Mariposa kept up the small talk over breakfast. Zekia had picked her up from the room. The morning sun blazed down on the covered area on the back deck that overlooked the large below. She could tell from the way Zekia was trying hard not to act differently that something had happened last night. Her childhood friend must be into her. His interest in knowing the truth was more than just wanting to know.
“So, are you going to give Javi some play?” she asked at last.
It was getting too hot outside to keep sitting there. Zekia shrugged.
“I was thinking about it.”
Mariposa’s mouth fell open. She hopped up and down in her chair with wide eyes.
“Did something happen? You haven’t—”
“No,” snapped Zekia. “We just kissed and flirted. I’m telling you, it’s something about Javi that makes me weak at the knees. His walk, that look, that roughness,” she finished with a moan.
“It’s gonna be that dick…that’s what,” drawled Mariposa with a deep eye roll.
At Zekia’s cold stare, Mari explained. “I don’t fuck friends, so fix your face,” she hissed. “I’m talking about from school. Once a few girls gave him some and talked about it, the boy didn’t get much at school. They called him and Lucian the Elephant Brothers ‘cause their dicks are like trunks.”
“Damn! But you and Lucian did it, right?” whispered Zekia.
“I ain’t gonna lie, my ass cried. My only saving grace was that he was always too eager, so it didn’t last long,” replied Mariposa.
“Well, that’s a man now. I don’t see him as one who lacks control,” Zekia warned.
“So he’s told me.”
Zekia fell silent. They both stared into each other’s eyes until Zekia jumped.
“I’m gonna do it. Shit, if you were able to, I damn sure know I can,” she declared.
“Honey, if you fuck with Javier, you’re gonna lose your mind and that big ass you’re sitting on,” chuckled Mari.
“Are you going to give Lucian a chance?”
Mariposa chewed on her bottom lip as she glanced down at the pool. The blue water was like a mirror that reflected the sun above. It was so inviting.
“You ever get the feeling you’re being played?”
She looked back to find Zekia’s narrowed gaze on her.
“I don’t get the feeling he’s talking out the side of his mouth about you. He really wants you. You see it in the way he looks at you.”
“I agree. Lucian and I have a history that even I haven’t gotten over if I’m honest. I know that once I let him in, he isn’t going to budge.”
“Then what are you talking about?” asked Zekia.
“I’m talking about my father. I think he knows more than he’s letting on. All day yesterday was a fucking run around,” fumed Mari.
“I’m thinking either he doesn’t want you sticking your nose into something or he’s trying to save you from the truth. You always said your father was shady,” Zekia pointed out.
“It’s too late for that, Zekia. I’m going to find out where my dad is or what happened to him,” Mariposa promised.
“All I’m saying is you are the government. You can’t get yourself tangled in anything that will mess that up. Then you’ll be in the same shoes your father is in: ex-military with a record.”
“So, what would you do?” snapped Mariposa, getting annoyed.
“Hey, no need to get stank now,” huffed Zekia as she shifted in her seat. “You already know what I’ll do ‘cause I’ve done it. You can’t let family drag you down. You can love them, but if they want to act stupid, let ‘em. If everyone is on the same defected ship, nobody will make it to the island.”
“Oh Lord, you and your Jamaican proverbs,” teased Mariposa.
“Nice to see you two laughing.”
They both looked up to find Javier coming toward them.
“What you two hens cackling about?” he teased.
“We were talking about dicks, nosy,” laughed Mariposa.
She looked behind Javier to see Lucian heading their way.
Javier’s eyebrow rose. “No need to talk about it when you can experience it.”
Mariposa’s gaze darted back and forth between Javi and Zekia. The sexual tension there was obvious. Neither one broke eye connect as a challenge was put down.
I give it three…four days tops, she considered as she shook her head comically. She looked up at her own temptation who was now towering over her.
Lord, why? she cried.
It was the first day Lucian had chosen to wear street clothes. All the other times had been dress shirts and slacks. However, today he was in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt that strained to cover his muscular chest. It was as if the pants were made just for him. They hung just right on his hips. His shirt stopped to show a bit of his tan stomach and the light brown hairline that disappeared in his jeans. His tattoos and bad boy swag were her weakness. She held her legs tightly together to savor the throbbing his presence created.
“You before me.”
Mariposa glanced over at Zekia. From her words and the nasty look on her face, she knew what her friend meant. Zekia had seen the thirst in her eyes. She was promising that Mari was going to give it up first.
