“I’m standing right here,” Lia said as she smacked his wrist. “Come on, Ari. Ignore my worthless brother.” Lia grabbed her arm and pulled her up the stairs.
Knowing Rafe was right behind her, most likely staring at her rear end, made Ari put a little more wiggle in her hips. He’d left her hurting; now with an audience, he couldn’t do anything, so she decided finally to repay the favor. Prince Adrian had thrown her off her game, but she was making a grand comeback.
They all boarded, but Shane was running late, so Rafe told them to settle in and have a drink and snack. Ari chatted with Lia and Rachel for a while, then turned her head and noticed Rafe sitting in one of the corner chairs, working on his computer.
Slowly, she stood and walked toward him. His eyes lifted and he watched her with suspicion. She stopped and bent down so only he could hear her.
“I had a dream about you last night.”
His eyes widened as he waited for her to continue.
“I think it’s the best sex I’ve ever experienced. I was a little sad to wake up and find out it wasn’t real.” Rafe’s eyes narrowed as he reached for her. She backed up just out of his reach before she leaned in again. “By the way, I’m not wearing any panties — or a bra.”
With that she turned and walked back to his sisters. The air exploding from his lungs was sufficient enough to put her in an incredibly good mood. She only hoped he ached the entire flight to Vegas.
After another ten minutes passed, Ari could still feel Rafe’s gaze burning a hole through her. She finally looked up and met his desire filled-eyes. Though she was melting from the inside out, she winked at him as she lifted her glass and licked the rim.
As his eyes narrowed, she grabbed an ice cube from the drink and ran it along her neck, the cold liquid dripping down her shirt. “It’s really warm in here, don’t you think?” she asked him.
“Why don’t I take you in the back? I can crank up the air conditioner so you don’t overheat,” he responded as he rose to his feet. Ari had no intention of caving in to him — the point was to make him suffer. Slowly, she walked to him, rubbing against his chest.
“I don’t think so. You left me high and…wet the other day; now it’s your turn,” she said with a smile as she quickly backed away.
“You’re not going anywhere, Ari,” he growled, stepping forward. Dancing backward quickly, Ari found safety in between Rachel and Lia. Rafe didn’t look as if he were going to let his sisters stop his advance. The thought of the way he might retaliate made her stomach tremble.
“I’m here! The party can officially start.”
Ari jumped at the sound of Shane’s voice as he walked inside the aircraft. The distraction of his arrival was better than a bucket of cold water. Rafe stopped in his tracks, and everyone turned toward the newcomer.
Ari bent down and grabbed another ice cube to run along her neck just to drive the nail in a bit harder with Rafe, and when he turned back in her direction, she could swear there was steam coming from his ears.
Looking down at his pants, she noticed a definite bulge. This was one round she was winning.
“Thanks, love,” Shane said as he grabbed Rachel’s drink; she snarled at him.
“Nice of you to join us,” Rafe commented dryly after quickly pulling himself together.
“Duty called. Sorry,” Shane replied, though he didn’t look the least bit apologetic.
Rafe let the captain know they were ready, and soon the door was shut and the jet was rolling toward the runway. Vegas was only a short flight away, and Ari couldn’t contain her excitement as the jet began its ascent.
“What was so important that you had to keep all of us waiting?” Lia asked.
“I don’t want to bore you with business. We’re on our way to Sin City. It’s time to have some fun.”
“Do you even know what fun is, Shane? Last time I checked, you were the babysitter, trying to kill all the fun of an otherwise perfect night.”
“You’re just pouty, Lia, because I’ve now had to save you at two separate occasions in which you keeled over at my feet,” Shane replied with a wink.
“Do you want me to kneel at your feet in undying, heartfelt gratitude, you pretentious pig?”
Before Shane could make a response, Rafe cut in.
“Lia, what has gotten into you?”
“Chill, big brother. I was just kidding. If anybody needs to have a little fun while we’re in Vegas, it’s you.”
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t harass Shane,” he warned.
“Last time I checked, Shane was a big boy. I think he can defend himself. Do you need your bestie to defend your honor, Shane?”
“I know exactly how to handle you, Lia.”
“Oh, really, and how’s that?”
“Never has a little girl needed to be bent over a knee and spanked as much as you do.”
Lia’s mouth hung open as fire burned from her eyes. “I’m not a little girl, Shane!”
“Quit acting like one, then.”
Ari watched Lia cross her arms and sit back. Now both men were irritated, and Ari had to chuckle to herself that these confident businessmen were allowing women to get under their skin. If only their board members could see them now.
Amid all the tension, Ari decided to take full advantage. Rafe looked up and their gazes connected. Slowly, she crossed one leg over the other, causing her already short skirt to ride up almost indecently high on her toned thighs.
With a painted fingernail, she rubbed the edge of her skin where the fabric of her skirt rested, then slipped her index finger inside and pulled the material another inch higher. Rafe gaze was glued to the movement of her hand, making her feel triumphant and feminine.
Bringing her hand up, she toyed with the V of her blouse, then waited for him to look her in the eyes again. Batting her eyelashes at him, she pasted on a wide-eyed, innocent expression, suggesting she had no idea why he was squirming in his seat.
Sending a glare her way, Rafe quickly stood, and Ari wondered whether she might have just lost the round — was he going to come over and carry her off? Not that it would have been much of a loss — unless he left her aching.
“Let’s go to the back and discuss business,” Rafe finally said, and he and Shane walked from the main sitting area.
Ari was shocked until she realized she’d gotten to him so much, he’d had to run away. It was a powerful feeling.