In Love with Ezra (Love Unaccounted Book 2) (23 page)

“It’s not like you were sitting home waiting by the phone. You had speaking appointments,” she whined. “Did you speak in Atlanta?” 

I stood to stretch and considered how I wanted to spend my morning in Puerto Rico. Preferring privacy while enjoying the wonder of nature, I certainly didn’t want to be out amongst the crowded tourists.

“Ezra!” she called out impatiently.

My neck snapped back to her. “Yes,” my tone more glacial than intended. I found my kitten sitting on her knees with the sheet wrapped tantalizingly around her body. I didn’t want to answer questions about my travel. I needed to tend to what drug my insatiable need of her all the way out here.

“Did you speak in Atlanta?”

“Yes, Alexis.” I felt the wrinkle in my forehead.

“Last night?”

I turned back toward the ocean view.

“Hey,” I heard her shuffle from the bed. Then she was behind me, her breasts pressing into my back. “Why are you avoiding discussing how you preached in Atlanta and flew all the way out to San Juan because you missed me?”

I scoffed, “I wouldn’t go there, beloved. You’re due back home—”

“Tonight,” she cut me off. “Yes, tonight when you would’ve been free to toss me in your basement and defile my body once again.” There was amusement in her words.

I turned to face her, taking her in my arms and lifting her off her feet. I was aroused by the squeal she released, surprised by my gesture.

“I can defile you anywhere I please, beloved.” I cracked a seductive smile. “You belong to me.”

I’d only taken her once last night in an attempt to be courteous, considering the hour. I planned to pick up where we left off, needing to hear her cries of ecstasy again.

She placed her index finger on my lips.

“Pause,” she stated abruptly. “I have a brunch to attend in less than thirty minutes.”

I felt my face harden.
A brunch?

“I was under the impression today was the end of this celebration,” I circuitously stated.

“Today
is
the last day. Let me down.” She shimmed until I placed her on her feet. “You can attend if you like. I just need to go downstairs, shower and get dressed, then pack.”

My mouth dropped as I stood there partially nude thinking about my wife prancing around the resort in the same manner. I moved to my suitcase to grab a shirt.

“You’re not leaving here wearing what you came in,” I decreed tossing her the shirt. “What time is the brunch and where?” I asked regrettably.

Alexis dropped the sheet exposing her cacao glory. My tongue jerked in response and erection sprang as she pulled the shirt over her head.

She snorted, “Remember, Ezra, that barbaric possessive bullshi—” I bucked and she quickly corrected the near slip.“…nonsense is only during sex. I’m my own woman—” I trekked three steps and lodged my tongue down her throat, making her swallow those words of an ornery spirit.

Alexis was mine: mind, body and soul. She belonged to only me, and I wouldn’t have my wife strutting around here with her cheeks hanging out. When I withdrew, I caught the glaze in her eyes. She was entranced, just the way I purposely rendered her.

“
I
-I...ummmm...” she stammered, overcome. “I have to go. I’ve been dealing with a moody bride-to-be and the last time I saw her she was in a good place; I don’t wanna be the one to cause her to return to bitchville again.”

“Moody?” I asked, wondering
since when did Alexis tolerate others’ attitudes
?

Nyree had never been a pleasant woman, in my experiences with her. When she wasn’t ogling me and sending suggestive glances, she was trying to belittle Alexis. I’d already decided I didn’t care for her much as a friend to my wife, but wouldn’t dare whisper a cautious word to Alexis for fear of her accusations of feminine suffrage.

“Yeah, just...” With her eyes to the floor she shook her head, “…weird. We really didn’t hang out until yesterday. By then she was light and fluffy...affectionate and shit.”

“Mouth!” I grated.

“Okay!” Her palms flew in the air. “My bad! I’m working on it.”

And she had been. Alexis had notably been curbing her expletives. Spending copious time with people who didn’t use foul language—me—helped with that.

