CHAPTER 20

After spending time in the sun today, Carmen was exhausted. They went up to their room and took a shower together, enjoying each other’s bodies at length in the oversize stall. After Rafe gave her an explosive orgasm that left her weak-kneed and shaking, she lay down on the bed and ended up passing right out. When she woke, she felt disoriented, and it took her a minute to remember she was in this glorious room with the spectacular view. Rafe was snoozing next to her, so she rolled to her side and enjoyed the other beautiful view.

Awake, he was gorgeous. Asleep, he was equally devastating, his features relaxed, his long, dark lashes resting against his cheeks and his lips slightly parted. His breathing was slow and even. And, bonus—he didn’t snore. What more could a woman want in a guy?

She smiled at that and leaned in to brush a kiss against his brow. He blinked and opened his eyes, his lips curving. He didn’t wake up grumpy, either, another point in his favor. Instead, he drew her close to his body, making her wish they could just stay in tonight.

“You fell asleep,” he said, smoothing his hand over her hip.

“You fell asleep, too.”

“I laid down on the bed to be close to you. And then I was gone. You wore me out.”

She scraped a nail across his jaw. “Poor baby. If you don’t have the energy to go out tonight, we could order room service.”

Before she knew what was happening, he’d grabbed her and rolled her on top of him, his hands roaming down her back to cup her buttocks.

“I’ve got plenty of energy.”

She felt the hardness of his cock underneath her, sparking her own renewed energy. She dragged her clit against his firm flesh.

“Fuck yeah, babe,” he said, grasping her hips to roll her back and forth across his cock.

Despite their earlier fun in the shower, she was ready, and now. But she wanted him inside of her when she came. She slid off of him to grab a condom from the box on the nightstand, opened the package and slowly rolled the condom on his cock, enjoying the heated look in his eyes.

“Get on me,” he said, his voice low and loaded with need.

She straddled him, and he held on to her hips while she slowly slid down his shaft, her pussy pulsing as he filled her. And then she stilled and felt her body grip him tight. She waited out those spasms that could send her over. She felt him throb, too, and she leaned forward, bracing her hands on his chest, and lifted, watching his chest rise and fall with the effort it took him not to let go.

“Do you feel that?” he asked, and she knew he meant the way their bodies were so in tune with each other, the way whenever she quivered, he pulsed.

“Yes. I think my pussy was made for your cock.”

He sucked in a breath and drove into her. “You feel right to me. Whenever I’m inside of you, it’s like I was made for you.”

The words he said were powerful, evoking emotions she wasn’t ready to face just yet. So instead, she focused on the physical, lying flat to grind against him, lifting and falling over and over until she burst into a million pleasure stars. She dug her nails into Rafe’s shoulders and cried out with her orgasm. He thrust deeply, then shuddered, taking her mouth in a blistering kiss that made them moan against each other’s lips as she rode out a massive wave that threatened to consume her.

She lay there on top of him, unable to move, barely able to catch her breath. Rafe smoothed his hands over her back, and she would have been content to stay like that all night.

“I made dinner reservations,” Rafe finally said.

“Uh-huh. Sure. I don’t think I can move.”

“Okay. I’m good like this.”

She smiled. He would be fine if they didn’t go out, because that was Rafe’s personality. He was easygoing and happy to do whatever she wanted to do. But he’d gone to all this trouble to bring her down here and show her a good time. So she intended to drag her ass out of bed. She slid off him and went into the bathroom. He followed behind her, and they cleaned up and got dressed.

Carmen was glad she packed a nice dress, because Rafe told her they were going dancing after they had dinner tonight.

“Where are we dancing?” she asked as she finished her makeup in the bathroom while he brushed his teeth.

He spit out toothpaste and rinsed his mouth. “It’s a surprise.”

“Fun.” She put on her short red dress that flared a couple of inches above the knee and gave her room to move around. Then she added gold heels.

Rafe had already gotten dressed and was waiting in the living area when she walked out. He was dressed in black slacks and a white button-down shirt. She realized she’d never seen him so dressed up. He looked damn fine.

When he saw her, his gaze roamed over her appreciatively.

“You look amazing,” he said. “That dress, Carmen. You are stunning.”

She couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you.”

He drove them to the Mandarin Oriental hotel and let the valet park the truck. They went inside the beautifully ornate hotel, then took the elevator to the restaurant, La Mar.

“I’ve heard of this place,” she said. “Impressive.”

He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and smiled down at her.

The view of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline was stunning. Rafe gave his name, and they were seated right away at a gorgeous table overlooking the water. Fortunately, there was a nice cloud cover because the sun hadn’t set quite yet, but it was working its way down, and it was a spectacular array of orange and red.

Their server—Alejandro—handed them their menus. They both perused the wine list and settled on a bottle of Gewürztraminer.

Carmen looked out over the water, at the lights coming up over the city now that the sun had set.

“So this is how the rich people live.”

Rafe laughed. “I don’t think we’re rich just because we’re having dinner here.”

“I don’t know. I don’t generally come to Miami to have dinner at a fancy restaurant.”

“Think of it as a vacation.”

She shifted her gaze to his. “I don’t generally come to Miami to take a vacation, either. Or have dinner at a place like this.”

Their server brought the bottle, opened it and poured a small amount into Rafe’s glass. He lifted it and sipped, then nodded at the server, who filled their glasses.

Carmen took a sip. It was bright with just a hint of lingering sweetness. Perfect.

“What if you were rich?” Rafe asked. “Where would you live?”

She frowned. “What?”

“Just pretend you’re suddenly rich. What would you do?”

“Oh. I don’t know. I’ve never even thought about it.”

Rafe took a sip of his wine, his long fingers seemingly incongruous with the delicate stem of the wineglass. “Come on, Carmen. You’ve never played the ‘what if?’ game?”

“Never. I tend to keep my feet firmly on the ground. Don’t you?”

He shook his head. “Nah. When my brothers and I were homeless, we’d all play the ‘Someday, when we’re rich’ game. We’d tell each other what our dreams were when rich parents adopted us, or when we’d come into some spare money to buy a lottery scratcher that would net us a million bucks.”

“I see. And what were your dreams?”

“When I was a kid? That I’d buy a boat and my brothers and I would sail to South America. We’d fish, and then when we got to the end of South America, I’d buy us a mansion and we’d live there forever.”

She nodded and took a swallow of her wine. “Big dream. Nice one, too.”

“I thought so. What’s yours?”

“I told you I never—”

“So think of one. Right now. If you found yourself suddenly wealthy, what would you do?”

She tried never to think beyond her means. That only set her up for disappointment, wanting things she couldn’t have. But it was just a game, and a game couldn’t hurt her.

“I’d set my grandfather up so he could be comfortable for the rest of his life. A new house, completely ADA compliant so he wouldn’t have to worry about things he couldn’t reach, or the potential for falling. He’d have twenty-four-hour-a-day assistance. A chef, a housekeeper, a nurse’s aide if he ever needed one.”

She poured more wine into her glass and took another sip.

“But what about for you?” Rafe asked.

“I don’t need anything.”

“Need is irrelevant, Carmen. What would you like to have? What are your dreams?”

She’d never talked to anyone about her dreams. Her totally unattainable, ridiculous dreams.

“Come on,” he said. “This is just for fun. Nothing written down. Just between you and me. I told you mine.”

He had. And it had been a beautiful dream.

Their server came, and they placed their dinner order, plus appetizers.

Carmen took another swallow of wine and stared out at the water.

“Come on,” Rafe said. “Let’s hear it.”

He wasn’t going to let it go, so she took a breath and exhaled.

“I’ve always wanted a big house. A big, bright, brand-spanking-new house. Not a mansion or anything, but something I could call my own. Something I could raise kids in. My forever home. Tod and I lived in an apartment. A crap apartment that was built in the eighties and constantly needed something or other repaired. We were saving money for a house that we never ended up buying. Then we got a divorce. After the divorce I moved in with Grandpa, and as you know, the house needs some work—which you’ve done for me, and I so appreciate it.”

“But your dream is to have a new house.”

She nodded. “Someday. Maybe.”

“It’s an attainable dream, Carmen. Unlike a boat to sail to the tip of South America.”

