Chapter 5

Chapter

Five

KEIR

“Instead of goingto Chichén Itzá, how about we just lie by the pool? Or we could go into town and look around. I’d like to get some souvenirs for everyone,” I suggested as we lay in bed with post-sex smiles on Wednesday morning.

I knew Dash hadn’t enjoyed Tulum, and I was sure it wasn’t just because we’d had Thane Nyxon as our third wheel. I had mixed emotions about the guy. There was something shady about him, but I always tried to remain positive and find the good in people, and I had a feeling there was something redeemable inside him. My husband, however, didn’t see things that way. Not even close.

“You don’t want to go?” Dash turned onto his belly and nibbled at my nipple to tease me. He was good at that.

“Well, as much as I appreciate that you chose those two tours because I am a history buff, if you didn’t pay for it up front, then let’s cancel and go exploring. Who knows what we’ll get up to!”

Dash got up on all fours, his thick cock hanging between his legs. My ass was sore, or I’d have another go at him.

“I didn’t pay up front because, to tell you the truth, I didn’t exactly know what it was, and if it was something you wouldn’t like, I knew you’d want to do it anyway because it’s prepaid. I saw it was an archaeological site and thought it might be something you’d like. I’d much rather go check out the town. I need to get some souvenirs for everybody at the shop too. Let’s shower and get some food before we go, yeah?”

“Sure. You worked up quite an appetite,” I teased.

This morning, it had been just us—no toys—which had been terrific. I did love the kinky shit Dash brought to the table, but good old-fashioned fucking was fantastic too. As was love-making. I enjoyed everything with him.

Dash extended his hand and led me into the large shower. He turned on the water—which shot out of eight body sprays and two rainfall showerheads. It was a luxurious treat, though our shower at home was pretty great since we’d remodeled the apartment the previous year.

“Have you heard from anyone back home aside from Lilith?” I was shampooing his beautiful hair, which was turning golden blond from the sun. I loved it.

“No, and I don’t know about you but that worries me a little. It seems like we never know what the fuck can happen next, and would they have enough time to get in touch with us and tell us to come home before it’s too late?” Dash’s voice reflected his concern.

“Should we call Jonas?”

“I guess but come here and kiss me first. They’re not here right now...and you’re naked.” I had absolutely no problem following that order.

An hour and mutual hand jobs later, we got out of the shower, brushed our teeth, and shaved. A little. Dash always rocked some sexy stubble, so I decided that until we returned home and I had to be a professional funeral director again, I would grow a goatee. Dash said he loved it, so while I could get by without shaving, I would embrace it.

Dash called Reynaldo, our driver from the airport, but he had already committed to taking a group sightseeing for the day, so we dressed and went to the main lobby to get a taxi for the forty-five-minute drive to Cancun. Neither of us had ever been, so we decided to spend the day there.

The valet whistled for a cab and turned to us. “Where to?”

I glanced at Dash and shrugged. He chuckled. “Cancun, please. We want a great place for lunch in an area that has shops and stuff to see. Can you help us with that?”

The man grinned. “Sí, señor!” He blew the whistle again, and a van raced to the front of the hotel, screeching to a halt.

The valet and driver exchanged words in Spanish—which I didn’t understand. Based on the expression on Dash’s face, he didn’t either. The valet opened the side door of the vehicle, and the two of us climbed in.

The driver got in and looked in the mirror, grinning. “¿Quieres almorzar?”

A young girl of about ten peeked around the seat and smiled. “You’re the Gatekeeper, right?”

I nudged Dash, who leaned forward and turned to me with a big grin. “Bright white.” It wouldn’t be the first time a demon had inhabited a little girl. I was relieved her aura was white.

I nodded to the young girl and pointed to the man, shrugging my shoulders.

“Oh, he wants to know if you’re going for lunch. Just say sí!”

I glanced in the rearview and said, “Sí.”

He shifted into gear and smiled, turning some mariachi music on low as he drove us from the resort.

