Santiago's Conquest : A Standalone Enemies-to-Lovers Romance

by V. F. Mason

  Wonder.

  Because the beautiful woman gazing into my eyes doesn't reject me after my confession. Instead, she welcomes me into her arms, giving me gentleness I’ve never known before.

  For the first time since our eyes connected at that party the Dawsons hosted, her green and grey orbs are free of doubts or resistance.

  I don’t have to use blackmail or seduction to tempt her; she makes the first step in my direction on her own.

  My querida no longer wishes to escape, accepting the monster within me whose wounds still bleed, and no balm on this earth will be able to heal them.

  The scars I carry on my soul will always hold my pain, but her presence alone brings peace to the parts I thought would always rage in anger, seeking to destroy.

  “Santiago,” she whispers, her lips brushing against mine, and my name rolling off her tongue shows me how she finally made her choice without any reservation.

  My wife chose a beast and doesn’t expect me to transform into a prince, giving me a chance.

  A chance that is the rarest gift I’ve ever gotten, because she trusts me to never cross the borders of my darkness and let it claim me for eternity.

  Placing my mouth on hers, I open it wide, pushing my tongue inside her while angling her head back so I can push deeper, marveling at her soft body next to me, which soaks up all my attention.

  She puts her warm palms on my waist while rising a bit higher, her tongue swirling around mine as she teases my mouth with a kiss that’s slow, passionate, addictive, laced in lust and urgency.

  This kiss solidifies the beauty’s surrender to the beast while he promises to want her forever, even though he doesn’t understand half of these emotions.

  I’m not sure I’m capable of experiencing love, but her… her I want so much the obsessive need only grows, and there is no cure in sight.

  And if there was one, I’d destroy it before it could reach me. I intend to keep her at my side always.

  She calms the monster within enough to look forward to the future, where revenge doesn't exist and my nightmares don't plague me, boiling my blood.

  Something stirs inside my dark heart, something besides anger and rage that belongs only to her.

  Something that almost makes me believe there is still hope left for the likes of me despite my horrendous past that broke me into tiny pieces I won’t ever be able to put back in perfect alignment.

  But maybe… just maybe… this woman will love me even if I have cracks and lost pieces… filling me enough with her own to chase away the emptiness residing in the depths of my soul.

  Mi mujer.

  Mi bella esposa.

  Our hot and all-consuming kiss continues, scorching heat traveling through my veins, and the blood flows to my dick that becomes hard, pushing against the zipper of my pants, needing her wet pussy stretched around it.

  She whimpers into my mouth, and I put my hand on her back, finding her zipper and pulling it down, my thumb tracing the slowly exposed skin, enjoying the goose bumps breaking on it, and she shivers slightly from the wind still blasting outside.

  She shouldn't worry; I’ll always keep her warm.

  Her hands slide to my belt buckle, unhooking it, and her fingers unbutton my pants before pulling the zipper down and letting my dick spring free.

  A growl vibrates my throat when she wraps her hand around my length, squeezing it just tight enough to make me pull back from the kiss, breathing in the air around me while she puts her lips on the ax scar I got, thanks to Edward’s client, who…

  I scrunch my eyes, willing all the memories to fade away. I don't want to remember pain or anyone else touching me but this woman.

  Because her touches are the only ones that matter.

  She kisses the scar. I still at the action, not understanding why she isn't repulsed by them. Aren’t they hideous to her?

  She moves to another, then another, leaving butterfly kisses in her wake as her tongue traces their shapes and texture. Her hand strokes my dick, her thumb brushing the head, and I feel my precum leaking on her finger.

  Desire rocks my entire system; the need to throw her on the nearest flat surface and fuck her hard until her throat becomes hoarse from the screams I inspire in her rides me. My hand clenches on her back.

  However, I don’t act on my urges. Her lips cover the parts of me that bring me the most pain, because the representation of what was done to me forever mars my skin, but she brings me far greater emotions.

