She knew he meant it. This gentler Rafe was nice, but she found herself missing the assertive, almost domineering Rafe she had known. What was wrong with her?
“I’ll come on one condition.”
He looked at her in surprise. She had always been strong-willed, but she had allowed him to lead their relationship. It seemed he didn’t know what to do with this stronger personality that she was presenting him with.
“What is your condition?”
Ah, there was the fight she liked to hear in his voice. Rafe didn’t like to be controlled. She’d test his patience tonight. Knowing what she had planned made desire pool deep inside her, made her feel emotions she hadn’t felt for two years.
“I get to do whatever I want to you.”
He looked at her with puzzlement.
“I don’t understand.”
“You’re not supposed to,” she said with a laugh. She felt powerful. It was freeing, and it was delicious.
“Why don’t we discuss this over dinner?” he said, hoping for a compromise.
“No. Then you will just get your own way, as usual. I won’t go with you unless you promise to give me control. Let me do what I want,” she said, pulling back slightly against his grasp.
“What exactly is your idea of control?”
“I guess you will just have to trust me,” she said, feeling a measure of triumph at the worried expression in his eyes.
They stood there at an impasse for several moments, but then she saw the reluctant acceptance in his eyes. She’d won this round.
“Fine.”
Rafe didn’t add anything further; he released her and opened the back door to the car, keeping his hands to himself as she got in. Just for added effect, she took her time, making sure to arch her back just a tad to accentuate her fabulous behind. At the gritted growl that escaped his teeth, she smiled, feeling on top of the world.
It felt good to finally feel that she was ahead of him, that she was the one with all the power. There was the very real possibility that it would prove short-lived — but for this moment, she was reveling in it.
“Would you care for a glass of wine?”
“Yes, please.” She let him pour her a glass of red, then took a sip and enjoyed its complex savor.
There was no talking as they moved through town. Ari felt hunger and excitement. From the look in Rafe’s eyes, he was worried, which only stoked the flames of her passion.
They arrived at his home, and Ari fought the immediate intimidation that she felt when entering his domain. Rafe was always the one in charge in his home — but not this time. He’d promised. One thing she knew about Rafe was that he was a man of his word.
Even if it killed him, he’d stay true to his promise. Wouldn’t he?
He led her to an elegantly set table, and she sat gracefully, enjoying it when he pushed her chair in. She’d always appreciated what a proper gentleman he was when they were dining, but how he let go when they were in the bedroom. Pure bad boy!
When their first course was served, Ari had a hard time eating. Anticipation burned through her at what was to come. She had no idea what exactly she was going to do, but she knew she wanted to push him — and push herself.
There wasn’t much conversation during their meal, neither of them being able to focus on anything except for the night to come. After they finished dessert, Ari was the first to stand.
If she was going to do this, she needed to have the confidence to see it through.
“Are you ready?”
Rafe’s eyes widened in shock at her boldness. But fire clearly burned behind his eyes, now nearly all purple as his pupils dilated.
“Oh, yes, Ari. I am more than ready,” he assured her.
Need was a constant pulsing sensation in her belly as she moved to the stairs, very aware of where his bedroom was. Walking with grace, she sashayed up the elaborate staircase, swinging her h*ps with each step, his heated breath on her neck, pushing her passion higher.
They stepped through the doorway and she walked over to his bed, running her hand along the top of the black satin comforter.
Rafe stood in the center of the room, lifting his hands to undo his black tie.
“No. Stop.”
He paused and looked at her in some confusion.
“I want to do that.”
Looking downward at the clear arousal straining against his trousers, Ari slowly brought her gaze back to his eyes — fire leaping from their depths.
Leaving him standing there, Ari lifted her hands and undid the top button of her blouse. Slowly, she undid her top, then shrugged her shoulders to let the fabric fall from her body. Never breaking their gaze, she reached down and undid the button on her skirt, then unzipped it. With her slight wiggle, the fabric slid from her body, leaving her standing before him in nothing but a lacy white bra and thong, and a garter belt with white stockings and red heels.
Rafe had given Ari a love of sexy lingerie, and she was grateful now. She’d been wearing it ever since their time together, and here was a major payoff as his eyes stroked her body. Feeling ultra-feminine, she turned in a circle so he could get a nice glimpse of her shapely and uncovered derrière.
Turning back around, she slowly made her way over to him. “No touching,” she whispered into his ear as she arched against him.
“That wasn’t the agreement,” he argued.
“The deal was that I’m in charge. You have to do what I say. If you can’t play by the rules, I can put my clothes back on and walk from the room.”
She hoped he didn’t pick that option, because she’d never be the same again. As it was, her body was in a constant state of arousal that only Rafe could sate.
“Fine,” he said through gritted teeth as she lifted her hands and finished undoing his tie. She pulled it from his collar and ran the silky material through her fingers before lifting it and wrapping it around her neck, letting it dangle over her br**sts.
“Mmm, I like this material,” she murmured as she picked up one of the ends and trailed it across the mounds of her br**sts. Her reward was Rafe’s groan as he swayed toward her.
“Ari…”
“Yes, Rafe?” she asked, her eyes innocent.
“Please…” he begged.
“Not so nice to be on the other side of control, huh, Rafe?” she asked with a flirty laugh.
“Point taken,” he gasped as she trailed her finger down his stomach and over the bulge below.
“Your lesson hasn’t even come close to being learned, Rafe,” she purred. She lifted her hands and began undoing the buttons on his shirt.