“I don’t think so, boo,” Mari sassed back.
“We’ll see.”
“How about you both give in at the same time? That way, he won’t be jealous when I get wet first,” suggested Lucian.
“Shit,” laughed Javi.
Mariposa licked her lips.
Maybe I’ll tap out first, after all, she considered.
“What do you have planned for us today?” she asked.
It wasn’t what she said, but how she said it that got everyone’s attention. Her husky tone made the innocent question anything but. Lucian pinned her with his gaze. Yesterday, she had been all business. She had fought off and ignored every attempt on his behalf to get close to her. However, from the way she looked at him with a mischievous grin on her full lips, something had changed. He didn’t care if it was because Mari wanted to follow behind Zekia, he was ready and able to ride the wave and her fine ass into the sunset.
Taking the chance to show her instead of speaking, he leaned down towards her upturned face. His eyes focused on hers while he moved to read her reaction. Pausing for a heartbeat, he claimed her willing mouth. Nothing seemed to exist at that moment. No sound, no air, no earth, just Mari. In all the times he had recalled in his mind kissing her, it didn’t compare to the real thing. The floodgates swung open.
Before she knew it, Mari was jerked from her chair. Lucian had moved fast to cause her chair to fall backwards. His hands cupped her ass while crushing her to his body to feel his hard cock.
“I’m happy to see you aren’t too proud to be taught,” teased Zekia at the way he was staring at the couple kissing.
Javier had forgotten Zekia was there. He had been too focused on what had just happened. A deep frown creased his handsome face.
“Hey, hey…that’s enough,” he grunted. “I don’t want to see that shit,” he said, annoyed. Mariposa was like a sister to him, and Lucian was like a brother.
They both stepped back as if they had been burned. An expression of surprise, lust
and more were on their faces.
“I’m sorry,” mumbled Lucian quickly.
Mariposa stood, confused. His mood had turned dark. It sent a shiver down her spine.
“I had come out here to tell you the tour is going to be a short one,” Javi began.
Lucian heard him talking, but his mind was miles away. His eyes were still locked on Mari. He worked his jaw as he tried to control his mounting emotions. He wanted her so fucking bad. He roamed over the white and blue striped romper she was wearing. The extra weight she had put on was perfect. Her breasts, thighs, and ass were the right size to create the curves he couldn’t wait to commit to memory. His nostrils flared with the desire that coursed through him. He blinked at her high pitch voice and angry glare she suddenly gave him. His look was replaced with one of cluelessness.
“What?” he asked.
“Javi just said Alicen is coming here,” Mariposa replied.
She plopped down in her chair. Lucian rolled his eyes. Javier shot her a warning with his eyes.
“So, you two are friends with her?” Mari snapped.
Javier could go crossed eyed staring, she didn’t care.
“She plans the events we host here,” Javi answered carefully.
“Hm, so that means, yes. Wow,” Mari spat. “You remember me telling you what I wouldn’t do?” she stated to Zekia. “Well, this chick did both.”
“Really?” remarked Zekia, stretching out the word.
“Look, don’t start shit—”
“Whatever,” said Zekia, cutting Javier off. “It’s cool. Hell, I’m still friends with my ex and a few ex-lovers. I even work with a few men I kept in rotation, so…” She shrugged as her words trailed off. She got to her feet and began walking past him.
Javier’s hand shot out to capture her arm. His fingers bit into her flesh before he was able to control his reaction. His narrowed gaze flashed amber. He was sure she was lying to piss him off, and it worked. For a split second, he had almost lost control. He could see Lucian moving to his side to ready himself to jump in if he needed to.
Her eyes widened at the sight of a shadow that seemed to surround him. She blinked and it disappeared. Javier flashed his even teeth as a cold grin spread across his face.
Hiding his eyes under hooded lids, his hand dropped to his side.
“I’m happy you’re mature enough to handle her coming,” he whispered.
Zekia rubbed her arm where his hand had been. She felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up. It was fear she felt. In that second, Javier’s handsomeness had become that of a cold killer. For the first time, she could glimpse the sharp edge of danger he wielded. She suddenly didn’t want to be alone with him.
“We can do the tour later since your friend is coming. Mariposa and I were going to take a swim anyway,” she said.
“That’s right,” Mari piped up. She wasn’t going anywhere. She wanted to see Alicen and she wanted the bitch to know she was here.
