“We aren’t going to agree on this, Rafe. I’ve moved on, and you need to accept that. I would, however, like to see more of the journal,” she said, hating that he had something she wanted so badly.
He sat back, not looking the least bit affected by her words. Was he hearing only what he wanted to hear?
“I will meet you at the public library tomorrow.”
She was so surprised, she didn’t realize at first that her mouth was hanging open. Rafe didn’t compromise — not often, anyway — so his agreeing to meet her with his treasured item in public left her reeling.
That was obviously the good news; what was the bad news? She knew the other shoe had yet to drop, but she couldn’t figure out the negative to the situation.
“Good. I’m glad you are giving in a little,” she said slowly.
The car stopped and she reached for the door.
“Here’s something to think about while you’re lying alone…naked…in bed,” he whispered. His arms snaked around her and she found herself crushed against his chest.
Before she had a chance to utter a protest, Rafe’s head descended and his mouth captured hers. She remained stiff in his arms for all of two seconds before her traitorous body began pressing into his, unable to get close enough.
Ari tried to stiffen against him again, but it was of no use. As his tongue slid across the seam of her lips, her stomach turned to liquid, and fire ignited on a traveling journey through her veins. Though she fought her attraction to Rafe, her body knew it was where it wanted to be.
He’d placed his mark on her, and her body hadn’t forgotten.
Her ni**les tightened, poking against his chest, as her core heated and she felt her thin panties become wet with her desire. Rafe’s hands slid along her back; he coaxed her mouth open, then devoured its sweetness with the hunger of a starving man.
Giving in to what she’d wanted for so long, Ari’s hands slowly lifted, her arms wrapping around his solid shoulders as he pulled against her, molding her body to his. Her tongue followed the retreat of his as they twisted and tangled against each other.
“Mmm.” Ari’s body ached at the low murmur from deep within Rafe’s chest.
Knowing she was making this powerful man tremble was like throwing gasoline on the fire already consuming her. She ground her h*ps against him, seeking relief from her sensitive pink pearl against his stiff erection, forgetting about all the reasons that she shouldn’t be doing this.
He was controlling, took what he wanted when he wanted it, was uncompromising, unforgiving.
But was he these things?
She couldn’t think. It had been so long…she could focus only on feeling.
When his hands gripped the soft flesh of her backside and tugged her against his stiff manhood, which was obviously trying to break free from his clothing, the last thought of willpower dissipated.
She could remember the sight, feel, smell and taste of him as if they’d just made love yesterday. She hungered to take his arousal between her teeth, taste his pleasure on her tongue. She just…hungered.
When she was ready for him to lay her back on the seat of the limo and take her right there, he pulled back, his eyes nearly black with lust as he looked at her.
“Invite me in, Ari…please?” he asked.
Her brain couldn’t process what he was saying. Invite him in? Where? She could barely even remember her first name, let alone where they were.
She gazed at him in confusion as she tried to clear the cobwebs from her brain.
“Let me pleasure you,” he said as his hands drifted up her back, then around her sides, where his thumbs rubbed across the edges of her br**sts, not quite touching her sensitive peaks.
There was a reason she needed to tell him no, but for the life of her she couldn’t figure out what it was.
“I see you want to finish this, Ari. Don’t be stubborn. Don’t let your pride leave us both hurting,” he said, his lips drifting along her neck, his hot breath deliciously inviting.
A horn sounded outside of the car, and it was just enough of a distraction to begin pulling her from her haze.
No. She couldn’t do this. Without a doubt, she’d regret it in the morning. Yes, her night would be passionate and her body fulfilled, but then her heart would begin breaking again, and she’d have to start the healing process all over.
Getting over a man like Rafe once had nearly destroyed her. She wouldn’t live through that kind of heartache twice.
Rafe sighed when he saw the determination begin to shine in her eyes, but to her complete surprise, he released her, then moved around her to open her door so she could exit on the sidewalk.
Stepping from the vehicle, he reached inside and took her hand, helping her out.
“I should just kiss you senseless and let your body decide,” he said as they reached the top of her steps.
She almost wished he would. Almost.
“Goodnight, Rafe.” She inserted the key in her door.
As the door swung open, Rafe gripped her arm, turning her. Her eyes wide, Ari waited for his next move.
“Sweet dreams, Ari,” he said. He leaned down and brushed his lips chastely across hers. Then he pulled back, placed his hand on her lower back and nudged her inside the door.
The door shut behind her. Ari went on autopilot as she locked it, then leaned against the solid wood and listened to Rafe’s retreating footsteps.
It took everything inside of her not to yank the door back open and call out to him.
Her game had backfired on her in a big way. He might be hurting, but she had a feeling that she was the one in much worse shape. She ached all over, and she knew the fire wasn’t going out any time in the near future.
Walking almost in a trance, Ari moved to her bathroom and drew a scalding hot bath. She’d simply try to burn the ache out. After an hour, she knew nothing was going to help. She certainly wasn’t going to attempt an ice bath. Leave that to the men.
Damn Rafe! He affected her whether he was dominating her or seducing her. She couldn’t seem to win either way.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Lia
Lia woke up as sunlight began streaming in through the thin line of the waterfall, lighting up their tent.
After their lovemaking last night in the rain, Shane had lifted her in his arms, carried her inside, and gently set her down while he got their tent ready for bed. There, they’d made love again, slowly and long into the night.