Page 25 of The Love Language of the Cartel

I considered my answer carefully before blessing her with a response. Part of me wanted to maintain the facade, to be the monster she clearly thought I was. But something about her vulnerability at that moment compelled me to be honest.

“It’s what I’ve had to believe to survive,” I admitted, my tone curt with unexpected emotion. “To keep my people safe. To build something that will last.” I took a deep breath, bracing myself for what came next. The time for games was over. “But enough about my beliefs, Demi. Let’s talk about your future.”

Her shoulders tensed. “My future?”

“Yes, your future,” I repeated, my tone brooking no argument, “as my wife.”

Demi’s eyes widened as a mix of shock and anger flashed across her face. “Your wife? You can’t be serious.”

I stepped closer, invading her personal space. “I’m dead ass serious. Youwillbe my wife, willing or not. It’s non-negotiable.”

She backed away, her breath coming faster. “You’re insane. I won’t do it. You can’t force me to marry you!”

“Can’t I?” I quizzed. “You were already promised to me, Demi. My rules. My expectations.”

For a moment, I saw fear in her eyes. It was quickly replaced by determination as she suddenly bolted for the door. I reacted instantly, my hand shooting out to grasp her arm.

“Let go of me before I kick your—” she snarled but she never finished that sentence. The look I gave her put a stop to it.

She gave a yelp as I spun her around and pushed her back against the wood paneling of the wall. It was smooth. She wouldn’t get splinters, but it clearly knocked the wind out of her.Our faces were inches apart. Her chest heaved with exertionand anger. “I’m like your shadow, Demi. You can’t escape me. Just accept that shit.”

“I’ll never accept it,” she spat. “I’ll never be yours.”

Something inside me snapped at the sound of her words. Without thinking, I crashed my lips against hers in a bruising kiss. She stiffened at first, then, to my surprise, began to respond. Her lips softened against mine as a small moan escaped her throat when I slipped the tip of my tongue into her mouth.

When I finally pulled back, we were both breathless. I cupped her face in my hands, forcing her to meet my gaze. “You’re already mine, Demi. You belong to me now. All of you,” I confirmed.

I noticed the conflict raging in Demi’s eyes as she processed my words. Her chest heaved with each ragged breath, her warm brown skin flushed with a mix of anger and desire, perhaps? Whatever it was, I didn’t give a fuck. I reached out and roughly pulled her sports bra over her breasts. Instantly, she crossed her arms over her C-cup mounds. I caught her wrists, dragging her arms down.

“No.” I didn’t shout it, but she jumped like I had.“Don’t cover up,mi amor. Show off that beautiful body of yours when you’re around me.”

My eyes drifted down, feasting on her high breasts. Each one was topped with a chocolate nipple that had hardened under my gaze. I rubbed my thumb over one of those hard points, drawing it up even harder.

“Please, El—I mean, Ozias. Not like this,” she whimpered.

The things I wanted to do to those breasts would do more than make her whimper. They would make her scream with both pleasure and pain, sounds I couldn’t wait to hear and record to memory.

“Why?” I pinched her nipple, and her little cry was music to my ears. “You’re as good as my wife already.”

I didn’t want to wait. My hands slipped around her body as I lifted her off her feet so I could move her where I needed her to be.

Fear filled her eyes. “Ozias, please.”

Lines pulled at the corners of my mouth. “I like it when you beg, Demi.”

I let my hand lazily travel down her body, over her round breasts and across her flat stomach. Soon, it wouldn’t be flat, though. I’d make it swell with my seed. A baby was the only thing that would stop her from running away from me.

“I’ll never be happy with you,” she snapped, her voice trembling with emotion. “Never.”

I leaned in close, my lips brushing her ear. “Your happiness isn’t my primary concern,mi amor. What matters is that you’ll be my wife.”

Demi’s eyes flashed with fury. Before I could react, her hand connected with my cheek in a stinging slap. The sound echoed throughout the room.

For a moment, I was stunned. Then, a dark chuckle escaped my throat as my dick pulsed. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

In one swift motion, I pinned my body against hers. “If you want to be treated like a possession, then that’s exactly what you’ll get,” I growled before removing my hat and tossing it to the side.

Demi struggled against me, but it was useless. I was stronger, and we both knew it. “Stop it!” she cried out, but there was a quiver when she spoke that told me everything I needed to know.

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