Born To Fly: Landing In Love Read online

  “Didn’t you play sports in school?”

  “Yes. I did. Football,” he winked again, “excuse me, American football.”

  She chuckled. “Well, after a game you won in the last few minutes, didn’t you have energy after?”

  He was silent and she cocked her head to look at him. A sly grin crept over his face. “I guess I did.”

  Bliss snorted. “Of course. Let me just say I’m glad my brother isn’t out doing what you probably were.”

  Erich clutched his heart. “You wound me.”

  “Right,” she said, rolling her eyes.

  “Tell me more about you, Bliss Esparza.”

  “You pretty much know all there is to know about me.” She pulled out the needed items and began to make dinner. “I work and raise my brother.” While it may be nice to share more of her with him on a personal level, Bliss didn’t say more on the issue. Mateo was her responsibility and her fears and dreams where he was concerned were just that. Hers.

  “Nothing more? What do you do for fun?”

  “Dance. I love what I do, been dancing it seems since before I can remember. But if I had to pick other than dancing I would say long walks and good books.”

  “Weaknesses?”

  A drawl like you have. And apparently brown hair and blue eyes. Okay, you. “Not sure. Oh, yes I know. Crisp apples with a light dusting of cinnamon sugar. That…is my weakness.”

  “I’ll remember that.” He winked.

  Bliss whipped up the meal consisting of jamón ibérico de bellota, chickpeas, and tomato sauce as the main dish. She knew how much her brother loved the rich meat. Warm rolls and salad were also made. Setting the table in the dining room, Bliss looked over her shoulder and said, “Erich?”

  “Yes darlin’?” He walked into the room carrying the pitcher of ice water.

  “Can you tell them to come in and dry off? We’re eating in ten.”

  He set the water down on the dark oak table and kissed her cheek. “Right away.”

  Soon the boys were back inside and dressed. Erich carried the main dish to the table while she watched the boys bring the salad and the rolls. The boys moved to free seats and Erich moved to the chair she stood by and pulled it out for her.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “My pleasure.” Erich stepped to her right to sit beside her but stopped when Mateo spoke.

  “You can sit here.” Her brother pointed to the foot of the table, where he usually sat.

  Erich glanced at her and she nodded. Soon he sat there and Mateo was at her side. They spoke English over dinner and for the most part Bliss was quiet, listening to the males talk about sports and cars.

  Her heart lurched when Mateo turned to Erich and asked, “Do you like being a pilot?”

  Spikes of worry shot through her. She’d thought Mateo was over this. Maintaining what she hoped was a neutral expression, she gazed at Erich.

  “I love being a pilot. There is something so freeing about flying through the air. The world is a different place when you’re up there.” He glowed with enthusiasm. “You feel almost invincible.”

  Her belly churned. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Mateo glance sideways at her before clamping his mouth shut and not asking anything else. But it was too late, she’d already seen the gleam in his eyes. Jamie picked up the questioning and she struggled not to demand a change of subject. To do so would be to open up a very sensitive subject between her and Mateo, and the last thing she wished to do was ruin the evening by putting her insecurities on display for everyone. After dinner, the boys even cleaned off the table and were back outside again while she and Erich were in the kitchen putting the food away, not that there was much of it left.

  “Did you want to take any of this back with you?” Bliss asked, snapping the lid on the container.

  “I don’t want to take your food.”

  “Please, take it. Only if want it of course, don’t let me force you to take it.”

  “I’d love it, thank you.” He put the empty pan in the dishwasher. “Everything was delicious.”

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it.” I feel almost like I’m packing his lunch for him. Bliss almost smiled when she put the extra rolls into another holder.

  After the boys had gone home and Mateo had retired upstairs to do schoolwork, Bliss walked with Erich to the front door. She handed him the paper bag with the containers of leftovers. He settled his free hand along the wood of the door behind her and blocked her in with his body. Determined eyes honed in on her and she swallowed hard and gave into the urge to lick her lips.

