That One Summer: A Collection of Steamy Contemporary Romance

Chapter 10

Destiny

With the day’s surpriseshooting in the can, the crew gathers for a meal and drinks under the awnings next to the production vehicles. Thank god Pederson declined the half-hearted invitations. I’d gladly slap that man again if he pulls such a condescending attitude toward me. Or any other woman on the team.

Not the smartest move for my career. But I’m not worried. Most of the crew spoke to me later offering to back up my actions if necessary. They’re a great bunch and I’m honored to be working with them. I even got the lowdown on who to avoid. Guess even someone like Pederson has a lacky or two still willing to kiss his ass.

I haven’t had the opportunity yet to thank Chavez for his contribution to the man’s embarrassment and hope he doesn’t get into too much trouble.

I’m not sure if it has anything to do with Chavez and me standing up to the director, but the crew has solidified quickly. This camaraderie will contribute to a successful show. I really want to discuss my observations with my co-host. Truthfully, I look forward to any opportunity to spend any time with him. Preferably alone. He’s sent mixed signals all day so I’m not sure who I’ll be talking to—Jorge or cranky-pants Chavez.

A number of the ranch hands found reason to check out today’s filming and were invited to join the party. A couple even made a second run into town for more pizza. The local restaurants are going to enjoy having this noisy, hungry crew in town.

When the excitement settles to the low rumble of conversations and storytelling, I look for Chavez again. When he’s nowhere to be found, I wrap a few slices of pizza in the waxy paper lining some of the boxes to save for a snack later. I adore cold pizza and the locals make some delicious pies.

The lights are on in Chavez’s half of the cabin. I stand outside for what must be five minutes trying to decide if I should knock on his door or leave him alone. I’ll give him space tonight. There will be time for us. I’ll make sure of that. I enter my room and stash the pizza in the tiny fridge.

Pederson didn’t give any indication what tomorrow’s shooting schedule will be and I don’t doubt he’s busy planning some petty revenge as payback for today. Whatever. I’m not going to worry about it. Or him. Since I don’t have Chavez for company, I’ll make do with another of Alice’s sexy romances. A girl’s gotta dream.

After a quick shower I choose yellow for my boot and tee combination tomorrow. At least my clothing will be bright and cheery. Comfort is the key for tonight—cut off sweats and an old, worn tank top with a faded cartoon character. Wishing I had some wine, I pile all the pillows against the headboard and settle in.

A soft sound draws my attention from a cute story about a couple who meet on a Ferris wheel. Frowning, I peer around the room for the source. A quiet knock comes from the door connection our rooms. Jorge.

“It’s open.” Setting the book aside, I fold my hands and wait. The door inches open and I hold back a grin as I imagine his ‘should I—shouldn’t I’ brain process. Relenting, I save him from his own indecision. “Come on in, Chavez.”

Long strides carry him close to my bed and he stands there just looking at me. I attempt to decipher his expressions as they cycle rapidly through the tight line of his mouth and his shadowed, dark eyes. I just can’t keep up.

When the tension grows to an almost physical thing, I scoot toward the center of the bed and pat the mattress. “Sit. You’re making me nervous.”

“Sorry.” He perches on the very edge of the bed as far from me as he can. “And I’m sorry about today.”

I remain silent so he continues. “I shouldn’t have lost control. All I accomplished is providing Pederson with more ammunition against me. And you.”

“I think I did a damn fine job on my own, thank you.”

“You did. Surprised the hell out of him. And me.”

“And I suppose there’s some guilt by association involved, too.”

“That, and he’s threatened by strong women.” His tight expression eases and he chuckles. “Saw him scurrying away like a frightened rabbit when Alice wanted to talk to him.”

“What about you?”

“She can be intense, but no, Alice doesn’t scare me.”

“Not what I meant.”

“I know, Des. I lo—appreciate a strong woman.”

Am I strong enough for him? In this instance, no. I don’t have the courage to ask.

He holds my gaze. “Do not doubt your strength. Or the power of your appeal, azúcar.”

So I’ve been told many times. I’ve also been told I disguise my strengths through being a bitch. This possibly deep discussion is not what I had planned for my evening. “So, what brought you through the door? Do we need to talk about what’s next for the show?”

