The Vargas Cartel Trilogy (Vargas Cartel #1-3)(55)

Then, he slid inside of me for the second time that night, claiming me like I’d never been claimed before. Like I’d never be claimed again. Every thrust stole more of me than the previous one. Every wave of pleasure swallowed my regrets and any lingering ‘what ifs,’ because Ryker and I could never be anything except what we were in this fragment of time.

Then, like a perfectly orchestrated dance, we climaxed in unison, the agony and beauty of the moment making me delirious—deliriously happy and deliriously sad.





Chapter Twenty-Seven




“Hattie.”

I rolled onto my side, pulling the sheets over my head.

“Hattie,” the voice said again. “You need to wake up. You’re leaving in twenty minutes.”

My eyes snapped open and then I shut them immediately, blocking the blinding sun streaming through the windows.

“Close the f*cking curtains,” I grumbled.

“No. We overslept.”

“Ryker?” I said, opening my eyes again, squinting to bring him into focus.

Ryker was fully dressed in his usual black pants and black shirt. His hair was wet and his face was clean-shaven.

“I moved your suitcase to the car. Everything is ready for you to leave.”

“Crap,” I said, sitting up, the sheet falling to my waist, making me uncomfortably aware of the fact that I was still naked while he had dressed and showered.

“You don’t have time to shower.”

He handed me a stack of clothes. I stared at them, unseeing for a few moments.

“Let me help you.”

“No,” I answered reflexively. I needed to put some distance between us.

He ignored me. Instead, he snagged the clothes out of my hands and within seconds he started dressing me. First, he slid on my panties, then my bra and finally, my dress. The protectiveness and intimacy in his gesture made the corners of my eyes burn with tears I could never shed.

“You look beautiful.” He trailed a finger down my neck and along my collarbone. Our eyes locked, exchanging words and thoughts better left unspoken. Misery boomeranged through my body. Whatever we had was over, and I’d never see him again.

“You should put some makeup on your neck.”

I shrugged because I didn’t care about my neck.

“And comb your hair. It looks like you spent the night rolling around in bed.” He smirked as he handed me the comb from the nightstand. I ran it through my hair before tossing it on the bed.

He glanced over his shoulder.

“Wait.” I snagged his arm. “Are you leaving? Is this it?”

He smiled, but his eyes looked dull and flat. “Not yet. First, I’m going to kiss you. Then, I’m going to walk you to the car, say goodbye, and you’re going to drive away.”

“Okay.” My body swayed with the impending loss.

He swept a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re going to meet Evan where highway 307 intersects with the road leaving the villa. Then, you’re going to forget about me, about what happened between us, and you’re going to give Evan his second chance.”

“No, I can’t.” I shook my head from side to side, nausea rising in my stomach.

He pressed to fingers to my lips. “You can, and you will.”

“But…” I protested.

He cradled my face with the palms of his hands. “But nothing, Hattie. What we had or didn’t have is over. Wanting or wishing for something else won’t change the future.”

Tears leaked from my eyes, and I didn’t bother wiping them away. I simply stood there waiting for the kiss he promised. I didn’t have another option. What he said was the cold truth.

His lips brushed across mine for the hundredth time in the last seven hours, but unlike last night, this kissed wasn’t frenzied or an invitation for more. It was goodbye. I followed his lead, tasting him, memorizing him, and absorbing the beauty of the end of us.

And then he released me, and it was over. Forever.





Chapter Twenty-Eight




I switched the gearshift into drive. I was free. I should have said a Hallelujah or two, but my freedom felt flat, lonely, and oppressive. I inhaled deeply through my nose to push back the rush of despair flooding my veins.

Yes, Evan and my old life would be waiting for me where the road met the highway, just like Ryker said. I should’ve been happy, and I was. Within twenty-four hours, I’d be back in my bed at either my parents’ house or my apartment with Evan. It was my choice.

Except, part of me didn’t want that life anymore. I’d driven a hundred yards down the road, and I already missed Ryker. I craved him with every inhalation and exhalation. Somehow over the past few weeks, he infected my blood. He infiltrated my mind and ruined me for anyone else. With every touch and brush of his lips, he shattered the illusions of my former life and everything I believed about myself.

I wanted him in my life, which was f*cking stupid considering how he turned my life upside down and inside out. He abducted me, he used me to secure his brother’s release, but my heart refused to believe he didn’t care about me as much as I cared about him. His actions, his touch, and his eyes all said he felt something for me, but I didn’t know what to believe anymore. I didn’t trust him; but more importantly, I didn’t trust myself.