Propositioning Mr. Raine

  He flinched. “I learned an important lesson and I’ll trust you. It’s just that you were too good to be true, babe. I was looking for the brick to hit me in the head so when Ryder handed it to me, I believed the blow was real. You’re just…hell, as I said, too good to be true.”

  “What do you mean, I’m too good to be true?” She stared at him with astonishment. “I’m not.”

  He walked to the couch and sat down hard. “You loved your husband.” He jerked his head toward the mantle. “The guy is dead and you still have his picture up. Nobody has ever loved me that way. He was shooting blanks even and you didn’t give a damn. I tell women I’m sterile and they run. I told you the truth and you’re the only woman who ever tried to comfort me. You didn’t look at me with pity, horror, or treat me like I’m half a man. I’ve had women react that way.” He paused. “A few even joked about it and it was downright mean. Try to imagine standing there hiding your emotions while a woman is making fun of something that tore you to hell and back. I’ve been there, babe.”

  That made Trina angry on his behalf. What woman was stupid enough to dump a guy like Navarro over a reason like his injury? What kind of cruel person would make fun of a man for that?

  He paused, watching her, not looking away. “Do you want to know why I date younger women? They aren’t ready to have kids and most of them don’t want children when they are in their early twenties so my condition is a bonus to them if the condom were to break. When they reach the point where they want kids they dump me. I’ve had it happen more than a few times. I dated a few older women who had kids but they just wanted a father figure and someone to pay the bills, not really giving a damn about me personally. As much as I wanted to be a father, I didn’t want to get that way by marrying a woman who’d never love me.”

  Trina was shocked at his words. She opened her mouth but Navarro cut her off before she could speak.

  “You baked for me and you made me breakfast. Nobody has ever done shit like that for me. I was married and she never did anything but try to fuck my brothers and she did screw around with my friends. She made my life hell when she realized I wasn’t well off. She punished me daily a dozen damn ways. You…” He sighed.

  “I what?” Trina’s heart was breaking for him and she fought the urge to hug him. She really wanted to put her arms around him, to provide some comfort. She couldn’t stand seeing the sadness in his beautiful eyes. “What did I do?”

  “You made me happy and made me feel like no one ever has before. You always talk about your life with him.” He jerked his gaze toward the frame on the mantel and then back to Trina. “I want to kick the guy’s ass because if I’d had what you gave him of yourself, I would have worshiped you right back. I want that, Trina. That’s why I think you’re too good to be true. You terrify me because you give me hope that we might be happy together. The hope is great but the thought of me falling for you and then you walking away from me, well, it scares the fuck out of me. I don’t think I could survive losing you if I really had you. You make me feel like you want me for the man I am and I know you won’t leave me just because I can’t get you pregnant. You make me feel so damn much but mostly you make me whole when we’re together.”

  Trina moved then, unable to stop herself, and walked right to Navarro where he sat and she placed her hands on his shoulders. She pushed him back and straddled his lap on the couch. His arms instantly wrapped around her waist as she hugged him around his neck and pressed her body tight to his. His arms tightened around her so they were both squeezing each other as he folded her tighter into his arms. She pulled back to stare into his beautiful face.

  “I’m not ready to have sex with you but I want to hold you and I want you to hold me.”

  He nodded. “Having you back in my arms feels right, babe. Doesn’t this feel right?”

  She nodded. “You terrify me too.”

  She took a deep breath, licking her dry lips. She knew it would be totally insane to do what she was thinking about. He’d hurt her, he’d thought she was a liar but she had to admit he had reason to have trust issues. She wanted it back the way it had been too. The time machine he mentioned did sound good. She stared into his eyes and realized they were two people who desperately wanted the same damn thing regardless of the level of pain either of them had suffered.

  She made a decision, deciding to do something totally insane, because to her, he was worth that kind of risk. “I’ll be at your house at eight o’clock on Sunday. If it’s going to work, that’s the rule. This week is erased and we agree to never talk about it again because it never happened.”

