Page 32 of Cartel Viper (The Cartel Brotherhood #2)

We keep our gazes locked. I think he’s trying to figure out whether I’m reacting to what I believe is dirty talk, or whether I’m responding with a truthful answer to a truthful statement.

Neither of us wants to clarify, and both of us would rather keep the kinky dynamic for now.

We share a kiss, though, that’s far more tender than one would expect after such a declaration.

We don’t pull apart as he lifts me and kicks back a chair.

When he sits, I wrap myself around him as our kiss carries on.

He leans back as we both take a breath, and I rest my head against his chest. His hands cradle my ass, and I could stay like this forever.

Unfortunately, we both feel his phone vibrate in his pocket.

It surprises neither of us to see Pablo’s name on the screen.

He offers me the phone, and I look at him as if to say what do you want me to do with that?

I didn’t mean to sigh as loudly as I do when I accept it and slide my finger across the screen.

“Hi, Pablo.”

“Madeline, are you all right?”

“Yeah. We got here without any problems.”

I put the call on speaker.

“Javier spoke to Tío a while ago, so I expected to hear from you sooner. I got worried.”

I suck my lips in for a moment as I observe Javi. He seems less than thrilled to hear from his cousin.

“We were having lunch.”

Javi might have while I was on the counter, but I look down at where my body meets Javi’s and waggle my eyebrows. He relaxes, his shoulders dropping away from his ears.

He’s nervous I’ll pick Pablo .

“Madeline, whatever happens, listen to Javier. Do exactly as he says. It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand why or disagree. Just do it.”

“I know that.”

“Javier, I’m certain you’re listening, so don’t kill me for this.

Madeline, my entire family still considers you my little sister.

Everyone except Javier. He’s been in love with you since he moved here.

There’s nothing he won’t do to protect you.

I trust him with you. Not just because he’ll protect you.

I’m trusting you not to endanger my cousin. ”

I’ve seen no one blush as deeply as Javi is right now.

His cheeks are a deep burgundy, and even the tip of his nose is too.

There’s a tinge of pink on his forehead.

He looks away from me, but I won’t let him feel embarrassed.

I press his chin to turn his head back toward me and lean in for a kiss.

I rock my hips since I know he won’t be inside me for much longer.

He grabs them and moves me. I didn’t mean for us to have sex again.

I just wanted to feel us remain connected.

He’s going to make me come while I’m on the phone with his cousin.

Wasn’t Pablo’s comment enough to prove his cousin wants nothing to do with me romantically? Does Javi have to prove I’m his by getting me off while I’m speaking to a nonexistent rival?

It disappoints me a moment later when he stops guiding me at the rhythm he wanted. I realize he did it to keep him hard, not to get me off. Wishful thinking, I guess.

“Pablo, I’ll obey whatever Javi tells me to do. He knows that because I already promised.” I mouth Daddy at the end.

No sound comes from Javi when he responds with good girl . I can’t stop my smile. His approval means more to me than Drew’s ever did. It means more than any past boyfriend’s.

“I’m certain you told Javier things he didn’t tell Tío .

I’m also certain there’s more you haven’t shared.

You weren’t secretive as a kid, but you only shared what you wanted people to know.

If you trust my cousin the way you say you do, you need to tell him absolutely everything.

He’ll know what he can keep between you and what he needs to tell us to keep you safe.

The more you try to shield him or us, the harder you’ll make it to protect you.

Know that nothing will make him give up on you. Not after nearly twenty years.”

I cup the end of Javi’s jaw, my fingers at his nape, and my thumb brushing over his cheekbone.

“I will, Pablo. I’m where I belong because I’m with the person I trust most.”

“Javier?”

“Yeah.” He sounds less than enthused to speak to Pablo.

“I doubt I’ll survive this conversation once you’re both back.

Madeline used to doodle Madeline Diaz in her Chem notebook in the back.

She thought I never saw it. Knowing Drew, I’m certain there are a few reasons Madeline never married him.

Some of it was because her heart belonged partly to you, not entirely to him.

Watch out for my little sister, and do whatever you must because she’ll hold on as tightly to you as you do to her. ”

It’s my turn to have a bright-red face. I’m fairer than Javi, so I’m certain I practically glow magenta. I had no idea Pablo ever saw that. He tutored me in Chemistry, but I thought I kept those doodles hidden. I’d love nothing more than to sink into the floor.

“I will, Pablo. We gotta go. My brothers’ll be here soon.”

“You know I’m a call or text away.”

“Thank you.” Javi and I respond at the same time.

Javi hangs up and tucks his phone back into his pocket as I climb off his lap. When his brothers arrive, I don’t want them walking in while I have no shorts on. He follows me over to where I left my clothes and the now congealed noodles. They hardly look appetizing.

“Maddy?”

I look over my shoulder as I consider whether there’s any way to rescue our late lunch.

Javi reaches past me and moves the bowl aside and eases me around to look at him.

Heat radiates from my cheeks all over again.

Having my back to him gave me a chance to gather my composure a little, but that evaporated.

“I didn’t know you shared my feelings back then. I never imagined you could. I don’t think you’ve been pining for me this entire time. I know it was puppy love back then, so I don’t think I had anything to do with why you didn’t marry Drew.”

“It was puppy love, and I feel differently about you now. My feelings are ones of an adult. But those lingering questions of what it might have been like to be with you and the last shreds of hope that I could be with someone like you… They never went away. I don’t know where we are with how we feel now, but I know where I want to get to. ”

“Same. I won’t profess love right this minute, but I know I’m already falling in love with you.

We’re both different from when we were kids, but not so much that we fundamentally changed.

I want to be in a relationship with you that’s unlike anything I’ve had in the past. I don’t know how to be a boyfriend, but I hope you’ll let me try. ”

“And I’m worried I don’t know how to be in a healthy relationship anymore. You’re the only one I want to try with. Please be patient if I get skittish. I know what Pablo said is true, and I will tell you everything. I just don’t think I can do it all at once.”

“I get that. But is there anything I don’t know that is dangerous enough to not only get you hurt but also get my brothers killed?”

Where the fuck do I even begin?