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She pushed against his chest, knowing there had to be a bed nearby, and within a few minutes she’d be a goner if he continued ravishing her mouth. Just as her knees began to grow weak, he pulled back, his breathing ragged.
“Finish your tour,” he commanded as he turned and walked away. Ari leaned against the wall for several more seconds as she heard him open a cupboard. When she felt confident in her legs moving without her sinking to the floor, she moved further down the hall and walked through an open doorway.
Her eyes widened at the four-poster bed centered in the room. It was stunning with thick posts and a deep purple comforter. Purple was her favorite color. It had to be a coincidence. There was no way he could’ve known that. She wanted to run her fingers over the cover and see if it was as soft as it looked, but since she’d never sleep in that bed there was no point in torturing herself. She’d never have this life of luxury.
That isn’t true, she snapped at herself. When she finally did finish school and got the job of her dreams, she’d make an excellent salary. When she was secure, she’d treat herself to those things that made life a little easier. She’d also treat her mother and make up for all the years of sacrifice she'd given.
Ari turned to leave, not daring to look in the bathroom where she knew there would be a large tub calling her name, and that’s when something caught her eye. She turned back to the bed and looked up.
Her eyes widened as she realized what it was. Her hand came up and covered her mouth as she took a step closer. What really unsettled her was that it wasn’t horror she was feeling, it was the beginning stirring of excitement.
“I can see by the way your body is tensing that you won’t be as opposed to my lifestyle as you vehemently say. I think the thought of the things I want to do to you turn you on and you’re just too afraid to admit it – to me or yourself. ”
The sound of Rafe’s seductive voice whispering in her ear while the sight of his bondage straps floated before her made her knees weak. His hands came around her stomach and slid beneath her shirt, his fingers slipping up the skin of her stomach.
He slowly moved up and over her br**sts, his fingers lightly brushing against her ni**les through the thin cotton of her bra as his breath whispered across her neck. When his tongue slid out and tenderly trailed across her skin, heat surged through her core, demanding her body to respond – and it did, instantly becoming moist and ready.
“Yes, Ari. You want this. You want this so bad that you’re trembling with desire. You want to play all kinds of games with me. Admit it. Stop fighting me and let me make the decisions. I’ve never once had a woman regret it. ”
Ari’s entire body tensed as her passion evaporated. He may as well have slapped her in the face. How many other women had he screwed in this same bed? How many others had he ran his fingers across, then thrown out like yesterday’s garbage?
“I’m ready to go home now,” she said as she pulled away and walked out the door. She didn’t stop until she was clear of the apartment and standing before the elevator. She was grateful he didn’t try to stop her. At least he was keeping his word of taking no for an answer.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
There was utter silence on the car ride back to Ari’s apartment. Rafe couldn’t understand why she’d had the sudden change of heart in the apartment he’d handpicked for her. It was a beautiful place, and he’d learned much about her over the months and had items he knew she’d like brought in.
He treated his mistresses well. With Ari, he’d gone above what he normally did and had taken extra time to get to know her. He knew which scents were her favorites, knew that she preferred a luxurious bath to a diamond necklace, and most importantly, that she was in a shell, just waiting for someone to free her.
She may think she’d won in their battle of wills, but she’d only delayed the inevitable. At the moment he was too angry to discuss their arrangement any further. Besides, he wasn’t playing on a fair battlefield. She was still recovering from surgery. He preferred his victories when his opponent was at full strength.
He pulled up outside her dilapidated apartment complex and stepped from his vehicle. Annoyance flashed through him when she opened her car door and stepped out before he made it around to her side, but he said nothing, just followed her up the sagging steps.
The next item on his list of to-do's may be to get the complex condemned. He’d be doing the tenants a favor as he knew the building wasn’t up to code. Rafe couldn’t stand slum-lords. They were worthless bottom feeders who preyed on the weak and helpless. Maybe, he’d buy the property and fix it up. He made a mental note to look into it.