Chapter 82
Nathan came further into the bar while the woman from his dreams brought herself back up to stand and she immediately looked at him again. She didn't appear to feel love, or at least Nathan couldn't see any in her eyes, but her eyes did show a raw, immediate attraction that instantly aroused him. Nathan finally sat and the woman snapped her fingers in the direction of her band and said something to them, but she spoke too fast and Nathan didn't quite catch what she'd said. But she must have requested a song. The trumpet and guitar opened and, alone on stage, the woman was handed two fans and she began to dance in time with the music. But she wasn't content, so it seemed, to just spin and twirl. The dance was less than a minute as she spun and performed displays with her fans, but she would flip on stage, cartwheel without her hands, spin gracefully to the back of the stage only to do back flips returning to the front. When the song was set to end, she twirled once more, ensured both feet were on the ground, and then dropped effortlessly into a split on stage, her red and black fans both above her and to her side.
The bar erupted in applause for the display and only then did the woman take her eyes from Nathan's to look upon her patrons, basking in their praise and Nathan couldn't fight a small laugh. She was certainly vain he could tell. She ran her back leg around the floor so both legs were now in front, taking her out of her split and standing to bow. After which she looked right at Nathan again and winked at him before snapping her fingers at the band again and ushering for a line of couples to come on the stage and dance. She walked off the stage from the back past the curtains and she was gone. Eventually, a waitress came to his table already carrying wine put everything on his table and poured him a glass.
"No..um," Nathan said, trying to remember. "Não solicitei uma bebida," (I didn't order a drink) he managed to correct himself from Spanish to Portuguese.
"A bebida é um presente," (The drink is a present) the waitress smiled and placed the bottle on the table with a bright smile before walking away. Nathan was surprised by the free beverage and didn't drink it. Rather he stared at it a moment while leaning back in his seat.
"Você não gosta o vinho?" (Do you not like the wine?) the voice came and Nathan looked up at her. It was the same feminine, deep tempest voice from his dream and she smiled her seductive smile.
"Estou apenas surpreso," (I am only surprised) Nathan answered. The woman looked at him a moment and snickered.
"I should have guessed you're American," she said in English.
"How did you know?" Nathan asked.
"Your accent," the woman answered. "I've come across many an American in this bar believe it or not. I know what they sound like."
"That's impressive," Nathan smiled. "I'm a little surprised you speak English."
"I speak many languages," the woman answered proudly. "The need for many languages comes when you own a bar in a resort town."
"You own this place?" Nathan asked.
"Indeed I do," the woman grinned. "I have for many years now." She pulled out a chair beside Nathan and sat beside him and then took a sip from his wine glass. "So where are you from?"
"Washington," Nathan answered. "The state I mean."
"And what brings you so far away from home?" she asked.
"Before I answer anything else," Nathan said, wanting an answer to a question he'd asked in his dreams so many times. "What is your name?"
She grinned, "I suppose we haven't been properly introduced." She put down Nathan's glass and held out her hand. "I'm Ada María Esperanza Quilla Escada," she announced. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance Mr.-"
"Black. Nathan Black," Nathan smiled and took her hand to shake it. "That's quite a mouthful of a name you've got."
"Ada María is my first name, Esperanza was my father's mother's name, Quilla was my grandma's name on my mother's side and, of course, Escada is my surname."
"It's a beautiful name," Nathan smiled genuinely, feeling a huge relief of knowing the name of the woman who'd haunted his dreams for upwards of a year. He took the glass in hand and had a sip of his wine. "It's nice to finally know your name."
She looked at him strangely and kept smiling, "Are you always so impatient?" she teased.
"Only this time," Nathan said. Before he could start to dwell too much on his dreams, she continued their conversation.
"To return to my question, what brings you so far away from home?" Ada María asked.
"Just traveling," Nathan said. "I'd always wanted to travel south, but those plans were put on hold when I married my wife."
"Oh, you're married," Ada María said with a sinful giggle, but Nathan gently shook his head.
"Widowed," Nathan answered and Ada María's smile diminished just a little.
"My condolences," Ada María said. Nathan smiled sadly, but continued.
"We had our daughter Scarlet, but three years ago, she'd passed away from Ovarian cancer. She made me swear that I'd take Scarlet traveling, so that's what I did."
"You have a daughter?" Ada María asked.
"Yeah," Nathan smiled. "Scarlet Willow is her full name. She's my pride and joy, that kid."
"A beautiful name," Ada María smiled. "How old is she?"
"13 now," Nathan said. "She's grown so much since we started traveling."
"I imagine so," Ada María said. "And how long have you and your daughter been in Salvador?"
"We arrived yesterday," Nathan said. "We found this little inn to stay at, but I found myself awake in the middle of the night and went for a walk and when I saw this place, I knew I had to take a look."
She returned a seductive smile, "I'm pleased you did." She brought her hand to Nathan's wrist sensually and brazenly then started to grip and release in a massaging motion. "I'm always happy to welcome newcomers."
"Is that what the free wine is for?" Nathan asked.
"No," she said with a wicked twinkle in her eye. "That's just a present from me."
"Well," Nathan said and took another sip, "thank you for the courtesy." Ada María bit the corner of her lip and gracefully pulled her chair closer, presumably with just her ass from what Nathan could tell, until she was sitting right beside him.
"I think you'll come to find I'm exceedingly courteous," she whispered seductively as she continued to massage his wrist.
Nathan smiled and turned his hand upward so he could take her hand in his. "So how many languages do you speak?"
"I speak Portuguese, Spanish, English and Quechua."
"Might I hear you speak Quechua? That's the language of the Inca is it not?"
"Indeed it is," Ada María grinned. "It's also called 'Runa Simi', meaning the people's language. What I speak is a more Cusco dialect of Quechua."
"Might I hear it?" Nathan asked again.
She smiled and said, "Para-mu-sha-n-shi."
"What does that mean?" Nathan asked.
"It means 'I heard it's raining'."
"It's pretty," Nathan smiled.
"What of you?" she asked. "Please tell me you speak more than English and ill-trained Portuguese."
Nathan laughed, "It's not very courteous to insult your guest, Ada."
"I only speak with honesty," Ada María grinned. "Though please accept my apologies if I've offended you." Ada María gently trailed her hand from Nathan's wrist up to his shoulder where she began the same massaging grip.
"It's alright," Nathan smiled. "For the record, I speak Spanish very well and I also speak Quileute."
"I'm not familiar with that language."
"It's a language of the Quileute tribe in Washington," Nathan smiled. "My father is son to the chief and is chief apparent."
"Is that so?"Ada María giggled. "Well, my, my, it's not often I'm afforded the company of a prince."
"It's not often I'm given a free bottle of wine," Nathan chuckled back. Ada María's eyes seemed to sparkle and she started to run her hand over Nathan's shoulder, down Nathan's back and finally rested her hand on his thigh.
"I seek to please," she said suggestively and gave his thigh a firm squeeze. 'She doesn't waste any time does she?' Nathan thought to himself and smiled.
