Bianca: When are you guys coming back?
Bianca: There’s only so much I can talk to Christos about.
Bianca: Bitch, respond.
Christos: Please do. I’m the one suffering.
Leandro: FYI they’re not heading your way.
Christos: You fucker. Bianca’s here for Stacia.
Bianca: Yeah fucking right. Don’t buy it, bitch. He thought I’d be a distraction. He knows you won’t fuck him but you definitely will bang Esteban.
Leandro: …
Bianca: Enjoy the show. I’m going shopping. Christos is buying.
Christos: You have until dinner, asshole.
Leandro: Won’t be too long. Esteban underestimates my capabilities.
I laugh at the conversation unfolding. Esteban slows down, stopping at a red light. Turning in my seat, I stare out the back window, wondering where Leandro might be and if he has a car or something I don’t know about. I don’t see him, though. Esteban might’ve been right about him tracking us.
“We should probably find them, Esteban. I feel bad.” I rest my back in the seat, staring at the beautiful view of the ocean as the sun breaks through the clouds, lighting the sea aglow with the fiery colors of sunset. It’s been a while since I’ve paid attention, and I appreciate the beauty more than ever.
“They’ll be fine. I promise. I want you just to relax and let me take care of this. It’ll be a quick errand to find this guy, and then we’ll do something fun.” Esteban holds out his hand, silently asking me to take his. I do so without hesitating, giving up on arguing. There is no point. Esteban is the type that if he has something on his mind, then it’s set. I need to compromise in this situation because he doesn’t even have to do any of this. I should just be thankful.
“Whatever you say,” I say, forcing myself to smile.
“Bueno. You have to learn to trust me. I owed you a favor, mamacita. This impacts me as much as it does you. My business is important, and I will not just stand by as someone tries to fuck it up. I’ve been working for this my whole damn life. I’m not going to let it slip through my fingers.” Esteban jerks the car, drifting around the corner and heading right. He follows the navigation until we end up a couple of miles from the harbor at a hotel on the ocean. A valet opens my door and Esteban comes around to help me out.
Esteban tips the man a wad of cash, and I keep my sunglasses on through the luxurious lobby of the five-star hotel. When he said we’d do something fun, I didn’t expect for him to bring me to a hotel. We’re staying at a different one already.
The concierge smiles at us from behind the counter, already prepared with a hotel key. “Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Castillo. Congratulations on your nuptials. We hope you enjoy your stay at The Salazar in the honeymoon suite. We have everything prepared as requested.”
Esteban grins and kisses my cheek. “Gracias.”
I lower my brow, eyeing Esteban in my peripheral vision. I can’t believe he booked a suite as if we’re newlyweds. Crazy bastard. I don’t even know how to react. Pulling me in close, we walk in sync toward the gleaming metal and mirror elevators, passing a swanky restaurant and bar.
“What is all this?” I ask, whispering in Esteban’s ear. “I thought we were supposed to find out who the mule is.”
Esteban holds his finger up over his lips. “Shh, mamacita. We are doing just that. We might as well have a good time.”
The elevator dings at the top floor, where two penthouse suites take up the level at opposite ends of a hall. Butterflies swarm in my stomach, igniting my nerves. The last time I stayed in a penthouse, I woke up coming down from a high and next to a dead guy. It haunts me.
Stopping in front of the heavy wooden door, Esteban waves the key card and unlocks it. He surprises me by scooping me off my feet and carrying me over the threshold into a room of silvers, turquoise, and whites, complementing the endless ocean view on the other side of the glass wall.
The exhilaration of the moment consumes me, and I find my mouth against Esteban’s, kissing him sensually and slowly, testing his reaction. He groans and adjusts me, wrapping my legs around him. I cling on, hooking myself to him by my ankles, throwing my caution and nerves to the floor.
“We only have half an hour until the mule arrives,” Esteban murmurs, tangling his fingers into my wig. “We can’t get carried away.”
“What if I said that this might be your one chance to fuck me?” Because now that I’m alone with Esteban, no longer worried about being seen, I can’t help getting caught up in the lust he awakens in me.
“You’re lying. I’ll ensure it.” Esteban carries me into the bedroom suite with another view of the crystalline ocean, lit up with streaks of white from the sun dipping toward the horizon. “Just know, if you’re serious, don’t plan on meeting up with the others. They’ll be on their own the rest of the night.”
“They’ll be fine,” I say, kissing him deeper, tangling my tongue with his.
“Goddamn.” Esteban sets me on the edge of the bed, kissing me as he reaches under my dress for my non-existent panties. He moans, sliding his fingers over my pussy, my desire hot and buzzing through me. “Muy sexy. Eres divina. I can’t wait to taste you.”