“Do you like that?” he asked.

  “Yes. Hell, yes.” What wasn’t to like?

  He repeated the move before sliding the same finger down my pussy. Even though my vision was hazy, I noticed the sly smile on his face just before he drove the finger past my swollen folds. There was no chance of holding back the aching moans at that point. I only prayed that what he’d told me about the walls was true.

  I wasn’t ready to face the truth of our destiny with anyone.

  There was no stopping the man even if I’d wanted to. He pulled one leg over his shoulder, lifting my other foot off the floor as he slid me up the wall by several inches.

  “Oh, my. God. That’s so…” Why was it around him that my tongue was tied?

  I cinched my eyes shut as he thrust another finger inside, then forced me to watch as he opened his mouth, lowering his head and engulfing my pussy.

  With this man I was a ball of wanton lust and urgency, the soar of electricity even greater than when he’d fucked me the first time.

  “So fucking wet. So hot.”

  His mumbles were ragged, the wash of his breath turning me into molten lava. I gasped, crying out again and again as he made good on his promise to feast like a king.

  He kept one leg tossed casually over his shoulder, pulling me forward every few seconds so I’d be forced to arch my back even more. I struggled to reach for him, needing something to ground me. He was a man on fire, using four fingers to drive me into nirvana as he sucked and nipped my clit until my entire pussy was sensitive.

  Just as with all our brutal rounds of sex, a climax caught me off guard. The wave kicked my butt as it rushed into me. Lights flickered and flashed in front of my eyes and this time, I was breathless. There was no sound, no air in my lungs.

  But the vibrations were everything a bad girl needed. The moment and the experience were exquisite, exactly everything a woman could ever want.

  As a second orgasm spilled over the first, the sensations became painfully beautiful and nothing else mattered but that moment. My heart skittered, my pulse raced, and while I was being ravished, I was floating on air.

  This wasn’t supposed to make me feel this way. I wasn’t this girl. He wasn’t this man. But together we were combustible.

  As the fleeting wave began to ebb, he eased me onto my feet and rose to his full height. Panting, I managed to look him in the eyes as he dragged his tongue around his lips. Damn him for making eating pussy look so incredibly sinful and hot.

  After raking his fingers down my chest, he took a step away. There was still no urgency in undressing. He knew he had me under some crazy kind of spell. I wasn’t going anywhere and neither was he. We were locked together in a sequence of unholy events, but this was the final claiming before I was forced to honor the commitment of marriage.

  It dawned on me that I didn’t completely hate the idea. That should concern me deeply, but nothing would right now.

  Jago’s eyes were full of possession as he finished undressing. They were so powerful in how they drew me in that I couldn’t stop staring at them. But when he released his cock, my gaze was drawn to the incredible creation. A thing of perfection, standing out long and proud. I wanted to be able to drop to my knees in exchange for the ecstasy he’d provided me, but I sensed almost immediately he wasn’t going to allow that to happen. His sense of need returned as soon as he was naked.

  His hands were on me again, caressing my breasts as he towered over me. He had a magical way of keeping me enticed even as he pinched my nipples between his thumbs and forefingers. The pain was lovely, delicious in every way and he was rewarded with a series of moans that I couldn’t stop if I wanted to.

  “I’m going to fuck you now.”

  His statement somehow made the moment that much sexier.

  He lifted me off the floor once again, wrapping my hips around his thighs. I stared down at the throbbing, almost purple head of his cock just before he aligned it against my entrance. My pussy was already clenching in anticipation. He was so large I’d been afraid I couldn’t take him, but as with everything about the man, he’d already proved me wrong.

  I sensed he was losing control and wanted nothing more than to push him to do so. When I gripped his shoulders, panting in his face, he laughed softly.

  “Careful there, my sweet Genevieve. I just might wreck you.”

  “Do it.”

  He tipped his head to the side before he pushed his cock halfway into my tight channel. The mischievous look on his face forced me to purse my lips. Was the bastard testing me?

  I arched my back and dug my knees into his sides. Goosebumps had already chased themselves over every inch of my skin more than a few times. His eyes lit up once again and he thrust the remainder of his shaft inside. He remained where he was, his breathing becoming heavier. I enjoyed the quiet moment as we stared into each other’s eyes. This was the calm before the storm.

  My muscles tensed then cinched around the thick invasion. No man should be allowed to be so big and long. I bit my lip as he pulled out, even digging my nails into his skin.

  His loss of control continued and he started fucking me like the true savage he was.

  The brutal thumping built another wave of lava that threatened to overheat us both. But he wasn’t about to stop, now fucking me as if his life depended on it.

  I scratched his back, not on purpose, but in doing so all I could think about was that I’d marked him like he was doing with me.

  Only he was using his scent and this time I might allow it to linger for a long time.

  The strain on his face was mesmerizing, the twitch of his mouth keeping me entertained.

  His eyes were now closed and I squeezed my pussy muscles on purpose. With a dark chuckle, he ripped me away from the wall, taking three strides toward the huge bed and dumping me in the center.