"I can see that," Nathan said lightheartedly and Ada María squeezed his thigh again. "Are you always so friendly with all your patrons?"
"Only the handsome ones," Ada María grinned and leaned in a little more. "And I must say, you had my eye since you stepped in."
"Likewise," Nathan answered and put his hand on Ada María's on his thigh. "So tell me more about yourself? Were you born here?"
"I was born in Cusco," Ada María answered. "My father is from Portugal and my mother is from Peru. She calls herself Inca, same with my aunts. Though I suppose one might make the argument that she's Peruvian. I assume you were born in Washington?"
"Yeah, I was born in Washington," Nathan said. "Do you have any siblings?"
"A brother," Ada María answered. "You?"
"Two brothers and a twin sister," Nathan said. Ada María raised her brow when Nathan mentioned he had a twin, but she didn't ask him to elaborate.
"So how long to you plan to remain in Brazil?"
"Until further notice," Nathan answered.
"Already like it here I take it?"
"Easily my favorite place we've been," Nathan smiled. Ada María grinned and squeezed his thigh again and began to move her hand even further up until she was dangerously close to his erection.
"I'm happy to hear that," she said seductively in her thick accent. "How about I make this trip of yours just a little bit better?" Following her question, she placed her hand directly on Nathan's erection, grabbing it through his pants and smiling wickedly when Nathan took in a sharp breath, but never took his eyes off her.
"You don't waste any time do you?" Nathan teased.
"My time is valuable," she answered and gave his erection a firm yet gentle squeeze. "Might I share some time with you?" The pair stared into each other's eyes a moment and when they did, Nathan noticed the smile Ada María gave him become less seductive and slightly shy. She even blushed a little, but she continued to look at him. Eventually, Nathan gave her a charming smile.
"Lead the way, Miss Escada," Nathan answered and Ada María's smile returned to its previous seductive luster. She released the hold she had on him and stood from her chair and then walked away, glancing back at him indicating he should follow.
"Bring your wine," she said and continued on. Nathan chugged the glass and took a hold of the bottle before following her through the bar to the back where there was an arch that had kitchen door directly ahead.
However, Ada María veered to the left down a long hallway and Nathan followed. They passed a few dancers on the way giggling to one another about something, but Nathan didn't pay attention to any of them. He only looked at Ada María. When she found the room she was looking for, she placed her hand on the doorknob and looked at him, waiting for him to catch up to her. When he did, she took a hold of his free hand and opened the door to what was her dressing room. There was a vanity filled with makeup, perfume, headpieces and fresh flowers. In the corner was a decorative divider panel made of a dark wood with a lighter wood center decorated with flowers Nathan recalled seeing in the rainforest. To his left was a large couch where a blue dress hung off one of the shoulders and there was a tiny window directly across from the door and a little bathroom through a door to the right. Ada María took the bottle of wine from Nathan and placed it on a free spot on her vanity. With the door to her dressing room closed, she looked up at him with her sultry dark brown, red hued eyes.
"You don't mind if I get comfortable, do you?" she asked.
"Not at all," Nathan said, assuming she would step behind her panel to change into a different dress, but she didn't.
Instead, Ada María reached behind her for the hidden zipper of her dress and pulled it down, never breaking eye contact with Nathan. When the zipper of her dress was pulled down, the dress fell from her and pooled at her feet, leaving her in a slip, stockings and her shoes. She kicked of her dancing shoes and reached down to pull off her slip and black stockings so that she was naked before him. Her skin was tan and toned, her legs long and slender, yet delicately muscular. Her breasts were full and perky, her waist slender and her hips rounded gracefully. After allowing Nathan a moment to admire her, Ada María reached up to her tight bun, but Nathan stopped her.
"Let me," he said and Ada María smiled, lowering her hands so Nathan could step forward and started searching for and removing all the hairpins. Meanwhile, Ada María brought her hands down to his belt and began to loosen it. When it was undone, she pulled it from the loops of his pants sharply and tossed the belt to the floor.
Nathan chuckled low in his throat, "Are you always so impatient?"
"From what I'd felt," she smirked, "I have good reason to be."
"I'm flattered," Nathan said before removing the last pin and making her hair drop in a waterfall of raven hair he already felt like he knew. It was as soft as he'd dreamed, reaching down to her butt and shinning in the light of the small lamp on her vanity.
Ada María grinned and grabbed the bottom of his wife beater shirt and lifted it above his head. After she removed his shirt, Nathan leaned his head down and kissed her while his hands went straight to either side of her face, fingers lacing their way into her hair. Ada María's hands returned to his pants and undid them and then pushed the remainder of his clothes off. Nathan kicked off his shoes and used his toes to remove his socks so he could continue to kiss her. Ada María took a hold of his erection in her hand and stroked it, rubbing her thumb over the head of his shaft and making Nathan groan into her mouth. He pressed his tongue against her lips, but she pulled away and started kissing his neck down to his chest, licking and nipping at his skin while continuing to stroke his erection.
"Follow me," she whispered against his skin and started leading him towards her couch, never taking her hand off him. Rather, she tightened her grip. Not enough to hurt him, but enough to force him to move with her to the couch.
She guided him to show his back to the couch and pushed him so he was sitting down. Only after pushing him had she released her hold on him, but then she kneeled down on her knees before him, starting by placing both her hands on his hips. Once she was comfortable, she grabbed a hold of his erection in her right hand and trailed her left hand down below his shaft to massage his balls. Nathan's heart raced as he watched her closely, anticipating what she would do. She looked up at him with a wanton smile and kept her eyes on him until she leaned her head down to take the head of Nathan's shaft into her mouth after giving it one passing lick. When she took him into her mouth, Nathan's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he leaned back closing his eyes. He brought his hand up to her head and laced his fingers through her hair.
Ada María moaned as she took all of him in her mouth until he could feel the back of her throat and it made him groan. As she came up, she sucked on him so her mouth was tight on him. Nathan breathed heavily while she bobbed her head up and down on him, gently nipping, sucking and swirling her tongue around the head of his shaft. She dipped her head down again, taking him all the way into her mouth and this time when she did, she made an action with her throat as though she were swallowing something hard. The action made him shake and tense up. He even gripped her hair tightly, pulling her hair at the roots and she took in a sharp, high pitched breath through her nose but her rhythm on him never changed. She sucked on his shaft while pulling her head up, releasing him with a hard pop before licking up the length of him.
"I was right to be excited," Ada María giggled and sucked the tip of his shaft a moment and then pulled her head back up.
"You keep this up, I'll never get in you," Nathan groaned and Ada María giggled.
"Oh no, don't you worry," she said. "You will. I'm just having a little fun with you. I need to make sure you'll last a long time once we get started."
Nathan didn't bother questioning her, especially since she took him into her mouth again. Her tongue would swirl around the head and tickle just under it and soon Nathan was groaning and just enjoying, his mind going completely blank. He felt his leg start to twitch as he came closer and closer to his release.
"Ada, I'm almost-"
"I know," she said before bringing her head back down on him, going up and down, stroking him with her hand all the while.
