Page 291 of Hate Mates

Standing in the bedroom door, leaning against the frame, is Dario. He's in his shirt and slacks, no longer wearing the jacket.

"I was just looking out," I blurt out. "I didn't touch anything."

He pushes off the wall and comes to stand in front of me. "You're my wife, Sole. You can look and touch..." He smiles. "...Whatever you want."

He's toying with me, but I won't take the bait.

"No, thanks."

I push past him and into the sitting room. I almost make it to my bedroom when his hand latches on to mine, and he pulls me until I'm facing him again. This time he presses me against him. "Are you trying to force our first fight?"

"No, just putting you in your place like always."

"Careful, Sole. If I didn't know any better, I would think this is foreplay for you." My breath catches in my throat as his hand slides down over the curve of my hip. "I wonder if I touched you between your legs, will I find you soaked?"

"I would be as turned on as you are right now."

"Damn, that much?"

My gaze involuntarily goes to his lips, to that smile he's yet to lose and that I'm determined to erase.

I reach between us and stroke him over his pants, and it takes all of me not to gasp. He's hard as a rock. His dick pressingagainst my digits. I go up and down his length, staring into his eyes, watching them darken.

His hands go to my face, like when he kissed me, and his lips are breath from mine. I open my mouth, and the knock on the door has me jumping back.

We stare at each other, and he swallows and goes to open the door.

Gustavo is at the door. He looks between us before saying, "I'm sorry to interrupt. We got word. Ludovico is on his way. He should arrive in about two hours."

Chapter Seven

What is she thinking?

Soledad's face shows no emotion even as Gustavo describes her father's tone of relief that she is okay.

"Ludovico said he wants you to come home. He’s grateful because he knows you are safe and that is all that matters to him."

My friend's tone is flat, his gaze finds mine, and we share the silent message. Neither of us is buying it.

"There's more, He's bringing La Sombra with him as a show of faith."

"He's lying," she finally says. "The minute he gets here, he's going to try to murder all of you. If Sombra gets in the way, he'll die too."

I'm stunned, not by the words coming out of her mouth, but by her saying it.

"You really know your father," I say.

"He's not my father. When he married my mother, she already had me and MaTe. It was an arranged marriage. And yes, I know him. We all tend to know our bullies more than anyone else."

"Now you tell us this?" I say, pointing at her.

"Maybe he means it then. Because she's not his daughter, he won't try anything."

She turns a hard look on Gustavo. "Make no mistake, he means war. This whole ordeal ruined his plans. He was marrying me to Caballero's son to create unvinculobetweenlas familias."

Now the night we first met makes sense. "Is that why you were so cozy with him at that party?"

She shoots me a disgusted look. "I wasn't cozying up to him, you dick. I was trying to get out of there. Ludovico was trying to pimp me out to make himself stronger."

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