Page 32 of El Malo

Once we’re settled in the car, his hand seeks out my bare thigh and he squeezes me there. The small act of affection has me desperate to return it. I slide my palm over his. He darts his gaze my way, studying me like he always does.

“You’re beautiful, Rosa.”

I give him a thankful smile. Javier may be a lot of bad things but he’s good things too, and complimentary is one of them. He says such sweet, seductive things to me. And what he doesn’t say, his body language does for him. His hungry stares. The way he prowls toward me whenever I’m near.

He turns his palm up and I slide my fingers to interlink with his. Satisfied at holding my hand, he settles in his seat as he maneuvers the streets. His head moves to the beat and he taps the steering wheel along with the drums in the song. This man loves his music.

“Club Cielo,” he says as we pull into a spot. The rain continues to pour, but we’re not letting it put a damper on things. “I want you to have some fun and then I have business to take care of here.”

A cold dose of reality drenches me, sobering me up some.

I’m here to spy.

Not turn into a girly pile of goo who’s enjoying the best date of her life.

Focus, Daza, focus.

“Of course, baddie,” I tease, despite the strain in my voice.

Always so in tune to me, he senses it. “You know who I am,” he reminds me.

Nodding, I stare out the windshield to the sleek club. “El Malo.”

He leans my way and slides a hand into my hair. I gasp when he pulls me to him. His lips that smell of tequila are close to mine but not close enough to touch. “We’re going to dance, we’re going to drink, and we’re going to have a good time. I’ll take care of business on the way out.” He runs his thumb along my jawline. “And then when I get you home, Rosa, I’m going to fuck you. I’m going to fuck you and stake my claim on whatever it is that’s happening between us.”

“Okay,” I breathe out in agreement. He could ask for anything right now and I’d say yes as long as he gives me the kiss I ache for.

His fingers slide to the back of my skull and he grips my hair almost to the point of pain. He clutches my throat with his other hand. “I’m greedy, manzanita. When I want something, I find a way to have it. I will have it. And as you know, I take care of my things once I get them.” He doesn’t choke me, simply holds me in an almost reverent way. “If you’re not ready for me to suck you into my world, you need to back out right the fuck now.”

I part my lips and meet his blazing gaze. “You’d let me climb out of this car and walk away if I said I didn’t want to be sucked in?”

His lips quirk up on one side. “Fuck no. You’re already here. You belong to El Malo now, so deal with it.” And with those words, he presses his soft lips to mine. I let out an appreciative moan that gives him access to my mouth with his insistent tongue. He swipes it across mine and I’m already drunk off him. One simple taste and I need more. So much more. I kiss him back hungrily, my palms seeking out his muscled shoulders. I want to touch him like he touches me. Everywhere. Possessively. All at once. Our tongues duel for the lead, but he wins because he involves his teeth. Reminds me he’s the powerful one here. I cry out when he nips at my tongue. His palm slides down my throat and along my chest until he has my breast in his hand. Each place he touches burns as though his hands are on fire. I want him to burn me.

I’m dizzy and drunk for him.

I try to climb into his lap, but we’re interrupted by a rap on the glass.

“For fuck’s sake, Marco,” he roars.

I shrink away back to my seat. My door opens and Arturo stands ready with an umbrella. Marco Antonio and Javier are in a yelling match that sounds like it might end with a fist to the face, but Javier storms away from him in the pouring rain. His Desert Eagle gets pulled from his back and my heart rate quickens. But he doesn’t fire it. Instead, he jerks his shirt untucked and hides it in the back of his pants again. He yanks the umbrella from Arturo’s grip and holds it over me as we walk inside. The sweet romancer from moments ago has morphed into this raging demon.

It’s just the wakeup call I needed.

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