  Before I had a chance to playfully crawl away, he was on the bed positioned behind me. He jerked my head back by my hair before sliding his hand around my throat.

  “Teasing me isn’t the best thing for you to do,” he growled and didn’t waste any time driving the length of his cock into my pussy.

  “Why is that?”

  “Haven’t you heard? Because I’m an asshole.”

  He pulled out once again before sinking into me completely. He gripped my hip with his other hand, holding the position just long enough I moaned. There was something entirely different about how he was fucking me now. There was more possession to it, more sensuality and sense of ownership.

  I was still tingling all over, but my mind couldn’t process the thought.

  As he began to develop a rhythm, he reached around and played with my breast. Just the way he was flicking his finger across my nipple forced several moans from my lip. He was so forceful he was rocking the bed and I still wondered if our raucous activity could be heard.

  He pinched and twisted my taut bud again until I cried out before letting go. Everything about the man was huge, including his hands. When he spread his fingers wide, rolling the flat of his hand around my hip, I shuddered more than once.

  The hard slap of his hand made me yelp, but I laughed afterwards. For such a brutal man, he had a playful side I hadn’t seen coming.

  Jago started fucking me in earnest again. I was sweaty and hot, enraptured and hoping this would continue.

  He refused to stop, his stamina unlike any other man I’d been with. My throat was scratchy, my pants barely recognizable, and beads of his sweat tickled my back as he fucked me.

  I couldn’t care less that I’d be sore.

  Or that I was supposed to hate him.

  How could I think of anything else but the incredible orgasm that rushed through me, creating a beautiful kaleidoscope of colors in front of my eyes?

  “Oh. Oh. Yes. God, yes. Yes…” I closed both as the climax electrified my entire body. I felt him tense and clenched my pussy muscles again. There was something delicious about taunting him.

  His pants became strangled. With a deep roar, he threw his head back and yanked me back with him as he erupted deep inside. He wrapped his other arm around me, finally easing his hold on my throat. “You do something to me,” he whispered.

  It was as close to an endearing comment he’d made and I had a feeling they were few and hard to come by.

  Perhaps he was reading my mind again because only seconds after making the statement, he pulled out and climbed from the bed.

  I collapsed, still trying to catch my breath when I heard the soft click of the door after he’d left.

  CHAPTER 21

  Jago

  A wedding.

  An alliance.

  Merging two companies into one.

  It was all too much for the woman who sat across from me. She was constantly checking her phone as if waiting for additional bad news. Given everything she’d been through, I would think being in my protected castle would at least provide her with some sense of comfort.

  Or perhaps I was arrogant enough to believe the passion we’d shared the night before would ease the pain of being forced into our union. But as with so much regarding her, I’d thought wrong.

  What bothered me more than her quiet insolence was how territorial I felt about her. Even with her sitting across from me at my desk, I was constantly thinking about additional ways to keep her as my possession. It was a strange feeling for me since no one had affected me quite the way she had and would continue doing.

  I didn’t like being unnerved nor did I appreciate surprises. Perhaps both were a fact of life, but that didn’t mean I was forced to accept them. Generally, it was unwise to push me to the point of becoming unnerved anyway. I usually lashed out with uncontrollable anger and typically that meant someone would get hurt.

  Even damaged beyond repair.

  But I needed to learn control as well as patience with her. That much I’d already gathered.

  In learning about her mother’s death so long ago, I’d begun to understand her intense protectiveness. She’d been a mother to her two siblings. We’d both lost someone important to us.

  Another connection.

  Another weakness.

  “So let me repeat what you’ve said to me,” she said quietly, starting the conversation all over again. She had the documentation my attorney had helped put together. She’d made notes on the sides, had even written two codicils that I could remember and yet she wasn’t satisfied.

  Or perhaps she was simply trying to push the inevitable out as far as possible.

  “Go ahead.”

  “We combine companies but use my father’s corporation. Yes?” She lifted her gaze.

  “That’s correct. We change the name to something like Torres-Morales Enterprises.”

  “Morales-Torres Enterprises.”

  Her demand brought a smile to my face. “Fine.”

  “We combine products and territories, working together on all transactions while modernizing the system so we’re completely in control of the quantity and quality that goes out the door. In addition, we beef up security and weed out any unwanted assholes who’ve caused either organization any trouble whatsoever.” She wasn’t reciting it from her notes but providing more concise verbiage regarding the decision.

  “Aptly put. Yes.”

  “We have a wedding, although not a huge one that we try and pull off in a couple days including a reception for show more than anything. We’re required to act like we actually care about each other, at least in front of any cameras that might capture our pictures. That will set the trap, at least in the beginning stages.”

  “An excellent way of putting it. Who knows. You might enjoy being married to me.”

  “As I would having rusty spikes driven into my hands and feet. It’s not happening, Jago. But I can be a good little actress when necessary.”

  “I know you can.”

  She held out her left hand, heaving an exaggerated sigh as she wiggled her fingers. “And I don’t even have an engagement ring. How can I believe your honest intentions?”

  Her voice dripped of sarcasm. “I’ll take care of that.”

