Chapter 17: Lena

I take a moment to just breathe, to take stock of my body and the play we're engaging in. I'm not hurt, not even a little. The arm he's holding is immobile but not strained. The only part of me that's in need is my pussy, which is dripping with anticipation, hoping this will end the way I think it will.

"I'm fucking awesome, Luis," I tell him honestly, a grin spreading across my face.

"Good." His breathing is harsh against the side of my head. "Because I'm about to fuck you rough. You can claw, bite, fight me, whatever you want. You tell me if you're not okay." I nod, and then bite my lip. He senses my hesitation. He reaches around and takes my chin in hand, tilting my head until I'm looking up at him. "Talk to me, Lena. I don't want to hurt you."

"Please," I say breathlessly, trying to screw up the courage. I know my face must be a beacon of red. "I don't like anal." It comes out in a rush and I wonder if he understood. His arms tighten around me.

"No anal," he says reassuringly. "I can live with that. Maybe one day you'll let me show you how good it can be."

"Not today?" I ask guardedly.

"Not today." His voice is low, soothing, and I believe him. Believe he has no intention of hurting me. I'm also grateful that he doesn't dig into my violent past. Maybe one day I'll feel capable of telling him some of the things. But not today. I cherish the way he's looking at me, don't want that look to change to disgust, or worse, pity.

Then I don't have any more time to think because he's shoving me forward, pushing my face down into the mattress. My ass is up, pressed against him, my arm still held tight against my back. I gasp as he buries fingers in my pussy, groaning at the wetness that eases his invasion. Everything scatters, my breath, my brain cells, my pulse. He's fumbling behind me, about to enter me.

But if he wants play, then I'll give him play. I thrust my ass back hard, surprising him, knocking him off balance. He drops my hand and I roll to the side, off the bed. I straighten, readying to sprint across the room to the door, but he wraps an arm around my belly and drags me backward onto the bed. I shriek my laughter and try to remember a few fighting skills as he pins me down, hovers over top of me. I'm about to box his ear, knock him to the side when he grabs my wrist. Before I can think to use the other arm, he scoops that one up too and pins them both above my head.

For a split second I realize his vulnerability. My knee, crooked right between his legs. One little thrust and play time is over. His eyes flash as he realizes too, reaches down to grab my knee. Gives me an opening to swing my other leg up, wrap it around his neck, twist and put him in a choke hold.

"Motherfucker!" he yells.

I'm trying to decide if he's impressed with my fighting skills or if he's genuinely pissed that I've gained the upper hand. Or leg. He twists underneath me forcing me on top. I smother him with my pussy, tightening my legs, determined to get him to tap, ending the fight so we can resume the sex. Instead of tapping, he reaches up and thrusts his fingers deep into my vagina. I yell my shock and loosen my hold, trying to roll away from him.

He grabs me and drags me back underneath him, face down. Now he has both of my arms behind my back. I'm completely pinned as he enters me. The sensations, oh god, they're incredible. Every nerve ending in my body is clamoring for release. He takes me rough and hard, slamming his hips against my ass so hard the muscles in my thighs are reverberating with the impact. The breath rushes out of me as sobs of pleasure erupt.

My orgasm hits like the top being blown off a volcano. It's fast, shocking and utterly explosive. My inner muscles squeeze him hard, milking his cock as I come. He shouts his own release, barely able to thrust into my tight passage as I grip him.

We both collapse on the bed, breathing hard. I swipe a handful of hair out of my face so I can meet his eyes. He looks stunned. I grin and run my finger through the sweat on his forehead.

"I should've gone for the arm bar," I say breathlessly, still struggling to get enough air into my lungs.

"Fuck, Lena, those hurt." He grins back at me. "You're lethal, sweetheart. Don't know if I should be impressed or afraid. Maybe get some more training in, up my game."

"You do that," I say cheekily. "Meanwhile I'm going to make sure I'm at least wearing underwear next time we do this. That was some sneaky shit you pulled there. Pretty sure vaginal interference should be some kind of penalty."

He laughs and slaps my ass. Hard. "No more super Theresa broth for you. I damn near lost that fight."

"If you promise our fights will always end that way then I'll let you win sometimes."

He leans over, onto his elbow and kisses me, using his finger to move more hair off my face. I grimace, knowing it must be sweaty. He doesn't seem to care as he trails kisses over my face and the back of my neck. After a minute, he settles back in the bed, his arms behind his head. His eyes grow serious as he studies me, our banter set firmly aside.

"I want to discuss Manuel's death."

I nod, having expected that he'd want to talk eventually. I push myself into a sitting position, hugging a pillow against my chest. "You can talk to me, Luis. I'll tell you the truth. Tell you what I think happened."

"I know, Lena." He studies me, his eyes steady on mine. I feel warm, welcome. I don't feel fear. "I know you won't lie to me." He doesn't mean now, in this instant, this conversation. He means forever. I think he might be right, too. I don't need to lie to Luis. He said he won't hurt me, so I have no reason to tell him anything but the truth.

"Arturo – " I start, but he cuts me off.

"I told him to stay away for a few days." His gaze grows cool, distant, as he mulls over the problem of his cousin.

I chew my lip and nod. Probably best Arturo isn't around while Luis… while we... figure some things out. "Here's my theory…"