The Sleeping Serpent:

by Luna Saint Claire

  He didn’t let up. With his heightened intuition, he always seemed to know when he was being deceived or if there were secrets or information hidden under the surface. “What did she tell you?” he asked. “Luna, you’d better tell me, and tell me now. Do not protect her. You’re my friend, not hers.”

  Luna knew it was useless to try hiding anything from him. Making light of it, she gave an abbreviated version. “Sofia wrote me a couple of e-mails saying how angry you get if she doesn’t answer the phone right away. I said you do the same thing to me if I don’t answer. That it’s. No big deal.”

  Nico paced around the room, persistently hammering her with questions. “So, what else, Luna? What else did she say? That’s not all, is it? I know you! You’re a busybody, always inserting yourself in my life, causing trouble.”

  She was shaken, and tried to steady herself before responding. “She stopped by my office a couple of times when she was upset. She told me you frightened her by driving recklessly on the way home from your dad’s at Christmas. Nico, I worry so much about you. That was crazy. You both could’ve been killed!”

  He fumed and yelled, the veins on his brow protruding. “Luna, I’m warning you. You should have told me she wrote to you and came to see you. This is a betrayal of our friendship! You’re my friend, and you had no right to talk to my girlfriend about me behind my back!”

  Luna tensed, feeling the panic rising. He was out of control, and she’d already said too much. Trying to recover, she explained, “Nico, the only reason she told me these things is because she met you through me, and I work on the show with her.”

  Nico glared at her, his eyes black with rage.

  Now frightened, Luna blurted, “She came to my office! I didn’t seek her out! I understand what you’re saying, but just know that I wanted you two to work out—not break up. So anything I said was to help, not hinder! Regardless, I have nothing to do with the other show wanting her. This would be happening anyway!”

  Nico wouldn’t relent. “She exaggerated a lot. That drive was nothing, and I was completely in control. I just wanted to scare her a little bit. She does things her way, not the way I need them to be done. She fucked up a lot; like almost losing me that documentary with Jacob. She talked about me to Claudia’s son and said things she should not have, so I was angry with her and drove fast to scare her. You are stupid. When we got home, I fucked her brains out. She loved it! You don’t know her the way I do, and she played you. Now she’s playing this game of going to New York. Well, she’ll see. I’m not waiting around for her.”

  Luna started to cry. She was devastated that he was angry and blamed her. But she felt bad for him, knowing how upset he was that Sofia was leaving. “I’m sorry, Nico. I should’ve told you that she came to speak to me, but I think she just needed a woman to talk to.”

  He stopped pacing, and she sensed him calming down. Emphatically, in his most stern voice, he said, “Luna, promise me—you will always come to me first. And you will never talk to any of my girlfriends without telling me.”

  “I promise, Nico. I’m very sorry, and I promise to never do that again.” She hugged him and kissed his neck, then took his hand and kissed that, too.

  Nico shook his head. “You’ve really betrayed me, Luna. I don’t know if I can trust you.”

  Somewhere between a plea and a pledge, she vowed, “Nico, you can always trust me! I will never leave you. I love you too much.”

  16

  Erin had just returned from a long walk down the beach with Blue and was in her bedroom changing into a white monogrammed terrycloth robe when she heard Nico’s Ducati pull into the carport. She brought a matching robe out onto the deck and greeted him with two filled wine glasses when he reached the top of the stairs. The view of the setting sun brought to mind a Turner watercolor, and Nico marveled at the spectacular panoramic vista from Erin’s deck. Fascinated when he saw the dog’s eyes glowing a silvery blue-grey color in the fading light, he remarked, not for the first time, how much Blue looked like a real wolf.

  The days were almost at their longest; the evening air was warm and the tide was high. Bob Marley radio on Spotify played softly through the outdoor speakers. Nico took his wine and gazed out to sea. “I like it here, Erin. It’s so peaceful.”

  “I’m glad you do, Nico.” Her robe was open enough to see the tattooed dragon emerging across her chest.