  Like the light slipping under the door and finally brightening up the darkness, mesmerizing me with its beauty.

  “Briseis.” I murmur her name, tasting it on my tongue, and she puts her free hand on my abdomen, my muscle dipping under her touch, while she still works my dick, playing with her personal toy.

  Because it is.

  Every part of me is hers.

  I never thought such romantic crap would be coming out of me, but I underestimated what it’s like to not have to hide your true nature. Where the woman’s affection is not conditional.

  Where you aren’t judged by your past sins.

  How could anyone resist that?

  I almost come undone when I see her eyes glistening with tears. “How brave you must have been to survive all this.” Her splayed palm covers one of the scars while she places another kiss to one of the burn marks on my chest. “I hate these scars, because someone hurt you so much.” Kiss. “But I love them too, because no matter how much they wanted to break you… they didn’t.” Kiss. Kiss. Kiss. “You shouldn't hide them. A warrior wears his victories proudly.”

  I was wrong.

  Her words, kisses, and affection to my scars serve as a balm to the bleeding wounds, making me believe for a second they might completely heal someday, just holding echoes of pain.

  “I won’t ever let you go. Nunca. You’re trapped in my castle forever.” I say the harsh words, half expecting her to bolt from my hold and maybe stop the emotions crushing me in waves, emotions a monster shouldn't feel, because they are too powerful to stay numb to.

  She freezes, removes her hand from my dick, and steps back, and a self-loathing chuckle threatens to still her movement.

  She got scared again, and now she’ll…

  I frown when she shimmies out of her dress, the silk sliding down to her feet effortlessly, leaving her standing naked in front of me, her gorgeous body on full display from her more-than-a-handful tits, her curvy waist, and those legs of hers that cradle me so fucking well I never want to leave the fucking bed.

  “No lingerie?” My eyes flare, anger sinking into my bones when I grit through my teeth, “All those fuckers admired my wife while you were fucking naked underneath?”

  A teasing smile shapes her mouth, and she places her hands on her breasts, caressing them and moaning, the sound making my dick jerk, and then her splayed palms glide over her waist. “Only you can touch my body.” The possessive beast calms a little inside me, even though it still wants to kill anyone for so much as thinking about my wife, let alone putting their hands on her. She’s mine alone.

  No one gets to touch what belongs to me.

  I make a move to wrap my arm around her, but she shakes her head, escaping my reach, and all my instincts become alert again. Why the fuck is she running away? “Come here,” I growl, tugging on my pants and removing them hastily, and male satisfaction peaks when she bites her lower lip, roaming her gaze all over me. Crooking my finger, I step several feet away until the back of my calves bump into the bed, and I order again, “Come here, querida. I bet your pussy is dripping, aching to feel my tongue or dick inside, filling it to the brink.”

  She gasps, rubbing her thighs together, and finally saunters toward me, her hips swaying from side to side. She’s a siren destined to lure me with her beauty, making anyone blind to the danger she represents.

  If you are not careful enough, she might own your soul; thankfully, I’ll gladly give her mine and kill anyone daring to offer her another.

 
This particular siren came to this earth for me alone. “Querida,” I snap impatiently, drinking in the goodness in front of me and needing to taint her with myself so that her skin will be covered in the red marks of my ownership.

  She comes closer, her lavender scent twitching my nose, and she says, “I want to play.” Her voice turns sultry, wrapping around my dick like the softest silk, the husky note in it making it unbearable to stay calm. “My mouth misses your cock.” She grabs my hand, puts it on her pussy, rubbing over her wet heat, and my fingers curl. She moans, stepping closer and whispering, “The thought of your taste on my tongue makes me ache.”

  Fuck me.

  How does a man say no to that? It’s a fucking wonder my dick doesn't spill right now. I rein in the need by a thin thread, deciding to give her what she asks of me.

  Whatever she needs in this life, I will give her.

  She’ll be so spoiled she won't remember what it was like to live in hell.

