Scorched

  “I was afraid of you, but not for long. Then, something changed. I was angry that you were forcing me into the situation you did, but the bottom line is that I wouldn’t have stayed had I not also felt some excitement about it. Yes, I was mad, and, yes, there were times I wanted to throttle you, but you also made me feel things I never imagined feeling. You may have been a barbarian in your methods, but — I am almost ashamed to admit this — you stirred excitement in me that I had never felt before. ”

  “The entire time?” he asked, as if completely awed.

  “Yes,” she admitted. “When you pushed me to do those things in the bedroom, I thought I would be filled with terror and maybe even disgust, but I was aroused. When you tied me to that toy, that circular apparatus, my entire body was turned on. I was afraid of you for all of two seconds. I’ve been turned on by you since the moment we met. Yes, you were a very sexy monster. I didn’t want to be only your plaything, only someone you thought you owned; I wanted your love, too. But the way you make me feel has never changed. I feel desired, and sexy, and the sex …well, it’s out of this world. ” Ari’s face flushed.

  “Out of this world, huh?” he asked, his eyes darkening as the sun sank, and its tangerine hue started to evaporate into the gentle wind.

  “Oh, Rafe, the sex is indescribable!” she said as his hand trailed up her leg and slid beneath the hem of her shorts, making her breath rush from her mouth.

  “So my sweet little Ari likes a bit of excitement in the bedroom?” he pushed.

  “Oh, yes,” she gasped as his fingers reached the edge of her panties. Thank goodness for loose shorts. Ari leaned back to give him easier access.

  “I have been so afraid of chasing you away that I’ve been a complete gentleman for the last few weeks. I figured that was what you wanted. ”

  “I love the man you are, Rafe. I can’t wait to be your wife. I do like my control-freak lover, too, though,” she said shyly. Would he think less of her for admitting this?

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  “Oh, Ari. You have made me one very, very a happy man,” he said as he removed his hand, making her whimper in frustration before he grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her onto his lap.

  “Then show me how happy you are,” she demanded, grabbing his head and pulling him closer so she could taste the sweetness of his lips.

  “Are you trying to take control, my darling Ari?” he asked as he grabbed her arms and tugged them behind her back, holding them together with one hand.

  “Would I try to do that?” she asked, pushing her h*ps against his, glorying at the friction as her tingling core met his arousal.

  “I think you might. What should I do about that?”

  The excitement in his voice made her blood heat as it all rushed to one very sensitive area of her body. This was a game she’d missed playing with him — it was a game she could play well. A game of who would be in charge. It was also a game they both got to win.

  “What do you think you can do about it?” she mocked him, leaning back, exulting in the power she felt flowing through his grip as he held her tightly.

  “You’re about to find out,” he growled before reaching his other hand up and tugging on her loose hair, pulling her face toward his.

  His lips grazed her mouth, his tongue tracing the edges of her lips, but he didn’t connect their mouths fully. He tugged again, making her head fall back as he kissed her jaw, then he ran his lips down the sensitive column of her throat until he met her shoulder, where his teeth nipped her skin just enough to leave the slightest sting.

  Before she could say anything, his tongue swept out, soothing the area and making her forget to admonish him. She tried to lift her hands to his shoulders, but his hold on her arms didn’t allow it.

  She tried to pull away, but to no avail. Instead, her struggles made her core rub vigorously against the solid proof of his desire.

  He drew back, his eyes dark and molten in the shadows cast by the last moments of light before night quickly stole over the land.

  Releasing her wrists, he shifted her off his lap, then stood up, helping her to her feet, and pulled her to his side. He gave her a seductive smile before grabbing her by the waist and throwing her over his shoulder — showing her he was still the one in control.

  Shocked, Ari grabbed his back as he headed up a trail, his movements making her body bounce. “What are you doing?”

  “For what I have planned for you, we need total privacy,” he said, not pausing in his stride as they neared the palace.

  “And I can’t walk?” she asked as they entered the palace grounds and passed a guard. Ari was more than a little mortified at being seen like this by Adriane’s men.

  “No. You are my captive,” he said as his hand caressed her bare thigh.

  “Good evening. ”

  Ari turned her head as they passed another guard protecting the back door of the palace.

  “Evening,” Rafe replied as he walked past the man. Ari refused to look. Why wasn’t anyone asking whether everything was OK? This seemed a bit off.

  The two wound their way through the palace. When they arrived at their suite, Rafe strode through the door and didn’t quit moving until he reached their “sleeping” quarters. There he released her with a slight bounce onto their massive bed.

  “Rafe, that was a bit awkward,” she scolded him, crossing her arms and sending quite a glare his way.

  His eyes were on fire; he stepped forward without saying a word. His excitement ignited her own desire, though she wasn’t going to admit that to him — not after he’d hauled her though the palace like a caveman, and done it in front of witnesses.

  “Good,” he finally said, and he grabbed the bottom of her shirt and quickly pulled it from her.

  “I don’t think I’m in the mood anymore,” she told him, her slightly breathy statement undercutting her words.

  “Liar,” he said as he unclasped her bra, freeing her heavy br**sts, her hardened ni**les proof that he was right.

