“Mr. Palazzo, is everything all right, sir?” a man in a suit asked as he came skidding up to the two of them.
Ari wanted to turn to the little weasel and say, Gee thanks, I’m just fine, but managed to hold her tongue. Rafe wasn’t the one who’d hit a solid wall of chest and plummeted to the floor. It was nice to see the staff so concerned about her. She supposed that’s just how it was when a person was in Rafe Palazzo’s presence – everyone else turned invisible within his wide-reaching shadow.
“I’m not the one who just got knocked to the ground. Maybe you should ask Ms. Harlow how she’s doing,” Rafe replied coldly.
Ari found herself thawing slightly toward this man of steel. At least he was human enough to acknowledge her being injured. As she stood awkwardly by, glancing at him from the corner of her eye, she had to admit he was a fine specimen to look upon. She wished he wasn’t quite so good-looking. She didn’t want her gaze pulled to him.
“Of course, sir. How are you feeling, Ms. Harlow? We should take you back and make sure nothing was broken in the fall,” the man said as he turned to her with fake sympathy written all over his face. She had to fight the urge to roll her eyes at him.
“I’m just fine, but thank you anyway. It was my fault. I wasn’t watching where I was going. If you’ll both excuse me,” she said as she turned to leave.
“I don’t think so, Arianna. Whether you like it or not, we’re getting that x-ray done. You're limping, and I know that couldn’t have felt good on your tailbone,” Rafe said as he turned to the small man next to him and demanded a wheelchair.
Before Ari knew what was happening, she was being plopped down and wheeled through the corridors. She didn’t appreciate the choice taken away from her like that. She was sure it was nothing more than a large bruise that would be quite colorful on her butt in the following days.
“Mr. Palazzo, the ceremony is about to start. I can take care of this matter for you.”
Ari craned her neck to look behind her in surprise at Rafe, who was pushing the wheelchair. Her glance then took in the other guy who seemed to be doing a lot of sweating.
“The ceremony will have to go on without me,” Rafe said as if the subject was closed.
“But… you’re the guest of honor. We can’t have a grand opening ceremony without the donor being present,” the little man said in horror.
“Then I guess you’ll just have to wait. I’m seeing to Ms. Harlow. Leave us,” Rafe commanded as he entered a door, shutting it with finality in the man’s face. Ari almost felt sorry for the guy, even if he was just a weasel.
“What did you donate?” Ari asked, her curiosity piqued.
“It’s not a big deal,” he replied in a clipped tone.
“If it’s not a big deal then why don’t you want to say what it is,” she countered, sick of backing down to this overbearing man.
“Do you ever just accept someone telling you no?” he asked in exasperation, his arms spread wide in question.
“You’re the one who practically kidnapped me. I’m just trying to make polite conversation.” Ari wanted only to get away from him. He was back to being the man of steel, all traces of worry wiped clear from his face.
“I assure you, Ms. Harlow that if I kidnapped you, it wouldn’t be for an x-ray.” He stopped and bent down in front of her so their eyes were locked together.
Ari could practically feel his body heat enveloping her, and she hated to admit it, but she wasn’t unaffected. She wouldn’t mind closing the gap between them and finding out if his lips tasted as good as they looked.
“If you continue to look at me that way, I’ll have to find a private room and show you exactly what I’m talking about.” Arianna wasn’t sure if his words were a threat or a promise. She forgot to breathe as she looked deep into his midnight eyes, quickly getting lost.
With a growl of irritation or frustration – she didn’t know which – he walked from the room.
“Ms. Harlow. I’m so sorry about your fall. Let’s make sure everything is okay.”
Ari turned to find a perky young woman walking in the door that Rafe had exited through. As her gaze settled on the closed door, she told herself it was relief that he was gone. She wouldn’t have to see him again.
By the time the x-ray came back, showing that she had nothing more than a bruised tailbone, Ari was ready to go home and rest. She wasn't up for chatting with her mom as originally planned. The doctor told her she’d be uncomfortable sitting for about a week, but other than that, she’d be just fine.
Ari had already expected that, but she supposed it was better to be sure. She couldn’t fault Mr. Palazzo or the staff for double checking. They didn’t want someone to get injured on their premises and then turn around and seek liability from the hospital, not that she’d ever do something like that. They didn’t know her, though.
She was grateful when the woman left and she had a minute alone to get dressed. She hoped Rafe was gone when she came back out. He was a difficult man to be around while maintaining a distance. She could see herself wanting to spend time with him – well, if he weren’t so dang kinky.
*****
Rafe waited outside the door for Ari to come out. He almost found it amusing that he was pacing the halls in a hospital, worrying about a woman. He honestly couldn’t remember the last time he’d actually waited on anyone.
One minute he felt like strangling Arianna Harlow, and then the next he wanted to find the nearest bed and see if all of the sexual tension was in his head or if they’d create steam together. He was still rationalizing his unusual desire for the woman on his lack of a love-life lately. Plus, the added benefit of a challenge was sure to increase his libido. He hadn’t planned on running into her, but it wasn’t an unpleasant coincidence.
He shouldn’t think of Ari as anything more than a conquest to be won. She’d turned him down, and now it was his job to make her want him so that he could return the favor – gain back his control.
He was very glad his sisters weren’t around. His family members were the only people on earth who could calm him, make him act like a decent human being. He didn’t want to be a decent human right now, he wanted to sink deep inside Ms. Harlow until she was screaming his name.
Just as he was getting ready to pace the long hallway again, the door to the examine room opened and Ari stepped out, surprise and apprehension in her eyes that he was still there. Good. He wanted her to be wary of him, concerned in his presence. He wanted a mistress filled with respect, not a girlfriend who adored him.