Keys

The morning light of a bright new day in Mexico stabbed Keys’ eyeballs into a state of grumpy awake. He refused to open them. Instead, he mentally reviewed his inner checklist, the same way he’d been reviewing it for the last few months.

Hungover. Check. Woman next to me. Check. Wild night of sex. Check, check, and triple check. That’s where the similarities ended. First off, the sex had been fantastic, even though he and Mia had been drunk. Best sex ever. Secondly, Trevor was nowhere in the room and hadn’t been when the sex had occurred. If he were, there would be a fistfight in Keys’ future, and he was too hungover to form a decent fist. Besides, there’s the insurance policy on my hands. And—this was a big difference—no boredom or discontent plagued him. He’d accomplished his mission and got the girl. Only, with this girl, he didn’t want to show her the door and never see her again. Instead, he craved her with urgency, the likes of which he’d never experienced before. And this little fact scared the shit out of him.

“I need coffee,” Mia mumbled from her side of the bed. “And aspirin. Lots and lots of both. And then a walk on the beach to clear my head.”

Without turning to face her, Keys fumbled for the white landline next to him. He managed to press the right button to connect with room service.

“Señor Johnson?”

“That’s me,” Keys said.

“How may I help you?” said the male voice at the other end of the line.

“Coffee, aspirin and some sort of pastry and fruit,” Keys said, figuring Mia to be a breakfast kind of woman since she’d ordered eggs the day before. “Copious amounts of the first two on the list.”

The guy chuckled. “We’ve been getting similar requests all morning.”

“Huh,” said Keys, not caring to chat.

“We’ll bring it right up.”

“Thank you,” Keys said, then placed the handset back in the cradle. “It’s on its way,” he said, still not looking at Mia. He scrubbed his face with his hands.

“Thank you,” she said.

“You’re welcome.” I need water. He glanced at the side stand and found a half-finished bottle of water. Lifting his head, he poured the contents into his mouth and swallowed it on one long glug.

Figuring he stunk to high hell, he rolled his naked body out of bed and staggered toward the bathroom. He tugged on the water spout, and warm water streamed from the large, glistening conch shell embedded in the wall. Should I have invited Mia to shower with me? He wanted to, but everything seemed awkward in the light of day—especially the part about him not wanting to kick her out of bed. After relieving himself in the toilet, he stepped into the roomy stone shower stall. He picked up a bottle of girly shower gel and squirted some into his hand. Lifting it to his nose, he took a sniff. Damn. It smells like Mia. His longing for her spiked. Stop this. You don’t want to get involved with anyone.

Hoping he could make his cock happy and drop-kick his need for Mia, he brought his hand to his hardening length and pumped. He imagined himself deep inside her sweet pussy, the way he’d been last night. With water sluicing all over him, his hand moved quickly up and down his shaft. The sudden orgasm surprised him, and he let out a deep groan. His fluids swirled down the drain. As he watched it swirl, he wished it would suck his desire down the drain. But, no. He found he only wanted more of Mia. I’m in deep shit. This is what it felt like with Sarah in the beginning.

After he’d washed his hair and his body and shaved around his Van Dyke, he wrapped a towel around his waist and exited the bathroom.

Mia sat on the balcony, nibbling a pastry. A mug of coffee sat by her robe-clad side.

He grabbed a mug and filled it with coffee from the small round table where the coffee dispenser had been placed. Then, he trekked to the fridge and snagged a bottle of water. While holding both beverages, he made his way out to where Mia sat.

She gave him a long side-eye and got back to her ocean gazing. “Looks like the clean-up crew has their work cut out for them.”

While setting his coffee and water on the teak table, he glanced at the resort staff, all scurrying around the beach, filling plastic bags with the fallout of last night. “Seems so,” he said, then, took a sip of his coffee. He rested his backside on the deck chair and reached for the water. After twisting off the top, he drank the entire bottle in one long gulp. When he was done, he lowered his head to find Mia staring at him.

A glint of something like voracious hunger sparkled in her caramel-colored eyes. She quickly averted her gaze.

The gesture was enough to let him know she liked what she saw. He allowed a small smile to christen his face for the first time this morning.

