic. Suddenly, he hit his brakes and his hand swung out over my chest to keep me from flying forward. He took advantage of the position and started rubbing his thumb in lazy circles; he knew he was near my nipple. This time a soft moan escaped me.

  I threw my head back against the seat, closing my eyes and ignoring the stares I was sure were coming from every angle. Why the heck was I putty in his hands? What was it about him that set my sex aflame and put my body into sensitive overdrive? I opened my eyes and studied his profile. A smirk lifted his cheeks as he removed his hand. As I observed his model-like features, I noticed his nose was perfectly straight and evenly balanced with his strong jawline. As I observed his model-like features, I noticed his nose was perfectly straight and evenly balanced with his strong jawline. However, his actions screamed predator; but I could tell there was something soft and reverent beneath his hard exterior.

  Twenty minutes later, Cruz and his friends led us into a small, hole-in-the-wall club. Salsa and Reggaeton music blasted through the space, seeping far beyond its walls outside. Bodies of all shapes and sizes swayed to the catchy beats. The music invigorated me, but the atmosphere made me want to shake my hips, raise my arms up in the air and throw caution to the wind.

  There were no tables or chairs. The only thing aside from the dance floor was a small bar in the corner when you first walked in. A window overlooking the cramped space indicated the DJ’s booth was nestled away from the crowd. Cruz slid his fingers between mine as he led me to the center of the floor. The patrons seemed to have a sixth sense, automatically parting as he escorted me towards the center of the action.

  He pulled my back to his front. His hands clasped each of mine, his fingers threading mine as he wrapped them around my middle. He leaned into me, pressing his erection against my lower back. He began moving his hips, forcing mine to move along with his.

  “Let your body lead the way. Let your hips sway in rhythm to the music.” He nipped my ear sending a jolt of pleasure to my core.

  He released my hands; his fingers slid up and over my breasts. My nipples strained, the friction of my bra heightening my pleasure. His right hand slid down my side, across my thigh, over my mound and back up to my hip. I found myself leaning into his touch as I kept rhythm with the song that seemed never-ending.

  Three songs later I was panting, my body hyper-aware of his every move. My folds were drenched, and not in sweat. My clit was swollen, begging to be caressed. My breasts were heavy, the pert peaks crying for his hot mouth to cover them.

  Abruptly he spun me around, his eyes were as dark as midnight and barely visible in the dimly lit space. Goose bumps broke out over my skin as he licked his lips and his eyes took in their fill. I bit my lower lip as he placed a soft finger on my lips and traced them, tempting me to open for him. Slowly, my teeth released my lip as I stared up at him. My hips had long stopped swaying and were now grinding into him. I was lost in everything he was doing to me; I was lost in him. I’d never felt so weak, so anxious. I couldn’t seem to control my body; instead my body was the one in control.

  “Come with me.” His tone held authority and didn’t give me the option to refuse.

  He led us through the crowd until he came to Ramon and Stella in nearly the same state we were. “Get her home safe.” Cruz jutted his chin towards Stella.

  Stella finally turned towards me when the song ended. I pointed to her purse now dangling from her wrist. I did the universal lifting of my thumb to my ear and pinky towards my mouth signaling I would call her later. She nodded and winked in response, flashing a big, reassuring smile before continuing to dance with Ramon.

  Fifteen minutes later, we were heading up an ancient elevator in an art deco style apartment building. Based off the décor, I imagined the building was renovated in the early 90’s despite being here much longer. Faded teal walls and restored white and blue tiled floors greeted us in the lobby. Bold nineties fashion prints of models posing throughout San Juan were framed and hanging along the walls. The lobby was like a courtyard. It had a fountain in the center and an opening where the back door would have been so anyone could walk out onto the covered back patio or into the small garden area.

  The elevator stopped on the twelfth floor. There was a brief pause. Then Cruz held his arm out to stop the doors from closing, a display that suggested I exit first. We walked into a hall of faded blue tiles and marked up white walls. He secured my hand and led me to the last door on the left. He pulled the key out of his pocket and unlocked two locks on the door. He didn’t touch the knob though.

  My gut twisted as his eyes met mine. “You go in here; we’re having sex.” He pulled me to him. “I promise to make you come and scream for more, but I will not let you leave here without having tried you.”

  My chest tightened as my throat dried up. Every ounce of fear raised to the surface as every ounce of moisture sank straight to my pussy. My heart beat thunderously inside my constricted chest. I was surprised how even-paced my breathing remained despite everything going on inside my body and my mind.

  When he pursed his lips, his eyes creased slightly at the corners. It alluded to his thirty-something age. A single finger traced my nose, my lips, my jaw, down my neck and barely visible collarbone. His digit swept down along the junction in my breasts. His other hand grazed up the side of my body as if he was outlining my curves. Both hands swept over the tops of my breasts before two fingers assaulted my nipples.

  I hissed, barely biting back a moan. After all that he’d done to my body over the last however-long-it’d-been, he was proving that he knew how to take care of me. At the very least, I would have an orgasm; he promised me as much, but it was the other stuff brewing below the surface that scared the shit out of me. Something had shifted between us on the dance floor. Perhaps it was his endless tease, but somehow I’d been drawn deeper into him.

  “Okay.” My voice cracked as I melted into his arms.

  His lips crashed down on mine; they were soft, yet demanding, much like their owner. There was no slow exploration; he immediately plunged his tongue between my willing lips. He tasted sweet, better than the most decadent chocolate cake, with a hint of beer lingering on his palate. The two flavors together stimulated me. I licked along the seam of his mouth. He held still, allowing me to indulge in him. The second my tongue snaked past the barrier of
his lips, his hands grabbed my ass, squeezing hard, pulling me against his thick length.

  He lifted me upwards slightly, pushing me beyond the door and into the dark space. He fumbled with the lock before he guided me backwards through the black hole, already testing how much I trusted him. Moments later my back was pushed into a soft, yet solid, mattress. My hands slid behind me, prepared to hoist me up onto the furniture. Cruz gripped my wrists, trapping them above my head. He kissed a trail away from my mouth before abandoning me. Seconds later a small bedside lamp lit up the space in a warm glow. He walked over to the window and turned on an A/C unit, the noise filling the space with a loud hum.

  My eyes traveled the bedroom. A king sized bed and two nightstands were the only items in the room. I was slightly shocked not to see a TV or even a dresser. The black furniture contrasted against the white walls and the antique green and white floor tiles. A dark teal comforter lay neatly across the lowest part of the mattress revealing a crisp white fitted sheet. The same white covered at least six pillows scattered near the head of the mattress.

  Strong hands cupped my cheeks with gentleness. He waited; patiently he waited for me to meet his gaze. Finally, I lifted my eyes towards him. He studied me for a minute, a frown creasing his brow.

  “What are you scared of, mi amor?”

  “I, uh…” I tried to swallow past the frog in my throat. The second the light was turned on, the drive to jump him quickly subsided as uncertainty settled in. I avoided the lights during sex. Wasn’t it every fat girl’s nightmare for the man she was with to be able to see her every roll, every bulge and every jiggle as they danced between the sheets? I was no different.

  His eyes narrowed, watching as I began to fidget. “You aren’t a virgin, are you?” He took a step back, his hands still firmly in place but his body no longer pressed against mine.

  “No.” I gave him a small smile.

  He seemed to accept that and moved back to me. His muscles were hard against my soft curves. He began to gently brush his thumbs along my cheeks. Slowly the fear began to ebb. He leaned in, gently kissing my lips. “Stop thinking, and let me take care of you,” he said.