Queen of Belize, page 12
Each thrust caused Alicia’s body to arch upward. Her legs wrapped tightly around his waist, eliciting a slight tease from Dallas. “I see those legs found strength, after all.”
He reached under her buttocks and lifted her effortlessly off the mattress. Alicia’s hips fit perfectly on his thighs as he slid deeper inside of her.
Dallas felt entirely at home with and inside Alicia. He’d been with other women, but none allowed him to let down his guard as she did—and it frightened him. She was the rose growing through the concrete of his heart. He gazed deeply into Alicia’s eyes as his heart pounded against his chest. “Stay for just one more day, please.” He had practically begged after the first night.
That was eighty nights ago.
Gold Lust
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“It’s been nineteen hundred sixty-eight hours since you walked through my front door.” Dallas moved a loc of curls behind Alicia’s left ear then kissed her temple. “Tell me something that made you smile when you were a child.”
Taking a few moments to ponder the question, Alicia turned towards him, then leaned on an elbow before speaking. “My grandmother gave me a jewelry box that displayed a ballerina in a pink tutu. She twirled around to music in a little circle. I used to pretend I was her and that with each twirl, I was magically transported to faraway magical lands.” Alicia closed her eyes as if the imagery had flooded her memory.
“That sounds wonderful.” Dallas glanced toward the ceiling as if it contained the answer. “My mother had a box that played music when it opened, but I don’t think it had a dancer inside. Hers had water and dolphins painted on it.”
“Mine had a castle on it.” Alicia reached for her phone. “My grandmother once told me the picture was of this castle in Germany.” After tapping a few keys on the iPhone, she handed the phone to Dallas. “This is actually your phone. Do you mind?”
“Not at all.” Dallas entered then told her the passcode.
She typed in the website’s address. “Walt Disney designed his Castle from it.”
“That’s nice.” He swiped left through the images. “Do you still have the music box?”
“I haven’t seen it in years.” Alicia adjusted the pillow behind her back. “I may have given it to my brother when his daughter was returned to his care.”
Dallas kicked off the cream-colored, woven jacquard down-filled duvet. “What shall we do today?”
“You mean besides this?” She flexed her hand between the two of them.
His left eyebrow arched, “Oh so now, you’re Dr. Ruth.” He let out a full belly laugh. “And I thought I was ensuring you’d have use of your limbs today. But if you insist.” Dallas immediately rolled over to Alicia as she squirmed and laughed.
He held her steady as a quick move of his fingers opened her, revealing a warm wet core. Pausing briefly to take in her scent, he moaned in appreciation. Dallas reached off the edge of the bed and retrieved a cube of ice from the discarded glass. Tracing it along her ribcage then downward. Licking each inch of the liquid trail. Resting the cube on her mound, he waited until it all but melted. Placing the remainder of the ice on the tip of his tongue, he parted the outer folds of her core to a welcoming moan. He drank from her chalice until she dug her fingernails into the back of his neck and screamed out his name, Dallas.
Her orgasmic plateau was met with melodic moans intermingling with the erratic bumping of the headboard against the wall. Alicia’s words caught in her throat as if unable to speak. He kissed a trail to her neck as he entered her. First gently, then with wicked purpose. Her body rocked with his, and together they danced a deliciously exotic kakilambe. She was entirely spent by the time he exploded in ecstasy. Her climax erupted a nanosecond afterward.
An hour later, they were under the hot water as it pulsated from the rainfall showerhead. Dallas reached for a bottle of shampoo.
“Gold Lust?” she asked, placing both hands on her ample hips.
“And repair,” he added, palms out in surrender.
Dallas inhaled deeply as scents of pineapples, argon oil, passion fruit, and maracuja filled the shower and invaded her senses. “May I?” he asked.
Alicia turned then tilted her head backward, allowing Dallas’s fingers to go to work on her scalp. Tingling sensations started at the nape of her neck and went all the way down to her toes, nearly causing her knees to buckle. She reached out using her left hand to grip the railing in the shower to prevent a fall. In all her life, she’d never had a man to wash her hair, let alone in the shower. The feeling of vulnerability was intoxicating.