“What?” she said, cheeks flaming.

“Nothing,” he said. “Sleep well?”

“Boy, did I. I think it was all the alcohol and the hearty workout we got last night.” She took another bite of pastry. “Thanks for ordering these, by the way. They’re fantastic.”

“You’re welcome.”

“So,” she said, finally meeting his gaze full on. “Want to walk on the beach with me?”

“You want me to?” he said, surprised.

“Yes,” she said, squinting slightly.

“Then, I’d love to,” he said, surprising himself.

“I need to go take a shower, too. I’ll be right back.” She popped the rest of the pastry in her mouth, washed it down with coffee, and swung her pretty legs off the chair.

“Can I watch?” he said.

“No!” She playfully slapped his arm and rose to her feet.

As she sashayed away, Keys eyed her luscious backside. Damn, damn, damn. What’s come over me? I know what I’d like to come over me…or, rather, who. He groaned and threw back his head. I’m a dead man walking.

Twenty minutes later, they stepped onto the sand. Keys didn’t reach for her hand, but he stayed close enough to feel the warmth emanating from her skin. He scanned for signs of the rest of the group. The last person he wanted to encounter was Gia. She’d given him an earful last night about how much she valued Mia’s friendship and to keep it in his pants, or, at the very least, let Mia off easy the next day. Which happens to be today and she still seems happy, since I haven’t let her go anywhere.

Still, last night marched between him and Mia like an elephant. He wanted to find out if she enjoyed herself, but no way would he ask her. Instead, he busied his restless mind by staring at the sea, and the people, all in various stages of undress, cavorting in the waves.

“Keys,” Mia said, snapping him from his musing.

“Yeah?” he said.

“Did you, um…did you enjoy yourself with me last night? I mean, you’re this experienced lover. And, I’m not saying I have no experience, but I’m certain I have far less than you.” She let out a nervous sounding laugh.

Do I tell her it was the best damn sex I’ve ever had, sober or drunk? Do I tell her it was better than any sex I had with Sarah? The idea of getting all open and vulnerable with her made him twitchy. “Yes, I did,” he said simply. “You?”

“Yes,” she gushed. “God, yes. I let myself go last night, and it felt so good.” A frown formed on her face. “I shouldn’t have asked. I mean, you don’t seem cruel or anything. You had to say something nice to me. I’m sorry I said anything.”

“Hey,” he said, gently grasping her arm. He turned her to face him. “I meant what I said. I enjoyed you last night. A lot… I’m not the kind of guy to spew bullshit if I didn’t enjoy the moment.” He let out a rueful laugh. Ask the wake of angry lovers I’ve left along the wayside who always wanted more from me.

She squinted one eye and peered at him out of the other. “You really enjoyed it? Like, on a scale of one to ten, I qualified for an eight, maybe?”

“It was a solid twenty. Maybe even a fifty,” Keys said. His heartbeat raced at the confession.

“Really?” The most breathtaking smile spread on her face.

“Yes, really. Let’s keep walking.” He turned and took her hand, not wanting to get any more vulnerable than this.

She swung their hands between them. A sweet smile danced across her face.

With their hands swinging to and fro, an unwelcome feeling of shared intimacy clawed into Keys’ heart. His breath caught in his throat. A suffocating sensation of dread washed through his limbs. He shook his head, trying to toss the feeling aside.

“You all right?” Mia said, peering up at him.

“Me? Sure. Fine.” The corners of his mouth lifted in a fake smile. It was the kind of smile usually reserved for all the nameless faces he banged. Christ. Get a grip. He tried to soften the smile into a real one, but his face refused to yield.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Mia said.

“Yes. I’m fine.” His feet moved faster until Mia practically ran next to him.

“What’s the rush?” she said.

“I don’t know.” When they turned the corner, heading toward the secluded cove where they’d shared their first kiss, he knew. He wanted her. Not just a little want, like craving a bang or a joint or something, either—this kind of desire burned through him like a forest fire. And there’s that enticing cabana. Without asking for her consent, he hooked his hand behind her neck and lowered his mouth for another scorching kiss. His mouth ground against hers. His tongue dueled with hers. A thrilling sensation shot through him, warring with his terror of getting too close. With his mind a jumbled mess of contradictory thoughts, he disconnected from the kiss. “Christ, almighty, I want you, Mia.”

