Seaside Seduction (10 page)

I requested two oceanfront suites and handed the hotel attendant my credit card.

“Can I see your passports, please?” I pulled out my passport and slid it across the counter. “My cousin here lost her passport and hasn’t received her replacement just yet.”

“Then I can’t issue her a separate room. I can give you a suite with two bedrooms, though. Would that work?”

I glanced at Selena. As she nodded her approval, her tanned face reddened.

“Sure, that would be fine.”

I picked up the keys. “Looks like we’re all set.” We walked down the tile hallway to the elevator and went up to the second level—the highest in our section of the resort.

I took Selena’s hand in mine as we stepped inside the enormous suite. Glass windows offered a stunning view of the deep blue sea. Sunlight illuminated the polished white tiles, which looked as brilliant as the beach sand. Two open doors led to the bedrooms, and hibiscus flower petals and a towel twisted into the shape of a swan sat on one of the brightly colored bedspreads. “For now, let’s play it safe and stay inside. I’m going to make some calls, see if I can get my pilot to pick us up. I’m going to call the US Embassy as well to let them know what we’re up against.”

Selena's face looked pale, and her lips trembled. I reached out and touched her cheek before kissing her. “Are you holding up okay?”

She shrugged and leaned into me for a hug. “I’m a bit overwhelmed at the moment. I still can’t believe I would get entangled with a drug lord.”

I pulled her in closer, massaging her back with my hands. “How do you know you were?”

She clung to me, trembling. “I don’t know for sure, but how else could you explain all this?”

“I think you’d be much more likely to go for a dashingly handsome executive. Like me, for example.” The words rushed out before I could filter them.
What’s so bad about that?
We might be dead soon. Why should I speak in riddles?

She pulled her head back and looked at me; a hesitant smile drawing up the corners of her lips. “Apparently fear makes you feel less inhibited.”

“Yes, it does. But saying what’s on my mind feels right with you, so I’m going to make it a habit from now on. Now, I better make those calls.”

“Okay. While you do that, I’ll turn on the TV and see if there are any new reports.”

“That sounds good.” I reluctantly released her from my arms and strode into one of the bedrooms, my nerve endings still humming happy tunes from the sensation of her residual warmth.

I left the door ajar when I called my pilot so I could catch a few words of the television report. After arranging transport at six AM the next morning, I called the American Embassy and outlined our situation. They reassured me they would do their best to make sure our flight wasn’t delayed for any reason. As I was concluding the call, I heard Selena cry out. “I’m sorry, I’ve got to go. Thank you for your help,” I said before hanging up.

I rushed into the living room. The television had been turned off. Selena’s eyes welled with tears and her hand holding the TV remote trembled until the unit released from her grasp and clattered onto the tile. The battery compartment popped open and the batteries rolled across the floor.

I kneeled in front of her and gripped her hands in mine, trying to meet her gaze. “What is it?”

“I remembered something.” Tears ran like rivers down her beautiful tanned cheeks.

“It’s okay. Here, let me get you a tissue.” I plucked one from a box and gently wiped the tears from her face. “Do you want to tell me about it?”

“No. But I know I have to.” She paused. “I’m almost positive that he worked as a janitor at my school—I’d recognize his face anywhere. I introduced myself to him one afternoon I stayed late grading papers. He acted so charming; I chatted with him often after that. I actually was hoping he’d ask me out on a date.”

My stomach tied up in tighter and tighter knots, and my blood ran hot in my veins. I hated the idea of Selena socializing with someone like Manuel. “Hmm. But what would he be doing working at a school?” It made no sense.
Maybe her amnesia is making her confuse the two men somehow.

“Tears streamed down her cheeks. “I don’t know. But there’s more. One day after work, I stopped at the gym to workout and when I got home, he was in my apartment arguing with another man, saying he couldn’t find what he was looking for. When Manuel threatened to cut him into pieces with his switchblade, I tried to sneak back out, but the door squeaked and they were on me in a second. After grabbing me by the hair, he shoved me up against the wall.

