“What’s the other problem?” I asked.
“Ellie,” he said. Fuck, I loved when he said my name. “You know who I am. You know what I do. And you know there are a lot of people who would love to see me…see me lose.”
“Oh,” I said. “I think I get it.” I twisted to face him. He hooked his arms around my waist. “You’re worried someone might use me to get to you.”
“Something like that,” he said, his dark eyes leaving mine. He looked at the water behind me. “Or just hurt you to hurt me.”
“Would it hurt you if something happened to me?” The question slipped from my lips. It was obvious Alejandro enjoyed me. But did he care?
He shrugged as if he didn’t care, but I felt his heart speed up—just a bit. “You are mine,” he said, jaw set.
I smiled. That was enough of an answer for me. Yes, he did care. “Okay. So what are the rules?”
“Here,” he started, “should be safe for a while longer. Until the other night, I was certain no one knew about this house.”
“You don’t always live here?” I asked, though as soon as I said it, it made sense. I still wasn’t sure where I was. But by the dark coastline and quiet night, I knew we weren’t close to any major cities, which wasn’t good for Alejandro’s business.
“No, I don’t,” he confessed. “I’m here to set up a new deal,” he added, his voice low. His arms tightened around me. “I will be going back to Mexico City soon.”
“Oh.”
“Ellie,” he said, moving his hands to my face, “you’re coming with me.”
I nodded, nerves and excitement bubbling in my stomach. This was all so surreal. “I can tell people that I came here on my own, you know. I’m an adult. And given the shitty state my life was in, it’s not that hard to believe I’d have a midlife crisis a few years early and run away.”
The scene unfolded in my head: calling my parents and telling them I had had enough and was finally doing something for myself. Would they believe me? Did it even matter? I had made up my mind. I didn’t want to go back to my old life. I didn’t want to be Officer Buzzkill anymore.
“Maybe,” he whispered. “Though that’s not my biggest concern.”
“Ah, right.” His words hit me, and a chill ran through me. I snuggled closer to Alejandro. “Will other cartels really try to kill me?”
“Yes,” he said with certainty.
“Great.”
“They don’t know about you. Yet.” He leaned back, bringing me with him. “I will keep you safe.”
I took a deep breath, resituating on the blanket next to Alejandro. “I know.” I hooked my leg over his. “So…the rules.”
“First rule,” he started. “You don’t go anywhere alone.”
I laughed. “Easy to follow.” I hated to admit it to myself, but I would be too scared to go off on my own. Even if I wasn’t a target of other cartels.
“Second rule: you will be loyal only to me.”
I nodded. “I can do that.” I pushed my fingers under the collar of his shirt. “Basically,” I summed up, “I stay in the house where it is safe, right?”
He nodded. “Right. If you are to leave the property, it will be with me.” He propped himself up on his elbow. “I’m not risking you.” His lips brushed against mine. “Or my business.”
“I can follow those rules. But only if you agree to follow my rule,” I breathed.
“Your rule?” he asked, amused. “And what is that, chica?”
“I want you to fuck me everyday, make me feel beautiful. Make me feel alive.”
His smile turned devious. “Just once a day?” He kissed me. “How about I fuck you whenever, where ever I want?”
I licked my lips. I was sore from the pounding I took earlier, but I was ready for more if he wanted it. I was okay with cuddling and sleeping too. If he wanted me, he would take me. And that turned me on so fucking much.
He leaned forward, gently kissing me. “And rules about fucking.”
My pussy tingled. “What does that entail?”
“Nothing is off limits.”
I opened my mouth to respond but stopped, not knowing what to say. The thought was erotic and terrifying at the same time.
“And it is your responsibility to take care of contraceptives. I don’t like condoms.”
“I noticed,” I said. It felt better without them anyway. “I’m on the shot.”
“Shot?” he asked.
“Yeah. I’m good for another month and a half. Then I’ll need pills, I guess.”