Anson watched Natalia as she stood on the river bank, her head swiveling back and forth as if at some tennis tournament. He knew that she wasn’t watching a yellow orb being driven across a net but was looking for the colorful flash of an unsuspecting fish. It had been fun sitting across from her, working on the traps. Really hoping they’d be successful, as fresh fish was sounding better and better, he couldn’t help but also hope he won the wager.

She finally turned from the river and shrugged. “This is a bit like waiting for the pot to boil. Why don’t we try to find some wild greens and mushrooms to go with our meal?”

“Oh, no you don’t,” Anson said, shaking his head.

“Why not? The jungle is full of possibilities.”

“True, but say we come back to find fish in both our traps? How will we know which one swam in first?”

“Anson, is it really that important? It’s just a silly bet.”

It was most definitely not a silly bet—well, maybe it was, but hell, he couldn’t help but hope he won the wager. Natalia might not know what she would demand as the winner, but he’d known instantly what he’d require of the loser from the moment he’d suggested the bet. “Fine, then I’ll accept your concession.”

“What does that mean?” she asked.

“That means you have chosen to forfeit, and since that makes me the winner, I can now claim my prize.” Gorgeous green eyes widened as he grinned and slowly began to walk towards her.

“Wha… what exactly do you expect to claim?”

“Ah, mi niña hermosa, that is for me to know and…” His next step had him close enough to reach out and stroke a finger down her cheek. “You to discover… or should I say experience?”

He loved the fact that though she swallowed hard enough for him to see the movement of her throat, she didn’t step away. Moving his hand behind her head, he bent to kiss her. Her lips were so incredibly soft beneath his, her response instant as he slid his tongue into the sweetness of her mouth. She wasn’t only his beautiful girl, she was his heart and soul. Deepening the kiss, his fingers tangled in her hair as he pulled her closer, her breasts flattening against his bare chest, the pebbled points of her nipples causing his cock to stiffen. Pulling back, he enjoyed the flush on her cheeks. The fear he’d seen in her eyes at the sound of gunfire had been replaced with a softness, a desire that he would enjoy fulfilling.

“Are you ready to pay?”

Her hand lifted to press against his chest. Not to push him away, but to simply lie there as if relishing the beat of his heart against her palm for a moment before her fingertip began to stroke ever so slowly against his skin.

“I never said I was actually conceding, you know,” she said, evading his question. “It would help to know exactly what this is going to cost me.”

Anson saw a movement over her shoulder and grinned. “Seems that the gambling gods are definitely on my side today.”

Confusion caused her brow to furrow and her nose to crinkle. “Why would you think that?”

“Because concession or not, I have definitely won.” Turning her, he directed her attention to the water. “Looks like a nice fat fish has decided to grant me my wish.”

The fact that his trap was rocking back and forth without the benefit of any waves told of his success, and yet he wasn’t truly surprised when he heard, “But I might have one, too!”

Anson chuckled and shook his head. “Ms. Alvarez, you didn’t strike me as someone who would renege on a wager.” With his arms already around her, it was easy enough to move his hands to gently cup her breasts. Bending down, he kissed the side of her neck. She moaned, pressing into his hands as he began to stroke his thumbs over her nipples.

“You don’t play fair, Mr. Steele.” She sounded a bit breathless, and his response was to press his erection against her bottom, give a long lick to the sensitive area behind her ear and then blow across it before giving the skin the softest of bites. Her gasp of pleasure was as incredible as the press of her ass against his crotch. Lifting his lips, he stepped back, grinning when she turned, the surprise of his departure clearly written on her face. “Why… why’d you stop?”

“Because I am an honorable man. Please, be my guest. Go ahead, wade out and check yours.”

“I didn’t mean… I was only… fuck… I don’t care if there is an entire school of fish in my trap. You win, Anson.”

He grinned and stepped to her again. “It’s my hope, pequeño colibrí, that it is you who feels like the winner when I claim my prize.” Cupping her chin in his fingers, he held her still as his mouth once more descended on hers. By the time he released her, she was panting. “But first, you shall need sustenance.”

“What! I thought… don’t you want your prize?”