“You know,” I stalked over to her and growled, “I have something to expunge that delicious mouth of all its filth.”

“Pause!” she demanded again, her soft little palms splayed on my bare chest. “We have to get ready, and you
are
coming. I’m not going to face a possibly
mean Nyree
alone or you’ll be bailing your new wife out of a Puerto Rican jailhouse instead of meeting me back home tonight. Plus, I lost my key last night and need to catch Tasche before she leaves for brunch.”

Reluctantly, I watched my beloved leave the bedroom of my suite. Then I headed straight for the shower to calm my erection.

~Ezra~

We had breakfast at the main dining hall of the resort, each of the guests of the bachelor party strolling in the door in drib-drabs. Alexis introduced me to a few people, but not all, I noted. Her friend, Tasche, sat at our table, chattering nonstop on trivial topics. Lots of them included people in the same room and their activities from the night before. It made me wonder where Alexis was when all of said activities occurred. Was she in her room the entire night? I struggled with not allowing my mind to run with wild possibilities of my wife’s behavior here in Puerto Rico while away from me.

“Only raisin bran and two bananas?” Alexis remarked, eyeing my table setting suspiciously. “That’s not enough for a growing guy your size, my dude,” she jeered quietly.

I didn’t have the best appetite after not getting much sleep the night before. I fasted the day before, preparing for my sermon, so I felt a bit out of sorts, not to mention I hadn’t work out at all. The combination really had me a bit off kilter.

“That’s all I can take in right now. My flight in has thrown my system off,” I disclosed honestly.

“Oh, right. You got in pretty late.” Alexis’ tone turned sympathetic and the inclusion of her palm softly rubbing my thigh solidified my kitten exposing her nurturing side.

Adorable.

“Yup!” Tasche giggled. “Last night, y’all was creepin’. I woke up at like five to piss and was like, ‘
What duh fuc
—My bad, Ez,” she grimaced. “I’m so used to being around bad mouthed people like this chick.” She nodded toward Alexis.

“Oh, no!” Alexis chided, and nervously, her eyes going wild. “Don’t put me in that. I have to adhere to quite a few subpoenas for my language around this man. I don’t need you adding to them.”

She was right. I hadn’t forgotten about her mishap earlier and was still deciding if I’d punish her tonight upon our return home or wait until tomorrow.

I didn’t reply, just sat back in my chair and observed her body language, enjoying her dutiful regard.

Just as we were finishing up, her friend, Nyree, entered the restaurant with her fiancé. He appeared more interested in finding his boys than deciding on a seat for his lady. She, on the other hand, stopped short when her eyes landed on me, pure gleam shooting from her irises. She ambled over to our table, announcing her arrival.

“Oh, look,” she chirped. “I guess the newlyweds couldn’t even be apart for three short days.” Her eyes were stapled to me when she spoke.

“Hey, Ny,” Alexis greeted with less enthusiasm. “I guess not. How are you today?”

“I’m good now that I see my girlfriend’s fly-by-night husband traveled to a new country to be with her.”

Puerto Rico isn’t another country, but that was neither here nor there. Nyree was goading me. She wanted me to speak for some reason, to acknowledge her.

Alexis’ concerned eyes darted over to me as I observed her friend, noting her manipulation.

“Fly-by-night,” Alexis snorted. “That’s a bit judgmental, don’t you think, Ny?”   

That’s when Nyree’s hazel eyes met Alexis. “I’m just busting the preacher’s chops, trying to get him to speak.” She giggled.

Alexis regarded me again, and I knew was imploring me to speak.

“Good to see you and Taylor gearing up for the big day, Nyree,” I honestly admitted, “I only wish I were around when the arrangements were made and arrived when your party did.”

But not for the noble reasons one may think. I didn’t like Alexis being away from me for so long, especially in a festive environment like this. I wouldn’t reply to her dig about the hasty marriage. Her impending one was as flimsy as they came. I knew Taylor’s cousin and of the circle his father associated with. Taylor wasn’t groomed for fidelity, but that wasn’t my problem.

