Page 23 of Snow Good to Lose
Amari
“Hey,gringo ypretty lady. We are here,” Juan shouted from on deck. I had no idea how I could get any sleep. Every wave jolted the boat. The sound of the engine gave me a headache.I stretched and pried my eyes open. The distinct smell of body odor surrounded me. I sniffed at my underarm.
Oh, shit, that’s me.
Caden pulled himself out of sleep and sat up. He rubbed his hand over his face. He reached for the bump on his head and winced.
He had a sexy scruff but smelled as bad as I did. I reached out and ran the back of my hand down his cheek.
“I need to shave.” He rubbed his face again.
“No, keep it. It makes you look rugged and sexy.” I pinched his chin. He grasped my hand and kissed it.
I turned toward the exit. Caden grabbed me around the waist. He rubbed the side of my cheek with his scruff. The prickly hairs tickled.
“Stop.” I giggled and pushed away from him. I climbed up the three steps to the main deck. Caden followed. I missed the playfulness. It had only been eighteen hours since we left Costa Rica, but it felt like an eternity. As I looked off toward land, playtime ended.
Four men in dark suits stood on a covered deck. Their arms crossed in front of them. The deck protruded ten feet into the ocean. Behind the human barrier stood another man in a tan linen suit with a pink shirt. He showed off a chest full of dark hair. It matched the full set of messy curls on the top of his head. He ran his hand through it and grinned from ear to ear. His smile made me shudder.
Caden tilted his head.
“Is that Carlos?” I asked.
Caden nodded and grabbed my hand and squeezed it tight.
As the boat drew near, Jose tossed a rope onto the deck and one of Carlos’ men secured it.
“Caden, my old friend. Welcome. Welcome to my villa.” Carlos stepped in front of his men, who all flexed. Hands hovered over concealed weapons. Caden stepped in front of me with his hands up.
“Gentlemen, relax, I told you Caden is an old friend.” He pointed at his guys and shook his head. I stepped to Caden’s side.
Carlos reached out his hand. Not to Caden, but to me.
“Wow, Miss Amari, my men told me you were beautiful, but beautiful doesn’t do you justice.” Words dripped from his lips like liquid. He had striking light eyes and light skin.
Caden’s comforting scowl took residence on his face.
I shrugged and placed my hand in Carlos’. He gripped my elbow and hauled me out of the boat. Instead of waiting for Caden, he placed my hand in the crook of his elbow and walked down the deck toward a massive house. I peeked behind me.
Caden stepped onto the deck. He shuffled to catch up. The protective detail fell in step behind, two by two.
“No worries, young lady,” Carlos whispered in my ear. “A bit of jealousy is healthy for a relationship.”
I giggled and squeezed his elbow. Cartel boss Carlos Rodrigues was nothing like I expected.I expected cocky, narcissistic. I didn’t expect kind and funny.
Reggaeton music greeted us as we approached the house. The backyard was full of people. The dress code ranged from men in suits to women in nothing more than a G-string.
“Miss Amari, I hope these young ladies do not offend your sensibilities.” Carlos gestured toward a couple making out in a lawn chair. “We are celebrating.”
“What are you celebrating?” I asked.
“Oh, just a business arrangement that turned out in my favor.” He gestured toward a table with bottles of champagne and glasses. “Please toast with me.”
Carlos released my arm and grabbed the closest unopened bottle. It was a gold bottle with an A embossed on the side. I knew the brand. Swanky stuff for a Colombian house party.
He popped the cork, and it flew over the lawn and onto the beach. He poured a glass and handed it to me. Caden caught up with us. Tired of sharing me, he placed a possessive arm over my shoulder and pulled me toward him.
“Si, Caden, please join us for a drink.” Carlos handed him a glass of champagne and poured himself one.
