His lips twitched up.“I’ve thought about the fencing angle.So far, the search has turned up nothing.Domingo is currently checking the offshore possibility.Zayas is a fool.He threw his career away over a bruised ego.He probably thinks the Lozano Cartel betrayedhim, that Rubén brushed him aside in showing me preference.”Which was true, Enrique hated to admit.
“What else?I have a feeling you’re not telling me everything.”
He locked his jaw.He had to protect his obstinate wife from the truth, from federal prosecution if he landed behind bars someday.Did she appreciate that?If only.She wanted what she wanted when she wanted it.If she hated him, distrusted him, if his silence doomed their marriage before it ever got started, then that was on her.
“I’ve told you more than I should have, Lourdes.Let it be enough.”
Her lips tightened as though she sucked on a lime.She stood and whipped around to stare at the back wall.No, at the plaid sofa.Then she stomped across the room.
He dashed toward her just as she opened the door.He slammed it shut, jerked her around, and backed her against it.“We’re not done,princess.Not even close.”
****
Lourdes huffed.He’dsnarled the pet name, mocking her, and gripped her arms in an unbreakable hold.His nails bit just enough to get her attention but not enough to bruise.Anger and hurt throbbed in her chest, stealing her sense of self-preservation.
“I bet lots of people have had sex in here,” she sniped, her catty side rushing out in full force.“That couch looks nice and comfortable.I’m sure you already know that given how many strippers you’ve taken on it.”
His eyebrows scrunched low over his bloodshot eyes.“Goddamn it, Lourdes.What was I supposed to do?Be a saint while you took the time you needed to heal?I gave you three fucking years, then the next thing I know, you’re engaged to another man.Oh, no, little girl.You do not get to condemn me for sleeping with other women.”As she tried to pull free, he grasped her chin and forced her to face him.“Do you hear me?”
“Asshole.”
“That’s it.I’m done playing nice.”
“Stop.”She shoved at his chest as he crushed his mouth to hers in a bruising kiss.His power, his fury, his pure masculinity seized her in a warm, dangerous embrace.The scent of his citrus soap, second-hand smoke, and Juana’s overpowering cocoa butter fragrance clung to him.Repulsed, she squeezed her eyes shut as his tongue invaded her mouth with the taste of coffee and man.She struggled to breathe.To escape.
Remember your training.
She shoved her arm against his windpipe and kneed him in the thigh, though she was aiming for his crotch.As he grunted, his grip slackened around her.Pride jolted through her.She twisted just enough to elbow him in the ribs.Cold air sliced down her throat as she heaved.
“Damn it, woman.”He yanked up her skirt, gripped the crotch of her panties, and ripped the fabric.
“You’re crazy.We’re not having sex here!”She shoved him again.
“I’ll fuck my wife wherever I want.”
Gasping, Lourdes froze as he pushed two thick, long fingers inside her.
“Moan, cry, beg.”He tapped her clit.“You need me even when you’re angry.”
“I hate you,” she panted the lie and gripped his shoulders, riding the building tremors that seized her ability to fight.
“I’m not fond of you right now either.”He kissed her again, asserting his authority, demanding her compliance.Obedience.
“Ahh!”Her contracting feminine muscles pushed his fingers out before dragging them back in.She bucked her hips against his hand.The mini orgasm rippled through her in pale contrast to the riotous waves her body craved.Damn him.She wouldn’t beg.Wouldn’t let him win.She fisted his hair as roughly as she could and yanked his head away from her.
He grunted again and snatched her hands to drag them out of his hair.
Lust and anger cratered his face in lines so deep that she stumbled back and landed sideways on the sofa cushions.“Oomph!”
Enrique stalked to the desk and jerked open one drawer after another.Then he snatched out something pink and fuzzy.
Her heart skipped.Furry handcuffs?
“Stand,” he ordered and stomped back to her.
She raced for the door.Again, he caught her and whipped her around to pin her against the wall near a massive bookshelf.He slapped on the cuffs faster than she could blink, stretched her arms above her head, and looped the metal links around a curved wrought iron hook.
“There, that will keep your hands out of the way.”He stepped back and smiled at his handiwork.“Be careful.You’re a bit short for how high up the hook is.”
