Chapter 28

When Sam pulledup to the sprawling tropical resort, its low white buildings scattered amongst swaying palm trees and half-hidden behind lush vegetation, they were an hour behind schedule, thanks to traffic. Being late would normally have annoyed her, but the ride with Natalia had been surprisingly pleasant.

After having accidentally stumbled on the topic of Natalia’s family — a subject Samantha wanted to broach again but not on this trip — they’d recovered with chitchat about travel and restaurants and art. Sam almost wished the ride was longer. That she didn’t have to share Natalia just when she was starting to let her mask slip.

The valet opened Sam’s door, a warm, salty breeze enveloping them as soon as she stepped outside the car. She strode around to open Natalia’s door, earning an eye roll even as Natalia accepted her outstretched hand.

Skin soft and touch electric, Sam wanted to hang on a little longer, but Natalia let her go when they started up the paved path lined with colorful hibiscus and bright birds of paradise.

Arriving in the open-air lobby, all exposed beams and clean, white plaster walls, they were greeted with complimentary drinks. Pink and orange rum concoctions with turquoise paper umbrellas.

While Sam sipped hers, she couldn’t help but notice Natalia slurping hers down. She was chugging like it was going to self-destruct if she didn’t get to the bottom in four pulls from her straw.

Is she nervous?Sam couldn’t imagine that was true. There was no way a woman with the most intimidating neutral expression was nervous about meeting her silly little family.

When Natalia finished her drink before they’d checked in, Sam handed her hers. Expecting Natalia to bat it away, Sam was surprised when she took it and guzzled it down.

“You know this isn’t MTV’s Spring Break, right?” Sam laughed, leaning against the reception counter. “It’s just a pack of unruly Cubans. We don’t have to pre-party.”

Natalia cut her with a glare and left her to finish registration on her own. Sam chuckled. The Great Natalia Flores was actually nervous. The realization was a tingle in Sam’s chest. It had to be a sign that she wasn’t only interested in sex, despite her protestations.

Key cards in hand, the poor kid tasked with pushing a luggage cart full of Titanic-worthy steam trunks followed them outside. Natalia was trying to look aloof, but Samantha caught her gaze lingering on the lush tropical foliage and sparkling glimpses of the ocean between palm fronds.

Satisfied that Natalia was pleased with her selection, Sam pointed to their destination. Their villa sat nestled between swaying sea grape trees, the rocky coastline visible through the vegetation. Natalia stepped inside first, heels echoing on gleaming hardwood floors.

The spacious room — with its glass doors along one wall, granting a panoramic ocean view — was stunning. Even more impressive than the website photos.

Natalia glanced at the single king-sized bed behind an open door before sparing Sam an inscrutable glance. She sauntered toward the living room — and its ocean backdrop — with the poised and deliberate elegance of a Siamese cat. Moved while exuding an air of contemplation about whether to grace these new humans with her acceptance.

Sam wanted to follow her. To pull her into her arms and kiss her. But even though they’d slept together without Natalia bolting, she wasn’t sure she’d respond to that kind of affection. Instead, she helped unload the bags and slipped the young man some cash before closing the door behind him.

“Not bad, huh?” Sam slipped her hands into her pockets to keep them to herself.

Natalia surveyed the small kitchenette and bar cart. She guarded her approval, but Sam was sure that she liked what she saw.

“We have a couple of hours before dinner,” Sam said while checking her watch. “Do you want to freshen up or something? I can make you another drink?”

“I’m going to unpack,” she decided before starting for the bedroom.

Sam watched her leave without making any effort to take her bags with her. Watched her disappear into the room like she expected Sam to follow.

“I’m not your bellboy,” Sam shouted so she could hear her in the room.

“I’ll lower my expectations accordingly,” Natalia shouted back.

Chuckling, Sam grabbed a duffle and suitcase and started for the room. The bedroom was enormous, complete with a desk, two armchairs, and a closet made of a beautiful dark wood.

Natalia stepped out of the white marble bathroom. “Oh good. You figured out how to use the handle and wheels without any training.”

“Think you packed enough outfit changes?” Sam asked after she’d hauled all their stuff to the closet.

“One can never be too prepared.” Natalia opened one of the suitcases and pulled out a black jumpsuit that gave Sam tachycardia.

“I don’t know.” Sam came up behind her, hands trailing down Natalia’s sides. “I’m envisioning fewer clothes, not more.”

Natalia tensed briefly before resuming hanging up clothes with crisp precision. “Then it’s fortunate I didn’t consult your fantasies while packing.”

Sam sat on the edge of the bed, watching Natalia unpack like it was binge-worthy prestige TV.

Natalia’s eyes were dark when they regarded her. “And here I was, thinking you’d have more important things to worry about than my wardrobe choices.”

Sam leaned back, propping herself up with her hands. “I’m an excellent multi-tasker.”

Natalia raised an eyebrow, pulling out a steam cleaner from her endless suitcase. “You’re certainly focused.”

“What can I say? I’m a dedicated student.” Sam’s pulse was jumping, her skin buzzing. Being so close to Natalia without feeling like the woman was on the verge of slipping away was a designer drug. A full-body high.

Natalia met her gaze. The air between them charged and crackling lightning. “I see. And what exactly are you hoping to learn?”

Sam’s voice dropped to a husky whisper, her gaze following Natalia’s mouthwatering curves in the wrap dress. “The art of unraveling Natalia Flores,” she decided after moistening her lips.