Javi could read her mind. He knew his actions were causing her to doubt the attraction she felt for him. He cursed mentally for letting the vile drop. His desire for Zekia was growing every second. He couldn’t take being knocked to zero. In spite of the object that was changing her to make her ready physically to receive him, the choice to take him as her own was still up to her.
“I had already told the kids to clean up and be on their best behavior for you. I can’t be held responsible for what they do as payback if you flake out,” he teased.
“Ugh,” she sighed with an eye roll. “Let’s go,” she smiled.
Zekia was amazed at the setup Javier and Lucian had created for the children. The tour began in the barn. Unlike the first day, the area was full of young boys working. He explained that the week consisted of three days of work and three days of school. The kids took shifts. One group went to school for four hours in the morning, while the other group worked. Then at eleven AM, the groups switched. School was the only time the girls mixed with the boys. He worked hard to make sure there was no sexual contact. Many of the children had deep issues that needed to be dealt with before they would be ready to handle a healthy relationship.
“How are you helping them with their sexual and physical abuse?” she asked as he held the door open for her to walk into the large building she had seen yesterday on the ATV ride back to the barn.
“There’s a staff of counselors who work with them in groups and one on one.”
She nodded. “I was hoping you and Lucian had help.”
He could see her eyes scanning everything. She seemed to express a deep interest in everything he said.
“I know I can’t do it all.” He smiled.
“Is there another place like this for the girls?”
He chuckled and shook his head. “No, they stay in the house with me. The entire left wing is theirs.”
“Ah, keeping the hens close, huh?” she laughed.
“Hell yes, no laying eggs on my watch,” he agreed.
Zekia fell silent while she toured the main floor that had a dining room, small kitchen for quick snacks, rec-room, and the sleeping area.
“Remember when you remarked on them learning more than farming?” At her nod, he led her into a room and flicked on the lights. “This room is where those kids that want more, like a trade, get their training.”
Zekia’s eyes grew as she looked around the room that was more like a huge warehouse. Clusters of tables had been grouped together to divide up the area. Large flat screen TVs hung on mounts from the ceiling.
“This is amazing,” she breathed in awe.
“Currently, the courses are AC and repair, computer programming and coding, and medical coding and transcription. We’re thinking of certificates that they can put to use in the real world once they leave. Like I told you, we have a network of people who help the kids get work visas and jobs.”
Zekia stood back. She was clearly impressed with all she had been shown.
“What about if you get caught? I mean, you are fuckin’ with somebody’s money here,” she said, taking a seat at one of the tables.
Javier lowered his head to examine his shoe.
“That has happened in the past,” he answered slowly.
“And?” she pressed.
“The sign ‘Trespassers will be shot on sight’ isn’t a decoration. I went to jail because I saved a little girl. The gang I ran with didn’t like it, so they sold me out to get rid of me. I had no problem serving my time ‘cause I did what I was charged with and I didn’t regret saving that girl.”
Zekia just stared in deep thought.
“So, what goes on here on the estate stays on the estate?”
“Yes. Does that bother you?” he questioned.
“I wanna say yes. I should say yes, but it doesn’t. I wouldn’t think twice if I was threatened. My family isn’t the best in the world, so I’m a little jaded,” she smirked.
Goddamn, finally, he thought.
“Zekia…your name, what is it?” he asked as he turned for the door.
Following her signal, he got to her feet and fell into step. “It’s Jamaican, but it could be Haitian. I got both.”
Javier pushed open the door and stepped to the side for her to exit. “I better not cross you or you’ll root me up,” he joked, closing the door.
“Not me, I never dabbled. I have family that does that shit,” she frowned. “I know it’s a cultural thing for them, but I don’t do it.”
He kept his face void of his thoughts. That was all he needed to know. It didn’t answer all his questions, but it did explain why she was chosen. It had something to do with her ancestors.
“I have a grandmother who’s into roots.”
Zekia stumbled in her steps. She snapped her head to the side to glare at him.
“Bullshit.”
“No shit. She’s thought of very highly, and my sister is too.”
She stopped in her tracks. “What about you?”
He replied without skipping a beat. “I respect them because that’s my family. My mother divorced herself from all of that and moved us here. We suffered greatly. After she had died, it was my grandparents who came to the rescue. They are my family, so I accept them for what they are,” he explained. He peppered his response with bits of truth to make it sound truthful.
“Hm,” she said before she began to walk on. “I can see why you’re single. It’s going to take a special woman to handle you and all your baggage,” she grumbled.
“Here I thought I found her,” he teased.
