Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
The spinning sensation in my head finally slowed down while Salvador and I lay on the lush lawn of his parents’ home admiring the low-hung moon. Wine flowed through my veins, taking the edge off my earlier anxiety.
There had to be a way to ensure my sister’s safety and extricate Felipe from our lives. It was all I could think about.
The guests withdrew, discussing the flamenco dancer who’d taken their breath away. I was spellbound – falling into this beautiful stranger’s arms held the promise of sweet oblivion, and I found myself smiling when I thought of her.
Salvador unbuttoned his jacket, revealing his white shirt, pulled taut over his chest. The way the corner of his mouth turned up revealed he’d caught me staring.
The night sky displayed an array of silver stars, enhanced by the wine in my veins, making them dance like fireflies. The mood had taken a pensive turn when Salvador recounted his experiences in battle. Absorbed in his vivid descriptions, I imagined I could smell the gunpowder.
“Sleep deprivation allows a man to see who he really is,” Salvador said.
“Was it worth it?” I asked.
“Of course. We overran the skirmish.”
“You’re a better man than I.” Although fascinated, I felt no such loyalty. Royalty only existed to control the people and tax them well, but my opinion would not be made known. I pointed to his medal. “Why did they give you that?”
He glanced down at the dangling medal that resembled a coin. “My regiment ambushed the enemy’s camp.” He peeled aside his shirt to show me a scar on his chest. “A memento.”
“How did you get that?”
“Their king resisted arrest.” Salvador sighed. “War is not how you imagine it. Rules that I learned as a junior officer didn’t apply in battle.”
“Life is already so short.”
“And if heaven does exit,” Salvador said, “I’m not sure I’d get in.”
I burst into laughter.
His smile widened. “Now that I’m home, I’m going to make the most of every moment.” He gave me an affectionate nudge. “What do you want?”
My gaze fell to his lips.
He threw his head back and laughed.
I rested my head on my hands. “What do you want?”
He gave me a wicked grin. “I think…”
“Careful what you ask for.”
“You know I’d do anything for you.”
I grinned back at him. “And we’ve only just met.”
“Some people are more likable than others.”
“I might just put that to the test.”
“Try me.”
My gaze met his. “I want the girl.”
Salvador sat up.
I leaned close to his ear. “Bring her to me.”
“I believe she’s with the senator.”
“Then you’d better move fast.”
Salvador leapt to his feet and hurried off.
I had nothing to lose. I’d soon be reunited with Alicia, my last link to my family. All this time, she’d been with Felipe who’d poisoned her mind, no doubt. When I found her, I’d explain everything. The promise of vindication was real.
While I waited, I breathed in the warm country air, having found yet another reason to hate the man – he was betraying my sister with the dancer I coveted.
I saw Salvador heading quickly toward me – alone. Disappointment caused me to frown.
“I’ve been on some dangerous missions,” he said, “but this one beats them all.”
“What happened?”
“We were just in time,” he said. “Felipe had her taken to his guest quarters. She’s terrified. You do realize if he ever found out—”
“Take me to her.”
Disappointment danced in his eyes.
I rested my thumb on his lower lip and his mouth parted. An uncommon arousal stirred as Salvador’s pout met mine and our tongues brushed. He opened his mouth wider to deepen our kiss, and there came a passionate surge so fervent that it seized my breath.
I broke away.
Salvador looked disconcerted.
This was my first brush with romance, and it felt daring and forbidden. Unsure who to trust, I wasn’t going to let my guard down easily.
We ascended the stairs, quickly reaching Salvador’s bedroom. He opened the door and signaled for me to enter. Silhouetted at the window stood the beautiful flamenco dancer.
“It’s a tradition to spoil our guests.” He gave me a wink and then closed the door as he withdrew.
The dancer backed away toward the bed.
“You’re safer going in the other direction,” I said, amused.
Her cheeks blushed.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
Her hands scrunched the material of her dress, lifting it slightly off the floor. “Annabelle.”
“You’re safe now,” I said. “Will you dance for me?”
She hesitated.
“Please,” I said, settling on the edge of the bed.
Her demeanor changed and she seemed uncertain.
“Then dance for yourself.”
Where there had once stood a virgin, now an exotic creature struck a graceful pose.
Her chin pointed down, her expression one of desire.
A flurry of evocative steps followed, a senorita’s yearning as she tapped into her emotions and translated them into movement, twisting and turning, stomping and then stepping delicately with pointed toes, a wondrous performance.
Though no words passed between us, we communicated our feelings. With all my will, I resisted the urge to pull her into my arms.
Suddenly, Annabelle was once again a young girl. She broke into ripples of laughter.
I sighed, staring at her. “You move like a goddess.”
She gave me a coy smile.
“You don’t say much, do you?” I folded my arms.
She fluttered her long eyelashes. “They ordered me to wait.”
“For the senator?”
She gave a nod, and I could see she didn’t like the idea, either.
“I won’t let him touch you,” I said.
Her shoulders relaxed and she unclenched her fingers.
“Where are you from?” I asked.
“Seville.”
“You look Spanish, but something else—”
“My grandfather was Egyptian.”
Such a lineage had bestowed upon her those delicate, noble features, and a petite dancer’s frame.
“You’re beautiful,” I said.
A noise outside startled her.
“The senator doesn’t know you’re here,” I said.
She ran to me and laid her head against my chest. A hint of lilies wafted.
Even though she held me, I was the one who felt safe.
I marveled at her serenity as she snuggled into me.
Time ceased at that very moment, and I was unable to recall the last time I’d experienced such affection.
A few maids had allowed me some relief over the years, but none of them had captured my interest like her.
