Yours in Black Lace (7 page)

He stroked his fingers lightly over the fading bruise on his chin. That woman had a mean left hook when she was angry. Her gray-blue eyes, turbulent as a gathering storm over the Gulf, briefly met his in the mirror. If looks could kill…

Stevie altered her stance and delivered several roundhouse kicks. Emelio winced in sympathy as the bag took a direct hit to the side of its “head.” If he had been in its place, she would have decapitated him for sure.

As he continued to watch her, he experienced an intriguing blend of caution, respect and lust. She had changed into a zippered sport bra and spandex bike shorts that accentuated the firm curves of her bottom. The tight material left her arms and legs bare and left even less to his active imagination.

Like everything else she did, Stevie approached exercise with concentrated intensity. Her finely sculpted biceps and the lean muscles of her thighs strained as she worked off her frustration. He could hear her breathing, deep and ragged, as each powerful impact resounded against the padded leather. Her strength made her just a little dangerous and that danger was a complete turn-on.

A sheen of sweat glistened on her lightly tanned skin. Emelio’s gaze followed a trickle of moisture as it rolled along her graceful neck and over her chest to disappear between her breasts. The low neckline of her sport bra drew his attention to the taut peaks of her nipples. He swallowed hard and shifted to ease the pressure inside his nylon pants, glad that the loose basketball jersey he wore ended below his waist.—

“Hey, champ. Why not give the training bag a break and take me on instead?”

She pivoted with a smirk, her eyes darting down the front of his body and back up to his face. She held his gaze for a second, and he could almost see the wheels turning in her mind. Then she unfastened her gloves and tossed them toward the weight bench behind her.

“The only place I’m taking you is down.”

He bared his teeth in a grin that was beginning to feel natural again, gladly accepting her challenge. If Stevie was looking to burn off some energy with a few hours of contact sports, he was willing to oblige. The air between them crackled with electricity born of equal parts antagonism and lust. They were both feeling edgy, making the spacious house feel way too small.

He pushed away from the doorframe and prowled toward her, deliberately infusing his words with innuendo. “Are you as good as you’ve led me to believe?”

She blinked twice at the double entendre, and then her plump lower lip curved into a Mona Lisa smile. She raked the tendrils of dark honey hair back from her forehead with both hands, a movement that thrust her chest forward.

“You have no idea how good I can be, chér.”

“Not yet. But I know I’m better.”

“Really?” She taunted him with an arched eyebrow and a whole lot of attitude. “Are you willing to bet on it?”

Emelio stopped mere inches in front of her, close enough to feel the heat radiating from her lithe body, close enough to breathe the unique scent of her damp skin. He cocked his head to one side, the epitome of all-male arrogance, pitching his voice low and intimate.

“What do I get when I win?”

Stevie’s eyes flashed a brilliant blue, the storm having lifted to reveal competitive interest and carnal desire. She stepped forward so that her breasts lightly brushed his chest, tilting her head back to look up at him. Her husky answer was delivered in a sensual drawl ripe with promise.

“When
I
win, the prize is winner’s choice. And the winner takes all.”

God, what a woman. A band of tension throbbed in his groin. He wanted to be inside her more than he wanted his next breath. But for now, he simply wanted to enjoy her.

“Deal.”

When she offered her hand to shake on it, he braced his back leg and yanked her off balance. Stevie threw out her other hand as if to catch herself, then suddenly wrapped her arm around his neck. The choke hold was playful but she was exerting enough pressure to force him over. Not that he minded having his face pressed against her breast one bit. It was soft and warm and his mouth was watering for a taste…

“So, Emelio. What were you saying about being better? And here I thought you’d be a worthy opp—”

Before she could finish her sentence, he’d hooked one elbow behind her knees and lifted her into his arms. Stevie gave a startled yelp and loosened her grip on his neck just before he dropped to the mat in a modified body slam.

Flat on her back with a dazed expression, her moist lips parted invitingly as she tried to catch her breath. Unable to resist, Emelio leaned over to steal a kiss. Her body felt solid beneath his, taut but softly padded in all of the right places. She was hot in all of the right places, too, when he slid one leg between hers.