  He worried aloud, “Erin, I need to grow my business, not just get more clients and teach more classes. I want a TV show and a book. I need to make more money without more hours. You know what I want…”

  She nodded. “I know, Nico. You have all the right ingredients. What we need to do is make you a lifestyle brand, a celebrity.”

  He extended his hand to stroke the dragon’s back with his index finger. He didn’t look at her, just thoughtfully petted the dragon in a quiet state of meditation. Erin didn’t say anything, not wanting to startle him out of his reverie. When he emerged from his thoughts, she led him to the cushioned sofa facing the sea, where she’d laid out a platter of chips and guacamole. “You look tired, Nico. Is everything all right?”

  He sighed. “I am tired. Cannes was a long trip. But I’m glad I went, especially since the film won. Now I have a lot of work to do. I have to spin that to get more publicity from it.”

  “I know.”

  Nico looked her in the eye. “I need you to hook me up with a deal like the one you have. A TV show, a book deal—that’s what I need, Erin.”

  She laughed lightly, not wanting to offend him. “Nico, I’ve paid my dues, and now I own one of the top branding agencies in the country! Give yourself a break. You’ll get there.”

  He nipped sarcastically, “Right! Thank you very much!”

  She tried to be more playful, “So what’s the deal with Alexa Morgan? Did you fuck her?”

  Nico glared; the yellow in his eyes becoming lightning bolts shooting through her. “Shut the fuck up, Erin. Besides, you’re no different! You fuck me, too!”

  “Oh!” She stung from his remark. “I thought we had fun, Nico.”

  His ire abated. “We do. I didn’t mean it like that. You’re not like her. We’re good friends, and I enjoy being with you. You know that, right?”

  Relieved, she smiled. “Well, at least I thought so.”

  Nico sighed again, “I’m just really burned out.” He drank some of his wine and dipped a chip into the guacamole, considered it carefully, then dipped another one. “Did you make this from scratch like I do?”

  She chuckled, “Right, me make guacamole from scratch—are you high?” She paused, but when he didn’t reply, she continued, “That reminds me.” Reaching into the pocket of her robe, she pulled out a clear packet filled with white powder. Nico smiled. Erin took the marble slab from under the bowl of chips and laid out a few lines, producing a straw from the same pocket. They each did a few bumps while they watched the pink and blue colors of the sunset intensify.

  Erin rose and opened her robe, walking toward the hot tub. The wolf tattoo on her shoulder blade came to life as she moved. Letting the robe fall to the ground, she stepped in. The bubbling water, illuminated by the lights in the tub, reflected in her grey eyes as she looked at Nico. He walked over and placed his hand in the water to feel the temperature. “Hot,” he said, studying her as he removed his shirt and unzipped his jeans.

  While he was climbing in, Erin admired the dimples in his perfectly formed buttocks. She noticed the tension fall away from him when he closed his eyes, allowing the heat to penetrate his body. His skin was luminous in the soft light of the hot tub, and she watched his lean muscles flex as he found a comfortable position, like a wildcat settling into a lair. A curled lock of his hair fell in front of his eyes and he cupped the water from the tub into his hands to rake it back.

  She quietly floated over to him and wrapped her hands around his buttocks, moving her body against his and rocking her hips gently. As the water sloshed between them, Nico began to stir under her. Pu
lling her in closer, he ran his hand along the small of her back, caressing her hip and thigh, then slowly along her abdomen until he found her soft mound. With one finger, he gently spread her labia open, probing the rim of her pussy and massaging her clit until she groaned, pressing hard against him. Her breasts floated buoyantly in the water, and he bent his head, his lips teasing first one nipple, then the other. Feeling the euphoria of the drug, the heat, and Nico consume her, Erin closed her eyes. Gently, he pushed in, opening her up using a slow scooping motion along the velvety walls of her pussy. With just the right amount of pressure, he found her G-spot, and she arched her back, letting out a low moan, her breasts heaving upward toward his mouth. He inserted two, then three fingers, sliding them in and out slowly, taking care to pay close attention to her clit, rolling over it and teasing before pushing his fingers back deep inside. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she bore down, grinding harder onto his hand as she climbed higher. With the steam rising from the hot tub she felt as if in a dream, awash in sinful sensation.

