by Brook Wilder
Once we were both seated, I nodded. The girl spilled the drinks on the table, and Emilio smacked her ass hard. “Bring the bottle,” he shouted at her. He drained what was left in the glass and then slammed it on the table. He didn’t like to lose but he was good at covering it up.
“The charity work is making me look good. I’m thinking of going to the soup kitchen to meet my new constituents.”
I scoffed. “They don’t vote.”
Emilio smiled as he finished the bottle. “I know and the mayor knows that too, but Pryor wouldn’t go down there if it didn’t matter. Voters like to see pictures of good deeds. It makes them feel noble when they vote, as if they had done or work themselves.”
We laughed together. My shoulders relaxed and I drained the glass in front of me. Emilio raised his hand for another bottle, but I shook my head.
“I’m heading out,” I said. “You have a smoke?”
“Nephew, you do your job, or you’ll end up next to your father.”
Emilio smiled as he spoke, but his tone was cold. I wasn’t sure if it was a threat or warning. I arched an eyebrow, and he only laughed at me. Emilio tossed me his pack of cigarettes. He motioned for me to keep it.
“This man has machismo,” he announced to the room. “He has balls, not like you, sorry pussies that play at being men. He takes care of his family. Go nephew.” He waved me away dismissively. “Go take care of us.”
Emilio continued to laugh loudly as I left the building.
Before Dad died, he’d taken care of me and mom, but now, I was taking care of her. I had nothing to show for my hard work and devotion, except prison time and a patch on a leather jacket. Worse, my momma was in the hospital. When would I get what I needed?
My phone buzzed with a new text from Felicity. ‘He estado pensando en ti.’
I answered, ‘And I’ve been thinking about you.’
‘¿Me amas?’ she asked.
I had a lump in my throat as I stared at her words. I’d faced down men with murder in their eyes with no fear in my heart, but beautiful Felicity did make me weak. I texted her back.
‘Yes. I love you, Little Lamb.’
Her text flashed instantly, ‘Te amo también.’
I wanted her with me no matter what the consequences and damn any man who got in my way. I’d finish what I had to do and then I’d go after my dream.
Chapter 12
Oscar
I grew up watching women prepare meals in our family kitchen. Mama loved to cook. It had always given her joy to feed her family and friends home-cooked meals.
Now I was at the soup kitchen watching Felicity scrubbing a pan, unaware her ass was jiggled as she scrubbed dried food off into the dishwater. It gave me the same sense of warmth and comfort I remembered from my childhood, though now there were other things I felt, too. Her face was flushed from the steam rising out of the hot soapy water. Her long blonde hair was pulled back, but a few strands had escaped from the clip.
I wanted to hug her from behind and press myself against her soft bottom. But I couldn’t do that here, so I took a pan from the drying rack and dried it with a dishcloth. I stood beside her and with sidelong glances watched her firm breasts move underneath her dress as she panted from exertion.
“They have no dishwasher?” I asked as I mopped the sweat off my forehead.
She chuckled at me in a teasing way. “A big man like you, tired out by a few dishes?”
She assumed the sweat on my forehead was from work and not from desire. Felicity was so innocent. Her innocence was not something I should ever claim. I’d ruin it and make her see the world as a treacherous place, but I couldn’t resist her sweetness.
“Are you going straight home, Little Lamb?”
She bit her lip. “I don’t want to, but I don’t know how to get around my parents.”
I leaned in closer and felt her body heat against my cheek. I’d tempt her to be bad. “You can ask Jane to cover for you. And we could take my bike and go somewhere nice for dinner.”
She looked toward Jane, who having overheard our conversation said, “Don’t worry, Fee. I’ll keep Francine busy.”
***
I wanted to stop by my mother’s house to change out of my soiled clothes. They smelled like rice and chicken from serving food. Felicity complained she had nothing nice to wear, so I promised her I’d find something for her in Mama's sewing room. We went upstairs to my old bedroom, and I showed her the blue satin that matched her eyes. April had been working on a dress made out of the material while Mama was in the hospital. I knew she and Felicity were about the same size, so I borrowed it for Felicity. It wasn’t a perfect fit, but with the help of a few safety pins, she made it hers. Felicity was delighted as she held the shimmering blue material against her slim body.
“Oscar, it’s beautiful.” She kissed my cheek. I liked it when she showed affection for me in her sweet way.
“You change in my mother's room,” I replied. “Use what you need. I know she won’t mind.”
It was a short wait as Felicity got ready. What would have taken other women an hour only took her minutes. But Felicity had an unfair advantage; she was already stunning before she got made up. She didn't need extras to get my attention.
Dressed in my best suit, I stood at the bottom of the stairs and whistled as Felicity came down the steps in her dress and a pair of high heels from Mama's closet.
“You look beautiful,” I said smiling.
Felicity blushed. “The way you’re looking at me,” she replied, “makes me feel a little embarrassed. Am I overdressed?”
