Page 36 of Of Vows and Betrayal

“What?”

He shakes his head, but I notice he hasn’t unlocked the doors yet, and it feels somehow like a cocoon in the car with him in front of the darkened house.

I sigh, wanting to remove the frown of worry etched between his brows. “My father is trying, but he makes mistakes like I sometimes do foolish things.”Like being attracted to my bodyguard, I add to myself. “Have you ever done something stupid, Javier Vargas?”

He gives me a tired half smile. “I’ve done plenty of stupid things. Things that cost me dearly, but I learned from them… At least, I used to think so.”

“You used to?”

“Yes, because I’m about to probably do the stupidest thing I’ve ever done.” His gaze drops to my lips, and for a heartbeat, the world holds its breath.

Then, his lips are on mine, igniting a fire that consumes all rational thought.

The kiss is fierce, awakening something primal andprofound within me. His hand cups the back of my head, fingers tangling in my hair as he pulls me closer. I gasp, and he takes the opportunity to deepen the kiss, his tongue exploring my mouth with a hunger that leaves me breathless. My hands find their way to his chest, feeling the hard muscles beneath his shirt, and I press against him, craving more of his warmth, more of him.

His other hand slides around my waist, pulling me over the console and onto his lap. I straddle him, our bodies pressed together, and the sensation sends a shiver down my spine. His kisses become more urgent, more demanding, and I respond with equal intensity, my fingers threading through his hair, tugging slightly.

He groans into my mouth, the sound vibrating through me and making my pulse race. His hands roam over my back, caressing and kneading as if he can’t get enough. I can feel the heat between us building, an inferno threatening to consume us both.

I break the kiss, needing to catch my breath, but he doesn’t let me go far. His lips trail down my neck, leaving a path of fire in their wake. I tilt my head back, giving him better access, and he takes full advantage, nipping and sucking at my sensitive skin. My body arches into him, desperate for more contact, more of the incredible sensations he’s eliciting.

“Javier,” I whisper, my voice trembling with need.

He pulls back slightly, his eyes dark with desire, his breath warm and ragged against my skin. “Ophelia,” he murmurs, his voice a low growl that sends a thrill through me. “This is madness.”

“Then let’s be mad,” I reply, capturing his lips again in a kiss that promises so much more. His hands tighten on my hips, pressing me down against the hardness of his desire, and I moan into his mouth, feeling the friction through every nerve in my body.

The kiss deepens, turning even more passionate, more intense. It’s as if all the tension, all the longing, has finally found its release. We lose ourselves in each other, in the heat and the need, the rest of the world fading away until there’s only us.

In this moment, nothing else matters. Not the Mafia, not the danger, not the consequences. Just Javier and me and the undeniable connection that binds us.

Suddenly, the security light outside the house flickers on, flooding the car with bright light. We break apart, both of us breathing heavily. I jump back to my seat, my heart pounding, and I can see the force of his desire still etched on his face.

I touch my lips, feeling the tingle left behind by his kiss.

“This was a mistake,” he rumbles, running a hand through his hair. “I’m your bodyguard, Ophelia. That’s all I can ever be. You’re so young, and I’m so much older. This is not right.” He shakes his head. “This can’t happen,” he continues, his voice strained. “I have a job to do. Protecting you is my duty, and I can’t let my feelings get in the way. It’s not fair to you, and it’s not right for me.”

“Javier—”

“I’m so sorry. I was?—”

“Jealous?” I venture.

He closes his eyes and nods almost wearily. “Yes.Jealous.”

I am hurt, but I also understand his wariness somehow. It’s like a fight between logic and desire, and I don’t want to make it harder for him.

I open the door. “Good night, Javier Vargas.”

“Good night, Ophelia James.”

As I step out of the car and walk toward the house, I can still feel the lingering heat of our kiss. Desire, confusion, and hurt mix in my heart. Despite the confusion, a glimmer of hope remains. Maybe tonight was a mistake, but it also revealed something important. The line between duty and desire has blurred, and for the first time since I stepped into this house five years ago, I feel alive.

Chapter 9

Javier

Everything is unraveling, and it’s all on me. The ironclad resolve that has driven me for years is now weakening, all because of one woman—an untouchable woman, the daughter of my enemy. This must be divine punishment.

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