  Even in the water, he could feel her juices running and her pussy clenching his fingers. “That’s it, baby. Fuck my hand. Come for me,” Nico whispered into her ear.

  His words fueling her lust, Erin pushed her hands into his hair, finding more leverage. She could feel his hard cock pressing against her belly when she leaned into him, but he made no move to enter her. She was so near climax—she couldn’t stop. As she arched her back, thrusting harder and harder onto him, the water made sucking sounds between them.

  He purred, “Come baby. Come for me. I love it when you howl at the moon.”

  She was breathless, her body straining. The heat of the water, the coolness of the air, the rhythm of the music—everything filled her completely with ecstasy. Crying out, she closed her eyes and bucked with the intensity of her orgasm, lost in the wash of pure pleasure as her world crashed around him.

  Melting onto him, she recovered. No one had ever been able to make her come like that. It was a truly holistic experience—feeling the climax intensely in her body, mind, and soul. When she opened her eyes and looked at him, he wore a devilish grin, and the yellow flecks of his eyes glinted in the dim light.

  “I hope that was good for you, baby. Now it’s my turn,” he growled. Pulling himself up to sit on the first step of the tub, he stroked the length of his rock-hard erection. He was beautiful to watch. The lights of the tub illuminated each protruding vein and the perfectly formed head of his cock. Erin just had to stare for a moment. He seemed even larger in the reflected light of the water. His long fingers encircled the thick width of his shaft as he firmly pulled back along the length. She watched his dark, damp hair fall over his face, and he seemed to be in a trance, his dark green eyes flickering mysteriously from under long lashes.

  Erin knelt between his legs, and caressed his thighs with both hands. He lay back onto his elbows as she sucked him, taking him into her mouth and placing her hand firmly around his thick, long shaft. She gazed up, locking eyes with him as she twirled her pierced tongue around the head. Decadently sucking the tip between her lips, she pressed the small metal ball of her tongue stud along the rim. He let out a low moan as she teased and licked him. The rising and falling of his hips made waves in the shallow water, and the heat from the hot tub was electrifying. She rubbed the tip along the roof of her mouth, massaging his head with her tongue, the metal stud working its magic. Spreading his thighs apart, she teased his balls, then gently put them in her mouth. The water lapped at her chin and washed over his cock as she fondled him and licked the space between his balls and anus. Gently, but firmly, she ran her finger from the base of his groin to the entrance. His back arched upward and his thighs tightened when she slowly pressed her middle finger inside, causing him to gasp, then moan in supplication.

  As she took him deeper, he laced his fingers into her hair, holding her head to him so he could fuck her mouth. His hips bucked upward as he groaned with pleasure, encouraging her to explore further. With each push inward, his thrusts became more urgent. Then he relaxed, and she could feel him open up for her. With his head tipped back and his eyes closed, he rocked his hips. The water slapped against his buttocks and washed over him, his body arching and hips lifting each time she plunged her finger deep into him. Holding her head tightly to him, he grabbed fistfuls of hair. With one powerful thrust, he came hard, pulsing over and over into her throat, calling in a low strangled growl, “Ya acabo!” with a blissful need she’d never heard before.

  She looked up, and Nico pulled her up to embrace her tightly. Normally, he was playful, but tonight he was just spent. Not wanting to be an obligation fuck like Alexa, Erin wanted to please him, and judging from his response, she’d done well. When she felt him unwind from the powerful orgasm, she got out of the tub and put on her robe, then held one open for him. He stepped into it and walked over to the table to pour himself another glass of wine. “Hungry?” he asked.

  Erin answered, “Come in the kitchen. I’ll make some tacos.”

