Roberto stopped uncorking the bottle of wine and met her eyes. She noted his eyes went straight to her lips. His voice was deeper, huskier when he said, “I’m glad you’re enjoying your meal.” He pulled out the chair. “Please sit. There is no need to stand and eat.”
Simone laid the shrimp tail on the side of the plate, but refused to sit as she met the man’s smoldering eyes. “Are you this attentive to all your guests?”
A small smile crossed his lips. “Only to those who deserve it. La Isla Bonita prides itself on its exceptional customer service. I simply want to make up for the inconvenience you experienced before.”
“I see.” Simone wasn’t entirely convinced—especially the way his eyes seemed to gently caress her with every glance, but her stomach interrupted her thoughts as it demanded more food. She tightened the belt on her robe, took a seat, and picked up the knife and fork he had laid out. “Thank you for this.” She paused, and thought she should ask him to join her, but she didn’t know if that was a good idea. He poured her a healthy-sized glass of wine as her fork speared another juicy piece of shrimp. “Would you—”
Roberto’s cell phone chirped, interrupting her question. He answered in Spanish. As he addressed the caller, she consoled herself with her tasty food. Simone half-listened, unable to understand the words, but the sharpness of his voice indicated something was wrong. After a short, but heated discussion, he tucked the cell phone back into his pocket. “There is an issue to which I must attend. I hope you enjoy your dinner Ms. Blackburn.”
She hurried to correct him, not liking being addressed so formally. “Simone, please.”
“Simone it is.” He bent down and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Buenas noches.”
It was a quick kiss, but as his lips touched her skin, it felt as though a fire erupted. Roberto’s lips scorched her to the bone. Goosebumps spread across her flesh as moisture pooled in an area long forgotten. Simone couldn’t recall the last time she’d felt any sparks after being kissed by a man. His touch felt natural and right, but the resistance to this gorgeous man, who so obviously wanted more than to make her a satisfied guest, nagged at her. Wouldn’t he just break her heart like Asshole?
Simone pushed the giddiness away. She was an adult, not some school girl. She controlled this situation and her emotions, damn it! It didn’t matter that he didn’t wear a wedding ring and could be available for the taking. This trip was to relax and refresh, not fantasize about the sexy resort manager. Simone jabbed another shrimp with her fork and popped it in her mouth, trying desperately to ignore the still burning spot on her forehead where Roberto’s lips had lingered.
****
The next couple of days proved busy for Roberto. More of the keycards didn’t work. He didn’t, however, have the desire to escort any other women to their bungalows. That had been reserved for the sexy Simone Blackburn, whom he couldn’t get out of his mind.
He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. While he was good with computers, his mind drifted from the research required. Upgrading the key system would cost a lot of money. He needed to pay attention to the requests for bids he was sending out, instead of letting his mind wander . . . to a certain, stubborn American woman.
At least he had pleasant thoughts to distract himself. Simone had booked a massage appointment at the spa for tomorrow afternoon. Little did she know, Roberto was a trained masseur. Before he’d studied hotel-restaurant management, he’d trained in massage therapy. It looked as though he would get to put those skills to use. Soon.
His body came to life at the thought of pampering Simone. He hoped she would enjoy the feel of his hands on her lovely skin. Roberto noticed right away the few freckles that dotted her nose. He wondered if she had freckles anywhere else on her body.
Roberto gave up on research, propped his feet up on his desk, and leaned back in his chair. His eyelids drifted shut as he imagined caressing Simone’s skin. He wasn’t so careless as to unzip and take care of his throbbing erection—his staff could call or enter his office at any moment. Besides, he told himself, it would be worth it to wait and let the beautiful redhead quench the desire running like fire through his veins.
****
Simone strolled toward the spa, Roberto’s card tucked in the zipper pocket of her beach bag. It had been a while since she’d pampered herself. In addition to making a massage appointment, she intended to get a pedicure and manicure too.