Then, at last, Nathan gripped Ada María's hair again and she sucked harder before lifting her head back up. Once she did, her tongue was out pressed against the head of his shaft while she stroked him swiftly until he finally came. Ada María stayed in place while he released on her tongue and on her cheek. She brought her head back down and sucked on him gently while he experienced the last waves of his orgasm. Once he was finished, she sat up and wiped the remaining semen from her cheek with her finger and licked it up. It took a minute for Nathan to regain his senses, but he soon realized Ada María had stepped away, but she was back by the time he opened his eyes again. Once she'd returned, Ada María straddled Nathan's lap with her head hovering above his with their noses touching.
"Now that I've done it to you, how about you do it to me?" Ada María asked.
"You mean lick between your legs?" Nathan asked as he ran his hands over her hips. Ada María nodded and Nathan felt a little nervous. "I can't say as I've done that before."
"I'll teach you," Ada María responded before getting off Nathan to sit on the couch, her back against the arm and one foot on the cushions, another on the floor, ensuring her core was exposed to his view. She brought her right hand between her legs and spread the folds of her core so her clitoris was in easier view. Then she used her middle finger to rub it so he knew what she was referring to when she said, "You just lick and nip me here until I cum in your mouth."
"I know how to do it, I just never have," Nathan said while he went on his knees of the couch trying to get comfortable. In truth, he was nervous, but he didn't want to admit it. Of course, she seemed to see right through him and she giggled.
"Don't worry; I promise I don't bite," she said. She lifted her left hand to gently take a hold of his arm to pull him forward. Nathan went to the floor on his knees so he was within easy reach of her core. "I'll tell you something I love." She took his hand and folded his fingers so only his middle and index fingers were still upright and guided him inside her where she was impossibly wet. Nathan could already feel his stamina returning with a vengeance. "Move your fingers like you would if you were fucking me. Make sure your fingers are curled up just a little while you do it too. While you do that, just lick me where I'm pointing until you feel me crushing your fingers."
After only a brief hesitation, Nathan did as Ada María said and curled his fingers just a little and started thrusting them into as he would were they having sex. He finally brought his tongue down where her finger indicated and she removed her hand just before he planted his tongue where she wanted him most. She immediately released a high pitched sigh and rested her hands into Nathan's short hair, massaging his scalp while he pleasured her. Ada María moaned and breathed swiftly, her breasts going up and down with her labored breathing. Nathan dared to nip just a little, but not each to hurt her and she moaned louder from the sensation it brought. He eventually came up with a pattern lick, nip and suck while thrusting his fingers in and out. Nathan did that until Ada María let out a load moan as her vaginal walls crushed around Nathan's fingers. By the time Nathan had brought her to climax, he was already rock hard and ready for her again.
"How was that?" Nathan asked as both a seductive, yet genuine question.
"You did excellent," Ada María sighed blissfully.
"I had a good teacher," Nathan grinned and licked her once more before he came back up onto the couch she he was hovering above her. She grabbed a hold of his erection and gave him a devilish, proud smile.
"I see you enjoyed that," Ada María grinned. Nathan smiled back at her and brought his lips down to kiss her. Ada María returned the kiss with vigor and brought her hand on his hip to force him closer. When Nathan was planted where she wanted him, Ada María guided his erection inside her and, feeling a sudden frenzy, Nathan slammed into her the remainder of the way and made her nearly shriek.
"I'm sorry," Nathan said, surprised by her reaction. "Did I hurt you?"
"No, you filled me," Ada María moaned.
With the reassurance, Nathan started kissing Ada María again while he started to thrust in and out. Initially, it was at a gentle pace and she moaned from the feel of him, but she grew tired of his gentleness rather quick and told Nathan to speed up and be rough. So he did as she asked and began to thrust into her at a pace he feared would hurt her, but her moans of pleasure and triumphant smile affirmed she enjoyed every moment. Nathan took a firm hold of Ada María's hips and thrust in faster and harder than before and she began to mumble near incomprehensibly in Portuguese. He kept going until Ada María reached a second climax. It caused the muscles in Nathan's stomach to tighten with pleasure, but he wasn't at his peak yet.
Almost as if instinctively, Nathan slipped out of Ada María only to keep a firm hold on his hips so he could flip her, bringing her on her knees on the couch while her hands gripped the armrest. Then he slipped inside her again and pounded just as aggressively as before. She actually started to whimper as he pounded her sensitive flesh, going so far as to tear the fabric of her couch with a load moan he feared would rouse the whole city, yet he didn't care. His mind could only focus on the feel of her around him and her joyous declarations of pleasure and incoherent babbling. It took a little longer the third time, but he brought her to yet another climax and he shook, gripping her hips so tightly he might have bruised her skin. Yet it seemed to serve only to enhance her pleasure.
Wanting to be able to look at her again, Nathan picked Ada María up by her waist to bring her to her feet only to spin her around and shove her back onto the couch as she'd done to him and she started to giggle eagerly, spreading her legs for him as he kneeled down to the floor. In a fog of pleasure, Nathan lowered his head to her core and licked the tender nub again and Ada María sighed with pleasure. He only did it long enough to tease her before going back up to slip inside her again and continue where they left off. Ada María gripped Nathan's shoulders mercilessly and laid her head back in pleasure.
"Choke me," she said suddenly and Nathan slowed so he could look at her, not convinced he'd heard her right.
"What?" he said.
"I said choke me," Ada María barked and then grabbed his hand to bring it up to her throat. Nervously, he wrapped his fingers around her throat but refused to grip too tightly as he started back to his previous rhythm. "Tighter," she growled and Nathan tightened his grip just a little until he could tell her breathing was labored, but not impossible. That seemed to satisfy her and she gripped his wrist with both hands as he continued.
He made himself look at his fingers around her throat and the sheer look of pleasure her features showed. He couldn't believe it, but the sight made his gut tighten near painfully with pleasure. He tightened his grip just the slightest bit more and, now, Ada María smiled a pure yet somehow evil smile, giggling from the combination of labored breathing, pain and Nathan's eager rhythm. He could feel her getting closer and he was too. So he went just a little faster and, were it not for his fingers wrapped around her throat, Ada María would have screeched, but all she could manage was a high whimper as he brought her to another climax. This time, it was too much for Nathan to bear and he reached his own release, groaning louder than he ever had before with a small growl even rumbling in his chest as his mind went blank and he took his fingers away from her throat and replaced it with his lips, kissing her neck tenderly as he recovered from the waves of sensation that seemed to render him no more than jelly.
His heart pounded, nearly beating out of his chest, while he kissed her neck and tried to regain his senses. Ada María moaned and even giggled a little and started her own aftermath of kisses. She started with his cheek, and then went to his ear where she swirled her tongue around making him shiver. He felt her proud smile against his skin before she started kissing down his neck and shoulder. She started kissing back up, going to where his neck and shoulder met. She licked over the spot firmly as if feeling for something and eventually she found what she wanted. She grazed her teeth against his skin and Nathan realized exactly what she was doing just as she took in a slight breath to open her mouth ready to bite down on his pulse. Nathan realized it just in time to lifted his chest away and bring his hand to hers, shoving her against the cushions violently, taking Ada María by surprise. She stared wide eyed at him after the shock of being slammed against the couch.
