A Cartel Affair (First Original Draft)

Chapter 11

Photo to the side - Lea's evening gown

Lea's P.O.V.

How the hell could I have allowed that to happen?

I had been asking myself that same question for hours as I sat on my bed, fuming over what had taken place this morning. I was so pissed at myself for not fighting Carter off me that I hadn't even bothered with brunch or with helping Mahalia with dinner preparations.

I had known what he was going to do, from the moment I was forced to step foot into his office, I had known, but I was unable to stop him.

Did you really want to stop him Lea?

That was the question I was really struggling with. Had I wanted Carter to stop? My body responded to his touch in ways that it had never responded to..

Don't go there Lea. He isn't the same as Kent and you know it. 

I pushed off from the bed and headed toward the gardens. Lewis had the honor of being my outside babysitter today and stepped in behind me as I made my way to the secluded nook that had started to become my place of refuge. As I sat down with my back against the arm of the bench and swung my legs up, I pulled my knees to my chest and laid my head on them.

"He's not going to be happy you missed brunch." Lewis spoke quietly as he stood at the edge of the arbor, scanning the area for unseen threats.

I lightly rubbed at the dark and tender area on my neck.

"So. I'm not happy that he all but sunk his teeth in my neck as he tried to mark me like he was some kind of freaking Alpha werewolf marking his mate."

Lewis snickered. "He did get you pretty good."

I reached out and punched Lewis' arm. "Shut up."

"Hey now." I let out a small giggle as Lewis whined and rubbed his arm.

I looked up and tensed as a throat cleared. Carter was leaning against the tree across from Lewis and I, watching in a combination of annoyance and amusement.

"What do you want?" I stood and noticed the smirk on his face. "If you freaking say that, I'm going to scream bloody murder."

Carter nodded to Lewis, "Give us a moment."

I latched onto Lewis' arm and dug my nails in. "I swear to God, if you leave.." I let the unspoken threat hang in the air.

Lewis scrunched his face up as I tightened my grip.

"Lea, let him go." Carter continued to look amused as I stood my ground.

"No. The last two times we were alone, you pulled that seduction shit on me so he isn't going anywhere."

Lewis grimaced as I pulled him in front of me. "Ma'am, can you take the claws out?"

"Only if he agrees that you stay." I kept my eyes on Carter as I spoke.

"Lea, for fuck's sake, let him go." Carter's eyes started to darken.

"Not until it is agreed that he stays." I repeated myself.

"Boss?" Lewis hissed.

Carter took a step forward and glared at Lewis, "You are trained to get out of situations worse than this Lewis."

I felt Lewis tense under my grip.

"And you have a weapon." Carter looked back to me mockingly, "What does she have?"

"Claws, and an annoying ass attitude that can make the Pope cuss on the most holiest of days," Lewis ground out as I dug my nails farther into his arm.