“I’m yours for the taking, Keys,” she said, her lips swollen and juicy from his savage kiss.

He backed her toward the cabana, nipping at her neck, her shoulder, and nibbling her jaw the entire way. When her legs touched the edge of the bed-size pillow, he eased her yellow top from one shoulder. He trailed kisses along her silken skin, stoking his libido. He nipped at her neck. His tongue lapped at her skin, tracing a path to her breasts.

Mia’s head lolled back, and she moaned, tugging on his short hair.

“This top is in my way. Take it off, woman,” he teased.

She willingly obliged, yanking it over her head. Without asking, she moved her hands behind her back and unhooked the top of her bikini, flinging it aside once she’d undone the clasp.

“Sit,” Keys said.

She sat on the plump white cushion placed in the center of the cabana.

Keys dropped to his knees in the sand and urged her legs wide, so he could get close. He grasped her breasts, then fit his mouth over one of her rosy nipples and sucked. The musky taste added to his arousal. His hands massaged and kneaded her perfect mounds. His hard dick strained inside his shorts, desperate to be inside of her. Did I bring a condom? Please let me have brought a condom. I tucked my sunglasses case in my pocket, right? He always tucked a condom inside the glasses case. He hoped he’d brought the case. His hangover had hampered his ability to focus on anything except for a headache.

He released a hand from one luscious breast and patted his shirt pocket. Yes! Reassured that he came prepared, he let out a breath and looked into her beautiful eyes.

Light and heat emanated from her gaze. With her bruised lips parted, something about the way she regarded him stirred his feral impulses. “I don’t remember everything we did last night. But today, I’m going to savor every moment.”

“Me, too,” she breathed.

“Lay back,” he urged.

She spread out on the white pillow, looking every bit a goddess. Her long obsidian-colored hair spread out all around her head in a fan.

Every cell in his body seemed to beg to be with her. This desire he felt for her consumed him. Reaching for her waistband, he tugged her shorts from her hips. The bikini bottom came off next. “Glorious,” he whispered. “You’re fucking amazing.”

“You are too,” she said.

He pushed aside her thighs with his palms, lowered his head, and swiped his tongue along her folds. “You taste divine. Pure nectar.”

Mia grabbed the fabric of the pillow with her fingers and arched her back.

He lapped at her silk, amazed at how she responded to his touch. Nothing about her seemed forced or fake. Most of the girls he got dirty with seemed like actors in a play, all auditioning for a part. Not Mia. She simply opened herself to him.

As his tongue flicked her clit, he thrust two fingers inside of her.

She let out a moan. “Keys,” she breathed. “You’re driving me crazy.”

He chuckled against her sweet pussy as he licked and sucked and finger-fucked her.

Behind him, the waves crashed and surged. The sun beat down on his backside, warming him through his cotton shirt. He feasted on Mia, playing her like a solo on the keyboard.

“Keys,” she cried. “You’re making me…oh, my…this orgasm is…” She let go into a writhing moan, pounding the pillows with her fists. “Oh, Keys!”

Her calling his name while in the throes of bliss sent a charge of electric satisfaction through his bloodstream. He’d never been so happy to hear a woman call his name.

He lifted his mouth from her and let out a laugh. “You are so beautiful, Mia.” He pulled his glasses case from his pocket, retrieved the condom, and shoved down his shorts. Moving quickly, he rolled the latex over his length and lowered himself between Mia’s toned legs. He slid deep and groaned, realizing he rarely, if ever, fucked anyone while sober. Everything with her felt like a new experience. Once he was balls deep, he kissed her. “You taste so good,” he murmured into her lips. “I can’t keep it all to myself.”

She nipped at his lips with her teeth, drawing a sharp sting.

“Oh, yeah. That’s hot.” As his hips thrust inside of her, he ravaged her lips. Same as in the shower this morning, his orgasm came hot, hard, and fast. Usually, he had more control. As he shot his release inside of her, he cried, “Mia. Oh, God, woman.” Once spent, he rolled to the side and pulled her with him until they both lay side by side. He didn’t look at her—he couldn’t look at her. Looking at her revealed a depth of intimacy, he didn’t want to face.

