Chapter Seventeen #2
He could feel her orgasm approaching again, and he drove into her harder. His own pleasure was exhilarating, and every nerve inside of him was completely euphoric.
“Alma, fuck!”
He waited for her to orgasm, and she screamed in ecstasy, causing him to come so fucking hard, and for a moment, he was lost inside her.
“Wow. That was better than I remember.”
He slapped her on the ass. “You haven’t seen anything yet.” Would there be another time?
His heart rate returned to normal.
When he released her, reality again came crashing down beside them.
This was too intense. Was he even capable of having a fling? Not with her.
How was he ever going to let her go?
After a few minutes of recovery, she finally spoke. “I can’t believe we just did that.”
“I can. I’ve wanted to since the second I saw you again.”
“Of course you did. I’m hot.”
He laughed. “Yes, you are.”
“But I can’t say the same. I didn’t want to see you at all when you arrived.” She gave him a cheeky wink. “But I have to say…I’m sure glad you’re here now.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
She kissed him on the forehead. “I’ll be right back.”
Alma hopped off the bar, gathered her clothes, and ran to the bathroom.
Jaime also got up, gathered his clothes, and ran to the men’s bathroom. He disposed of the condom, cleaned himself up, got dressed, and went back out to the bar.
Alma emerged a bit later, fully dressed and armed with cleaning supplies.
“Don’t you have a janitor service?”
She rolled her eyes. “I do, actually. But I’m not going to have them clean this up. My mom was a maid, you know. I can clean.”
Jaime grabbed a sponge and dipped it in the hot water. “I can help.”
She hugged him. “Aren’t you so progressive? I’ve never seen you clean anything. Didn’t you grow up with maids? I bet you still have one.”
“I did and I do,” he admitted. “I’m not above hard work. I’d clean up every day if we could have another night like we just had.”
Alma pursed her lips and remained silent. They sanitized the bar until it was sparkling clean.
“So, are you going back to Santi’s?”
“Nah. My family took over the place.”
“Oh, I understand.” She paused. “Did you want to spend the night with me?”
Damn, did he ever. But he couldn’t. Sex was one thing. Spending the night in her place, in her space, was too intimate. He really needed to figure out what the fuck he wanted to do regarding her before this all blew up in his face.
Earlier, he’d decided to live more in the moment—and during sex with Alma, he’d been all about the present.
But there was a difference between being real and being reckless. He needed to think of what would happen tomorrow—and the next day and the day after that.
“I’d love to, babe. Thanks for offering. But I got a room at the Lodge.”
“Oh. That’s better.” She looked down.
He put his finger under her chin. “Hey, it’s not better.
I need to be real with you, Alma. I’m such a fucking mess.
I’m confused. I’m crazy about you, you know that.
I always have been. Tonight just solidified that for me.
But what are we fucking doing here? I don’t live here.
And you have a bar—a successful one. I don’t want to do long-distance.
” That wasn’t the real reason, but he threw it out there to see her response.
“You could move. You can start a tequila line anywhere.”
Yes. He could.
And he’d love to do it with her.
“This is true. That isn’t an obstacle. But I just don’t know if I can commit to you. It’s not you—you’re perfect. It’s me.”
“I know, Jaime. You think you are too young. But you aren’t.”
“Maybe not. But I was in college, and I’m still figuring my life out.
I can’t apologize enough for dumping you back then.
I was a fool, I know this. But it was because I was too young to settle down.
I’m a bit older now but I still haven’t fucking figured out my life.
Look at you! You’re a successful business owner, and I don’t have a clue what the fuck I’m doing.
I kissed you the other night and at brunch because I couldn’t resist you.
And I made love to you tonight because I’m obsessed with you.
My heart is saying one thing, and my head is saying another.
I just think spending the night at your place will make this more confusing. I will be leaving in a few weeks.”
She gulped. Was she going to cry? Great. Perfect end to a night. He was such a dick. He hated himself.