He slanted his lips over her soft, sexy pout then thrust his tongue inside to plunder the velvety warmth of her mouth. He reveled in her surrender when she threaded her fingers through his hair to draw him closer. Shifting his weight from his arms to his knees, he broke away just long enough to yank the jersey over his head.

He gave her a teasing grin as he pitched the shirt aside. “Some Jayne Bond you are.”

Stevie’s eyes narrowed when he reached for her again, a hint of gray clouding their blue depths. With a lightning attack, she hit him with a quick jab to the solar plexus. When he clutched his middle and doubled over, she gave him a shove that rocked him back on his butt.

“Hoo yah!” She bounded to her feet, arms raised overhead like a prize-fighter. Then she started doing a little victory dance that involved a lot of sexy wriggling and hip shaking. “You go, girl.”

Her triumph only lasted until he swept her legs out from under her and she smacked the mat again. With a sound that was half laughter and half growl, she scrambled up and lunged for him. Emelio put his hands on her waist and drew his knees in so that they rolled over sideways. Lying on top of her, he watched Stevie’s pupils dilate, saw the flash of desire in reaction to their compromising position.

At the same time, he was achingly aware of her breasts flattened against his bare chest, his erection pressing the apex of her thighs. He felt her heart pounding and the quick gasp of breath on his cheek. A combination of adrenaline and pheromones surged through him, hot and urgent.
Dios mio,
was it possible to take her right through their clothing?

Stevie wrapped her thighs around his waist, locking her ankles behind his back. If he got any harder, he’d split his pants. Then she torqued her body until they rolled over again and she ended up on top, straddling his lap. When he struggled, she clamped her thighs tighter until he lay still.

“I win, chér.” She gave him a saucy wink.

His voice was little more than a husky whisper. “Winner takes all. So take all of me.”

In the space of a heartbeat, she captured his mouth in a kiss that seared his lips. A moan escaped her throat as their tongues met and mated. She kissed him deeply, desperately, wordlessly expressing how much she wanted him. The way she arched her back and wiggled on his lap drove him nuts.

Emelio slid his hands along her waist, felt the satin texture of her skin, felt her quiver at his touch. He reached between them to unzip the bra top, freeing her for exploration. Without breaking the kiss, Stevie managed to slip her arms out of the garment. Then she sighed against his mouth as he cupped the weight of her perfect breasts in his palms.

He brushed his thumbs over her nipples until they beaded into sensitive pebbles. Then he rose up to take one into his mouth. The flick of his tongue on the engorged flesh made her quiver, gasp and press closer as he suckled each breast in turn. Stevie cradled his head in order to capture his mouth for another kiss. Her bare torso molded to his chest and he let his palms glide over the lean muscles and smooth skin.

He pushed his fingers beneath the elastic band of her shorts so he could explore the contours of her backside. Alternately rubbing and squeezing the pliant flesh, he flexed his hips, circling his arousal between her thighs. Her tongue darted in and out and around his mouth, urging him to a faster rhythm. Her skin was hot beneath his hands and the squirming became frantic.

Stevie was on the verge of coming but damned if she was going over the edge without him. “I’ve got to have you, lady. But I need to get something first.”

She reluctantly pushed back on her heels. Breathing hard, her face flushed with color, he saw that her eyes were slightly glazed and the irises had darkened to cobalt. He felt a Neanderthal surge of pride knowing that his woman wanted him as badly as he craved her. With one hand on his knee for leverage, Emelio got up to strip and find some condoms.

When he returned, Stevie was undressed and stood waiting for him. Her body was extraordinary, beautifully proportioned from her strong shoulders to her sculpted torso, slender waist and gently rounded hips. His gaze lingered on her breasts, watched the rush of heat beneath the skin, darkening her nipples to a rosy brown. He noticed the lack of swimsuit lines on her sun-toasted skin and smiled. She kept on surprising him.

