21
Kai’sslow footfalls drew close, but I didn’t turn around. I didn’t need to. As crazy as it was to admit, I felt his presence and the calm he brought with him every time he was near. The night of the ambush was when I realized he was safe. That I didn’t need to be anyone else but myself with him. That he wouldn’t judge or take advantage of me. Before I could swipe the tears from my eyes, his arms came around my waist, and he pulled me to his chest.
“Thought you could use a little company.”
“I’m out here because I needed to get away.”
His lips brushed my ear.
“Okay, let me rephrase that. I thought you could use my company.”
I leaned into his embrace, and he held me in companionable silence, giving me time to speak when I was ready.
“I told my mother everything.”
“What happened?”
“She walked in on me trying on my dress, and she…” I couldn’t reveal that she’d gotten upset at my choice of dress. It was supposed to be a surprise—one to spite him that I’d purchased shortly after he arrived. Now, the enjoyment I would have gotten from the look on his face seemed so trivial and pointless.
“She what?” he pressed, concern lacing his tone.
I whipped around and swiped harshly at my eyes, aggravated that I couldn’t hold back my tears.
“My mother has all these expectations, Kai. A honeymoon, and babies, a memorable first dance, and a fucking happily ever after. All of it. But we both know that I can’t give her what she wants. That you and I…that none of it is real. And I’d never seen her so happy, especially after Tony’s death. I just couldn’t lie to her anymore.”
“Amalia, you knew what this was from the beginning. What changed?”
I shoved out of his arms and trudged through the courtyard. My heels against the cobblestone and the shots I’d taken beforehand made the trek much more difficult than I remembered.
“Hey,” he called softly, catching my wrist. “Now that she knows, none of that should matter. So what’s really wrong?”
Closing my eyes, I let out a breath. “I don’t know. I’m a mess. And it’s not like me to feel…nervous. But I am. Can we pull this off? Can I actually go through with it?”
“I’ll be at the end of that aisle, no matter what. I gave my word.”
“Ugh, that’s just it. I feel like I’m selling myself off to you and them—it goes against everything my girls and I stand for.” I bowed my head, feeling foolish. What did I expect? For him to love me? Was that what I wanted?
“Vicious, there are things in life that are inevitable. We know that more than anyone. It is a means to an end, even though it takes a piece of us every time.”
Kai’s arms were around me, his lips against my forehead. “What happens when there’s nothing left?” I whispered, clutching his shirt. He didn’t answer and simply held me closer. But maybe that was precisely what I needed.
“Whether ours is a marriage of convenience, I know one thing for certain.”
“What?”
“You’re going to be the most beautiful goddamn bride.”
I laughed and shook my head, regarding the black diamond around my finger.
He must have noticed because he took my hand and slipped off the ring before dropping to one knee. My heart fluttered at the sight of him.
“Kai, what are you doing?”
“Making this right.” He cleared his throat and swallowed. “Amalia Isabel Montesinos, will you do me the honor of being my wife.” This man. Fuck, this man. I swallowed the knot that formed in my throat, overcome with emotions that threatened to make me start blubbering like a fool. What was he doing to me?
“Are you trying to get laid or something, Cain?” He laughed as he slid the band over my finger again.
“No, that was already on my list of plans for tonight.”
“How bold of you.”
Kai straightened and crushed me to his chest. “So, is that a no?”
“Oh, no, you’re going to put that pretty dick inside me, Cain.”
He smiled while peppering kisses along my neck.
“I told you this, you and me, it’s…effortless. So I know tomorrow will be fine.”
“Why are you so good to me? I’ve been such a bitch. I was determined to make this as difficult as possible for you.” I looped my arms behind his nape, meeting his gaze.
“Are you sorry?” he asked. Reaching down around my ass, he scooped me up, and I straddled his torso.
“No,” I said, grazing his lips in a slow side-to-side motion. “Not one bit.” His laugh vibrated against my mouth, and he squeezed my ass cheeks tighter, pressing me against his hard abs, and I wondered if he could feel how wet I already was.
“Wrong answer.”
“Sounds like that warrants a punishment.”
“Fuck, vicious. Anything you want.”
I leaned forward and kissed behind his ear, reveling in the way he squirmed and grunted my name. “Remember when you said that I’d be on my knees, begging for your cock?” He nodded, his eyes hooded, drunk with need. “Do it, Kai. Put me on my knees, and make me beg.”
“Can I take you somewhere?”
Kai was speed-walking through the courtyard. His muscles flexed as he carried me while also trying to keep balance on the uneven cobblestone.
“Don’t drop me,” I whispered into his ear as he rounded a corner, where the space opened up to the back pool area.
“I’d never drop you…on the ground.”
There was only a millisecond to inhale a breath before I was airborne and squealing his name. One loud splash later, and I was submerged in the cool water. I didn’t kick to the surface. Instead, I let my body slowly rise as I contemplated all the ways I’d murder and dissect my future husband.
