Page 25 of Lured By the Cartel

As life ebbed steadily, panic surged, desperation clawing wildly at his insides. Hands grasped futilely at my arm, nails digging deeply into my flesh. His futile efforts wasted energy better spent elsewhere. Time ticked interminably, each second stretching eternally while his struggle weakened, hope faded, and resistance crumbled.

Finally, his limp form hung lifelessly in my grasp, his breath stilled permanently, and his heartbeat silenced forevermore. Dropping his body without giving a single fuck, I turned towards our stunned audience, my gaze sweeping across their frozen faces.

"Never again,"I warned gruffly, my voice resonating in the room."But if it still ever happens another time, expect worse."

Chapter 12

Lucas

Sunlight streamed through the open window, casting golden rays upon the rumpled sheets where I lay tangled. The morning had broken, but sleep refused to loosen its grip entirely, keeping me hazy and unfocused. Until, that was, he appeared—Marco Rossi, alpha extraordinaire, striding confidently into the shared bedroom we'd inhabited since... well, since he made me move in with him.

My heart skipped a beat, surprise jolting through me as I took in his unexpected entrance. He stood tall and imposing, dominating the space despite the casual attire—jeans riding low on hips, bare feet peeking out.

Sweat beaded his skin, dampening his chestnut locks, clinging to the dark strands framing his face. His muscles bunched visibly, tense from recent exertion. No doubt about it; he'd been working hard before coming upstairs. Probably more than usual, considering the sheen coating his flesh, the labored breathing, and the way he rubbed his hands together.

But it was the look in his eyes that stole my breath away entirely. Hunger, pure and unadulterated, burned hotter thanany inferno could, singeing me clear to the bone. Desire radiated off him in waves, palpable, intense, undeniable. He wanted me. Badly. Immediately. Right here, right now, on this bed, under the watchful eyes of the sun. And fuck, the idea sounded so appealing I couldn't control myself.

Marco approached without making much noise, his steps muffled by the thick carpet beneath us. My breath hitched audibly, caught off guard by his sudden appearance. How long had he been standing there watching me? Long enough for hunger to ignite within those dark irises, for desire to burn fiercely behind them.

He stopped just short of the bed, close enough for his scent to envelop me, for the heat radiating from him to banish the stubborn morning chill lingering in the air-conditioned room. Close enough...

Too close. Or maybe not close enough.

Without a word spoken, he leaned down, capturing my lips softly. A kiss meant to test boundaries, explore reactions, and gauge responses. But it quickly morphed into something deeper.

His kiss turned savage, teeth marking me as his own while I yielded hungrily. This was Marco Rossi stripped of control, of pretense—every repressed emotion finally breaking free against my lips.

When he pulled back finally, panting heavily, forehead resting against mine, I gasped for air, reeling from the intensity. Not just physical, but emotional too. All-consuming, overwhelming, breathtaking. Every kiss felt like a claim.

"What's going on?"I whispered, seeking answers amidst the chaos swirling around us.

"You need this,"he replied, brushing hair away from my face gently. Affection warred with possession, tenderness with dominance. Both sides of him coexisting harmoniously. For me.

I frowned, confusion creasing my brow. Needed what exactly?

"This,"he elaborated, gesturing between us."Me. Us."

"But-"

"Be quiet now, Lucas,"he cut in sternly, shaking his head."Yesterday... it was tough. Harsh. Demanding. I need this moment with you."

His hand slid down my neck, tracing my collarbone lightly, sending shivers running down my spine. Fingers hooked underneath the hem of my shirt, pulling it upwards slowly, exposing my flesh inch by inch. Anticipation surged, heat pooling low in my belly, desire stirring languidly within.

"Marco..."I started uncertainly, only to trail off as his fingers began to promise everything he was going to do.

He smirked wickedly then, reading the comprehension clearly written across my features.

Marco didn't feel like spending time on things he didn't want, wasting no effort on preliminaries or warm-ups. His gaze locked onto mine, fierce and commanding, while his hands worked, efficiently removing every barrier separating our bodies. Clothes dropped onto the floor, leaving nothing between us except heated gazes and pent-up desires.

His calloused fingers found their target easily, sliding smoothly along my entrance, circling once, twice, and preparing me with a certain level of roughness. I gasped at the sudden intrusion, my body tensing before melting into his touch. God, how did he manage to make everything feel so damn good?

No warning came next, no gentle easing into action. Just one sharp thrust forward, filling me in an instant. Pleasure-pain exploded through me, stealing my breath, and drawing a cry from deep within my throat. Fuck! He was huge, stretching me wider than ever before. Too big, almost painful...

Almost.Almost wasn't quite accurate though, because despite my initial shock, pleasure followed, coiling tightly in my core, threatening release already. Damn, he knew exactly what he was doing.

"Fuck!"I swore, clutching handfuls of sheets beneath me, knuckles turning white under the strain. He grunted in response, satisfaction gleaming brightly in those stormy irises.

Then, he moved. Withdrawing nearly all the way before slamming home again with all his strength. Each thrust came faster, harder, and more determined than the last. Claiming, branding, possessing. Over and over, he drove into me, driving me closer towards the edge with each plunge.

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