“Probably should. But not tonight. I’d like to get a sense of what Pederson’s up to then figure out how we can work around him.”

“Good idea. So, would you like to watch a movie or something?” Anything to keep him here.

He shrugs. “What are you doing?”

“Reading. Did you know Alice writes romances? Good ones. Lots of smut.”

Interest flares in his eyes, but with a blink, he dampens the intensity. “I did not. Did you know that Micah is a professional photographer? He’s planning on photographing the pool process for a book.”

“I’m impressed. I wonder if he’ll have time now that they’ve brought their new baby home.”

“From what I’ve seen, the busier these people are, the more they get done. Tell me about the book. Better yet, read some of it to me.”

“You want me to read to you? Out loud?”

“Kind of difficult to listen if it’s not out loud. It really doesn’t matter what you read, just go on from where I interrupted you. Your voice... is soothing.”

I’ve never been told anything about me is soothing. I want him here, so I’ll do as he asks. “Get comfortable then, Chavez.”

“Hold on.” He rises and strides from the room, returning a few seconds later, his arms filled with the pillows from his bed. He plops them next to my nest, kicks off his shoes, and lays on his side facing me. “I’m ready.”

“I was just getting to a good part. Do you want me to explain the story up to now?”

“No need.”

The book is covered by his pillows and he’s laughing at my frustrated, one-handed searching by the time my fingers touch the paperback. “You’re evil,” I say, pleased the final bits of cranky pants Chavez have faded.

I open the book to where I left off, the couple leaving the county fair and driving to a secluded location. It doesn’t take long for them to get hot and heavy and controlling my aroused breathing to read is difficult. When the couple are snuggling after round one, I close the book and rest it on my stomach.

“Des, I’m starving.” The rough tone of Chavez’s statement tells me the sexy writing affected him, too. How can I use this to my advantage?

“I brought some leftover pizza back. It’s in the fridge. Eat whatever you want.”

“Don’t want pizza. I’m starving for another flavor. Another taste of you. I shouldn’t want you. There’s too many years between us.” He flops to his back. “Dios mio, Destiny, I’m old enough to be your father.”

“Age doesn’t mean anything.”

Pain tightens the tiny lines around his eyes. “Sometimes it does.”

Someone younger hurt him. I know this with a certainty deep in my bones. It won’t be that way with me. “Not this time. Listen, Chavez, if what I did, what we did yesterday means anything to you, you should know I want you, too. I’m old enough to know what I want. Who I want. And that’s you.”

He covers his eyes with his forearm. I watch his breathing, try not to focus on the hard ridge straining the front of his jeans, and bite my lower lip. I can’t force him to accept what his body is telling him. There’s no reason why we can’t enjoy each other.

After huffing out a sharp breath, he says, “It’s been a couple years since I’ve been with a woman. I didn’t miss sex. Not until I saw you.”

“Me, too. I mean, no guy has interested me in that way for quite a while. I haven’t had... intercourse for...” Pausing before my embarrassing admission, I hope I’m doing the right thing. “Maybe five years. Touching and oral, yeah. But I haven’t wanted to go further than that. Not until I saw you in your sexy ass jeans.”

He lifts his arm and opens one eye, turning his head to look at me. “Sexy ass jeans?”

“I’m pretty sure your ass is what’s fine, not the jeans. What now?”

Sitting up, he takes my hand and sucks the tips of my fingers into his mouth. After kissing my palm, he says, “I’ve tasted your come from your fingers. Off my fingers. I want... need to discover your essence from the source.”

“Oh, yes. Now, please. Now.”

His slow smile lights up his face and I skim my palm over his short-cropped beard. “I can’t wait to feel this against my thighs.”

Moments later he’s pulled me to the edge of the bed and recreated the nest of pillows for my head and shoulders. My sweats have disappeared somewhere over his shoulder. Since I wasn’t wearing panties, I’m open to his ravenous gaze. I dip my hands under the hem of the tank top and slowly lift to expose myself completely to him. With a groan, he drops to his knees and leans forward to inhale deeply.

“This is for me?” he asks softly.

“Just for you.” I spread my thighs wider. “Because of you.”