The little girl offered a sweet smile. “I’m Cristina, and that’s my papi, Marco. He doesn’t understand much English, but I can help. Since you can’t ask me questions out loud, just talk to your husband, and I’ll answer.”

I nodded and turned to Dash. “How’d you die?”

“I got run over trying to catch a stray puppy. It was running on the street in front of our apartment building. My mommy worked in Los Angeles as an interpreter for a Mexican businessman who wouldn’t learn English. Mommy wanted to bring Papi and my brothers to America, but when I died, she came back home. I used to ride in the cab with Papi when we came here to visit.”

Of course, Dash could now hear spirits since his gifts continued to evolve. As he heard Cristina’s story, he swiped his eyes, just like me.

Fuck, that’s sad. I nodded at his unspoken comment.

“Papi’s taking you to his favorite spot. It’s really good.”

Cristina’s face was so happy that I had to ask her a question. I turned to Dash to pretend I was speaking to him. “How long have you been gone?” I then turned my gaze to Cristina so she knew I was addressing her.

“Oh, about two years. Papi works so he doesn’t have to think about it. He misses me very much.”

I nodded. “Where’s your mother?”

“Smiling down at me for my great choice in a husband,” Dash answered with a wink.

Cristina giggled. “Mommy is home with my brothers. After I died, she came back to Quintana Roo. She needed to be with Papi and the boys more than they needed the money. Oh, we’re here.”

I glanced up to see a small building with picnic tables spread around and people waiting in line. Cristina’s father double-parked the taxi and got out, opening the sliding door for us.

Cristina’s papi walked up to the lady at the host stand and hugged her before they spoke. Cristina pointed to the woman. “That’s my Tia Blanca. This is Sabores en Familia. It’s the restaurant my abuela started. I’m not surprised he brought you here. Order the carnitas. It’s the best.”

We stopped at the podium, and Cristina’s father turned to us with a grin. “Blanca. Mi hermana.”

The beautiful woman smiled. “I’m Blanca. My brother, Marco, hasn’t taken the time to learn much English, but I went to a hospitality school in San Diego. Welcome to our restaurant. Please, follow me to a table.”

Marco shook our hands and motioned for us to follow her. I handed him a wad of cash. “Muchas gracias!”

I glanced toward the van to see Cristina waving before she joined her father inside. Dash took my hand. “Apparently, we’re not limited to Sacramento with visits from guests.” We both chuckled.

We were led through a beautiful open-air restaurant. A guitarist played quietly under a large tree I’d never seen one of before. I pointed to it and turned to Blanca as she handed Dash our menus. “What is that?”

She giggled. “It’s a dragon blood tree. It’s cool, isn’t it? So, let me tell you about the specials.”

Dash and I both grinned. “Carnitas. I hear you’re famous for your carnitas.”

Blanca smiled. “Chef’s special is a big draw here. The chef is my husband, Diego. I’ll get you a bottle of water. Still or sparkling?”

“Still, please.” We then settled in to listen to the guy playing music. It was incredible to have someone so talented playing the Wednesday lunch shift. It was unexpected.

When the beautiful instrumental song ended, our drinks were delivered, along with some guac and chips. I was in heaven.

“Isn’t this serendipitous!” We both turned to see Thane Nyxon standing a few feet from our table with a drink in his hand.

Dash stared at me. “Seriously? What the fuck are the chances of this happening?”

“I wish we had the money to place that bet. We’d be millionaires.” Thane laughed at his own joke.

I stood and stepped toward Thane, positive Dash would tackle me and put his hand over my mouth. I glanced at him, and his head shook left and right as though he were watching a high-speed tennis match.

I cleared my throat. “Please, won’t you join us?” The growl behind me caused me to turn my head and scowl at my husband. He was being rude.

There was a flash in Thane’s brown eyes, shifting them completely black before he blinked. Was I seeing things? When I looked a second time, they were a deep golden brown.