  Erich leaned closer and whispered, “Do you know how much I want you, Bliss?”

  She whimpered and shook her head. “No.”

  He allowed their bodies to touch and she could feel the hard length of his erection pressing into her. “Any doubt now?”

  “No.” Moisture pooled and she could feel the insistent throb of her pussy, craving attention. No, demanding it. “No doubt.” Lifting her hands, Bliss touched his chest, sliding them over his rock hard pectorals and defined abdominals. Lust broadsided her and she could feel her body gravitating toward his. I want him!

  “When can I see you again?” he asked.

  “You’re leaving?” The question slipped out before she could stop it. Jesus, I sound desperate.

  “I’m leaving because I want you to be one hundred percent sure about this. There will be no going back when you say yes. And I have to be up in the air, early morning, which doesn’t even begin to give me enough time to explore your body.”

  She damn near orgasmed from his statement. It may not make sense, but this man made her think of things in long term. She’d not known him long but it didn’t change her feelings. “When’s your next day off?”

  “Saturday.”

  “Mateo’s gone that day.” Bliss dragged her hand lower and ran it along his length. He groaned and bucked against her. “Come when you’re done with work.”

  “I’ll be here, darlin’. Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.” He captured her lips and kissed her until she sagged into him. Ending the kiss, Erich pulled back. “Give me your phone number.”

  Still dazed she rattled it off to him and whimpered again when he pressed into her palm and kissed her hard and fast. Then he slipped out the door, leaving her wet and craving him with an intensity she’d never wanted another man with before.

  Chapter Four

  Erich walked up to the white door of Bliss’ large villa with a bag tossed over one shoulder. He’d not seen her since he left here last Friday night. And he missed her. They spoke on the phone daily but it wasn’t the same. It was barely six in the morning and here he stood. He pressed the doorbell and shifted his feet as he waited. His breath hitched when the door swung open and he found himself staring down into Bliss’ brown eyes and was surrounded by the smell of lemon drops.

  “Hola,” she said, a small smile on her face.

  “Hello, darlin’,” Erich replied dropping his duffle and gathering her in his arms.

  Sliding one hand along her face, he sank it into her hair and kissed her. Bliss responded to his kiss eagerly and hungrily, arching into him allowing their bodies to press tightly to one another. Erich looped one arm around her waist and lifted her off the ground, never breaking contact with their mouths. He stepped into her house, kicking his bag with his foot before shutting the door behind them.

  Bliss sighed into his mouth and he broke the kiss. “Upstairs,” she mumbled. “Then left.”

  “Wrap your legs around me,” he ordered as he palmed her ass.

  When she did, he flexed into her and ground his mouth over hers. Long strides carried him to the stairs and up. He walked into her bedroom and looked around as he put her on her feet. His thoughts of how pleasant her room was vanished the second her hands began tugging up his shirt.

  Erich whipped his shirt off and removed his boots. Standing before her in socks and his jeans, he reached for her shirt and removed it. All
the air shot from his lungs at the sight of her near naked torso. She wore a plain black bra. Dropping to his knees before her, he placed his hands at the waistband of her shorts. One jerk and they pooled around her ankles, leaving her in black bikini underwear. Looking up at her, Erich kissed her belly button and reached around her back to unhook her bra. When it fell away from her body, he palmed her full, firm breasts.

  “Perfect,” he whispered.

  Erich rolled his thumb and forefinger over the tight nipples and watched her gasp. Slowly he lowered his hands and ran them down her figure, snagging and removing the panties along the way. Bliss stood bare before him and his mouth watered. Her pussy was almost bare, there was a small, tightly trimmed triangular patch of hair, otherwise it was smooth. His cock pushed insistently against his jeans and he shoved to his feet.

  “Fucking beautiful,” he said on a guttural groan. Erich carried her to the bed and laid her back upon the sheets.

  “Clothes off,” she ordered.

