Chapter 2 #2
When I slowly pushed the glass away, the powerful Spaniard lifted a single eyebrow.
“Is there something else you’d prefer?” he asked. I’d studied every photograph I’d found of the man on the internet. I’d captured his nuances by watching a single video I’d found without sound. I’d used his photographs as a dartboard, fueling my anger so there was no hint of remorse.
I’d shoved aside the little girl thoughts about the man being Prince Charming, the only good memory that had followed me from the past.
Being this close to him, inhaling his aftershave was damning.
Cedar and tobacco, leather and citrus. And danger. The fragrance was intoxicating.
“To be left alone,” I said casually yet with a challenging lilt.
If he held any annoyance or even anger, I wouldn’t know it. He simply crowded my space, studying me more intently. “I apologize for the grunt manhandling you. Men should learn women are treasured creatures.”
I laughed, swallowing the bile in my throat, refusing to flinch as he allowed his heated gaze to roam down the length of my body for a second time.
“Men have no understanding of women whatsoever. If they did, they’d realize we enjoy being the aggressors from time to time.
Oh, and that good looks mean almost nothing at the end of the day. ”
“Ouch,” he said with a pained expression on his face. “It would seem the beautiful lady has been unintentionally annoyed by my interference.”
“Not annoyed. Simply… amused. I can take care of myself, but thank you for providing me with a taste of typical he-man mentality. You’ve successfully done your job.”
“Now I feel mortally wounded.”
“I’m certain you’ll get over it.”
“Please, at least do me the honor of having a drink with me. Call it payment for services. You owe me that at least.”
I laughed as if on cue and turned my head more decisively so I could stare into his eyes.
He was even better looking with only inches to spare between us.
I hated the way my body reacted, a hint of desire holding my attention.
“I’m curious. How are you able to look yourself in the mirror every day without falling over? ”
“I don’t understand.”
“With an ego that large, I’d assumed you have difficulty not kissing the ground on a regular basis.”
There was a slight hint of anger infused in the wanton lust I’d already seen in his eyes, but he quickly locked it away. Instead of backing off like most men would do, he pushed the crystal glass in front of me once again.
“Because I know my value. Have a drink with me.” This time he wasn’t asking.
For all my bravado, I was thankful the lights were low because with the dominating look he was giving me, my cheeks were burning as heat pooled in my lower stomach. His voice was much deeper than I’d anticipated, husky but not forced as so many men attempted, believing the tone to be attractive.
It would seem he believed his charms would break down my defenses, allowing his predatory nature to claim his prey for the evening. It was time to allow him to believe his chaotic chivalry was working.
Another sigh bubbled up from my throat and I glanced at my watch, the only personal item I had that had belonged to my mother.
A gift from my father the day I’d turned sixteen.
Without her. Now I understood why and the ache in my heart was even more pronounced.
The exquisite piece grounded me and tonight, I needed a solid reminder why I’d ventured to Mexico all alone on a dangerous quest that could get me killed.
“Value is in the eye of the beholder,” I purred. “One drink. I do have my limits.”
“Understood. Caution in all areas of life is a highly revered quality.” His voice was gravelly, full of innuendos.
“I wouldn’t say I’m cautious in all aspects of my life, but certainly when it comes to powerful men who believe they’re owed something just by breathing.”
His laugh was dark and he lifted his glass as he’d done before. “Touché, however, it would seem you believe my intentions to be nefarious.”
“And they aren’t?”
As he took a deep breath, my eyes were drawn to the shadow of stubble covering his chiseled jaw. His features were strong, not quite aristocratic. No one could call him rough around the edges given his polished appearance, but I sensed he preferred the rough and tumble lifestyle.
“Only if the beautiful lady would enjoy putting her obvious distaste for men aside.”
I nibbled on a fresh olive as if I was truly debating his offer. He surprised me when he wrapped his hand around my wrist, pulling my fingers closer to his mouth. The touch was electrified, enough the nerves in my hand were seared from the explosive heat.