  Relief washed over Navarro’s features as he nodded. “Thank God, babe. Can I take you to bed? I missed you and I want to make love to you.”

  She shook her head. “I need a few days. I’ll be at your house on Sunday though. I’ll be ready by then to take us back to where we were.”

  “Thank you.” Joy lit his face as he smiled tenderly at her. “We’re in this together then. You and me, babe.”

  “Yeah. If you hurt me again—”

  His eyes hardened. “I won’t.”

  “If you do I’m going to bake you brownies with laxatives.” She buried her face in his neck, clinging to him.

  Navarro laughed. His large body shook both of them since they were tightly wrapped around each other. “I’ll eat every damn one if I do something as stupid as to not trust you again. I swear.”

  She inhaled his scent, just letting herself enjoy him holding her. She’d missed him so much it had physically hurt her, leaving an ache in her heart. She’d never thought she’d be in his arms again. She’d never let herself believe he might feel more for her than sexual desire but he had admitted that he wanted to try to have more with her than either of them had bargained for.

  “Let’s try this again,” he said softly. “Here’s the new deal. We’ll both be totally honest with each other no matter how scared either one of us is. How about that, babe?”

  She nodded against his neck. “Okay. This is your last chance, Navarro. If you hurt me again nothing will get me back. Am I totally clear on that?”

  “I swear I won’t mess up ever again. I’m tearing up that damn loan statement that says we were even. I still owe you seven weeks and that’s not up for debate. In exchange for those seven weeks I want you to open yourself up for the idea of taking it a hell of a lot farther to a full-blown relationship.”

  She pulled away from him, his hold on her eased but he didn’t let her go. She met his gaze. “I don’t want to pay you for sex anymore.”

  “You aren’t. It’s a damn loan that I’ve always planned on paying back. Every dime. But I want the contract in place. That way I’ll know you’re mine for at least that much time.” He stared into her eyes. “I’m afraid you’re going to walk away from me before I can convince you that those weeks will never be enough between us.”

  Trina stared into his hopeful expression and her heart squeezed hard. She wasn’t falling in love with Navarro Raine. She already was in love with him. How could she not be? They were both wounded by their pasts. He’d believed she was married and using him. She’d believed he didn’t really want her. She didn’t think seven weeks would ever be enough between them either. She took a deep breath.

  “Will you sleep here with me tonight? I just want to hold you and I want to be held by you.”

  “Show me to your bedroom, babe.”

  She climbed off his lap and held out her hand. He rose from the couch, taking it as his larger one closed over hers tightly. Trina knew she’d made the right decision. She could get over the hurt that he’d caused her. What she couldn’t do was lose him.

  Chapter Twelve

  It was eight o’clock Sunday night when Trina walked up onto the Raine porch. The door opened before she even reached it and Navarro grinned at her. His hair was wet and free, brushing his bare shoulders. He was just wearing a pair of boxers. Her gaze raked down his body slowly. He was so damn sexy that just looking
at him turned her on. She loved every muscle, every curve, and every scar that she could see.

  “Hi, babe. Come on in. You’re just in time.”

  She smiled. “I try.” She walked into the house and turned around to watch him as he firmly closed the door and locked it. Her amused gaze met his. “So, what’s the plan?”

  He chuckled. “Well, since you left me on Saturday morning…” He paused, his eyes locking with hers as they both silently agreed to the lie. “The mail came. Remember those surprises I told you about? They arrived. Let’s go to my room.”

  Her heart pounded. “I’m not sure I like surprises.” She walked toward the stairs with Navarro behind her, walking close. They went into bedroom and she saw a box, about the size of a boot box, sitting on his dresser, the seal opened but the lid shut. She turned as he closed and locked the bedroom door. “Is anyone here besides us?”

  “I told you that Ryder is gone.” His mouth tensed and his eyes seemed to darken with anger. “We’re alone in the house.” His tense body relaxed and he smiled. “It’s just you and me again and that’s the way it should be, babe.” He paused. “Strip.”

