The Viper (Untamed Hearts #1)(79)

They’d never even thought to try.

She considered all those other teenagers out there, angry at the world, certain that the only chance they had at succeeding was by stealing cars, robbing houses, and selling drugs.

If she could help one Marcos or Chuito, it would be worth it.

“Tell me what you’ve been doing,” Katie said as she took another bite of the rice and beans mixed together on the plate. “Chuito said he bought a car place here.”

“It’s an auto body shop,” Marcos said, and then stole another plátano off her plate. He’d clearly been famished too. “It was actually the place I got fired from before. I think Chu did that shit to be vindictive. We changed the name. We called it Juan’s Auto Body. It’s stupid, but we had this thing—”

“No, it’s not stupid,” Katie said quickly. “I think it’s nice.”

“So, I run it for him, and I’ve started letting some of the kids from the warehouse help me. I pay them. Even though they are horrible at it and half the time it gives me more work rather than save me from it.” Marcos rolled his eyes. “They’re getting better. Slowly.”

“You’re teaching them,” Katie whispered.

“Not teaching.”

“You’re helping them learn a skill they wouldn’t otherwise learn,” Katie said slowly. “A skill they use to make honest money. That’s teaching, Marcos.”

“Well, they’re pendejos. All of them,” Marcos assured her. “I want to beat their asses most of the time, but at least they aren’t dealing, right?”

“Right,” Katie agreed as she smiled at him. “I’m proud of you.”

“Don’t be proud of me. I mean, I’m fairly certain the reason I haven’t gotten one inspection is because someone I know has the heat in their pocket. That’s still—”

“Who gives a shit?” Katie argued.

“And twenty percent of all the income goes to a source you really don’t want to know about and—”

“You’re teaching them. You’re helping them. That’s what matters to me.” She reached across the bed and grabbed his hand. “I think it’s what matters to you too.”

“Well, I certainly don’t give a f*ck if someone’s paying the police to stay off my ass. I’d give them forty percent for that shit.” Marcos looked at his plate once more. “I’m not perfect, Katie. I will never be like those guys in Garnet, but—”

“I know you’re not like them.” Katie squeezed his hand again. “That’s sorta the reason I moved here. I was tired of Garnet.”

He arched an eyebrow at her. “You like dangerous?”

“Is that a statement or a question?”

“It’s a question.” Marcos’s gaze slid down the dip in her T-shirt. “Was Luis really eyeing your tetas? If he was, you’ll probably find out how dangerous I can still be when I kick his ass.”

“I’m assuming that’s the word for breasts. Is it a polite word?”

Marcos shook his head. “Not really.”

“Your aunt said it.”

“My aunt is rarely polite.”

“You two are the only ones I have to rely on to learn Spanish,” Katie said with a laugh.

“I am so sorry about that.” Marcos laughed with her. “You didn’t answer my other question.”

“The dangerous question?”

“Yeah.” Marcos nodded as he lowered his gaze to her tits again. “That one.”

“Well, yes, I’d say I’m inclined toward the dangerous,” she said loftily. “But seeing as you’re a teacher now, and I swore off teachers after Grayson—”

“?Me cago en ná!” Marcos shouted at her. “You did not just compare me to that woman!”

“You know, Marcos, this business about using women as an insult”—Katie used her best teacher’s voice—“I don’t appreciate it. According to your aunt, women are stronger than men, and I’m inclined to believe her.”

“Prove it then, chica.” Marcos held out his hands in challenge. “Prove you’re stronger than me.”

Katie didn’t know why she did it, but she leaned past both the plates and cupped his face with both hands. She brought his lips to hers, and Marcos let her. She kissed him once, just the soft brush of his lips against hers. He tasted sweet like the plátanos, familiar and exotic at the same time.

Then he reached up, fisting her hair in his hand as he bit at her bottom lip. His tongue swept into her mouth when she gasped, and there was nothing sweet about any of it now.

It was hard.

Sexual.

Dangerous.

The rush of desire was almost dizzying. She thought she remembered this part, the way everything stopped existing when she was with Marcos, but her memory hadn’t done it justice.

Then he pulled away, his breath harsh against her lips, his hand still tangled in her hair.

“I do love you, Katie. I need you in my house. In my bed. I want you to stay,” he surprised her by saying. “Say yes.”

Katie was breathing heavily too as she looked at his face, studying his light eyes that were liquid with need. “Say yes to what?”