Miami Spice

by Deborah Merrell

  “I don’t have any either, Ms. Rael. It was wonderful, superb.” As he spoke, Nico stretched and accepted the water bottle she handed him. “I think you’re wonderful, too, superbly, gloriously wonderful.”

  “You know, Mr. Sloan, flowery adjectives will get you everywhere with me.” Erica eased along his body and reveled in the feel of his warmth. Despite their recent exertions, he gave off a delightful, tantalizing hint of his aftershave. She finally recognized it as the same scent as his brother’s. Well, at least they shared one thing in common, the same preference for cologne.

  He took a generous sip of water before he replied. “Then I better bone up on my linguistic skills and my repertoire.”

  “As long as it’s not too extensive. Otherwise I’m going to think you have a flowery verse for every woman you bed.”

  “Then I will confess I have a very limited supply of flowery verses.” Setting aside the bottle, he rose on his elbow and leaned over her. “And I mean very limited.”

  “Same here,” Erica admitted. “So how did we ever get along in life with such limited vocabularies?”

  “Oh, I suppose it takes lots of practice to add to that repertoire.” Gathering her in his arms, Nico pressed her close and nibbled her ear before he added, “Such skills must be developed over time, and with just the right amount of practice, of course.”

  “Of course. Although, you may have noticed, I’m still learning. The last time I opened a book of flower-laden poetry it had to be, oh, two or three years ago.”

  “Could have fooled me. So, why don’t you crack it open now, and show me what you’ve mastered so far?”

  Erica shivered when he ran gentle fingers beneath the under carriage of her breasts. She hadn’t felt this good in such a long, long time! She reciprocated with a glide of her hands along his firm chest and on to his flat, tight abdomen. Up to the challenge now, she continued along his waist, his hip, and on to the smooth plane of his thighs. His cock jutted accordingly, stimulated by those light touches, but Erica wanted to save his member for last.

  Next she brought her lips to skim along his flesh and licked and kissed such caramel cream satin until she could taste his sweetness. Tossing back his head, Nico writhed beneath her in slow, undulating dance as she continued to stoke his desire. When he rolled on his back, he took her with him. Erica straddled his hips and leaned over so that her strands of hair tickled his chin. Again, she explored lustrous flesh over hard muscle, while the feel of him, his scent and taste, only served to whet her appetite for all of him.

  Suddenly, she gave a little squeak and a jump when he plunged his hand between her legs, teased the tendrils of her dark curls, and then caressed her slit. His fingers dipped inside and slid her hot juices to her clit where he began a light but tortuous massage. This time Erica shook violently as if he had just zapped her with a high voltage wire, making her numb and powerless. When Nico ran his tip along her opening, she sank along his shaft and savored the feel of his strength inside of her, holding her, impaling her so that she could not melt away. With a renewed passion, Erica plucked at his nipples and clenched his skin as she began a wild ride. In return, he measured her full breasts with expert fingers and then kneaded her plum areolas.

  Nico clutched her hips and helped her to increase the friction of her clit against the dark wreath of his pubic hair. Soon, she tottered on the brink and then fell down, down, down in a long, magnificent shudder of release. When she finally settled into her regular rhythmic breathing, Erica stretched gloriously along his body, and he held her tight while kissing the damp strands of her hair.

  “Had enough?” He chuckled in her ear.

  She brushed his cheek with her own. “Not by a long shot. I’m just taking a break from my studies. It’s your turn to practice, and as they say, practice makes perfect.”

  Nico drummed his fingers down her back. “I’m practicing my scales, but now I believe I’m ready for a real jam session.”

  Laughing, Erica felt giddy, carefree, and light enough to float on air. Reaching down, she found and stroked his extended cock and the large, plump testicles until her tantalizing touch made him throb and bulge. Coaxing her down along her stomach, Nico straddled her and began a wonderful massage of her shoulders. Erica let out little moans of delight and wiggled when he kneaded her back and worked down to her buttocks. He raised her hips next and parted her legs. She shot forward the moment he placed his fingers along her wet, engorged slash, and then ran his hands along the inside of her thighs. With a swift intake of breath, he grasped her hips, plunged inside, and jammed himself to the very end of her passage. After a moment’s pause, her lover started with slow, easy strokes until he worked himself up to a fevered pitch, and Erica gave a little wiggle as she savored the feel of the way he impaled her.