He contemplated the depth of full-body, heart, and soul pleasure he’d just experienced. He should be feeling great, ready to zonk out for a few. But no. Whatever satisfaction he’d hoped to get from screwing her didn’t happen. Instead, the reverse occurred. His craving for her only increased.

His breathing grew shallow until he thought he might pass out.

“Keys,” Mia said.

“What?” he said.

“You’re breathing like a hamster on a wheel over there. What’s going on?”

“Nothing. Nothing’s going on.”

“You’re thinking about something,” she said, arching back to meet his gaze.

“Am I?” he said, blinking rapidly. “Only about how hot you are.” Another one of his forced smiles made an appearance.

“You didn’t like it?” she said, her eyebrows stitching together.

“I didn’t say that. I liked what we just did.” A lot. Too much. “You’re hot.” He knew he sounded lame, but he couldn’t help himself. He felt as if he were being swallowed by quicksand, helpless to free himself. “We should probably get back.”

“Okay.” Mia rolled away from him and climbed from the cabana. She scoured the area for her clothes.

He got to his feet and did the same. Did I piss her off? What did I do?

Once dressed, he kept about a yard between them as they walked back to the resort.

She put her hands over her eyes and squinted. “Looks like they got the beach all clean.”

“Looks like it,” he said agreeably.

People lounged everywhere—in the white cabanas, on towels, in the surf. Ahead, a tall, yellow-haired woman, made her way toward them.

“Oh, boy. My watchdog is coming,” Keys muttered.

Gia put her hand over her head and waved. “Hey, you two,” she called over the surf. When she got closer, she scrutinized them. “Everything okay?”

“It’s fine,” Mia said, without too much enthusiasm.

“Everything’s good,” Keys said, placing his arm around Mia’s shoulders. He didn’t want to set off Gia’s alarm bells. “Peachy keen. What’s up?”

“We’re all heading out to zip-line in the jungle. You’re coming,” Gia said.

“Not me. I’m scared of heights,” Mia said, trying to slip away from Keys’ grip.

“Are you?” Keys said, holding her in place. The fear of intimacy which had seized him earlier dissipated like fog. “Heights are fun. I’ll ease you through it. Come on, it will be a blast.”

“You’ll help me?” Mia said, looking up at him with a frown.

“Of course. You’ll see. Once you take the first jump, the rest is all about letting go.” This time he smiled a genuine smile, well aware that he might consider taking his own advice.

Mia returned the smile. “Okay, I’m in.”

“Good. We’re all copacetic,” Gia said, hooking her arm around Mia from the side opposite Keys. “The van awaits us.”

A short while later, Keys stood next to Mia, in a lush Mayan rainforest, assessing the closest zip-line high overhead at the Eco Maya All Day Adventures park. “It might look like you’re high in the sky…”

“I will be high in the sky,” Mia said, her eyes wide.

“Okay, you will be high in the sky, but you’ll be totally secure. Attached to ropes and cables and a rock-solid harness. Nothing’s going to happen to you, sweetness.” Keys placed his hand on her shoulder. “They have safety standards to adhere to. They’d be closed down in a snap if anything happened to a guest.”

“Accidents happen all the time,” Mia said, lifting her hand to her mouth to nibble on one of her fingernails.

“You’re not going to be a casualty,” Keys said. He turned and looked intently into her eyes.

“You don’t know that. You can’t know that,” Mia said, still nibbling on her nail.

Effie strode up to her. “I was scared to death when Zander took me on my first zipline adventure. It’s exhilarating. You’ll see. You’re going to love it.” She beamed.

Mia inhaled deeply and huffed out a breath. “Where is Zander, by the way?”

Effie glanced over her shoulder toward the small wooden kiosk about twenty yards away. “He’s paying for everyone. Today is his treat. I think he was getting all tweaked at everything being paid for by Marked Love. Billionaires…” she added with a roll of her eyes.

Mia laughed.

“More like Alpha males,” Keys said, scoffing.

“Says the guy who wants to bash Heat’s head in if he looks at me wrong,” Mia said, affectionately. She rubbed Keys’ biceps.

