Page 6 of Devil's Property
Another sigh bubbled up from my throat and I glanced at my watch, the only personal item I had that had belonged to my mother. A gift from my father the day I’d turned sixteen. Without her. Now I understood why and the ache in my heart was even more pronounced. The exquisite piece grounded me and tonight, I needed a solid reminder why I’d ventured to Mexico all alone on a dangerous quest that could get me killed. “Value is in the eye of the beholder,” I purred. “One drink. I do have my limits.”
“Understood. Caution in all areas of life is a highly revered quality.” His voice was gravelly, full of innuendos.
“I wouldn’t say I’m cautious in all aspects of my life, but certainly when it comes to powerful men who believe they’re owed something just by breathing.”
His laugh was dark and he lifted his glass as he’d done before. “Touché, however, it would seem you believe my intentions to be nefarious.”
“And they aren’t?”
As he took a deep breath, my eyes were drawn to the shadow of stubble covering his chiseled jaw. His features were strong, not quite aristocratic. No one could call him rough around the edges given his polished appearance, but I sensed he preferred the rough and tumble lifestyle.
“Only if the beautiful lady would enjoy putting her obvious distaste for men aside.”
I nibbled on a fresh olive as if I was truly debating his offer. He surprised me when he wrapped his hand around my wrist, pulling my fingers closer to his mouth. The touch was electrified, enough the nerves in my hand were seared from the explosive heat.
I’d realized he was a possessive man from the moment I’d read the first article on his work within the Torres Empire. Empire was an understatement. The people he worked for had parlayed their successful business transactions into becoming one of the wealthiest and most powerful corporations in the world.
The man was dangerous, much more so than years before. Yet as he pulled my hand closer to his mouth, I sensed a hint of gentleness in him I hadn’t expected.
That didn’t deter my decision or the fact it was great fun breaking down his usual firm hold on being the aggressor. As soon as he parted his lips, I pursed mine, unable to take my eyes off his face as he tugged a single olive from the skewer with his teeth. With his eyes partially closed, he appeared even more attractive.
He munched on the salty treat as if it was a piece of Swiss chocolate. While doing so, he refused to release his firm hold.
The sharp intake of my breath was unexpected as well as unwanted and he was happy with the involuntary betrayal. His smile widened, his eyes opening slowly. With a slight motion toward one of his men, he tilted his head back as the soldier lowered his. Whatever Navarro was saying to the man I wouldn’t be privy to hearing.
The soldier gave at least something away by giving me a quick gaze. There were no emotions in the man’s eyes, just a carefulmoment of calculation. He pulled back into the shadows, once again becoming the vulture he’d been hired to play.
Without saying another word, Navarro took my hand, immediately pulling me to my feet. He had no intention of stating his intentions and I didn’t ask.
This was going almost exactly as I’d expected, although I hadn’t anticipated feeling any sense of attraction to the monster. I’d had years to suffocate a fantasy that could never come to fruition. The man oozed confidence as he pulled me onto the dance floor. At this point, no one was paying attention or cared who and what he was. Guests were enjoying the alcohol and sin-filled haze swirling in the air in conjunction with the wild scan of neon lights crisscrossing the dance floor.
He pulled me close, ignoring the tribal beat and the wild caress of heated bodies crowding the limited space. The slow dance was sensual, the moment somehow private and an incredible aphrodisiac. However, being so close to him kept the knot churning in my stomach.
His eyes were locked on mine, shimmering in the iridescent glow. With one arm wrapped around my waist, he controlled the moment as he obviously did everything else.
I pressed my palm against his chest, allowing him to take the lead. His presence was all encompassing, his scent more intoxicating than any stiff martini. With notes of cardamom and cinnamon alongside the zest of a ripe orange and the woodsy fragrance of cedarwood, his aftershave was bold and masculine. I could even say addictive if I didn’t loathe the man as I did.
“I am curious. What did you say to the jerk at the bar?” I asked. Not that it mattered.
“Simply that if he wanted to live, he’d go elsewhere.”
“Intimidation is your style.”
“I have many styles,” he corrected.
I merely laughed in response. He thought he was so clever.
His grip remained firm and I couldn’t help but notice he never blinked, as if searching my soul for answers he’d sought to discover for years. I knew better. He was enjoying the art of seduction, but I wasn’t falling for his alluring nature.
Except my pussy was reacting to his masculinity, the deep throb unwanted, yet not easily ignored. He brushed the tips of his fingers down my arm, creating a wave of goosebumps tingling every inch of skin. When he slid his hand to the back of my neck, I suddenly realized with little movement, he could easily take full control.
I refused to show him any fear, dragging the tip of my tongue across my bottom lip as an enticement.
His eyes became hooded and he squeezed his fingers enough to remind me he was a dominating beast used to getting what he wanted. He slid his other hand further down my back, pulling me even closer, so close I felt the thick bulge between his legs as he pressed our bodies together.
I draped my arms over his shoulders, pretending as if his possessive nature wasn’t disconcerting in the least.
Navarro lowered his head as I lifted mine, the closeness fueling the rapid pounding of my heart. Our lips were mere centimeters apart and I was certain he hungered to kiss me.
