Fresh Temptation: Barboza Brothers, Book One

by Reeni Austin

  Cara giggled. “I’ll see what I can do.” When the waitress came to her, Cara ordered a rum and coke.

  Victor thought about telling Cara how nice it was to see her so relaxed, even without the assistance of alcohol. But he was afraid it would appeal to her stubbornness, causing her to rebel and put her guard up. The wiser choice was to stay quiet.

  After the waitress left, Victor said, “So how’s business? You turning a good profit this quarter?”

  Ramon nodded. “Looks that way. Best quarter since 2007. Seems like business is finally turning around.”

  “Great,” Victor said. “I was starting to get worried.”

  Ramon cocked an eyebrow. “There’s no reason to worry about me. You know I always have a handle on things. You still planning to come down and visit before the end of the year?”

  “Yes.” Victor nodded.

  Ramon smiled. “You gonna bring Cara when you come? I’m sure she’d love it.”

  Determined not to let Ramon embarrass him again, Victor offered a casual shrug and said, “Maybe. Cara actually has a little boy who’d probably love to make a mess of himself there.”

  Cara nodded. “He loves animals. He rode a pony at a birthday party a few months ago and it was all he talked about for days.”

  Ramon chuckled. “How old is he?”

  “Three, almost three and a half,” Cara said.

  Victor said, “He’s really cute. And really smart.”

  “Thanks.” Cara grinned.

  “So, are you divorced?” Ramon asked.

  Cara quickly shook her head. “No. Never married.”

  Ramon nodded. “Does the father live around you? Joint custody?”

  Victor let out a loud sigh of displeasure, although he secretly wanted to know how she would answer. “Cara, please forgive my nosy brother.”

  Cara gulped. “It’s okay. Isaac’s dad isn’t around, at all.”

  Ramon said, “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to pry. Always curious about that. Did Victor tell you we grew up without a dad?”

  Cara nodded. “Yes. He mentioned that.”

  “There was Mr. Platt,” Victor said. “Henry Platt. He’s the benefactor who moved us to Texas when we were kids. He was like a father.”

  Cara noticed Ramon’s face darken at the mention of Henry Platt. Hesitantly, she asked a question. “It’s really nice that you had such a generous benefactor. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anything like that before.”

  Victor and Ramon both nodded.

  “Yes,” Victor said. “It was like winning the lottery. I don’t know where we would be without him.” He sighed. “I tried to call him to say I was in the area but I got a message saying he’s out of town. It was kind of weird. You know what that’s about?”

  Ramon shrugged. “He’s the same old asshole he always was. That’s what it’s about.”

  Victor glared at Ramon. “Come on, now. Whatever differences you’ve had, he doesn’t deserve that.”

  The drinks came right then and Ramon immediately brought his to his lips, ignoring Victor’s rebuke.

  An hour later, they were almost finished with their entrees. Ramon plied Cara with stories of their upbringing, most of them making Victor laugh. Some made his cheeks turn pink.

  After Cara’s third rum and coke she excused herself to go to the ladies’ room.

  “So.” Ramon put his elbows on the table, leaning forward. “You’re dating a girl who has a kid?”

  “What’s wrong with that?” Victor asked.

  “Nothing. Just never knew you to do that before. Sounds like you just met her and you’re already pretty serious.”

  Victor wiped his mouth with his napkin then placed it on the table. “It seems to be heading in that direction. At least, I hope it is.”

  “Be careful. You date a girl like that, you’re dating the kid, too.”

  “I’ve considered that very carefully and I’ve decided I like the idea.” Victor picked up his water. “I’m not sure if Cara’s too keen on the idea but she seems to be warming up to it.”

  “She looked a little weird when I asked about the father, don’t you think?”

  Victor shrugged. “Could’ve just been because a stranger asked her a question that was pretty damn intrusive.”

  “Yeah, maybe,” Ramon said. “You ever think about our father?”

  “What’s there to think about? We never knew him.”

  “Hmm. You still believe that?”