“Yes, I want it very much,” Anson said, loving the fact that she’d gone from somewhat reluctant to extremely anxious to discover what he had in mind. He was a man who believed strongly in the power of anticipation. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to keep her wondering for a bit, and they both needed to eat. “But I see your point in the need to forage for the rest of our supper.”

He laughed when she actually stomped her foot. “Now who’s throwing a temper tantrum?” he asked.

“You are going to drive me loco! At least have the decency to tell me what you are planning.”

Anson reached out to pat her ass before heading towards his trap. “And spoil the surprise? I think not.” He ignored her huff of frustration and soon had his trap on the bank. Inside was a beautiful silver fish. Using one of the vines they’d gathered, he threaded it through the trout’s gills before releasing the improvised stringer back into the water. Securing the end to a tree, he picked two more dead minnows and rebaited his trap. He wasn’t the least bit surprised to see Natalia wading out to check her trap and grinned. Though it was totally unnecessary, the little Latin lady was holding her skirt up to her waist, her bare ass in full view as she pushed through the water. When she bent over, much further than required to reach her trap, her heart shaped bottom swayed from side to side in a clear attempt to capture his attention.

“I love charades,” he called out, causing her to turn her head towards him. “Don’t tell me, let me guess.” She straightened, clearly confused. “Oh, I’ve got it. You either caught a bottom feeder or a snake.”

She came out of the water far faster than she’d gone in. He was laughing hard by the time she reached the bank.

“You think that’s funny?” she demanded. “A snake!”

“Oh, babe, you are just too cute,” he said in answer, drawing her to him, his palms cupping the globes of her ass as she’d not yet dropped her skirt. He silenced her huff of indignation with another kiss, squeezing her flesh as he explored her mouth yet again, but again, pulled away, leaving her wanting more.

They did forage for greens and when Natalia found some mushrooms, they gathered those as well. Anson’s trap caught another fish that he added to the streamer. When he stood again, it was to find Natalia smiling, and his thought that she was up to something was confirmed when she pointed out to the water.

“Since you found it so hysterical to scare me to death, I think it only fair that you go check my trap, don’t you?”

He’d never tire of playing games with this incredible woman. “I’d love to. In fact, I have to thank you for demonstrating the proper way to do so.”

She huffed. “You’ve caught two fish in your trap already.”

“True, and though you haven’t had quite the luck, you still taught me a valuable lesson.” He watched her eyes narrow with obvious suspicion and then snap wide when he unzipped his jeans.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking my pants off.”

“I can see that, but why?”

Not bothering to answer he continued working his jeans down his hips. He didn’t need to be touching her to be aroused. Hell, since he’d met her he’d been hard most of the time. Not having replaced his boots after checking his trap, he kicked out of his jeans. He kept his eyes on her as he straightened, his erection jutting from his body.

She lifted her gaze from his cock. “Well done, Mr. Steele.” She paused and grinned. “Really smart to go nude and even better to go in with your cockstand.”

It was his turn to be puzzled, her reaction not exactly what he’d expected. Though he sensed a trap—and not one containing any fish—he had to see where this went. “All right, I’ll bite. Why do you say that?”

His heart skipped a beat as she walked slowly towards him, her hips swishing from side to side. Reaching him, she placed her hand on his chest. “Exactly. You continue to amaze me with your supreme intelligence.” Her hand dropped to wrap around his shaft. “I might have shown you how to keep your clothing dry, but, you, sir, took such a simple lesson and made it so much more.” Her hand felt incredible and while he liked to think he was a man of iron control, he was beginning to wonder when her fingers began to squeeze and release along his cock.

When she leaned in, he bent, ready to accept her kiss. Instead of moving the final step necessary to lift her face for that kiss, she lifted her eyes to his. “Quite ingenious, actually.”

He’d known her long enough to know that he’d most likely regret it, but he couldn’t help himself. “Care to elaborate, Ms. Alvarez?”

“Certainly. You obviously knew that a limp dick dangling between your legs would look like quite the delicious treat, too alluring for any species of fish not to nibble on. With this…” she paused speaking but her hand didn’t pause in stroking him, “rod of steel, tiny little fish teeth don’t stand a chance.”

She gave him a final squeeze and then released his cock, which had grown thicker and harder with her ministrations, leaving him just as unsatisfied as he’d left her. Pointing towards the river, she smiled. God, she had spirit and sass, and he thoroughly enjoyed both.