  Still, she had to make a point, didn’t she? He’d embarrassed her.

  She scooted away, and he grinned as he pulled his shirt off, then stripped off his pants and briefs, freeing his manhood, which stood proud and ready. Her core was in meltdown mode, more than ready for his penetration.

  “I think I will make you go unsatisfied,” she gasped, and made an effort to retreat as he dropped to the bed and began prowling after her.

  “Not going to happen, Ari,” he warned, grabbing her legs and pulling her toward him, his body covering hers, his erection pressing against her shorts, causing a moan to escape her throat.

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  Yeah, he was right. There was no way she would be able to resist him.

  Moving quickly, he slid to the side of the bed and stripped the last barrier of her clothing away before once more covering her body with his.

  “I can’t believe how much I always want you,” he said. She knew how he felt.

  His lips finally captured hers in a kiss worth receiving, his mouth thoroughly devouring her as his tongue plunged inside, sweeping across the contours of her mouth.

  More.

  She needed… wanted…had to have…more.

  She grabbed him, holding his head securely against her as he seized her mouth, owned it.

  Sliding his arousal against her slick folds, but not entering her, Rafe tormented her, making her burn hotter and hotter as his hand slid down her side, grabbed her leg and pulled it up, his h*ps rocking against hers, his hand clasping her bare behind.

  Rafe released her mouth and Ari grumbled. Then he moved away from her, and Ari cried out. No! She needed him inside her.

  Before she could give voice to her complaints, he rose from the bed and grabbed her feet, pulling her toward him.

  Without a word, he lifted her so she was standing flush against him, and his hands
circled around her waist before he bent and began sucking on her neck. OK, this was almost as good as the kiss.

  His hands caressed her back as his mouth trailed across her shoulder, then moved to the top of her br**sts.

  “Oh, Rafe, more,” she cried out.

  His tongue swept across her br**sts, circled her ni**les and wet the peaks before quickly retreating. It was too fast. She wanted more attention bestowed on her sensitive ni**les, not just a quick flicking of his tongue.

  Before she could complain, he turned her in his arms, his chest pressing against her back as he placed his hands on her stomach and began raising them upward until his palms cupped her br**sts, his fingers grabbing the ni**les and pinching them in the most pleasurable ways.

  Ari groaned and pushed her backside against his arousal, loving the way he felt in the soft cushion of her derrière.

  Rafe suddenly brought his hand around to her back and pushed her forward, making her fall against the bed with her bu**ocks in the air; his hands moved quickly to grip her hips. Spreading her legs wide open with his knees, he had Ari completely exposed to him.

  “Rafe?” she asked, her voice unsure.

  “Trust me,” he said as the thick head of his arousal rubbed down the line of her cheeks before sliding into her wet core.

  Her excitement reached a peak as he sheathed himself deep inside her, his arousal stretching her swollen folds.

  With a hard thrust, he sank fully inside, his h*ps pressed against the curve of her backside, his hands gripping her flesh, holding her firmly in place.

  “Oh, my, Ari, you feel so damn good,” he growled as he pulled backward before slamming forward hard, hitting her rounded behind with a slap of his hips, making her pleasure build quickly and her core begin to pulse.

  He pulled back again, and thrust forward so forcefully that her chest slid along the bed, but his hands held her h*ps tightly in place as he rocked her rhythmically.

  Ari soon felt herself fall over the edge of pleasure, and it didn’t take him long to join her. Rafe groaned as his body shook, his hands tightening on her as he convulsed inside her heat.

  When his body relaxed, he released his hold on her, and Ari had no doubt his passion would leave its mark on her flesh. That thought only made her excitement and passion begin to build again.

  Only with Rafe had she ever felt so possessed. He could do it anytime he wanted. She hoped he would.

  “I lose control with you, Ari. I’ve never experienced that with any other woman,” Rafe said as she turned and looked at him. She couldn’t tell if he was apologizing or just stating a fact.

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said, lifting her hand to caress his cheek.

  “Mmm,” he said, a slight grin lifting the corner of his mouth.

  Without warning, he swept her up into his arms as he moved toward their bathroom, not stopping until he reached the shower.

  With a turn of the knob, he started the strong jet and stepped inside with her, gently setting her down and facing her toward the water, where the spray began flowing over her still-sensitive skin.

  When he moved her so the spray hit her ni**les, she cried out and tried to move. Rafe held her in place, and Ari’s body began to shake.

  “We have all night, baby,” he whispered in her ear before his hand moved down her stomach and he found her swollen womanhood.

  All night turned out to last until the sun began rising in the sky. Ari fell asleep a very satisfied woman, with Rafe wrapped around her.

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  Mmm, she would be extremely happy to have her controlling lover at night, and her sweet fiancé during the day. It was the best of both worlds. Of all possible worlds.

  If it could last forever, that wouldn’t be long enough.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Would you please accompany me on a date tonight?

  Adriane.

  RACHEL LOOKED AT the note with suspicion. What was this new game? Was he actually attempting to court her? That made no sense. Was he asking because now there were witnesses around and he was afraid that one wrong move would send her away from the island on the next available boat or chopper?