“You are perfection as always, querida,” I assured her as I kissed her tender wrist. My gesture of admiration made her flutter her lashes then giggle sweetly. Her subtle signs of approval gave me encouragement to be romantic, and not be ashamed to express my growing love.
I couldn’t have Felicity on the back of my bike in a nice dress, so we took her car, and I drove toward Fresno. I knew a place between the two cities and I’d called ahead to let my friend know I was coming with a special date.
***
The Mango Bar and Grill was an upscale restaurant near the small town of Los Blancos. My friend, Manuel, owned the place. As I helped Felicity out of the car, I could tell by her wide-eyed gaze she was pleased with the place. A row of lamps lit the sweeping stone facade in the early evening light. A chandelier dangled in the main dining area, and created just the right soft glow of illumination in the grand interior that was made of wood and granite. Starched white cloths, unblemished pink lilies, and sparkling crystals adorned each table. The attractive and well-mannered hostess greeted us with a warm smile.
“Mr. Nieto?”
I nodded and placed my hand on the small of Felicity’s back as we walked forward.
“A table for two, sir. Please follow me.”
Felicity looked at me as if she were meeting me for the first time. I held out my arm, and she wrapped her hands around it. As we strolled past the other diners, they turned to look at the beautiful blonde beside me. I was proud to be seen with this incredible woman. Not just because of her beauty, but because I was at my best, treating the woman I respected the way she deserved. And I was proud that she seemed proud of me.
The hostess seated us at one of the best tables by a picture window. We had a view of the lights of Fresno in the distance.
“It’s so nice here, Oscar," said Felicity. “Thank you for bringing me to such a nice place.”
“Not the soup kitchen, is it, Little Lamb?”
We laughed and flirted as the waiter poured a bottle of wine compliments of Manuel. An older white woman was leaving with her husband. She approached our table and leaned in toward Felicity.
My body tensed. I didn’t know what this woman might do or say, but I wasn’t sure I was going to like it. I looked down at the wine glass in front of me, willing myself to not make a scene so our evening wouldn’t be spoiled.
“I just wanted to tell you, dear,” t
he woman said, “that you make a lovely couple. You’re both glowing with love.”
Felicity beamed at me then smiled graciously at the older couple. The husband stood behind his wife grimacing with embarrassment. He was older than Felicity’s dad, but he had the same rigid manner. He placed a hand on his wife’s shoulder.
“You have to excuse, my wife, Doris,” he said. “She’s been admiring you both since you walked in. Doris said you reminded her of us when we were young.”
My body relaxed, and I stood to shake the kind man’s hand. “Thank you, sir," I said, “And have a good evening.”
They waved before turning to leave.
I grinned at Felicity over my wine. She was blushing red to her roots, and I teased her, “So, we look like a couple?”
The waiter returned to our table. “Mr. Nieto, the chef would like to prepare a special meal for you and your guest.”
“They know you here, Oscar?” said Felicity.
I nodded. I thought better than to tell her that Manuel had served time with my father. “The owner is an old friend of the family. Here he is now.”
I stood to greet Manuel and we welcomed each other with a hearty hug.
“What a stunning woman, Oscar,” he said. “Is she your girlfriend?”
I replied ‘yes’ which I knew Felicity approved of by the way she smiled at my response. “She’s a very special lady,” I added.
Manuel nodded and offered to take a picture of us. Felicity handed him her phone and he had us stand by the window. We posed as a few other diners looked on with smiles.
Manuel handed the phone back and whispered in my ear, “I’m glad for you, Oscar. You’re turning your life around. You hold onto her and be a better man.”
I nodded and then tried to smile but my forehead tensed. A better man meant a decent and law-abiding man. He meant the type of man who’d take his woman to a nice restaurant and not to the clubhouse for a beer and a fuck.
Tonight, I looked like an honest man, but truth be told, I wasn’t.
After dinner, we drove back to Mesa in silence. The drive back was somber compared to the time we’d spent at the restaurant. Away from our town, no one had disapproved of us being together. Ethnicity wasn't a good enough reason for us to be apart. People outside our city saw us as an attractive and loving couple, not as a Mexican biker trying to score with the sheriff’s middle-class daughter. I was lost in my thoughts when Felicity spoke.
“I had a lovely time, Oscar,” she said. “Thank you for taking me out tonight.”
“I wanted to show you I could treat you right.” I sighed staring at the dark road ahead. “Show myself I knew the right way to take care of you.”
“You don’t have to prove anything. I know you.”
“Do you?’ I asked. “Would you have been okay if I’d...” My voice trailed off as I pulled into Mama’s driveway. I thought about my bike parked by the alley behind the house, hidden from view because my mother disapproved. Felicity would soon disapprove, and I'd have to hide my true self.
“I’ll come inside so I can return the dress,” she said quietly. “And thank you again for the lovely evening.”
