by T. L. Reeve
She rode the elevator down to the lobby and walked out. Harley stood by the town car Joaquin sent her home in. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?” she asked, standing aside as the driver took Quin’s bag.
“Yes,” she said, getting into the car with her friend. “I’m scared, but I think when it all comes down to it, I need to let it go. I can’t hide forever.”
“So what’s the plan?” She loved Harley’s ability to accept answers and not second-guess her.
“The plan is finding out where Rafael went.”
“I didn’t mean right now.” Harley laughed. “I mean when your contract is up?”
“I don’t know. Go home. Stay here. It’s not important right now. Whatever will come, will come. I can’t dwell on it when there is money missing from the main accounts. It’s the reason why Joaquin and Charlie came back.” She glanced out the passenger-side window as the city slipped by them. “Once we have all the pieces in place, we’ll bring Rafael down.”
“Which reminds me, did you tell Joaquin about Tony?”
“I did.”
“And?”
“And, nothing. I’m staying with him for the weekend.” She laughed. “I wish I could tell you more, but for right now, it’s all you need to know.”
“I always miss the good stuff.” Harley pouted.
The car slowed, pulling up to a small villa just outside of town. “We’re here,” she whispered. “Joaquin said we have run of the house until he and Charlie return.”
“Then I say we open a bottle of wine and party.”
Quin giggled. “You’re on!”
They grabbed Quin’s bags after they got out of the car and made their way inside. High vaulted ceilings complemented the arched windows and wrought-iron sconces. Small ceramic mosaic patterns done in blues, greens, and yellows were inlaid in the shelves. Braided rugs covered the hardwood floors, and fine leather furniture filled the living room. Against one wall sat an adobe fireplace painted with natural tones. To the right was a spiral staircase going
“We should explore the place.” Harley took Quin’s hand.
“Okay.” Quin dropped her bag by the door. “Where to first?”
“Joaquin’s bedroom.” She gave her friend a mischievous look and tugged her toward the staircase. “I’ll bet you he has all kinds of toys.”
Quin stilled. “Wait. I would love to see his room, but I’d rather wait for him. You know, make it special for us.”
“Fine, but we’re going into every other room.”
“Lead the way.”
By the time they returned to the living room, Quin’s stomach rumbled. She’d barely eaten any of her lunch due to being nervous. They followed the short hallway lined with photographs of a younger Joaquin and his brother along with other family members. They found the door to his study open. Inside the office, on the side bar, sat trays of fruit and cheese and a bottle of wine. “Food.” She rushed inside and grabbed a piece of cheddar and groaned.
“Didn’t you eat lunch?” Harley grabbed a strawberry off the other tray and bit into it. “OMG. This is so good.”
“The threat of being gagged kind of set me on edge.” She chuckled.
“Oh, this I have to hear.”
“I pushed my luck.” She popped the rest of her cheese into her mouth then grabbed the bottle of wine and poured them a glass. “I was threatened with being gagged.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.” She grew serious. “He said he had something big that would gag me if I wasn’t good.”
“I’ll bet he did.” Harley snorted before taking a sip of her drink. “And what was this gag he spoke of?”
“His dick.” She laughed.
***
Joaquin walked in the door of his home with Charlie by his side. For the last six hours they’d been on conference calls with the two companies they’d sent bid packages to. Of course, Quin had been spot on with her assessments, and after deep negotiations with Lucre, the company located in Madrid, Joaquin came to a decision. They would begin the long process of finding his brother. In the meantime, they would celebrate.
The sound of singing and giggling came from the direction of his study, and he turned his attention back to his friend. “I do believe the girls have started without us.”
“Harley’s idea. I’m sure of it.” Charlie’s eyes glinted.
“Well, this should be interesting.” They continued down the hall to the study and pushed the door open. Inside, Quin and Harley danced, glassed of wine in their hands while a platter of fruit and cheese sat half-empty on the side bar. Just how much did they drink?
