Rico caressed her body with his eyes and watched her shiver in anticipation. He pulled back the sheets. “Come in here and need me, bella.” His voice sounded husky to his ears. She slid underneath the covers and into the safety and warmth of his strong arms. Her bare legs entwined with his as she wrapped herself up in his body. “I’d rather have you, than an angel any day.”
Mariah made a little sound of pleasure and snuggled closer.
Rico sensed something wasn’t right in the way that she clung to him so desperately. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit? Are you missing me or my body?” He nuzzled her hair with his lips.
“Both, but there’s more to it than that. Warren....” She choked, unable to go on.
“What? Did that bastard touch you? Did he hurt you?” Rico’s temper flared. He’d castrate the bastard and gain immense satisfaction by doing so.
“Later. I don’t want to talk right now.”
She was on the verge of tears, and he sensed her desperation.
“Please, just hold me.” Mariah burrowed her head deeper into his shoulder. Rico molded her body to his.
“I’m sorry. I invaded your privacy.”
“Feel free to invade my privacy anytime you want. I’d rather sleep with you than sleep alone.”
Mariah glanced up at him. “You would?”
“Of course, I would. Rye, it was your idea to leave, not mine. I personally like you right where you are.”
“You might live to regret those words,” she teased.
“That’ll be a cold day in....” His voice was muffled as he stuck his tongue in her ear. His strong hands stroked her body, touching her in all those sensitive places that only he knew. It’d been weeks, and he needed her now. Judging by the urgent way that she rubbed her sweet little body against his, she felt the same burning need. 3Their mouths melded together in blind passion as all those lonely nights were swept away like leaves in the wind. His tongue teased hers in their special erotic tango. The heat seared deeper and deeper until he couldn’t take much more of her exquisite torture.
Rico drew his mouth away from hers. He wound her long hair around his fist so that she couldn’t move her head to follow his mouth, one of his favorite tricks. “No, not yet, Rye. Not until I get a promise from you.” Panting, he forced the words out of his mouth.
“Anything.” She sounded desperate, right where he wanted her. Horny enough to agree to his terms but still clinging to a shred of sanity so that she’d uphold any promises she made.
“Stay with me.”
“You’re not playing fair.” She pleaded for mercy.
“No, I’m not. Promise me.” He nibbled on her neck, licking, sucking, nipping. She offered no resistance when he separated her slender legs. He stoked the fire at her core by slipping a long finger deep into her wet heat. Uncontrolled whimpers escaped from her lips. She was on the verge. He withdrew his finger and refused her pleas to keep going.
“Move in. Share my home with me.” He used his voice to his advantage, carefully modulating his tone to be persuasive and insistent. He thumbed her clit, just once. She cried out, pleading with him to keep going. He didn’t. He was cheating, and he didn’t care. All’s fair in love and war. Oh shit, not love, sex.
“I....” she gulped. “I...I don’t know about the babies....” She gasped as he started using his talented fingers again. “Oh God, please... I’d be a lousy mother.” She gasped and shuddered. He stopped. “Rico. Don’t stop. I need you. To feel you. Oh, please!”
Man, he loved it when she begged. “Don’t you want this every night, amor? Don’t you want to be with me? Come on, baby. Don’t be stubborn.” His hands and his body drove her once again to the edge. He stopped. “Mariah?”
“I’ll stay!”
“Promise?” He was an ass for holding her hostage, but he’d do whatever it took.
“I promise. I do. Oh, God.”
Using his special brand of expertise, he took her to heaven then let her float back down to earth. Her feet had barely touched the ground when he anchored her ankles on his shoulders and entered her in one swift possessive thrust. Together, they climbed to the clouds.
* * *
Later that morning, Mariah lay wrapped in Rico’s arms. He watched her sleeping, allowing himself a little smile. He wondered about the desperation that drove her to his bed in the middle of the night. His stomach clenched at the thought of Warren causing her grief. He’d strangle the man with his bare hands if he laid on a hand on her.
