“What? I was just wondering that’s all.”
Raven leaned against him. “It’s okay. I love to cook. I find it very creative and relaxing. I don’t know much about Mexican cooking, so if you have some great recipes you’d like to share I’d love to have them.”
Catching his eye, she said, “She’s a keepermijo.” Turning her gaze back to Raven, she grasped her hand. “I’d love to have you come over sometime and go over the recipes with me. I have stacks of them. The dishes Mateo loves the most are in here.” She tapped her finger against her temple. “I’ll have Mateo bring you over and I can show you how to make a proper green chile.”
“I’d love that.”
“Don’t give me that face,mijo.” Cecilia swatted his arm playfully.
“I think I’m going to regret this somehow.” He pretended to be sullen, but the glint in his eye gave him away.
After talking with his mother for a while longer, he and Raven headed to the bar where he ordered a double shot of tequila with lime and salt and a margarita for her. As she sipped her margarita, he maneuvered her to a corner in the yard away from everyone. “I thought you’d like a breather,” he said. The melodic strains from the mariachis floated on the slight breeze.
“Thanks. It must’ve been great having such a big family when you were growing up. You’re lucky.”
“It has its perks, but it also means you have four times as many people butting their noses into your life.”
“True. I didn’t think about that. The whole time I was growing up, it was just me and my dad. I didn’t know any of my cousins since my dad was estranged from his brothers and sisters. My mom’s side faded away after she died.” Raven licked the salt with the tip of her tongue. “Your mom and sister seemed real excited to meet me. They act like I’m the first girl you’ve ever brought. It’s sweet.”
“You are the only woman I’ve ever brought over.”
She moved her drink away from her mouth. “Are you serious? Then why did you ask me to come?”
“Because I’m fuckin’ crazy about you. Don’t you know that?”
She stared deeply into his eyes. “I wasn’t a hundred percent sure, but I’m glad because I’m hooked on you. Like totally, big-time hooked.”
“That’s good.” He looped his arm around her waist and tugged her to him. “All I do is think about you, sweetie.” Then he crushed his mouth to hers with such intensity that he was sure she’d have bruises the following morning. He figured they could join all the other love bites he made sure were always on her body. When it came to her, he couldn’t help himself. She was like a drug that kept enticing him, and each time he indulged, he wasn’t satisfied because he wanted more. He didn’t think he’d ever get enough of her.
The night was a collage of food, drink, conversation, dancing, laughter, and family. Muerto had never wanted to share his family or his heritage with anyone before Raven. Watching her sway her hips to thecumbia, engage his family in conversation, eat heartily, and play with his niece and nephews touched him in ways he couldn’t articulate. All he knew was that he wanted her to be a part of his life. He didn’t know if it was the double shots of tequila, how her rounded ass looked in her white skirt, or the way the tiny lights sparkled in the tent, but the night was magical.
And when Carlos broke open thepiñataand all the kids squealed, rushing to pick up the candy and toys on the ground, Raven jumped up and down, cheering them on, her face shining under the colored lanterns.
It was at that moment he knew he loved her.
Later that night, when they laid together, a cool breeze caressing their naked bodies, he held her close. Their lovemaking had been sensuous, slow, and tender as he strived to control the raging beast inside him that wanted to pummel her good and hard. He didn’t want to fuck her; he wanted to make sweet love to her, to make her come harder than she ever had from his touches. And she had.
“Tonight was just perfect. The party, making love…everything,” she whispered against his chest.
Raking his fingers through her hair, he bent down and kissed the top of her head. “I wanna tell you something I’ve never told any other woman.”
Tilting her head up, she caught his gaze. “You’re not going to tell me you’re a mass murderer or something, are you?”
He chuckled. “No.” Stroking her cheek, he held her gaze. “I love you.”
A huge smile spread across her face. “I love you too. So damn much. You totally make my world rock.” She shimmied closer to his face and planted her lips on his. They kissed passionately.
When she nestled her face in his neck, he asked, “If I was a mass murderer, would you still love me?”
“Probably… why?”
“Just checking.”
She giggled and wiggled beside him, the side of her tit soft and nice on his skin.
Then his cock was hard again and he rolled her onto her back. Hovering over her, he brought his mouth to hers, strands of her black hair catching between their lips as they kissed. He could feel her hard nipples against his chest, and he knew that time around he’d fuck her.
The nighttime breeze did little to cool his fire.
