No. He had no plans to fuck the cartel princess.
But… maybe… just a taste. What harm would that cause? She was already half on top of him, and it would be so easy to lean down and catch her mouth with his. Hell, he deserved to blow off a little steam after what he’d been through the past month. And, God help him, he couldn’t stop picturing the way her breasts had bobbed in the river. Hard nipples pushing against the almost transparent cups of her white bra.
Fuck. Me.
Reaching over with his opposite hand, he cupped her face. So soft. He’d never felt skin that silky. His eyes skated over her long, black lashes, down her slim nose to pause on that pronounced Cupid’s bow.So damn sexy.He wanted to lick it.
“Mmmm,” she murmured, turning her cheek into his palm. Then her eyes flickered open, still sleepy, but quickly adjusting to the situation. He expected her to jerk away. Be shocked and appalled.
Instead, those delectable lips parted, and she tilted her mouth up, offering him what he wanted.
What he was going to take.
Xander captured her lips, their mouths molding together perfectly. He kept it gentle, soft. Again, not his usual style.Normally, he took. Conquered. Dominated and consumed. But Essie brought out his inner protector. He forced himself to move slowly, teetering on the irrational fear she might break. Fall right apart in his arms.
After several slow kisses, he abandoned the delicate care when she lightly nipped his lower lip. Yeah, his feistyseñoritawasn’t going to break. She wanted more, and he was more than happy to deliver. Caught up in the rich intensity of their encounter, he sucked her lower lip in return. Her mouth opened more, inviting him inside, and when his tongue met hers, they both moaned.
It wasn’t enough. He needed more. So much more than just a taste of this heaven.
He wanted the keys to the entire kingdom.
Xander knew his black soul oozed innumerable sins. But Essie felt like salvation. Something he never thought he’d find. Or be worthy of.
Carefully rolling her onto her back, he propped himself on an elbow, half covering her as he deepened the kiss. Her body arched up and she tried to pull him closer. So damn eager. Yet, at the same time, the way she kissed him was artless. Inexperienced.
Taking control, and his time, he explored every corner of her mouth thoroughly. When he finally allowed himself to taste the sweet indent above her upper lip, his dick surged against his zipper, begging for release. Awareness racked through his body, electrifying every single nerve ending.
Her hands plowed through his hair and tugged. It was like a rough tether, snapping him back to reality.
With a low groan, he broke his mouth away, knowing he had to stop. They were both breathing hard, and the way she looked up at him, eyes so wide and innocent-looking, made him reconsider his earlier idea that she was some narco’s girlfriend. Suddenly, she seemed far too chaste for that.
The sound of a truck rumbling in the distance made them both jump apart and scramble up. Every sense went on instant alert. Grabbing her hand, he scooped up the backpack and pulled her with him over to the door. Peering out, he didn’t see anything, and his shoulders sagged in momentary relief.
“I think we’re close to a town. We need to go,” he stated, reluctantly releasing her soft hand.
At this point he didn’t know what was more of a threat to Essie—roaming cartel members… or him.
Chapter ten
They walked a little further and eventually found a pocket of civilization, albeit a very small one. Xander and Essie stuck close to the outskirts of town, scoping out the situation. She noticed more Villarreal cartel members hanging around, and knew the town was under their control. The sooner she and Xander left, the better.
Xander seemed to be on the same page. He stalked over to the closest vehicle, fully focused, all business. The windows were down, and he opened the unlocked door. In small Mexican towns like these, everyone knew everyone, and people didn’t worry about their cars being stolen.
So much for that.
He motioned for her to get in, and she climbed into the old Volkswagen Beetle, scooting across to the passenger seat. The model was quite common since they were manufactured in Mexico for decades. Locally, they were affectionately known as theVocho.
Essie turned in her seat, watching as Xander reached up under the wheel and pulled some wires down. In less than thirty seconds, the car sputtered to life.
“Impressive,” she murmured.
He eased his foot off the clutch, pressing down on the gas as he sent her a grin. “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet, Peaches.”
She shook her head, settling back, trying hard not to smile. “Would you please stop calling me that?”
“Why?”
Yes, why, exactly?Because it unnerved her? Made her remember what he’d said about her ass being juicy? The best he’d ever seen? Her cheeks flushed and she waved a hand in front of her face. It was too damn hot.