The music swelled, and the girls faced each other, singing at the top of their lungs. Then they spun in a circle while continuing to giggle.
Joaquin never saw anything like it. Glancing over at Charlie, he could tell neither had his friend. They watched their submissives continue as the song thumped on, swelling with intensity.
Quin’s hips swayed in a sensual manner, making his gut clench and his dick stir in his pants. He could watch her for hours. His little bird flew when no one watched. Rooted in his spot, he watched the women, unwilling to break up their revelry. Quin enchanted him. The thought of leaving her in four weeks made his heart twist. He couldn’t let her go. Love—something he didn’t think he’d been capable of, sprouted deep within him as he stood in his study watching her be goofy and charming.
When the song came to an end, Charlie and he clapped for the girls, surprising both of them. They stopped in their tracks and turned their wide-eyed gazes toward them. Quin went still. “Bravo, ladies.” He clapped.
“You would have to be watching us,” Harley quipped with a laugh.
“A pleasure, baby.” Charlie gathered her in his arms.
“There is a room upstairs for you, if you wish to stay,” Joaquin said, unable to take his eyes off Quin.
“Thank you. I think we’ll be taking you up on your offer.” Charlie nipped at Harley’s chin and growled. “Why don’t you show me that dance again, imp?” Wrapping his arm around her waist, he led her from the study.
“Did you have fun?” Joaquin took a step toward Quin, holding out his hand.
“I suppose,” she replied.
“Looked like you were having fun.”
A beautiful blush crept into her cheeks. “It’s the wine.” She grinned a little. “But, yes. I did.”
He pulled her into his arms, and pressed his lips to hers. “Indeed. Tell me, sweetheart, have you ever danced naked for a man?”
Her cheeks turned a beautiful shade of crimson. “No.”
“Perfect. Tonight you’ll dance for me, and if you do it well enough, I’ll give you a reward.” He slid his hand down her side and fitted it between her legs. “No panties? You are a naughty, naughty girl.” Kissing her again, he ran his fingers through her wet slit. She tilted her hips toward him. “So trusting. So sweet. Tonight you’ll learn not everything has to be about bondage or pain. You’ll learn what it means to be cherished.”
Chapter Nine
Quin’s heart hammered. She’d never seen him this way. She placed her hand in his and followed him out of the study and up the stairs to his room. A room she’d told Harley she wanted to see for the first time with Joaquin. They strolled down the hall, passing the room where Charlie and Harley were staying.
“So, when you say stripping, do you mean twirling around a pole? Or do you mean awkwardly taking one’s clothes off while trying to look sexy?”
“You’ll see,” Joaquin said, opening the door to his room. He hit a button on the built-in control pad and soft, classical music flowed from hidden speakers. “First we need to set the mood.”
“Then I’m supposed to get naked while dancing?” she said. “I’m not sure what you expect from me dance wise, but I suck.”
“I expect your full surrender, Quin, horrible dancing and all.” He crushed her lips with his own and fisted the hem of her shirt. His warm palms skimmed her flesh, while he devoured he
r. His tongue tangled with her own, tearing a whimper from her throat. “That’s right, sweetheart. Give over to me,” he whispered against her lips.
“Joaquin,” she moaned.
“Master,” he reminded her.
“Master.” She sighed, pulling at his shirt. She made quick work of the buttons then worked on his belt.
“Slow down. We have all the time in the world.” His hands stilled hers. “You first.” He pulled at the zipper on her skirt then gave a gentle yank, allowing the material to fall to the floor around her feet. He caressed her exposed skin with his fingertips, leaving goose bumps in their wake.
Quin sucked in a breath, trembling in his arms. “Now, you.” She opened his pants with ease and went to her knees before him. She glanced up at him as she took his length into her palm and stroked.
“Fuck.” He hissed. “Suck me, sweetheart.”
