Rafe’s body instantly hardened as her br**sts swayed and her face flushed. It had been a month since he’d felt her tight body grasping him while he was buried deep inside her. He was on edge and it seemed that even a small draft of air was making him turn solid these days.
“Oh, quit being a sore loser. You’re not concentrating at all today because I’m up about ten dollars,” Ari said with glee.
The comment pulled him from his sexual frustration. When he’d demanded that there had to be a prize when playing cards, she’d insisted on playing for nickels. The really funny part was that she actually got excited when she won a large jackpot of two dollars. What was even more comical was Rafe found himself excited to win, too. Somehow being in Ari's presence brought out the kid in him.
Ari was messing with his head and what frightened him most was the amount of joy he was finding in something as simple as playing games for a few hours. Never had he taken an afternoon off of work to play poker. He had to get her out of the hospital and into his bed.
“Are you going to silently brood all day about your loss or are you going to deal again?”
“Hasn’t anyone ever told you that patience is a virtue?”
“Once or twice. Now, deal. I’m on a winning streak,” she commanded as she rubbed her hands together.
Rafe found himself laughing as he shuffled the cards, not a fake humor-a-person laugh, but a real deep-from-the-gut one. She had a way of knocking him off his feet.
When he looked up, she was staring at him in wonder, her eyes dilated as they moved down to gaze at his lips. Just when his body had started to behave, she had to look at him like that. His erection came back full-force and more painful than ever.
“If you’re going to look at me with that come-hither expression, I’m going to forget that you’re injured and take you right now,” he warned as he began moving the table aside.
Her mouth opened in a shocked gasp, but she didn’t refuse him. Rafe stood up to shut and lock the door. He’d be gentle, he assured himself as he reached for the button on his pants.
“Knock, knock. Time to take your vitals. ”
Rafe nearly growled when the nurse walked in. He about told the woman to get the hell out, but caught himself at the last minute. Without turning back to look at Ari, he fled the room. His body was on fire and it looked like he wasn’t going to find relief anytime soon. He knew the moment was over and she’d be back on guard when he got back.
A stiff drink, or ten, was about all that would help him until he got her in private. He left the hospital, deciding it best not to come back for the rest of the night.
*****
“You’re doing much better today. The doctor said if your vitals remain stable, you can return home. ”
Ari glared at Rafe as he invited himself into her room. She’d been in the hospital for two weeks, and each day Rafe had been there. He’d been kind, considerate, played games with her, brought her amazing food, and treated her like royalty.
His hands were constantly touching her, rubbing her feet, brushing her arm, pushing back the strands of her hair. She was a mess, and this news was the greatest thing she’d ever heard. She had to get away from him before she did something stupid like sign the damn contract on one of his nightly partings.
“Good. I’m ready to go home. I can’t believe I still have a job after missing work for weeks, but I’m counting my blessings. I just want my life to return to normal. ”
“Of course you still have your job, Ari. Would your boss really fire the woman splashed all over the papers for assisting in taking down a killer?”
Rafe sat on the edge of her bed and she automatically scooted over, not wanting to be in contact with him. Each time their bodies brushed, heat surged through her, making her decision to resist him so much harder as more time passed.
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“I didn’t assist you in taking down the shooter. I got shot and passed out. The media just likes to put a good spin on things so they can sell more papers. Do you realize how many magazines have called wanting the latest scoop? When I tell them what really happened, they quickly grow bored and move on to the next story. ”
“Ah, that’s just because they don’t know you like I do. If they were to take the time to delve into your head, they’d be down here panting to hear your story,” he said as he picked up her hand and brought it to his lips.
“Why do you keep pursuing me? I’m not a match for you. I will never be obedient. I will never do the things you ask of me. Why are you so human one minute, and then a complete jerk the next? Do you realize that if you turn off the jerk buttons in your brain, you would actually make an excellent boyfriend,” she said, trying to understand him.
Instantly, shutters came down over his eyes and he took on the cold expression he was so famous for. It was amazing to her how hot and cold the man could run. One moment he was a white knight, rushing in to rescue the frightened maiden, and then the next, he was every superhero’s worst villain.
After getting to know his parents a little more, she really couldn’t understand him. He’d been raised in a loving home. So what if his wife had betrayed him, cheated and wounded his pride. Normal people got over it.
“I’m your ride home. I’ll be back in two hours,” he said in a clipped tone before standing up and leaving.
Ari rolled her eyes and silently wished him good riddance. She knew there was no way she was going to stop him from taking her home, so she’d just have to grit her teeth and endure a couple more hours in his presence.
Once she was out of the hospital, her life would return to normal and she could go back to being just plain old boring Ari. She liked her uninteresting self. With her new friends, she allowed her adventurous side to appear a little more often, but her everyday life was boring – and she was happy with that.
Sure, she didn’t have love and excitement, but the offset to that was she didn’t have pain and heartbreak, either. She knew being with Rafe would be one huge rollercoaster of emotion, and most of the time she’d be coming down, not going up. She didn’t need that sort of distraction in her life.
