Beat of the Heart

Shaking her head slowly at me, she replied, “Just when I think all men are alike….You really are too good to be true, you know that?”


I nodded. “It’s a curse really,” I replied, trying to lighten the mood.

A grin curved on her lips. “Sorry for being so neurotic. This whole getting back in the game thing has my head spinning.”

“How about I let you make it up to me by washing my back…and my dick?”

She laughed. “It’s a deal.”



Morning sunlight streaked in through my curtains. Groaning, I brought my hand to my eyes to shield them. I usually remembered to close them before I went to bed. Then I remembered what had caused me to forget. A delicious reel of images from the previous night flickered through my mind. Even though I’d been satisfied multiple times, Mia was an addicting drug, and I wanted more. Rolling over, I found the other side of the bed empty. Flipping back over, I noticed the bathroom door was wide open, so she wasn’t in there. Just as I was about to get utterly pissed at Mia for bailing on me, wonderful aromas assaulted my nose.

Holy shit, she was cooking me breakfast? I sniffed the air a few times. My chest constricted when I realized that the heavenly smell was more specifically Huevos Rancheros. Mia was making me a Mexican breakfast. Now that was some real shit right there. I couldn’t help shaking my head in disbelief. Not only was Mia a sex goddess who knew her way around a dick, but damn, if she didn’t know how to cook, too. I mean, she could take care of two of the strongest appetites I had—sex and food.

Flinging back the covers, I hustled out of bed. I threw on some boxer shorts before heading down the hallway. Peeking in the kitchen, I found Mia at the stove. My deflating wood thrummed back to life at the sight of her outfitted in one of my T-shirts with only her black, lacy panties from last night.

“Morning,” I said.

She jumped before whirling around. She swept the spatula to her chest. “Shit, you scared me.”

“Sorry. It’s just, I woke up and missed you in bed.”

Mia eyed the bulge in my shorts. “Hmm, I think I know now why you were missing me.”

I laughed before motioning toward the stove. “Is that really Huevos Rancheros I smell?”

“Yes, is it.” She gave me a playful grin. “My, my, you look surprised that a Sicilian gal can cook something Mexican.”

I laughed. “I’m shocked to see you cooking, period, least of all this.”

“One of my girlfriends and first apartment mates was Mexican. I learned from her.” Grabbing the orange juice out of the fridge, Mia poured two large glasses. “You know, I was kinda shocked to even find food in the house.”

Sheepishly, I ran a hand through my bed hair. “Yeah, my mom takes credit for that one. She makes sure when I’m coming into town to stock the fridge and pantry.”

“She likes to spoil her little boy, huh?” Mia teased. She reached out and playfully pinched my cheek.

I swatted her hand away. “She just likes to take care of me since I’m gone a lot. She doesn’t get as much time with me as her other kids. I mean, Antonio’s still living at home and commuting to Tech, and my sister, Cris, just lives two streets over from her.”

Mia smiled. “I think it’s sweet she looks after you like she does. It makes me think of something Mama Sofia would do for me.”

As Mia’s expression grew sad, I decided we needed a subject change. “You know, I’m really digging your attire.”

With an exasperated snort, she brushed a strand of hair out of her face. “Yeah, it’s a little less than I usually wear when I cook, but none of your boxers fit right.” She cast a glance over her shoulder before scowling. “My ass is too big.”

Sinking to my knees, I gripped her hips and turned her around. “Never, ever diss your fantabulous ass in my presence again.” Along the exposed skin, I smacked one of the perfect globes before grazing it with my teeth. “Tastes as good as it looks.”

“AJ!”

“Seriously, Mia, this ass is perfection—one to be proud of.”

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