by C. W. Stokes
She didn’t see the person coming up behind her when she felt a tug on her leg. “Shit!” Another tug had her coming off the board sinking under the water before she knew what was happening. She felt a vice grip around her chest as she was coming back up. When she surfaced, she came face to face with Max. He had a huge grin on his face.
“Now, we’re even!” He was laughing.
“What the hell do you think you are doing?” She glared.
“I was out here trolling around in and saw you just lying there. I had to come over and make sure you weren’t in distress.” He had the nerve to wink at her.
“Really? That’s the best you can come up with?”
“I have to admit it needs some work.” He laughed
“I haven’t seen you around lately.” She tried not to sound disappointed.
“I had to go into town for a few days. Did you miss me?”
“Get serious.” She pushed against his chest to swim away, but he wouldn’t let go. He pulled her closer while she wrapped her legs around his waist. She could feel his warmth beneath her hands as his arms encircled her. The tattoo on his right arm was a Celtic tribal band that wrapped its way around his bicep and up to his shoulder. He had added to it since the last time she had seen him. She moved her hand to trace the outline and his muscles tightened at her touch. She saw the name entwined in the markings. Stunned, she looked back at him and waited for him to say something. Instead, he pulled her in for a deep hungry soul searing kiss.
She didn’t care at the moment if anyone saw their behavior for she had wondered over the past several days if the electricity would be the same. He slipped his tongue deep into her mouth as they held on to each and there was a real danger of going under, but neither of them cared. At that moment in space and time all that mattered was the heat that was rising between them. She could feel the effect on him between her legs as squeezed her legs tighter around his waist. She wanted to crawl into him and never leave. He pulled back with a groan holding her for just a moment so that he could get his bearings about him. She felt the vacancy between them and blinked at him when she saw him looking at her with such hunger she wanted nothing more than to feed him.
“We leave tomorrow.” She blurted out.
“I know; what are you doing on your final night?”
“We are going into town to have dinner.”
“I see.” He looked at her with longing.
“I have to go; Amanda and Steven are staring at us.” She hesitated, then pushed away from him and climbed back onto her skim board. She was regretting that she had not been able to explore the past. Liz was always trying to get her to go outside of her comfort zone, but she certainly wasn’t thinking about this. Tabby would have, and she’d have jumped in with both feet.
She swam back to shore past Amanda and Steven as they gave her curious looks, but she just smiled and kept on going. When she walked out of the water she turned for one more glance at Max, but he was already gone. She went into the house to take a shower and get ready for the evening.
When they were all ready to go to dinner, they decided to walk to the restaurant. It was a nice evening, and it wasn't that far away. As they walked down the street, there were street vendors out. One of the vendors was busy cutting a coconut. He was using a machete to cut the outer shell then cracked it open in one quick motion and poured the water into a class. She walked over to purchase a glass and was surprised that the water was refreshing. It wasn’t bitter, but it wasn’t sweet either.
“Hey mom, look.” Amanda called to her.
She turned around and saw the Pitaya fruit in Amanda’s hand. “Oh nice we’ll take it home and cut it open later on this evening.” Amanda gave a little yip and turned around to buy the fruit.
The restaurant they were going to was just around the corner. When they got there, they sat at a table and waited for Pedro and his family. The restaurant was small but opened up towards the ocean. Shelby felt the night air move across the water and surround them in a cool breeze. The salty aroma mixed with the scents of the restaurant made her stomach growl. She saw an interesting dish by the kitchen that was a vertical spit with some kind of meat rotating on it. It was rotating in front of a heat lamp. They had seen them in several places across Progresso, but never knew what it was. Whatever it was it certainly smelled good.
The waiter came over to take their order, and everyone wanted to know what the meat was on the spit. “What is that over there by the kitchen?” Shelby pointed to the spit.
