Power and Possession

  She held his gaze for a tremulous moment, then slid her heels upward so her knees were bent, and her thighs opened wider. “I want you. It’s as simple as that,” she whispered, filled with an unspeakable hunger, less terrified of cautionary judgments and things not easily undone. Touching the black silk of his hair framing his face, she said hushed and low, “Sometimes that Taser just zaps you and there’s nothing you can do.”

  He knew what she meant.

  He wouldn’t have understood a few hours ago.

  “So fuck it, right?” His sudden smile was improbably tender. “Screw danger and the mysteries of the universe.”

  Her smile was sweetly seductive. “I’d like that if you could see your way clear to indulging me despite your reservations.”

  “Not a problem.” He grinned. “My dick is single-minded.” Cautiously pushing forward into her soft flesh, he moved deeper in a fluid stirring of muscled constraint, forcing her sleek tissue to yield to his deliberate progress. “Stop me if I hurt you.”

  “Don’t stop.” Her eyes half shut, her breathing unsteady, her nails leaving marks in the corded muscles of his shoulders, she wallowed in the glorious feel of his hard, rigid length filling her by slow degrees, the pressure so agonizingly lurid she whimpered.

  His body tensed. “Too much?”

  She shook her head against the pillow, her eyes half closed. “No, no, please—more,” she gasped, overcome by a dizzying rapture, impatience echoing in her hot demand, tiny preorgasmic shudders beginning to vibrate up her spine.

  She was wetter than wet, eager and willing, but his concern wasn’t without precedent. “Sure now?”

  “Yes, yes—yes,” she panted, hovering on the veritable brink. “Don’t—fuck this up.”

  For a nanosecond he didn’t move. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had given him an order. But his imminently practical libido immediately overruled any momentary displeasure. “Yes, ma’am,” he murmured, softly caustic and silky smooth. Then, with astonishing speed, he flexed his strong legs, swung forward, and plowed into the tightest pussy he’d ever had the good fortune to fuck, slamming home with such a jarring jolt of pleasure a deep groan swallowed up his breath.

  Thoroughly impaled by his rock-hard erection, feverishly aroused, her body hot and slick, her climax hovering—damn it—just… out of… reach. She punched his shoulder hard. “Hey! Remember me?”

  Dragging himself back from a stunning glimpse of nirvana, he almost laughed. You had to give her credit. Nothing daunted her. Gazing down into the blue heat of her eyes, he smiled. “You should think about being more polite.”

  “And you should think about moving,” she hissed, slamming her palm into his immovable chest.

  “Like this?” He pressed forward an infinitesimal, carefully calculated distance more.

  Her small hungry scream vibrated in the stillness.

  “Feel good?” he whispered. “Want more? All you have to do is ask.”

  “I’m thinking,” she muttered, when they both knew she wasn’t; when she was slick with desire, quivering and needy, her heartbeat so strong they could both feel it.

  “Why don’t I help you decide.” Placing his hands on her hips, he splayed his fingers wide, held her firmly in place and slowly withdrew until the crest of his erection was nuzzling her clit. “Now, be a good girl and apologize.”

  Her eyes flared wide, then narrowed into a glare while she momentarily weighed various unsatisfactory options.

  Intent on making her decision easier, Rafe delicately massaged her throbbing clit with the head of his dick, sliding his swollen crest barely in, then out, around and around, incredibly gently, with the most refined pressure.

  Oh my God, that felt good! She might just come with that lovely, glorious friction alone. No apology required. Oh, oh, oh, yesss! Shutting her eyes, she suppressed a blissful sigh.

  “Uh, uh, tiger. Not gonna happen.” He slid back on his heels.

  Her eyes snapped open at his sudden withdrawal. “Jesus, are you always a prick like this?”

  “Do you always give orders in bed?”

  She suddenly grinned. “Oh, shit, I’m just supposed to say yes.”

  He snorted. “That’ll be the day. You argue about every goddamn thing.”

  “Maybe you like to argue.”

  He gave her a contemplative look from under his long lashes. “I never argue. Or at least I didn’t until you entered my life.”

  “That’s because no one dares argue with you.”