On the court, Dallas was a beast, but not with her. He was protective without being possessive, caring and considerate, gentle and giving. At that moment, she was the recipient of his affection, and she craved more.
Dallas’ cell phone rang. He ignored it the first few attempts, but with a grimace on his lips, he reached for the plush bath sheet and stepped out before she did. While drying his hair, he hit the speaker key, “What’s up, Hernandez. How’re you feeling, my man?” He tilted his head towards the door, signaling to Alicia he’d take the call in the bedroom.
Adrian Hernandez rapid-fire questions echoed through the speaker of the iPhone.
“Wait, slow down. I can’t understand a word you’re saying.” Dallas sat on the edge of the bed, massaging his temples.
“Are you watching the news?” was all that Dallas could decipher.
“No, but I can turn the TV on now.”
He clicked the remote as the news anchor announced, “Police are asking for your help in locating another missing child. They are looking for a local thirteen-year-old girl. Nova Wallace was last seen wearing jeans and a Maverick’s jersey. Police ask that you call 1-800-STOP-CRIME with any information.”
“Isn’t that the same girl we selected to have lunch with you? The one from the foster home?” Adrian asked. “I remember her waving excessively at you during the presentation.”
Dallas hit the mute button on the remote and scratched his head. “It could be her. Man, this is madness.” He slapped his thigh. “She’s the third young girl to go missing this week. The foundation is so important; our children are going missing at an alarming rate.”
“I’ll keep you posted,” Hernandez said. “I hope she is found safe and not like the others. They’ve all had such difficult lives.”
“Life can be hard on some people. Harder than it should be,” Dallas said. “This proves all the more why we’re on the right track.”
As Alicia conditioned her hair, she recalled the day she first met Dallas in person. She wasn’t entirely sure why the Charity Auction for the Paul Alexander Foundation drew her attention and made her travel from Chicago to Plano, Texas. Yet, she stood in stilettos for what seemed to be an eternity awaiting the grand prize, Dallas Avery—bachelor extraordinaire. Ladies primped and primed then sashayed closer to the podium, sure to be seen by the NBA star. As soon as a long-legged, strawberry blonde female with striking green eyes spoke into the microphone, the crowd hushed. Dallas walked out onto the stage, and the women giggled like schoolgirls, oohing and awing as though in heat.
“I don’t have time for any of this nonsense.” Alicia turned to make her way through the crowds towards the exit door. “Pardon me. Excuse me.”
Women were packed in tighter than Ru Paul’s Spanx.
“Folks,” the emcee said into the mic. “Let’s get this done.” The applause was near deafening. Alicia was halfway to the door when she heard, “And the winner for dinner—oh, that rhymed,” she said with a laugh. “Is … Alicia Mitchell from Chicago.”
It took several moments to register, and her hand went in the air for a Miss America wave. “That’s me,” she said.
Alicia spun around to see Dallas, clad in a stunning black tuxedo walking in her direction. She watched him eying the way the strapless emerald gown perfectly accentuated each curve. Alicia may have won the auction, but he looked as if he’d won the prize.
That night set into motion events that would change both their lives.
The sound of Dallas entering the bathroom snapped her from the memories.
“Do you want to come back in with me?” Alicia asked with a husky voice.
“I don’t know where you get your energy,” he said. “But you may want to eat something before you attempt to go into overtime.” He leaned back and bellowed a hearty laugh. “Or should I say, double overtime? Where’d you like to go to eat?”
Turning off the faucets, she stepped into the awaiting towel and reached for a second one to dry her hair. “I have an idea—let’s have an outing.”
About the Author
Aiken Ponder grew up admiring authors that wielded their pens like a sword. Learning from the masters, she too put pen to paper, clearing her path to success. Aiken writes across many genres, including Erotica, Mysteries, Paranormal, and Adult Contemporary Literature.
Aiken is a member of NK Tribe called Success and Cavalcade of Authors. Her debut book, 80 Days of Pleasure, collaborates with New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Authors. Aiken's books feature powerful women who unapologetically embrace their authenticity and boldly walk in their purpose and passion.
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I am so thankful for your support and look forward to reading your reviews.
Aiken Ponder, Queen of Belize