  In return, she clasped her muscles around his cock, and he groaned with the feel of her tight hold. Once he established a series of quick, piston thrusts, he brought his hand around her hip and reach beneath to rub her clit. Despite her recent climax, Erica quickened with another round of desire. As he brought her yet again to the brink, she felt him pause, stiffen, and then thrust once more to explode inside of her. Nico’s groans mingled with her own little gasps of release until he collapsed and lay prone, hot and moist, along her back.

  When he finally rolled aside, he took her in his arms and they became a joyful package of loose torsos and limbs. Hands still wanted to explore, while lips still desired to kiss. As Erica rose from the fiery tangle at last, she suggested a quick shower, and he raced her to the bathroom.

  They enjoyed the spray of fresh water as they soaped and caressed flesh. This time they remained content to merely massage sore muscles and refresh bodies. Erica viewed her lover’s form like a fine work of art, for just to gaze at him gave her so much pleasure. Like his own paintings, his textures and colors fascinated her, the way the white foam of soap contrasted against the clean, bronze glow of his skin, the way his damp body hair dewed and dimpled his limbs like fine, dark threads, and the way his flesh served as a taut canvas over the sculpted muscles beneath.

  Erica traced the splashes of water down the angle of his nose and over the high planes of his cheeks. The glint in his smoky quartz eyes spoke of his own contented state. When they rinsed and finished, Nico told her to stand still while he toweled her off with slow, circular strokes. Kneeling, he started at her ankles and worked up. Now, it was his turn to admire her unblemished cafe coloring, the concave stomach, the perfect curves and incredible breasts. Soon, he replaced his fingers with his mouth and brushed kisses along her thigh.

  Despite his electric touch, Erica pulled back to chastise him. “We’re on a break, remember?”

  “I know.” He laughed and shook out the last droplets in his hair. “But you look so good, feel so good, taste so good, I can’t help myself. I want to make love to you over and over.”

  “Let’s rest up a little first.” With that, she flicked the towel against his shoulder and ran back to tumble into bed.

  When Nico joined her, they nestled into comfortable positions. Soon he propped himself along her side and played a lazy finger down her arm. “What would you say,” he proposed, “to spending the weekend with me at a bed and breakfast? I know of this little, out-of-the-way place at Sunset Point that offers privacy and a great continental breakfast. I’d like to take you there before it gets too hot and the hurricane season gets into full swing.”

  How could Erica possibly refuse? But she had to ask, “You sure it won’t interfere with your visit to your family?”

  “No, not at all. With Gianni’s return, I don’t feel comfortable staying at his place, and though I love them dearly, I can take only so much of my parents. So, what do you say? A little clapboard Victorian with big, fluffy beds, sand, surf, piña coladas on the wraparound porch and, of course, those gorgeous sunsets await.”

  “Stop!” Erica giggled. “It sounds too good to be true, but yes, yes! I’m all yours!”

  “You bett
er believe it!” Nico rolled her into his arms and then placed her on top of his long, marvelous body.

  Again, his kiss brought a new surge of excitement. Yet when Erica started an assault down his neck, he stretched beneath her and splayed his limbs in surrender.

  “Woof! Despite the fact I want you, and want you so much it makes my heart ache, I’ve about had it. I don’t think I can move again, at least not until morning.”

  Glancing up, she read the bedside clock. Two o’clock! Time and space had flitted by as they enjoyed each other not only with such free-spun delight but with a grand passion she hadn’t felt in a long, long time. Slowly, Erica eased off and settled along his side. She knew they both had to sleep, but she found it hard to close her eyes without thinking of the man beside her and the anticipation of another round of brilliant, early morning lovemaking.