She laughed. “Hey, it could happen. Never discount your dreams.”

“I would like to have a boat someday. I think I’ve outgrown the South America part.”

“So you’re not planning to run away?”

“No. I’m firmly planted in Ft. Lauderdale. Probably forever.”

Hearing him say that made her stomach dance with butterflies, though she had no idea why. He wasn’t hers, and they weren’t a forever couple, so where he decided to plant his forever flag made no difference to her.

Fortunately, their server brought the appetizers. They shared lobster and crab ceviche that was simply to die for.

“I could eat this over and over again for the main course,” she said, glad that she and Rafe had shared an appetizer. Otherwise, she’d have pigged out on this ceviche.

But when Alejandro brought their dinner, she realized she might still be hungry, especially when her branzino was set in front of her. The smell alone made her stomach growl with hunger. And with the rice and vegetables to accompany it, she knew she’d never be able to finish it.

Rafe had the fish stew, and they ended up sharing their dishes.

The flavors were spectacular. Her branzino was moist and delicious, and Rafe’s fish stew was out of this world.

“I’m going to have to try to make that fish stew,” Carmen said after their server had removed their plates.

“If you do that, I’m coming over for dinner.”

She laughed. “I’ll make it for you. Or at least my version of it. I like to try my own take on different foods I’ve sampled and enjoyed.”

“Yeah? How does that work out for you?”

“Generally pretty good. They may not taste exactly the same, but I add different flavors to make it my own.”

“So you like to experiment.” Since they’d both declined dessert, he handed his credit card to the server. “Try new things.”

“Of course. Keeps me from getting bored. I don’t like to cook the same things over and over.”

“And I don’t like to eat the same things over and over. See how well matched we are?”

She laughed. “Like we’re meant to be.”

As they left the restaurant, Carmen rubbed her stomach. “I need to walk five miles to burn off that dinner.”

“I’ve got a better idea.”

They got into the car, and he drove out of the area. Carmen spent her time looking out the window at all the scenery, at the people who were out at night wandering around. Since it was summer, there were even more tourists populating the streets of Miami.

They ended up back at the hotel. Rafe handed off the truck to the valet. She thought they were going upstairs, but then a car came for them.

“No place to park where we’re going,” he said.

“Okay.” She was enjoying this mystery.

The drive didn’t take long. The first thing she noticed was all the people. Then the music. Latin music. Loud and boisterous, making her want to move, to dance. The driver stopped, and Rafe got out, holding his hand for her. She scooted out of the vehicle, and the music grew louder.

“Little Havana?” she asked.

Rafe smiled and nodded, and Carmen’s nerve endings fluttered with excitement. They walked past clubs where musicians played drums and trumpets, and all she wanted to do was stop and listen and dance. But she also wanted to see everything, experience all that Little Havana had to offer. There was so much color, so much culture offered up by this group of exuberant, beautiful people.

They finally stopped at Ball & Chain, a vibrant, clearly hot venue, noted by the number of people milling about both inside and outside. Her body was already swaying to the music while they stood outside waiting to get in.

Rafe took her hand and skirted them around the ridiculously long line, making his way to the door where two bouncers were checking people in.

One of the guys obviously knew him.

“Hey, Rafe.”

“How’s it going, Carlo? Busy night.”

“Crazy busy,” Carlo said. “Just you and your girl here?”

Rafe nodded. “Yeah.”

The guy motioned with his head. “Go on in.”

“Thanks, buddy.”

“Anytime.”

As they walked inside, the music grew louder. Carmen took it all in. People smashed together dancing, so much color, from the lights on the ceiling to everyone’s clothes to the band to—everything. The smell of sweat and alcohol fueled her, and she felt nothing but utter joy.

She turned to Rafe. “I can’t believe you got us in here.”

He shrugged. “It helps to know people. I’ve known Carlo since he lived in our neighborhood. We stay in touch, so I know he works at this place.”

So useful. And Carmen was deliriously happy that they were here.

Rafe worked them toward the bar, which was crowded with people. But these were her people, so everyone was laughing and drinking, and they had no problem hustling their way in, where they ordered mojitos and watched the bartender flip bottles and entertain them while mixing drinks.

