“Good night,meu amor,” Daniela coos.
“Good night. I love you, Lala.” Valentina kisses Daniela on both cheeks, without a thought. It’s customary in our culture for children to say hello and goodbye to relatives and close adult friends with a kiss on each cheek. But Valentina’s not quite sure what to do about me. She doesn’t utter a word, but her shuffling speaks volumes.
“We could shake hands,” I offer, “but if your lips are warm, you can kiss me so I don’t feel left out. But if they’re freezing from all that ice water you were sipping, forget it. Ice water—such an American thing. Victor must have heart failure every time he sees you drink it.”
Custom or no custom, I don’t want her to do anything she’s not comfortable with, and I want to give her an easy way out.
“Just a little cold.” She giggles, before pressing a small kiss to each of my cheeks and then practically skipping out of the room.
“Thank you for making her feel comfortable—like part of the family. I’m impressed by how easy it is for you to be around her.”
She doesn’t say,So much easier than it is for you to be around me,but I’m sure it’s what she’s thinking.
It’s only hard to be around Daniela because of the promise I made to myself. If I could touch her, it would be easy. But I don’t trust myself to stop at a simple touch. I don’t share any of this with her. There’s no point.
“She’s part of the family. She’s a good kid, and she’s been through a lot. I am a human being—although I’ve given you plenty of reason to doubt it.” I pause for a beat, thinking back to when my cousin moved in. It was quite an education, and it’s not over yet.
“Rafa was even younger than Valentina when he came to live with me. He had friends, boys and girls, constantly in and out of the place. Plus, my stepsister Samantha has a daughter Valentina’s age. I’m comfortable with most kids.”
Daniela gazes at me for a moment, before getting up and locking the door.
My pulse kicks up a notch, and my dick jumps, pressing against the zipper.
On her way back, she untethers the small pearl buttons of her sweater and shrugs it off. The silk camisole she’s wearing highlights her beaded nipples.
“What are you doing, Daniela?” My voice is rough, and I am seconds from helping her remove the rest of her clothing, but I won’t do it. She can flash those gorgeous tits at me all night. I’m not going back on my promise.
36
ANTONIO
“Ithought we’d have some Port.”
Sure you did.
“Don’t you need to check on Valentina?”
“Paula is going to look in on her. I’ll stop by her room later to say good night. Valentina knows not to expect me right away. Victor promised he’d keep an eye out too. He helped me set up the tasting room earlier.”
“Did he?” So this is a conspiracy. I’m going to ream Victor a new asshole before I leave.
She nods.
“You didn’t wear a bra because it enhances the taste of Port?”
She smiles coyly.
“Did you leave your panties upstairs too?” I know I shouldn’t engage. I know I should leavenow. But she’s breathtaking in the firelight, and her eyes are sparkling with mischief—and lust.A beautiful seductress.
I’m enjoying this too much to leave. But I’m on borrowed time, and if I let this go on much longer,I’ll never leave.
“Panties? You’ll have to check for yourself.”
She’s a brazen little vixen tonight, and sex with her, like this, would be mind-blowing. It’s always mind-blowing with her—but this—I’m so fucked.
“Don’t worry, Antonio, I don’t have a magic pussy. You’re not going to fall in love from fucking me.”
Too late for that, I’m afraid.