Zekia cut her eyes at him. “This is work with benefits, Javier. I’m not dumb. I would like to believe that after I go home, we’ll still be friends, and we might be for a while, but I’m not expecting more,” she promised with a smile.
His only response was a smirk. Javier had already called her employer to alert him that Zekia would be staying much longer. He had told the man he had been so taken with her that he was going to give her an exclusive that would take time to compile. Her boss had practically choked on his own spit. Javier never spoke to the press. It was always Lucian. For him to have called in person was like finding a gold mine. Zekia was his. She would be the only woman he would love from this point on. Strangely, the idea of being with her didn’t bother him at all. In fact, it excited him. His grandmother had done very well in her choice, which he knew she would. The old woman knew him well. Zekia didn’t know it, but she wasn’t going anywhere.
He moaned fifteen minutes later when he pulled the covered golf cart up the roundabout at the front of the house. If they had been blessed to arrive a few seconds later, they would have missed Alicen stepping out of her Range Rover. Javi marveled over the fact that the pretty woman he had gladly shared with Lucian seemed to have lost her luster in his eyes. The instant hard-on he would get when he recalled all the ways he could bend and twist her limber body didn’t happen. Instead, it was the woman next to him who made him insane with need. The revelation brought a frown to his face.
Zekia squared her shoulders as she got out of the golf cart to greet the woman who was clearly staring her down. The bitch’s cold eyes had raked over her before the woman dismissed her completely. Javi held open his arm for Zekia while she walked around the back of the cart. Once at his side, he placed his hand on her lower back. Only then did he acknowledge Alicen’s presence.
“I hope this won’t take long,” he addressed Alicen.
Taken aback, her eyes darted to Zekia, then back to him. “It shouldn’t…I just wanted to get your opinion on some ideas.”
“Hm,” he replied.
He led Zekia up the stairs and into the house. He knew she was lying. He was sure Alicen had come to see if there was a threat to her position as house whore. The crazy woman actually thought that either he or Lucian would marry her after fucking her off and on for the last three years. It boggled his mind whenever he thought about it. Yes, they were like brothers, but actually marrying a woman they shared, and even fucking her at the same damn time when she was willing to take it in the ass and cunt at the same time was a whole other story. If she had been smart, she would have committed to working one field instead of jumping the fence to see if her chances would be better on the other side. Once she had fucked Javier, it all had become a game to he and Lucian. No, she knew Mariposa was back, and that she had brought a friend.
He took note of the way she was staring at Zekia, even now as if she was stuck on stupid. He longed for her to step out of line. He wouldn’t bat an eye if he had to put her in line. He would not take any form of disrespect towards Zekia. There had even been a few times already that he had to remind himself that she and Mariposa were like sisters, and not to take their teasing of one another to heart.
“Enjoy the pool,” he smiled.
“Enjoy your meeting,” Zekia tossed over her shoulder as she walked away from the pair.
He grinded his teeth. He could tell by the sass in her tone, and the extra sway of her hips, she was pissed.
A few minutes later, he was sure her good wishes was actually a curse. He sat in his chair in the sunroom that connected to the backyard and fought to remain calm. He stole a glimpse at Lucian to find his friend was fighting the same battle. He knew by the dark expression on Lucian’s face when he finally joined the meeting that things didn’t go well with him and Mari after he and Zekia had left for the tour.
The frustration was multiplied by the babbling and downright annoying sound of Alicen’s voice.
Did she always talk that way? wondered Javier. Then again, she was either choking, moaning, or screaming with me, he admitted as he shifted in his seat.
He nodded and interjected when needed. He asked questions and looked over the layout she had created for the rush meeting. Just when he had thought he had gotten a handle on his frustration, another emotion was tossed into the mix: lust. He followed Lucian’s dazed stare and was lost. He did nothing to hold back the moan of appreciation at the sight of the dark-skinned beauty who stood at a distance before him by the reflecting blue water of the pool.
He swallowed to replenish his dry throat as Zekia let the see-through cover up fall from her shoulder to land on the chair that was poolside. She turned to laugh at something Mariposa said. Although she was staring right at him, he knew she was clueless to the fact they sat in the room. The dark tint on the windows not only kept the sunroom cool, but it turned the windows into one-way mirrors.
His eyes greedily feasted on her body. Perfection was the only word he could use to explain what he saw. Her long, thick braids hung down to the middle of her rod-straight back. He dispelled the notion that her stance had anything to do with her showing off her full breasts that were barely covered by the material of her bikini top. Slowly, another feeling began to dance along his nervous system: anger.
