Power and Possession(13)

“That’s what I thought,” he said, amused.

She gave him the finger and he only said, “You’re going to be a great fuck.”

“Maybe I don’t need you,” she muttered, sullen and testy.

“Need and want are two different things.” His smile was warm. “I can show you.”

Annoyed by that lovely smile—a reflex for a man used to getting what he wanted—she held up her hands and wiggled her fingers. “FYI—these work just fine.”

“I’m going to teach you a whole new meaning of the word penetration,” he said gently, as if she’d not spoken. “Nothing extraordinary or shocking,” he added at her nervous start. “Just a different kind of compliance.” His brows lifted faintly as he watched the color rise in her cheeks. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid. Or does it turn you on—the thought of what I’ll do to you?” Looking at her directly, he lowered his voice to a sultry whisper. “It’s about me setting the rules and you obeying them. Willingly. Totally. Without complaint,” he whispered as she uttered a soft breathy moan. “You’ll be sore in the morning, but you’ll come so many times you’ll be grateful and”—he grinned—“knowing you, probably resentful. But I guarantee you’ll enjoy it.”

Even as lust in all its torrid, earth-shaking intensity roared through her senses, she bristled at his assurance. “You can’t guarantee that.”

“Fuck if I can’t. You’re getting wetter just thinking about what I might do to you, aren’t you?” His voice was exaggeratedly soft. “Wondering how it feels to submit for the first time in your spoiled life.” He took an exasperated breath. “Don’t pretend you don’t know you’re beautiful.”

They looked at each other for a taut, simmering moment, both defensive and defenseless. Both stunned by a rare feeling of freedom lost.

Then with zero interest in shutting down this freaking flame-hot drama, Rafe reached out and gently slid a damp curl behind her ear. “I’ll make sure you’re happy with the arrangement,” he whispered. “I promise.”

The door abruptly opened and Fiona and Jack walked in.

Instantly, Rafe’s face was wiped clean of expression. “So no more arguments?” His voice was bland. “Only sunshine in paradise for us?”

Less practiced in casual prevarication, it took Nicole a second to regain her composure. And a further second to answer as blandly. “I’ll give it a try.” Her smile was carefully rationed. “That’s all I can promise.”

“Trying’s good,” he said, smooth as silk, glancing up as Fiona reached them. “You found the phone. Perfect.” He held out his hand, took Nicole’s purse, and set it beside him on the hassock.

“We should check in every day,” Fiona said. “In case our mothers need some explanation.”

“Or we do,” Nicole noted, unsure of the length of her stay.

“Agreed. When?”

Nicole shrugged. “I don’t care. I talked to my mother earlier, so I’m off the hook today.”

“One-ish then, tomorrow. Anything else we should agree on?” Fiona’s voice plainly conveyed her reservations.

Rafe smiled. “You two have your code words in case Jack or I misbehave?” Lifting Nicole’s feet from his lap he lightly kissed her toes. “And just for the record,” Rafe said, glancing up and smiling at her. “I’ve never done that before.”

“I do so like to be special,” Nicole purred.

“And you are, pussycat.” He winked. “No doubt in my mind.”

Conscious of his cousin’s unprecedented show of affection, Jack immediately made their adieus with a promise that he and Fiona would stay in touch.

With the door closing on their friends, Rafe glanced at the clock, as if fixing this extraordinary event in his memory. He’d always been a practical man, but his feelings for Nicole offered him no reference points in his past. This holiday was about play, but not just play; it was something more. Something honest and joyful, something that made him happy when he’d always been critical of it before.

And for the first time in his life, he was planning on spending more than a few hours with a woman.

Weeks in fact.

Perhaps… the less infatuated portion of his brain reflected, as did the deep-seated pragmatic centers of his subconscious.

This was, after all, a completely unorthodox situation.

No sense in jumping to conclusions.

“Hey.”

He looked up.

Nicole gazed at him from under lowered lashes, her smile playful. “What if I said you’re the sunshine of my life, and you’re probably a little bit right about everything you said?”