Pedro turned around and looked where she was pointing. “Senora that is tacos al pastor. It is served in a corn tortilla with pineapple, cilantro and chopped onion. The meat is marinated in annatto. That’s what gives it the reddish coloring.” He told her.
Shelby looked around the table, and everyone seemed to be in agreement. They all wanted to try it, so they placed their order. Everyone sat around talking and just enjoying the atmosphere of the restaurant which opened up on the outside facing the ocean breeze. The waiter brought their food and everyone dug into the tacos. When Shelby bit into hers the juices exploded into her mouth and the spicy flavors burst across her tongue. The smell had not done it justice. The meat was tender with a slight bite to it and a smoky nutty flavor.
As they sat eating their meal Shelby decided to order a Margarita on the rocks. When it arrived she took a quick sip and swore she hadn’t tasted anything so good since they had left the states. She had been drinking bottled water and occasionally a drink that they bought at the store, but tonight was their final night, and she was going to let her hair down. She had made it through her second Margarita before she realized it and was feeling a little light headed.
“Mom, are you ok?” Amanda frowned at her.
“Manda, I’m doing great! We leave tomorrow, and I want to savor every last minute here.” she said as she finished her second drink.
Amanda knew she was a social drinker, but she had never seen her drink. Everyone was enjoying themselves, but there was a melancholy among them as well because tomorrow it would be back to the real world. She was glad that she had been talked into going on this vacation. She didn’t realize how much she had needed it and she felt more relaxed than she had in years, of course some of that may be due to the margarita she had been drinking.
They made their way back to the house and decided to pack for the return trip back home the next day. She went upstairs and started putting all of their clothes in the suitcases and filling the spare suitcase with their gifts that they bought.
Amanda came into the bedroom and wrapped her arms around her. “I love you mommy. This has been so much fun. Thank you.”
Her eyes misted, and she turned to Amanda. “I love you too sweet. I’m so proud of you. You are growing up so fast.” She wrapped a curl around her ear and gave it a little tug. “Now scoot. You and Steven go enjoy the rest of the night.” She watched her daughter bounce out of the room and felt warmth in her heart. Amanda had been her world from the moment she had been born, and whenever she called her mommy she knew she was happy.
She walked out onto the balcony and stared out at the ocean. The moon was shining down on the water with its glimmer rippling as the waves rolled into shore. She was going to miss this place and how peaceful it made her feel. She looked over at the house next door hoping she would see Max one last time. She sucked in a breath when he walked out of the shadow of the house staring straight at her. He raised his hand and crooked a finger at her commanding her to “Come here.” She didn’t hesitate. She turned into the house, went down the stairs and out the back walking across the sand alley and straight into his arms.
She wrapped her arms around his neck as his mouth came down onto hers. His tongue darted in and took control. There was no mistake at what this kiss was going to lead to. He broke their kiss, grabbed her hand and pulled her into the house.
She knew this was a bad idea, but she couldn’t stop herself from following him. She wanted this. She followed him int
o the house and noticed that the decor was masculine. They moved through the living area where a pool table and a large screen TV stood. Through the right, in the kitchen was a spiral staircase just the opposite that led upstairs to the loft area. The entire second floor was the master bedroom and bath. The room opened up onto a balcony facing the ocean and she heard the waves rolling in just beyond the doors. A large four poster bed surrounded by netting was against the wall. He turned to her. “We don’t have to do this.” She moved towards him and removed her dress.
She had never wanted anything so much in her life, and she was going to enjoy the pleasures of his body. Oh yeah, there was no turning back now. He watched as she walked towards him. He reached out to palm her breast and watched as her nipples peaked at his touch. She stood there letting him look at her and never once did she feel any kind of hesitation that this was what she wanted. She reached out pulling his shirt over his head just as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Her skin was on fire at the first touch of his skin against her nipples. He twisted and pulled her down onto the bed beneath him leaning over her.
“I have needed this from the moment you straddled me in the sand.” He whispered as his mouth trailed kisses from her ear, along her jaw and found its home against her lips.