The African styled two-piece left not a damn thing to the imagination. Once again, his eyes roamed her body. This time it wasn’t to appreciate her assets but to make mental notes of how much she exposed of what was soon to be his. The bottom was cut high to create a mouthwatering V print of her pussy. The back was made to reveal much of her plump ass. Lucian entering his line of vision as he walked to the edge of the pool to speak to Mariposa was the only thing that broke Javier from his dark thoughts. He got to his feet without a word.
The sound of a loud splash told him that Zekia had leaped into the blue waters of the pool to join Mariposa. He narrowed his eyes as he watched her swim under the surface of the water. He waited at the edge for her to break the surface to refill her lungs with air.
Zekia’s bright smile slipped from her full lips at the opposing vision Javier created. She craned her head back to stare at him. Shielding her eyes from the glaring sun, she placed her arm to her forehead to get a better look at him. When she did, she wished she hadn’t. Javier’s light brown eyes flashed amber like living flames. Now, she knew that it wasn’t her imagination.
“What the hell is up with your eyes?”
Ignoring her, he said, “Your suit…it’s new, right?”
Her salon shaped eyebrow went up at his crisp tone.
“No,” she replied flatly.
Javi sucked in his bottom lip as he nodded his head and looked way.
“How’s the meeting going? She’s not keeping you entertained?”
“Don’t start that, Zekia,” he warned.
“Hey, I’m just asking. Can you ask her why she decided to buy those small ass sandals? Her damn pinkie toes are scraping the asphalt,” she frowned.
Javi tossed his head back as laughter erupted from his lips. It only increased at the nasty look she gave him.
“You’re jealous of her.” It was a statement, not a question. It gave him a warm feeling he had never experienced.
“At least I’m pissed over a person,” she grunted. “You’re mad over a bathing suit I didn’t fuck,” she spat with a wave of her hands.
Ah, she talks with her hands, too, he acknowledged.
He had been blessed with his own Mariposa. He knelt to save her neck.
“You have no clue how much I like you,” he sweet talked her with a smirk. He caressed her bottom lip with his rough thumb. “Don’t wear that two piece without me,” he whispered in a deep voice as his eyes followed the progression of his finger.
Zekia leaned back from his touch. “There’s no need for mind games, Javi. You’re winning without them.”
She was mesmerized by the swirl of his amber eyes. She remained motionless as if in a trance while he forced her forward by his grip on the back of her head to receive his kiss. His tongue dominated her to the point she swore she saw stars when he finally set her free.
“I mean it,” he breathed against her moist lips, their noses touching, his flashing eyes boring into hers. With his next blink, his orbs went back to light brown.
“What are you?” she asked in a trembling voice.
A slow smile formed on his sensual mouth. “I’m the last man you will ever love.”
Zekia began to speak, but he stood back up. “Come on out,” he ordered with an outstretched hand. “Lucian, let’s have the girls help with the planning,” he suggested.
Without glancing up, Luc gave him a thumbs up. He was saying something she obviously didn’t like from the stiff set of her mouth. Even still, whatever he said had corrected her attitude. He jerked his head for her to start walking. Her stride was robotic, but she did as he had commanded.
“Like spoiled babies,” Javi mumbled under his breath.
He chuckled at the cutting of Zekia’s eyes while he hauled her from the pool. Not caring that she was wet, he pulled her forward. His hands gripped her ass cheeks, lifting her to the tips of her toes. He thrust his hips to ensure she felt just how hard he was.
“Every time I see you pout, all I can think about is fucking your mouth,” he grunted through clenched teeth. “I bet you give good head.”
“I don’t. You tell me,” she replied huskily.
Zekia sucked hard on his bottom lip to let him be the judge of her sucking abilities. A ping of lust punched Javier in his cock and balls. He felt his dick jump and cum droplets ooze from the mushroom shaped tip. She placed a quick peck on his slack-jawed mouth before she glided away. He cast a hard glance over his shoulder as she leaned down to grab her cover up. Javier ran his hands through his hair. He took a deep calming breath of the dry Texas air. He cursed in Spanish while he attempted to bring his roaring lust for Zekia under control.
From the looks of the sign on her arm, it’s only a few more days, he assured himself.
She had no idea of what she was playing at. Once he finally fucked her, Javi wasn’t going to have any problems with her trying to leave. His name was going to be engraved on her mind, soul, heart…and her juicy ass. A wicked grin softened his chiseled jawline.