The contact felt warm and intimate, like they shared small secrets all the time.

Keys eyed Effie, searching for a reaction.

None came. Unlike Zander, Effie didn’t drill Keys a new hole. She simply smiled at him and Mia.

Good. I have at least one supportive person here.

When Zander strolled over, however, accompanied by the roadies, Heat, Dante, and Kennedy, he cut a sharp glance at Keys.

Dante added his own dark glare.

Keys stiffened until Zander addressed the group.

“Okay, everyone, get ready for our adventure. I bought the All-Access pass so you can zip to your heart’s content. There are cenotes to sail over, forests…they even have a gator pool beneath one of the zip-lines.” Zander grinned.

“Oh, hell, no,” said Noah.

“Relax,” Zander said. “They’re old gators.”

“Do they still have teeth?” Noah said.

“Probably,” Zander said. “Don’t worry. You’ll be securely strapped in. Eco Maya buys all their equipment from my company. I stand behind every rope, every strap, every ‘biner.”

“It’s the best,” Effie said.

“See what I mean?” Keys said to Mia.

Gia scurried over from the kiosk dragging Marcos. “Oh, my God,” she said, laughing. “They had to search everywhere for a harness big enough for Brutus.” She pointed at Marcos.

Marcos held his hands out, palms up. “What can I say? I’m a big guy. Ex-Marine and all that.”

“Did they find one?” Mia said.

“Yes! Finally!” Gia said.

“I’ll have to get with their inventory manager,” Zander said. “They should be able to accommodate all sizes.”

“You do that,” Gia said. “But, at the moment, let’s get rocking. There’s a zip-line waiting for me.” She led Marcos over to the steps leading up to the first zip-line.

“You’ve got this,” Effie said to Mia. “Think ‘I’m going to let go, and have fun,’ and then…let go. I clutched up the first time and looked like an idiot bobbing on the overhead cable. Meanwhile, Zander glided along the line like an acrobat.”

“You were cute,” Zander said, pushing a strand of hair away from Effie’s face.

“Says Mr. Adventure,” Mia said. She looked up at Keys. “Ready?”

“Are you ready?” Keys said.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she said. She turned and resolutely marched toward the steps.

Keys laughed and followed her.

At the top landing, Keys stood next to Mia, as they both got fitted in their harnesses and helmets. She looked so dang sexy in her shorts and skin-tight t-shirt he thought he might explode.

Once they were outfitted, instructions were given, and their harnesses had been affixed to the cables, they stood side by side at the edge.

“Just say the word, and we’re off,” Keys said, grinning.

“You want me to say the word?” Mia said, blinking.

“Sure.”

“What word should I say?” she said. Her dark hair spilled around her shoulders, bringing to mind its softness when it trailed over Keys’ chest last night.

A fantasy worked its way into his mind, of taking her in the thick forest. Turning Mia around to face a tree and taking her from behind…nice.

“Well?” she said.

“What?” he said, coming out of his stupor. “I don’t know. We’re in Mexico, so say, olé, or Que Bueno or something.”

“Okay,” she said. She turned to face the chasm below. “Que Bueno!” she shouted and leaped from the platform.

Keys quickly followed.

“Holy moly!” Mia cried as she whizzed along the line. “This is fantastic!”

Her face glowed with excitement, stirring all sorts of alien feelings in his chest.

“You’re beautiful!” he yelled, then, he turned his attention to the beauty all around him.

A distant river coiled through the green forest. The sun shone in a clear blue sky.

Unfamiliar lightness filled Keys’ heart. He enjoyed the hell out of being around Mia…just being with her eased the ache of loneliness he usually carried around like his ball and chain.

They reached the landing, and two staff members, dressed in bright pink polo shirts, grabbed their lines and unhooked them from the cable.

“Did you like the ride, señorita?” the guy who unclipped Mia said. His name tag read “Felipe.” He grinned at Mia in a manner that boiled Keys’ testosterone.

Keys took her hand, establishing dominance. “What did you think, Mia?”

“Oh, my God! I loved it!” she exclaimed. “Where’s the next one?”