“My entire apartment had been ransacked. Drawers had been opened and papers scattered—they were clearly looking for something. He said if I wanted to live, I better give him my brother’s address. I knew Jose was doing undercover work, but I didn’t know any details. But there was no way I was going to give his address to those men. So I refused. That’s when he pulled out his knife.”

I rubbed her bare arms, trying to steady her trembling body. “That’s awful. So how did you escape?”

“I didn’t. When he brought the blade toward my throat, his gaze wandered to my tight black tank top and red spandex shorts. Instead of cutting me, he ordered me to strip naked if I didn’t want to die a slow and painful death.”

Rage surged up from deep in my belly, not slowly, but like a sudden volcano. “Motherfucker! You don’t have to say any more.” I couldn’t stomach hearing about this man looking at Selena naked with lust-filled eyes, forcing her legs apart, violating her.

“I don’t remember what happened after that. My mind must have blocked it out. I do remember the other man saying he heard sirens. I just hope I never betrayed my brother. If I did…” Her voice caught in her throat.

“You seem too loyal to do that.” I’d never wanted to crush every bone in someone’s body before. But the urge to commit murder was overpowering.
If that man comes anywhere near Selena, I’ll rip him to shreds. And thrive off of killing him.

Selena reached out and brushed one of her fingertips over my face. “Nick, your face is turning red. What is it?”

I ground my molars together so tightly; my jaw ached. “It’s just that if I ever see that man who…” I couldn’t even bring myself to say the word
raped
. “I’m going to kill him…”

My cell phone rang. I skimmed my hand over her arm and rose to my feet. “I’m sorry, but I better get this. It’s about our transport out.” I pressed the answer button. “Nicholas here.” My pilot explained he couldn’t obtain clearance for us to leave the airport without Selena’s passport. “Damn. That is a problem. Let me think this over and call you back.” I frowned as I disconnected the call.

“What is it? Is there a problem?”

“Yeah, we can’t legally leave the country until you have a passport. They’re working on getting another one for you at the Embassy, but it might take days.’”

“I wondered about that. I thought they were going to ban me from the hotel for a minute when we were checking in.”

“Don’t worry, I don’t give up easily. We’ll get you out of here somehow. But in the meantime, can I talk you into a dip in the pool?”

The distressed look in Selena’s eyes turned flirtatious. “Definitely. A naked swim would be nice.” She peeled off her clothes and headed for the patio, which was kept private from the beach with hedges and potted plants.

I was surprised how quickly her mood had transformed. It was as if the rape had flown from her mind. “Hey, wait for me.” I had no intention of letting her cute pale butt escape. I followed her outside leaving a trail of clothing behind. She’d already submerged herself in the water.

She rose from the water and skimmed her dark hair back from her face as water dripped from her lips. I ached to lick every drop of water off of her sexy, naked body.

“I see you’re going for the skinny dip, too.” Selena smiled. She scooted over on the bench in the water where she sat and I slid in beside her. But I wasn’t in the mood for a cozy chat. There was only so much temptation a man could take and her glistening, wet body had catapulted me over the edge of control.

“I had a lot more than that in mind.” I embraced her, pulling her wet torso into mine until her soft breasts pressed into my pectorals. The skin-to-skin contact sent hot blood racing to my cock. I burned with the need to claim her. I captured her lips, enthralled by their sumptuous texture. Selena’s mouth was made for plundering. I possessed them, sucking, licking and then plunging my tongue inside her mouth. Selena’s tongue and lips responded to my invasion with hungry vigor.

“Mmm,” she said in between kisses.

I planted kisses on her cheek and then kissed her ears and neck. She moaned and arched into me as I flicked my tongue into her ear and skimmed a hand down toward her breast. Her nipple had already hardened to a bud in the water, but I could tell by the way she continued to grind her hips into me that she enjoyed how I toyed with her tits. I gave each of them equal attention and then took my lips and tongue to each one. “You have the most beautiful breasts. I could taste them all day.”

“I want more.”

“What do you want, Selena?”

“Everything.”

I stepped off the ledge and positioned myself in front of her, most of my body submerged in the cool water. I opened her legs with my hands and stepped in between them facing her. “Wrap your legs around me.”