He’d made a decision in the early morning hours. She’d keep her promise, and he’d make one that’d guarantee she’d stay at his side and in his bed. The loneliness he suffered without her would be banished forever. Maybe he couldn’t love her, but he’d make up for it in other ways. They’d have a good life together.
She stirred and lazily rubbed his back. “Good morning.” She planted a kiss on his cheek.
“Good morning. You’re staying.”
“I said I’d stay.” She leaned across his chest. Supporting her body with her elbows, she gazed into his eyes. “I’m still not sure about the kid part. Rico, I’d look awfully fat and bloated with a baby.”
He laughed. “Woman, I’d love to keep you barefoot and pregnant for the next several years.”
Mariah shuddered at the thought, which made him laugh all the harder. Finally, he sobered and looked into her eyes. “What is it, Rye? What happened? You seem so sad.”
“The farm is gone.”
“Why didn’t you let me take care of it?”
“I couldn’t. I couldn’t have you thinking that was the only reason I wanted to be with you.”
“Baby, I’d never think that of you.”
“Rico, there’s more.”
He frowned, sensing her distress. “More?”
“Yes, Warren took all the horses, too, even Sueño.” The tears flowed down her cheeks, and she clung to Rico as if he was her last hope for salvation.
“Sueño? How could he take Sueño?” Rico stiffened, enraged by Warren’s cruelty. “That little prick. I’ll call my attorney right now. I’ll sue his ass.”
“Rico, listen,” she begged then explained the details in between halting, heart wrenching sobs.
“Oh, man. This can’t be true. We’ll buy him back. Whatever the cost.”
“It’s not the money. He wants the revenge. He wants to see me grovel. He wants to hurt me.”
“Baby, I’m sorry. I’ll do everything I can. I’ve got friends in high places. I’ll do my best.”
“I know you will, but you’re not a miracle worker. I don’t expect anything. I just needed to be in your arms, to feel you inside me. That helped more than anything.”
“Tell you what. I’ll call Angel and you two can go on a shopping spree on me. Then we’re going to take a little trip somewhere tonight. Just give me the rest of the morning and afternoon to make some arrangements and talk to some people.”
* * *
Mariah fell asleep as soon as the private jet took off from the Los Angeles airport. She didn’t wake until they taxied down the runway at their destination. Disoriented, her eyes darted around the cabin. “Rico, where are we?”
“Vegas.”
Mariah sat up to get a better view out the window. “Vegas? What are we doing in Vegas?”
Rico smiled innocently. “Taking care of business.”
“What kind of business?”
“You’ll find out soon. Just be patient. You’ll like it.”
“I’ll like what?”
“Trust me.”
“I’ve heard that before. Did you find out anything today about Rose Hill or Sueño? Do we have any kind of a chance?”
“There’s always a chance, Rye. I’m going to do my best.”
Mariah nodded. Maybe he wasn’t Superman, but for now, she’d pretend he could pull it off. She’d do her Scarlett thing and worry about it tomorrow.
A limo waited for them near the tarmac. Rico refused to answer her q
uestions about where they were going or what they were doing. They stopped in front of a hot pink wedding chapel, and Mariah broke into laughter. “Let me guess? Ed’s marrying number fourteen or is it fifteen?”
“Not Ed.”
“Who?”
“We are.” He didn’t meet her eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitched.
“This is a joke, right?”
Rico grinned at her then looked very serious. “No, bella, I would never joke about a thing like this.”
Mariah frowned, her brow furrowing as she wondered what he really had planned. “Why are we here?”
“We are going to get married.”
Mariah looked again at the chapel, horrified. It was cheap and cheesy and hot pink. “Here? Now? In an interior designer’s worst nightmare?”
Rico took both her hands in his. “I know you, baby. I know your old-fashioned ethics. I know it bothers you to think that you’re living with me in sin. Even worse, you might get pregnant, have a baby, and not be married. Aren’t I right?”
“Yes, but I didn’t expect this.” Besides, the pregnant and having a baby thing wasn’t in her future plans.
“No way are you getting out of this now. We’re doing it before you change your mind.”
