Page 43 of Harmless
“I’m good with it, really. I like Torr a lot, actually.”
That got a grin out of me. “Really? Because I want to throttle him half the time.”
“You love him, though.” Santos said it as a statement, not a question. “And you’ve known each other a long time. You get each other in ways no one else does. It’s obvious you two just work well together.”
“Obvious to everyone but ourselves until recently.” I ran a sheepish hand through my hair. “But none of that bothers you? Please tell me honestly if it does.”
He gave me a look that felt like a warm, loving embrace. “I mean, I’m a little jealous that he already knows you so well and has years of memories with you. But I figure we’ll reach our stride eventually. Make our own memories.”
“Trust me, most of my memories with Torr are stupid.” I snorted. “Lots of playing pranks on my brother and being drunk idiots at parties. In a lot of ways, he and I are starting anew too.”
Santos looked smug then, crossing his arms with his chin lifted. “Then he and I are on more even footing than I thought.”
“It’s not like it’s a competition, but anyway.” I waved my hand toward the house. “You want to go inside?”
“Somewhere more private, you mean?” His grin was slow, sultry. “I thought you’d never ask, paloma.”
We joined hands, leaving Tezca to watch the motorcycle lessons, and headed for the fighters’ house, which I had started calling the frat house in my head. With nearly everyone working out or learning to ride, I figured the house would be mostly empty.
In fact, that was exactly what I was hoping for.
Sure enough, it was blissfully quiet as we went through the front door. We tiptoed through to the kitchen, holding hands like a couple of teenagers sneaking around our parents.
“Did you have breakfast?” I said, noting the dishes piled in the sink.
“Not yet.” He turned and lifted me so swiftly, I didn’t notice I was in the air until he sat me on the counter. His eyes burned as he moved in close, his big body filling the space between my legs. “But I’m about to.”
His kiss came down, deep and thorough. This was nothing like those fast kisses of relief back in the canyon. No, he intended to stay here for a while and devour me in the process.
I returned each hot stroke of his tongue, glide of his lips, every sigh and soft moan and short breath of air. Every touch was re-learning this devastatingly sweet man I was just getting to know.
“What do you like?” I whispered against his jaw, my hands exploring the planes of muscles on his back. “Teach me how to please you, Santos.”
“Mm, you’re pleasing me right now, paloma,” he groaned, hips pressing forward.
“No, tell me what drives you crazy.” I edged my teeth along his earlobe. “Tell me your deepest desire so I can be the one who gives it to you.”
He actually froze, a stiffness entering his body, and I started to worry that I offended him.
“Was that too far? I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be pushy. I just want this,” I squeezed my thighs around his hips, “to be an enjoyable experience for you.”Especially after all that you were forced to do,was the part that I left unsaid.
Santos shook his head, but the apprehension in his face remained. “You’re not pushy,” he said with a kiss. “And every moment with you is enjoyable, it’s just...” he rubbed his jaw, looking away from me. “If you really want to know what does it for me, it’s not exactly...conventional.”
“My whole life is anything but conventional.” I brought my hands to his nape, running my nails over the buzzed hair on the back of his head. “Try me. I would never judge you.”
Santos pulled in a deep breath, fingers teasing along the shirt at my waist while he hesitated a bit longer.
“So, I haven’t had the chance to fully explore this, but um.” He licked his lips and swallowed. “When it comes to bedroom stuff, I think I lean toward...the submissive end of the spectrum.”
“Really?” The word left my mouth in a long, slow stretch of syllables, accentuated by the smile growing on my face. I had no idea what he’d say or how I’d react, but this sensation filling my chest was nothing short of pure elation.
“When it comes to you, I just...I want to please you and take nothing for myself. I want to do everything you tell me because it’s whatyouwant. When I was a gladiator, my only power was killing others.” A long sigh left his chest before he continued.
“I was handed out to the guests for rough sex, but I never got off on that. I’ve never been turned on by inflicting domination and pain, but it was what Ihadto do. And now...” Santos leaned in until his forehead touched mine. “I don’t want power. I don’t want control. I want to put it all in your hands and be everythingyouneed me to be.”
I was struck dumb. Speechless. Nearly moved to tears, I realized as my vision got blurry and I had to blink back to clarity.
As the silence stretched on, Santos started pulling away, and I could sense his emotional retreat as well.