She gave him a flirty smile and ran her tongue through his slit, gathering up the salty essence pearling at his crest, then took him into her mouth, relishing the taste of him. With each bob of her head, more of his cock filled her mouth. She swallowed around him then lashed the sensitive underside with her tongue. The sounds he made above her spurred her on to take her take more of his shaft into her mouth. He threaded his fingers through her hair, holding her in place. The extra bite of pain shot straight to her clit. She nuzzled his groin when she pulled off him, breathing in his musky scent. Any hesitation she’d harbored before setting foot into his bedroom fled the minute he murmured her name over and over again.
She dipped her head and took his sac into her mouth, sucking on each globe before letting go and licking a path back up to the helmet of his dick. The heady power she wielded over him excited her. She rejoiced in it, grew bolder by the second as she continued to lap and suck his cock. She loved him. Quin had realized it the first night when he tended to her as though she were a wounded fawn, lost in the world. To sit at his feet, to kneel before him meant more to her than anything else, including her job.
“Preciósa.” The rumbled plea sent a thrill through her. Her pussy ache for his attention. “You’re going to make me come.” She groaned around him, working faster and harder, wanting to taste him—devour him inch by delicious inch. “Not, yet, Quin. I want to be inside you when I give over to my pleasure.”
She pulled back and sat back on her haunches, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “Sorry, I got a little carried away.”
“Don’t be sorry. Your mouth is the sweetest torture a man could ever experience.” He pulled her up to him, banding his arms around her. “Kiss me.”
Quin brushed her lips over his, teasing him, drawing him in until she nibbled a path over his full bottom lip and laved the sting away. She took her time tasting him then pushed forward, swiping her tongue against his. He tightened his arm around her and his hand cupped her ass, lifting her a bit. Quin wrapped her legs around his middle as he moved them over to his bed. Each step rubbed his erection across her sensitive flesh, and she moaned his name.
“We’ll get there. I promise, sweetheart.” He laid her down, positioning her in the middle of the bed, then climbed between her legs. “First I will have my fill of your sweet cream.” Joaquin pressed kisses to the inside of her legs while making his way up between her thighs.
His hot breath feathered over her skin, and she writhed under him. She arched to his touch, wanting more of it. Seeking him out with each kiss. He teased her. Tempted her beyond reason and pushed her own boundaries of reality. When his tongue finally licked along her slit and over her clit, she lost it. She cried out his name, pressing her pussy to his mouth for more of his sweet, sweet torture. Wanton and needy, she clung to the knowledge he needed her as much as she wanted him.
“So, pretty,” he purred, before drawing her clit into his mouth. “I could eat you all day.” Joaquin slipped a finger inside her, curling it against the delicate bundle of nerves, sending her higher. Desire pooled deep within her.
“Master.” She gasped.
“Ride out the pleasure. Let it burn brighter until it becomes all consuming, and then I’ll give you what you want.” She rode his fingers, climbing the hill to her release. Her heart crashed against her ribs. Euphoria clouded her brain, making it hard for her to form a coherent word. When he added a second finger, pushing them deep inside her body, she screamed his name, coming harder than ever.
Brilliant shards of Technicolor lights flashed before her while her pussy spasmed and her release shot through her. In the distance, she could hear the wet sucking of her flesh as he feasted on her, drinking down her cream as he eased her through one of the best orgasms of her life. “Wow.” She sighed. His deep-throated chuckle rumbled through her.
“Wow is right.” He pressed a kiss to her mound, then made his way up her body, pressing kisses to her stomach and hips. He paid special attention to her navel then worked his way higher. He placed kisses on each inch of skin he exposed as he pushed the lapels of her shirt open. When he got to the silk and lace covering her breasts, he unhooked her bra and latched onto her nipple, drawing the tight peak into his mouth. He sucked it, running his tongue over the supple flesh.
She wiggled below him, desperate for him to take her. To give her everything and then some. She fisted her hands in his hair, tugging it in hopes of directing him, but she should have known better. He would do this at his speed, not hers. His hips pressed between her thighs, opening her up even more until his cock rubbed against her cunt. “Please,” she whined. “I need you, Master. Take me.”