  “Ah, Ramon.” Victor frowned. “You and your conspiracy theories.” He looked up as he saw Cara reenter the room. “Here she comes.”

  Ramon smiled as he watched his brother’s face light up, and his eyes follow his new love interest through the room. Ramon had long ago forgotten how it felt to be jealous of his brother, until tonight.

  Chapter Eleven

  “So, your brother’s single?” Cara asked as she snuggled up to Victor on the elevator. They were in their hotel, on the way to their rooms.

  “Why? You’re not interested, are you?”

  “No.”

  “Good.” He kissed her forehead. “Why do you ask?”

  “My best friend Marcy’s single.”

  Victor produced a sarcastic laugh. “Unless she’s willing to move to a five thousand acre ranch in Texas, there’s no reason to try. Ramon may be younger than me but he’s pretty set in his ways. Any woman who’ll take him on will have to accommodate him, trust me.”

  It’s a good thing Marcy loves a challenge, Cara thought, grinning. “So, do you miss the ranch? You spoke of it so fondly.”

  “I have good memories there and it will always be a very special place to me. But I wouldn’t say I miss it. I like living in the city.”

  “Were you serious about taking me and Isaac there to visit?”

  “Maybe.” He smiled. “We’ll see what happens, I guess.”

  The elevator stopped at their floor. Victor took Cara’s hand and led her into the hallway, then to the rooms they reserved for the night.

  They stood hand in hand, staring at the two doors.

  “So.” Cara gulped. “Is this where we part ways?”

  Victor looked at her like she was crazy. “Are you kidding me? How many times today have I told you what I wanna do to you when I get you alone in the hotel?”

  “Then why’d we get two rooms? I don’t understand.”

  “Oh, silly girl. It’s all for show. The ladies in accounting would have a field day if they saw the expense reports for this trip and there’s only one hotel room.”

  Cara let out the breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. “Okay. I probably should’ve realized that. I feel so stupid now.”

  “You’re not stupid, Cara.”

  “I think maybe I was just afraid to get my hopes up. I didn’t know if our night together was a sure thing or not.”

  Victor threw his head back with a gentle laugh, then put his hands on her face. “Mi querida, tonight is definitely a sure thing.”

  With that, he overtook her mouth with a hard kiss. One that he had fantasized about giving her for hours. Several times today he had taken a private moment to kiss her, but not like this. It was almost time to take her to bed where he could have her and be completely unrestrained. Give in to his urges.

  When he pulled away, he stroked her cheek and said, “Let’s get your luggage out of your room now and put it in mine.”

  Cara shyly bit her lip. “Actually, do you think I could go to my room and freshen up for a minute? I just want everything to be perfect.”

  “Hmm.” Victor thought about it for a second. “Fine. Whatever makes you comfortable. But I have a request.”

  “Okay…”

  “There should be a robe in your closet, compliments of the hotel. Wear it.” He gave her lips a light kiss. “And nothing else.”

  Cara’s eyes grew wide. “Nothing else?”

  “No,” he whispered. “Now go in there and get ready. I’ll knock on your door in fifteen minutes. Does th
at give you enough time?”

  Cara swallowed, hard. “Yeah. I think so.”

  “Good.” He kissed her once more then reached into his pocket for his key card. “Now, hurry. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. And I’m always prompt.” He flashed one last smile then disappeared into his room.

  Nervous, Cara fumbled in her purse for the key. Naked? Completely naked? Hopefully we can leave the lights off.

  Ten minutes later, Cara was drying herself off after the quickest shower of her lifetime. She used the complimentary hair dryer to dry the wispy hairs that had gotten damp in spite of her shower cap.

  She took several deep breaths to calm herself down. She wanted this, there was no question about it. Being with him again was all she could think about after their encounter on the plane earlier today. Maybe it was the surprise of it all, or the fact that she was still mostly clothed at the time, but now she felt a million times more vulnerable. Tonight, she was the object of his desire, and she knew it. The thought of it filled her with a mix of emotions ranging from elation to dread. Hopefully once she was in his arms again, the dread would disappear. Victor had made her feel beautiful today. Who was she to tell him he was wrong?