  He complied and soon he lay beside her, gathering her close in his arms and loving the way her naked body felt against his. Stroking his hands down her side and back up, Erich began to indulge in her body. He kissed his way down, making love to her breasts as he went. Her cries and mewls grew louder with each lick, each suck he gave them. She wriggled beneath him, her fingers gripping the bedding she lay upon.

  Erich laved a path from her belly button to the top of her pussy before he stopped and moved to her leg. He kissed his way down her left leg until he reached the gold filigree bell anklet, the slight tinkling sound the only other noise in the room aside from their breathing. Switching to her right one, he kissed along the tattoo which was a chain of silvery-blue teardrops, all but two. Back up her leg he moved until he was over her core. The heady smell of her arousal teased him mercilessly.

  Settling between her legs, he ran his tongue up the slit and circled her clit.

  “Ahh shit!” she screamed and arched into him.

  He slipped his hands under her and held her still while he feasted. Her screams were muffled by her thighs around his head, blocking his ears. His cock was painfully hard but he couldn’t bring himself to pull away from her sweet nectar. When she came, Erich didn’t move until she stopped shaking. Then he moved up her body and positioned himself at the entrance of her pussy.

  “Look at me, Bliss,” he rasped.

  Her heavy lidded gaze met his and overflowed with passion and need. “Erich,” she said, her hands gripping the blankets.

  “Watch me as I slide into you.” Their eyes locked and he flexed his hips, sinking into her wet heat. Oh fuck me! He hissed in pleasure as her body held him like a glove. “Ohh damn, darlin’. So tight. So fuckin’ tight.”

  “Erich,” she gasped, moving to grab his forearms as her nails pierced into his skin.

  He pulled back and sank in again. Electrical impulses rocketed through him. Her pussy walls contracted around him, holding him like a vice. Lowering his lips to her mouth, he kissed her. Bliss wrapped her arms around his neck and held on as he began to move.

  Back and forth. In and out. Deeper and deeper. He strove to maintain a steady pace, wanting to prolong the exquisite torture he was experiencing, but his balls began to tingle and he knew he wasn’t going to last long. Erich slid his hands under her shoulders and began to power into her.

  Bliss purred and hooked her legs high around his back. She moved with him easily, undulating, rotating her hips to allow him maximum penetration. He could feel his sweat gathering. His tongue thrust in and out of her mouth with the same determined motions as his cock. He shivered when her pussy began to milk him. Ripping his mouth off hers, Erich buried his face in the side of her neck and nipped along her pulsing carotid. She stiffened and then came apart around him, her scream filling the room. Erich let go himself and drove hard into her a few more times before he came with a shout to echo hers.

  He collapsed onto her, making sure at the last second that he didn’t crush her. His heart pounded erratically and he could feel hers tattooing into his chest from beneath. He turned his head and pressed gentle kisses into the curve of her neck. The saltiness of her sweat was embedded into his taste buds. Willing some strength back into his arms, he slowly pushed up, his breathing finally leveling off. Her eyes watched him from beneath lowered lids, filled with gratification and contentment. With care, he placed tender kiss on her lips.

  He withdrew from her and got them both tucked in under the blankets which had been folded down to the bottom of the bed before he drew her back into his arms. She sighed heavily and curled against him, her hand over his heart.

  “Bliss?”

  “Hmm?” her sleepy voice came.

  Erich held her tighter and brushed his lips over her temple. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes.” She kissed his chest and sighed again. “Are you?”

  “Darlin’, I ain’t never been better.”

  “Glad to hear that. How long are you staying?”

  “As long as you’ll have me.” And he realized that was true.

  “Give me a breather and I’d love to have you again. I’m just exhausted, didn’t sleep last night.”

  “Why didn’t you sleep?”

  “I was at the hospital with a friend. I got home about fifteen minutes before you got here.”

  “Sleep then, darlin’. Sleep and we’ll start all over.”

  She burrowed closer and he held her. “So warm and safe,” Bliss sighed after a few moments of silence.