  When she finally awoke, Erica found her bed bereft of her wondrous lover. Rising quickly, she called his name, but Tepe was the only one to answer her summons. Of course, his cat yips spoke of his hunger, and so she padded to the kitchen to open a can of kitty yum-yums. With that done, Erica went back to the bedroom and rolled into bed. She spotted the note on her nightstand. With shaky fingers, she opened it and read Nico’s words he’d written with a pencil from her desk.

  Sorry, darling, but I promised my dad an early breakfast and then I have an appointment. I absolutely hated to move away from your warm, inviting body, but filial duty calls. We’re still on for this weekend, right? I’ll call you as soon as I can. Love, NS

  “Yes, oh yes!” she screamed and rolled to hug the side of the bed that still held his warm impression.

  Chapter Six

  She adored the sizzle of Miami—the heat, the smells of cooking spices, the mangroves, the cypress and the palmettos, and the citrus trees dripping with fruit, the kitschy plastic flamingos and the real things, the jazz and the Latin beat, white skies and blue beaches, shell fish and big fish, as well as the pink, aqua and neon of life.

  Indeed, the world around her took on a new, sharper image as Erica waltzed through the doors of Prestige by Design. When Tai looked up from her desk and spotted her, she produced a perceptive smile.

  “Oh, oh, someone is in a good mood. Wait! Let me guess! You’re glowing, Rica, which can only mean that you actually did it. You got laid last night!”

  Erica laughed and pranced on her heels like a silly schoolgirl. She couldn’t help herself. Nico Sloan had to take sole responsibility for her happy, off-the-wall behavior. She withdrew a long-stemmed, yellow flower from the rainbow gladioli bouquet she had just bought from a street vendor and placed it on Tai’s desk.

  “Here, you are. Compliments of a woman who has finally discovered what all the fuss is about!”

  “Amen to that!” Tai agreed.

  “Why don’t you order us all coffees? My treat.”

  “Well, well.” The assistant sat back and crossed her arms. “If this keeps up, you’re going to spoil us, but I’m not complaining. Let’s hope lover boy does you every night and makes your heart sing.”

  “More than sing,” Erica added before she started back to the workroom. “He makes it want to burst forth with a rousing symphony of stereophonic proportions.”

  “Oohwee!”

  By now, Sacha had made his way to the lobby, his gossip radar on full alert. “What? What? What’s going on?” The minute he spied Erica he broke out in the same knowing smile as Tai had. “Oh, oh! Someone had a good time last night, and I do mean a good time!”

  Taking her arm, he practically dragged Erica back down the hall. “Spill it, girlfriend! I want details, honey, all the horny details! First, who’s the hunk? Do we know him?”

  She tried to ground her sandals in the carpet to slow him down. “Whoa! Hold on there, lover boy! Let me at least get settled in. I’m not saying anything until I’ve had my first cup of coffee.”

  “One cup coming up!”

  “Hold on. Tai should be back any minute with the good stuff.”

  “Then let’s confab while we wait.”

  With a resigned sigh, Erica allowed her friend to escort her to their work area. As they walked down the hall, she flashed a quick hello to Craig and Victor in their respective office nooks. Both men were on the phone, but returned the wave.

  “By the way, you look fabulous,” Sacha commented as he finally let her go.

  Erica made it to her desk and quickly arranged her flowers in a vase. “Thanks.”

  She looked fabulous and felt terrific and knew that great sex did it to her every time. Because of her new, cloud-sailing mood, she wore a sleeveless strawberry dress and her black, slip-on sandals with the pink and black polka-dotted bows. The round, plastic jet beads of her necklace added a retro nuance, and Erica felt designer perfect and tres chic. Her skin glowed, her senses peaked, her head swam, and her pelvis vibrated every time she thought of Nico Sloan.

  As Tai brought in the cardboard tray with their lattes, she shifted her gaze from her co-workers to the front office. “There’s a man here to see you, Rica” she announced. “The same one from yesterday.” Her gaze bore into the designer with fervent anticipation. “So, tell me, is he the one?”

  Erica felt her heart skip several beats, and then rev up and away. Had Nico managed to take a break and come by just to see her?

  “Thanks,” she acknowledged and headed for the lobby with both Sacha and Tai right behind her. She tried not to burst into the front office, but Erica couldn’t help her exclamation of happiness.