In her rational mind, she would have never done it, but the man hit her when she was down. If she went through with this sham of a wedding, she’d never be alone again. Not only would she have Rico’s companionship, but she’d have his entire large dysfunctional family as well.
“How did you pick this place?”
“I didn’t have a lot of time. Ed took care of the arrangements. I think he’s been married here once or twice before.” He took her hands in his. “Mariah, the place doesn’t matter. What matters is us. We could be in the middle of the freeway. It wouldn’t matter.”
“I guess so.” She looked down at the wrinkled T-shirt that she’d been sleeping in during the flight, her faded blue jeans, and her scuffed shoes. She was going to have a few words with Ed. There had to be better wedding chapels in Vegas than this one. Before she expressed her doubts, another limo pulled up, stuffed with Rico’s family, Eva and Jamal, and even Ramon.
Reluctantly, she took the hand Rico offered and stepped out of the limo to be mauled by friends and family. Everyone wanted to hug and kiss her. Except Ramon. He stood off to one side, a serious frown on his handsome face. Mariah’s eyes met his, and he scowled in disapproval. She jerked her eyes away before Rico noticed.
She talked with Ramon a couple times a week. They’d become good friends, a small fact that Rico would need to learn to deal with. Later.
Ramon sidled up next to her. “Don’t do it, Mariah.”
She smiled at him and attempted to ignore his words.
“Rye, don’t. He’s going to break your heart.”
Rico noticed Ramon’s attention and cast a withering look at his brother. “You ready, babe?”
“Yes. Yes, I’m ready.”
He squeezed her hand. “You won’t regret this, Rye. I’ll make you happy.”
She smiled up at him. Sincerely wanting to believe him, she locked her doubts out of her mind.
Rico led Mariah ahead of the group to the chartreuse double doors.
The minister looked like a fat Elvis impersonator. He had a huge pot belly, a white polyester jumpsuit studded with rhinestones and unzipped to his navel, a gold medallion around his neck, greasy black (obviously dyed) hair, and a loud, obnoxious booming voice. He kissed Mariah’s hand way too long. She wiped it on her jeans when he was done. Then he slapped Rico on the back and almost knocked him over.
A woman, who was the pianist and singer all rolled into one, made Mariah’s eyes pop right out of her head. She was as wide as she was tall. Her purple spandex top fell below her ample hips and a flowing rainbow-colored skirt. Her garish makeup displayed more colors than an artist’s palette. She must have applied it with a shovel. She chomped on her gum and blew bubbles. Ignoring Mariah, she launched herself at Rico, burying him in her rolls of fat. He extracted himself from her embrace as quickly as possible. Even so, his face was covered with her purplish red lipstick. Mariah held her hand over her mouth to suppress a giggle. The woman had a mustache, too.
Someone shoved a paper under her nose to sign. Mariah looked up at the man holding the paper. She hadn’t noticed him before.
“Mariah, this is my attorney, Jonathan Boone.”
The man smiled smoothly, too smooth, but then given her experiences of late, Mariah wasn’t overly fond of attorneys. “Pleased to meet you, Mariah. We need you to sign some papers before we start. This is just a standard pre-nup.” He attempted to make it sound like it was nothing.
Mariah stared at the papers in her hand. “I...I don’t understand.” She looked to Rico for assurance, but he seemed to be studying the gold trim on a picture frame.
“Mariah, this just protects the assets Rico had before he met you. That’s all. There are provisions in here to take care of any children you two might have and to take care of you should you divorce. Rico has been very generous.”
With a sinking heart and a shaking hand, Mariah signed the papers after scanning them. She didn’t care what they said. She trusted Rico even if he didn’t trust her. This entire process only served as a reminder that this ceremony didn’t mean the same thing to him that it did to her.
Rico smiled at her. “Amor, please, don’t take it personally.”
How else was she supposed to take it? She managed a sad smile back at him.
“Rye?” Eva tapped her on the shoulder. “I brought a nice dress for you to wear.”
