Because she hadn’t found the right man to set her free.
“Yes, Rachel, let go,” he called, lifting his head for only a second.
When he plunged two fingers deep inside her core, she flew again, her body gripping his hand as she shuddered at his touch, feeling as if she had been stripped bare.
“Oh, Ian…” she moaned as he pulled back, his lips red and moist from his thorough attentions.
“We have all night, Rachel, but I must feel your sweet flesh gripping me right now,” he said as he stood and quickly thrust inside of her. A sharp pinch ripped through her, but she wouldn’t allow him to know that. She was through being a little girl, and this couldn’t stop.
Somewhere along the way he’d lost his underwear, and for a brief second, she was disappointed to not have seen him in all his glory, but then he pulled back and re-entered, and all her disappointment was washed away.
She gazed at the glittering stars high above her, the sound of the ocean way below washing across her. No one could see them, but she still loved being out on the open balcony, loved having only the slight rays of the quarter moon cascade across her.
“Oh, my sweet Rachel,” he called out, groaning as he continued his slow and magical movements.
Rachel lifted her legs, wrapping them around his torso as she leaned back a little more, her br**sts being pushed up as he quickened his pace.
“Yes, hard like that,” Rachel cried as his h*ps thrust against her, his manhood filling her to the utmost, heating her body toward another earth-shattering orgasm.
“You are so damned beautiful,” he growled as he sped up, one hand gripping her hip while the other lifted to caress her breast, his fingers pinching her nipple gently and rolling it between his fingers.
Rachel went over the edge and cried out at the same time she felt him shaking, then heard his growl of pleasure as he let go.
Several moments passed before either of them felt the last tremors of their orgasms, both of them groaning as wave after wave washed over them.
When she felt him withdraw from her, she whimpered, but couldn’t find the strength even to reach out and grab him. She didn’t need to worry — he lifted her into his arms and carried her to his bed, where he pulled her close, laying her head against his chest while he began stroking her back.
She expected him to fall instantly asleep, sated — having gotten what he wanted. But his hand curved around her backside, and his movements became more aggressive. To her shock, she felt him harden.
Rachel came fully alive again as she lifted her head and looked into his burning eyes.
“You didn’t think we were finished, did you?” he asked.
Ohh, this was a good, good night.
Chapter Fifteen
Ari
You are welcome to stay and look through the journal. There is cereal in the cupboard, fruit cut up in the fridge, and coffee brewing. I have to be out the rest of the day on business, but here’s my number in case you need it. I will drop everything for your call. By the way, it took every ounce of control I possess not to slowly strip you of your clothing and sink my constantly hard body deep inside your moist folds. I could practically taste you on my tongue as I pictured your beautiful hot pink flesh. I want you — need you — am incomplete without you. Just a simple yes from you and I will make you scream in ecstasy beyond anything you’ve felt before. Thinking of you right this minute. Hard for you. Ready to take you. Any time. Anywhere.
Rafe
Ari did not see that letter from Rafe. She didn’t know what he’d written in a growing frenzy driven by his immediate thoughts of her. His second thoughts had intervened. Here he’d just been telling himself that Ari was a romantic, that he should treat her as a woman should be treated, not as just an ornament for his bed. How had he screwed up so royally? That letter would probably have gone over like a lead balloon. It was crass and coarse and it treated Ari as little more than a much-desired body. So he’d put it through the shredder and started again. His second draft began with breakfast and business matters. And it continued —
I will drop everything for your call. You must know that it took every ounce of control I had to obey your request that I not touch you. You know that I ache for you in every fiber of my being. I want you — need you — am incomplete without you. Being in the same room with you last night was gloriously painful, and I hope that we can repeat it. Any time. Anywhere.
Love, Rafe
Ari looked at the handwritten note and single orchid lying on Rafe’s unused pillow and her gut clenched with need. No. No. No. What was he doing to her? She’d been down this road and it had been a complete disaster.
She couldn’t cave in to her desire. If she did, she’d be right where she was before and she’d never be free. But a voice in her head argued that this was different. He was different.
“They always say they’re different!” she shouted at herself, then looked around the empty room feeling like a fool. Now she was speaking to voices in her head. This wasn’t healthy, not healthy at all.
Ari rose from his bed, having known exactly where she was from the moment she’d awoken. Once you slept with a man like Rafe, his scent washed through you, never left your consciousness. Without opening her eyes, she’d known she was in his bed. She just hadn’t known whether he was in there with her.
Ari didn’t want to admit it, but she was slightly disappointed that his side had been vacant and unrumpled. She was so indecisive, and that angered her. She’d been strong two years ago — strong enough to walk away from him. But he’d been demanding and arrogant. It had been hard to leave, though clearly not impossible.
This new Rafe, intent on seducing her in a civilized way, was zapping her of willpower. She wanted to say yes and fall into his arms. It shamed her even to think this way, but she wanted him to take the choice away from her so she wouldn’t have a reason to feel guilty about what she’d chosen.
That made her weak — that alone should have made her feel guilty.
Ari found a change of clothes in the bathroom, in her size and something she was sure to love. He wasn’t holding anything back in this quest he was on. Her favorite shampoo and body wash were there, along with her well-loved lotion.
She should leave, gather her purse and briefcase and just go home, she told herself. But an evil grin spread across her face.
She’d been so busy playing defense, the thought of playing offense hadn’t even occurred to her. Rafe said he was intent on seducing her — OK, she’d just have to see how intent he really was. If she pushed him, would he become the same ruthless man she’d first met? Would he show her he hadn’t changed, and make her decision so much easier?