  “All yours, baby.” Her colorful unique eyes brighten, and she pushes me on the bed where I land on my back, more to her amusement than her actual strength, and she climbs on top of me, throwing her legs over my hips as she settles her ass close to my dick. Her dark hair falls down around her in heavy locks, hiding her full tits from my gaze. “Fuck,” I mutter, and she laughs. “Finding my torment hilarious, querida?”

  “Flattering is the word I’d use.” She pushes forward, sliding her wet pussy over my stomach, and reaches my mouth, capturing it in a heated kiss where our tongues meet, tangling together, and we deepen the kiss before she ends it, giving me one last peck.

  Her lips shift toward my neck, continuing to soothe my scars with her kisses and licks, flaring desire in me, spreading pleasure in my veins, only adding to my torture every time she wiggles her ass.

  Her hair tickles my skin as she bites on my six-pack, grazing it with her teeth before tracing her tongue over the defined muscle, purring into them. “I love your body, Santiago. You remind me of a statue.” I hiss when her nails dig into my skin, for sure leaving marks, and she holds my gaze, her voice losing all playfulness for a second. “No one gets to touch you either.”

  “My wife doesn't like to share.” I wince when her claws dig harder, almost breaking the skin. “All yours, querida.” I barely noticed women in the past, much less now, when I possess such beauty.

  She resumes her journey over my body, kissing my navel’s puckered skin until she shifts on my lap, sliding her thighs to my legs, and her hair falls to the side as she cups my dick, her hot breath fanning the tip and driving me insane.

  My hips jerk when she runs her tongue from base to tip, trailing the pulsing vein and breathing in my scent. She sucks on the head, her wet heat welcoming me as she opens her mouth wider, taking in my length, and I groan, a hot rush washing over me as I enjoy the heaven that is her.

  She goes as deep as she can, licking over my sensitive skin, and her hand closes at the base, sliding up and down in rhythm with her mouth, bringing me so much pleasure I wonder if she’s real.

  My entire body burns, all my attention concentrated on my dick that spills more precum into her, and she moans, the vibration making me hit the bed.

  Fisting her hair, I adjust her head at the right angle, thrusting my hips up, pushing inside her throat farther. The wet heat surrounding me combined with her gentle strokes makes my balls clench, craving to fuck her mouth hard, finding relief in the paradise she’s offering.

  Nothing in this life has felt like her, pure bliss where endless possibilities and heaven exist.

  She drags her mouth up, letting go and breathing in deeply, her plump lips red, and she licks them, the wild look hinting to me she’s wet and in need.

  And my woman suffering in need just won’t do.

  Her squeals echo in the night when I grab her hips and flip her on the back, but they quickly change into loud moans when I push her thighs up and place my mouth on her drenched pussy, running my tongue over her sticky folds, enjoying her taste.

  My teeth trap her clit, rolling my tongue around it, and her hips fly up, but my growl puts them right back on the bed. “Santiago, please, please,” she begs and grips my hair, gently rocking in time with my mouth when I trace her walls again, sucking on the flesh hard. Her whimpers only add to the frenzy surrounding us. “Please.” Sliding my tongue up and down, I finally stiffen it and push inside her. Her pussy instantly clamps around it, sucking it in and not wanting to let go.

  Her juices slide down my chin while I feast on her, wanting to forever imprint her scent and taste on me, to bring her so much pleasure she won’t be able to think straight, and then I’ll do it all over again as long as it attaches her to me.

  Seducing her will always be my greatest conquest.

  “Santiago.” Her throaty moan tells me she’s close to losing it, and as much as I want her to come all over me so I can rub my face over her pussy, right now, I need to fuck her hard.

  No.

  Not fuck her.

  This is what people, I think, call making love, whatever the fuck it means.

  But when a woman fully submits to you, entrusting her life and faith to you… it cannot be called fucking.

  Giving her pussy one last lick, I trail my mouth up, occasionally biting her skin until I reach her collarbone and settle between her spread thighs, her eyes glassy with desire so profound I long to memorize it in a picture. Maybe one of these days I will.

