Cursed-epub (16 page)

Drums and music roared through the practice hall of the samba school. Sean shifted from foot to foot and tapped his fingers against his leather-clad thigh. Carnival was almost upon them, and he needed to get on to the massive winter-themed float that would follow the drum section of the samba school in the parade. A pair of black leather pants clung to his hips, and on his face he wore a complicated silver-and-blue ice mask, and that was about it. Sheer silver body paint glimmered on his skin, accenting the tattoo on his back.

Tian opened the door leading into the main part of the school. A hush came over the crowd as they waited for him to speak. He wore an elaborate white-and-neon-blue outfit, with white velvet pants that looked as though they were painted on. Tian grinned at Adam, his boyfriend, and blew him a kiss before turning serious. Tian's back had healed without a scar, and he didn't remember much of what had happened to him, thanks to Sean's magic and the healing power of Adam's love.

“Ladies and gentleman of the Ramirez Samba School, may I present to you your
Rainha da Bateria
…Carmella Ramirez!” Tian shouted as he led her out.

The crowd roared at a deafening volume while beating on their drums and playing their horns. Carmella wore the Snow Queen costume she had worked so hard on, and she looked spectacular. A few adjustments done by Sean's seamstress had altered the garment for her frame.

Long, white plumes of feathers spread out from her elaborate headdress, bits of blue sparkle catching the light. The feathers continued out in a halo to her shoulders, and the long plumes that attached to her back were spread out like angel's wings. Her golden skin shone without the need for paint or cosmetics. The elaborate snowflake pattern hugged Carmella's breasts, hinting at the bare skin beneath as they flowed down her hip and around one elegant leg.

The most beautiful thing of all to Sean's eyes was her smile. It was brilliant. Joy radiated from her as she wiped back a tear and continued to smile at the adoring crowd.

The people of the samba school were overjoyed that Miguel and Dianta had disappeared. A search of the office revealed that Miguel's father had left the school to Carmella, with Miguel taking a role as a financial backer only. The lawyers were still going over it, but Carmella and her mother no longer had to worry about money. The dark shadow of evil had been lifted from the school. Hope and joy radiated from everyone who’d worked there for Carmella's father.

“You're drooling,” Kell yelled into his ear over the noise.

Sean just grinned at him, and Kell laughed. Turning back to stare at Carmella, he felt for the small box in his pocket. He planned to ask her to marry him at the end of the parade. Two days ago, he had driven out to meet Carmella's mother, to ask for her blessing. It had been quickly given, and he bought her ring that day. It was a large central diamond, surrounded by smaller diamonds to look like a snowflake.

Carmella stalked over to him, her hips swinging, and the glittering snowflakes attached to her bikini bottom shimmered with each step. Sean stared, mesmerized by the contained sensuality. He might have a heart attack when she started to dance. Maybe he could get her to wear it on their honeymoon.

“Sean, I was thinking…” Carmella stroked a finger over her glittering cleavage.

“Uh-huh.” Sean's gaze followed her finger, wishing it was his finger sliding over her amazing skin. His body burned whenever she was near. Everything about her drew him in—her kindness, her humor, her strength, and her obvious love for him. For the thousandth time, he sent a prayer of thanks for having her in his life.

Carmella snapped her fingers. “Up here, Sean. I was thinking about your offer to travel the world with you.”

He held his breath and searched her face.

“I would love to.”

Sean smiled and tried to keep his hand from straying to his pocket. It took all of his willpower to keep from proposing to her right now. If he did, they would both be useless for the Carnival. Not that he minded, but Carmella deserved her time in the sun as the Drum Queen. And he would be a sad man if he missed the sight of her dancing in that outfit to his music. “I would love it if you came with me, Carmella. I can't imagine not having you by my side.”

“I was hoping you would say that.” Carmella grasped his chin and tilted his head up. He had been admiring the white high heels with their long ribbons wrapping around her strong calves. “I already gave the job of manager of the school to Tian.”

Sean glanced over her shoulder at Tian, who was busy doing last minute checks with all the dancers and musicians. “I take it he said yes?”

