Risky: Torn Between Two Lovers (9 page)

This felt good. So right.

In no time, they began to reach the pinnacle together. Unable to stop, Anna’s release shook her and she cried out, palms braced on his chest as she rode him to completion. Underneath her, Joaquin groaned, and his hot seed warmed her inside. Several times he jerked, until finally he was spent.

As he pulled her into his arms once more and she cuddled into his side, she was hit by a startling reality.

She was falling for Joaquin, hard. And she had no idea what to do about it.

***

The week that followed was one of the happiest of Joaquin’s entire life. He couldn’t believe he had once planned to use Anna as a weapon against Gray. He knew now that he never could have gone through with it.

And she wasn’t Gray’s anymore—Anna was
his
. Period.

The day after their casino jaunt, he’d taken her shopping and bought her some new clothes. Normally shopping with women was something he and his brothers avoided at all costs, a chore guaranteed to make a man’s balls wither and fall off. But with Anna, the excursion was fun. He ended up getting her a short black skirt that showed plenty of leg, spike heels, and a daring, glittery top with a plunging neckline that would no doubt have every man in the ballroom panting and ready to cream his boxers.

He’d have to enforce the “look but don’t touch” rule right off the bat.

The rest of the week was spent lounging by the pool and taking her to all of his favorite restaurants. Rio had taken a real liking to her, and in one spurt of seriousness, his brother had advised him not to let her go. Joaquin told him that he didn’t plan on it.

There were a couple of outings to the movies, too, and he couldn’t recall the last time he’d been, before Anna. There was some markedly less pleasant stuff to deal with, like meeting with Manny’s lawyers so they could plan his defense. As though the fool actually
had
one.

But overall life was sweeter than it had ever been. So it was a most unpleasant interruption when he received a call from Grayson Sloane the afternoon of the party. The contact wasn’t unexpected, but he still didn’t want to deal with the agent. Anna was outside by the pool, enjoying the last couple of hours before they had to get ready to go to the casino, and Joaquin was inside fetching them some bottled water. Since she was out of earshot, he answered.

“Hello, Agent Sloane. To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Cut the crap, Delacruz,” Gray said in a cold voice. “You know at least one of the reasons I’m calling. Is Anna there? Is she all right?”

“Yes, Anna is fine, and if you have to call me to find that out, then it means she doesn’t want to speak with you.”

“Why should I believe you?” he snarled.

“There’s no law that says you should. But I’m telling the truth. Anna was hurt by how you deceived her, and if she were inclined, she’s had plenty of opportunity to return your calls and make up. I’m not keeping her from you. She’s free to go any time she pleases.”

Though he’d fight like hell to make her stay. Unlike Gray, he wouldn’t give up until the last breath left his body.

Some of the anger drained from the agent’s tone, but he sounded no less deadly. “If I hear that Anna’s in any distress at all, if she’s placed in danger because of your stupidity, we’re going to have serious problems on a personal level. Are we clear?”

“I can protect Anna,” he snapped. “Just do your job and there won’t be a problem.”

“That’s what I’m trying to do.”

“You hinted at another reason for this chat. Care to get to it?”

“Look, I need to meet with you in person. Not as a way to see Anna,” he clarified. “I’m not stupid enough to think that won’t make her even angrier at me than she already is.”

“So it’s FBI business? We’re back to you looking for ways to toss me in prison and throw away the key?”

“Not exactly. Let’s just say I’ve been thinking things over, and I want to have a talk.”

“I don’t know what else I can say to you that I haven’t already said before. You don’t believe a word that comes out of my mouth, so I fail to see the point,” Joaquin said tersely.

“That could change. Can we meet?”

God, what a stubborn asshole. “Fine. Come see me tomorrow afternoon.”

“I’ll be there. And in the meantime, watch your back.”

“Any specific reason?” he asked.

“We have credible intel that someone is gunning for you. I’d rather tell you the rest in person.”

“Understood, but that’s not exactly news, Agent. The line of people who want me dead might stretch around the globe these days.”

“But the number who’d actually follow through is pretty damned small. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“Fine.”