I’d realized he was a possessive man from the moment I’d read the first article on his work within the Torres Empire.
Empire was an understatement. The people he worked for had parlayed their successful business transactions into becoming one of the wealthiest and most powerful corporations in the world.
The man was dangerous, much more so than years before. Yet as he pulled my hand closer to his mouth, I sensed a hint of gentleness in him I hadn’t expected.
That didn’t deter my decision or the fact it was great fun breaking down his usual firm hold on being the aggressor.
As soon as he parted his lips, I pursed mine, unable to take my eyes off his face as he tugged a single olive from the skewer with his teeth.
With his eyes partially closed, he appeared even more attractive.
He munched on the salty treat as if it was a piece of Swiss chocolate. While doing so, he refused to release his firm hold.
The sharp intake of my breath was unexpected as well as unwanted and he was happy with the involuntary betrayal.
His smile widened, his eyes opening slowly.
With a slight motion toward one of his men, he tilted his head back as the soldier lowered his.
Whatever Navarro was saying to the man I wouldn’t be privy to hearing.
The soldier gave at least something away by giving me a quick gaze. There were no emotions in the man’s eyes, just a careful moment of calculation. He pulled back into the shadows, once again becoming the vulture he’d been hired to play.
Without saying another word, Navarro took my hand, immediately pulling me to my feet. He had no intention of stating his intentions and I didn’t ask.
This was going almost exactly as I’d expected, although I hadn’t anticipated feeling any sense of attraction to the monster.
I’d had years to suffocate a fantasy that could never come to fruition.
The man oozed confidence as he pulled me onto the dance floor.
At this point, no one was paying attention or cared who and what he was.
Guests were enjoying the alcohol and sin-filled haze swirling in the air in conjunction with the wild scan of neon lights crisscrossing the dance floor.
He pulled me close, ignoring the tribal beat and the wild caress of heated bodies crowding the limited space. The slow dance was sensual, the moment somehow private and an incredible aphrodisiac. However, being so close to him kept the knot churning in my stomach.
His eyes were locked on mine, shimmering in the iridescent glow. With one arm wrapped around my waist, he controlled the moment as he obviously did everything else.
I pressed my palm against his chest, allowing him to take the lead.
His presence was all encompassing, his scent more intoxicating than any stiff martini.
With notes of cardamom and cinnamon alongside the zest of a ripe orange and the woodsy fragrance of cedarwood, his aftershave was bold and masculine.
I could even say addictive if I didn’t loathe the man as I did.
“I am curious. What did you say to the jerk at the bar?” I asked. Not that it mattered.
“Simply that if he wanted to live, he’d go elsewhere.”
“Intimidation is your style.”
“I have many styles,” he corrected.
I merely laughed in response. He thought he was so clever.
His grip remained firm and I couldn’t help but notice he never blinked, as if searching my soul for answers he’d sought to discover for years. I knew better. He was enjoying the art of seduction, but I wasn’t falling for his alluring nature.
Except my pussy was reacting to his masculinity, the deep throb unwanted, yet not easily ignored.
He brushed the tips of his fingers down my arm, creating a wave of goosebumps tingling every inch of skin.
When he slid his hand to the back of my neck, I suddenly realized with little movement, he could easily take full control.
I refused to show him any fear, dragging the tip of my tongue across my bottom lip as an enticement.
His eyes became hooded and he squeezed his fingers enough to remind me he was a dominating beast used to getting what he wanted. He slid his other hand further down my back, pulling me even closer, so close I felt the thick bulge between his legs as he pressed our bodies together.
I draped my arms over his shoulders, pretending as if his possessive nature wasn’t disconcerting in the least.
Navarro lowered his head as I lifted mine, the closeness fueling the rapid pounding of my heart. Our lips were mere centimeters apart and I was certain he hungered to kiss me.
But he didn’t, his restraint more than I’d imagined, yet as soon as the song was complete, he pulled away, sliding his gaze down the length of me. As he’d done before, he took my hand into his, leading me from the dance floor.