"Oh no you don't," Nathan said, but Ada María licked her lips and tried to smile innocently.
"Whatever do you mean?" she asked.
"Don't play dumb with me. You know exactly what I mean. You were about to bite me." Nathan left her abruptly, standing from his knees and going to his clothes so he could get dressed. "It's not very courteous to drink a guest's blood."
She appeared as though she might deny it again, but she instead sat up on the couch and straightened herself out. "You know what I am?"
"Yes, I know," Nathan said. "You're a half breed."
"Two thirds actually," Ada María said and attempted to stand, but she immediately lost her balance and sat back on the couch. She couldn't help the pleasured laugh. "You've taken a lot out of me."
"Yes, and you were about to kill me as thanks," Nathan said, though he was smiling. He found he couldn't even be angry at her. He finished dressing and grabbed the wine bottle, drinking straight from it until it was gone. "I should get back anyway. I'd prefer to get home before my daughter wakes and realizes I'm gone." Ada María didn't say anything as Nathan came back to her and leaned down to kiss her passionately. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss, even trying to touch his crotch again, but he grabbed her hand to stop and looked down at her trying to return her wicked smile he was quickly growing to love. "And despite you trying to kill me just now, I had a great time."
"Likewise," Ada María said with a breathy moan. "No hard feelings about me trying to bite you?"
"Only if you promise never to do it again," Nathan said before giving her another kiss. Then he left her on the couch while going to the door. "Sweet dreams, Ada María. I know I'll have some sweet ones after tonight." With a wink to her, Nathan left the dressing room and walked himself out of the bar to return home. He was hoping she might come after him, so he was a little disappointed when she didn't. He didn't let it bother him, though.
Nathan returned to the inn with an undeniable strut in his step and smile on his face. He felt as though a great weight was lifted from his shoulders knowing the dreams he'd been having would almost certainly end. Yet now he found himself with a different predicament. He'd met his imprint: something he hadn't been sure he'd wanted to find at all. Now that he'd found her, though, he couldn't just walk away and leave after a few weeks in Salvador. He'd have to think of a way to bring her back to Washington and he'd have to introduce Scarlet to her. That thought made Nathan stop in his tracks and he stared into the night sky. What would Scarlet think of all this? It had been just him and Scarlet for so long and now, Ada María would be an inevitable part of their lives. Would she and Scarlet get along? They had to. He'd make sure they did. The last thing he wanted was for Ada María and Scarlet to not like one another. He didn't know what he'd do if they didn't. Nathan finally started walking back again and was relieved that Scarlet was still sound asleep when he got back. So he went back to bed and thought about what he'd do next.
Despite Nathan's now mounting concerns, he slept better than he had in a while. He didn't wake up until late morning and by the time he did, Scarlet was on her bed eating some dried fruit they have left over making another red tree in the process. When Nathan sat up, she glanced at him and smiled.
"Morning sleepy head," Scarlet said.
"Morning, Scarlet," Nathan smiled back and glanced at the clock. It was 10. "Wow I overslept."
"I'd say so," Scarlet said. "You look like you slept well, though."
"I did," Nathan nodded. He looked at Scarlet a moment while she made the red tree, trying to determine if he should tell her about last night. At least, tell her what was relevant about last night. "How'd you sleep?"
"Great," Scarlet answered and took a bite of dried mango. "Where do you think we should put this tree? There was a lighthouse here wasn't there?"
"I think so," Nathan said, still debating.
"We can get this placed today so we can enjoy the rest of the trip," Scarlet said. "How long do you think we should stay?"
Nathan didn't answer immediately, but when he did, it was with a sigh. "Listen, Scarlet, there's something I need to tell you."
"You didn't get us in trouble already did you?" Scarlet teased and giggled, making Nathan smile.
"No, no, we're not in trouble yet," Nathan said and Scarlet laughed a little more. He took a deep breath and decided to just tell her. "You know all those dreams I've been having telling me to come to Salvador?"
"Yeah," Scarlet said, keeping her focus on the red tree ornament.
"Well," Nathan started, getting a little nervous, "you see, in those dreams, there was always a woman." Scarlet stopped what she was doing and looked right at Nathan apprehensively.
"Okay," she said with the same tone. "What about it?"
"You see, I had that same dream last night, but this time I was being led down some streets by this woman until I came to a little bar. I woke up from that dream and decided to follow the path, so last night, I found the bar and….well, I met the woman who'd led me there."
"And?" Scarlet asked.
"Well…..turns out she's my imprint."
Scarlet didn't answer right away, but she kept a straight face. He wasn't sure which bothered him more. "You don't say," she finally answered. "What's her name?"
"Ada María Esperanza Quilla Escada," he answered.
"Is that her real name?" Scarlet said with a scrunched nose and Nathan chuckled.
"Yes, it's her real name. Both her grandmother's names are her middle names is all. I suppose most would call her Ada María Escada."
"Hm," Scarlet hummed and finally returned to working on the little tree. "I assume this means we'll be here a while?"
"Until further notice," Nathan said.
"I see," Scarlet said and finished the tree and her mango. Nathan lost his smile.
"Are you upset?"
"What?" Scarlet asked. "No, I'm not. You met your imprint. Not much to do about it."
"I guess I was hoping I might introduce the two of you before long," Nathan said.
"Do you even know anything about her?" Scarlet asked.
"Not as much as I'd like," Nathan admitted. "I know her mother's Inca and her father is Portuguese and she owns the little bar we met in. She's a dancer too."
"A dancer, eh?" Scarlet said.
"She's really good too," Nathan finally smiled again. "She was dancing a tango when I got there."
"She sounds talented," Scarlet said and hopped off her bed. "I'm going to look for a place to get this hung."
"Hold on, let me get dressed and I'll go with you," Nathan said.
Scarlet stopped and waited at the door while Nathan got dressed and they located a lighthouse to hang the red tree so it was looking out onto the ocean. Scarlet didn't really talk much while they looked for a spot and got the tree situated. Nathan meant to ask her about it, but when they got back to the beach, she immediately ran off to play soccer with a few kids playing on the beach, asking to play in her limited Portuguese. Nathan sat on the beach and watched Scarlet play with the other kids hoping that some playtime would lighten her mood. He wasn't sure what to do about introducing Scarlet and Ada María. Scarlet would likely not say anything, but he knew she wasn't thrilled about this and he couldn't pretend to not know why. As Nathan was thinking, he started to smell that familiar scent behind him and he looked back to see Ada María standing right behind him in a sundress that appeared to be little more than a really long silk shawl she'd tied around herself like a top wearing another silk shawl that was tied at her hip. Her hair was up in a really messy bun and she smiled at him alluringly.
"Well, pleasure to see you again," she said.
"Morning to you too, Ada," Nathan said.
"I don't recall giving you permission to just call me Ada," she said, though she smiled wickedly, so he knew she wasn't actually mad and he chuckled.