After hanging up, Joaquin went back over the conversation in his head. The agent had seemed sincere about the reason for his visit. He’d also seemed genuinely concerned about seeing his job done properly—even if that meant keeping Joaquin from falling victim to his enemy. Interesting.

Grabbing the bottled waters he’d almost forgotten about, Joaquin took them outside to where Anna waited by the pool. He couldn’t help staring at her gorgeous body, but between ogling Anna and the distraction of Sloane’s call, he wasn’t watching where he was going, and he almost tripped over a lounger. He openly admired his lady, thinking that if Gray made a move to steal Anna, he’d have a nasty fight on his hands.

She peeked at him over the rim of her shades as he handed her a bottle. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Like what?”

“Like you’re pissed and it’s my fault.”

Appalled at himself for causing her to think that, he set down his water and knelt next to her lounger. “No, darling,” he said, reaching for her hand. “I’m sorry I made you think that, but nothing could be further from the truth. I had an unpleasant phone call, and it was still on my mind, that’s all.”

Her eyes softened. “Anything I can help with?”

“Not at the moment.” He hated keeping the details from her, especially since she’d find out soon enough. But he didn’t want anything to spoil their day. “Thank you, though.”

“I worry about you. I’m afraid you’re taking on too much.”

“Maybe, but I’m not alone. I have Rio, and you.”

Their gazes locked, and for an instant he feared he’d gone too far, presumed too much. Perhaps she wouldn’t want a permanent place in his life, especially after tonight. The words hung between them, and he almost took them back.

Then she leaned into him and pressed her lips to his. Soon they were devouring each other’s mouths, and he wanted so much more.

Reaching past her, he lowered the back of the lounger slowly, until Anna was lying flat. He joined her, glad that the chair was sturdy and wide enough to hold their combined weight. Sprawled half on top of her, he ran his fingers over the swell of her breasts, enjoying how her nipples tightened under the sheer fabric of her swimsuit top.

“I love string bikinis,” he murmured, plucking at one of the ties hanging over her shoulder.

“Joaquin …” The need on her pretty face belied the warning in her voice.

“No one will see. Let me, please?”

After a brief hesitation, she helped him out by untying the string at her back as well. Reverently, he peeled away the skimpy top and bared her. She was so beautiful, he couldn’t resist cupping one globe in his palm, brushing his thumb over the pert nipple. She moaned, and the sound went straight to his stiffening cock.

He lavished attention on her breasts, bending to suck and nibble each of the taut nubs, loving her little gasps of pleasure. She threaded her fingers in his hair as he sucked, encouraging him to take more. He didn’t plan to disappoint.

Rising briefly, he shucked his swimsuit. Freed, his hard shaft bounced against his belly as he knelt between her legs and undid the ties at her hips. Then he cast away the bikini bottom and drank in the sight of her, his hunger spiking. She spread her legs, and he skimmed her mound, moving lower.

Gently he rubbed her sex, intent on bringing her pleasure. Soon she was ready for him, tugging on his shoulder.

“I need you,” she said breathlessly. “Hurry.”

Lowering himself over her, he guided his cock to her entrance and pushed inside, giving her time to adjust. He sucked in a breath, relishing how well they fit together. She sheathed him perfectly, and the fiery sensations danced along his nerve endings. He began to move, thrusting languidly, building the heady tension between them. The blaze that was about to burn out of control.

She clung to him, palms pressing into his back. There was nowhere else he’d rather be than wrapped around her, showing her exactly how much he worshipped her. All too soon, the waves began to break over them. His climax roared over him, and he came with a hoarse shout, emptying his balls. She shuddered underneath him, her cry sweet music to his ears.

They came down together gradually, and he gave her a deep kiss that she returned wholeheartedly. Then he shifted to her side, held her close as long as he could. Neither of them spoke for the longest time, but eventually he had to interrupt their peaceful idyll.

“We have to get ready for the party or we’re going to be late,” he said with regret.

“I know,” she said softly, cupping his face and placing a kiss on his lips. “I wish we could just stay right here, snuggled together for the rest of the afternoon.”

“Me too.” He smiled. “Later, by moonlight? You and me?”

“It’s a plan.”