Carmella nodded, that brilliant smile back on her face. “I promised him we would stop by at least twice a year and always come back for Carnival.”

Carefully, Sean stroked a hand down Carmella's cheek. “I would kiss you right now, but I think Tian would kill me for messing with your makeup.”

Carmella's dark eyes filled with passion, and his leather pants were suddenly too tight. “After we are done tonight, you can wash this glitter off me, and I will wash that silver paint off you…and we’ll make up for it.”

Sean growled low in his throat and gently leaned in, brushing his lips softly over hers. “I love you.”

Carmella's lips curved under his in a smile. “And I love you. Now, let's go see if your music can keep up with my hips.”

****

Laughing, Sean carried Carmella over the threshold of the hotel room. To her immense satisfaction, a diamond engagement ring now glittered on her slender finger, marking her as his woman for everyone to see. Flipping on the low lights of the living room area of his suite, Sean barely ran his hands over her waist. A trail of goose bumps followed his touch, and she shivered.

“I'm glad you didn't propose to me until we were at the end of the parade,” she murmured as he slid her down his body. The silver paint smeared and mixed with the sparkles on her skin.

“Why is that?” His strong and gentle fingers began to take out the dozens of pins and clips that held her headdress in place.

“Because I would have spent the rest of Carnival looking at my finger instead of dancing.” The last pin came out, and she sighed as the headdress was lifted from her. As she  tossed her shoes aside she admired the play of muscles while Sean carefully set the headdress on the coffee table.

“You're lucky you had any music to dance to. I thought I was going to lose my mind watching you move.” His voice dipped to a base growl as he stalked across the room to her. “All that beautiful skin, sparkling in the lights. Knowing it was my beat moving you, my music bringing your body to life.”

Suddenly unsure they were talking about music, her heart raced in her chest as he stopped right before her. One big hand cupped her cheek and moved down the side of her neck, pausing on one of the clasps holding her costume in place. He watched her carefully as he undid the clasp, making no move to remove the top.

The importance of this moment in her life had her close to shaking. Oh, she'd enjoyed the pleasures of the bed up to a certain point, but now she was more than ready to see everything that he had to offer. It was love that gave her the courage to undo the clasp on the back of her costume and slide the top down her shoulders.

The sharp inhalation of his breath as her breasts came into view heated her pussy and brought her nipples to hard points.

“So beautiful,” he said in a low voice that stroked over her. He gently cupped her face and drew her in for a kiss. The tip of his tongue licked against her mouth, and she opened herself for him, drawing in the firm heat of his tongue.

Wrapping her arms around his back, she finally got to touch the firm ridges of muscle on either side of his spine, tracing her fingers down his silver skin to grab his butt. That broke a growl from him, and he pulled her closer, the firm length of his erection pressing into the softness of her belly.

Grinding against him, she tugged against the top of his pants, sliding her hands down to curve her hands around his bare ass. All of her hesitation was gone now, burned away by the feel of his body and the heat of his kiss.

“Shower.” He groaned against her lips and stroked the sides of her breasts.

“What?” She pulled back and arched into his hands as they found her nipples, feather-light touches against the tips then a slightly rougher tug and pull. Each movement of his fingers had her pressing her hips into his and undulating until she was practically dancing against him.

“Shower,” he said again, this time sounding a bit desperate.

A sharp tweak of her nipple had her shuddering. The world spun, and she squeaked as he threw her over his shoulder. “What are you doing?”

“Getting us into the shower before I lose my mind.” He ran a hand over her costume-covered bottom. “Gods, I love your ass. It's so round and perfect. I want to eat it.”

“Oh.” She could hardly argue with that logic, or that erotic image.

Setting her down on the seat of the toilet, he turned on the multiple jets of the large shower and adjusted the water. Soon steam filled the air, and he turned to her. Tugging his boots and socks off, he moved closer to kneel in front of her.

“May I undress you?” he asked softly. The silver paint still shimmered on his shoulders, and his eyes were so dark now the blue was almost lost in the black of his pupils.