With no further preamble, he parts my folds with his thumbs and his mouth covers my clit with soft suction. His tongue moves against me. Over me. Long slow licks. Dancing flicks. I want them all. Need them. Need him. “Chavez,” I sigh.

He takes me to the edge of glory then backs off, blowing soft puffs of breath over me. His fingers take over as he drags kisses along where my thigh meets my body. He nips and sucks there until I’m writhing in my search for release.

“If you want me to make you come, Cari?o, you need to hold still. I don’t want to have to chase...”

I lift my head and words prompted by the first of Alice’s books spill out. “Maybe you’ll have to tie me down.”

His head pops up, his eyes wide. If I wasn’t so damn close to coming his expression would be hilarious. “Do you like that?”

“I don’t know. Never tried...being tied... it just popped out.” A single thought focuses me. “Do you?”

He shakes his head slowly, letting his beard brush my sensitive clit. “Never tried it. But if you don’t hold still...”

The idea of turning over that bit of control to him makes my heart beat even faster. It would. Be even better than making me keep my hands at his shoulders. There’s curiosity in his expression, too, so holding his gaze, I wiggle my butt.

“Remember what you asked for,” he says and surges to his feet. He returns to his room and tears sting my eyes. Dear god. I haven’t chased him away, have I?

Relief washes over me when he returns. He’s slipped out of his tight jeans although now he’s wearing sweats with a huge tent in the front. He didn’t need to— he’s got something dangling from his hands. “What’s that.”

He holds up four neckties. “I pack the damn things out of habit. My mamá always told me to be prepared, that I’d need a tie someday. I don’t think she had this in mind. Scoot up and lay in the center of the bed.”

Making sure the pillows are comfortable, he helps me settle, then takes one hand. “Are you sure?”

I’m so sure, so ready for this experience I can’t form the words. I nod.

He knots a tie loosely around my wrist. “Good thing this bed has this old fashioned headboard. Gives me something to attach the ties to.”

He secures my wrist and ankle to one side of the bed, then repeats the loose bindings on the other side. Standing back, he rubs his palm over his cock and studies his handiwork. “Should have taken your shirt off, too. We’re supposed to have a safe word. So I’ll know to stop if you need me to.”

“Donkey butts.”

“What?”

“Safe word. Donkey butts. Jorge, please.”

He climbs onto the bed, but instead of returning to his feast, he kisses me. Long and hard. Like the cock rubbing rhythmically against my hip. I want to touch him, guide him when I need him to be. My distended nipples ache for his touch. My core weeps for him. Tugging on the restraints does nothing but excite me more. When he finally sucks hard on a nipple, I shatter with a sharp cry.

His mouth doesn’t lift until the aftershocks calm. He gives the nub a slow lick. “You are so responsive, Cari?o. So beautiful when you come. How else will you surprise me?”

“Keep going and find out.”

“You really do have a smart mouth.” He cups my cheeks and devours my lips, thrusting his tongue against mine. “And I like that smart mouth. What you do with it.”

“Let me loose and I’ll show you.” I rub my hip against him and waggle my eyebrows at his gasp.

“Not yet. I’m going to explore a few possibilities first.”

Soon I’m panting and arching my hips as much as I can toward his talented mouth. His tongue and his hands drive me to another orgasm. Then a third. Depleted, I can barely move after he removes the ties.

Lying next to me, he gathers me close and dances tiny kisses over my lips and finally the tip of my nose. I curl closer, one leg over his, my hand resting over the beating of his heart.

“Destiny?”

“That was wonderful, Jorge. I wouldn’t want to be restrained every time, but occasionally. And only with you.”

“I have to admit I missed some of your wiggling. But now and then...” He allows the possibilities to hang between us.

I feel good. Damn good. There’s something missing though. His cock throbs against my hip. He needs to come. I lift onto one elbow and let my gaze travel slowly down his body. “Your turn,” I whisper.

“Not tonight, Des.”

“But... I can’t leave you like this.” I trace the tip of one finger along his firm length.

He shrugs.

“If you don’t want my mouth, I can use my hand.”

“You’re determined, aren’t you, azúcar.”

“As much as you are, Chavez.”

He takes my hand and kisses the palm before shoving down his sweats and wrapping my fingers around his cock. He keeps his hand in place over mine and begins slowly stroking. “Together then?”