Page 66 of One Hotlanta Night
My heart is full to bursting every time I see her, and it’s on the tip of my tongue to say “I love you” every time we hang up on the phone. The number of times it’s almost slipped out is insane. I’ve tried to play it off, saying “I love you—r hair, eyes, the way you move,” in my best Outkast impression, deflecting with a silly hip wiggle. She rolls her eyes when I do that, and it’s adorable.
She hasn’t said as much, but a woman as gorgeous and vibrant as Vivian surely has had plenty of guys fall all over her feet and gush the L word all too soon. I don’t want to be lumped into the same category as if this is some mere puppy-love infatuation. Not when she is everything to me.
Instead, I’ve been doing my damnedest since day one to show her, prove to her that she has been mine from the start. To realize how much we’re meant to be, prove that I’m the man worthy of her. Actions always speak louder than the words I won’t yet say, and she’sgotto feel my love by now. Shehasto.
Something has been holding her back, I can feel it. I’m certain she loves me too. Whatever it is, I need, Imustbe patient. Keep biding my time. Using my mouth to convince her in other ways while I wait to say those precious words. It has to come from her lips first; I won’t risk scaring her off and losing her if she’s not ready for the full strength of my love.
But once she says what I’m longing to hear, I can finally confess what I’ve known from the moment I saw her. She’ll know I’ve always meant it when I call her “mi amor.”
My emotions feel heavy in intensity, but the minutes spent in her presence are light. Everything about her enchants me. It’s simple and uncomplicated being with her. No awkward conversations; the words flow naturally and the pauses are comfortable, just enjoying each other’s company. I’ve never felt so in tune with someone before. Damn, I’m so enamored with her, every part of her, inside and out. She’s so effortlessly smart and sexy; I can’t get enough.
Like right now, on the dance floor. I’m at the bar getting my woman another drink. The woman sure does love her tequila. But she’s not sloppy about it, and I admire that about her. The only indication that the alcohol’s getting to her is the sheen in her eyes and the way she shakes her curly hair carelessly as she dances. She asked me tonight if I would drive, if I would take care of her.
As though there would ever be any other option. I will always take care of her.For life if she lets me.
It fills my heart with pride to realize she’s finally comfortable enough with me. She doesn’t like to ask for help. So the fact that she trusts me means so much more. And she knew I would say yes, that I’d be here for her. I’d find it hard to deny her anything.
“Thanks, man.” I leave a generous tip and take the shot from the bartender.
“Might want to check on your girl,” he says, nodding behind me. Turning back to the concrete dance floor awash with strobe light effects, it doesn’t take long to see what he means. We’re at Tongue and Groove tonight, per Vivian’s request. She said hip hop’s her favorite music (next to Latin now, courtesy of me) and I can see why.
My woman’s got moves for days, ass bouncing and chest popping one minute and sultry sexy undulations the next, all perfectly moving to the beat. She has been dancing with a bunch of girls to Jay Z’s “I Just Wanna Love U,” but some dude is making a beeline toward her, coming at her from behind. That’s never gonna fucking happen.
I make my way to Vivian and slip an arm around her waist before he can worm his way into their circle. Pulling her flush against my chest with one hand, I hold her drink aloft with the other so it doesn’t spill on her. No wet t-shirt contests tonight; her nipples have already perked up at our close contact.
“Hey there, handsome.” Her eyes are slightly unfocused as she looks up at me. It didn’t take long to learn my woman’s tells. Her eyes are glassy, there’s more swerve to her sway, and she falters a bit on her heels. It’s not like she’s unaware that she’s pretty buzzed, but she had asked me to take care of her and not let her get hammered. Tomorrow is a ten-hour-day of managing and then inventory at the restaurant; she said she didn’t want to deal with a hangover, just wanted some fun. “A night where I don’t have to make the decisions,” were her exact words, before saying, “I trust you.” It wasn’t “I love you,” but my heart swelled as if it had been. So I’ve been watching her carefully, ready to step in and prove her trust is not misplaced.
Yeah, it’s probably time to cut her off as she grips my shirt, swaying side to side. I don’t think she’ll mind; her body likes it when I take control. I spot the dude who had his eye on my woman, shooting him a glare as I grab Vivian’s ass, crushing her against me and grinding her into my pelvis. It’s a dick caveman move but whatever. He needs to know she’s off-limits. He rolls his eyes at the blatant claim but moves on to another girl. At least I won’t have to punch the fucker’s lights out tonight.
“What’s that all about, baby?” Tipsy Vivian still doesn’t miss a thing as she scans my face.
“Nothing, mi amor. Just some jerk looking at my woman,” I tell her, not letting up on how I roll my hips against hers, and she lets out a moan only I can hear. The way she calls mebabydrives me fucking insane. It’s not the first time someone has said it to me, but coming from her lips, it drips like honey and makes my cock stand at attention. Takes all my restraint not to pull her into a dark corner and make her feel good. But my woman is worth more than fevered groping against a beer-sticky club hallway.
“Is that mine?” She points up toward the drink I’m still holding above our heads.
“Maybe.” I grin down at her. “Or maybe it’s for me.”
“You wouldn’t do that to me.” She pouts adorably. And fuck if I’m not so gone for this woman.
“Hmmm… maybe we can share.” I quickly take a gulp, leaving only half the shot left. She’s had a shit week, and I’m gonna slow her down so in the morning she’ll only feel the pounding of my heart instead of a pounding headache. She may not like it, but taking care of her comes first, no matter what.
“Hey!” And now her eyes flash with irritation as she thumps my chest with her fist. It’s cute.
“Cierra los ojos, hermosa,” I tell her as I carefully use my fingertips to close her eyes. Tipping back the shot, I take the rest of the tequila into my mouth but don’t swallow. Holding Vivian’s chin, I tilt her face back and gently pry open her mouth with my thumb. Then I seal our lips together, letting the tequila flow from my mouth into hers, smiling against the seam as she swallows.
“Holy shit,” she breathes out as her eyes open wide, blinking against either the sting of the alcohol or the fact that I just spit it into her mouth. “That’s–that was incredibly hot.” She giggles, and her face flushes even more, proving I made the right call by halving her drink.
She pulls me back to her mouth, her lips crashing over mine, and now she’s the one owning the kiss. My hands grip her ass tighter, dragging her up and down my leg, providing friction right where she needs it most. Her intoxicating scent and breathy moans pull me in as close as two people can be in public. I break away with a grunt, continuing down her jaw to bite just behind her ear, then kissing away the sting. “Are you sure you want to stay longer?” I rasp.
Her stuttered breath as she shakes her head is all the answer I need. But as she focuses on my face, her gaze sharpens. There’s a dazed clarity in her eyes as she looks at me, as if the alcohol’s been burned off. Unblinking, like she’s trying to work out apuzzle in her head, and I’m the key. I hold her steady, imploring her to read in my eyes the words I haven’t spoken yet.
Te quiero. Te necesito. Eres solo mia. Para siempre.
I want you. I need you. You’re only mine. Forever.
“No puedo vivir sin ti, mi amor.” My hand cups her jaw, smoothing over her bottom lip. It’s true. I can’t live without her anymore. Time slows and the music quiets around us as our eyes lock; a perfect bubble where only the two of us exist. And then her gaze grows soft as she relaxes into my caress, peace caressing her features. I place a tender kiss to her forehead, then wrap my arm around her as I guide her to the door. “Quick stop for Steak n Shake?”
Her eyes light up at my question, and she nods vigorously. “I’m famished!”
