More Than Comics (12 page)

I fondled her breast with one hand, teasing her nipple through the corset, while my other hand continued exploring between her thighs. I shoved her legs apart with my knee, making her open wider for me. She clutched my arms and made the most delicious sounds as I slipped my fingers into her, one by one. Her nails scraped against my skin while I stroked her both inside and out and the slight pain made me even harder. Soon she was holding on to me for dear life, eyes closed, her face even more beautiful as she came undone. It gave me so much satisfaction knowing I had the power to do that.

Before she could recover, I turned her around, pushing her toward the edge of the bed. “All night I’ve thought about taking you from behind in that costume. And now I’m going to do exactly that.”

“Oh god, yes,” she said, arching against me.

I nudged her forward and she crawled onto the bed on her hands and knees, still wearing those knee-high black boots that made her legs look sexy as hell. I shoved her dress up around her hips, taking in her perfect, round ass and every other inch of exposed skin.

“God, you are so hot.” I bent my head to taste between her thighs, giving her one long, lazy lick to let her know how much I meant it. She rewarded me with another of those sexy moans, and I couldn’t wait to be inside her. I quickly undid my jeans, too eager to take them off completely, though I managed to grab a condom from my pocket and get that on.

Still standing, I palmed her smooth legs, so pale against my own skin, and spread her wider. She completely opened for me and glanced over her shoulder with raw lust in her eyes, turning me on even more.

I found her entrance and pushed just the tip inside to tease her, but she moaned and pressed back against me, trying to take me deeper. Fuck, that was hot. She really didn’t want gentle or slow, my sexy little wench. But I was in control here, not her. I grasped her hips, holding her in place, and rubbed up and down, in and out, just enough to make her beg.

And oh, did she beg.

“Please, Hector.
Please
.”

I’d never heard anything sweeter in my life. How could I refuse when she asked like that?

With my hands on her hips, I plunged inside her in one smooth motion, all the way to the hilt. She gasped and threw her head back, her golden hair falling around her bare shoulders. Her pirate hat must have fallen off at some point in our frenzy.

At this angle I filled her completely and oh god it felt so good, so fucking tight. I wanted to take my time, but each thrust nearly sent me over the edge. Especially when she pressed back against my body with the same urgency. There was no holding back or going slow, and there was definitely no way I could be gentle. There was just this primal need for each other, like we were animals. Tonight she was mine, and I was hers, no matter what happened after this weekend.

My fingers dug into her skin as I pumped in and out with wild abandon, unable to control myself. She worked with me, rocking back and forth in time with my movements, forcing me deeper and deeper. Her hands clawed at the sheets, fisting them as she cried out. It was too much, and I was already so close, but I needed to take her along with me.

With one hand curled around her waist, I reached between her legs, rubbing her in exactly the right spot to make her shudder. It wasn’t long before the orgasm hit her hard and she pushed back against me, clenching around me, shouting my name into the air. I rode through it, never letting up my pace, not wanting this moment to ever end. But I couldn’t hold on and soon gave myself completely to her, the pleasure so intense I thought I might black out.

I slipped out of her and collapsed onto the bed, pulling her on top of me. She draped her arms around my neck and kissed me softly, her body relaxing into mine. We were both still partly dressed, our clothes a messy tangle around us, but neither of us moved to fix them. Soon our breath and heartbeats slowed together in sync.

“Last night was incredible,” she said. “But that? That might have topped it.”

I chuckled and tightened my arms around her. “You’re good for my ego.”

“I’m only speaking the truth.”

One of her hands smoothed up and down my chest, tracing every ridge and curve with her fingers like she was fascinated by them. “I could touch you for hours.”

“I wouldn’t complain.” I closed my eyes as she continued her investigation of my body. All my hours at the gym were definitely paying off. I didn’t work out to impress women, but to keep my stamina up for shows and because it helped me stay calm and grounded. Tara’s appreciation was just a huge bonus.

She propped herself up on one arm to look at me. “What does
te quiero
mean?”

I tensed and nearly jumped off the bed. “What?”

“You said it at the end, over and over.”