“I hope I’m not interrupting. I’d love to join you.” Without waiting for a protest from Dash, I shoved out the chair next to me and motioned for our server.

“What would you like to drink?” I turned to Thane. Dash pinched my thigh, but I ignored him.

“I’m not usually a drinker, but I’m on vacation, right?” Thane turned to our server. “I’d love a Paloma with a salted rim.” The woman smiled and made a note on her pad.

“I am Rayna, by the way.” She pointed to her nametag. “What can I get you to drink?”

We placed our drink order, and then I turned to Thane. “So, what brings you to Cancun?” It wasn’t just a walk from Playa del Carmen. It was odd that he’d shown up at the same place as us.

A familiar black cat was lying on its side near the edge of the patio where we were sitting. Was that the cat from Escape? Had Thane brought it with him?

“I wanted to see what all the hoopla was about because everyone at the library told me Cancun was an incredible place to visit. How about the two of you?”

I thought we’d told him why we were there when we were touring Tulum, but I was in a honeymoon fog. Maybe I was imagining a conversation we hadn’t had. “We’re honeymooning. We got married on New Year’s, but we had other obligations so we decided to postpone our honeymoon until now.”

When Rayna returned with our drinks, Dash and I ordered the carnitas special, as Cristina suggested, and Thane ordered chicken tacos. The musician returned from his break and played another set, which I more than welcomed.

At one point, Dash took my hand and grinned. “If you don’t mind, Thane, I’d like to dance with my husband.”

We stood and danced to a very sexy song, using our newly acquired salsa skills. “His aura is black. How long are we going to play like we don’t know?”

My right hand was in the air as Dash’s hips guided me in the dance we’d learned the other day at the resort, and I could barely put two words together. Of course, my husband was in control.

“Babe, he just showed up...alone...without any explanation, and that damn cat has gotta be the same one from the resort. We’re a forty-five-minute drive from Playa del Carmen. Something’s fucked up. How long should we give him the benefit of the doubt?”

Dash dipped me, which took my breath away. When he lifted me and kissed my nose, we continued dancing. “I think we need to be a little more proactive, Dearly.”

I rubbed up against Dash, which might have been wrong for some people in the light of day, but not for me. “How proactive?”

“I’m still tryin’ to figure that part out.” Dash then spun me away and pulled me back into his body as the music stopped.

Unbeknownst to me, the restaurant had filled up but thankfully, people clapped when we finished. Dash pulled me close, brushing a chaste kiss over my lips before we walked to our table and sat down. Thane didn’t appear happy as he stared at us, but I didn’t give a damn. I loved dancing with my husband.

We sat down, and I took a sip from my beer, glancing at Thane. “He doesn’t usually dance.” I pointed at Dash.

Thane stared at my husband before he turned to me. “That was quite a show you gave people. Why would you choose such a public place to dance together?” Thane’s comment sounded as if he disapproved of the two of us dancing.

His face showed something other than disapproval of our dance. Was he hot for Dash or me?

Dash spoke up. “Why wouldn’t I dance with my husband here? We took a salsa lesson the other day and wanted to show off our skills.”

Dash then turned his whole body toward Thane. “I will never hide my love for Keir. He’s the most incredible man I’ve ever met, and I want everyone to see how happy we are together. I’m not embarrassed for people to know how much we care for each other.”

I expected Thane to give us a harsh look, confirming his homophobia, but then I saw that odd flash in his eyes again. He grinned. It was creepy as fuck, but it was still there. “I admire the two of you. I’ve never had the guts to out myself, but good for the two of you. I think it’s fantastic.”

Thane’s comments didn’t seem sincere, but maybe I was being too judgmental?

No, you’re not. He’s a demon, but I can’t figure out how the demon is hiding itself. Don’t say anything. We’ll discuss this later. That was my husband, and I knew he was right.

“Thank you, Thane. So, do you have a boyfriend?” He’d taken a seat at our table, so I was damn well going to make him talk. Maybe it would give Dash the time to ferret out this demon.