“Aren’t you off to a great start this year?” She frowned, looking more puzzled than upset. “You’re in second overall.”
“My best. I’ve had entire seasons with fewer points than I have now. Just to put it in perspective, I’m usually happy to finish in the top ten. That I’ve been in the top four for all four races is a complete surprise. To me, as much as everyone.”
“Shouldn’t Vince be happy for you? This afternoon, he was… weird.”
Of course, she’d noticed.
“You’re the first woman who has ever been important to me. The only person I’ve dated anywhere near the track or for more than a couple of weeks. Maybe Vince is jealous.” He’d never considered the possibility, but suddenly, some of Vince’s scowls made more sense. His brother would deny it, but Isaac hadn’t been spending much time with Vince. Isaac loved his brother, but he had to be his own person, and spending time away from his brother was important. However, it may have been too big a change all at once for Vince. When they got home, Isaac would see if they could get back in their brother groove. Try to match up more of their training again.
“Do you want me to stay away from you in Cervera? Give you more time for your brother?” Anna spun the ring on her right hand. He hadn’t seen her do that in a while.
“I’ll find time to train with him more, but I’m not giving you up,” said Isaac. “Before I forget, my mom wants to meet you. She’s invited us to dinner on Wednesday. Are you free?”
She nodded and bit her lower lip. “Will I be what she expects?”
“She’s so excited I have a girlfriend, at last. I don’t think you need to worry,” said Isaac with a laugh.
Anna’s smile chased thoughts of Vince away so he could enjoy his birthday dinner. They were brothers. They’d work it out, eventually.
...
Back at the hotel, Isaac’s focus shifted. As soon as they stepped through the door, he flipped the lock and pulled Anna into his arms. She fit perfectly, and when he bent to kiss her, he forgot everything else. He wanted to taste all of her. His skin thrummedwith energy as he touched her smooth skin. Attuned to his every touch, she pushed against him, deepening their kiss. One strap of her dress slipped down her shoulder, and he traced the neckline with a finger, goosebumps rising on her skin as she shivered beneath his touch.
“I don’t have a present for you,” she gasped.
“You are my present. I’m unwrapping you right now.” He ran his hands down her sides and lifted her dress, pulling it off over her head, leaving her in a purple lacy bra and matching thong underwear. He wanted to rip it all off but instead dropped to his knees, kissing her flat stomach, his fingers sliding under the edge of her underwear.
As always, she was wet and ready, as turned on by their kisses as he was. They’d been all over each other in the limo coming back to the hotel, and it seemed like he’d been hard all night. He slid his fingers deeper, making her cry out. Removing them, he licked them and ducked his head to taste more. He kissed the lace and did something new, sucking on her through the flimsy fabric. She bucked away, but he held her close and licked her again, watching for her reaction.
She closed her eyes and twisted her hands into his hair.
Oh fuck. She tasted like candy, sweet and delicious. He dove back in, sucking until he couldn’t stand not to reach her bare skin. Sliding her soaked underwear down, his tongue slid into her swollen folds, and he kissed her there. First soft, then with his tongue swirling in her wetness. His insistent cock strained at his boxers, and he sucked harder. She rocked against him, pushing him deeper. This was so fucking fantastic.
“Isaac. Oh. Oh, oh my god,” she said, tightening her grip. A hot rush filled his mouth as she came. He slowed down and kissed her again, savoring all of her. He wasn’t a selfish lover. He enjoyed her pleasure, but he was wound so tight and needed his own release.
With a last kiss, he undressed, her eyes fixed on him. His turn.
She dropped to her knees, where she stroked and blew him until he was incoherent. Twice she brought him to the brink, but he held back. He wanted to come, but he needed to be inside her, or this would be over too soon.
When she slid onto the bed, he rolled on a condom with shaking hands and followed. He was so ready he could have come with the first tight thrust, but he’d learned he could make her come a second time and that’s what he wanted. Knowing that he was giving her pleasure too made everything better.
When Anna came again, clenching around him as he thrust deep, he could hold off no longer. He watched her face as she came down, and his orgasm rocked through him—an unstoppable train.
After cleaning up, she snuggled against him, and they drifted toward sleep. He was almost out when his phone buzzed and lit up the darkened room. It was late, but carefully, so he didn’t disturb Anna, he reached for his phone on the bedside table. The message was from Vince.
“Happy Birthday, little brother. Should have gone to dinner. My apologies.”
Isaac’s last thought before drifting off to sleep was that it was good to hear from Vince. They might not always be as close as they had been in the past, but he didn’t want a rift.
CHAPTER 11
Anna
Anna gazed out the expansive windows of the hotel room in sunny Portugal, enjoying the view. Other than her trip that had started in March, she’d never left North America, so every destination was new. There wasn’t a single cloud in the blue sky, unlike spring in Seattle. Portugal’s Algarve region reminded her of Spain, but with incredible sandy beaches. She smiled at the memory of this morning’s quick morning dip in the ocean with Catarina and Isaac. Chilly but refreshing on this last day of April.
In the summer, southern Portugal would be stunning. Maybe she should come back for some of the summer break. She hadn’t talked to Isaac about his plans for that time, but she should. Maybe they could book a hotel or condo down here for a week or two. Her funds would stretch that far if she was careful.
Vince had declined the outing to the beach this morning, though things had thawed between the brothers since Isaac’s birthday. Anna liked they were getting along better, and that Isaac was trying to help his brother feel less excluded. She didn’t seem to spend less time with Isaac. He’d returned to doing his longer runs, gym time, and track times with his brother, but that was time spent without her, anyway. It provided her with the opportunity to write whenever she was free, and her story was progressing. They’d postponed dinner by a week with his mother until Vince was free to join them next Wednesday.
