Page 95 of Rio
He cuts me off again.“It’s unfortunate, but it’s reality.Do you think any of those people would even have a job without companies like ours pushing through the red tape?”His eyes narrow.“Weare not the problem.We’re the solution, and you need to remember that.We do good in the world.It might not look like that at first, but it is.We know.Iknow.And I won’t have you torpedoing that with your goddamn newfound conscience.”
I don’t blink for a few seconds, my throat constricting with disgust.
So that’s it?That’s what he really thinks of the locals?Those poor people.Those poor children.
This is who we are?
Monsters.
The old man sees the destruction as a necessary inconvenience, the lawsuits as minor speed bumps, and human lives as irrelevant.Now that I’m sitting here, face-to-face with him, having heard those words from his mouth, I see him for what he is.
Not just ruthless.
Not just a monster.
But a force of evil that will keep going unless he’s stopped.
I always knew who he was, but I thought he might change with age.With time.Become less evil.No fucking chance.He’s warning me to keep my mouth shut, because it threatens his bottom line.But this time, I’m not going to sit back and let him dictate how this ends.
***
RAQUEL
Rio told me to wear a disguise.
I’m wearing a blonde wig—strange against my olive skin and dark brows.He said he’d pick me up, but I told him not to.I told him I’d get a taxi to his place.I want to surprise him.
I get ready in the washroom at the airport, then step out donning the blonde wig which looks odd against my coloring.I’ve also painted my lips red because I know Rio likes it.I wear it for myself, but the way Rio’s eyes always fixate on my lips tells me he really digs it.I want to please him.
As I get out of the taxi outside his apartment, I catch my breath.This place looks impressive.It’s everything I expected it to be.The concierge is expecting me and tells me to take the elevator to the top floor.I do, and when I get out, there’s only one door.I knock on it.
I’ve come early, because I want to catch him off guard.He opens the door, wearing only shorts, looking like he stepped out of the shower, or the pool, which I see over his shoulder.My insides heat in preparation.His face lights up into the biggest smile.We’ve only been apart a week, but it feels like forever.
“Wow.”He pulls me into his arms and drops a slow, lingering kiss on my lips.“You’re early, I was taking a shower.”
“Perfect.You’re all nice and clean for me,” I murmur, stepping inside his apartment as he drags my small luggage trolley inside and closes the door.It feels strange seeing him, and not being in Belize—with the sea salt, the breeze, the exotic haze surrounding us.
Once inside, we kiss again, hands all over each other, tongues dueling.It feels familiar and hot, and when his cock pokes into my hips, I’m even more desperate for him.We pull apart, and he gives me a slow once-over.“You came straight from work,” he says, appreciatively, before fingering a lock of blond hair between his fingers.“I like it.”
“You wanted me in a disguise.”I splay my arms out, and do a twirl.“Ta-da!”I say, with a flourish.
“Cute.”A playful smile dances on his lips and his eyes fill with fire.“But …” He gently takes my wig off and sets it on top of my luggage trolley.“I think you’re more perfect as my dark-haired princesa.”He smoothes his hand over my hair, gaping at me like I’m a timeless painting from one of the masters.
He reaches for my hands.“You must be tired and hungry.We can get takeout.I was going to cook something, but you surprised me by arriving early.”
“Are you complaining?”
“No … no.”He reels me in for another slow, lingering kiss that makes me tingle below my waist.
“Iamhungry.”I run my fingers slowly down his bare chest, before dropping them lower, and brushing them over his tented hardness.Thisis what I’m hungry for.This is what I’ve been thinking of on my flight over.I sink to my knees, my hand sliding into his shorts and freeing his big, beautiful cock.My fingers wrap around him, and my mouth moistens in anticipation.
“Oh, baby, you don’t have to—” he starts, and then sighs as I finger his glossy tip.
“I’ve been thinking about this the whole time,” I rasp, gaping up at him, watching him lean back against the door, watching me.
I keep my eyes on his face as I wrap my lips around him and slide my mouth over him.
He groans, still watching, but now his face is a picture of pleasure.I start to suck.The deeper I take him into my mouth, the more he groans, his fingers grabbing my hair, and tugging gently.He pushes himself further into my mouth, hitting the back of my throat.Then he lets loose, thrusting into my mouth with unbridled restraint.Fucking my mouth, setting his own pace.And I let him because I hear his low growls and I know how much he loves this.The more sounds he makes, the faster he thrusts.My eyes water, and I look up at him.