Jesus, I’d said that out loud? I’d never done that before. I only spoke Spanish with my
abuelita
, since my sisters and I grew up speaking English to each other. But that moment at the end with Tara had been so intense it must have slipped out.

“It means, ‘I want you.’” I gave her the literal translation instead of the one I’d really meant: I love you. At least I hadn’t said
te amo
. She’d probably be able to guess the meaning of that one.

She smiled, idly running her fingers through my hair. “I like it when you speak Spanish. Even if I have no idea what you’re saying.”

“Oh yeah?” I switched to Spanish, whispering in her ear. “Tara, you are my sunshine, my moonlight, the light of my life. I love you, no matter what happens this weekend.” Even though it was cheesy as hell it felt good to confess that, and no one would ever know what I’d said except me.

“Mmm.” She nuzzled her face into my neck. “What did you say?”

“That you look so damn sexy I want to take you all over again.” I’d never before been so happy that she’d taken French as her language elective in college. I kissed her forehead. “But we need to get going.”

“Too bad.”

“Later. We still have another night before Comic-Con ends.” And after that…

I forced myself not to think about it. All that mattered was right now, this moment together, and it was enough. We’d work the rest out later.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
TARA

H
ector’s band was already in the lobby by the time we got down there, along with Alexis and two of Maddie’s friends—Carla, a tall, stunningly beautiful black girl with wild curls and a
MythBusters
t-shirt, and Julie, an Asian girl dressed in a steampunk Wonder Woman costume. Maddie and Jared were cosplaying as Princess Leia and Han Solo, and they were insanely cute together. Maybe I should have worn my pirate costume after all—but it needed a good wash after what had just been done in it.

Jared explained that we had to hit the store to get food and drinks before joining the Hall H line. We all stepped outside the hotel as one big cluster, carrying backpacks with clothes, sleeping bags, and games. It felt good to be surrounded by friends again, even if I didn’t know them very well. If I moved to LA I’d be hanging out with these people a lot, I hoped. Tonight would be a tiny glimpse of what my life might be like if I chose the LA job…and Hector.

“Where’s your Villain Complex hat?” Jared asked.

Hector ran a hand through his short curls and scowled. “I stopped wearing it because people kept recognizing me from the show. It got annoying.”

“What? No one’s recognized me so far. Maybe I should wear the hat from now on.”

“It wouldn’t go with your costume,” I said.

“True.” Jared grinned, looking back and forth between me and Hector. “Glad to see you two patched it up. I thought I’d have to hug it out of him.”

“Keep your arms to yourself,” Hector growled.

“You know you want some of this.” Jared grabbed him in a big hug and tried to kiss him, while Hector squirmed away.

“Knock it off,” Hector said, but I could tell he secretly loved it. The two of them started wrestling and then Jared darted down the street with Hector chasing after him, both of them laughing. They reminded me of my brothers, who were constantly beating each other up with smiles on their faces.

“Are they always like this?” I asked Maddie, moving to walk at her side.

“Pretty much. Sometimes Kyle joins in, too.” She watched them with obvious affection. “I’m so glad you could make it tonight. Camping out for Hall H is a Comic-Con tradition everyone has to do at least once.”

“How could I resist the lure of sleeping in front of a convention center with thousands of other sweaty, tired nerds?”

“Exactly! And now we can discuss your costume for the Masquerade. Julie’s already putting it together.”

“Oh, cool. What Batman villain am I going to be?”

Julie explained her plans for my costume, and I got even more excited. She eyed me up and down. “We have some clothes that might work, but it would help if I knew what you brought to Comic-Con.”

“I don’t have much. Just a couple t-shirts, some jeans, and a pirate costume.” I described the costume for her and her face lit up.

“Yes! I think I can make that work for what I have in mind. We’ll have to get a bowtie and a top hat, but I’m sure someone is selling those here.”

“If it’s too much trouble don’t worry about it. I don’t need a costume.”

“No way. Challenge accepted!”

“Trust me, she lives for this stuff,” Maddie said.

“I love your costume,” I said, gesturing at Julie’s steampunk Wonder Woman outfit. “It’s so badass and clever at the same time. Did you make it, too?”