“Think you can flip a bottle around your back and catch it in midair?” she asked Rafe.

“I can totally flip a bottle around my back.”

She cracked a smile. “So can I. What you’re saying is between the two of us we’d have a huge mess to clean up.”

“Yup.”

The bartender served them their mojitos. Carmen took a sip. It was sweet and delicious, and the mint revived her senses.

They moved away from the crowded bar. Luckily, a couple got up and left their table just as she and Rafe were passing by, so they took a seat right near the dance floor.

Carmen drank her mojito and wriggled in her seat as she listened to the energy of the salsa music.

Rafe got up and hauled her out of her seat. “Let’s go.”

“We’ll lose our table.”

“That’s okay. You want to be on the dance floor, don’t you?”

“More than anything.”

He grinned. “Then let’s dance.”

“Now you’re talking.”

She took several long swallows of her drink, finishing it off, which she knew would go to her head in a hurry, but she didn’t care. Not when the music called to her. Rafe held on to her hand while he led her into the middle of the crush of people on the floor. She figured they’d each move separately to the music, which would have been fine with her. What she hadn’t counted on was him taking her into his arms and leading her into a rhythmic salsa dance, spinning her and using his hands to guide her.

Wow. Rafe could dance. She watched his movements, the way he moved his hips and feet and the confident way he turned her as if he’d been doing this his entire life. He was perfectly at ease on the floor, grinning at her as he spun her around and even dipped her a few times, which made her laugh.

By the time the song ended, she was drenched in perspiration and utterly satisfied. They even got a few claps from the other couples around them.

They stayed out there for two more songs. By then Carmen was dehydrated and desperate for water, so they left the dance floor and went back to the bar for a drink. They both got water to drink.

“You can dance,” she said.

He shrugged. “A little.”

She laughed. “More than a little. You’re amazing.”

“You can move, too.”

“Thanks. Where did you learn to dance like that?”

“I dated a dancer once. She gave me a few lessons.”

“More than a few, I would imagine.”

“On my days off, I’d meet her at the club where she worked. She gave lessons, so rather than just sitting around and watching, I joined in.”

Smart guy. “It paid off.”

“Yeah, she was good at her job.”

She sipped her water and enjoyed standing under the cool air-conditioning. “Why did you two break up?”

“She was only in Ft. Lauderdale for a short gig. She was moving on to Orlando, then to St. Petersburg. It was never anything serious for either of us. Just fun. But she was really sweet. Last I heard, she was dancing for an off-Broadway show.”

“That’s awesome.”

“Yeah, it is. I hope she ends up on Broadway. That was always her dream.”

Carmen liked that Rafe had nice things to say about one of his ex-girlfriends. So many men only talked shit about their exes. “Then I hope her dream comes true, too.”

He looked at her and smiled. “She’d like you.”

“She would? Why?”

“Because you like to dance.”

She laughed. “I definitely don’t dance as much as I used to.”

He swept her hair away from her face. “You’re beautiful when you dance. Your whole body moves to the music. I like watching your hips sway.”

“You had your own hip action going out there.”

He leaned in and brushed his lips across hers for a brief kiss, then said, “I can show you some hip action later.”

She had just cooled off, but his words ignited a fire deep inside of her. “I’m counting on it.”

They went back out on the floor and danced again, taking occasional breaks to have cocktails and water.

Carmen was having the time of her life. She hadn’t danced this much in years. The crowd was friendly and boisterous and drove her enthusiasm. Who wouldn’t have a great time dancing with all these people?

By one a.m., though, her feet were throbbing and she was more than ready to leave.

She sat in the chair and kicked her right shoe off to rub her foot. When Rafe came back from the restroom, he crouched down in front of her.

“Done, princess?”

She gave him a nod. “So done.”

He stood and held out his hand. “Come on. I’ll call a car for us, and we’ll head back to the hotel.”

She slipped her shoe on and winced, deciding that maybe these heels hadn’t been the best idea. All she wanted now was to get back to the hotel, take her shoes off and go to bed.

But as they waited outside for the car, she leaned against Rafe’s shoulder and thought about what a wonderful time she’d had tonight.

And she had Rafe to thank for it.