Page 10 of Valentine's with the Cartel

Lost in a haze of mind-numbing arousal, I failed to notice when Rafael had shifted us. Now it was me with my back against the door, trapped between him and solid wood.

The only contact points were where our bodies joined, a juncture of scorching heat and rigid lines. A moan spilled out of me as Rafael rubbed against the notch of my hips, dry humping in the most blatant show of masculine need.

My control was shattering with each slick drag of his lips on sensitive skin or husky murmur against fevered flesh. I wanted him with a burning intensity that frightened me even as it thrilled me to my core.

Rafael seemed to sense my impending surrender for he gathered both my wrists in one large hand above my head, anchoring them against the door with little effort. It was a blatant display of strength, and I had never felt so powerless—or safe.

"Let yourself go," Rafael urged silkily. His other hand crept under the hem of my shirt, the rough pads of his fingers finding tender nerves along my spine. "Give me you. I swear no one has ever wanted anything more than I desire you."

I shivered violently as his touch ignited pleasure sparks that raced along my nerve endings. The promise in his words -and the utter conviction behind them shredded what remained of my self-control.

With a whimper of surrender, I yielded completely to Rafael's seductive onslaught.

Chapter 6

Rafael

I had to tear my lips away from Anan's before we both lost ourselves completely. But I also knew there was no need to rush things; tonight, once the ceremony was complete, would be time enough for consummating our union thoroughly.

Pushing off the door with a groan of regret, I reached down and caught him easily under his thighs, lifting him as if he weighed nothing at all. He squeaked in surprise before winding his legs around my hips instinctively, holding on tightly to my shoulders.

"Come now," I purred as I carried him towards the door leading out of this room, "Our guests are waiting and growing restless without us."

Anan blinked dazedly up at me for a long moment before comprehension dawned in his eyes. He bit down hard on his plush bottom lip and shook his head in a feeble attempt to clear it.

"Shit... the ceremony is happening now?" His voice quivered with uncertainty. What we had was so intoxicating to him that he couldn't think straight anymore.

I could see the fear beginning to seep back into his gaze, even as arousal still simmered there. Poor thing was so overwhelmed, I almost hated to subject him to all those people and scrutiny.

Almost but not quite. Let's be real here; this was all part of the fun and games for me—claiming my prize in front of witnesses, proving to one and all who he belonged to now.

"Yes indeed," I confirmed with a grin as we exited the room. "Can't keep them waiting any longer."

Anan gulped audibly, his arms tightening around my neck like a vice as nerves coiled tightly within him once again. "But I'm not ready!" His voice rose in pitch and he wriggled against me, trying to squirm out of my hold.

I simply tightened my grip on his legs, securing them more firmly around my hips as I strode down the hall towards where everyone was assembled. It would be much simpler if I just carried him straight there like this, after all.

"There's nothing to worry about," I reassured him smoothly despite the amused twinkle in my eye. "You look perfect for your wedding day."

He opened his mouth to argue further but snapped it shut again a moment later, realizing just how absurd such protests would be at this point in time. Instead, he buried his burning face against my shoulder with a soft whimper of embarrassment.

"Well, I certainly can't have you running off before our marriage has even begun," I went on playfully as we drew closer to the room where all those witnesses awaited us impatiently. "It wouldn't do at all for your future husband."

Anan shuddered and clung to me even tighter if possible, hiding himself against my strong body like he could simply disappear into it. Little fool thought that would make a difference in our current situation.

"Besides," I leaned down to murmur hotly in his ear, making sure he alone heard the next words, "If you try to run away now, you'll only force me to chase and capture you. And then I might have no choice but to put you over my knee for a thorough spanking until your pretty bottom matches the red of your face."

I punctuated that threat with a sharp nip at his earlobe and he yelped softly even as he pressed closer against me, body responding instinctively to the dominant command in my voice. Silly boy didn't know when I was joking.

Either way, it hardly mattered at this point because we were swiftly approaching the door to the room where everyone waited to witness our nuptials. A hush fell over the gathered crowd as they caught sight of us, Anan clinging to me so adorably and me holding him possessively against my chest. They never expected something like that.

"So sorry to keep you all waiting," I called out smoothly as I strode through the doorway unperturbed by the stares and murmurs that greeted our entrance. "But it seems our lovely omega groom was just too delicious a temptation for his new husband to resist sampling."

I winked at Mara where she sat primly in the front row, taking great satisfaction in her slight sputter of outrage as I made my claim on Anan plain to all present.

"Please, everyone take your seats," I continued imperiously, not giving them time to react further. "The ceremony is about to begin."

And it was—my new life with Anan at my side, ready or not. It was the perfect Valentine's Day gift, really.

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