She did as I asked and I felt her heels cling to my back. Her opening was vulnerable and accessible and I positioned my erect cock and moved through the water, clinging to her back to press inside of her. She responded to my entry by digging her heels into my back to increase the penetration. I ground into her as she thrust her hips into mine, and the urgency of our mating splashed water all around. I continued to pump into her and she gripped the back of my shoulders tightly, her fingernails pressing into my skin as she groaned with excitement and tossed her head.

Mind-numbing excitement rose to a crescendo and I tried to distract myself from the heady sensation of her walls squeezing my cock so she could reach her peak first.

Just after she moaned and thrashed, calling my name, I let myself go, coming inside of her.

I placed my hands on her thighs and rested my head on her chest and she kept her legs wrapped around me. “That was wonderful, Nicholas.” I raised my head, noticing her honey colored eyes looked dreamy and a little adoring. Normally that look would have frightened me, but instead, I instinctively leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips.”

“It really was. I could make love to you the rest of the day. And tomorrow. And the day after that.”

Selena laughed and planted kisses on my neck and collarbone. “I really like that idea.” And then she slowly gyrated until my softening penis stiffened with need for her all over again.

By nightfall, I still hadn’t formulated an escape plan. I called room service and ordered in-room dining.

“I ordered small portions of a few different dishes so we can sample a little of everything.” The tempting aroma of spices and juicy meat made my mouth water. The metal lids made a clanging sound as I lifted them up and set them aside. Steamy spires rose from the plates.

“We have seafood paella, linguine with Alfredo sauce, filet mignon, and Caesar salad.”

“You really went all out, didn’t you,” said Selena.

“Car chases and hot sex made me work up an appetite.”

“I know what you mean.” Her hand climbed up my bare thigh toward my crotch.

My cock instantly thickened. “If you want to eat, you better stop that right now.”

Selena patted my thigh again before pulling it away and scooping some food onto her plate. “Okay, I guess it can wait until afterward.”

I helped myself to generous portions of every dish. For a long time, we were silent.

After Selena finished chewing a slice of filet mignon, she angled her fork in my direction. “I bet you’ll be relieved once this all ends. With me out of your hair, you’ll be able to get back to work.”

“But I’m getting used to having you around.”

“But you said earlier women were nothing but trouble for you and that you didn’t have time for a relationship.”

“I think you’ve changed my mind.” I set my silverware down and wiped my mouth with my cloth napkin before setting it back in my lap.

The horizon burned brilliant orange as the sun dipped low in the sky. “Hmm. I’m not sure what to say.” Selena leaned back in her chair with her legs crossed. I watched as one sundress strap slid down a tanned shoulder, exposing the top of a breast. I leaned in toward her, close enough to smell her coconut scent.

“I can’t say you’re not trouble, but as far as having time for a relationship, I’m willing to make the time. Being with you is what I want.”

“I just don’t see how it could work.”

“If you don’t want to leave San Diego, we can see each other long distance and if you want to move in with me and find a teaching job in Tucson, I’d be delighted to have you.”

Selena was silent for a long time. Suddenly, she vaulted from her chair, threw her hands around my neck and kissed my face. “Nick, that’s a really tempting offer—I just might do that.” Her amber eyes glittered with delight.

Emotions welled up in my chest as I felt a thrill that seemed to match hers. “Well, I love you, and I want you with me.”

“Oh, Nick, you’re so sweet.”

Does that mean she loves me, too?
I wondered whether she did or didn’t as she planted a wet kiss on my lips. What began as gentle, feather-soft kisses heated up to plunging, intercourse-like tongue thrusts. Her hand slid under my shorts and underwear, and her fingers slid over my balls.

By now, my brain was way too lust-fogged to continue the analysis. “Oh, God, what are you doing?”

She gripped my cock, sliding her hands up and down its expanding length.

“I want to taste you.” She kneeled in front of me, urging my hips up off the seat so she could remove my pants.

She continued massaging my penis and balls with one hand while using the other to tug my shorts off. Just the thought of her warm lips on my cock sent another surge of blood to my groin. I spread my legs wider and groaned when she kissed the tip of my penis and then sucked the head inside her mouth. She looked so beautiful with her long hair flowing down her back and her arm muscles flexing as she gripped my thighs.