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“I don’t hurt women, Ari. Am I causing you pain?”
He looked into her eyes as she struggled against him. He had her held securely against him with her head incapable of moving, but he knew he wasn’t hurting her. She couldn’t honestly answer that he was.
“You’re holding me against my will,” she finally answered as she moved her h*ps against his.
“All you’re doing in your struggles is rubbing that delectable body against mine, making me want to throw you over my shoulder and take you back to that nice comfortable bed. Is that what you want?”
“If you enjoy rape!”
“I’ve never had to force a woman, Ari, and I never will,” he hummed as his mouth descended and he sucked on her neck, feeling her pulse. He felt her internal battle as she stiffened against him.
Knowing he could make her submit was enough of a victory that he released her. Slowly, he walked back to his seat, watching with satisfaction as she dropped back into her chair as if her knees were incapable of holding her up.
“You think you’ve won some small victory, but you haven’t won anything. Obviously, you can cause a strange reaction in my body, but you have zero of my respect,” she said with a determination he was impressed with.
“I never asked for your respect, Ari. All I want is your body,” he quickly responded, fascinated by the fire leaping to life in her eyes.
“Well, you can’t have either,” she muttered as she picked up her spoon and swirled it around her soup bowl.
The rest of the meal was fairly quiet as he polished off most of his dinner, having a ravenous appetite all of a sudden, and she simply picked at hers. He watched as she continuously glanced at the clock, knowing she wanted nothing more than to run away from him. He simply drew out the time, making her squirm in her seat.
After an hour, they sipped coffee and he debated seducing her again. He wouldn’t mind taking her once more that night. He just didn’t know if it was the smartest move for him to make in their little game.
“Mr. Palazzo, your mother is on line two. ”
Well, that ended his debate. His family always came before any woman he was with or his own pleasure.
“Thank you. Take Ms. Harlow back to her room, please. ”
“Yes, Sir. ”
“I don’t need taken back to my room. I’m ready to go home,” Ari said as she stood.
“I’ve grown tired of arguing with you for the night. You’ll stay here as the doctor ordered. Don’t worry. I won’t bother you any further this evening,” he said, letting her know the matter was closed to further discussion.
As he walked from the room, he heard her frustrated sigh, but he knew his staff would ensure she went upstairs and didn’t make any escape attempts.
*****
Ari woke the next morning to find a note on the nightstand. Relief flooded her when she read the words, releasing her from her luxurious prison. Rafe was allowing his driver to take her home.
She didn’t dare use his bathing facilities again, not wanting to get too used to the deluxe bath or shower. She knew she needed to get as far from Rafe as she possibly could before she did something stupid like agree to be his mistress.
With the feelings he inspired in her, she was afraid it would be entirely too easy to say yes to him. That would be suicide for her. She had a feeling women were never the same after being with Rafe for any amount of time.
The man inspired too much emotion – whether it was lust or hate. She couldn’t imagine how a woman felt who was stupid enough to fall in love with him. One thing she realized, though, was the fact that sex wasn’t a horrible thing.
Rafe had made her feel things she definitely wanted to feel again and again. She would have to allow herself some time to date, because now that those doors had been opened, she didn’t know if it was possible to shut them again. She really didn’t think she wanted to shut them.
She gathered her purse and walked down the stairs, taking her time to look around his home on her way out. The curiosity irritated her, but she couldn’t seem to stem it. Rafe had good taste in decorations and furniture, using bright colors and deep, rich-toned wood.
Not wanting to learn anything else about the man, Ari forced herself to head straight for the front door where she was pleased to find a car waiting.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better, Ms. Harlow. ”
“Thank you, Mr. Kinsor. I appreciate all the staff taking such good care of me. I’ve never felt so pampered,” she replied. She genuinely liked Rafe’s right hand man, even if the guy knew exactly what Rafe had wanted to hire her for and hadn’t warned her. She wouldn’t expect him to sell out his employer.