"I can always call you your full name if you prefer," Nathan said and her smile brightened a little.
"You can just call me Ada," Ada María said.
Nathan patted the spot beside him, "Join me in watching the game?" Ada María glanced towards the kids and nodded, taking a seat next to Nathan.
"I can never turn down a good game of fútbol," Ada María said.
"My daughter's playing with them," he said and pointed her out. "That's Scarlet Willow."
"She's a beauty," Ada María said and then looked at Nathan. "I hope this means there are no hard feelings about last night."
"None at all," Nathan said. "Like I'd said: don't do that again and we'll be fine."
Ada María smirked, "I suppose I can't argue with that. So how did you know? About me I mean."
"My mom's a half breed," Nathan said. "I can't say I've ever met someone whose parents are a half breed and a vampire, though. It explains your eyes a bit."
"I imagine my brother and I are one of a kind in that respect," Ada María said. "So when can I expect to see you at the bar again?"
"You're seeing me now aren't you?" Nathan smiled.
"Oh, Nathan, while I can appreciate a fetish for public sex, I don't think it would be appropriate given there are children," she said.
"I was thinking we might talk. Get to know each other a little," Nathan said. "What's your brother's name?"
"Marcelo," Ada María said.
"And does he live here in Salvador?"
"He does," Ada María nodded. "He's most frequently in Colombia. His lover lives there."
"Why not just live in Colombia?"
"Because there's no place like home," Ada María answered.
"And am I allowed to ask how old you are?"
Ada María snickered wickedly, "Now, Nathan, you should know better than to ask a lady her age."
"With all due respect, Ada, I'm not sure you can call yourself a 'lady'," Nathan said and Ada María rose an eyebrow at him.
"How dare you?" she teased. "I'll have you know my father was a Count."
"I assume 'was' is the operative word here?" Nathan chuckled.
"Not if you ask my father," Ada María said. "He was changed in the 18th century when he and his Spanish bride to be were on their way back to Portugal. Dead or not, as far as my father is concerned, he is to the Count Rafael Escada of…..wherever his title put him. I admit, I stop listening around then."
Nathan laughed, "How dutiful a daughter you are. But seeing as I have offended the Lady Escada, please accept my sincerest apologies."
"For your performance alone last night, I'll forgive you," Ada María answered with a wink. "Of course, if you insist, I was born 1870."
"Oh wow," Nathan said. "So you're 68?"
"Just turned 68," Ada María said. "So when were you born?"
"1908," Nathan said. "I turn 30 in December."
"Oh," Ada María with delight. "I always love a younger man. They have more stamina. If I recall, you said your daughter is 13?" Nathan nodded. "So you had her young then."
"I was just shy of turning 18," Nathan said. "Her mother was a year my senior and she was already 19 at the time."
"Have a propensity for older women I see," Ada María teased.
"It just happens that way," Nathan smiled after realizing Tamara was in fact just a little older than him. "It's never a requirement I have though. So how long have you owned that bar?"
"Twenty years," Ada María said proudly. "Most of my patrons are lonely fishermen and local men, but occasionally I get a surprise like you."
"Are you a, you know, a prostitute?" Nathan was almost scared to ask, but given her brazenness from the night before he was left with little other assumptions.
"I have been," Ada María answered easily. "I don't care for it, though. You have to sleep with ugly men." Ada María shuttered. "I don't mind telling you I'd shoot up my prices if a man was particularly unsightly. I shouldn't complain, though. All that money paid for that bar. I haven't prostituted myself since I opened the place. Now, I only sleep with men I want to," Ada María said with a wink.
"Well, now I don't feel very special," Nathan said, half trying to be funny, half actually feeling that way.
"Oh, no," Ada María said and moved a little closer and started rubbing Nathan's back. "I certainly don't want you to feel like you aren't special. Seeing as your daughter is occupied, how about you and I sneak off somewhere and I'll make sure you feel special."
"I appreciate the offer, Ada, but I'd better not," Nathan smiled. And because Scarlet was in view, he took her hand from his back and placed it on her lap.
"Now you're making me feel like I'm not special," Ada María teased with a pout.
"I don't mean to," Nathan smiled. "You said you and your brother were born in Cusco, right?"
"Yes," Ada María nodded.
"I got to go there not long ago," Nathan said. "Scarlet and I even slept in the ruins every night. I really liked Cusco. Mexico City and the Yucatan were great too."
"So anywhere that had ruins, you were like a kid in a candy store?" Ada María said and Nathan grinned.
"I'm a big history buff," Nathan said. "When I was a kid, I used to look through my grandparents' library about anything I could find on South America and accounts of the new world. I admit, I grew to admire the Mayans and the Aztecs from what little I was able to read about them. I was fascinated with the Inca especially given how vast their empire was."
"Indeed we were," Ada María said. "My grandpa was changed to a vampire just before the Inca fell to Pizarro. He was a warrior."
"Was he?" Nathan asked. "I'll bet you have fond memories of him telling you stories of when he was human."
"Actually, I'm afraid I don't," Ada María said. "I never knew my grandpa. From what I know, he was executed by a coven called the Volturi."
"Really?" Nathan said, raising an eyebrow.
"You know of them?"
"Vaguely," Nathan said. "What did they execute him for?"
"Apparently, he was accused of making too many half breed children. From what I hear, they were upset because my Uncle Nahuel spoke on behalf of a half breed American that was thought to be an immortal child but confirmed that's not what she was."
Nathan looked at her strangely a moment, "That's my mom."
"Who?"
"The half breed American," Nathan said.
"Really? Oh my, it's certainly a small world," Ada María said. "What was your mother's name?"
"Renesmee," Nathan said.
"Ah, yes," Ada María said. "So she had kids?"
"Four," Nathan smiled.
"I take it your father isn't a vampire though?"
"No," Nathan chuckled. "My father's Quileute. The Chief's line are able to become wolves though."
Ada María actually released a light, condescending laugh. "A wolf?"
"Yeah," Nathan smiled. "Hell, I'll prove it to you tonight if you like."
"Oh yeah?" Ada María grinned. "Alright, prove it. I'll expect to see you tonight."
"This is, of course, secret information, so you can't tell anyone," Nathan said.
"Naturally," Ada María grinned right back.
Scarlet watched intently from the moment she saw the woman sitting beside Nathan. She kept playing, but would frequently look at them. Based on the way Nathan smiled at her, she realized the woman must be Ada María. She'd admit the woman was pretty, but that hardly counted for anything. Her instinct was to dislike the woman. Especially from the way she smiled at him. When Nathan looked at her, Scarlet saw love in his eyes. When Scarlet watched Ada María look at her father, all she saw in her eyes was lust. Her father deserved more than lust. When she saw Ada María put her hands on Nathan's shoulder, she nearly stopped playing and going over to intervene, but Nathan had removed her hand from him and continued talking to her. Her disposition towards Ada María didn't soften the more she watched, but she saw the way Nathan looked at her. And he looked happy. Really happy. It reminded her of how her grandparents were with each other, or her aunt and uncle even. And whether Scarlet wanted to or not, she had to admit she'd known her father wasn't happy. He missed her mom and it weighed heavily on him, but seeing him with Ada María, he looked as though he was feeling better. That was enough for Scarlet to put her feelings towards the woman aside and decide she'd give her a chance. She owed Nathan that much at least. He deserved it. Having come to her conclusion, she stepped away from the game and walked over to them and they looked up when she approached.
