As he turned around with a predator’s gleam in his eyes, she stood on trembling legs and automatically began backing away. She didn’t understand why, because she wanted him to take her. Her body was more than ready.
“You know, Ari, when this all started I was very generous in giving you one day a week to yourself.”
He spoke as he advanced on her slowly but steadily, as if he had all the time in the world. And he did. Ari stopped in the middle of the room, refusing to retreat any further.
“I’ve decided I’ll take whatever time I want for myself,” she answered him bravely.
“That doesn’t work for me. You see, we have an agreement — and the deal we’ve made doesn’t have provisions to change the rules halfway through the game.”
“You don’t own me, Rafe. I’ve played along with you, but I’m still my own person and I can do whatever makes me happy. If I want to take a weeklong vacation, then I will do just that!”
A gleam entered his eyes as if he was hearing exactly what he wanted. Excitement coursed through Ari. She should be furious with him, but their little dance was stirring feelings inside her that rivaled a volcanic explosion.
The closer his steps brought him to her, the stronger her cravings grew.
“I don’t think so. It just might be time for you to be reminded of our agreement.”
“You can’t make me stay,” she called, though she didn’t want to leave. She should want to run screaming, but she was rooted to the spot.
“You’re right. I would never force you to do anything. I will certainly persuade you — I will demand obedience, but the bottom line is that you can walk out the door at any time.”
Ari looked into his eyes as she tried to figure out what he was doing now. Was he releasing her from her duty — calling her debt paid in full? Did she want it to be over or would she be devastated? Confusion coursed through her.
“You don’t want to go. I think you’re very satisfied, but you don’t want to admit to that. You think that admitting to liking our arrangement makes you a bad person. There’s no shame in feeling excitement over what others find taboo. Leave the rest of the world out of this. It’s just you and me — right here — right now.”
“I don’t know what you want!” she said in frustration.
“I want to remind you of who I am — I want to leave no doubt in your mind that I’m the one in charge. I choose to give you choices, but I can take them away when I’m unhappy.”
“Do you want me to leave?”
He stopped with a genuine expression of puzzlement. His brow furrowed as if he needed to think about her statement. She held her breath as she awaited his response. This could be it. Maybe he was offering her freedom.
Ari’s heart sunk with the realization. She didn’t want to be free of him — not yet. She would, she convinced herself, just not at this moment.
“You have a decision to make, Ari. You can stay and take your punishment, or you’re free to walk out that door — all debts settled.”
Ari couldn’t turn her gaze away from Rafe’s intense stare. He was offering her an out. It had only been a month since they’d made their deal. She’d agreed to three months. She expected to hate every minute of it, but she’d never felt more alive. Was he unhappy with her performance?
If she stayed, though, she’d be shifting the power to him. He’d know he owned her — know he could do whatever he wanted.
Ripping her gaze from his, she looked toward the door. It was right there — all she had to do was walk through it and she could have her life back. Her mother was fine, back at work and oblivious to the difficulties her daughter had suffered in the past year. Ari’s life could return to normal.
She opened her mouth to speak but couldn’t get words to surface. Rafe didn’t move as he waited for her decision. When several uncomfortable moments had passed, Ari finally gazed into his eyes. When she saw a flicker of emotion cross his face, she knew she wasn’t leaving.
“I agreed to three months. I don’t go back on my word,” she said. There was no way she would admit to staying for any other reason. For a split second she thought she observed relief in his expression, but she had to be wrong. Rafe didn’t really care if she stayed or went — did he?
In the blink of an eye he crossed the room and walked her backward until he had her pinned to the desk.
“This is your choice, Ari. You had better be sure,” he commanded, his mouth an inch from her own, his scent surrounding her, stirring her appetite.
“I’ll stay, but I won’t ever be what you want. I’ll never submit to you, Rafe.”
Staying strong was the only way she could justify her decision. If ever the day came that she gave herself fully over to him, she feared it would be too much — that she’d never be the same again.
“Ah, it will be my mission to change your mind — and, Ari — I’ll fully enjoy the challenge,” he said with a smile before his mouth crashed down on hers.
Ari grabbed his shoulders and held on. She could pretend this wasn’t what she wanted, but what would be the point. She was hungry and it had nothing to do with food.
Rafe punished her mouth, kissing her fervently until she could no longer breathe. His hands moved down her body, molding her curves and tugging her tight against him. She squirmed to get closer, gasping as she felt his hardness press against her belly.
Desire pooled in her core, waiting for him to enter her slick folds. It was always so good. He hadn’t touched her in two days and she was about to explode in his arms. He’d turned her into an insatiable animal, and she didn’t care.
Rafe pulled away and she whimpered. No! She needed him to finish what he’d started. She could later berate herself for wanting him so much, but right now, she needed him inside her, needed to feel the conjunction of their bodies.
Without a word, he turned her around and hiked her skirt just enough for her cheeky Victoria’s Secret panties to show. Oh, yes, they hadn’t done it on a desk yet. Oh, the places he’d taken her – the kitchen table, in front of the giant fireplace, against the front door – but not yet bent over her desk. Anticipation built as he slid her panties down her legs and bent her across her desk.
His hand pushed against her back before sliding down the curve of her bottom and into the V of her legs. He pushed against her thighs, spreading them wide, then slid two fingers deep inside her heat.