Rafael's Woman

by Fiona Murphy

  Still it had eaten at him. Who the fuck was she alone with and what the fuck was she doing? Minutes later he’d been up and out of the office. He had to know and he had to know right then. Driving like a madman he’d made it to her place in record time.

  When she opened the door, guilt had been clear on her face. His hands had wanted to go around her neck but he’d deal with the guy first, then make her pay. The man had been scared and it had been the only thing that pacified him. That and Carrie’s shock, it had told him that he was being irrational and it cooled him down but not nearly enough.

  He barely remembered the man’s words only seen him as the non-competition he was before he took off running out the door. Then his attention had turned to Carrie, all of his attention. No, he hadn’t found what he had feared but it had been enough to scare him and damn it that was never going to happen again, ever.

  Getting close to her, he could smell she was wet for him. She hadn’t been wet when she’d opened the door, it was just for him. Only when he was close to her, he had to be inside her, laying claim to his woman. Carrie was his damn it and no one else could even get close to her. It had made him harder when she had repeated his words, melded to his body, begging for more. There was no argument from her, as much as an asshole as he’d been she’d wanted all of it and more.

  Even now he could see her on her knees, waiting for him to do with her as he pleased, she wasn’t going to deny him anything. It should have made him feel better instead he’d practically run from her. It was getting so he needed her like he needed air and that was the scariest thing of all.

  Chapter Fifteen

  One month later

  Carrie sighed in exasperation, damn it, she looked like she had been poured into her nightgown. She was going up again, she hadn’t lost any weight like she hoped, she was putting on weight. The nightgown was practically new, to replace the white one Rafael had torn their first night together. Groaning, she threw herself on the bed. There was a fully outfitted gym, she could use after work and at least jump on the treadmill for a while. Her mind ticked off all the reasons why she didn’t want to. Frowning, she was giving herself the usual rundown of threats and insults. So deep in her thoughts, Rafael was in bed and naked, pulling her into his arms before she even realized he was there.

  Startled, she flushed as she pulled her robe around herself tighter. He didn’t like her movement and caught her hands in his one with a tight grip.

  “What the hell is the matter with you?”

  Shrugging, realizing how stupid she was being she shook her head. She really didn’t want to talk about her weight with Rafael.

  “Carrie, do not try my temper. It’s been a long day already.” His grip tightened around her wrists and his free hand wandered down the round curve of her ass.

  Blushing, she forced the words out. “I’m getting fat again.”

  His eyebrows went down and a stinging smack landed on her ass. “I don’t ever want to hear the word come out of your mouth again.”

  Carrie couldn’t believe she was wet from the smack and nodded, afraid of what he would and wouldn’t do next.

  “Look down and see how hard your body makes me. I love your body, love how it is soft, round and how you fit me.”

  The sight of his cock straining toward her body, silky precome leaking from him made her wet and feel empty. Her head down, eyes up she dared to defy him. “It makes me feel good you like my body and maybe this isn’t a bad size to be but I had wanted to lose more weight. It’s one thing to be this weight but I don’t want to go back and be fat again.”

  This smack was harder and she couldn’t bite back the cry of pain and she wondered if he could smell the way her pussy had gushed at the smack.

  “Hmm, you like the spanking. We’ll come back to that later, mi dulce. If you are unhappy with gaining weight and it will make you feel better then I will put a nutritionist at your disposal for a week. She will come over and teach you the things you need to know first and foremost. I have noticed there is a large amount of convenience food considered high in fat. This isn’t uncommon in a busy family like what you have with the twins and working long and different hours, do not look chastised. There are things you can do to cut time on preparations and recipes just as convenient. You’ll start there, if you feel the need to work out as well then a trainer can come to put you through some quick and easy exercise. Although, I believe the best thing is to start with the nutritionist. When are you off again?”

  “In two days, I have the day off and then the next afternoon.” She squirmed as Rafael’s eyes roamed her body.

  “I’ll make sure she’s here then. She usually plans the menus for the dining room for the corporate office.

  Now, back to your enjoyment of the spanking.” A stinking smack had her gasping and pushing against him for more. “Hmm, this is going to be fun.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Rafael was deep in a contract when his phone rang. A quick look told him it was the front desk receptionist from the first floor. Pressing the speaker he was told his grandfather was on his way up. Checking his watch he pulled up his calendar to confirm what he already knew. It was only a little after four, he had no calls or meetings planned. He was clear to keep working for another three hours before he left and went home for dinner. His mind wandered over what his grandfather could be coming into the office for, he had just seen him three days ago over the weekend. Their time was as it usually was, discussion of the progress of various projects, his grandfather’s roses and Rafael’s brothers. Then they had dinner and Rafael had driven home once his grandfather began to yawn as they watched the business news together.

  Setting the contract aside, he bid his secretary to open the door. She opened the door for his grandfather. When his grandfather turned down the offer of tea he so often accepted Rafael rose in concern.