Standing in the water, he was pleased to discover that she, too, had caught a fish. Having forgotten the stringer, he bent further to push away the rocks holding the trap in place, grinning as he imagined her watching. Giving in to his playful side, not particularly caring that he could picture his brothers both deciding he’d just lost his “alpha card,” he wagged his butt up and down and from side to side before finally lifting the trap. Looking up, he smiled, fully expecting her to make some silly comment. Instead, he saw her standing on the bank, wringing her hands, her face telegraphing worry.

“Hey, I was just kidding about a snake,” he called, chastising himself for his earlier levity. He hadn’t meant to truly scare her.

“Oh, I’m not worried about snakes,” she called back.

“Then what’s wrong?”

“Well, I was just thinking about the debt I’m required to pay and…”

Anson grinned. “If you’re thinking catching a fish gets you out of the bet—”

“Oh, no, I told you I will pay it. I’m just wondering if… well, does it involve…” He was growing more puzzled by the moment as she kept pausing and wringing her hands.

“Natalia, I promise it’s going to be all right. I’d never do anything to hurt you.”

“Of course you wouldn’t,” she said as if she was shocked he’d even think she was concerned about such a thing. “But, well, I don’t want to ruin your surprise, and I’m sure you are aware… oh, forget it, it probably isn’t even close to what my mind is picturing. You know, you and me, naked and… oh, I’m too embarrassed to say. Besides, you must be aware.”

All he was picturing was her naked body pressed against his and it took him a moment to realize what she’d just said.

“Aware?” He stopped, turning his head to see if perhaps some danger had appeared that he’d not noticed. Seeing nothing, he said, “Aware of what, honey?”

“Why, the candirú, of course. One of those slippery little fish swim up your urethra and… well, no worries. I’m sure my surgical skills can get him right out again.”

Fuck! Forget snakes. He’d rather see an entire ball of writhing snakes swimming towards him than a single small fish. By the time he was stepping from the water, Natalia was laughing, her arms wrapped around her stomach, her body shaking.

“God, you should have seen your face,” she gasped. She screeched when he dropped the trap and reached for her, tugging her against his wet body. As she lifted her face, she looked so young and carefree that he couldn’t help but grin. “I’m sorry but I couldn’t resist. But if it helps, you do have a great ass.”

“You may be a master at pay-back,” he said, bending to nip her bottom lip with his teeth, “but, mi amor, your ass is not only the greatest in the universe, it will be paying your debt.”

She stiffened for only a moment and then relaxed. “I guess I earned a few swats for scaring you.”

He didn’t bother to correct her, only kissed her again. He made quick work of cleaning the fish while Natalia pulled his trap from the water, placing both beneath a tree until the next time they’d fish. After slipping into his jeans, Anson carried the fish fillets, wrapped in a large banana leaf, in his right hand, the gun in his left, while she carried the greens and mushrooms they’d gathered. Walking back to the house, she kept giving him little looks that told him she was a bit nervous despite her declaration of understanding she’d earned a few swats. He grinned. She might have guessed that she would indeed be paying with a spanking… but she had no idea it would be one that he hoped would have her begging for him never to stop.

“Aren’t we going to cook?” she asked when he set the fish in the sink.

“Yes,” he said, taking the other items for their supper. “But since I don’t want you to work yourself into feeling too sick to enjoy our feast, we’ll take care of your debt first.”

“Oh, um, okay. But let me check your arm first.”

Anson grinned. “Sure, but know that if my doctor attempts to tell me that I’m medically unfit, I’m going to ignore her.”

She looked cute even when caught in the act. After she’d cut the plastic away, she looked up. “The plastic worked. Your bandage is dry and I don’t see any evidence of blood.”

“I like that report, Doctor Alvarez.”

Her smile was a little shaky, but it was a smile. “So how do you want me?”

“In so many ways it will take the rest of our lives to explore them all,” he said, adoring the flush that instantly stained her cheeks but loving the fact that her eyes softened. Drawing her to him, he held her, his cheek against the top of her head. “Remember what I said about never harming you?”

“Yes,” she said without hesitating.

“I meant every word. Trust me?” He could feel her nod against his chest and heard her give the answer he knew was so vital for both of them.

