Page 40 of The Love Language of the Cartel

Collapsing against me, she buried her face in the curve of my neck, lungs heaving and heart pounding. I inhaled deeply, drawing in the lingering smell of her perfume against my skin. Her pussy was my lullaby, and my chest was her pillow. I was content with that. I slept better at night with her by my side.

“God, what are you doing to me?” I whispered against her ear, a mix of wonder and something dangerous.

She didn’t respond, and I didn’t mind. Because right now, in this aftermath, there were no words. There was only the steadythrob between her thighs, the slickness of our combined sweat, and the undeniable truth that, in one reckless moment, we’d officially consummated our marriage.

Demi

Four weeks later.

I pressed my palm against the cold glass, my breath fogging the window as I gazed out at the sprawling expanse of Mexico City below. The sun dipped behind the distant mountains, painting the sky in water colored hues of orange and pink that reminded me of the sunsets back home in Chicago. But this wasn’t home. It was what I used to consider my gilded cage, my beautiful prison.

Four weeks. It’d been four weeks since Ozias kidnapped me from the private villa, whisking me away to his compound in Cabo. Now, we were in his luxurious home on the outskirts of Mexico City because he’d killed the cartel leader and wanted to ensure my safety in case of any retaliation. That, and to keep my father from finding me, I suspected. What I didn’t expect was to feel a mix of emotions—conflicted, confused, and, dare I say, content.

The city lights began to twinkle as nightfall settled in, and a galaxy of stars spread out before me. It was breathtaking, really. So different from the harsh, concrete jungle of Chicago, yet just as alive and vibrant.

A throat cleared behind me, startling me from my thoughts. I didn’t need to turn around to know it was him. Ozias. His masculine presence and the scent of his familiar cologne filled the room, electric and intense. I could almost feel the heat radiating from his body, even from across the room.

“Enjoying the view,mi amor?” he inquired. His voice was a rumble that sent shivers down my spine.

I dipped my chin, not trusting myself to speak. How could I explain that I wasn’t just admiring the cityscape but contemplating how my entire world had shifted in almost a month?

His footsteps approached, and I tensed instinctively. But Ozias didn’t touch me. He came to stand beside me, his reflection appearing in the glass. I studied him—the sharp line of his bearded jaw, the intensity in his dark eyes, the faded scar that cut across his neck. He was handsome in a dangerous way, like a hunter poised to strike. He had me mesmerized. I felt my heart beating out of my chest and through my clothes, and he’d only uttered a few words.

“It’s beautiful,” I finally said, gesturing to the panorama before us. “I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”

Ozias’s lips curved into a smile. “Mexico City has its charms. Very different from Chicago, no?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “You could say that. Although I suppose both cities have their fair share of danger and intrigue.”

“Ah, but here, the danger is more . . . exciting, wouldn’t you say? There’s more spice, more sex, and a hell of a lot more guns.” There was a glint in his eye that made my heart skip a beat.

I slowly turned to face him fully, crossing my arms over my chest. “Is that why you brought me here? For the spice and the sex?”

His expression darkened slightly. “You know exactly why I brought you here, Demi. It was necessary.”

“Necessary,” I repeated, tasting the word. “Necessary for your plans, you mean. For your power play against my father and the other cartels.”

He didn’t deny it. Instead, he reached out, his fingers grazing my cheek. I should’ve flinched or shied away, but I didn’t. His touch was gentle, almost reverent. “Yes, it was necessary. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t come to . . . appreciate your company.”

I scoffed, but there was no real venom in it. “Oh, I’m sure. Who wouldn’t appreciate having a hostage who didn’t cause too much trouble?”

“Is that what you think you are? A hostage?” Ozias questioned.

I met his gaze with defiance. “Isn’t that exactly what I am? You kidnapped me, Ozias. You took me from my family. Not to mention what else you took from me.”

“And yet, here you stand. Not bound, not locked away. Free to wander this house, to look out upon the city, to get the shit fucked out of you or that sweet pussy licked whenever you want,” he said, gesturing to the bulge behind his dress slacks. “Tell me, Demi. If you truly felt like a hostage, why haven’t you tried to escape since we tied the knot?”

His question threw me for a loop. Why hadn’t I tried to escape? The answer made my stomach knot up.

“I . . . I don’t know,” I whispered, turning back to the window. My reflection stared back at me, wide-eyed.Who is this woman I’ve become?

Ozias moved closer, his hard, tatted chest nearly touching my back. I felt his heat and smelled the spice of his cologne mixed with something uniquely him. “I think you do know,mi amor. I think you’re starting to realize that perhaps this isn’t such a terrible fate after all.”

I whirled around to face him, anger flaring. “Don’t presume to know what I’m thinking or feeling, Ozias. You may have taken me away from my home, and I may have handed over my pussy a time or two, but you’ll never take my mind.”

He chuckled, the familiar sound dark and rich. “There she is. There’s the fire that’s captivatingmi corazón.”

His words ‘captivating my heart’ hung in the air between us, heavy and charged. I blinked, unsure if I heard him correctly. “I can’t believe you just said that. What, are you falling for me?”

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