From the moment she entered the spa, Simone truly begin to relax. The pale blue colors soothed her as soft New Age music played in the background. The staff was friendly and welcoming. Luz, who Simone learned would be her masseuse, led her to a small room lit with candles. More of the soft music filtered in as Luz instructed her to undress and lay face down on the table. Her masseuse laid a white sheet on the table and told her to pull it over her legs and up to her waist. Luz inquired about the room temperature before she left Simone to change.
She debated whether to remove her panties or not. Simone wasn’t normally self-conscious about her body, but since she was in a foreign country—and they might do things differently here —she didn’t remove her pink lace thong.
Simone got comfortable on the table and allowed her breathing to even and deepen. She normally remained alert during treatments, but the stress from her failed marriage had finally started to drain away since she’d been on the island. Swimming, reading, and sunbathing dominated her time. Although she had talked with Jenni, her best friend, several times, Jenni was kind enough not to mention Asshole. But she did want all the dirt on Roberto.
A quick knock sounded. Luz poked her head inside the room. “Are you ready, Ms. Blackburn?”
“Yes, I am. Thank you.” Simone settled back onto the table, willing her mind to empty and just enjoy the masseuse’s touch.
She listened as Luz moved around the room. Her footsteps were light and soft. Quietly she said, “I’m sorry, but we’re out of the lotion I prefer. I will return shortly.”
Simone murmured, “No problem.” She wasn’t going anywhere. Her body already molded itself to the table.
Several moments later, the door quietly opened. Simone sighed deeply and rolled her shoulders, trying to release the tension that remained. Her mind noted that Luz opened a bottle and rubbed lotion on her hands, but she felt content to relax and not pay further attention.
Strong hands gripped her shoulders; the thumbs found lingering knots of tension. Simone barely bit back a moan of pleasure. The hands continued to work their magic across her shoulder blades and down her back. When those talented fingers skimmed her sides, she flinched, ticklish.
A male chuckle filled the room as the fingers repeated the action. Simone’s reaction was delayed. That was a male chuckle. What happened to Luz? She pushed her upper body off the table and turned to see her masseuse. Her body jolted with the shock of seeing Roberto.
“Simone, please, lay back down. I’m not finished,” the sinfully smooth Latin voice commanded.
She caught a look of lust in Roberto’s eyes. Simone then noticed her breasts were bare. In fact her body betrayed her own feelings of desire as her nipples hardened under his study. He licked his lips. The spell was broken, and Simone tugged at the sheet until she covered her chest.
“Actually, Roberto, I think you are finished.” Simone’s tone didn’t quite carry the biting edge she wanted.
“Ah, my vixen is aroused and in denial.” He stepped into her space and caressed her cheek with a knuckle. “You face is flushed and your pupils are dilated.”
Simone tried to focus on his words, but her gaze was drawn to his smooth, defined chest. The man wore a pair of white drawstring pants and nothing else. For some reason the sight of his bare feet particularly appealed to her. Maybe because your asshole ex never went without shoes. Dear Lord, this man is perfection and sexier than anyone I’ve ever been this close to!
She couldn’t deny that she desperately wanted to touch his perfect abs, just once, trace the ridges with
her tongue. A little taste was all she needed. Hell, it wasn’t like she wanted to marry the guy. She just needed someone to fill the ache deep inside, even if for a moment.
“You’re thinking too hard, Simone. Please . . .” Roberto’s voice trailed off when Simone let the sheet drop and reached for him.
Their lips met and parted to begin a desperate battle of tongues. The passion only spurred her once she realized how much she craved a man’s hands on her as Roberto possessed her. And his hands did just that as they skated up to brush her erect nipples. Simone moaned and pressed harder into the kiss, not wanting to stop. Even for a breath.
“So sweet,” Roberto panted against her lips before kissing along her jaw and down her neck.