  Did it matter?

  No. Not really. She was determined to get to know this man as much as she could for the sake of her unborn children. If it took going out on a date with him to accomplish her goals, then that is what she needed to do.

  “Tell the king I would be pleased to accompany him,” she told the servant who was standing by awkwardly while awaiting Rachel’s response.

  The girl beamed a smile her way before telling Rachel the time to be ready and then giving a small curtsy and scuttling away to inform her king that his message had received a positive response.

  Rachel supposed she’d been a little harsh with the palace staff, but what else should they expect when she was held against her will? Of course she would be testy.

  Upon finishing her bath a couple of hours later, Rachel stepped into her room, then stopped at the sight before her. Hanging on a rack that must have been brought in while she’d been soaking in the deep tub was an incredible red gown.

  Walking to it, she smiled as her hand ran along the silky fabric, which was dotted with shining crystals. The skirt was full, and the dress looked like a perfect fit.

  Since she’d been brought here without anything formal of her own, she hadn’t even thought about what she would wear, but Adriane had apparently taken care of that matter.

  She could be bratty and refuse to wear the lovely gown, but deep down she wanted to put it on, so she relented. Carefully taking the gown off the hanger, she slipped on a pair of her fancy undergarments, then stepped into the dress, sliding the side zipper up before turning to look in the mirror.

  It was stunning, and it made her feel like. . . royalty, actually.

  The gown’s top dipped low in front, hugging her chest and waist before flaring at her hips, hiding the small bump that was forming on her lower stomach and accenting her femininity and sex appeal. She stepped into the crystal-covered heels with delicate straps that completed the outfit.

  She was starting to really look forward to her night out.

  “This is not a date — just a night to get to know Adriane better,” she said aloud to her reflection in the mirror.

  She would have to remind herself of that often if she hoped to keep her heart untouched. It would be too easy to be swept off her feet in her condition. Stupid hormones.

  After applying a fresh coat of lip gloss, Rachel was ready when she heard a knock on her door. She turned just in time to see Adriane step through her doorway, and it took a moment for her to catch her breath.

  Standing before her in a hand-tailored tuxedo and holding a single rose in his hand, Adriane was drop-dead gorgeous. It didn’t hurt that he was looking at her with unalloyed pleasure.

  She’d have to fight to remember that they would never be more than friends.

  “You are exquisite,” he whispered as he approached, the rose dangling in his fingers.

  “Thank you, Adriane. You look very debonair,” she replied, the intensity of his expression making her cast her eyes shyly downward.

  “But something is missing,” he said, and her head snapped back up.

  As she looked quizzingly at him, he pulled a small box from his pocket, making Rachel take a step back. He hadn’t spoken of marriage all week. She really hoped he wasn’t about to start again — especially with a ring. It would kill her chances of going out tonight, and she was very much looking forward to it.

  When she didn’t make a move to take the box, Adriane opened it and held it out. Inside were a breathtaking pair of ruby and diamond earrings, the gems sparkling in the light of the room as he moved the box toward her.

  “These will match your gown to perfection,” he said as he took her hand tenderly and turned it palm up, placing the s
mall box in the center before releasing her fingers.

  Rachel clutched the box carefully, afraid of dropping it. Never before had she received such a lovely gift. Yes, she’d received her share of amazing presents, but never such an expensive — and beautiful — piece of jewelry.

  “I can’t take these, Adriane,” she said. It wouldn’t be right, even if she really did want to wear them.

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  “Of course you can,” he countered as he slowly turned her around, leading her to the large mirror of her vanity.

  He reached into the box, which she was still holding in her hand, pulled out one of the earrings and handed it to her. “Put them on. I want to see how they look. ”

  She should refuse again, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. She removed the simple gold hoops from her ears and replaced them with the earrings he’d just presented her with.

  Adriane was right: they matched the dress as if they had been made just for it. Indeed, they probably had. Turning her head, she couldn’t stop her smile as the light sparked off the jewels decorating her small ears and danced in the mirror.

  “They are stunning, and I’ll wear them tonight, but I won’t keep them. ” She thought that was a fitting compromise, the right thing to do.

  “I told you, they are yours. This will complete the outfit,” he said as he placed his hands around her neck. Then she felt the cool touch of metal at her throat as he closed a clasp. Looking in the mirror, she was awed by the matching necklace he’d just put on her.

  “Oh, Ian,” she gasped, reverting to the name she’d called him during their brief affair. “This is simply beautiful. We can argue later about it,” she said as her fingers ran along the jewels in the necklace.

  The set had to have cost a fortune. This wasn’t a gift you gave to a friend, and since she didn’t plan to be anything more than that with him, she couldn’t rightfully keep it. But, hey, she’d feel like a superstar tonight.

  “My lady,” he said as he held out his arm. Slipping her arm into his was easy as he led her from the room and straight out of the palace, where a limo awaited them.

  Climbing inside, Rachel accepted a glass of sparkling water, then sat back and waited for their night to begin. She had to remind herself again that this was just a night out with a friend when his leg brushed against hers, sending shivers down her spine.