For a moment, time fell away. The salt water finally cleared from my eyes, and I stared down at the giggling girl thrashing in my arms. Her wet, black lashes were even thicker than usual, framing her sparkling chocolate eyes. Her lush lips were split in a delighted grin, revealing the little dimple I loved so much.
My Valentina.
My fingers sank into her thick hair, fisting at her nape to tug her head back. Her laughter ended on a shocked gasp, her lashes flaring with the innocent surprise that always called to my darker instincts.
Keeping her trapped where I wanted her with my ruthless grip on her hair, I crushed my mouth to hers, demanding a kiss. Her lips were even softer than I remembered, her unique flavor mingling with the salt on her skin. She stilled against me, her body immediately softening in response to my rough treatment. Years separated us, but she responded to me as though our last kiss had been only yesterday, stolen from her as we hid away in secluded corners of my father’s estate. The hatred and bitter resentment that tainted my memories of her were utterly obliterated, replaced by raging lust and hunger so keen it cut at my insides.
She stiffened in my arms, shoving at my chest. I didn’t release her; this was just a game we played, one where she resisted and I took what I wanted. I gave us what we both wanted.
I bit down on her lower lip, warning her to submit. She shuddered and softened again, opening for me.
My tongue surged into her mouth, taming hers in deep, domineering strokes. I felt her desperate gasps for breath, felt her trembling in my harsh hold. My cock hardened against her belly, my arousal almost painful as I denied myself. I couldn’t ruin my innocent Valentina. My fevered fantasies of stripping her down and ravaging her might drive me mad, but that madness only fed my obsession.
I finally released her mouth, allowing her to suck in oxygen. When I looked into her eyes, something darker than lust stirred in their chocolate depths: the hatred I’d felt toward her was mirrored back at me.
“Why are you doing this to me?” she demanded, still breathless from our savage kiss. She shoved at my chest. The shock of her sudden rejection made me weak, and she easily broke our physical connection, pushing out of my embrace.
I ground my teeth. Because I’m too fucking weak to resist you.
“It won’t happen again, princesa,” I sneered.
Her delicate jaw firmed, and she spun in the water, swimming away from me. Her movements were stiff with fury as she pulled herself up onto the boat. She didn’t so much as glance back at me before she stalked back toward the bow.
My shirt clung to her curves in a mouthwatering, indecent display.
My own frustrated rage rose to match hers, and I hurried to get on board. I stalked her, catching up to her before she could pass Manuel and Luis. I grabbed her upper arm, yanking her toward me.
She slapped at my chest, and I caught her wrist, squeezing. “You don’t walk away from me,” I snarled.
Her eyes glittered with tears, but she hissed at me in anger. “Because you won’t let me. Because I’m your prisoner. Your property.”
I lifted my chin, towering over her. “That’s exactly what you are,” I confirmed coldly. “Now, get below deck and cover yourself up. No one looks at what’s mine.”
Her tears spilled over. “I hate you,” she spat.
“The feeling is mutual, but that doesn’t mean you don’t belong to me. Go get dressed,” I bit out.
I released her, pushing her away. She shot me one last cutting glare before storming off to obey me. I watched her disappear into the shadows below deck, hatred and lust burning in my gut.I didn’t touch Valentina for the rest of the day, but my traitorous body curved around hers in the night. Even now, I couldn’t stop myself from holding her hand. My possessive grip was almost cruel, but I couldn’t release her.
We’d said our goodbyes to Jasiel and Luis an hour ago when they’d dropped us off on the island of El Porvenir. The small plane that would take us to Panama City waited on the tarmac.
The air strip was just big enough to accommodate the jet, which could only carry twenty passengers. Mateo had secured our seats with an extra stack of cash, as well as bribing the two security guards not to check our bags. We’d already spent a significant amount of our money, and I hoped we’d have enough to finish our journey. Now that we were out of Colombia, most of our expenses should be covered. We’d arrive in Panama City this evening, book into a hotel for the night, and buy our flights to California in the morning. In a matter of thirty hours or so, we’d be back in the safety of my territory, and my father wouldn’t be able to touch us. Valentina would be completely in my power, and no one would be able to take her from me.