Simone let her head fall back and shifted so her legs opened. The sheet fell away completely as Roberto stepped into her. The heat of his erection pressed insistently against her damp core. He kissed down her neck before he nibbled on the juncture of her neck and shoulder. Simone moaned while pressing her core tighter to Roberto. She ached with the need for relief.
Roberto tweaked her nipples with his fingers before his mouth returned to hers. The fury of the previous kiss had abated. This was a thorough exploration, a mingling of tongues and taste. Simone had never been kissed like this before. He could continue like this all day, and she knew she would never tire of it.
“So beautiful.” His whispered words sent chills up and down her back. She couldn’t recall a time Asshole had called her beautiful. Her Latin lover tangled his hands in her hair and continued to plunder her mouth. His hips rocked forward into her core. She liked the friction, but needed more.
Simone shifted to increase the contact. Roberto, however, stepped back. Her unfocused gaze met his eyes. Breathy and pleading she begged, “Roberto, don’t stop.”
“My vixen, you deserve so much better. This table isn’t what I had in mind for our first time.”
She couldn’t believe it. Her body craved relief and he wouldn’t provide it. What the hell? While some part of her appreciated his not wanting a quick fuck, another part of her needed the contact, skin on skin, and preferred it rough and fast. The time for slow and sweet could come later—on a bed, if they made it that far. “Please . . .” She hated begging, but her body was so keyed up it wasn’t beneath her.
In an effort to sway him, she reached out and grasped his rock-hard erection. Good God the man is huge! She stroked as best she could through his pants. At the head she twisted and tugged. Simone enjoyed the sound of his moan as his eyes drifted closed.
“So bad, my lovely Simone. So bad.”
A moment later he stilled her hand. “This is what you want, yes?”
She wasn’t sure what he meant, but if he referred to her having an orgasm, the answer was, hell yeah! Simone licked her lips. “Yes, Roberto, I want to come. I want to make you come.”
He didn’t answer her, but his lips once again claimed hers as his fingers tore at her panties. She had trouble concentrating on the kiss when his thumb found her clit. Simone spread her legs wider, giving him better access. The man didn’t disappoint. His fingers speared into her, causing her body to shudder.
Simone focused on the waves of pleasure building inside of her. She tore her mouth away, needing air. His lips found her ear. Roberto groaned, “So wet for me.” His talented fingers continued their pleasurable torture. Simone was so close, her mouth latched onto his shoulder to muffle her moans. His thumb pressed against her clit and Roberto ordered, “Come for me, Simone.” Her body obeyed without thought. She felt her juices release and coat his fingers. The orgasm drained her, completely relaxing her body; it happened with his fingers, not the impressive cock she felt. Next time, she silently promised herself, she would feel him filling and stretching her.
Simone fell forward into his arms. She nuzzled into the base of his neck, completely at his mercy. Her body felt like jelly; she expected to be puddled on the floor after experiencing Robert’s magic touch.
After several moments, Roberto withdrew his fingers. Simone pulled back to watch with lidded eyes as he licked her juices off his fingers. That act nearly triggered a second orgasm.
“Kiss me, Simone. Taste yourself . . . so delicious.”
They kissed, this time lazily and without any urgency. Simone then realized that Roberto hadn’t come.
“You didn’t finish . . .” She reached for the drawstring on his pants.
“Not necessary, my vixen. This was all for you. My time will come later, and I have no doubt of how much I will enjoy it.” He wrapped her up in his embrace and held her.
****
Over the course of the next week and a half, Roberto made it a point to spend time with Simone whenever his work allowed. They shared walks on the beach, and occasionally he caught up with Simone at the pool. Sadly, there had been no more erotic encounters. It took all of Roberto’s self-control, but he promised himself to treat Simone like a lady despite the sexual need coursing through his body. At first, he’d been puzzled by her shyness. After that day at the spa, she seemed skittish like a wild animal afraid of civilization. He realized she probably second-guessed what had happened between them, but little did she know that Roberto vowed to help her crack the protective shell encasing her heart.