  When she woke from her dream, Luna buried her face in the pillow and cried. She longed to hear his dulcet voice and listen to him play Spanish love songs on the guitar. In her dream, she was walking and saw Nico on the other side of the street. He was wearing a black and red backpack. She impatiently waited for a break in the traffic, then hurried across. Losing sight of him, she ran to catch up, only to spot his backpack sitting on a low stone wall. She sat down next to it, expecting Nico to return. Though she had a long wait, when he arrived he sat down next to her, and laying his head upon her shoulder, he cried. Luna held him, crying as well, and their tears blended together.

  She got up to call his cell phone, and was surprised when he answered. His voice was brusque and detached, “What do you want, Luna? I’m busy.” He was always busy now with Alexa, his new rainmaker.

  She immediately choked up, unable to speak.

  “You betrayed me, remember? Because of you, I’m alone and I have to do everything myself.”

  Feeling a sharp pain in her chest, she said meekly, “I want to help you. I’m here for you.”

  “I can’t trust you anymore. You went behind my back. I thought you were my friend.”

  “I am your friend.”

  “After all I’ve done for you! I gave you your life back. If it wasn’t for me, you never would have won that award. Why did you do what you did?”

  “I let her speak to me—but Nico, I always wanted you two to work out, to be together. It’s not my fault they asked her to join the other show!”

  “You’ll have to prove yourself. I don’t know…you did a bad thing.”

  “Nico, I miss you. I’m sorry. I am your friend…always.”

  He remained on the line, but was silent. At least he’d answered, she thought. At least he spoke to her. “Nico…?”

  “Yes, Luna, I’m busy. I’m working—doing the schedule—I have a lot to do.”

  “Can I come over?”

  “You need to apologize. You still don’t admit what you did. When you understand, we’ll see about letting you back in my life.”

  He hung up, and Luna sat staring into space, tears streaming down her cheeks. She was angry with herself for talking to Sofia behind his back. And she had apologized to Nico for not telling him. Clearly, Sofia leaving for a new job wasn’t her fault.

  She pieced things together in her mind, and recalled Sofia saying she confided in her so that if “anything happened,” Luna would know the truth about Nico. She painfully remembered Sofia telling her that Nico had said, “my mother sent you to me,” and how that was a stab to Luna’s heart, causing a sharp pang of jealousy. Sofia must have known that Nico had said the same thing to her. Luna began to think Sofia’s using her as a sounding board might have been manipulation, playing into Luna’s weakness for connection to Nico, and she wished she could erase her mistake. Somehow, Luna thought, she would have to work her way back into his life and prove her loyalty to him.

  She then conc
eded, if she wanted Nico back in her life, she would have to accept that she was completely at fault.

  Dear Nico,

  You are right. I betrayed you. Sofia knew I missed you. She began sending me e-mails to involve me and paint a bad picture of you, so that when she left you—as she planned to do—you would not have me, either. Nico, I am so sorry. I know you will need time to regain trust in me. After realizing this, I knew if the situation were reversed, I would feel betrayed as well. I know you can never forget, but maybe you can find it in your heart to forgive. Love, Luna.

  Nico called, his tone cool. “Luna, I can’t believe you did this to me, but I will give you another chance. I told you she was a snake and she played you.”

  She whispered, “I know, Nico. I’m so sorry.”

  He sounded almost sympathetic, saying, “I know. You’re too naïve. But I warned you that you couldn’t trust her. She’s manipulative.”

  Luna’s voice was hushed. “I know. I didn’t listen. Again, I’m sorry.”

  He reminded her, “Instead, you talked behind my back.” He was still angry and hurt every time he thought about how Luna had kept a secret from him, and for that he would punish her. “It’ll take time for me to trust you again.”

  Her voice quivered, “I know.”

  Nico sighed, sounding exhausted. “I’m tired of the day to day. I’m just not getting where I need to be fast enough. You understand what I’m saying, right?”

  “Be patient, Nico. You’ll get there.” His despair wrenched her. The space between them felt too vast. She wished she could hold him.

  “You can start by coming over this weekend and helping me. Alexa said she needs a business plan to give these investors who want to put Amaru studios around the world.”

  Silence. Luna wasn’t sure if the call had dropped.

  “I need this, Luna…and I know you can do it.”