“It’s right over here,” Felipe said, pointing to another landing across a rope bridge.

“Let’s go, Keys.” She yanked on his hand, sending a small thrill up his arm.

The day proceeded with the two of them flying over gorgeous scenery, swimming in pristine cenotes, and enjoying churros near a waterfall. Mia’s enthusiasm over the adventure made Keys happy, pure, and simple. He experienced a closeness to her that he’d never felt before.

By the time the day ended, Keys still wanted more of Mia. He helped her from the van in the parking lot of Hidden Shores.

The sky had begun to darken into a deep Cerulean blue. A few stars made an early appearance.

“I’ve really got to go to the bathroom,” she said. “See you in the room?”

“Sure thing,” Keys said, his mind already churning fantasies of the sex to come. He adjusted his shorts to make room for his growing length as he watched her scurry away.

“You’re doing it again,” someone said from behind him.

“What?” he said, pivoting around.

“You’re doing it again,” Trevor said, sauntering toward him.

“Just what do you think I’m doing again?” Keys said, his joy over the day suddenly overtaken by annoyance.

Dante eyed him as he passed, shaking his head.

“Fuck off, Fearless Leader,” Keys said, annoyance spiking in his belly.

“What?” Dante said. “I just glanced at you.”

“No, you gave me that look you’ve been giving me all week like I’m a walking heartbreaker,” Keys said.

Dante waved his hand at Keys and kept on walking. “Looked like you enjoyed yourself today,” he called over his shoulder. “It’s nice to see.”

Keys turned back to Trevor, still spoiling for a fight. “What did you mean by ‘I’m doing it again?’”

“You know what I’m talking about,” Trevor said. “You can’t have a casual relationship with a woman. You get all weird and obsessed. You did the same thing with Sarah.” He jabbed Keys in the chest.

“Sarah was a sick fuck,” Keys said, jabbing him back.

“And you were an even sicker fuck when you were with her, or have you forgotten? You bought her bullshit. You sided with her over everything. We all thought we’d lose you to her, and we did.” Trevor stood too close.

“And so you think that since I had a bad relationship with one woman, I’m going to do the exact same thing again, am I right? Maybe Mia’s different,” Keys said, stepping backward. “Maybe I’m different.” I am, right? I’m not doing the same thing I did with Sarah, right? The twist forming in his gut told him a different story. Shit. I’m falling for Mia, aren’t I? His heart raced in his chest like a wild dog.

“If you were that different, then why have you cut me off for the last couple of weeks, huh?” Trevor’s face grew red.

“Is that what this is about? You miss me?” Keys said. He glanced over his shoulder.

Mia stood on their balcony.

Can she see me? Is she looking at me? He tugged Trevor out of view of the room. “Say it, Trevor. Tell me this isn’t about me, it’s about you. You’re jealous.”

“You’re my best friend, Keys,” Trevor said, his eyes growing watery. “My fucking best friend. Until a couple of weeks ago, we did everything together. Now you’re doing everything with her.” He flung his arm in the direction of the resort. “We’re here in fucking Mexico with so many hotties around I can’t keep track of them.”

“So, go and have a threesome with Noah or Sam,” Keys said, waving his arms wildly. “I’m sure they’d be down with it.”

“I don’t want to have a fucking threesome with Noah or Sam. I want our friendship back!” Trevor looked close to tears. “You’re falling down the rabbit hole again, and I can’t stop you.”

For a few seconds, Keys couldn’t think of a thing to say. His mind filled with images of his fucked-up relationship with Sarah. All the heartbreak that went along with loving her… Trevor’s right. I’m losing it. He willfully stuffed every good feeling he’d experienced today into a trunk in his mind and locked the lid. “So, let’s go. Let’s go find some hotties to fuck,” he said.

“You mean it?” Trevor said, his expression as bright as a sunrise.

“Absolutely. Let’s call a car and see what Cancun has to offer,” Keys said, throwing his arm around Trevor.

A new plan formed in his brain. Get wasted and forget about Mia Song. He couldn’t help himself. All these feelings of intimacy and closeness could only end badly. He couldn’t take the chance of falling for Mia. The thing was…he’d already fallen. The best thing he could do was break her before she broke his heart.