A blur of color caught his attention in the mirror and he narrowed his eyes to bring it into focus. The small purple butterfly tattoo hovered at the base of her spine, its delicate wings spread gracefully just above that gorgeous butt. He hadn’t thought it was possible to get any more turned on, but the sight of her body art was incredibly sexy.

In less than five seconds they were back in each other’s arms. As his tongue teased her mouth open, she deepened the kiss. Her lips angled across his over and over until his breath came in harsh gasps. She kissed him wildly, frantically, while grinding her pelvis against him.

The silken hairs covering her mound rasped against his rigid flesh, bringing him to the edge of his control. Then she reached one hand between their bodies to grasp his penis. He let out a frustrated groan as she stroked him with firm but gentle fingers. He couldn’t wait another second—he had to have her or he would explode.

Heart thundering in his chest, Emelio bent his knees slightly and gripped the back of Stevie’s thighs. He lifted her up, supporting her weight with his hands. She draped her arms over his shoulders when he started to carry her across the room. “Hang on to me, lady. I’m going to make your fantasy from black-lace letter number four come true.”

Her nipples grazed the crisp hairs on his chest before her breasts flattened against the hard planes. She could feel the ridges of his sculpted abs against her belly. A knot of tension, the best kind of tension, formed in her feminine core and made her tingle everywhere their bodies merged.

Stevie inhaled the heady scent of citrus, sweat and male as she pressed her mouth to the strong pulse thudding in his neck. When her lips brushed the tender spot behind his ear, he jolted. A low chuckle escaped her even as he moaned softly in delight.

It seemed Mr. Calm, Cool and Controlled came undone with the right touch in the right places.

Emelio repositioned himself within her widespread thighs. He moved forward so that the smooth tip of his penis was poised at her entrance. She tried to relax, to prepare for the sensual invasion, but she was too eager, too needy.

Raising her eyes to his face, she saw that he was struggling to keep still. Fire lit his hazel eyes, changing their color to a deep bronze, as he met her stare. That molten expression left no doubt that he wanted her, that he had every intention of taking her.

And yet he remained motionless. Her eyebrows wrinkled in confusion. She’d been waiting so long, thinking and fantasizing about him, needing him. She was desperate to have him inside her, crazy with unbridled lust. But for some reason he held back….

Understanding slowly dawned. Somehow Emelio had sensed the vulnerability beneath her desire, and he was waiting for her permission. Even now, with his erection straining against her and sweat beading on his golden skin, he considered her feelings. Something dark and tightly closed within her shattered and she fought the sudden urge to cry.

If she didn’t already have feelings for Emelio, she would have fallen in love with him then and there. The warmth permeating her heart spread through her body until the flames of desire ignited again. Wrapping her legs more securely around his waist, her hoarse words were both a plea and a command.

“Take me.”

She clung to him while he guided his penis into the slick wetness of her passage. He slowly lowered her onto his shaft, inch by magnificent inch, until his sex was completely sheathed in hers. Her vaginal muscles contracted around his unfamiliar thickness, trying to draw him deeper still. She writhed in pleasure as her body softened and stretched to accept him.

Emelio pushed into her once, withdrew slightly, and then returned. Stevie gasped. It had been so long. She moved to the rhythm of his thrusts, moaning loudly when she felt the quickening in her womb. The delicate inner shivers rippled through her and her body wept with the force of her climax.

“Again, lady. I want to feel that again.”

His muscular arms cradled her body while he shifted her against the wall. Panting hoarsely, he set the slow, sensuous pace. Each time he lifted and lowered her, his powerful body elicited a deep, persistent throbbing inside her.

Stevie squeezed his waist with her thighs, encouraging him to increase the tempo. Instead of satisfying her, that first orgasm had left her wanting more. But he continued to slide into her and draw back out at a deliberate pace, his groans muffled against her shoulder.

“Please, chér. I need—”

“No, not yet. It feels too damned good.”

She was desperate for the second climax that was hotly coiled inside her, but Emelio kept it just beyond her reach and for once she didn’t resent a man’s taking control. She relaxed and gave herself over to the steady rhythmic friction. Angling her head to rest against his neck, she nibbled a path to his collarbone, delighting in his reaction.