Joaquin reached between them, fitting himself to her entrance, and pressed forward, filling her in one thrust. Both of them moaned as he ground his pelvis against hers. “Fuck, you’re so hot. Please tell me I can have you this way. Skin to skin, no barriers between us. I’m tested regularly, and I’m clean.”
“Yes, me, too,” she murmured. “Don’t stop.”
“Thank fuck,” he groaned, pulling back then filling her again.
His thrusts were measured, giving her maximum pleasure but also keeping her on edge. He toyed with her, taking her higher and higher until he backed off, allowing the need to build inside her once more. She cried and pleaded for him to let her come, but he seemed determined to kill her. He didn’t go unaffected either. She could feel him shudder with each thrust and knew the steady pace took its toll on him.
Quin ran her fingers up and down his spine, coaxing him to give into the pleasure. When their gazes met, she knew what she saw in his eyes reflected in her too—love, devotion, happiness. She cried out his name, meeting him thrust for thrust. Their pace grew more erratic by the second, until she tumbled over the edge, screaming through her climax. The world around her dissolved to nothing, leaving them to their bliss and desire.
Then he stilled above her, a low groan passed his lips, and she knew. Like the stars in the heavens above, forming their constellations, the pieces of her soul fit back together and shone bright. In those precious minutes, with the soft music playing in the background, soothing her tattered senses, she knew she’d always been worth it.
Fresh tears gathered in the corners of her eyes, and he wiped them away. His lips descended on hers, capturing them in the gentlest kisses she’d ever experienced. Love so pure and innocent—a complete contradiction to the Joaquin she knew—flowed between them. Her heart sang with sweet freedom.
When he rolled them, Joaquin wrapped her in his arms and caressed her flesh. “You were always good enough, Quin. You just had to believe in yourself, my sweet, sweet, girl.” He voiced her thoughts, validating her battered and torn emotions.
“Oh, Master,” she sobbed.
“Preciósa, don’t cry. I told you, you were always worth it. Now, do you believe you are worthy of being loved and taken care of?” He wiped away her tears as he smiled down at her. “Do you believe me when I say you are a precious gift to be treasured?”
“Yes,” she answered, her lip still trembling.
“Good, because I mean to
keep you, Quin. You’re mine and I am never letting you go.” He nuzzled her cheek and pressed a kiss to her temple. “I never planned on letting you go. I believe I fell in love with you the first day I met you.”
Her heart stuttered; her breath hitched. “I love you too, Joaquin. I don’t ever want to let you go. It’s so crazy,” she rambled. “Shouldn’t we take this slower?”
“Perhaps, but you should know, when I want something, I take it and never think twice about it. I want you, and I will do everything in my power to keep you.”
***
Three days had passed since he’d claimed Quin. The primal part of him wanted to collar her. He strode into his office, and sat down at his desk before going over the update from Lucre. “Good, very good.” They’d found his brother. It would seem he decided to head back to the States. He’d been seen milling around the estate in Los Angeles, while spending his nights at one of the trendiest nightclubs. Placing the reports aside, he glanced up when a light knock came at his door and Quin stuck her head in his office.
“Hey, I thought you’d like to know Lucre asked for a conference call this afternoon,” she said stepping inside. “Miguel has more information on your brother.”
“Perfect.” He held his hand out to her. “Come here.”
She came to him without hesitation. He pulled her down onto his lap and kissed her. “What’s that for?”
“For being you. Am I not allowed to kiss my woman whenever I want?” Joaquin asked, cocking a brow at her.
“Well yes, but since the first day you haven’t—”
He cut her off, kissing her again. He sipped from her lips, loving the little sounds of approval she made while molding herself to his side. In the short time they’d been together, she’d grown to trust him in ways she may never have trusted another soul. He rubbed his nose against hers. “Would you like to accompany me to Los Angeles?”
Quin nodded. “I’d love to.”
“Would you like to play in public as well while we’re there?”
