“This conversation isn’t over.” The raw power in his tone and the controlled movement of his hand sent a shudder down her spine. What had she gotten herself into by going to that interview? She really wished she’d never seen that ad.
Chapter Five
Rafe gazed in surprise at his hand gripping Ari’s delicate arm. His normal cool was agitated and he wasn’t ready to let her walk from the room. What startled him was his enjoyment of it all. He was intrigued to be refused by this complicated woman.
What he should do was wish her a good day, eat his meal in silence, and then go home. His assistant would simply call in the next woman on the list. It was easy – not a big deal. So why was his hand gripping Ari’s arm? Why didn’t he just let her go?
It was most likely because he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been challenged – not by a woman – not by anyone for that matter. Everyone practically bowed at his feet. Not until this very moment did he realize how bored he was by it all. It seemed he’d already accomplished everything he possibly could achieve, and now he just added to his success without many bumps in the road.
Obviously, he needed more challenges if a refusal from a woman caused more excitement in him than making a billion dollars on a new merger.
Still, there was nothing he could do if she didn’t enter into the agreement. He’d never force a woman to be with him, and he had no desire to actually take the time to court a mistress.
It wasn’t so simple when it came to Arianna Harlow. He could actually picture himself throwing her over his shoulder and taking her to his car where he could squire her away to his home, tie her to the bed and ravish her body until the morning light.
A wolfish smile spread slowly across his face at the thought of doing just that. What he wouldn’t give to be a pirate in that moment. Rafe had a feeling though, that one night wouldn’t be nearly enough to sate his desires – not with this woman. Maybe it had just been too long since his last mistress. Her appeal was most likely nothing more than sexual frustration.
“Sit,” he commanded. She flinched from his cold tone. Good. She had no idea who he truly was. This was all a game to him, nothing more – and he couldn’t lose – it wasn’t in his DNA.
He watched emotions flit across her face as she looked down at his hand. He saw the tremor in her body, knew she wasn’t unaffected by him. She may not like his rules, but she did desire him. The question was – what was he willing to do to get her to admit it?
Nothing!
He wouldn’t chase her. He just wanted to finish his meal. At least, that’s what he told himself to explain his inexplicable behavior. It was only a game that he must win, not a desire to actually be with the woman.
“I guess a free meal won’t hurt,” she replied after the pause became uncomfortably long. Tugging on her arm to let him know she wanted to be free, reminded him that he was still gripping her soft skin.
He let go, zeroing in on the slight redness his fingers had left against her ivory complexion. The sight caused his body to stir, the beginnings of desire trickling in. Normally, it took a lot more than his fingers branding a woman’s arm to cause his pulse to quicken.
She intrigued him more by the minute, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was about her. Yes, she was beautiful, but beauty wasn’t a rarity in his world. Every other woman he ran across was stunning.
As Ari cautiously sat, she picked up her fork and began twisting it in her fingers as she eyed her salad. The waiter appeared with their second course, which was artfully prepared sushi. Rafe nearly smiled when her nose wrinkled at the delicate pieces of rice, raw fish, and seaweed.
“Um, no thank you,” she said to the waiter, who looked at Rafe like he didn’t know what he was supposed to do. Rafe was sure the young server had never had his food returned at the exclusive restaurant.
“It’s fine,” Rafe said and the waiter quickly scurried away. “Don’t dismiss it until you’ve at least given it a try. This one here is a rare delicacy that is said to wake up a woman’s… cravings. Have you heard of Fugu before?” When she shook her head, he continued.
“Fugu is more commonly known in the States as pufferfish or blowfish. If the chef doesn’t prepare the dish just right… it’s fatal to consume, which is part of the thrill of eating the delicacy.”
“Why would I possibly try this if it could kill me?” she asked in exasperation, looking at him like he’d lost his mind. He picked up a piece and slipped it into his mouth, feeling the delicate explosion of flavor wash over his tongue. He was used to great food, but watching the fright in her eyes as he swallowed the sushi made the act of eating almost erotic.
“We all seek thrills, Ari. Very few skilled chefs can leave just a tiny trace of the lethal poison on the fish, causing a tingling sensation on your lips and tongue, enough to wake up the senses, while not enough to kill you. That little bit of excitement draws the consumers in, makes them want to try it and tempt fate…”
Each word he spoke sent her eyebrows just a little higher, and her lips a bit more pursed. Her expressive face was a thrill to watch. He managed to portray an almost bored demeanor, but he couldn’t ignore that he was intrigued by this seemingly innocent girl. He enjoyed how she wore her feelings on her sleeve, how everything she was thinking was an open book to him.
“I’m just fine with not living on the edge. I prefer to keep everything about my body un-tingly and working just fine,” she again declined.
Rafe didn’t like being refused once, let alone multiple times. He really should end this game and walk away. For unknown reasons, he wasn’t willing to concede defeat just yet. Maybe it was that slight sparkle in her eyes, the way she subtly trembled when he touched her, and maybe it was just that he wanted to tame her.
He didn’t know the answers yet, but for some reason he wasn’t ready to let her leave. He wasn’t ready for their game to end. She would submit to him first. Once she was willing to do his bidding, then he’d grow bored like he did with everyone else.
“I’m not a man to give up, Ari. It would be much simpler for you to just try the dish. You saw that I ate one with no problem. I’m still alive.” The expression on her face seemed to shout that she didn’t think that was necessarily a good thing. It almost made him laugh, and he struggled to hide his amused smirk.