  She laughed. “You know you order me to strip every time we get in your room, don’t you?” She started to unbutton the front of her dress.

  “And you listen so damn well.” He chuckled. “Thank you for that.”

  “You told me I have to listen to you in here and you’re in charge.”

  “Damn, I get hot as hell when you say something like that.” He walked to the bed and opened the box.

  Trina was dying to know what was in it as she saw him reach inside the package. She paused and then let her dress drop to the floor, revealing she wore a matching bra and pink thong. She cleared her throat. Navarro turned his head and his eyelids narrowed as they slid slowly down her body, taking in every inch of her. She had his full attention as she slowly turned around, doing a full circle, putting her hands on her hips, and pushed out one hip. She had kept the high heels on.

  “Are you sure you want me to take it all off, cowboy?”

  His gaze locked with hers, desire showing clearly on his features with the passionate look he gave her. “Just take off the thong. Leave on the push-up bra and keep the heels, babe. Fuck, I’m hard.”

  Her gaze lowered to his tented boxers. She grinned, hooking her thumbs on the thin thong straps at her hips, bending forward as she shoved them down. She stepped out of the scrap of fabric and dropped it on top of her discarded dress. She straightened to find Navarro still watching her. He pointed to the floor in front of him. She didn’t hesitate to walk to him.

  “You still trust me?”

  She stared up into his eyes. “What’s in the box?” She smiled.

  He grinned as he lifted a scarf. “A blindfold is the first surprise. This is about sensations, babe. Remember when I told you I’d never do anything that would hurt you because I want to be able to do it to you again?” He chuckled.

  Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes and turned her back to him. “Okay. Blindfold me.”

  He carefully tied the soft fabric around her head, testing it to make sure she couldn’t see and made sure it was comfortable. His hands touched her hips as he moved her. Her thighs touched the footboard of the bed when he had her stop walking. He released her hips, his hands running down her arms to her wrists.

  “I’m going to tie your wrists to my bottom bedposts so your arms are spread wide apart. I want you just to be able to feel. After that I’m going to put pillows in front of you so when I bend you over the bed you’re comfortable against the footboard. It’s the right height for you in high heels. Are you with me so far?”

  She was. “I’m getting turned-on.”

  His fingers brushed her wrists over her pulse. “I’m already there, Trina. I love looking at you and I’ve never wanted anyone more than I want you. I think you’re so damn sexy.”

  She bit her lip and nodded. “Tie me up. I’m ready.”

  She let him tie her wrists with a soft material but he made sure she had a little give in her arms for some movement. They were tied to the footboard at the posts so her arms weren’t able to go above her ribs in height. His large hands moved her a few inches from the bed while he pushed a pillow between her thighs and the wood of the bed. He had her move forward against it to make sure the pillow was thick enough to be comfortable. His fingers caressed down her ass until he gripped her inner thighs.

  “Spread for me.”

  She got the best kind of chills at the husky tone of his voice while she spread her thighs. She could just feel as his strong hands helped her adjust to where he wanted her. She ended up standing with her ankles about two feet apart. Navarro released her.

  “Now for the toys.”

  She swallowed. “Can you at least tell me what they are or what you’re going to do to me?”

  He moved behind her. “Do you know what a butterfly is?”

  She nodded. “I haven’t used one but I’ve looked online at those sex shops.”

  “You’re about to experience one. I’m putting gel on it right now. I got warming lube so it won’t be cold. This is a strong little vibrator and it’s going to just cover your clit, babe. It’s going to feel damn good.”

  She shivered. “I can’t wait.”

  He touched her as his hand brushed up her lower spine to the center of her back. “Bend over for me…all the way.”

  She leaned over his bed, feeling exposed as he moved behind her. She jumped a little when his fingers brushed between her thighs but she held still as he put the butterfly against her pussy, adjusting it firmly against her clit. It had a soft rubber feel and not the hard plastic she expected. Next, he put thin straps around her hips and upper thighs.

  “What—”

  “The straps help keep it in place. This one has a remote so I can hold it in my hand to control it.”