Nodding, she ran her hands through his hair, so soft and fine she would never grow tired of touching it. He pulled her to her feet and began to unclasp the bikini bottom, sliding it down her legs. Sitting back on his heels, he waited patiently for her to remove her hands from her mound.

She knew it was silly, but with him watching her so intently she had a sudden onset of shyness. Grinning at her, he stood and hooked his thumbs into the edge of his leather pants. Slowly, he drew them down over his hips, pausing to move them over the swell of his erection.

Her hands fell away at the sight of his rigid cock. Thick and full, a soft patch of darker red hair surrounded it. The girth made her eager to have him between her legs, and a low moan worked its way out of her throat as he stepped all the way out of his pants and stood naked before her.

Magnificent. Every inch of him was chiseled and carved muscle, from the heavy slabs of his thighs to the tight ridges of his stomach. His cock stood hard and proud, and she had to touch him. “Is that for me?” she whispered, suddenly bold and curious.

His answer choked off as she lightly wrapped her hand around him. Gods, he was big, and all hers. Using her nails, she lightly traced him from the base of his shaft to the tip. Big hands captured her face and brought her lips to his for a searing kiss that mimicked the stroking of her hand over his cock.

Pressing her against him, he lifted them both into the shower, never breaking the kiss. Warm water from the multiple jets poured over them, and the silver paint melted off his skin. The sensation of his suddenly slick skin beneath her hands had her pussy throbbing.

Breaking away, he grabbed a bar of soap and spun her around, placing her hands on the shower wall in front of her. Spreading her legs to brace herself, she moaned as his soapy hands worked over her shoulders and down the sides of her waist to her bottom.

“I have never seen such a perfect ass,” he said and ran his hands over each mound, gripping her in an almost greedy fashion.

Her intended response faded to a groan as long fingers gently soaped the insides of her thighs, not touching her pussy but coming oh-so close. The water rushed over her, the feeling intensified by his touch. She sucked in a breath and trembled at the feeling of his tongue tracing over one butt cheek.

“Look at that pussy,” he said with a sigh and rubbed his face on the back of her thigh. “So swollen and wet.” Turning her hips gently, he spun her around and widened her stance.

Gripping his wet hair, she urged his mouth to her mound, and he complied. Hot and soft, his tongue spread the folds of her labia and gently sucked at the soft inner lips. The sensation had her kneading her fingers in his hair, groaning her need as he worked her. His own groan joined hers as he spread the top of her labia, exposing her clit.

A delicate stroke of the tongue over that stiff nub had her stumbling against the shower. Instead of releasing her, he threw one of her legs over his shoulder and sucked hard. Pleasure, intense and hot, ripped through her body, and she arched into him. He gently bit her clit and held it between his teeth while his tongue lashed over the tip, driving her arousal higher until she was mindless with need. Long and hard, each suck brought her closer to her orgasm.

Rocking her hips to his face in time with his sucks, she cupped her breasts and pulled on her nipples. This was Sean bringing her pleasure, Sean feasting on her as if she were the most delicious thing he had ever tasted. Hunching over, her body tensed and trembled on the edge. His low growl vibrated through her body and tipped her over the edge.

So good, the orgasm snapped her hips against his mouth and had her screaming. Wave after wave of bliss racked her body until she struggled to get away from his mouth. It was too much, too intense. With a final lick, so soft it was barely a touch, he released her and stared up at her through the water.

“You taste like passion,” he growled out, and she shivered.

He stood and slammed the handle, turning the water off and leaving her shivering. Tugging her out after him, he tossed a towel around her and picked her up. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she marveled at his strength as he carried her. The muscles of his stomach moved against her sensitive pussy, stirring to life the passion that seemed so close to the surface around him.

They fell onto the bed together, a tangle of wet hair and damp limbs. Reaching down between them, she spread the moisture over the head of his cock and gave him a rough squeeze. His answering groan rumbled through her body, and she twisted beneath the magic of his voice. It carried its own enchantment and stroked against her soul.