Page 37 of The Love Language of the Cartel

Demi glided down the makeshift aisle, a vision in ivory. Her dress, a sleek covering that hugged every curve, sparkled with tiny crystals that caught the fading sunlight one by one. Her black hair cascaded over one shoulder in soft waves, and her brown eyes remained locked on mine.

“Dios mío,” I whispered, drinking in the sight of her as I balled my fists. Demi’s beauty hit my heart like a cool breeze. She was the perfect blend of supermodel elegance and womanly curves—a deadly combination that set my blood on fire. At that moment, I fell in love with everything about her. It was more than the thrill of getting one over on my enemy or good pussy. What I felt for her was too real to put into words.

As she reached me, I took her hand, noting the slight tremor in her fingers. “You look breathtaking,” I mumbled loud enough for her ears only.

She flashed me a slight smirk, a hint of nervousness in her eyes. “Thank you,” she replied softly.

The officiant began the ceremony, but I was barely listening. I was too focused on Demi, on the way the setting sun cast a golden glow on her skin, on the slight catch in her breath as weexchanged rings. Her beauty was even more breathtaking than the sunset itself.

When it was time for the vows, I took both her hands in mine. “Demi, in such a short time, you’ve exceeded my expectations of what it means to be with a real woman. Every time you touch me, you remind me that I’m still alive. That I’m more than the monster you’ve heard whispers about. But know, El Diablo would run through fire for you without question,mi amor.From this day forward, I vow to protect you with every fiber of my being. To put you before anybody. You are mine now, and I will move Heaven and Earth to keep you safe.” I paused, looking deep into her eyes. “That means killing for you and even dying for you. I may not be a good man, but I will only give you the best pieces of mi corazón,” I confessed as if I were preaching.

As I spoke, I noticed a softness creeping into Demi’s gaze, a vulnerability that wasn’t there before. It stirred something unexpected within me, a desire to be worthy of that look.

Her vows were simple, her voice steady despite the emotion displayed in the single tear that slid down her cheek. I didn’t know the driving emotion behind it. Maybe it wasn’t just one. Maybe she felt everything I did—fear, uncertainty, curiosity just to name a few.

“Ozias, we both know the world is a cold place. The warmth you’ve shown has somehow made it more tolerable. I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I know you’ll be at my side through whatever comes our way.”

“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the officiant declared. “Señor, you may salute your bride.”

I cupped Demi’s face in my hands, searching her eyes for a moment before claiming her lips in a passionate kiss. She responded with a passion that surprised me, her body melting against mine as if we were made for each other.

As we broke apart, breathless, I couldn’t help but think that while I may have married Demi for ulterior motives, our arrangement could work out in ways I never anticipated. The fire between us was undeniable, and I found myself looking forward to exploring it further.

“Mrs. Rivera,” I whispered against her ear as we turned to face our small audience. “Welcome to the cartel.”

Hours later, we were finally alone. My bedroom was decorated with candles and flowers, but the thick tension in the atmosphere was anything but romantic. Demi stood by the French doors with her arms tightly folded across her chest. Her wedding dress was still in perfect condition, but her expression was anything but happy for a bride on her wedding night.

“The fuck is your problem?” I asked, unwilling to tiptoe around the elephant in the room any longer. “You’ve been pouting for the last hour or so.”

“Fuck you, Ozias!” She spat the words at me like bullets from a gun. “I don’t have shit to say to you.”

“And why is that?”

“Because being around you for more than a few minutes at a time is unbearable! Every time I think things are starting to smooth out, you always throw me another curveball. Why the hell would you do that?”

I looked confused. “Do what? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You know what the fuck you said tonight,” she spat, her voice trembling with frustration.

My bedroom had turned into a battleground, the air crackling with mutual loathing and an undercurrent ofsomething more dangerous. I stood there, infuriatingly calm, with my dark eyes fixed on hers.

“I don’t, and even if I did, whatever came out of my mouth, I meant, so I don’t know why you’re wasting my time with this shit when you should be riding my face,” I said, loosening my tie as I sat on the edge of the bed.

She smacked her lips. “You insulted my fucking family during your toast, Ozias, practically toasting to my father’s impending demise. That doesn’t make me want to fuck you. It makes me want to fucking kill you.”

“Again, I said what I said, and I meant that shit. Get over it.”

We circled each other like predators locked in a dance neither of us wanted but couldn’t seem to escape. I got close enough to let my cinnamon-flavored breath fan her face, and just like that, her body betrayed her with its traitorous heat.

“Admit it, Demi,” I taunted, the corner of my mouth lifting. “You’re not mad about what I said. You’re mad at yourself because you hate that you want to be near me.”

“I’d rather be stranded in a desert full of scorpions!” She spat.

The words flew from her lips, but before she could step back or register how fast I moved, my lips crashed against hers.

She kissed me back hard. Every argument and every shred of hatred had evaporated into maddening lust. Her hands found my hair, clutching my curls and pulling me closer, anchoring me to her so I couldn’t escape the force of our collision.

My tongue slid against hers, a bold invasion that stoked the fire within us both. I was lost in the sensation as she pushed her body against mine. Instinctively, my hands roamed down to her round ass, gripping it firmly and dragging her into the hard bulge of my dick.

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