Each tiny bite caused him to shudder and flex. The sounds he uttered were a blend of laughter and moaning. She was thrilled to know she made him as wild as he drove her. He rocked his hips faster, heightening the pleasure until they were both frantic for release. Finally, gloriously, his body convulsed inside her; her body trembled around his.

Stevie went limp in his arms, the harsh sound of his breath fanning her ear. Emelio held on to her but his whole body was shaking. Only his strength kept them from collapsing in a heap onto the padded mats. He rested his forehead against the mirror, exhausted, spent and squishing her. With a groan, she unlocked her legs and slid down until her feet touched the floor.

He stood with his eyes closed and his hands resting on her hips, his body still quivering. She was pretty shaky herself. Even though he’d done all of the work, she felt as weak as a kitten after that series of incredible orgasms. Stevie planted a kiss on his jaw, lowered her arms from his neck and squeezed out from between him and the wall.

His grasp on her fingers halted her in place. “Where do you think you’re going? We’re not done.”

She answered him with a husky laugh, surprised that she was ready for him again so soon. “I didn’t think we were. But you only brought one condom.”

“Hmm, good point. I’ll be right back.”

While he went to get them some protection, Stevie took the opportunity to go into the guest bathroom and clean up a little. On the way out, she heard the distinctive chime of his cell phone. She glanced down the hall but didn’t see him.

“Emelio? Hey, Emelio?”

When he didn’t reply, she hesitated for a second, but then figured she’d already opened his mail. It might be Alex calling with information. Stevie located the cell phone in Emelio’s office and depressed the answer button.

“Sanchez, um, residence.”

“Hello?”

A sultry female voice with a slight accent had replied. The caller wasn’t Alex. It was one of the
cariñas.
Suddenly feeling very territorial, Stevie let her voice slide into a cool, unfriendly tone. “Can I help you?”

“I’m trying to reach Emelio, but I must have dialed the wrong number….”

“You’ve got the right number.”

“This is Maggie.” Matching attitude for attitude, her voice became sharply demanding. “Who are you?”

The woman who intends to replace you.
Her mouth twisted into a frown but she spoke in a sweetly cooperative manner. “Sorry, Maggie. Emelio’s a little naked right now. How about I take a message or have him call you when I’m finished with him?”

The answering wail was high-pitched and loud enough to pierce Stevie’s eardrum. She hung up the cell phone in midscreech and turned to find Emelio standing behind her. His dark hair had been combed away from his forehead and he smelled faintly of soap. She allowed her gaze to drift lower.

Wow. As attractive as he was dressed, his bare body was a gorgeous sight to behold. She hadn’t gotten a good look before he’d taken her against the wall. His body was perfect—long and sinewy and wonderfully proportioned.

His wide shoulders emphasized his broad chest, muscular arms and lean torso. A dusting of hair fanned across his chest before converging to form a path that led down his stomach and disappeared into the thatch around his loins. Desire, hot and greedy, danced in her veins.

“Who called?”

The carefully controlled tone of his voice drew her attention back to his face. “Um, somebody named Maggie…”

That brooding expression stole back onto his features. Maybe she should have let his voice mail pick up after all. Emelio spoke from between gritted teeth, his hazel eyes hooded in exasperation.

“Do you have
any
idea what you’ve just done?”

Guilt made her defensive and so the apology that had been on the tip of her tongue melted like a snowflake. She propped one fist on her naked hip and glared right back. “Yeah, I got rid of one-third of my competition.”

Emelio quirked one eyebrow at her bold declaration and she saw some of the annoyance recede from his gaze. He crossed his arms over the expanse of his chest and tilted his head to one side. “Nooo. You just ruined my life.”

Could he be any more dramatic? Her temper leaped right into
seriously pissed off.
They had just experienced the absolute best sex of her entire life. She could still feel the imprint of his body all over hers. But had it meant anything to him? Nooo. He was all bent out of shape over his goddamn
cariña.
She threw the phone at him, grudgingly impressed by his swift reflexes when he caught it in one hand.