  Erich held her until he knew she was sound asleep. Then he slipped from the bed and tugged on his jeans. Padding downstairs he grabbed his bag and went back up. Putting his duffle down by the door, he took the time to look around her room. Unlike the studio which had bright loud colors, her bedroom was done in calming, subdued hues. The bedding and walls were a blend of deep lilac, dark chestnut, and almond.

  The room was huge, a balcony with an awning off one side. A low whistle left him when he saw the bathroom. A standalone shower and a pale blue jetted tub on marble floors, it was a stunning effect. His shaft hardened again when he envisioned himself and Bliss in the tub together. Walking back to the bedroom, he moved to her dresser and looked at the framed photo on the smooth surface. Reaching for the frame, he noted how devoid of objects her dresser was.

  He figured the handsome couple must be her parents. Her mother was a beautiful black woman with a killer smile and Bliss’ father a handsome Spanish man. The love in his eyes was obvious as he looked at the woman beside him. With care, he replaced the picture and stared in the mirror to the woman who slumbered on the queen sized bed. Her left foot was sticking out of the bedding and he saw that bracelet on her ankle.

  Erich wasn’t sure what to make of her. Simple jewelry, no makeup. No real trinkets or doodads lying around. Turning around, he strode to the bed and sat beside her. He readjusted her leg so it was back under the sheet then headed for the door.

  “Erich?” her voice stopped him.

  “Yeah, darlin’?”

  “A dónde va?”

  “I was going to go downstairs and make you something to eat.” He faced her, her hair tousled, eyes sated and sleepy.

  Bliss pulled back the blankets and said simply, “Stay.”

  Erich didn’t have to be told twice. In seconds he was sliding back into her bed and moaned contentedly when her hand curved around his hardening erection.

  “Bliss,” he ground out from behind a clenched jaw.

  She pushed him back against the mattress and pressed her curves into him. “My turn.”

  Closing his eyes, Erich allowed her to explore at her leisure. He was covered in sweat all over again by the time she rose up and lowered herself slowly down upon his firm shaft. “Fuck,” he uttered as Bliss closed her eyes and found a rhythm she liked.

  Bliss sucked her bottom lip as she watched Erich bend over to take his shot. They were playing billiards, having finally made it out of the bedroom. Her skin still prickled at the memory of
Erich’s arms. He even cooked me breakfast. She walked to the other side of the table and bent over so she could stare into his cobalt gaze.

  “Something the matter? You’ve been staring at the ball for a while now.”

  His gaze grew hungry. “I was thinking of you bent over this table, it seems to take up my concentration.”

  She quivered. “That won’t win you the game.”

  Erich lifted a brow. “You sure, darlin’?”

  “Take your shot, you’re holding up the game.”

  “Nice evasion tactic.”

  “Thanks.” Moving to her drink, Bliss took a sip and allowed her fingers to trail over some pictures which sat upon the piano.

  Warm hands wrapped around her midsection and she smiled before leaning back into Erich’s strong body. He lowered his head, resting his chin on her shoulder. She was surrounded by his scent; sandalwood, leather, masculinity, and pure Erich.

  “You okay here, darlin’?”

  “I’m fine. Just got a bit lost in memories.”

  “Your mama was beautiful. I see where you get your looks.”

  She flushed. “Thank you.”

  “Do you play?” he asked reaching around her to trail a finger up the keys.

  “No. Mama played. I danced. Mateo can play though. He’s really good.”

  “And your father?” He put his hand back against her abdominals.

  “Papa built things. He did most of the renovations in the house. Jack of all trades.”

  “This house is beautiful.”

  “It was his pride and joy.” She dropped her head and struggled for control. “I know he was looking forward to teaching Mateo what he knew.”

  “Did he teach you?”

  “All I wanted to do was dance. They indulged me. I wish now I had shown an interest.”

  “Don’t beat yourself up, darlin’. You couldn’t know this would happen.”

  She nodded. “I know that, really I do, but some days…”

  “The emotional outweighs the intellectual.”

  He was dead on. “Right,” she said. With a deep breath, she turned in his arms and stared at him. “Is it my turn now?”