*****
Rafe spoke to the doctor before heading back to Ari’s room. She was good to go. He was ready for the hospital visits to end. He wanted to move on to the next chapter of their adventure together. The time for sharing was over. He had desires that needed to be filled, and playing a game of cards with her wasn’t doing it.
With strict control firmly in place, he made plans for what would come next. Today had been a good day. He’d acquired what he needed to seal the deal with Ari. All it would take was the perfect moment for him to lay his cards on the table. Every good gambler knew finesse was half the game. You never showed your hand until that perfect moment.
“I see you got the clothes. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine, Mr. Palazzo. Thank you for the clothes,” she grumbled, not thrilled with having to use one more item he got her.
“Ari, I’ve tired of you not calling me Rafe. I’ve heard you say my name, so I know you’re capable of doing it. Every time from here on out that you call me Mr. Palazzo, I’ll remind you of why it’s me in charge. Do you understand? When you answer me, say my name. ”
He was smiling, but he could see by her expression that she knew he wasn’t bluffing. He hoped she defied him. He was ready to teach her a few lessons – his body was in a constant state of arousal. He’d thought about satisfying his needs with another woman, but since meeting Ari, no other had turned him on. It was a problem he knew he’d be able to solve once he broke her.
“Your time is running out,” he warned as the muscles in his jaw twitched and he began counting down in his head.
“Yes. I understand… Rafe,” she said through clenched teeth. The sound of his name on her lips caused his pulse to skip. The plans he had for her kept running through his mind. She was a spitfire, a true g
em that he would worship… for a short amount of time.
“I have to admit that I’m a bit disappointed, Ari, but I’m not too worried. You can’t help but defy me. I look forward to the next time,” he said with a satisfied smile.
She glared at him with murder in her eyes. He had no doubt that she desired him, but she also despised him. That was good. She needed to remember who he was and what he wanted. He would be good to her, take care of her needs, but no one held him for long. No one owned his heart and no woman could be trusted except for his own mother and sisters.
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Women had an agenda. Some admitted it, others didn’t, but they all wanted something from a man – whether it was riches, fame, security. The list went on and on. Men were simple creatures. They wanted their needs met, their women to satisfy them. If most guys were honest, they’d admit that they didn’t believe in love.
He wasn’t a bad guy; he was actually being kind to them by letting them know up front how he felt and what he expected. The small voice in his head called him a fool, but he quickly pushed his conscious down, and escorted Ari from the room. He had a couple stops on the way to her apartment. Hopefully, she wouldn’t be in the dive for long.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Where are we?” Ari asked as Rafe parked the car in an underground parking garage. He’d had to use a card to enter and there were cameras everywhere. Rafe was a lot of things, but she didn’t figure him for a kidnapper.
Maybe he’d grown tired of waiting on her to sign his papers and he’d decided to lock her away until she finally consented. Her stomach knotted as he climbed from the car and walked around to open her door.
She warily stepped from the vehicle and waited for an explanation. He simply smiled at her as if he had everything under control, then held out his arm. She was too worn out to fight him, especially when she knew she’d lose anyway, so she did as he expected, then allowed him to lead her to a set of elevators. He did all of this without answering her question.
Rafe swiped a card against a black box and the elevator doors instantly opened. Ari eyed him with question as she stepped inside the sleek elevator and he pushed a button. They began climbing floor after floor in an almost never ending smooth ascent. She was relieved when the small chime announced their arrival. Glancing at the number highlighted on the elevator buttons, she realized that they were on the sixteenth floor.
“This way, please. ”
Ari wanted to put her foot down, but considering they were in what looked to be an apartment complex, now wasn’t the time for her to defy him. Even though he always promised her that all she had to do was say no and he’d stop, it wasn’t him she was afraid of; it was her reaction to his touch.
She didn’t think she’d be able to tell him no, and she really hated herself each time she detonated in his arms. It made her feel cheap and dirty – not the woman her mother raised her to be.
He pulled out another card and slid it where a doorknob should’ve been, and the door easily opened. Whatever had happened to keys and knobs? She guessed it was too ordinary for Rafe to enter a building with good old-fashioned deadbolts. She wouldn’t be surprised if there were laser beams to strike down trespassers.
“Are you going to tell me where we are?” she snapped as she walked inside and found herself entering a large living room area.
“This could be your home. I’ve had it leased for months,” he responded as she turned to look at him. She was appalled at how confident he was that she’d cave to him.
“You’re wasting your money. I don’t want your apartment. Please take me home now,” she said as she turned back toward the door.
“Look around, Ari. What have you got to lose?” Though he spoke softly, the tone in his voice told her he wasn’t making a request. It was a command. He wouldn’t let her leave until she searched every inch of his lovers shack.
“So, this is where you chain your whores up and do unimaginable things to them. It looks a bit too home and garden. I was expecting a dungeon with whips and chains hanging on the walls. Of course, I haven’t seen the rest of the place, so that might just be through a secret passage,” she snapped as she began moving toward the hallway.