I sensed he had an agenda, confirmed when he led me through the crowd to a set of stairs leading to a balcony. There were several sprinkled throughout the club. Within seconds, two of the goons protecting him fell in behind him as if in formation. Navarro remained silent as he led me up the stairs.
There was no one else on the platform. This would be the perfect location for following through with my intended purpose except the third soldier was already waiting. He’d brought our drinks, the preplanned destination what Navarro had commanded.
The other two guards now stood at the top of the stairs, their backs turned and their intention clear to see. They were required to prevent anyone from interrupting us.
Navarro didn’t waste any time, walking me backward toward the wall behind six private tables. I barely had time to slide my clutch onto one of them. I offered a playful look as I wrapped my hand around his shirt. Why not allow him to believe he was getting satisfaction tonight?
That would be all my pleasure.
He planted one hand on the wall next to my head, his chest rising and falling as if with excited anticipation. There was no hesitation, the ruthless man lowering his head and pressing our lips together.
A swell of hunger and need swept through me. Unwanted.
Unneeded.
His touch was threatening my resolve.
The kiss was as powerful as the man, his lips soft and inviting.
I gathered a taste of bourbon on his lips as he crushed them over mine.
All the noise, the music, and the world around us faded into the distance as he thrust his tongue inside my mouth.
My pulse increased even more when he brushed the back of his other hand down my side, lingering by my breast.
He rubbed the tip of his thumb back and forth across my nipple before continuing his moment of exploration.
I was shocked at our connection, and even more so that I was allowing the closeness.
This wasn’t what I’d intended, but there was no way of stopping the man.
Tingles erupted through every muscle as he swept his hand under my dress.
Something in the back of my mind told me I should stop him, but I didn’t. I couldn’t. I was lightheaded, still angry with myself even as he curled his fingers around the hem of my dress, lifting it until he was easily able to slip his hand underneath.
The thrill as he slipped a single finger past the thin lace of my thong disrupted my intense thoughts.
In another moment of betrayal, I opened my legs even wider, allowing him to flick his finger back and forth across my clit.
As the heated kiss continued, he teased and tormented my sensitive nub, bringing me close to the edge then pulling away.
With the buzz of pleasure so intense, I was losing track of my intentions. He pulled away long enough to drag his tongue around my lips before moving to my neck. When he bit down on my earlobe, I shuddered visibly.
“As wet as you are beautiful. A dangerous combination for a man like me.” His words were whispered, sensual in a way that should allow me to easily melt in his hold. I gripped his arm with one hand, willing the rollercoaster of sensations away.
But they refused to comply, the arc of pleasure turning into a powerful wave of ecstasy. The moment my breath caught in my throat, his mouth had captured mine once again.
I was forced to dig my fingers into his muscular forearm to keep myself upright, moaning into the moment of intimacy as I did.
The climax was incredible, more intense than I’d felt before. My body shuddered uncontrollably, my skin becoming almost feverish from the rush of vibrations.
I was cognizant of my nerves, the sick anticipation of what I’d come here to accomplish forced into the forefront of my mind. Nothing would stop me from killing him, especially his veiled attempt at keeping me under control.
When he pulled his hand free, he backed away from the kiss, taking the time to roll the tip of his slickened finger across the seam of my pursed lips.
A smile curled on his handsome face as he slipped the long digit inside, forcing me to lick my own juices off his skin.
He held my rapt attention with a gaze so intense I couldn’t look away.
He pulled his finger free, dragging his tongue down it and chuckling just as darkly as he’d done before. “Very sweet, as I knew you’d be.”
I offered a smile, controlling my nerves as I eased my hand down my dress while pretending to remain under his spell.
But all good things had to come to an end. While he was only paying attention to the sweet taste of my juice, I ripped the knife used to desecrate my sister’s painting from the leg holster, jamming the blade against his jugular.
For the first time in my life, I finally felt as if I was in control.