Page 41 of Cartel Viper (The Cartel Brotherhood #2)

He crosses his arms and cocks an eyebrow, but I see he struggles to keep a straight face.

He knows I love the pool here because it has a swim-in jacuzzi and wide steps I used to sunbathe on.

I loved having the water lap over me while I baked myself.

Laura loved it because it’s an infinity pool where she could swim laps. I playfully huff.

“I’d love to take a shower, actually.”

Elle smiles and turns away. Javi guides me up the stairs, his hand at my lower back until we get to the landing.

Then it presses against my ass. His room is at the end of the hall.

Not only do all the guys have rooms, but so do Luis and Margherita, Matáis and Catalina—Alejandro’s parents—and Luciana— Tres J’s mom.

The house is shaped like a T, so Enrique and Elle have one end while everyone else has rooms across the landing, either to the left or right.

Javi’s room feels private since it’s so far from the older generation’s.

“ Chiquita, I wish I could stay up here with you, but I don’t want to embarrass you since everyone would know why. And despite saying I don’t want you out of my reach, I need to meet with Tío .”

“I know. I won’t take long.”

“Don’t rush. You can soak in the tub. If you aren’t down yet, I’ll come up when I finish the meeting.”

“Thank you.”

I lay the clothes on the bed and turn toward the bathroom.

Javi steps in front of me and unfastens my shirt before peeling it off me.

He unclasps my bra and leans forward to suck on just my left nipple.

While he does that, he unfastens my shorts and pushes them down.

He switches to my other nipple as he toys with my clit.

“Since you have no fresh bra or panties, I expect you not to wear any.”

“Javi! I can go without panties, but I have to wear a bra. I can’t go without. I know my tits aren’t big en?—”

“Do not finish that word, chiquita .”

“I’m practically flat chested these days.”

“If that were the case, what was I just feasting on?”

“Fine. Regardless of their size, I can’t go around with my nipples showing. The guys in your family wouldn’t stare, but they’ll notice. I’m certain Enrique has men coming in and out of the house, so they’d notice.”

“Only family comes in unless he invites them. Our men have no reason to since they can enter from the patio if he calls them into his office, which he almost never does.”

“It’s still not appropriate.”

The thought mortifies me because even if they don’t want to stare, nipples are like anything else you see then can’t unsee.

Since you don’t expect them on display—at least not in America—you can’t help but keep looking at them when it’s obvious a woman’s not wearing a bra, and they show through the shirt.

“No panties, chiquita .”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“Lean over the bed.”

My brow furrows, but I do as he says. He steps behind me and spreads my ass cheeks.

“Tell me what toiletries you need. I’ll order lube along with it. I’m fucking your ass tonight.”

That wasn’t the declaration I expected. “You said that to shock me into thinking about that while you’re in your meeting and I’m alone.”

“You didn’t say no.”

“Of course not.”

“You like the idea enough to get wet just hearing it.”

To prove it, he swipes two fingers between my pussy lips then trails them over my asshole.

“Don’t get yourself off in the shower, little one. I’ll know.”

I don’t believe that since I’ll dry off with a towel, and I’ll be horny and ready to fuck regardless of whether I get off before tonight.

He fists my hair and draws my head back as he leans over me, bringing his lips beside my ear. He grinds his cock against my ass.

“You don’t believe me. You think I won’t know. There’s nothing about your body you can hide from me, Maddy. You know you’d confess if I asked because you won’t enjoy how I edge you if you refuse to answer or lie to me.”

“And if you come up here to shower alone later? I’ll know if you get yourself off.”

“Because you think I’ll need time to recover between rounds? You know you keep me hard even after I come. I won’t do it because I have no interest in having an orgasm without you to come on or in.”

Come on .

He’d mark me, and I love that idea.

“Get in the shower or bath, little one. Your naked body and this conversation are too tempting.”

I shake my ass against him before straightening.

He squeezes it with both hands hard enough to make me gasp, but I don’t shy away.

When he lets go and turns, I step around him.

I watch him leave the bedroom as I walk into the bathroom.

I stand under the showerhead for far longer than I usually do.

But the feel of the water running over me soothes me.

There’s masculine body wash and shampoo on the built-in shelf.

There’re also travel-size bottles of women’s shampoo, conditioner, face cleanser, and a neutral-scented body wash.

Two shower poofs hang on a hook. Elle was thoughtful and quick.

It feels good to scrub my hair, face, and body.

It’s a fresh start to a complicated and exhausting day.

As I dry myself, knowing the bed is on the other side of the bathroom door tempts me.

No one needs me, and Javi knows I’m safe up here.

I hang up the towels and walk out to the bed.

I’m about to pick a pair of yoga pants and an oversized shirt when I wonder about the time.

I don’t want to be up all night if I nap too late.

I pull my phone from my shorts pocket where I shoved it at some point.

It’s already nearly evening, so it’s way too late for a nap.

My shoulders sag. Sleep would be a better escape than just a shower.

I’m about to put it away when it vibrates.

This is the same burner that calls to my real phone get forwarded to.

I scooped it up before I left the bedroom and headed to the kitchen at the estate.

Javi never got a chance to dispose of it like he offered.

That’s the only reason I answer when I recognize the number.