“Always.”

He lifted his head and she did as well. After a kiss that was nothing more than a soft feather touch against her lips, he slid his hand under her blouse, caressing the skin of her abdomen while his lips moved from hers to the shoulder that had been bared when her blouse slid from it. She relaxed at his touch. “You have the softest skin.” Her quiet moan as his kiss changed to a small nip was music to his ears. Kissing the spot on her shoulder that he’d bitten, his hand moved to her breast beneath her blouse, fingers easily finding her nipple, already taut.

“You have the most amazing breasts.” His lips moved up to kiss her neck, and this time when he took a nip, his fingers closed around her nipple, giving it a squeeze. Her moan was deeper, longer, adding another note to the song of his play.

Though he had to be far more careful than he preferred, having overtaxed his arm throughout the day, he still managed to slide his right hand beneath the waistband of her skirt, to caress her bottom. With his lips a fraction of an inch from the shell of her ear, he whispered, “And the most beautiful ass.” Taking her earlobe between his teeth, he took a bite as his finger slid between the crease of her ass.

This time her moan was a gasp and she pressed closer to him, as if to get away from his finger, but he had other ideas. Releasing her earlobe, he gave it a lick, his breath wafting over her ear, loving her shudder and the feel of her nipple stiffening further between his fingers. By the time he was done collecting his due, he prayed that she’d also be pushing her ass back to his hand instead of pulling away… no matter that his finger was still stroking up and down the divide of her ass.

After returning his mouth to hers for a final kiss, he removed his hands, smiling when she gave a soft sigh. Taking her hand, he led her towards the couch. “Hang on,” he said, releasing her hand. He pulled the top sheet off the bed, draped it over the couch cushions, and added one of the bed pillows at one end. “Won’t help with the lumps, but you won’t be inhaling dust.”

“Um, thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, reaching for her hand again. Taking a seat in the center, he guided her down, not onto his lap, but over it.

“Go ahead and pull your legs up. I want you to be comfortable.”

She turned her head back. “Is that supposed to be funny? How can I possibly be comfortable when you are spanking me?” When he simply quirked his eyebrow, she sighed but did scoot forward a bit, bringing her legs up and stretching them out on the cushion.

“Good. Grab that pillow to support your head.” She didn’t bother to question him, reaching for the pillow and tucking it beneath her head. When she seemed unsure as to where to place her arms, he said, “You can tuck your hands beneath the pillow.” Once she had, he again began to stroke her skin, starting at her bare feet. Though she gave an initial jerk of surprise, she soon settled as he slowly massaged the arches of her feet and then her ankles. He took his time, knowing that the more relaxed she was, the less frightened she’d be. And despite her determination to accept that she’d lost the bet and had agreed to pay the price, he knew she was worried about how much that loss was going to cost her.

She squirmed when his hand reached her knees. He filed the fact that she was a little ticklish away for future games. He moved up to her thighs after pushing her skirt up a bit. Now her sighs of contentment were mixed with soft moans. Another little push and more of her skin was bared, his fingers moving from thigh to thigh, massaging, stroking. One day soon, he’d give her a more thorough massage, complete with heated oils and both hands. For now, he kept his right arm across her back, his left continuing towards his goal until, finally, her skirt was high enough for his right hand to take, giving a soft tug to completely bare her ass.

With her slight tensing, he knew she expected the pleasure to end and the spanking to begin. She’d learn that he wasn’t a man to be predictable… at least he prayed he’d never become that man. He wanted to keep her guessing, to be surprised, to never quite know for sure where next his fingers, his hand, his lips might go. Instead of giving her the first swat she was obviously braced to accept, he continued to massage her. Every inch of her bottom felt his fingertips against it, massaging, stroking, worshipping. He smiled when her legs parted a bit, his fingers running along the crease where her buttocks met her thighs. The fact that she unconsciously opened herself to him was good, the fact that he could see the glistening moisture between her legs was wonderful.

