Page 115 of Santiago's Conquest (Four Dark Horsemen 1)

His icy chuckle echoes off the walls, and he tangles his fingers in his hair, before spitting out, “I’ve never had someone cling to me so much after sex.” Jimena freezes, and he tips her chin up so their eyes meet while he leans closer. “No one is attracted to desperate, and you, darling, reek of it.” He glances at the platinum watch on his wrist and announces, “I have a threesome to go to. Unless you don’t mind joining me? You can stay and watch if you want.” He taps on her nose. “Might learn a thing or two.”

Her slap comes so swiftly I barely have time to blink, her palm bouncing off Florian’s cheek and leaving a red imprint on his skin.

Florian’s jaw tics, but otherwise he shows no outer reaction while Jimena breathes heavily, each of her words steelier than the previous one. “Did you really think I’d want to be with you after you ran away like a coward? How delusional could you be?” She digs her finger in his chest, nothing but fury visible on her face. “Newsflash, darling, no dick on this planet is good enough to make me a doormat. Especially not yours.” She flips her dark hair back, the locks falling over her shoulder while her hands smooth down her red summer dress. “I’m pregnant. I thought you deserved to hear it from me. So now, sincerely, go fuck yourself, Florian.” She spins around, and walks off right past me, not even noticing me while the elevator dings and opens its doors.

Florian looks in her direction before getting inside, and I see him slam his fist on the wall so hard he rattles it before the door shuts out his roar.

“Oh my God,” I whisper.

Jimena is pregnant, and Santiago is going to kill Florian once he hears about this.

One word that describes this situation perfectly is mess.

Maybe that’s why people shouldn't stick their noses in somebody else’s business and eavesdrop.

Rubbing my head from the forming headache, I turn around and slowly go back to the main area, the heavy music playing so loudly the floor vibrates under my shoes while the smell of cigarettes and alcohol floats in the air.

Spotting Jimena and Lenora back at the booth, I compose myself to hopefully not show my emotions on my face, and make this night less shitty for everyone involved.

Because apparently, where the Cortezes are, their drama follows.

Someone grabs my elbow, and I see a man around my age, giving me a boyish smile that emphasizes the dimples on his cheeks. “Hey, beautiful. I haven't seen you before. Would you like to dance?”

I smile pleasantly and carefully remove my elbow from his hold. “No, thank you.”

“Then let me buy you and your friends drinks? As an homage to your beauty.” He opens his mouth to say something else, but his eyes cloud with confusion, quickly transforming into fear, and he steps back as a strong, brawny hand wraps around my waist and pulls me back to a muscled chest. The masculine smell filling my senses lets me know who it is without turning back. Although I would have recognized him by the heat his body radiates, instantly warming me up from head to toe. “Santiago,” he greets him, nervously grinning and shoving his hands inside his pockets.

“No one touches my wife, Steven.” His voice stays calm and even, but I don't miss the possessiveness ringing in every word. “Don’t repeat such a mistake again.”

“Duly noted. Didn’t know she was the bride. Congratulations on the wedding, man.” He doesn't even spare me a glance as he runs away toward the bar.

“You shouldn't have done that,” I tell him, slapping his arm and trying to wiggle free, but he only tightens it around me, running his nose over my neck and sending goose bumps over my skin.

“He shouldn't have touched you.” His other hand slides down my arm, the thumb brushing against my elbow gently, yet the harsh voice whispering in my ear is anything but. “And he wouldn't have had the chance if you didn't come here without me.”

I bristle in annoyance, ignoring the rapid beating of my heart and the scorching heat traveling through my system at his caveman ways that turn me on despite common sense. “Well then, maybe you shouldn't have ditched me at your parents’ place.”

Placing his lips on my neck, he bites on the skin hard, and a moan escapes me when he immediately licks the sore flesh before sucking on it, no doubt leaving a hickey.

Territorial jerk marks me as if I’m a horse!

Desire rushes through my veins, my body apparently doesn't mind a public display of attention as long as it means having his touch on me. I tug on his arm, wanting to go forward, and momentarily catch Jimena and Lenora looking anywhere but at us.

However, I can physically feel almost everyone’s eyes on us, and it unsettles me, my cheeks heating up, so I slap at his arm again. “Stop it. People are staring,” I hiss and sigh in relief when he lets me go, only to gasp when he spins me around, hugs me so close my curves mold to his every muscle, and sending hot flashes all over my body.

He tangles his fingers in my hair, fisting it so hard my eyes water, and then tilts my head back, leaning closer, his breath fanning my cheeks. “Let’s make it clear for everyone around here who you belong to, shall we? So everyone knows you’re mi esposa.” He slams his mouth on mine, swallowing my whimper when his tongue thrusts inside, exploring my mouth, as he seeks mine, brushing against it over and over again while he pulls me closer and closer to him, almost not letting me breathe.

The kiss he gives is passionate, hot, and so deep it feels like he wants to forever imprint himself in me, make me remember only his mouth on mine and never question who has such power over my body.

Ignoring common sense and voices in the background mostly muted by the music, I wrap my arms around his neck, pressing into him as he continues to ravage my mouth. It sends prickles through me and fills my core with the intense desire that demands to be soothed right here and now.

We breathe heavily into each other’s mouth as he traps my lower lip between his teeth, pulling it and nibbling a little, leaving a sting before nipping my chin and then connecting our mouths again. This time though, the intrusion is gentler, his tongue lazily dueling with mine while his hands slide to my hips, his fingers gripping me so hard I moan. His erection subtly pushing into me drives me insane, my nipples peaking against the dress’s silky material.

He holds me prisoner in his embrace, his mouth dominating mine as if he owns my body and soul. The outside world ceases to exist, leaving only my husband, who is a monster in disguise, yet the lust filling every pore and heating up my blood makes it impossible to resist him.

The need for him consumes me, the desire to be close to him yet run away at war. The fact that I don't know what hides behind his heart confuses me, while the want to know all his secrets scares me.

The man who should be my greatest enemy somehow is the only man on this planet in whose arms I feel safe and protected but also cherished, even if his blackmail brought me here.

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