“I did! Thanks!” She donned her goggles and tossed her long, black hair over her shoulder, exuding major confidence and sexuality. I liked her instantly.

Carla shook her head, smiling. “Don’t encourage her.”

Julie struck another pose, hands on her hips. “You’re just upset that guys are looking at me instead of you for once.”

“That must be it.”

As we walked, we discussed my costume in more detail and made arrangements for us to get together a few hours before the Masquerade. Alexis joined us and added her own thoughts, and I felt this overwhelming sense of belonging and happiness bubble up inside me. Hector’s friends had immediately accepted me as one of their group and involved me in all their plans. They really felt like
my
people.

Hector moved to my side, sliding a hand around my waist. “Are these pretty ladies bothering you, Tara?”

“We totally are,” Julie said, grinning at me. “You should rescue her.”

Hector rolled his eyes, but the other girls giggled and gave us some space.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

I couldn’t contain the smile bursting out of me. “Everything is great. I really like your friends.”

He chuckled and kissed me on the forehead. “Yeah, they’re not so bad.”

We entered the supermarket, and Hector and the others stopped inside the entrance next to a row of cupcakes with tiny superheroes on them. Jared rubbed his hands together. “Time to play a little game.”

“Ooh, I’ve been dying to play this ever since Maddie told me about it,” Julie said.

Alexis groaned. “Don’t tell me you guys still play Supermarket Treasure Hunt.”

“What’s that?” I asked.

“A game they invented when we were teenagers,” she said. “I assumed they’d outgrow it but I guess not.”

Kyle draped an arm around her. “If I recall,
you
were the one who invented the game.”

She laughed and gave him a quick kiss. “That is
so
not how I remember it.”

We all crowded around Jared, who seemed to be the unspoken leader of the group. “Since there are so many of us we’re going to do a team version of Supermarket Treasure Hunt. Grab a partner and a shopping cart and find the three craziest, weirdest, and, most importantly, the funniest items you can find. Make sure they all follow a theme for bonus points. Since this is Comic-Con, I expect some seriously messed up shit. Meet at the banana stand in ten minutes and we’ll vote on the winner. Now…go!”

The others ran off, grabbing carts while hooting and cheering. Hector grasped my hand and tugged me toward the alcohol aisle. “Come on. I saw some weird shit in this section when I picked up beer yesterday.”

I laughed and followed him, snagging a cart along the way. I’d never done anything like this before, but I could already imagine what my life would be like if I moved to LA…and I liked the image. Especially if it included more of Hector holding my hand.

In the alcohol aisle, we scanned the options quickly and pointed out a few things that might work. Then I spotted cans of alcoholic whip cream. In multiple flavors. “Look at this!”

“Perfect.”

“We need one of each.” I grabbed them off the shelf and dumped them into our cart.

“You’re a natural at this game.” He pulled me against his chest and kissed me deeply, like I was the only thing in his entire world. And for a minute, he was the only thing in mine.

Once we finally broke apart I checked the time. “We need to hurry. I’ll look through the other aisle, you keep working on this one.”

He nodded and I took off. I scoured the wine section in the next aisle, trying to move fast with the clock ticking away. I was about to grab a bottle that said Dry Sack Wine (ha!) when a familiar voice behind me said, “Tara?”

Oh no.

Andy.

“Hey.” I spun around, feeling guilty even though I had no reason to be. Thank god he hadn’t caught me a minute ago when I’d had my tongue inside Hector’s mouth. Not that I’d done anything wrong by kissing Hector, but it would have made this moment that much more uncomfortable. “What are you doing here?”

He wore a black polo shirt with a tiny Rubik’s Cube for the logo, and his dark blond hair was messier than normal, hanging nearly into his hazel eyes. He was ridiculously handsome, and my stomach tightened at the sight—a reminder that I still cared about him.

“Grabbing some beer.” He walked over to me, frowning. “I texted you like five times. I thought we were going to have dinner tonight.”

“You did?” Shit, shit, shit. I’d completely forgotten I’d told Andy I would text him when the party was over. “I’m so sorry! My phone was on silent and the party ran late and...”