Alexis’ eyes raked proudly back over to Nyree, who shrugged.

“No biggie. Just good to see she chose a man who is that into her that he would join us on the last day.” Her eyes flicked over to Alexis. “There may be hope for you two after all.” 

“I think Taylor is ready to eat. You should go tend to your fiancé, Ny,” Alexis gave her friend a warning glare.

Giggling, Nyree strolled off and over to find her fiancé. I saw the shock in Tasche’s eyes as she attempted to regard her plate. She, too, felt the tension in that exchange.

“Sorry about that,” Alexis whispered to me, clearly regretful.

I grabbed her hand from my thigh and pulled it to my lips. “Nothing to be sorry about, beloved.” I kissed her knuckles gently. “You haven’t had your coffee yet. I’ll go get you a cup.”

She nodded as I stood to leave the table. There was a long line for the caffeinated drug, strangely. I waited patiently like those ahead of me. While gazing blindly around me, I felt eyes burning the side of my head. When I turned, intuitively, in an arbitrary area, I immediately found Nyree’s suggestive gaze. Her head was toward the fruit table, but pupils directly on me as she licked her top lip seductively, simultaneously winking her eye.

Not the outdated lick and wink. You’ll have to be more creative than that, my pet.

Over the years, I’d had countless women attempting to crack the vault of my weakness for feminine prowess. And I’d been tempted, particularly since pledging celibacy seven years ago. What kept me was the reward promised to me. My eyes swung over to that promise. Alexis was bent over the table, engaged in a private conversation. Seeing her more relaxed, contented me. I didn’t need paltry subjects like Nyree agitating my wife, deflecting her own deficiencies. I had no idea why Nyree was so abrasive with Alexis, but was happy that I’d decided to sneak up on her and to be the one taking her away from the negativity.  

When it was my turn in line, I sighed at the opportunity.
Who has their celebration on a crowded beach like this?
It annoyed me to have to wait instead of being waited on. To have to take my turn instead of having things brought to me. 

  I pushed the lever on the coffee urn and watched the tedium of the cup being filled. Before heading back to the table I stopped to pick up cream and sugar, mentally snickering at how my wife doesn’t drink coffee, but coffee flavored milk instead. When I glanced up, beginning my return to the table, I saw a gentlemen speaking to Alexis. It would’ve been of no concern had he not had that coquettish gleam in his eyes while regarding my wife. Alexis appeared anxious.

Perhaps because she couldn’t entertain him now that her husband was present?

My steps came to an abrupt halt. Violent heat surged my entire frame, my extremities tightened with venomous anger. The clattering of the coffee mug on its saucer caught my attention. Deciding to attempt control, I moved again, headed to the table. To my wife.

“Yeah, Lex, I discovered who had the room key you “lost” last night.” Nyree applied air quotations when she suddenly appeared at the table at the same time I did.

Alexis’ mouth went slack as she eyed the young man and Nyree from her seat.

“Your key,” Nyree repeated. “The one you lost while we were doing shots last night at the party. You said you lost it while dancing with ‘Maine.” She patted the man familiarly on the shoulder.

I dropped the coffee and saucer on the table, causing a clanking from the porcelain material. Alexis’ fretful glare shot to the coffee then to me. Then her lids collapsed in defeat. I waited patiently before deciding to ram my fist in the kid’s mouth.

“Oh, ‘Maine, this is Ezra, Lex’s husband,” Nyree provided with a smirk. “He’s a preacher,” she whispered, then giggled.

His eyes fell closed, too. “Shit, man,” he started pleading, “this sounds more fucked up than it really is—”

“When did I tell you I lost my key?” Alexis asked, clearly seething.

I didn’t know where she was going with this, but I wouldn’t allow much else to delay my reaction to this debauchery. First the kid would hit the floor, then Alexis would be dragged off this property, kicking and screaming. I didn’t care.