“Okay, I realize it wasn’t the most adult thing I’ve done lately. But all I did was tell your girlfriend—excuse me, one of your girlfriends, that we had sex. I don’t know how you find the time to juggle three of them anyway. Maybe you should thank me for lightening your social calendar.”

His eyebrows slammed together. “Thank you?!”

Stevie scowled right back. “You’re welcome.”

“Smart ass.” He brushed by her to toss his cell phone on the desk, shaking his head and muttering in Spanish.

What in the world was wrong with her? Stevie knew she’d acted like a possessive witch, but she couldn’t help it. She felt so resentful that she didn’t have all of his attention and he’d made her so damn mad… She turned to face him, one fist planted on her hip while the other hand punctuated her words.

“Listen, I don’t share or play well with others. So when I heard her voice, I went with an impulse and—”

“And just ratted me out to my sister Magdalena.”

She startled, blinking in surprise. His sister? Her mind went blank as she tried to process this new information.

“Maggie won’t so much as take a breath before she tells my other two sisters, Consuela and Angelina. Then, all three of them will break the land speed record to inform my very old-fashioned, very Catholic mother that, despite me lecturing the girls about abstinence, I’m having sex outside of marriage.”

Stevie felt the hot flush of her mistake spread to both sets of cheeks. Connie, Angie and Maggie, the three
cariñas,
were his sisters.

“Oh.”

“That’s all you have to say?”

“Um.”

Emelio crossed his arms over his chest and regarded her through hooded eyes. “You’re getting more eloquent by the second, lady. Don’t answer my phone again.”

Her pulse stilled for an instant as she realized the significance of what she’d done. She’d been unforgivably rude to Maggie. She had embarrassed Emelio, made him look like a hypocrite in his family’s eyes. And yet, he hadn’t so much as raised his voice to her.

She’d never behaved like this before, had never been
allowed
to, not by her parents and sure as hell not by her ex-husband. That she instinctively knew it was safe to express her emotions around Emelio said more about the depth of her feelings than she wanted to deal with at the moment.

“I’m really sorry.”

“I’d better call home later. Much later.
Gracias a Dios,
we’re on the other side of the state.”

Stevie ducked her chin and peered at him from beneath her lashes, wondering what degree burn she’d get from this level of embarrassment. At the same time, though, she was filled with a sense of jubilant relief.

“So, those woman who always call you at the office. Those calls were from your sisters, not your girlfriends?”

“That’s right. I’m not involved with anyone else— Wait.” Emelio broke off in midsentence with a little thrill of surprise and amusement. Stevie was jealous. Warmth spread through him as his lips curved into a smile. “You actually thought I was dating three different women at the same time?”

Flustered, she twisted her fingers. “Well, yeah. I mean, that’s why I started writing the black-lace letters in the first place. I figured that was the only way to get your attention.”

She already had it, though he’d tried to deny it. He pinched her chin between his thumb and index finger, tilting it up until she met his gaze. “I’m not seeing anyone right now, Stevie. You don’t have to be jealous. So don’t attack the next woman who calls me, please.”

“I really am sorry about that.” She reached over and wrapped her arms about his waist. “Would you like me to talk to your sisters and—”

“No!”

Stevie tightened her grip on his waist and rocked from side to side, creating a delicious friction everywhere their bodies touched. She offered him an innocently contrite look that was completely at odds with the seductive sway of her hips. “There must be some way I can make this up to you.”

He responded with a slow grin as he ran his palms along the curve of her hips. “I think I can come
up
with some ideas.”

“Didn’t you say something about getting more condoms?”

“They’re on the bed. We should probably go join them.”

Emelio bent down and caught hold of the backs of Stevie’s knees. He stood upright and carried her toward the bedroom in a modified fireman’s lift.

“Hey!” She squealed and twisted around in protest of his caveman technique, then swatted him on the ass when he refused to let go of her. In the bedroom, he laid her down on the sheets amid a handful of brightly colored foil packets before following her onto the bed.

“Now, about how you can make things up to me.”