"Scarlet, good, I can introduce you," Nathan smiled. "This is Ada María. Ada María this is my daughter Scarlet Willow."
"Hello," Scarlet said.
"A pleasure," Ada María smiled at her. Though after the introduction, Ada María stood from the sand and wiped off the silk. "Well, Nathan, it was a pleasure seeing, you but I'd best return. We'll be opening the bar soon."
"You have to leave already?" Nathan asked, a little surprised.
"I'm afraid so," Ada María said. "But I'll see you later." She winked at him and started walking away. With that, Scarlet Willow's opinion of the woman diminished considerably.
"I don't like her," Scarlet said, almost without thinking.
"I'm sorry about that," Nathan said. "I was really hoping we could all talk together."
Scarlet was a little stunned that her declaration, albeit unintentional, hadn't gotten Nathan's attention the way it normally did. "Maybe next time," Scarlet eventually said. "You're seeing her again tonight?"
"Yeah," Nathan said.
"I'm curious about this bar," Scarlet said. "I guess I'll join you."
"Not this time," Nathan said. "I think she thinks this is a fling. I'll need to make it clear it's not."
Scarlet looked at Nathan suspiciously. "You slept with her didn't you?" It came out as an accusation and it took Nathan by surprise.
"How did….." then Nathan sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yes, Scarlet, we slept together."
Scarlet sighed heavily, "Damn it daddy."
"Language Scarlet," Nathan said.
"Language nothing, daddy. You can't scold me for swearing one moment and then praise me another. You didn't say a word when I called Mrs. Carmichael a bitch now did you?"
"Fine, Scarlet, I get it," Nathan groaned and rubbed his face. Nathan looked in the direction Ada María had gone and then looked at Scarlet. "She didn't leave a very good impression."
"No, she did not," Scarlet said.
"I'll talk to her," Nathan said. "We'll figure this out. I'll make sure she opens up to you. I promise, you'll be friends in no time."
Scarlet stared at Nathan a moment before shrugging, "Fine." Scarlet turned and started to return to the game but Nathan stopped her.
"You're mad," Nathan said.
"Mad? Why should I be mad? My dad left in the middle of the night to get some easy sex from a bar whore and then tries to defend her when she was rude to me. What do I have to be upset about?"
"Scarlet Willow," Nathan said firmly and Scarlet turned to face Nathan.
"I'm willing to give her a chance, daddy," Scarlet said. "But she has to be willing to prove to me she deserves you. And for the record, she's not off to a good start."
"I know, I know," Nathan mumbled. "I'll talk to her, but please give her a chance. She's my imprint."
"Being your imprint doesn't give her carte blanche to be a cunt," Scarlet said.
"Scarlet," Nathan said even more firmly. Scarlet stood firmly, looking at her father with her head held high.
"I meant what I said," Scarlet said. "I know she's your imprint, daddy, but that doesn't mean I'll sit back idly and let her act that way. Someone needs to look at her objectively." The two stared at one another a moment. Nathan wanted to be mad at her, but he couldn't be. If anything, he appreciated her honesty. After a sigh, he motioned for Scarlet to come to him and she did, letting Nathan hug her and she hugged him back.
"Thanks Scarlet," Nathan said. "I love you. You know that?"
"I love you too," Scarlet said. "And I love you enough to force her to impress me."
Nathan chuckled, "I appreciate it, kid."
Finally feeling like they'd reconciled, Scarlet returned to the game with the other kids and Nathan sat back and kept an eye on her. He also started planning how he could broach the subject of Scarlet with Ada María. He wanted to make sure the two got along, but he was also under no delusion that Ada María saw their current relationship as anything but sexual. He'd have to change that dynamic first and foremost before he could start thinking about getting Scarlet and Ada María acclimated to one another. He had to. The eventually returned to the inn, but he decided that would be their last night there. The next day would be spent finding a place more permanent to stay. They had enough money that Nathan could buy them a tiny house in uptown Salvador and lightly furnish it. While Scarlet was getting ready for bed, Nathan was getting ready to go to the bar.
"I'm going to lock the door, so don't let anyone in. I'll have a key."
"I'll be fine, daddy," Scarlet said. She was a little surprised that Nathan was putting on the dress pants he'd gotten when they were in phoenix. He still wore a light shirt over it, but he looked sharp and like he wanted to impress. "Forgive me for saying, daddy, but I think you're overdoing it."
"Do you think so?" Nathan asked.
"Yeah, I do," Scarlet said. "She doesn't strike me as the type that cares if you're dressed up."
"I guess that's true," Nathan said. "I'll keep it in mind for next time."
"And don't waste money on a present for her," Scarlet said, mostly out of bitterness but also a genuine assumption Ada María wouldn't appreciate the gesture.
"No, we're not at a point where I could do that," Nathan agreed. "I hope to be soon, though."
"If you want my honest opinion, daddy, I think you're in for an uphill battle," Scarlet said.
"You're probably right," Nathan said with a light chuckle. He walked over and gave Scarlet a kiss on the head. "You get some sleep, Scarlet. I'll be home before morning."
"Okay," Scarlet said and got under the covers. Then she begrudgingly said, "Good luck, daddy."
"Thanks, Scarlet," Nathan said and kissed her head one more time before leaving. He made sure to lock the door tight and walked to the bar the same way as the night before. When he arrived, there was a couple on stage dancing, but it wasn't Ada María. He took a seat at one of the tables and asked for water. He didn't wait very long before he felt hands on his shoulders starting to massage. The gentle touch made him groan.
"I see your shoulders are a little stiff," Ada María said with a smirk.
"I hadn't even realized it," Nathan said and brought a hand up to one of hers.
"Don't tell me you're only having water," Ada María said.
"I admit I don't usually care for wine. I'm more of a beer and tequila guy."
"Well, why didn't you just say so?" Ada María called out something to one of the waitresses and she scampered off to fetch what was asked for.
"You don't have to," Nathan said.
"No, no, I insist," Ada María smiled. "I'll even make in on the house. Don't get too used to that, though."
"Yes, ma'am," Nathan said and earned a giggle from Ada María. She leaned down and licked his ear and it made him shiver.
"As I recall, you promised me a show," she whispered in his ear.
"Indeed I did," Nathan said. The waitress came with a bottle of tequila and Nathan was surprised she brought the whole thing. "I won't drink the whole thing," Nathan said.
"Just what you want, then," Ada María smiled and poured each of them a shot.
"No salt or lime?"
"Not needed," Ada María grinned. "This is good tequila." She touched their shot glasses together and backed her shot and Nathan did the same. It went down with a smooth burn and a rich flavor.