“No, no, you’re right.” Her voice cracked. “I wanted to sleep with you too. God, it was amazing. It’s been so long since—” She stopped talking.
“Since…”
“What, you have to make me say it?” She smiled coyly. “Since I’ve had sex.”
Jaime wanted to ask her so badly if she’d been with anyone since him. But he couldn’t.
“In case you’re wondering, you’re the only one I’ve ever been with.”
Jaime’s heart quickly soared with pride, and then just as rapidly sank. It was true. He had been right. He was her only lover.
Guilt swallowed him. It wasn’t fair. She hadn’t been his first, and though he had always been faithful when they had been together, he had been a manwhore in recent years.
Such a fucking double standard. The machismo had benefited him clearly, but it didn’t sit right with him.
Plus, even if he had wanted to commit to her, which he couldn’t trust himself to, it wouldn’t be fair to her if he was the only man she’d slept with.
What if they got married and one day, she was curious.
Another reason why they couldn’t be together.
As much as it pained him, she should date other men before she committed to him.
But it had been three years, and she hadn’t.
“May I ask why?”
“I mean, it wasn’t because I was pining over you or anything. I just put all the focus I had into my business. I went on a few dates here and there, but nothing ever sparked. Don’t flatter yourself.”
Jaime tried not to, but he had to admit—he loved that she had only been with him. He was definitely a jerk.
“Don’t you want to be with another man? See what it’s like?”
Alma rolled her eyes. “That’s such a man thing to say. Sex isn’t like that for me. It’s incredible and all, but it was so great with you because I loved you.”
He cupped her face in his hands. “I loved you too.” Did he still? He kissed her sweetly.
He helped her lock up the bar. “I’m going to walk you back—it’s late.”
She didn’t protest this time. They walked along the dark water, a few homeless people milling around. He clutched her to his side. “Do you always walk home alone?”
She nodded. “Yeah, it’s only a block. And Tiburon is very safe.”
His gut clenched. “Sure, it is. But you work until at least two—anything can happen.”
“Ay, Jaime. I’ve lived here for a while and I’m fine.”
Jaime resisted the urge to press further. He didn’t feel comfortable with her being alone here, but he had no right to tell her what to do, just like he didn’t have the right to tell her not to travel to Mexico alone.
They arrived at her front door and her pug barked. Damn, Jaime had forgotten about her dog.
“My poor baby. She misses me when I work.”
“I can watch her, while I’m in town.”
She tilted her head. “Thanks, but no need. My neighbor walks her sometimes, and she has a back patio. She’s a good girl.”
She unlocked the door, knelt down, and kissed her dog. Jaime peeked into Alma’s place. It was cozy but elegant. She had a bright painting on the wall, and a bar full of tequila. He wanted a tour but knew he needed to get back to his room or he would never leave.
Alma put the leash on Tequila, and they headed outside. After Tequila peed on a bush, she led Alma back to her door.
Jaime put his arms on Alma’s shoulders. “Good night, Alma.”
He cupped her face in his hands and gave her a gentle kiss good night.
“I’ll see you at Cinco fest.”
Yes, that was a week away. Would he see her before then? His family was in town, and she would be busy. It was probably best if he kept his distance from her.
Could Jaime handle another few weeks in Marin, knowing that Alma was so close? And then what would happen next between them? Would he honestly consider moving here to be with her?
No. No. His dad and mom married young and look how they turned out.
“Yup. Look, I’ll be busy this week with my family, but I’ll see you then.”
“Good night, Jaime.” She shut the door.
Jaime walked back down toward the bar on the way to his hotel.
When he finally arrived in his room, he collapsed into the lounge chair and placed his head between his hands.
He was so overwhelmed after being with her again.
He couldn’t imagine never seeing her after the next few weeks.
Was he making the biggest mistake of his life by planning on going back home?
Honestly, nothing was keeping him in San Diego.
But he couldn’t shake the feeling that he still wasn’t ready for a relationship with Alma.