I wouldn’t do it. I wouldn’t be the one to take her, even though I wanted to more than anything. I had to resist the urge to throw her onto the bed, hoist up her skirts and bury myself inside her, feel her tight around my cock, thrusting deep until I lost all sense of time.
But I wasn’t like those other men. I quickly scribbled a note.
“You can’t stay here.” I led her over to the window and pointed. “Head for that house. Give this note to the butler.”
She accepted the folded paper.
“That’s my home,” I said. “Stay for as long as you like.”
She stared at the great manor.
“You’ll be safe there, I promise.”
She hugged me again.
“Now go. A warm meal and a soft bed await you.”
With her fingers wrapped around the door handle, she turned and smiled.
Something melted deep inside me as she left the room. She’d penetrated my very core, and I didn’t even know her.
I hoped to be the one to win her over. But a more pressing matter tormented me. Alicia.
A terrible feeling came with the knowledge that Felipe had used her to get to me.
Alicia, I’m coming for you.
From the window, I watched Annabelle run along the garden pathway, making her way north toward the estate. The full moon guided her steps. I sighed as I left the room, captivated by the idea that I’d stolen her away. I offered a quiet prayer that she’d make it to my home safely.
Staff were reluctant to divulge Salvador’s whereabouts, but I wouldn’t take no for an answer. They relented and pointed in the direction of the servants’ quarters.
From outside, noises in the room hinted at a tussle. Unable to resist, I opened the door slightly and saw Salvador, completely naked, embracing a male servant from behind. The inner rush I felt caused me to freeze for a moment.
Taking pleasure from the view, I slipped inside the room and lingered in a shadowy corner. I’d trespassed into a risqué rendezvous. It felt wrong, but it felt good, too. I had to assume that my kiss had alighted this passion – and here now unfolded the result of my flirting.
Once hidden beneath a dashing uniform, Salvador’s muscular physique was now exposed.
I turned to go.
A long groan drew me back. Salvador held onto his servant’s hips, thrusting in a perfect rhythm.
Then he reached around and caressed his lover’s erection with exquisite skill.
The man leaned forward with outstretched arms against the wall, supporting both he and Salvador, his fingernails digging into the granite.
And that could have been me.
They rocked in time, both in a trance-like rapture, their gasps echoing and their thighs shuddering. I sighed at the unfamiliar scene, fantasizing that Salvador was taking me exactly like that. My hardness pressed against my pants.
Salvador, this dashing conquistador, was still a virtual stranger, and yet we’d connected immediately, our rapport firing our imaginations, kindling something impossible to ignore.
As though chiseled in marble, Salvador's form pulsed with restrained power, each muscle a symphony of tension and grace, carved with sensual intent.
His hips shifted subtly, as gasps escaped from their parted lips.
Candlelight danced across sinew and shadow, awakening a primal reverence for his masculine beauty that was divine and dangerous.
God, he was enthralling.
Salvador whispered into his lover’s ear.
Although unable to hear the words, I got the gist. The man leaned forward more, heightening their pleasure and their rhythm slowed as Salvador mastered both him and the moment, urging him into a fury, then slowing again, prolonging the arousal.
Beads of perspiration shimmered over them both.
Candlewicks flickered, throwing dancing shadows against the walls.
A shiver of desire ran from my core to my groin, and I exhaled, unsure of when I’d taken my last breath, hoping that they’d not heard my sigh.
The servant’s moaning was continuous now and his heavy eyelids hinted at his approaching climax. His stomach muscles rippled, and I could see what Salvador saw in him. He had a youngish face, a mischievous expression, and oozed sexuality.
Salvador’s heavy breaths shortened. My gaze fell upon his strong hand as it worked to give his lover pleasure, squeezing and stroking, wetting the tip.
Salvador's grip glided over the man's rock-hard cock, coaxing the curve tenderly, with deliberate pressure, each rapid pump a silent invitation. His conquest yielded and his length responded as though beneath a sculptor's fingers, quivering into an arced shape as though being molded by desire.
Salvador whispered again and the man turned his head, eager for his kiss.
Salvador sucked the very breath from him, eliciting another long groan as his tongue now searched his lover’s mouth.
The man faced the wall again. Salvador’s free hand reached up and grasped his shoulder, readying for his final attack, pounding the man into oblivion.
His lover screamed his release as he emptied into Salvador’s hand, and with his other hand, Salvador silenced him with his palm against his mouth, muffled sounds of pleasure escaping through his fingers.
A surge of heat and breathless desire radiated from his touch to my soul. Salvador was a walking masterpiece.
He groaned his final desire, shuddering several times before collapsing against the wall. After a few moments, he regained his composure.
And then he saw me.
“Out,” he directed his servant.
The man grabbed his clothes and ran past me, avoiding eye contact. I opened the door for him.
Salvador cringed. “I thought you were with the girl.”
I smiled. “If you’re going to tell me this is not what it seems…”
“Like to watch, do you?”
“You’ll have to make your indiscretion up to me.”
Salvador nibbled on a fingernail. This man had faced the most ferocious of armies and yet with me, he yielded.
“Why didn’t you knock?” He reached for his trousers.
I snatched them out of his hand. “And spoil your fun?”
He rested his hands on his hips and faced me, his gaze dropping.
“I’m mortified.”
“Why?” I asked. “You of all people deserve anything you desire.”
He gave me a long stare.
Outside, leaves dangled from a crooked branch and tapped against the window.
“I have to go,” I said. “Thank you for an enlightening evening.”
“I’ll make it up to you, Daumia.”
I delayed answering to torture him, handing him back his trousers.
“I do believe you will,” I said finally, heading for the door.
“Will I see you again?”
I turned to him with a smile. “Without a doubt.”