"Aged in barrels I assume?" Nathan said after putting the glass down on the table.
"Indeed it is," Ada María smiled. "It's no easy task getting this I'll have you know."
"I'm honored to drink it, then," Nathan grinned. He squeezed Ada María's hand a little and looked up at her. "Sit with me." Ada María smiled and pulled a seat close so she was sitting right beside Nathan. "So tell me more about yourself, Ada. I'm surprised to see you drink I admit. My mom hates the smell of alcohol let alone the taste."
"I'm not your mom," Ada María with a wicked gleam and a wink as she poured them another shot.
"I have to warn you, Ada," Nathan said, "If I drink too much tequila, I'm no longer responsible for my actions."
Ada María giggled, "I'll be sure to use that excuse next I need a little leniency from the police." Placing her right hand on Nathan's thigh, she took up her shot glass with her left and Nathan picked up his. "Saúde," she said and they both backed their shots again.
"So tell me more about yourself, Ada," Nathan said. "Have you ever been out of South America?"
"I'll go to Mexico to buy tequila from time to time," Ada María said. "Mexico's about as far as I'll go, though."
"Why's that?"
"I detest the cold," she said and Nathan chuckled.
"Ada, I think you'll be hard pressed to find a day when a Southern American state is cold," Nathan chuckled.
"Perhaps by your standards," Ada María said.
"You said your father is from Portugal," Nathan said. "Have you been to Portugal?"
"No," Ada María said. "I've no reason to go. Are you saying you've been to Portugal?"
"No, but I have been to France and Germany," Nathan said. "My brother's fiancé is from Germany, but now she's living in France. He's trying to make her a citizen."
"Aren't thinks poorly in Germany if you're a Jew?"
"That's a mild way to put it," Nathan said. "You should hear Kevin when he starts thinking about this. He's been trying to make her a citizen for a few years now and this whole thing is riding on his patience."
"I imagine so," Ada María said and then gave his thigh a gentle squeeze. "Since you're insisting we talk about ourselves, tell me about you. You'd said you're a history buff. What sparked the interest?"
"I can't remember there being anything in particular," Nathan said. "I just always preferred history. I hated French and English, but mathematics and history were always more to my liking of all our education subjects."
"You attended school?" Ada María said, a little surprised.
"My aunts and mother acted as our instructors," Nathan said. "They still do. We'd always learn out on the beach."
"I would say that sounds delightful, but since it's Washington I imagine it's freezing."
"We're thick skinned," Nathan chuckled.
Ada María gave Nathan's thigh a squeeze and a seductive smile, "I'd say so." Nathan smiled at her and took a hold of her hand on his thigh.
"I'm curious," he said. "Last night you told me to choke you. Where did that preference come from?"
"Truthfully?" Nathan nodded and Ada María smirked. "Years ago when I was a prostitute, I had a customer that enjoyed it rough and had asked if he could choke me, so I let him. I discovered I liked it and sometimes I make my lovers do it."
"Huh," Nathan said, trying to ensure his smile wasn't awkward. "Do you ever have a hard time making someone do it?"
"Not really," Ada María said. "Sometimes, they'll be surprised but I haven't received any arguments. Aside from the initial surprise, I didn't hear a complaint from you."
"I didn't really get a chance to over think it too much," Nathan answered.
"Well, I remember you tightening your hold on me quite a few times," Ada María replied with that gleam in her eye. "By the time you came, I could barely breath. And I loved every moment."
Nathan laughed a little, "A glutton for punishment are we?"
"I'm simply insatiable," she replied and grabbed a hold of Nathan's growing erection. This time, however, Nathan took her hand away and, rather, brought it up to his lips and planted a kiss on her wrist. This seemed to confuse her. "Is something wrong?"
"I was actually wondering why you left so suddenly when my daughter came over to talk to us," Nathan asked.
"I didn't leave suddenly. We had our introductions but I needed to return here," Ada María said. Rather than argue, Nathan shrugged and kissed her hand again.
"I guess if you were busy," he said. "I wonder if you might join us on the beach tomorrow. I can bring my guitar and play for you. I started learning to play when we were in Nevada and I don't mean to brag but I got good."
She seemed hesitant to start but upon his comment of the guitar, Ada María giggled. "You play the guitar?"
"Yes, ma'am, I do," Nathan grinned. "My family teaches all the kids to play the piano or violin, but I never took to any of it. The guitar on the other hand, won my affections."
"Did it now?" Ada María grinned almost challengingly. "Well, that makes two things you now need to prove to me." She took the bottle of tequila and poured them both another shot. "Let's give you another shot of liquid courage and then we can go back to my dressing room and you can…..regal me of your powers and talents." Ada María winked at him and Nathan chuckled, accepting his shot glass.
"Let's make this our last shot," Nathan smiled. "I prefer to be coherent when I play the guitar."
Ada María grinned and touched their glasses together before downing her shot and Nathan followed suit. He was relieved this was the last shot. It was starting to go to his head and the warm feeling in his belly from the alcohol was permeating through the rest of his body. Ada María called for one of the waitresses to take the bottle and glasses and then took Nathan's hand to lead her to the back towards her dressing room. She grabbed a guitar from one of the musicians as they went by, taking it with the her room and once they were inside and alone, Ada María handed Nathan the guitar and directed him to her couch before pulling out her vanity chair to sit.
"Alright, Nathan," Ada María grinned. "Impress me."
Nathan laughed a little at the grin on Ada María's face and took a moment to tune the guitar. Once he was satisfied with it, he decided he'd play the tango she'd danced to when they first met and that had played in his dreams. He'd memorized it after all this time. Several instruments were missing from the song now, but if he could compensate for their absence, he did. Ada María sat patiently and listened to him play. Her hands roamed over her thighs through the fabric of her blue dress while Nathan played and she licked her lips, delighting in the way he played. After ending the song, Nathan started playing a song that was a little closer to heart: Auld Lang Syne. It was far too early for the song, but it reminded him of home.
"What song is this?" Ada María asked.
"Auld Lang Syne," Nathan said. "It's a Scottish folk song that's sang during New Year's. My mom is half Scottish and she grew up with this song. Mom plays it on the piano every year and we sing it after we've all counted down to the new year."
Ada María just smiled and watched Nathan play the gentle song that was far different than the sensual upbeat tango from before. She was no longer rubbing her legs. Rather she brushed her hand over her chest lightly and took the necklace she wore into her hand to fiddle with it. When the song ended, Ada María stood from the vanity chair to walk over to him, taking the guitar from Nathan, placing it to the side, and then planting her hands on Nathan's knees to hover above him, ensuring her generous, supple cleavage was well in view.
"You're certainly talented with your fingers," she said seductively, bringing her lips just a little closer to his. "But then, I'd already known that." She giggled and gave him a quick kiss. "Now there was one last thing. You said you can become a wolf?"
"Indeed I can," Nathan said.
"Show me, then," she answered. She pushed herself off Nathan's knees to stand and give him room to leave the couch. With a chuckle, Nathan got off the couch only for Ada María to take the spot he'd been in. With Ada María looking on with expectation, Nathan stood several feet away and took a quick look around the room. "Is everything alright?" Ada María asked.