“You know,” Nyree answered. “Before you left. You told me you lost your room key.”

“No, I didn’t, Ny. You’re fucking lying!”

Nyree laughed. “Yes, you did, hun. You just don’t remember because you were pissy drunk. I’m the one who got Tasche for you, remember?”

Immediately, Alexis surged to her feet. “You lying ass bitch!” she howled, heat steaming from her ears.

Tasche and other people nearby shrieked their shock, anticipating the next move. Before Alexis could lodge her fist, I grabbed her by the arms, pinning them at her sides, lifted her from the ground and headed out of the restaurant.  

“Let me the fuck down!” She kicked and screamed all the way to the building our rooms were in. “Now!”

I ignored her demands, suppressing the swelling anger growing in my belly. I could not believe she defied me and drank to the point of losing her key.
How irresponsible and risky!
Rage shot through me as I trekked down the hall to the door of my suite. All I could think of was how soft a hand I’d taken with her. I should’ve demanded that she stay home and sit this one out. But no, I attempted leniency in an effort to ease her into this arrangement. I had been gentle.

Too gentle!
I’d forgone the brutal impulses and gave her vanilla sex last night!

It ended here.

Alexis was out of breath when I let her down in the living room. “Why did you do that? That bitch lied to my face, trying to embarrass me in front of my husband,” she screamed. “I’m about to beat her ass!”

“No, beloved,” I growled, moving quickly and lithely like an animal plotting his next meal.

“No?” Her eyes wild, clearly expressing bemusement.

I shook my head, finding myself panting, hanging on by a loose thread of control.

“We have a bigger issue here,” I informed with flared nostrils.

“What?”

“Your disobedience with the drinking rule.”

“Oh, come on! Do you expect for me not to drink an ounce when you’re not around? I’m not a kid, Ezra.” She headed for the door.

“If you try to leave, your punishment will start at fifty lashes and no orgasms for a month!” I shouted, no longer able to control my fury. I felt my arousal stiffening in my pants at the image of purple and blue bruising on her mounds.

“Punished?” she asked, aghast. “And what if I say no, I don’t wanna play that game now because I wanna go and whoop some ass—”

“You just added another five lashes, Alexis!” I spoke over her.

Her shoulders dropped, as she sighed in defeat. “You’re serious,” she stated instead of asking.   

My muscles were tensing to the point of pain, the longer my hands weren’t on her, in her.

“You’re learning,” I confirmed, still not in control of my breathing. “Lie down over the chair, Alexis.”

And I saw it. I caught the flip in her pupils when her senses kicked in and she involuntarily switched gears. She paid a moment to considering her options, handling this opportunity with delicate care.
As she should!
I didn’t know how violent this could turn. She was still in training, and as the Dom, I could not back down. She’d been given a directive and had to decide how she would receive the consequences of her actions.

Within seconds her shoulders dropped, chest caved and slowly Alexis turned for the sofa chair. I watched how she waited for instructions and couldn’t deny the rush of relief coursing through me. I wasn’t prepared to have the media brought into my marriage, desecrating the image of my church.

“Take off your clothes and bend over,” my hoarse chords produced.

Slowly and with lips pressed into a thin line, Alexis disrobed then moved over to the sofa and widened the space between her legs, placing her extended arms over the seat of the chair. Once convinced of her compliance, I went into the closet, pulling out the belts of the two robes hanging there. Then I grabbed the twenty-seven-inch jute rope I managed on the plane. I didn’t think I’d actually use it on this trip, especially after last night.

When I returned to the living room, I found Alexis still in position, but now squirming, back heaving in a perfect balance of fear and anticipation. She knew what would be coming and was growing more aroused by the torturous second. I made quick work of tying the thick strands.  I’d been wanting to try this homemade style rope with this type of material on her for weeks now. It had a rougher texture and the stings would be more pleasurable for her. The plum colored material felt silky and when I was done with it, felt strong.