  Five minutes later, after brushing her teeth and spritzing herself with just the right amount of perfume, she heard a knock at the door.

  She took another deep breath then opened the closet door and reached for the robe. She quickly slipped it on and tightened the belt around her waist, tying a loose knot.

  Cara turned off the light switch and pulled the door open.

  “Hello there,” she said.

  Victor unconsciously licked his lips when he saw her. He had left his jacket and tie in his room. His shirt was unbuttoned, exposing the thin T-shirt he wore underneath.

  He put his arms around her back and kissed her as he walked her backward into the room until the door slammed shut. Then he pulled away. “Wait. It’s too dark in here.”

  “No it’s not. There’s plenty of light coming in from outside. The moon’s almost full.”

  “No, no, no. Don’t be one of those women, Cara. I wanna see the beautiful body I’m about to make love to.”

  Cara tried to grin as warmth rushed to her cheeks. “That’s really sweet. But I don’t feel comfortable with the lights on.”

  “But I’ve been looking forward to this. I suppose we’ll have to compromise.” With a sigh, he let her go and walked to the desk. “Here. A desk lamp. Perfect.”

  Suddenly, the small light came on and the room was brighter.

  “See?” he said. “It’s dim enough for you and bright enough for me.”

  “I don’t know…”

  “Cara.” He came up to her and put his arms around her, his hands sliding down to her butt where he grabbed a chunk in each hand. “I can’t wait to see what’s under that robe. Believe me, I won’t be disappointed.”

  Cara swooned for a moment, then caught herself. “I hope you’re right about that.”

  With a resigned sigh, he let go of her and sat at the foot of the bed. “All right,” he said. “Now take off the robe.”

  Every nerve in her body tightened with fear. She could only stare down at the floor, unable to speak.

  “Cara.” He softened his voice. “Please. Take it off. I’ve waited so long—”

  Her voice was weak. “That’s not true. We’ve only known each other a few weeks.”

  “Fine. Maybe it just feels like that long because I’ve thought about you so much. Come on, querida.” He looked in her eyes with a pained expression. “Please, give me this.”

  “I can’t…”

  “Yes, you can. One step at a time. First, untie the belt…”

  The first guy I’ve slept with in four years wants to see me naked? I should’ve asked to bring a bottle of rum back to my room. She closed her eyes and did as he requested, slowly untying the belt at her waist and letting the ends dangle at her sides.

  “Good.” Victor grinned. “Now take each side of the robe and pull it away from your body. Start with the right side, then the left.”

  It had to be done. There was no getting out of it, not now. She took a slow breath, closed her eyes, and opened the right side of the robe, then the left, as he instructed. A draft of air hit her naked flesh, making her shiver.

  An uncontrollable, eager moan escaped Victor’s throat. He said, “Come here.”

  She opened her eyes just enough to see her way to the bed where he sat, shuffling along until her knees touched his.

  He reached around her, hands sliding under the robe to the backs of her thighs, holding her steady as he whispered, “I don’t know what you’re so worried about.” He lightly kissed her stomach, nearly making her giggle. “I’m so glad you’re mine tonight.”

  Cara cried out in pleasure and went weak at her knees when she felt the warmth of his lips around her breast. When his tongue circled her nipple, her mouth dropped open and she grabbed the back of his head, holding him there. “Yes…yes.”

  Victor spent a while there, losing himself in the fullness of her breasts. His hands slowly crept up her back until they arrived near her shoulders. Then he stood up, kissing her lips to distract her while he gently pulled at the arms of the robe.

  She was too wrapped up in his kiss to realize her only covering had fallen to the floor behind her. When she shivered, he pulled her closer, crushing her in a tight embrace to keep her warm.

  Seconds later, he surprised her by spinning her around to the bed. She had barely let out a gasp when he hovered over her on his elbows, letting his body weight rest lightly on top of her.

  Victor nibbled her ear, then her neck.

