“Rafe!” she called, her desire so intense it was almost painful. She wanted him buried deep inside her.
His fingers pulled out and then nothing touched her but the warm air drifting through the room. She squirmed beneath him, but he held her tightly against the desk as he stood behind her, so close, but not nearly close enough.
“Now,” she demanded as she twisted beneath him.
Suddenly he pushed inside her, his hard staff plunging deeper than he’d gone before. He stopped when she was completely full, and then bent forward, his breath brushing across her neck.
“Tell me I’m in charge, Ari,” he whispered, as his body moved backward before he thrust inside her again.
“No.”
“Tell me,” he demanded as he plunged in and out.
“No.” She was so close, almost delirious from the building pressure.
Rafe pushed in and out of her several more times, his h*ps slapping against the softness of her backside as he gripped her h*ps tightly.
She was reaching the edge when he slammed against her, taking her breath away, and then his body began to shake as he groaned low in his throat. A few more strokes and he stopped. Ari pushed against him. She was on the edge, needing just a little more of a push to reach her goal.
He pulled from her and turned her in his arms. Satisfaction filled his features as he pulled her tightly against him.
“I like your defiance, Ari, but now you get to suffer the rest of the day. When you submit and follow my rules — I’ll reward you with more pleasure than you can image.”
Ari gasped in frustration. Her eyes narrowed as she looked into his confident eyes. He was so sure she’d cave — that he held all the power. She could go into the bathroom and take matters into her own hands, but then he’d have a victory.
Her victory would come by showing him that it didn’t matter. She pulled back and pushed her skirt down before holding out her hand.
“Do you want something?” he asked innocently.
“My panties, please?”
“No — I think I’ll hold onto them. You can think about what you’re missing out on as the air caresses your womanhood all day.”
Rafe turned and walked to her door, unlocking it before turning around. “If you want me to relieve the ache, all you have to do is come to me, sit on my desk, and ask.” His gaze held hers for several tense seconds as he smiled in victory.
Ari glared at him, feeling ready to scream as he walked through the door and left her standing there, nearly shaking in her frustration. If she wanted him to own her pride, she could go to him, but this was a game — one that she was determined to win.
With as much dignity as she could carry, Ari patted down her hair, then followed him, making a beeline for the women’s bathroom, where she could clean herself up. As she wiped away the evidence of their quick joining, her body shuddered.
It would be so easy to ease her ache, but he’d know and then he’d win. With a growl of frustration she washed her hands and walked back to her office. Not having her panties on intensified the throbbing. It was going to be a long afternoon.
As she sat at her desk, a smile appeared. Either she could sit there and pout, or she could plot revenge. He might think he held the power, but it was time she started turning things around. Yes, he was in possession of her panties, but that meant that he knew she was na**d beneath her skirt. She would see who cried uncle first.
With that thought, Ari got back to work, feeling a lot better about the way things would go over the next day — week — even month.
Chapter Nineteen
“Ari, report to my office immediately.”
Well, that was rude. Hesitating for a moment so she wouldn’t snap, Ari took a calming breath before hitting the reply button on her speaker.
“Do I need to bring anything?”
“Yes. Your laptop. My secretary became ill and had to leave for the day, and I have an important meeting in fifteen minutes. I need you to take notes.”
“I’ll be right there, Mr. Palazzo.” It seemed only fitting to use his last name when he was acting the way he was.
“Ari…” Her name came out on an exasperated breath. She chose not to reply.
Sitting for a few moments, Ari glared at her phone. First, he had the gall to take her in his office without offering her any satisfaction, then he took her panties with him, and now he was demanding she take notes for him. Take, take, take. Who did he think he was?
She thought briefly about ignoring his summons and staying right where she was. But after her initial impulse to defy him had simmered down, Ari smiled. He was giving her a great opportunity for retaliation.
They both knew she had nothing on beneath her skirt. Maybe it was time for her to remind him of that fact, which would be especially fun in a room full of people where he could do nothing about her taunts.
With a determined set to her shoulders, Ari stood, grabbing her laptop. She stopped by the bathroom, applying shiny red lipstick and unbuttoning her top button. With a gleam in her eyes, she made her way to Rafe’s office.
Since his door was open, she sauntered in, wondering what her next move should be. She’d never been a seductress before and didn’t know where to start.
“The meeting is in the formal conference room. Follow me.”
He didn’t even bother glancing up as he delivered another curt order. This must be something important — even better!
Ari trailed behind Rafe down the hallway and they entered a large room with a massive table surrounded by twenty chairs. She hadn’t been there before and had to admit that the décor impressed her.
Elegant snacks and beverages sat atop the table, and the chairs, though suitably businesslike, looked plush and comfortable This room was clearly designed to welcome superstar investors and clients.
A smidgen of fear slithered down her spine at the thought of playing games with him in such an environment. When she was just about to talk herself out of antagonizing him, she stiffened her shoulders and reminded herself that he always managed to get the upper hand. It was time he lost a bout.
“Sit in the chair on the end next to mine. Type up everything we speak about; there’s no need for you to contribute. I’ve been working with these men for two years now on a deal that is invaluable to the Palazzo Corporation.”
“I understand,” she said through gritted teeth.
Rafe took his seat, and Ari slowly moved toward her chair. Just before sitting down, she stumbled, making sure she fell against him. Rafe caught her with quick reflexes, leaving her face inches from his own.