“I don’t need whips and chains, Ari. I’m quite convincing,” he whispered in her ear, making her jump. She hadn’t realized he was right on her heels.
“Yes, you’re a manly god who all should fear and bow to. Whatever was I thinking?” she said as she turned to bat her eyes at him. He glared at her in response.
“One of these days that tongue will get you in more trouble than you know how to deal with. ”
“Is that a threat, Rafe? For a man who doesn’t punish his women, you sure use a lot of intimidation. ”
Rafe pushed her hard against the wall, his body blocking her from moving as he gazed down at her, his eye color almost fully purple. Her heart rate quickened and her breathing became shallow at the hunger mixed with rage that shone through his dark depths.
“I never once said I don’t punish, Ari. I do punish, and I will delight in teaching you obedience. What I’ve said is I don’t cause pain,” he growled before his head bent and he took control of her lips.
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She pushed against his chest, knowing there had to be a bed nearby, and within a few minutes she’d be a goner if he continued ravishing her mouth. Just as her knees began to grow weak, he pulled back, his breathing ragged.
“Finish your tour,” he commanded as he turned and walked away. Ari leaned against the wall for several more seconds as she heard him open a cupboard. When she felt confident in her legs moving without her sinking to the floor, she moved further down the hall and walked through an open doorway.
Her eyes widened at the four-poster bed centered in the room. It was stunning with thick posts and a deep purple comforter. Purple was her favorite color. It had to be a coincidence. There was no way he could’ve known that. She wanted to run her fingers over the cover and see if it was as soft as it looked, but since she’d never sleep in that bed there was no point in torturing herself. She’d never have this life of luxury.
That isn’t true, she snapped at herself. When she finally did finish school and got the job of her dreams, she’d make an excellent salary. When she was secure, she’d treat herself to those things that made life a little easier. She’d also treat her mother and make up for all the years of sacrifice she'd given.
Ari turned to leave, not daring to look in the bathroom where she knew there would be a large tub calling her name, and that’s when something caught her eye. She turned back to the bed and looked up.
Her eyes widened as she realized what it was. Her hand came up and covered her mouth as she took a step closer. What really unsettled her was that it wasn’t horror she was feeling, it was the beginning stirring of excitement.
“I can see by the way your body is tensing that you won’t be as opposed to my lifestyle as you vehemently say. I think the thought of the things I want to do to you turn you on and you’re just too afraid to admit it – to me or yourself. ”
The sound of Rafe’s seductive voice whispering in her ear while the sight of his bondage straps floated before her made her knees weak. His hands came around her stomach and slid beneath her shirt, his fingers slipping up the skin of her stomach.
He slowly moved up and over her br**sts, his fingers lightly brushing against her ni**les through the thin cotton of her bra as his breath whispered across her neck. When his tongue slid out and tenderly trailed across her skin, heat surged through her core, demanding her body to respond – and it did, instantly becoming moist and ready.
“Yes, Ari. You want this. You want this so bad that you’re trembling with desire. You want to play all kinds of games with me. Admit it. Stop fighting me and let me make the decisions. I’ve never once had a woman regret it. ”
Ari’s entire body tense
d as her passion evaporated. He may as well have slapped her in the face. How many other women had he screwed in this same bed? How many others had he ran his fingers across, then thrown out like yesterday’s garbage?
“I’m ready to go home now,” she said as she pulled away and walked out the door. She didn’t stop until she was clear of the apartment and standing before the elevator. She was grateful he didn’t try to stop her. At least he was keeping his word of taking no for an answer.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
There was utter silence on the car ride back to Ari’s apartment. Rafe couldn’t understand why she’d had the sudden change of heart in the apartment he’d handpicked for her. It was a beautiful place, and he’d learned much about her over the months and had items he knew she’d like brought in.
He treated his mistresses well. With Ari, he’d gone above what he normally did and had taken extra time to get to know her. He knew which scents were her favorites, knew that she preferred a luxurious bath to a diamond necklace, and most importantly, that she was in a shell, just waiting for someone to free her.
She may think she’d won in their battle of wills, but she’d only delayed the inevitable. At the moment he was too angry to discuss their arrangement any further. Besides, he wasn’t playing on a fair battlefield. She was still recovering from surgery. He preferred his victories when his opponent was at full strength.
He pulled up outside her dilapidated apartment complex and stepped from his vehicle. Annoyance flashed through him when she opened her car door and stepped out before he made it around to her side, but he said nothing, just followed her up the sagging steps.
The next item on his list of to-do's may be to get the complex condemned. He’d be doing the tenants a favor as he knew the building wasn’t up to code. Rafe couldn’t stand slum-lords. They were worthless bottom feeders who preyed on the weak and helpless. Maybe, he’d buy the property and fix it up. He made a mental note to look into it.
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“Thank you for the ride,” Ari said as she slipped her key in the rickety door lock and opened the creaking door.
“I’ll see you soon, Ari. ”
“Don’t bother. I think we’ve come to the end of our short journey together. I hope you’ll respect me and yourself enough to let this go,” she replied while looking down at her feet.