  Her fingers lock on my neck, and she tugs me down, our mouths meeting, and I thrust inside her.

  We both groan into the kiss when her pussy stretches around me, enveloping me whole, and sucks me so deep as if she doesn't want to let me go. Nothing can stop me in this moment.

  Grabbing her thighs in my hands, sliding back slowly so she feels every glide, I thrust inside her again, shaking the bed around us, but we pay no attention to it, still engaging in a passionate kiss while thunder once again rumbles in the distance.

  My movements change, and I push into her rougher, the wild need building around us, and she snatches her mouth away, gasping for breath while whimpering silently, begging to end this and give us what we both want.

  Or rather what her body craves, because I want to prolong it for as long as possible, shifting my rhythm to a slower pace, each stroke sinking into her deeper. I latch onto her nipple, sucking it into my mouth while thrusting my hips back and forth, ignoring the pleasure spreading around me, concentrating only on her need.

  She arches her back, her breathing labors, and her hands slide to my back, her nails raking my skin as she fists my hair and pulls my mouth away from her breast. She kisses me again, her pussy clenching tighter and tighter around me while the familiar sensations start down my spine. My palms tighten. I thrust harder, faster, pushing in and out over and over again until we both find release at the same time, our mouths feeding on one another while nature still continues to rage outside.

  My Briseis.

  Tonight, she truly became mine.

  And nothing and no one will ever take her away.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “She doesn't belong in my darkness, and I don't belong in her light.

  When a monster and angel fall in love… where do they build their home?”

  Santiago

  Chicago, Illinois

  Santiago, 18 years old.

  Rock music blasts through the speakers around the guest house as I emerge from the bathroom, steam following me.

  Grabbing my phone on the nightstand, I notice several unread message and see Agnes’s name flashing on the display.

  My parents are out for the weekend. Want to come over?

  Shaking my head, I drop the phone back on the desk and walk to the closet, picking up a white shirt and blue jeans along with some dark boots, quickly putting them on.

  Some people really don’t understand the concept of a one-night stand, even if you make it clear to them.

  I indulge in sex rarely, only when the pain in my head
becomes unbearable. I crave the relief and clear mind from the voices screaming in my head, trying to lure me to the maddening pleasure it promises, which killing someone on the street will finally bring.

  Anything and anyone can trigger me, their breath, their eyes, their comments, and it takes only a second for any random man to merge with someone from the past, and I’m taken back to the dark cell, starved and beaten.

  The only reason I still manage to restrain my dark urges is the thought of Andreas and how I will get my revenge on him soon… the minute the opportunity arises.

  All I have to do is find him.

  After I came back three years ago, my parents called the doctor along with the FBI who had been handling my case originally. They asked me thousands of questions, where I told them briefly what happened to me, omitting some gory details, since my parents refused to leave the room.

  I still remember my mom’s horrified expression at the truth; it still plagues my mind, her endless tears and sobs ringing in my ears, and how I wished to run to the bathroom to make myself cleaner to be worthy to sit in her presence.

  My father though?

  Stoic fucking expression through it all, and not a muscle twitched on his face.

  They checked all my wounds, and I ended up lying in the hospital for two months as they had to crack some bones again so they would heal properly, worked on my scars, and any infections—not to mention, some shrink was assigned to my case who asked me daily if I wanted to talk.

  No, I wanted to get the fuck out. However, my opinion didn't matter.

  They attached several vitamin IVs to me and fed me so much, because, according to them, I had to regain my strength. Through it all, my mother stayed by my side, promising me everything would be better. I didn't have it in me to tell her better was no longer an option.

  My childhood friends showed up on week two, but I refused to meet them, not wanting any questions or their friendship. The boy they knew no longer existed, so I saw no point in continuing our relationship. Besides, our experiences differed so much I didn't even think we had anything in common. And the last thing I wanted was to be some lab shit they studied under the microscope due to their curiosity.