Ortega swallowed. Knowing what this meant, he still asked if she was sure, and when she remained firm, he didn't hesitate.
The back room was small but clean. Crates on crates and broken furniture were packed neatly in the corner. 'Twas a makeshift resting space.
The whole place scented like her. Mae lay on the bed, pillow clutched against her chest, sunlight from the window bathing her face in a warm glow. The sight was bold and provocative yet so vulnerable. He leaned against the wall and watched her sit up to watch him. This room could've been bigger, and she might've sat further, but he'd still feel her all the same: the memory of her touch, her softness wrapped around him. His rational mind said this was happening too fast, that he was getting ahead of himself, that the woman before him was his boss. He took this job for money, nothing else. But sex? Could he have that with her?
He didn't have the time nor resources to commit to a relationship, and he hoped they were on the same page. If not, so be it. But first, he needed one thing clear.
"Are you married?"
She smiled, like she expected it. "No. I mean, I was."
"Divorced?"
She shook her head. "Widow."
Ortega's lips parted in shock. He wasn't expecting this at all. "Um… sorry."
She waved it off. "It's fine." Then she tapped the space beside her. He kicked off the wall and swaggered over.
He sat beside her, and they both felt the mattress dip.
Up close, she looked magnificent but sad. Something twisted in his chest. He looked around. "Nice hideout."
She smiled. "It's not a hideout. A safe space." She looked around too. "Yeah."
"Do you feel safe?"
"Yeah."
"'Cause I'm here?"
"What? Please." She slapped his knee.
Ortega smiled, watching her bloom, and allowed himself to relax. He fell back and lay on the bed, looking at the ceiling fan.
Then she leaned back and lay beside him, facing him.
"How old are you?"
"Old enough to stand beside you."
She gave him the world's biggest, juiciest eye-roll.
"For real, though."
"Twenty-one."
She nodded.
"Is that my stamp of approval?"
"Stop," she groaned, slapping his chest lightly, and he chuckled.
They stared at each other for a few more moments.
Entranced by what they saw in each other's eyes.
Almost nothing sexual at first.
Until Mae's tongue ran over her lips.
Ortega found himself inching closer.
Softly tucking her hair behind her ear.
He admired the beautiful curve of her neck while she closed her eyes, lips parting slightly in anticipation.
A chuckle escaped Ortega instead.
Mae's eyes snapped open as she balled her fists.
"Shut up." She fisted his shirt.
Ortega couldn't help it. He kept laughing, head thrown back.
"Or else?" he managed between chuckles.
Mae's fingers folded quickly around his neck.
"Or else," she threatened with a cute expression. "I'll strangle you."
Ortega didn't know why his arousal surged at the idea of her grip tightening a little.
"Can you even?" he challenged.
Mae's eyes sparked.
She straddled him.
The silence between them thickened as their gazes held and their breaths flourished.
Mae's fingers loosened.
Ortega caught her wrists before she could release him.
His lips parted, breaths shuddering.
He couldn't get enough of the way her hands felt wrapped around him like this.
Mae squeezed.
Ortega found himself wishing she'd be a little rougher. More aggressive.
The air thinned.
Ortega's hands slid beneath her skirt and cupped her bare ass cheeks.
She gasped at his audacity, even though her hips were already moving slowly.
Back and forth.
Ortega bit his lip at the friction of being ground against by her soft, cushioning heat.
His fingers kneaded her ass as she rolled her hips on him.
Their skin flushed as their breaths thickened into something animalistic.
Mae lowered her lips to his.
Ortega hadn't looked away from her eyes the whole time, and it did something to her.
She kissed him before she could process it.
Ortega pulled her closer and kissed back hungrily.
They moaned against each other as her curves molded to his.
Still, it wasn't enough.
Mae peeled off her clothes in annoyance and dove back into devouring Ortega's lips.
He felt her fire burning, how bold she was getting. He wanted more of that.
When she leaned into his body again, he shifted her weight until he was on top and she was beneath him.
He peeled off his shirt.
Her hands were hot on his breathing abs.
He dove for her breasts, gobbling as she clawed the back of his head, holding him while his tongue ministered to her flesh.
As if that wasn't enough, her legs wrapped around his waist, imprisoning him to her. Not that he planned to escape.
Mae smiled wantonly as Ortega assaulted her nape with sloppy kisses. Her eyes closed, soft moans spurring him on.
As she massaged the back of his head with deft fingers, she couldn't help but giggle at his inexperience.
He didn't quite understand her body yet, but that was fine. The fire burned hotter in her stomach at how eagerly he took initiative.
Mae's laughter punctuated her moans and raspy breaths as Ortega tried to synchronize teasing her clit with his hardness while electrifying her collarbones with his tongue.
He failed woefully, and he knew it.
At one point, Mae playfully smacked his ass and demanded what the hell he was doing.
Ortega chuckled against her earlobe, and it made her burn hotter.
Then he straightened, and their eyes met again.
Mae's breath hitched.
"Is that all?" she teased.
Ortega bit his bottom lip and pressed himself into her.
Mae hissed as her pupils dilated.