Page 72 of Queens and Monsters

As Rei stood and began to unbutton his shirt, I was fascinated with the definition of his chest and abs. I’d never seen Rei without a shirt, and it was a sight to behold. If the timeline wasn’t wrong, I’d say Michelangelo used Rei as his muse before sculpting the torso of David.

When he turned, his back displayed a tattoo reaching from shoulder to shoulder and down his tapered back. The markings continued down each arm. I suddenly recalled seeing the edge of the artwork from beneath his sleeves the night we went to the Green Lady.

“What is that?” I asked. “Does it have meaning?”

Rei pivoted until his dark gaze met mine. “Sí,it’s the Roríguezescudo de armas—Coat of Arms.”

Respect bubbled within me at the pride in his voice. “It’s beautiful.”

Next, he removed two holsters, laying a gun and a knife on the table. The little dimples at the base of his spine made my core clench. As he bent down to remove his boots and socks, I noticed a plethora of silver scars upon his tanned skin and wondered how he’d gotten them.

Dario had scars I’d noticed on his forearms as did Armando and Piero. Did Rei see them as badges of honor? I didn’t want to think about him in harm’s way.

When he turned, instead of thinking about that, I concentrated on his wide shoulders and defined arms. My breath caught as he unbuckled his belt, unbuttoned his jeans, and lowered the zipper. His jeans met my slacks on the floor. He then turned back to me wearing nothing but a pair of black boxer briefs.

Oh my God, I could make out his erection beneath the fabric. A million questions came to mind, things I should have asked Camila or Catalina before now. I didn’t think Rei would be willing to wait for me to slip into the bathroom and make a frantic call.

“Hey,” he said, directing my gaze back to his handsome face. “Talk to me.”

I reached for the other pillow and placed it in front of me as if mere material and stuffing could shield me from what was beneath the silk. “I wish I knew what to do. I don’t want you to be disappointed in me.”

Rei growled and sat on the edge of the bed. “Look at yourself, Jasmine.” He tugged the pillow away. “Nothing about you is disappointing.” He cupped my cheek. “Wewill get to know each other.” His touch slowly trailed down the familiar path from my cheek to my breasts. “Inch by inch.” Shades of brown and black swirled in his dark orbs. “You will tell me what you like and what you don’t, if you don’t. I plan to make love to you for the next fifty years. I’d like you to want that too.”

“Make love?” I blinked. “You said you wanted to fuck me.”

“Sí, I want both. You said slow. We should start with making love.”

I lifted my hand to his warm chest, feeling the frantic drumbeat of his heart. “I’ve never touched a man.”

Rei lifted my hand and kissed the tips of my fingers. “Consider me available to be touched day or night.”

He lowered my hand to his erection, pressing it against his rock-hard penis. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t break either.”

Timidly, I rubbed my palm and fingers over the hardness. When my gaze went back to Rei’s face, his eyes were closed and his chin raised. His Adam’s apple bobbed.

When his eyes opened, they were fixed on me. “My turn.”

He reached around my back and masterfully undid my bra before pulling it from my outstretched arms and releasing my breasts.

This was obviously not his first rodeo.

“Fuck,” he growled. “Your tits are better than I imagined.”

Before I could reply, I gasped as he captured one nipple in his lips and sucked before doing the same to theother. Instantly, my nipples were rock hard. His kisses went lower until they reached the waist of my panties.

“I’ve wanted to eat your pussy since the first time I smelled your sweet arousal.”

How did someone respond to a statement like that?

I didn’t have time to come up with the answer before Rei snagged the hem of my panties and to my shock, ripped the lace. “I wanted to do that to the wedding dress.”

“You tore them.”

Standing, he pulled the ruined material down my legs with a grin. “I did. It’s like opening a bag of candy.” Grabbing my ankles, he pulled me down before going to the end of the bed and crawling toward me—a lion approaching his prey. “Now spread your sexy legs because I’m ready to eat.”

I was about to be his meal.

Trust.

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