“Careful, Samantha.” Natalia’s words were a dagger at Sam’s throat, the blade biting into her skin while Natalia’s fingers slipped into her pants. “Some lessons are more complicated than they appear.”

Sam reached out, taking Natalia’s wrist and tugging her closer. “I’ve always been a quick learner.”

Without resistance, Natalia moved toward her. Hiking her dress up just enough for Sam to get a view of her gloriously thick inner thighs and straddled Sam’s lap.

Reaching around her, Sam gripped her ass and pulled her so close she was practically wearing Natalia’s perfect thighs like a belt. Craning her neck, she strained to reach Natalia’s lips. She was starving for her, craving her kiss like she hadn’t seen her in months.

Natalia’s blunt fingernails scraping up the back of her freshly shaved undercut were excruciating. It was an agonizing rush of heat and need hijacking her body and mind. Sam squeezed her harder and stretched further, desperate to feel her lips on hers. To taste her.

Leaning backward, Natalia made a fist in Sam’s hair and tugged. Making her wait was punishment — cruel and unusual. Natalia’s eyes took on the mesmerizing quality of a wildfire while they pinned Sam in place and made her want to struggle. “Do not think that because I’m sharing a room with you it means I like you or that we’re dating.”

“Of course. Absolutely not,” Sam agreed, sure that she would strike any bargain under coercion.

Natalia tightened her grip again, sending a current of desire pulsing through Sam. “I’m glad you understand,” she whispered, hovering above Sam’s lips for another harrowing beat before putting her out of her misery.

Natalia’s lips captured Sam’s in a searing kiss that wrecked her from within. Her kiss was fierce and deep, tongue plunging past Sam’s parted lips to claim her mouth. Sam could only cling to Natalia’s hips, dizzy with arousal as Natalia set her ablaze.

It was a devouring kiss, overwhelming her senses like the sweet rum lingering on her tastebuds. The silky caress of her tongue, the nip of teeth against Sam’s bottom lip, the pressure of her body grinding down — it was beautiful torture. Sam thought she might pass out from the roaring, pounding, aching need coursing through every cell.

No one had ever made Sam feel this way with just a kiss. Like she would shatter and be remade anew in Natalia’s arms. She drank Natalia in helplessly, intoxicated by the taste of her kiss, the vanilla and sandalwood scent of her skin. Her fingers mapped the curve of Natalia’s hips, memorizing the velvety skin and glorious shape.

Natalia kissed with single-minded focus and intensity. As if driven by some unquenchable hunger that only Sam could satisfy. As if she craved the connection as much as Sam did — a prospect as terrifying as it was thrilling.

Despite Natalia’s warning, Sam couldn’t help the flood of emotion swelling within. No matter how Natalia tried to maintain her boundaries, Sam sensed the wall between them eroding, bit by bit. She wouldn’t force her way in. But she glimpsed flickers of light through the cracks beginning to form in Natalia’s armor.

Sam kissed her back deeply, channeling her wordless feelings into the heated clash of lips and tongue. Hoping Natalia might glimpse even a fraction of her riptide feelings.

And when Natalia finally pulled back, eyes dark and lips kiss-swollen, Sam wished she could hear her thoughts. She was sure she felt it too — the undeniable spark slowly kindling into a flame.

The knock at the door was a sudden downpour — the cold rain sizzling where it met overheated skin. Sam was going to ignore it, to stay lost in Natalia for just a few moments longer, but then Blanca’s voice bellowed through the door. “I know you’re in there! The girl at the front desk said you checked in already!”

Sam groaned, wanting one more kiss before they broke apart, but Natalia was already pulling away. Her mask of composure slipping back into place. Gracefully, she slid off Sam’s lap and got to her feet, despite Sam’s silent protestations.

By the time the second knock came, Natalia was already back to unpacking. Her demeanor was so still and unassuming, Sam would never have guessed she’d just been grinding in her lap with her tongue halfway down her throat.

“Come on! We want to have a drink by the pool before dinner! You’re burning daylight!” Blanca shouted again.

“Don’t keep your friends waiting.” Natalia’s husky voice was the only clue she was still as flush with desire as Sam was.

“You don’t want to come with us?” Sam was dizzy when she stood.

“I have some work to do before dinner.” She glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “It’s at eight, correct?”

Sam nodded.

“I’ll meet you there.”

Concealing her disappointment, Sam took the keys out of her pocket and dropped one on the bed. Desire making her bold, Sam gripped her by the waist and kissed her again, infusing the exchange with the promise to pick up where they left off later.

“I’ll miss you,” Sam whispered before she could stop herself.

Instead of recoiling, Natalia flashed a momentary smirk on her smudged and swollen lips. “So clingy,” she replied in a tone Sam interpreted as I’ll miss you, too.

Still drunk from being tangled in Natalia, Sam floated toward the door with nothing but a key and her cellphone. She’d be back before dinner to shower and change.

Blanca was banging on the door again when Sam pulled it open and stepped out into the warm late afternoon. She didn’t get a chance to tell Blanca about her guest when her green eyes scanned her face.

“Oh my God! Did you bring Natalia?” Blanca shrieked.

Sam replied with a laugh that was too loud and too guilty. “How the hell did you guess that?”

“Fix your face.” Blanca pointed to Sam’s lips. “And then tell me everything.”