Upstairs, they took a shower together that ended up being a tad longer than they’d intended. Even though they’d just made love, he couldn’t resist soaping every inch of her slick skin and peppering her with kisses that made her shiver. To hell with being late.

Afterward, they got dressed. Anna put on her new outfit, and Joaquin whistled. “Jesus, you’re going to blow all the other ladies away. No woman there is going to look nearly as stunning as you.”

She flushed in pleasure. “Thanks. But you’re the one who’s going to be fending people off. I think I’m going to have to smack down a bitch or two.” She gestured to his dark pants and short-sleeved button-up blue shirt made of some sort of silky material she liked.

He laughed and swept a hand through his hair. “No worries there. I only have eyes for you, baby.”

Rio met them downstairs, dressed in designer jeans and a trendy-looking T-shirt that looked like a four-year-old had been turned loose on it with a pair of scissors. Anna gushed that he looked
hot
, and Joaquin rolled his eyes.

“You could’ve picked a shirt that hasn’t already been used for a dirt rag.”

“Fuck you, man,” Rio said cheerfully. “At least I dress my age instead of like I’m sixty or some shit.”

Shaking his head, he pushed his brother toward the limo. They climbed inside and settled in for the ride, talking companionably until they arrived thirty minutes later. The casino was in full swing as they got out, and Joaquin was pleased. Business was good, and it was all legal. His father had told them all their lives that the system was rigged and that playing by the rules was only for losers and dupes, the weak and the stupid. Breaking the law was practically the equivalent of being a man. But he’d proven he could have money and power without being crooked. Tonight, he hoped to convince some of his associates of that.

Not
all
of them were criminals. Some were even working to help his cause. It was a slow process.

Inside, he led them to the ballroom. As always, the place was dazzling. Tonight, he’d gone for a more laid-back atmosphere, hiring a talented local rock band to provide the music. They’d start a bit later, to get things really going.

“Would you like something from the bar?” he asked Anna.

“Rum and coke?”

“Rio?”

“Beer, bro.”

“You got it. Be right back.”

Leaving them at a table near the stage, he walked to the bar and ordered their drinks. Once he returned to the table with them, they relaxed until guests started to pour in, each one greeting Joaquin and his brother. Many expressed their sympathies for Manny’s bust, and many more wanted an introduction to Anna.

As he mingled with his guests, he noted with satisfaction that talk was surprisingly in his favor. He’d tossed around new project and development ideas, and most were receptive to taking the discussions further. If he could believe their sincerity, most of them had come around; maybe not to the point that they would also reform, but at least to where they understood he wasn’t abandoning doing profitable business with them—he’d just concentrate on the legal kind.

It was a successful night. Anna was the perfect woman on his arm, charming everyone around her, and he was making headway. Even Deno Santos seemed taken by her and wasn’t as abrasive and obnoxious as usual. He even complimented Joaquin’s party, and Joaquin wondered what the man might be up to.

A server with a silver tray floated past, and she paused at their table. “Mr. Delacruz, would you like a piece of turtle cheesecake? I heard it’s your favorite.”

“Did you?” He smiled. “Well, I suppose I can’t resist. Anna?”

“Not for me,” she said, eyeing the tray. “But I’ll have some of that crème brûlée.”

The girl doled out the desserts and flitted away, quickly becoming swallowed in the crowd. Joaquin took a bite, savoring the creamy treat with caramel and nuts on top.

“How’d she know that was your favorite?”

“Jealous?”

“Of course not.” She huffed. “That just seems really personal for her to know.”

“Not really,” he said, soothing her ruffled feathers. “Everyone knows that about me. I love cheesecake of almost any flavor, actually.”

Anna started to answer, and then turned, her attention captured by the wife of one of his associates. The woman drew her into an animated conversation, and he was glad to see her making friends.

Suddenly, he began to feel sick to his stomach. He ate a couple more bites, then set his fork down, a chill going through his entire body. It was as if someone had turned on the air conditioner to arctic freeze … and then moments later, he was burning up.

Elbows braced on the table, he panted, trying to get air. It was just so fucking
hot
in here all of a sudden, and he hoped he wasn’t getting the flu. But this felt different. Worse than any flu he’d ever had.