After a couple of shared meals and a lot of lengthy kisses, she slowly warmed to him. This pleased him, but it wasn’t until after several glasses of wine at dinner the previous evening, she finally confessed about ‘Asshole’, as she called him. It certainly put things in perspective and explained why his vixen fought the attraction between them. With any luck, though, Roberto would be able to show her how caring and loving a man could be.
Throughout the day, he’d put the finishing touches on the special Fourth of July celebration he planned for Simone. Tomorrow night would be her last night on the island, and he wanted to make sure it would be unforgettable. Yeah, he muttered to himself, more like you don’t want her to forget you. He had never fallen for a woman so quickly or so hard, but Simone had quickly become his querida. He smiled as he thought about calling her the Spanish term for ‘dear one.’ It fit her perfectly; much better than vixen, now that he knew her better. His woman had class, an understated elegance that by far outshined her fiery temper.
A knock at his office door interrupted his thoughts. “Sí,” he called.
Simone poked her head inside. “Have a minute?”
What a nice surprise! Roberto stood, a broad smile gracing his features, and motioned for her to enter. “Simone, how lovely to see you.” He took her in his arms and pressed a kiss to her temple.
“That’s your kiss?” she teased.
Before she could say anything else, he dove in, taking her lips in a passionate, almost rough kiss. His days were numbered with her. He wanted to leave his mark on her soul before she returned to her home in Washington D.C. Roberto wanted to be remembered.
Panting as the kiss ended, Simone whispered, “That’s more like it.”
“Anything for you, querida.” He smiled when he felt her melt into his body. She’d enjoyed the kiss more than he’d hoped. You are such a lucky man, Roberto. How I wish this could last!
“Querida,” she repeated as though testing the word on her tongue. After a moment she nodded, apparently having reached a conclusion. “’Berto, that sounded so beautiful! The way it rolled off your sexy lips was drool-worthy.”
Roberto growled. Simone showed a glimpse of her inner playfulness. His querida had come so far in such a short time. He rewarded her with a nip to the corner of her mouth before nuzzling his face against her neck.
Her breathless giggle encouraged him. If she wasn’t careful, he would take her on the sofa in his office. He had been such a gentleman after the day at the spa; his woman deserved a very special night where they could share their bodies without fear of interruption.
“You have given me a nickname? I like it.” He knew arousal bled through his normally dark eyes, but he couldn’t help it. At the first t
ouch of her lips, he hardened like an inexperienced teenager. But unlike the teenager, he had control and would not take her until the perfect moment. He would do nothing to jeopardize the progress he’d made with Simone to see men in a better light. Well, he amended, to see him in a better light. She’d better not be teasing or flirting with any other men!
“'Roberto’ seemed so formal . . . I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all, querida.” He released his hold and spun her around to get the full view of her outfit. She wore an alluring sundress. The olive green print set off her hair and showed just enough skin to tease. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Simone looked at the floor before meeting his eyes. “Well, you know tomorrow night is my last night on the island. I hoped we might have dinner together. Maybe go for a moonlit walk on the beach?”
Roberto pulled her back into a warm, gentle embrace. He stroked his hand through her silky hair. “You worry too much, Simone. I have something special planned.”
Pulling back, she looked up, her brows scrunched. “You do?”
He couldn’t help himself. He kissed her again. This one was slow and thorough. How am I ever going to get my fill of her before she leaves? “Of course. I was actually going to call you later about the arrangements.”
“Oh, well.” She slowly trailed her hands over his pecs before moving lower. “In that case . . .”
Those hands were going to get them both in trouble. Simone didn’t realize the power her touch held over him. His control slipped by the minute. If he didn’t stop her, he would have her on his couch and spoil the elaborate seduction he’d planned.
Roberto grasped her wandering hands before they reached his waistband. “You, my naughty vixen, will allow me to finish my preparations. I will pick you up at your bungalow at six-thirty sharp tomorrow evening.”
Latin Heat Page 2