Another splash exploded beside me, and Kai’s arms were around my waist, pulling me to him as we broke the surface together.
“If you wanted to die to avoid marrying me, all you had to do was ask. I’m creative.”
He barked a laugh and tugged me to the edge of the pool and toward a shallow ledge that allowed him to sit chest-deep in the water, me in his lap.
“Don’t you feel better already?”
“You’re still breathing, so I can’t say I do.”
Kai pushed wet hair from my face and leaned in for a kiss. I was tempted to turn away and tell him to fuck off, but who was I kidding. His white tee clung to every dip of hard muscle, and strands of his hair hung over his forehead, dripping down his face and the seam of his lips. I ran my tongue across that pretty mouth, licking the water droplets.
“That’s better,” he crooned, fisting the back of my hair, tipping my head back, and dragging the edges of his teeth along my jaw.
“Why are we wet and in a pool?”
“Wet was a given. The pool? Spontaneous idea. Believe it or not, I’ve never had sex in a pool.”
My hand smoothed up his thigh until I reached his dick, and I stroked him until he groaned over my lips.
“So what you’re saying is, I’m about to pop your pool cherry?”
Kai snickered and tightened his hold on my hair, “Are you, wife?”
“Just a few more hours until I’m your wife,” I said, working his belt and zipper. He lifted slightly and pushed his pants down enough to free his cock, and I wasted no time before my hand was around his thick shaft. Kai allowed me to pump him twice, then gripped my wrist, forcing me to stop.
Our eyes locked, and he shook his head with a teasing smirk. “I’m going to need you to beg a little harder than that.”
Releasing me, he slid his hands down my hips, hooking my shorts and panties with his thumbs as I helped slip them off, and tossed the sopping-wet denim on the stone deck.
I steadied my body, positioning myself over him, when he wrapped a hand around my throat and pulled me close. “You’re going to ride my thigh with that sweet cunt, and when you’re about to come, I won’t let you…” He kissed me hard. “Then you’ll beg.”
Kai was unknowingly teaching me things about myself I didn’t know I was into. I’d never let a man hold this much power over me, much less during sex. But fuck me, if I was ready and eager to please, to do every damn thing he asked. And I would beg for his dick until he was so deep inside me, I’d feel him days later.
With my hands on his shoulders for leverage, I slid my pussy over his thigh.
“Good girl. Just like that.”
“I’ve never…been a good girl,” I panted, rocking against him, my nails carving into his skin.
“That’s why you and I are perfect for each other, mi reina.”
His words spurred me on, igniting a fire so hot I felt like I would combust if I didn’t come soon. I moved harder and faster against his thigh as soft moans flowed from my lips.
“Kai…please,” I pleaded, needing to be full of him, but he held me in place, his grip around my neck tightening.
“Do you trust me, Amalia?”
My circle had always been small—my family, my girls—and that’s where my trust in others died. But there was something about Kai. He was safe, he cared, and I knew without a shred of doubt that his loyalty was solid.
Losing myself in his eyes, I nodded, and he lowered me underwater. Words were unnecessary. I knew what he wanted, and I shuddered with anticipation until my mouth was around him, and I took him inch by inch until he bottomed out. I was in a state of absolute euphoria between his grip around my neck, being submerged, and his dick down my throat. It was filthy, depraved, risky—and I fucking loved it. My eyes stung with unshed tears as I worked him while struggling to stay conscious, but I was seconds from passing out. Maybe I tapped his thigh, or he noticed the tension in my body, but he lifted me out of the water, and I sucked in a big gasp of air.
“Fuck…” he rasped and kissed me fast and desperate.
My pussy ached. I needed him. God, I needed him. “Please…Kai.”
“Please, what?” he asked between kisses.
“If you don’t fuck me, I’ll slit your throat.” I felt the vibration of his laugh inside my mouth, and he lifted me over his lap. Kai released my neck and grasped my hips, guiding me down.
“Fuck, vicious. You look like a goddamn goddess bouncing on my cock.”
He tore my shirt above my head, almost violently yanking down the straps of my bra until it was bunched somewhere around my abdomen.
We knew there was a possibility we could get caught, but neither of us acted like we gave a damn. No one else existed but us. And if this was what the next three years would be like, I felt foolish for ever being upset.
“Tomorrow…you’ll be mine.” Kai hissed when my nails dug deeper, marking him. “Three years.”
“No,” he said, my nipple between his teeth. “I’m yours right now.” As he bit my shoulder, I threw my head back. “Yesterday.” He slammed me down, over and over. “From the day I walked off that plane.” He met my thrusts, and water splashed over our faces. “You were mine.”
“Yours,” I whined, shattering in his arms. His name danced off my tongue as he followed me over the edge.
Tomorrow was the day. And maybe my heart was no longer afraid.
Maybe it was hopeful.