“Oh, thank you, Eva,” she said gratefully. She took the garment bag that Eva offered her. Together the two of them headed to the bathroom. The dress was perfect. The simple lines of the ivory silk draped across her shoulders and bared her back. The soft clingy skirt hugged her hips and fell below her knees. Eva wove some roses in her hair, while Mariah freshened her makeup. “Oh, Eva. Thank you for thinking of this.” Mariah brushed a tear from her cheek.
Eva smiled at her. “I couldn’t picture you getting married in jeans and a T-shirt.”
“Am I crazy to be doing this?”
“Crazy? Maybe. In love? Certainly.”
“I want him to love me. That’s all I ask.”
Eva refused to meet her eyes. “You need to go now.” She started toward the door.
“Eva?”
Hesitating, Eva turned back to her.
“What do you see?”
Eva shook her head. “I can’t. It’s all so clouded, so dependent on decisions you both make. So many lifetimes together, so much karma, so much history. Such an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth. Despite the outcome, you need to walk this path.” Without another word, she left Mariah standing in the bathroom, as confused as ever.
Taking a deep breath and committing herself to her fate, Mariah walked out the door. Rico turned. The look of longing in his eyes gave her confidence that somehow she’d find a way to hold this relationship together. He let out a long slow whistle. His dark eyes danced with pleasure. Her body responded to the heat generated by his gaze and warmed all over.
“Rye, maybe we should find a nicer chapel,” Rico whispered as their overbearing host and hostess moved to take their places at the purple altar in the pink carpeted chapel.
“No, you were right. It doesn’t matter where.”
“Yeah, but my dad, he’s been married here twice and stood up once. Not a good omen.”
Mariah glanced at their small group of guests. Ed beamed with pride, his latest twenty-something girlfriend clinging to his arm. What was her name? Bambi? Busty? Whatever her name was, she eyed Ramon with lust. Ramon stood off to one side, arms crossed in front of his chest, irritation and disgust written on his face. Angel grinned from ear to ear. Eva looked solemn and mystical. Jamal stifled a yawn. The attorney frowned and rifled through his papers, most likely praying he hadn’t forgotten anything in his haste. The female
impersonator pounded out some unrecognizable song on an out-of-tune organ.
“Is that really a woman or a man in drag?” Rico wondered out loud.
Mariah attempted to laugh. “I do love you,” she confessed, looking into his deep brown eyes. If she expected a similar declaration, she didn’t get it. Instead, he squeezed her hand and studied her with an unreadable expression. Steeling her resolve, she swore she’d make him the best wife a man could ever have, no matter what. Except for cooking; she’d never be much of a cook.
“You know what? Only you and I would end up in a place like this.” She tilted her head to look up at him. Rico smiled back, a big broad smile, as the “woman” belted out an off-key Wedding Song. A knowing look passed between them. Rico offered her his arm and led her to the altar.
Side-by-side they stood in the pink chapel with the greasy minister in the polyester suit and off-key cross-dressing musician. Facing her, Rico entwined his fingers in hers. She lost herself in his intense mocha eyes. His tender expression made her forget that this crazy wedding didn’t mean the same thing to him that it did to her.
Mariah meant every word of the vows she said. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear Rico felt the same.
When the imitation Elvis preacher asked for the ring, she caught the frantic look in Rico’s eyes.
“The ring?” the slimy preacher asked again.
“I...uh...I...” He stammered and gave Mariah an apologetic look.
Ed snuck up behind him and slapped something in his hand. “Forget something, son?”
Rico smiled his gratitude. With a trembling hand, he placed the plain gold band on her finger. It actually fit. Mariah stared at it. Did Ed always carry a supply of wedding bands with him? She shrugged it off; too late to wonder now.
Rico bent down to kiss her. She momentarily forgot they had an audience. She kissed him back with all the love and devotion her heart had to offer. Her fingers curled around his neck. He pulled her against him in a possessive embrace. In the background, their friends and relatives clapped and cheered.
Releasing her, Rico pierced her with his eyes. “You’re mine, now, Mariah. Mine.”
Save the Last Dance Page 28