She’d been across his lap for a half hour, relaxing further, her legs opening wider before he lifted his hand from her skin to give her the first swat. Her head came up and a surprised little squeak was uttered, but when he instantly began to massage away the sting, she lowered her cheek to the pillow. Anson continued to swat, to massage, to move from spot to spot until she was no longer silent. Her gasps at the swats had turned into moans as she lifted her bottom as if to meet each one. His hand moved further down until he was popping the bottom of her globes, each swat causing the flesh to jiggle a bit and her legs to open further with his massage. Forget glistening, she was dripping, her aroma the sweetest scent he’d ever been privileged to inhale.

He slipped his hand between her legs, running a finger along her sex.

“Oh, God,” she said, “please… please…”

He gave her a moment to complete her plea but when she didn’t continue, he knew it would take more to get her where he wanted her to go. The next swat was given softly, but still delivered on her inner thigh. She not only moaned, she also attempted to press her sex towards his fingers, but he denied her, kneading the soft flesh he’d just spanked.

“Please…” she begged again, her hips churning once more as he removed his hand to stroke across her ass.

“Tell me what you need, amada mia, what you want.”

“Harder… spank me harder,” she said, her need finally overcoming her hesitancy, her embarrassment at discovering that what she’d feared was now what she desperately craved.

Shifting her forward a bit, he lifted his knee, raising her bottom higher. He began to pepper her bottom with quick stinging slaps, soothing each one. When she began to writhe, her hands long since having come out from beneath the pillow, fingers flexing with every swat, her cream slipping from her sex, her clit pulsating, he listened to her pleas turn into the phrase he’d waited for.

“Close… so close… oh, God, yes… yes!”

The next slap was given, but this time, the soothing stroke was not given to the spanked spot. Instead, he slid his hand between her legs, found her swollen clit and pinched it between his thumb and finger. She screamed and bucked beneath him as she splintered apart. He continued to flick, rub and pinch the small bundle of nerves until she screamed his name and came again. Only then did he remove his hand, bending to give each globe of her ass a kiss.

“I-I never knew… never would have believed,” she said a few minutes later, her body still trembling with tiny aftershocks. She slowly changed positions, straddling his lap, cupping his face as she bent to kiss him. “Thank you.”

Anson smiled. “You are so beautiful.” She smiled back, her hand dropping to his fly, releasing his cock that had been protesting its confinement for what seemed like ages. When she lifted, he shook his head. “No.”

Her eyes met his. “No? But… I want to pleasure you—”

“You have, and you will,” he assured her. “But this time, I want to do the riding.” He loved the fact that she blushed and grinned as he helped her off his lap. Standing, he quickly shed his jeans as she shed her clothes. “Bend over. Hands on the couch.” She didn’t hesitate, doing as he requested and spreading her legs, lifting her ass.

Anson slid into her, his moan joined by hers. He pumped his hips, each stroke not only blissful but driving towards a release that would come far too soon. But he didn’t care… he planned on claiming his woman every day for the remainder of his life. She cried out and the walls of her pussy tightened around his cock as he roared his release. Natalia had learned that spankings could be glorious, and he had learned that having her over his lap was something they’d both enjoy again and again and again.

“I’ll be right back,” Natalia said an hour later.

Anson looked up from the pan where he was searing the fish fillets. “Take the gun.”

“I’m only going to use the facilities,” she said.

“Take the gun,” he repeated. Once she had it in hand, he added, “And since our facilities are rather rustic, don’t forget to check for spiders and snakes.”

She shuddered but nodded, going out the door. Anson stirred the pot of greens and removed the tray of mushrooms Natalia had seasoned and which had been roasting in the oven. He’d just flipped the fish, basting them with the melted butter he’d added to the pan when Natalia rushed in.

“Anson, smoke… I smell smoke.”

“It’s all right, it’s just the fish—”

“No! It’s not the fish!”

Her tone had him looking away from the pan to see her in the doorway, her eyes wide. “Natalia?”

“It’s outside.”

Still believing that she’d just smelled the fish, he moved the pan away from the heat and went to her. She grabbed his hand and pulled him outside. He smelled nothing but the aroma of food until she dragged him away from the house. His head lifted and turned.

“Fuck,” he muttered, his nostrils flaring.

“They are burning the fields,” she said. “All of them. What are we going to do?”

Anson pulled her into his arms, assessing the situation, and made his decision. “It’s still far away. We’re going to eat and then we are going to head towards Rosario.” He looked down and smiled. “It’s time to introduce you to my brother.”