  “Make sure it’s a big, no, huge diamond. I won’t settle for anything less.”

  I offered her a smug smile. “Trust me, darling. You’ll have the best of everything.”

  The conversation was lively as usual and as had occurred so many times before, I was aroused. That would need to be controlled.

  “Where would this glorious event take place? I’m certain if you walked into a church you’d burst into flames.” As always, she threw out the question to see if she could stump me. Since I wasn’t religious by any stretch of the imagination, she was right that I had no interest in the bullshit involved around a traditional wedding.

  At least I knew one that would work. And if the priest didn’t desire to perform the wedding given our history together, I’d encourage him to change his mind. My way. “The Church of Saint Felip Neri. It’s small, a traditional baroque-style church with incredible paintings by Joan Llimona.”

  She seemed duly impressed, her eyes opening wide. Then she lifted her delicately dark eyebrow at me. “How many men did you slaughter on the altar?”

  Grinning, I smashed my hand on the surface of my desk. “Enough, but it is a gorgeous location. Then we can have the reception at a restaurant of your choosing. Of course there will be tight security, but at least we’ll be in the public eye.”

  “For all those incredible photographs taken of the couple madly in love.” She fluttered her eyelids on purpose and seeing her long lashes skimming across the shimmer of her cheeks was another turn-on.

  One of many.

  “In truth. Yes. That will go a long way in making a presentation and issuing a silent warning.”

  She debated the option. “Fine. I couldn’t care less. I’ll search for a restaurant that would be suitable.”

  “Excellent.”

  “Am I missing anything from your end?” she asked coyly.

  “Not that I can think of.” I sat back in my seat and thought about her question. “One thing. You’re a very smart girl. You know you have a target on your back. You will learn to follow rules.”

  “Your rules?”

  “My rules because I know what happens to pretty girls with doe eyes.”

  She frowned and leaned over my desk. “I don’t have doe eyes. They were opened wide a long time ago. Besides, I thought you said if I became your wife, I’d be safe.”

  “To a point. But trust me, that point will be challenged.”

  The way she sucked in her breath and glared at me made me think she was going to change her mind. She had no idea how far I was prepared to go to keep her safe or what I’d need to do. She also couldn’t understand that there were several men who would stop at nothing to find a way to get under my skin.

  I hadn’t lied to her that she would have a certain protective layer around her, but not for an extended timeframe with the Moroccans. They couldn’t care less about the sanctity of a single rule played by most cartels and crime syndicates. Not that the various leaders and members hadn’t broken that seal of honor from time to time, but marriage was usually held in high regard.

  Sadly, I had a feeling that was all about to crash and burn throughout Spain and perhaps other countries as well. Yes, times were changing and not necessarily for the better.

  “Then we’ll both have rules, Jago. I’m not going to sit around and play your dutiful wife. I don’t cook very well and I certainly have no intention of waiting for you when you handle the deals or the issues with anyone who comes up against us.”

  “Meaning what?”

  “Meaning, I’ll be by your side. Partners completely. One hundred percent.”

  I leaned over my desk far enough she almost flinched. I almost reached out and grabbed her by the throat, jerking her over the surface, but I resisted. She wasn’t in the mood for sexual games and we didn’t have the time.

  “I’m curious, princess. You can wield a knife like a professional killer, but what happens when you’re confronted with someone who refuses to give needed information? Will you flinch? Will you ask me to handle the situation? Do you even know how to handle a gun?”

  Her smile was cunning. “Let me see. As you told me last night, killing will become easier. While using a knife is messy, it’s also personal and I think there are times that personal is exactly what’s needed. You can ask my men how I handled being talked down to. I think I broke the soldier’s wrist… As far as a gun, why don’t you try me since my father deemed me a prodigy marksman.”

  Her statement should rile me, but it had the opposite effect. I was pushed into a moment where I wanted to take her up on her offer after fucking her across my desk.

  However, having her by my side during the more tactical aspects of business would make it seem as if I’d lost some control to my wife. “I don’t know if allowing you to be involved in the day-to-day field operations is in either of our best interests.”

  “Field operations? Is that what we’re calling it now?” She laughed heartedly. “As I said, if that’s not acceptable then neither is our alliance. It’s entirely up to you what you decide. But don’t take too long. I, like you, have no patience.” She rose to her feet.

  “You’re a spoiled brat.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “You should.” I sensed she still had more on her mind. “What is it?”

  “I’ll want a dress. I’m not suggesting something formal and long, but I refuse to get married even to you in a pair of jeans.”

  While the beautiful woman was more of a badass than a significant number of men I’d worked with or had the pleasure of killing, at the end of the day she was still all woman.

  “We can arrange that.”

  “Arrange. That’s how life in this profession will always be, right? We need to arrange me going anywhere with guards and guns.”

  “Think of the pros instead of the cons. You have money. You’ll never need to worry about putting food on the table or paying your bills. Our combined holdings will include four resort homes. We can go anywhere at any time without worrying about transportation issues. We’ll have power and influence that will allow us to control anyone in the country.” I tilted my head, waiting eagerly for her reply.