  Cara whispered, “Why am I the only one naked?”

  He let out a playful moan. “Because I’m your boss and I want you that way.” He kissed her again before she could respond. As his tongue worked inside her mouth, he reached down between their bodies to part her legs. His fingers were bold, stroking her where she was wet and swollen.

  Cara’s thoughts about her own body were completely replaced by thoughts about Victor’s. His fingers, his tongue. The erection she could feel, rubbing against her bare thigh. She reached down to cup him through the outside of his pants but he immediately pushed her hand away.

  “Not yet. I must do something else first.” He sat up and launched himself off the bed.

  “What are you doing?” A chill passed through her. She already missed the warmth of his body lying against hers.

  “Don’t worry. I can warm you much better from down here.” Victor bent forward and slid his hands under her thighs, pulling her to the edge of the bed. Then he knelt on the floor.

  Cara felt his tongue against her lower lips before her mind could process what he meant. Never had such intense pleasure flooded her being so quickly. There was nothing else left in her world…only the feel of his tongue. She shrieked and moaned. Her body writhed against him in an uncontrollable rhythm, but his firm grip under her knees held her just where he wanted her.

  What he said about warming her was absolutely true. She was so hot now, she imagined herself melting right through the mattress. His tongue was everywhere at once, touching her in ways she forgot existed. Her entire body trembled with each lick until her mouth opened wide, filling the room with the sounds of her climax.

  As Cara lay still, recovering, Victor stood up.

  He wiped his mouth against his long sleeve then reached inside his pocket for a condom. His eyes went up and down her body, devouring her as he undressed. He felt like he couldn’t get his clothes off fast enough.

  Cara had finally caught her breath when she opened her eyes and saw Victor, naked, unrolling the condom. The sight renewed her energy. His body was tight and athletic. His chest, smooth and perfectly toned. She smiled up at him when he pulled her legs apart a little more and leaned forward.

  Victor intertwined his fingers with hers and held her hands down on the bed as he slipped inside of her.

  Her head fell b
ack as she cried out in ecstasy. The louder she got, the faster he went, driving himself deeper into her.

  He waited for her eyes to meet his. He could barely breathe as he said, “You’re so beautiful, Cara.”

  She could only stare up at him, mesmerized. Watching his face grow more and more intense with each stroke until he closed his eyes, grunting and gritting his teeth as he came.

  Victor soon lay alongside her, catching his breath. “Ohhh…Cara…” He took a deep breath. “Please…forgive me…”

  “Forgive you?” Her eyebrows furrowed as she watched his face. “For what?”

  Another deep breath. “For rushing you…into bed…couldn’t help myself…so beautiful…”

  Cara was again rendered speechless, wondering momentarily if Victor was a figment of her imagination. She had never felt more desired in her entire life. Letting his words sink in, she waited for his breathing to return to normal, then she said, “You didn’t rush me, Victor. I wanted this to happen.”

  He brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Good. I know it’s fast. And I meant what I said on the plane today. I really do want to get to know you better.” He gave her a lopsided smile. “But you’re just too damn tempting.” He cupped her cheek. “Too damn sexy.”

  Instantly, Victor’s hand slid to her hair, pulling her face to his for a kiss. He let her go for a second and said, “I don’t know if I’m gonna get any sleep tonight,”

  When his lips returned, Cara felt her body heat rise once again with the hope that neither of them would sleep.

  Chapter Twelve

  Tom Sutton rubbed his eyes and looked up at the unfamiliar ceiling overhead. He was alone in bed, the smell of fresh coffee wafting in to keep him company.

  He sat up, ready to go downstairs to greet the lovely Patty when he heard the tapping of tiny feet outside the door.

  “Gwammah?” Isaac knocked. “Gwammah you up?”

  Tom winced. The last thing he wanted was to confuse the cute little guy by walking out of his grandma’s bedroom first thing in the morning.

  “Isaac!” Tom heard Patty’s voice call up the stairs. “Is that you I hear? Go back to your room, sweetie. I have a surprise for you.”