  He shrugged.

  “There, see—I’m right. Maybe I bring some excitement into your life. Have you thought about that?”

  “Jesus, baby, I have all the excitement I want, whenever I want it. Now, could we just please”—he sighed—“do this?” He grimaced. “Before I fucking explode.”

  She gave a quick glance at his really explosive-looking dick, beautiful and colorful even through the stretched condom and really huge. “Okay.” She wrinkled her nose in a little bunny twitch. “Do I have to apologize?”

  “Right now, I’ll fucking apologize if we can get this show on the road.”

  “No need,” she said cheerfully, and, sitting up, she took his erection in her hands and falling back on the bed, brought him with her. “I’m guessing you can take it from here,” she murmured, placing the head of his dick against her throbbing pussy.

  His smile was very close. “Good guess.”

  She began climaxing the moment he entered her, her wild cry shattering the silence.

  “Wait, wait,” he whispered, although he wasn’t sure she could hear him with the sheer volume of her scream. So he drove back into her lush body with feverish haste, intent on sharing the seething ecstasy. And as her clamorous pleasure cry filled his ears, the room, and the gardens beyond the open balcony doors, his orgasm surged through him like a tidal wave and, catching up with her, he climaxed in a ferocious ejaculatory rush so violent it ripped the air from his lungs.

  She was shuddering afterward, hot, breathless, a luscious ache spiraling through her body, bathing her senses.

  He gently rocked inside her, not quite willing to relinquish the rare, extravagant pleasure, wanting to prolong the tremulous bliss.

  For hushed, roseate moments, the world disappeared, there was no past or future, only this inarticulate, primal aftermath of passion and the harsh rhythm of their breathing.

  Rousing first, Nicole’s voice was a wisp of sound. “So did the earth move?”

  Rafe’s eyes were shut, his breathing rough. “It—didn’t just—move.” His lashes lifted marginally, revealing a sliver of his golden gaze. “It fucking—blew up.” A smile slowly lifted the corners of his mouth. “So I’ll be… keeping you.”

  Still in the grip of the blissful aftershocks, the world all warm and magical, she wasn’t inclined to be overly contentious. “Sure you can do that, big boy?”

  “Oh yeah.” His grin was blatantly sexual, his lethargy replaced by a new resolve. “No doubt in my mind. And with that pleasant thought”—he began withdrawing—“we should talk to Aleix.”

  “No offense to whoever that is, but not now.” She sighed, her eyes half-closed. “I’m still floating somewhere in space.”

  “Soon, then. Aleix’s one of my doctors.” A man on a mission, Rafe quickly stripped off the condom, leaned over the edge of the bed, and discarded it in a wastebasket. Rolling back, he propped himself up on one elbow and gazed at the woman who’d shattered all his preconceived notions of priceless. “The sooner we see Aleix, the sooner we can dispense with condoms,” he said. “Your call, of course.”

  Softly exhaling, she forced herself to think. “No condoms is risky,” she finally said, her blue gaze wide open now and direct. “Like seriously.”

  “You got that right.” His shoulder lifted in a small shrug. “But fuck it. It’s not every day”—he winked—“the earth moves.”

  Conscious of his eyes on her, she stared at the coffered ceiling and went through a swift list of
pros and cons again before she met his gaze. “This really is irrational.”

  “Agreed.”

  “Have you ever done this before?”

  “Never.” He ripped off the elastic holding his hair back and tossed it on the nightstand.

  “Really? No bullshit?”

  “Really. No bullshit.”

  “You can guarantee your health screen is genuine?”

  “Jesus. Why wouldn’t it be?”

  “Okay, then. What do I have to do?”

  “Aleix will take a blood sample, do a quick exam if that’s all right with you. And in a couple of hours, we’ll both have the stamp of approval. No need for Russian roulette.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  She hesitated a second more, then nodded.

  Not about to prolong the conversation when he had what he wanted, he asked, “Do you want me to hold your hand with Aleix?”

  She shook her head.

  “Embarrassed? Don’t be.”

  Nicole smiled. “I’m not embarrassed. I just prefer doing it myself.”

