Page 5 of Cartel Devil

“Maybe we should get some water.”

“Maybe I don’t want to be sober.”

“Maybe you like being right where you are.” I tighten my hold on her.

“Maybe you like being right where I am.”

“I definitely do.”

She arches her back, putting her tits just below my ribcage. Her hips brush against mine, and there’s no way she can’t tell I want to stay right where we are. I glance over her head toward my family. All the men are staring at me. The women are a little less obvious, but they’re watching me too.

I don’t do random hookups, but I might be taking the drunk bridesmaid home. By home, I mean up to the hotel room I have. None of us wanted to make the ride home after such a long day, so all the couples have rooms. Mamá has her own, and so do I. It’s at family events like this that I miss Papá the most. I know Mamá feels the same. I know how hard it is for her to be a widow on a regular day, but to be here celebrating another couple’s future must be extra hard.

I know Patrizia also has a room since I was responsible for booking all of them. I wonder if she’ll invite me up.

Should I invite her?

It’s been so long since I’ve been on a date or hooked up that I don’t know the protocol for this shit anymore.

“If only these shoes were more comfortable.”

Is she hinting at something?

What if I completely misread this as a cue and it’s not?

I stare down at her, completely drawing a blank on what to say next. The repartee was easy a moment ago, but now I’m getting in over my head. If we were at the club I belong to, I’d ask her if she wants me to tie her up, spank her, then fuck her. Somehow, I don’t think that would go over well right now.

“I should have brought a pair of flats down with me from my room. I suppose I could run up and get them.”

Her expression’s speculative, like it’s a hint that I’m supposed to want to go up with her. I do, but I don’t know how to ask or tell her. The moment passes, and she looks away. I follow her gaze to the ballroom door, and I suspect she’s watching Vittoria’s cousin. The man’s attractive, and I have a sharp pang of jealousy.

Is she giving up on me to find someone else to hook up with?

“Will you wait for me if I run up to my room?” She turns back to gaze up at me, and I realize she wasn’t considering anyone else.

“There are some intoxicated men in the lobby who purposely didn’t come with their wives. I’ll accompany you.”

“You don’t have to.”

I cock an eyebrow at her like I did when she tried to tip the bartender. This time, I’m the one who slips her arm around mine. As we walk past my family, Mamá gives me a hard stare.

“Quiere ponerse zapatos más cómodos para poder seguir bailando.” She wants to put on more comfortable shoes to keep dancing.

Mamá’s reproachful expression makes me want to say the rosary. She’s not stupid. Maybe Patrizia and I will make it back down, and maybe we won’t.

Chapter Two

Tre

The hottest man I’ve ever met has his hand resting precariously low on my hip as we ride the elevator up to my suite. He’s standing slightly behind me, and it feels possessive and protective as fuck. Like he could twist, pushing me into the corner to shield me or back me against the side wall to fuck me.

Definitely the booze.

I’m not completely drunk, but neither am I completely sober.

I’m a fuck ton closer to drunk than sober. I must be to have basically invited him back to my room. I’ve been in other weddings, and I’ve never been the drunk bridesmaid looking to hook up with the groomsmen.

He holds the door open for me as I pass through. My heel gets caught in the gap between the elevator car and the floor. It makes me pitch forward. When I take a step to catch myself, I wind up stepping on my dress. I lurch off balance until Joaquin pulls me against him and away from the elevator.