  “Nico! I—”

  She stopped short. The man standing in front of her resembled Nico Sloan in looks and build, but the fuller hair with the side part and the darker clothing told her in otherwise. This had to be Gianni, the less likable twin.

  “Oh, hello there.”

  “I know you weren’t expecting me,” Gianni began as he stepped closer, “but I just wanted to stop by and find out if you decided to take me on as a client. I assume my brother, Nico, spoke to you yesterday.”

  “Yes, yes, he did.”

  “And?” Seating himself on the edge of Tai’s desk, Gianni raised his brows in expectation.

  “Well,” Erica sputtered as she searched for something to say. Great! She did fine last night with her physical repertoire, but when it came time for verbal sparring, she came up short. Of course, Gianni’s surprise visit caught her off guard. She drew up the nearest canvas and tubular chair and sat down. “You see, I haven’t had time to give your project much thought. I barely saw your apartment last night.”

  “Oh, no problem. I just got into town, and I thought I’d stop by. Your firm here is on my way from the airport. In fact,” he chuckled lightly, “I haven’t even seen Maritza yet.”

  As he spoke, Erica allowed her gaze to take in his black form-fitting jeans, the gray lizard-skin boots, and a navy blue sports jacket over a striped oxford shirt.

  “So,” he continued, “can you spare a few minutes?”

  When Erica’s gaze flitted to the hall, she caught Sacha and Tai darting back into the shadows. She quickly returned her attention to her potential client. “Would you like to come back to my office?”

  “I was thinking more along the lines of a cafe table and a cup of cappuccino.” Gianni brokered a wide smile along with the invitation. “Of course, I do have an ulterior motive. I’d like to talk to you...alone.”

  “Oh, well, if it’s about any ruffled feelings, believe me, there’s no ill will on my part. I thought about your offer, and I’ve decided to take on the job. Your place offers several design possibilities.”

  “Great!” Gianni rose. “But the coffee offer still stands.”

  How could she possibly refuse? The other Sloan brother seemed to put Erica in an awkward position. She could hardly decline and explain why. Of course, she could say she had a previous appointment, but that excuse sounded as flimsy as it had on Sunday.

  “All right,” she finally agreed. “I’ll just get my purse.”

  For t
he second day in a row, Erica would have to forgo her takeout latte for a fresh-brewed encounter with an attractive man. Of course, this one didn’t thrill her in the same way his twin brother had, and would continue to do so as long as Nico wanted to be with her.

  Once outside, she donned her sunglasses and allowed Gianni to escort her to a nearby Jaguar convertible, the color of glossy cobalt. He had the top down, and when Erica slid into the passenger seat, she savored the feel of the warm, burnt umber leather against her bare arms.

  “This is quite a car,” she commented as he jumped in beside her and replaced his own wrap-around dark glasses.

  “I like her,” he returned and started the engine, then roared away from the curb.

  Erica hung on the edge of the seat as Gianni slipped from gear to gear and increased their speed until the engine thrummed over sixty. Though once they headed into traffic, he slowed them down to a mere forty. Sitting back, she tried to relax and offer some semblance of small talk. Little had Erica ever dreamed she would be riding in a sleek sports car with her somewhat repulsive playboy neighbor—and this after having spent a night of glorious lovemaking with his twin brother!

  “She’s my one luxury,” Gianni continued with an expansive smile. Erica assumed he meant the car since women were definitely not a luxury item in his book. “She provides all I need to feel so open and free, like the king of the highway.”

  Of course, you could add king of the bedroom, too, Erica snickered to herself. “Sort of like a motorcycle,” she offered instead, “but much safer.”

  “Exactly, but it’s not quite the same. This machine is classic sophistication. In a jag, you can wear a tuxedo or scuffed leather and chains.”

  “Yes, I suppose so, but I rather doubt you wear leather and chains when you go for a drive in this machine.”

  Gianni turned to give her a somewhat provocative glance. Though Erica couldn’t see them behind the glasses, she remained positive his eyes baited her with a mischievous glint. “Let’s just say, I save the chains and the tight black leather for a different kind of ride, usually after midnight.”