  Leaning over, he kissed her gently. “Whatever you want. And thanks.” Then he sat up and reached for his phone. “Not that I’m anxious,” he said with a grin, punching in a number. “But let me tell Aleix I’m coming down to get him.” He paused, blew her a kiss, and when someone answered, said, “I’ll be down in a minute.” Dropping the phone back on the nightstand, he turned back to Nicole. “Need anything?”

  “You back in bed.”

  He sucked in a breath. “No shit.” He grinned. “Seriously. You’re going to have to be the one who says enough.” He leaned over and kissed her again, and this kiss wasn’t gentle at all. It was all pent up lust and feverish desire and they were both panting when he finally rolled away. “Fuck, I gotta go,” he muttered, leaping from the bed. “We need Aleix ASAP.”

  “You could call and say you’ll be a little late.” Gazing at his splendid erection, she looked up and smiled. “It wouldn’t take long.”

  He blew out a breath. “I’m going to be the adult here, get the hell dressed, fetch Aleix, and see that this screening gets done. How’s that for sane and rational?”

  She touched her pulsing clit. “Knock before you come back in.”

  “Don’t you fucking dare,” he warned, stepping into his shorts. “I own that clit for the next month.”

  She stared at him. “I beg your pardon?”

  “You heard me. Keep your hands to yourself,” he growled, zipping up his shorts. “I’ll be back in two minutes.” He frowned. “And I’m not going to knock.”

  Chapter 11

  Nicole briefly debated whether two minutes was enough to get herself off, or whether she minded if she had an audience. Probably not and probably, she decided with a grumbly sigh. Still—she disliked orders. From Rafe or anyone. Although maybe having him tell her what to do turned her on just a smidge. Or maybe more than a smidge. She shivered, remembering the hard, solid feel of him, the fluid strength, the explicit challenge she found so enticing. Damn, everything about the beautiful, golden-eyed Rafe Contini was incredibly hot.

  Sliding off the bed, she quickly crossed the room and walked out on the balcony, needing to cool her fevered senses, control her lust. Talk herself into a more rational frame of mind. She prided herself on being sensible; she’d never been the flighty type.

  So craving Rafe like some teen rock star fan was a huge freaking change. Probably slightly demented as well, considering he viewed women as disposable. Then she suddenly grinned. But in terms of gratification, he was dynamite, so screw it—literally.

  While Nicole was coming to terms with loss of control versus impetuous desire, Rafe was giving instructions to Aleix.

  “Miss Parrish has agreed to see you, but she’s skittish, so be scrupulously polite. And she prefers seeing you alone. You know I’ve never done anything like this before, so whatever you do in terms of an exam”—he took a quick breath—“keep it as brief as possible.” He held the young fair-haired doctor’s gaze. “Can you do that?”

  Aleix’s eyes were amused behind his gold wire-framed glasses. “I’ll try not to look. Is that what you mean?”

  Rafe exhaled a long slow breath. “I don’t know what I mean. Just be nice, okay?”

  “I’ll treat her like a nun.”

  “Good.”

  Aleix concealed his shock. He’d been kidding; Rafe wasn’t.

  “You’ve brought the health reports?”

  “Right here.” Aleix took some stapled pages out a small leather bag and handed them to Rafe. “Should I explain to her that you’re conscientious about condoms?”

  “I already did, but sure why not?” Rafe nodded to Simon. “Aleix won’t be long.” Then he waved his doctor forward and as they reached the stairs, asked, “How soon will you have the results?”

  “By morning.”

  Rafe’s gaze flicked sideways. “That long?”

  Running to keep up with Rafe’s swift, long-legged ascent, Aleix glanced up at the man he’d only known as the most casual sexual partner to a great many women. “When do you want the results?”

  “An hour ago.”

  Another startling response. “I’ll see what I can do. I can’t promise anything. It depends what I find.”

  “I don’t want you to find anything,” Rafe said a little impatiently.

  “But then I’m not certifiable like you right now.”

  Rafe sighed. “Sorry. Do what you have to do. But quickly. That’s all I ask.”

  “She must be something special.”

  “You’ll see for yourself.” Rafe shot him a grin. “And I should know.”