Felicity had turned shy, and I realized my brooding was spoiling her happiness. It wasn’t fair for me to ruin her evening with my assumptions. I leaned toward her, and she looked at me with her sparkling blue eyes.
“The woman at the restaurant was right," I whispered against her dainty neck. “I am in love.”
Felicity kissed me before I had a chance to kiss her first.
Chapter 13
Felicity
When we entered the house, I stopped and admired Oscar before he could change. He looked especially handsome tonight. He wore a black suit with a gray dress shirt. He had on his cowboy boots as usual, but he’d added a gray silk tie. His hair was loose and reached his collar. I brushed his hair back behind his ears so I could see his sable brown eyes.
“I’ll wait down here for you to change,” he said.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my body against him as we shared a long, deep kiss. I whispered in his ear. “Please come with me while I change.”
I felt the bulge in his pants as I pulled him closer. I knew what I was doing, and I knew he wouldn’t refuse me. Oscar swept me up into his arms and carried me up the stairs to his bedroom. It was crazy. I hadn’t expected him to be this romantic, and the entire evening had been amazing. My laughter filled the quiet house as Oscar carried me to his bed.
He laid me down gently, and I pulled his body onto mine.
He propped himself up on his elbows, as if giving me space to change my mind. “Are you sure, querida?”
I nodded, gazing into his warm brown eyes.
“Give me a second," he said. "I’ll be right back." He disappeared out of the room into the hall.
I had worn my plain bra and panties again. I hadn't expected to spend the evening with the only man I wanted. Next time, I’d wear something sexier, but I didn’t want Oscar to see me in this.
Oscar was fumbling in another room down the hall. I could hear the banging of drawers as he swore under his breath. Quickly, I pulled off the dress, but left my panties on. I was certain of what we were about to do, but still felt shy. A piece of sheer floral silk caught my eye and I wrapped it around me, then lay back down in his bed.
When Oscar came back into the room, he froze. Some tension left his eyes softened as he gazed at my barely clothed body. I patted the empty mattress beside me, and he tossed a few condom packets onto the end of the bed.
Oscar stripped in the dim light. I watched as he pulled off his clothing, exposing his firm body. Desire soon replaced my shyness as soft light coming from the street lamps outside defined the lines in his muscles. His broad shoulders stretched and flexed as he pulled off his shirt, and his tight bottom tensed as he pulled off his pants. I bit my lower lip when I saw his hard erection bob then straighten against his flat stomach as Oscar pulled off his briefs.
He lay down beside me and leaned in to lightly kiss the side of my neck before trailing his lips along the line of my jaw.
We stared into each other's eyes before he kissed me on the mouth, lingering for a while before moving on.
Then he went back to the length of my neck again, trailing delicate kisses to my throat. I pushed my fingers into his thick, long hair. It was so sexy, the way it rested on the top of his bare shoulders. I smoothed it back and watched Oscar slipped a finger under the floral silk fabric that still draped over my body and slid it away to expose my chest. Then he kissed my bare skin down to my breasts.
The room was quiet except for our heavy breathing. His body was warm against mine. I could feel the heat radiating off his smooth, olive skin. I lifted my hips, and he slowly pulled off my panties.
He took his time. Oscar wouldn't rush. Not for something this special. He stroked my body, avoiding the spot between my legs, but I gasped in delight when he touched other places that made me shiver. His sensual touch made me squirm underneath his hard body. I wanted him in me.
His mouth drifted over my chest, and his tongue flicked my hard nipples. I moaned his name, and he looked at me with a wickedly sexy grin. His hand barely touched my heated skin as it grazed my body and made me hotter. It kept going, traveling down my tummy, down past my hips, and finally pausing between my legs. Oscar carefully watched my reaction, and all I could do was moan. He stroked me, then pushed a finger into my damp lips. I moaned and let my head drop back against the pillow. He moved a second finger into me. His fingers filling me made my mouth part and I licked my lips.
I gripped the edge of the bed as his hand began to move, keeping a steady rhythm. Oscar nibbled on my breast creating shocks of pleasure that radiated across my skin and into my body.
“I’m ready, Oscar," I gasped. "I’m ready."
He lifted himself off me and said, “Not yet.”
Later, I understood why he wanted me to be very wet. He would never hurt me.
; Oscar eased down farther between my legs until his mouth was at my swollen lips. I groaned when his tongue licked my lips apart.
“Oscar…” I said, trying to get the rest out. All this pressure had built up inside me, and I knew it was about burst.
He didn’t say anything, just pressed into me deeper.
A pulse of release throbbed deep inside my body then rippled out in all directions. I had cum alone before, but it’d never been like this. His hands massaged my legs as he licked me, and Oscar held me open as my orgasm shook me against the bed.
Gasping, I lie sprawled on my back, my skin glowing with perspiration.
