Page 9 of Valentine's with the Cartel

"Okay, that was kind of unexpected," he drawled, tilting his head to the side as he studied me. "It seems there's more to you than meets the eye, little omega. I like this side of you."

I gritted my teeth at his condescending tone, refusing to let him charm me out of my righteous anger. "Don't patronize me," I snapped. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. This marriage may be a business arrangement, but that doesn't mean I have to roll over and submit to you like some obedient puppy."

Rafael threw his head back and laughed, the sound rich and full as it echoed off the walls of the room. "Oh, Anan," he said, shaking his head in mock dismay even as a gleam of admiration shone in his eyes. "You really are so much more than just a pretty face and a tempting body. You have spirit, courage, and a spine to match. It's incredibly arousing."

It was arousing? I never thought he would say something like that, but then again, I shouldn't be so surprised.

He took a step forward again, closing the distance I had put between us with an easy grace that made me feel suddenly vulnerable once more. But I held my ground, refusing to be intimidated by his proximity.

"You're playing a dangerous game, little omega," Rafael murmured, his voice low and tinged with warning even as his eyes sparkled with mirth. "You're right, this marriage is a business arrangement, but that doesn't mean I won't take great pleasure in breaking you down and remaking you in my image. It's what alphas like me do."

I shivered at the promise in his words, even as I lifted my chin in defiance. "You can try," I affirmed, my voice barely above a whisper but filled with conviction nonetheless. "But I won't let you. I'll fight you every step of the way if I have to. This is my life we're talking about, and I won't let anyone dictate how it should be lived."

For a long moment, Rafael simply stared at me, his expression unreadable as he seemed to weigh my words. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face, wide and genuine in a way that made my heart skip a beat.

"You know," he said softly, "I think I'm going to enjoy this more than I ever could have imagined. You're not just a challenge to be conquered, Anan—you're a puzzle waiting to be solved, a treasure to be unearthed. And I'm going to take immense pleasure in unraveling all your layers, one by one."

I swallowed hard, a shiver of anticipation and dread running down my spine at his words. I didn't know what the future held for us, but I did know that Rafael would not stop until he had me completely under his thrall. And that wasn't going to happen. I wasn't going to allow it.

Still, as much as I hated to admit it, even to myself, there was a part of me that yearned for that very thing—the chance to surrender myself completely to an alpha who could command my body and soul with just a look, a touch. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

But I refused to let Rafael see the effect he had on me, the way my body responded to his proximity like a puppet onstrings. I had to remain strong, to keep a grip on who I was and what I wanted out of this life.

No matter how much I may have wanted him, I knew that giving in would mean losing myself entirely to him. And I wasn't ready for that, no matter how tempting it might be.

So, I simply met his gaze with a steady one of my own, my expression carefully blank even as my heart raced beneath my ribcage.

"I'll look forward to the challenge," I said coolly, locking my eyes with his. "But don't expect me to make it easy for you. I'm not just some omega to be claimed and bred."

Rafael's smile only widened at my words, a glint of admiration flashing in his eyes. "Oookay," he purred, "I wouldn't have you any other way. Your spirit is what draws me to you like a moth to a flame. And I will enjoy watching it burn."

Rafael was too quick for me to react. As soon as he caught sight of the fire in my eyes, I heard a low chuckle erupt from his chest. The sound was dark and amused, as expected. I felt his fingers close around the back of my neck, holding me steady as he crashed forward.

"I love you," Rafael breathed against my parted lips, "You are magnificent." He tilted my head, his lips covering mine without prelude.

The kiss started as a conquering act, but I refused to let my resistance dissolve. I felt his tongue slide along the seam of my lips, demanding entry, and I clenched them tighter, refusing to grant him access. Rafael groaned against me, a sound that resonated deep in his chest.

"You can't defy me," he growled. But instead of wrenching away in annoyance, Rafael simply continued his sensual onslaught, nipping at the sensitive corners of my mouth.

A broken whimper spilled from my throat as sensation bombarded me from all angles. The scratch of his stubble, the velvety sweep of his tongue, the minty tang of his breath...

My will power began to fray at the edges like a sandcastle against the incoming tide. I found myself responding instinctively to Rafael's touches, even as my mind screamed that I needed to stay strong. But it was near impossible to do that in that moment.

With one last attempt at resistance, I sank my teeth into his bottom lip and bit down, not hard enough to draw blood but enough to send a message.

Rafael made a sharp sound, low in his throat, and I expected him to be furious. Instead, a deep, approving chuckle vibrated against my mouth. "Oh yes," Rafael panted, "Fight it, my love."

My love? Shock lanced through me at his choice of words, piercing right through my weakening defenses. My teeth lost their purchase and I found myself parting my lips, allowing him entrance.

Rafael didn't waste a single second, plundering the warm cavern of my mouth with his tongue. I had never been kissed like this before—not this deeply, possessively, desperately. It was something else, something I would always remember.

A shudder rippled through me as liquid heat pooled in my abdomen. I wanted to pretend that this was all for show, a performance on both our parts. Rafael's declaration of 'love' surely meant nothing... right?

No, it couldn't, I told myself. He was just playing with me. He found me funny.

My hands trembled as they fisted in the silky fabric of his dress shirt. A broken groan emerged from my throat, swallowed by Rafael's passionate murmurs.

I was drowning in sensation, helpless against Rafael's mastery over my responses. His lips were everywhere—skimming the curve of my cheek, nuzzling behind my ear, tracing the fluttering pulse point on my neck...

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