  “No argument there,” Aleix agreed, having witnessed an unending succession of beautiful women passing through Rafe’s life.

  Rafe paused at the bedroom door. “Now just the minimum of tests. I don’t want her upset.”

  Aleix smiled. “I got the message. You’re crazy and I have to accommodate you.”

  “Good,” Rafe said, no smile. “We’re in sync then.”

  A moment later, they walked into the bedroom and after a quick scan of the empty bed and room, Rafe saw Nicole standing on the balcony. Stark naked. “Give me a minute.” Quickly easing Aleix back into the hall, he quietly closed the door.

  Dropping his health report on a chair, he walked into his dressing room, randomly selected a robe from one of the closets, returned to the bedroom, and moved soundlessly on bare feet to the balcony. “We have company.”

  Nicole turned and glanced past him.

  “He’s waiting in the hall.” Rafe held out the white seersucker robe. “I don’t know about you, but I find I have a prudish streak after all,” he said, forcing his dick to behave at the sight of her world-class tits, curvaceous hips, and legs that went on forever. “Put this on before I let Aleix in.”

  A trace of a smile fluttered across her mouth. “He’s going to see me anyway.”

  “Not all of you. Humor me. I don’t like to share.” This from a man well known for group sexual amusements. Taking her hand, he slid it through one sleeve, pulled the robe over her shoulders, and, turning her slightly, slipped the other sleeve up her arm. “It’s a little long. Just as well,” he said under his breath, and a second later looked up from the fabric puddled at her feet. “Lift it out of your way when you walk.” A definitive statement, brisk with authority.

  For a fleeting moment, Nicole almost said no, just for the hell of it. But she’d enjoyed his barely audible comment. Was there a woman in the world who didn’t like a little male jealousy? And watching him carefully overlap the robe to cover her breasts, knot the tie at her waist, then tug the neckline tighter made her smile. “Relax. The doctor isn’t interested in me other than as an exam subject.”

  “I’m sure,” he said drily. “Just don’t take off the fucking robe.”

  “Yes, sir, whatever you say, sir.” She cocked her head and looked up at him with a playful lift of her brows. “So lon
g as I get rewarded.”

  He laughed. “You can count on it. And I apologize for my new prudish streak. Aleix called me certifiable just now. I probably am. You make me crazy.” His smile was one of ineffable charm. “I mean that in the nicest way.”

  “Hey, I’m losing it too. I spent the interval while you were gone telling myself it didn’t matter if I was flipping out because the sexual payoff was awesome. And I’m not interested in walking away from awesomeness any time soon. So give me a kiss, let’s get this over with, and then”—she reached up and lightly ran her warm palm down his hard, muscled chest—“you can reward me.”

  Dropping his head, he kissed her gently for a slow, lingering moment, sliding his tongue into her mouth just before raising his head—as if marking his territory. As if to say There’s more when this is over. Then he touched her cheek with his fingertip. “I can hardly wait to push you over the edge.” His smile was easy, his golden gaze fixed on her. “It’s going to be fun.”

  Aleix was brought in, Rafe made introductions—“Dr. Aleix Rovira may I present Miss Nicole Parrish”—adding a brief description of the doctor’s impressive credentials from Europe’s top medical school before he left the room.

  The doctor looked young, dressed in chinos and a white shirt. That he was slight of build with refined features and pale disheveled hair enhanced the image of youth. And as he began to detail the procedures, Nicole was certain that Rafe had intimidated him because his explanation was not only scrupulously respectful, but cautious in the extreme.

  “Please, call me Nicole,” she interrupted, wanting to put him at ease. “I think I understand the fundamentals.” She smiled. “And ignore whatever Rafe said to you. This isn’t a problem for me.”

  The doctor softly exhaled. “Please then, Aleix,” he said, brushing a wave of ash-blond hair off his forehead. “If you’d like to sit on the bed and roll up your sleeve, I’ll take a blood sample first.”

  Moving to the bed, she sat, slid the loose sleeve up to her shoulder, and held it in place. “Have you been with Rafe long?”

  “Quite a while.” He began wrapping a tourniquet around her upper arm.