  She swallowed, knowing she was getting wet just thinking about how enjoyable it might be. She’d always wanted to try certain sex toys but besides her vibrator, she hadn’t had the chance to test out anything else before meeting Navarro. He stood when he was done and moved closer to her.

  “Ready?”

  She nodded. “Yeah.”

  “I’m going to fuck you, babe. First I’m going to go slow and then when you’re really worked up I’m going to ride you hard and deep. I want you to know what is coming.”

  Trina gasped as the butterfly jerked to life. It was a soft, slow vibration that teased slightly and made her very aware of her clit. She shifted a little and rolled her hips to see if it would move. It didn’t, thanks to the straps holding it securely against her body. The vibrations suddenly increased strongly, coaxing a moan of pleasure from her.

  Navarro’s hand cupped her between her thighs to grip her firmly at the vee. He pushed the butterfly tighter against her clit causing her to moan louder until his hand eased off, taking most of the pressure with it. His fingers spread her sex lips wide apart as he pushed a digit inside her slowly. She moved her hips back, pushing against his hand.

  “You’re already wet, babe.”

  He withdrew his finger from her pussy, releasing her. The vibrations on the butterfly slowed enough to let Trina relax. As soon as she did the vibrations increased to a pace that had her panting and tensing as she almost came. The vibrations totally stopped as the toy shut off. She groaned in frustration that time.

  “You’re going to torture me, aren’t you?”

  “If I do, I’m torturing myself along with you. I’m so damn hard for you. I’m getting rid of these boxers and I’ll be with you in a second.” His fingers brushed her ass, slid down the line of her seam, and then he let the back of his knuckles trace her mound. His fingers rubbed the insides of her thighs, high at the crease of her legs. “Fuck, you’re so wet you’re starting to trickle down your thighs.”

  The vibrator came on softly. Trina moaned as Navarro moved behind her and his hands gripped her hips. He rubbed the hard crown of his
cock against her slit, slowly breaching her. She moaned as he inched his way into her pussy until he was seated fully inside her, pressed tight against her ass. He held her there, not moving while she moaned, wiggling her ass.

  “I want to come, Navarro. Please?’

  “Me too.”

  His hand left her hip for a second. The butterfly hummed to life full blast and then Navarro gripped her hips with both hands. He almost totally withdrew before thrusting into her hard and fast.

  It was too much with the powerful vibrator doing a number on her clit and the added sensation of him fucking her hard and deep. The feeling of being bound, of being totally under his control, flipped her switch on big time. Trina’s body tensed as her vaginal muscles went nuts, twitching violently and she knew she was done. She came so hard she screamed out and bucked frantically, trying to survive it.

  “Oh damn,” Navarro groaned loudly. “Oh fuck, babe. Fuck!” He pressed hard against her ass, almost collapsing on top of her.

  His hand left her hip as the vibrator motor died on her clit. Navarro was a big guy, almost crushing her to the bed where she was bent over with him draped over her back. They were both breathing hard as Trina turned her head so she didn’t suffocate on the mattress.

  “Son of a bitch,” he rasped. “I like that damn toy. I love it when you come and I feel you clamping down on me but that was just…fuck. You were like a vibrator around my cock that was squeezing and fisting me.”

  She didn’t move, unable to, feeling exhausted while he lifted from her. He untied her wrists and removed the blindfold. Navarro bent over her again to brush a kiss on her shoulder, chuckling as his tongue darted out to teasingly trace the curve of her neck. His long hair tickled her skin and she grinned, just enjoying the moment.

  “Tomorrow night we’ll try another toy.”

  She turned her head a little, glancing at him over her shoulder. “Shit. How many toys did you buy? I don’t know if I want to give this one up. I think it’s a winner.”

  He laughed. “I bought four more. One is a dildo vibrator with a clit stimulator that I want to fuck you with while I take your ass. I thought you’d like that way better than my finger against your clit and this vibrator is specifically shaped to stimulate your G-spot.”