She wrapped her arms around his back and felt the muscles ripple beneath her fingertips. He continued kissing down her neck, and his teeth bit her shoulder not too hard, but enough that she threw her head back in pleasure. He moved his mouth slowly down and took one taut nipple and nipped the bud with his teeth and pulled it deeper into his mouth. She arched back as his tongue made a round circle and trailed over to her other giving it as much attention. She plowed her hands into his hair.
“Max, please.” She could feel how hard he was as he settled between her thighs. She was already wet from her desire. She slipped her hands down his back and under the waist band of his trunks. He had gone commando. Oh, how delicious. She felt his tight butt beneath her hands, and she needed him more than ever. She was burning up with it.
“Max, these have to go.” She began pushing his shorts down, but he pulled back and with one quick motion removed them. He stood before her with a hard on that was already making her sing Hallelujah! His erection was standing tall before her, and she wanted to taste him.
Max saw the mischievous look in her eye. “Oh no, you don’t.” He grinned, and before she could reach for him he pushed her back against the bed and stripped her panties off.
He looked at her with a smirk as he knelt down and kissed her navel, before she could protest he spread her legs.
“Oh god, Shelby you are so wet and sexy as hell.” He took a finger and slipped it between her folds and pushed deep inside her as she groaned. He rubbed his thumb across her sensitive nub and pushed another finger deep inside her. He found the center of her nerves deep inside where he was twirling his fingers. He was driving her to the edge. She clawed at his head wanting him to come back up.
“Max, now.” He shook his head at her.
“Shelby come for me. Let go”
Her stomach tightened deep within as he pushed her over the edge. She cried out at the pleasure he had extracted from her body. Her breasts rose with each breath she took as she came back down to earth.
He moved back up her stomach and kissed her gently between her breasts. Looking deep into her eyes, he grinned as he reached over to the night stand and pulled out a foil wrapper. She took it from him, opened it and sheathed him in the condom. He settled between her thighs right at her opening, and she couldn’t take it anymore. She pushed her hips up wrapping her legs around his hips she heard him growl as he plunged deep into her. He stopped for a minute before he lost all control, but she didn’t want control. She wanted out of control and frenzied. He grabbed her arms and pulled them above her head and began to move deep within her beginning a rhythmic dance as old as time. She felt a tightening deep within her, and the roll of sensations were building back up again. Impossible is all she thought before he entwined their fingers together.
“Look at me Shelby.”
She opened her eyes as she watched him stake a claim to her body. She saw his eyes begin to dilate as she began to tighten and she was on the edge again. Just as she went over he thrust deep into her with a growl.
“Fuck!” he yelled as his orgasm took over.
As their breathing calmed and they were quiet, he pushed up on his elbows and looked down at her and her heart flipped. She knew this was a one night deal for her, but it still touched her beyond anything else. She pushed a curl off his brow and ran her fingers down his face. She was memorizing his face. She would never see him again so committing him to memory for future reference when she was alone was all she could do.
When she woke it was still dark outside. He had completely consumed her body two more times. She was already sore from their little sex romp. Well, not so little, but she wasn’t going to dwell on that. She couldn’t or she’d crawl back into bed and miss their plane. She was glad they hadn’t had time to talk. She glanced one last time to make sure he was still sleeping she didn’t want to disturb him, besides she didn’t do goodbyes very well. So she picked up her clothes, got dressed and left quietly.
Chapter Eight
She had been back in the US for several days and it was time to go back to work. Liz told her they had a case to work on, but it could wait until she got into the office on Monday. She was ready to get back to work. She had fun in Mexico, but now it was time to push all of that aside. The spontaneous Shelby was now gone.
She walked into the conference room for their Monday morning meeting. Liz was already there as usual.
“Hey Shelby, you look really good. It looks like Mexico agreed with you.” She grinned.