"I'm just trying to make sure I won't break anything," Nathan said. "When we become wolves, we're at least five times the size of a normal wolf."
"Oh really," Ada María said, raising her brow inquisitively.
"Yeah, we are," Nathan answered and took another quick look around the room. "I'm just trying to make sure it won't be too tight a fit."
"I do love a tight fit," she said suggestively.
"I bet you do you dirty bitch," Nathan teased and earned a giggle from her.
When he was confident he wouldn't ruin anything, he started removing his clothes and tossing them on the vanity chair. Ada María watched intently as he did so, rubbing her thighs again as she'd been doing when he was playing her a tango. Once Nathan was undressed, he took one more look around the room just to be safe, and shifted to a wolf. She actually squeaked, but didn't scream, as she backed away on the couch until she was sitting on the back of it, clearly either thinking he was bluffing or that he wouldn't get as big as he'd said. His head suddenly rushed with everyone's thoughts. They'd all just gotten on patrol and, having not heard from him in a few weeks, asked of his trip and of the places he'd been, but then saw Ada María.
So at last you've imprinted, Jacob said with a chuckle. Finally, something I can actually tell your mother about. So Ada María's her name?
Yeah, that's her name,Nathan said.
Well, Jae said after Nathan thought about, despite his efforts not to, about the night before. She's certainly…..what's the word?
Different? Travis asked with a laugh.
That's putting it mildly,Peta said with a laugh. She certainly doesn't waste any time does she?
No, she doesn't,Nathan replied, but he kept his attention on Ada María, who was finally starting to relax a little after Nathan laid down on the floor in a submissive position in hopes it would reassure her.
"Well," Ada María finally started, unaware of the others being able to hear them. "Fuck me, then." The group for the most part started laughing.
After recovering from the initial surprise, she found Nathan rather intimidating as a wolf but she wasn't scared. Somehow she knew she didn't have to be. She came down from the couch so she was sitting on it normally and nervously reached out until she started to pet his nose. She was shocked by how soft his coat was and the deep, dark brown of his coat was rather cute. Some parts of his fur seemed to deepen into black around his ears, his paws and his tail, but most would not be able to notice the subtle difference in color. Nathan started to wag his tail and it hit one of her counters, but there wasn't anything more than a small tray on it and it made her laugh.
"Change back before you destroy the room," Ada María said.
When are you changing again? Jacob asked. How long do you plan to be there?
As soon as I can and however long it takes,Nathan rushed before changing back to his normal self, everyone's voices leaving his head so it was just the two of them again. He got to his knees before Ada María and grinned. "So? What do you think?"
"I think I've never cared much for dogs, but you're rather cute," Ada María said.
"A wolf," Nathan corrected gently. Ada María giggled and leaned down with her hands on Nathan's face.
"Of course," she said. "My mistake." Ada María pressed her lips to Nathan and they kissed a moment. She slid her fingers through his short hair and pressed her tongue against his lips to deepen the kiss. Nathan accepted the gesture and pulled her down so she was straddling his lap while he sat back on his knees. Her hair was up in a bun again, so Nathan reached up to remove the pins until they were all gone and her hair fell in a curtain of that soft raven hair he loved. She pulled her lips away and looked into his eyes. "Now that you've thoroughly impressed me, let's move on to the reason you're here."
"And what's that reason?" Nathan teased with a smile.
"Don't play coy with me," Ada María grinned and took a hold of Nathan's growing erection. "You know just as well as I do."
Nathan smiled and placed her down on the floor and she looked up at him with passion glazed eyes. "Actually," he said. "I was thinking I wanted to invite you to the beach."
"Oh?" Ada María grinned. "I can't say as I've had sex on the beach in a while. I'm sure I can secret away for a few hours for such an adventure."
"No," Nathan smiled, "I meant when the bar is closed, come see me at the beach. You seem like the type that loves to bake in the sunshine."
"You would be right," Ada María said. "If I catch you alone, I'll come say hi."
"You don't have to wait until I'm alone," Nathan said with a chuckle. "Scarlet's a good girl. She won't bite."
"Forgive me, but I'm not terribly interesting in spending time with her," Ada María said bluntly. "I don't mind a younger man or woman, but she's just a touch too young for my taste."
"That's not what I meant," Nathan said. "I meant sit on the beach with me and we can talk."
"About what?" Ada María asked.
"Nothing in particular," Nathan said. Finally, it seemed to sink in what he was asking for and Ada María laughed awkwardly and lightly under her breath.
"I'm flattered, Nathan, but I'll have to decline," she said. "As I mentioned: my time is valuable." Nathan's first thought was to be offended and hurt, but it occurred to him that he shouldn't be.
"Have you never been on a date?" Nathan asked, scared he might laugh a little.
"Never cared to be," Ada María said. Nathan smiled genuinely. He'd had a feeling Ada María would be completely different from most women, but now he knew exactly what he was dealing with.
"Well, that's a shame," Nathan smiled and gave her a kiss. She started trying to escalate the kiss, but Nathan pulled away. "I'd better get back. Scarlet and I will be house hunting tomorrow, so I need to get some sleep. But after tomorrow, we'll be on the beach near every day. So if you change your mind, you're welcome to come over and say hi."
"I'll keep that in mind," Ada María said. He noticed there was a hint of irritation in her voice as she watched Nathan get all his clothes and get dressed. "You're really leaving?"
"Like I said: I need to get some sleep," Nathan said before pulling his shirt over his head. "We'll be busy tomorrow, but after that, you can meet us at the beach. Same place as last time."
Nathan winked at her and left, noting she was less than pleased with him when he closed the door behind him. For a moment, he wondered if he'd made a mistake, but something in him said he hadn't. Nathan couldn't treat this the way anyone else might. Ada María wouldn't respond to normal flirtation and advances. She had no interest in such things. She'd have to come to the conclusion herself that she wanted to pursue him, not the other way around. Nathan returned to the inn and let himself in, locking the door tight behind him and getting straight to bed. He woke up earlier this time, but Scarlet was already awake and eating a muffin.
"How was your date?" Scarlet asked when she realized Nathan was awake.
"I don't know yet," Nathan said. "We shared a few shots of Tequila, I showed her what I look like as a wolf and I left."
"Interesting," Scarlet said. "Not what I'd picture for a proper first date, but to each their own."
Nathan chuckled, "I'm afraid nothing about this will be 'proper'. Ada's one of a kind."
"I gather that," Scarlet said, though she was less than impressed.
"I told her we'd be house hunting today, but after that, she could meet us at the beach where she'd seen us last time," Nathan said. "Until she meets us on the beach, I won't be going back to the bar."
That got Scarlet's attention, "No?"
"Nope," Nathan smiled. "If I try to woo her like one might normally do, she'd eat me alive. I have to make her try to woo me."
"Trick her into falling in love with you?" Scarlet giggled. "Good luck with that, daddy."
"I think I'll need it," Nathan smiled.