In the hour since he'd left Gina to prepare for their evening out darkness had fallen and the city of La Paz was beginning to come alive. Alejandro stood on the balcony of his hotel suite leaning against the railing and watching the street five stories below as lamps twinkled to life and people waved down their rides to wherever they were going; restaurants perhaps, clubs, bars, wherever the evening took them. He squinted against the pungent smoke of his cigar, inhaled and then tapped it against the railing, watching disinterestedly as the ash drifted lazily. He wondered if this particular habit bothered Gina. He'd tried quitting many times. It never worked for long and his men always bore the brunt of his bad temper with each attempt. He shook his head and smiled sardonically. If the lovely blond asked, he'd quit in a heartbeat and he had no doubt he'd be successful this time. He took another quick puff before knocking the cherry off on the iron railing and tossing what was left of
He lowered his head to hers and kissed her, soft at first but then with growing urgency as her lips parted eagerly beneath his and her arms circled his waist. He pushed her back against the wall and slid his hand into her hair, tangling his fingers against her scalp and tilting her head so he could access her mouth more deeply. He thrust his tongue deep, swallowing her gasp and then taking each moan and shiver she quickly offered. He growled and pressed hard against her, stealing her breath, her space, everything she had when she tugged him closer and offered herself with abandon.He forced himself to release her lips, trailing kisses along her cheek and hairline before straightening. He pulled her up against his side and watched with satisfaction as she ran shaking hands down her skirt and up her halter to ensure everything was in place. She shook her hair back from her face and smoothed a hand over her thick riotous curls. "Do you forgive me?" he asked as the elevator arrived in the
Gina knew she shouldn't be outside at that time of night. It was one of Alejandro's many rules. The women, especially family, were never to walk alone after dark. But damn it, she needed air. She was used to independence. After Sosa had helped her escape from America, ensuring she wasn't caught up in the senseless slaughter of her's and Casey's entire family, he'd placed her in his country home in Venezuela. But she'd mourned terribly for her family; her dead parents, her beloved older brother, missing and murdered. Beckett had been only a few years older than her, protective and loving, set to take over the family business, killed in his prime. When Gina couldn't find happiness in Venezuela, Sosa moved her to London where he had connections and she could easily disappear in the massive metropolitan centre. In Britain she'd grown up, grown independent and learned to relax and enjoy life. Upon learning that her cousin was alive and thriving, Gina had returned to South America. She put
Gina didn't need Alejandro's warning. She knew that their marriage wouldn't always be happy. She'd known from the moment she admitted to herself that she was in love with the mobster, the day after he'd caught her walking alone in the dark. She'd gone to bed and cried herself to sleep as she'd acknowledged the course her life would take if she gave into her feelings for Alejandro. When she'd woken she'd given herself permission to embrace that world and that was when she'd become truly happy with life in Bolivia."Gina." She looked up, startled and blinked into Alejandro's sinister handsome face as he leaned into the open car door. She accepted the hand he offered, slid from the car and into his loose embrace. His men quickly surrounded the couple and escorted them into La Paz's hottest night club. Gina wasn't the type to truly enjoy the club scene and wondered why he would bring her here. So far, Alejandro had hit the mark with each and every one of her preferences. It seemed odd, kn
She watched him through lowered lashes as he circled her slowly and then stopped in front of her not touching physically but holding her enthralled with the warmth of his gaze, his domination, his determination and his love. The music started, and she immediately recognized Goten Project's popular Santa Maria from La Revancha del Tango. She stepped around Alejandro and gave him her hand indicating she was allowing the dance to proceed. He whirled her into his arms and proved to her quickly that he knew exactly what he was doing. That hands soaked in blood were equally capable of caressing and dominating a woman in dance.Within moments, exhilaration replaced trepidation as they flew across the floor together. Gina had no time to worry about counting steps as she followed Alejandro's every step, snapping into place beside and in front of him as he led their dance. She kicked her leg over his and then back over, twirling away from him and then gasping when he gripped her hard and turned
She was covered in blood. It had been his responsibility to make sure Gina was safe and happy and he couldn't even manage to do that for a single evening in the city. She distracted him, a man well known for his ice-cold resolve, and there had been consequences. Now she was walking through the lobby of their fancy hotel, blood splattered across her chest, arms, dress and legs. He suspected she didn't know or she might have freaked out in the car. Instead she'd remained silent on the ride back, sitting next to him in a numb haze as though waiting for her execution. He knew he'd been hard on her. Shouldn't have killed the guy in front of her with such brutality. But fuck, he needed to show her that he could handle himself without her interference. She needed to obey his orders and stay safe for fuck's sake.The elevator arrived and wordlessly he pointed Fredo toward the stairs. He felt the tense vibes pouring off the other man. Fredo didn't want them alone after that attack, not even fo
He didn't knock, he just walked through the connecting door as though he had every right in the world to barge into her room without an invitation. She guessed he probably did have that right anyway. He was paying for the hotel room. His boss owned Bolivia, the underworld anyway. Which meant Reyes also owned the politicians, the resources, the drug trade, everything. And in a matter of moments Alejandro would own her.But still…"It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding," she told him, her voice slightly hoarse from her screams during the attack the evening before and her crying bout after.She turned from the mirror to face him. It didn't matter if he saw the entire dress now since he didn't seem to care about tradition anyway. The makeup and hair woman had just left after helping Gina into the Vera Wang gown. It was truly stunning. A lovely white creation; simple but elegantly beautiful with a heart-shaped neckline that dipped into Gina's generous cleavage, cupping and li
"We're here, sir," the driver told them in a neutral voice, averting his eyes from the rear-view mirror. Smart man."Get the fuck out," Alejandro replied.Gina tried to stifle her laugh at his bad temper but failed miserably. She tugged uselessly at his hand, but he just wrapped his long fingers around her thigh and tugged her legs open. She let out a moan just as the driver slammed the door shut on his way out. "Good man," Alejandro mumbled, unbuckling her seatbelt with his other hand and hauling her into his lap."Wh-what are you doing?" she squeaked as her skirt flipped up and went in every direction so she couldn't see. "Alejandro, we have to go get married now!""After," he growled."After what?" she asked right before his fingers found her panties, shoved them to the side and sank into her. She let out a long, startled cry. "Ahhh…!""After I make you come all over my hand," he breathed hotly in her ear and yanked her legs wider apart with a strong hand on her thigh. Now tha