Tabby and Jo walked in and as per her usual display; Tabby squealed and ran up to her to grab her in a big hug. “We are so glad you are back. You have to tell us, what happened. Did you meet anyone and was he HOT!” How could Shelby resist that? Jo was just shaking her head behind her.
“Hey Shelby, welcome home you look good with a suntan.” Jo smirked at her.
“Thank you, it’s good to be home. It was fun and very relaxing, but I missed all of this too.” Tabby was still looking at her.
“Ok, Tabby Yes! Yes!” she said exasperated.
“Sweet!” She screeched dancing around in a circle. Tabby could be so annoying at times, but they all loved her.
Liz laughed. “Ok, spill it.”
“We did the tourist thing and all that fun stuff. But there was someone next door. You said no one was ever there.” She looked at Liz suspiciously. “Anyway, when I first saw him the klutz in me came out and he offered to help.” She looked pointedly at Tabby as she said it.
“Oh, I knew it. I knew you could do it!” Tabby was clapping. “So? Where is he? What does he do? When do you see him again?”
“Tabby” Liz warned. She could see the distress on Shelby’s face as Tabby pushed.
“I don’t know, I don’t know, and I won’t answer any more of your questions Tabby.”
“Are you kidding? Shelby you don’t do one night stands of any kind.” Jo said before Tabby had a chance to.
“Well it would appear she did. What happened?” Liz tapped her fingers on the desk.
“I left him in bed, sound asleep, skipped out and flew back to the states.” She shrugged.
Liz raised an eyebrow at her. “I don’t believe it. You are not a spontaneous woman.”
“This time I did something different and was selfish and just did something without thinking about it first, no big deal.” Who was she kidding, it was a big deal? She had slept with Amanda’s father. Liz didn’t even know the whole story.
“So, how was it?” Tabby chimed in.
“None of your business, that’s how it was.” She laughed.
“I’m glad that you took my advice and went on the vacation. I’m sure that Amanda was happy as well.” Liz said.
&nbs
p; “Yes, she was. OK – back to business. What is this case?” She was tired of talking about her love life or one night stand as some would call it.
“We have a meeting this afternoon with the bureau. They want our help with a case of theirs. John wouldn’t tell me what it was or why they needed us. He’s still mad that I wouldn’t tell him we’d help until you were back.”
“You’d think that he would understand that by now.” She sighed.
“They will be here at 2:00 and we’ll meet downstairs in the main conference room. The feeling I get is this isn't going to be good. I have a feeling it involves Roger Hawk. How are you coming on the Alcon Virus?” Liz asked her.
“It’s almost complete and will be ready to launch whenever you are ready.”
“Good let’s all meet downstairs at 1:30 in the lobby.” Liz dismissed them as she got up to go back to her office.
Shelby walked into her office and sat at her desk. She had the state of the art computer network. She looked at the wall of monitors, and she still smiled every time she saw her masterpiece. Liz gave her cart blanch to design her system. She pulled up her main monitor and watched as the algorithm continued to run. The virus was almost ready, and with a few more tweaks it would be ready for distribution. The virus was designed to infect the mainframe and slowly spread throughout the system. It would take at least two years before there was any evidence that something was wrong. It would piggyback off of other programs and replicate throughout the system. She had been working on a Trojan virus to infect Roger’s network. Roger Hawk was their biggest client. What Roger didn’t know is that there was a reason that TAG took him on as a client. He was big into corporate espionage and had his hands in several illegal activities, ranging from money laundering to arms dealings. She smiled just knowing that something she created would be able to destroy something that Roger Hawk had worked hard to achieve.
She looked at the clock and saw it was time for their meeting. Wrapping her corset around her ribs, she put her jacket on and made sure her weapon was secure. Even though it had been a week, she never lost the feel of the weapon against her body. They were what kept her company in the US, not a man’s hands like the ones in Mexico. She shook her head and walked out to the foyer and got on the elevator.