  “Sit, Rafael, there is no need to look alarmed. I had hoped a visit in surprise would allow me to catch you off your firm guard. I’m glad it is working so far.

  Let’s sit, and discuss your woman. I want to know more about this woman who has caused a change in my grandson.”

  Rafael waited until his grandfather settled onto the loveseat before taking a chair. Damn his grandfather was good, it was hard not to pour out everything about Carrie after the relief of knowing there was nothing to be concerned about. Instead, he met his grandfather’s shrewd eyes and challenged him. “Why are you asking me about a woman grandfather when if I had wanted to discuss one with you, I would have done so by now.”

  “Hmm, do you think I’ve lost my intelligence in my old age? I knew the moment you told me defiantly you were putting people in place in our offices in Phoenix and Los Angeles. You made noises of it being too much for one person and it had gone on too long. Yet it has been going on as long as you let it. The only reason you have to stay in Dallas is a woman, I’ve been waiting and hoping you would introduce me to her. Now I’m of the mind it will not happen soon. I am an old man and I haven’t many years to wait for you to marry and present me with the newest generation of Castillo.”

  Throwing back his head, he laughed. The old man smiled at realizing his plea of age had fallen hard. “Grandfather, you aren’t going to get anywhere with that angle. Maybe you should have kept going with surprise. I told you, I needed a break. I’ve grown nearly completely gray between the three offices and traveling between them.”

  “Come, is there something wrong with her? Is she a fortune hunter? Has she been arrested and been in prison. If she has paid her debt to society then there is nothing to be ashamed of.”

  Shaking his head, sighing, Rafael rubbed his neck. “Grandfather, I love you and respect you but I do not want to speak of my private life with you.”

  “Rafael, the woman you love will no doubt love you as well. There is nothing private then, she is now a part of this family and she should be treated as such.”

  His jaw locked at the word, love, he didn’t want to deal with this right
now. “I’m asking you to please let it be.”

  Looking hurt, his grandfather rose. “Fine, I had hoped this would go differently. I’ll leave you.”

  He couldn’t watch his grandfather leave, guilt flowed through him. Not simply because he was denying his grandfather but because he felt he was denying Carrie. Damn it, he wasn’t ready for this yet. He wasn’t ready to share Carrie, with anyone. It made him crazy to have figured out just last weekend he resented the hell out of the twins having Carrie to themselves on their days off when all he had were her nights. Yet, he loved their nights. Just the two of them on her much too small queen bed, it felt like they were the only two people in the world. Whether it was them making love hot and fast and greedy or slow and torturous as she had come to love or even simply holding her while she chattered on one subject or another it felt like an oasis of calm in his hectic life. All day long he looked forward to their time alone locked away in her room. Rafael knew it was one step from pathological to resent anyone spending time with Carrie when he couldn’t, it didn’t matter, he did and his mind refused to be soothed about it. His anger over her and Javier’s lunches was utterly ridiculous but it didn’t stop his temper from flaring knowing Javier had Carrie to himself.

  As much as he wanted to press Carrie for more of her time he wasn’t ready to move beyond having her to himself and their nights to only each other. Hell, it had only been three months. Three of the most amazing months of his life, but still it was just three months. There was also the fact that Carrie held something she didn’t share to herself. He wasn’t sure if it was worry over their relationship that had somehow come up after giving into him or something else but what could it be? It made him uneasy, the idea of her keeping something from him, could it be she was already wanting to tell him that she was in love with him but was scared of his response. Hell, how could she not have figured out he was in love with her? Fuck, just the thought of her saying those words was making his heart race and his hands sweat. He hadn’t thought it was possible again, so fast, so completely but it had.

  Yet, he still wasn’t ready for everything it would take from them. While he would like to introduce her to his grandfather and see her before dark, he wasn’t ready to share their time together. For now, it was just them in the night, in their small world, but it was enough, it was what he needed.

  His cell phone rang, it was the nutritionist he had sent to Carrie. He still shook his head at the anger flaring to hear her call herself fat. The woman gave a detailed report of her time with Carrie and he was happy to hear Carrie had been excited, if a bit overwhelmed with all of the information. He gave the woman instructions to put together easy menus with the grocery list needed in an easy to read packet for Carrie the next day. The woman agreed and he hung up relieved to know it had gone well. Tonight he would find out how well Carrie thought it had gone. He was ready for her play by play of her day, aching to see her eyes sparkling as she described her day.

  Shit, he was hard for his woman. Closing his eyes he tried to go over the close of the market prices but the picture of Carrie’s ass red from the spanking she had pleaded him for came out of nowhere. Damn it, getting up he paced. His little virgin had surprised the hell out of him with her turn on. He knew she liked when he lost control but it was about allowing him a release he had long believed. Now knowing how much she enjoyed being spanked maybe he didn’t need to hold back as often if she truly enjoyed rough play. Looking out over the skyline of Dallas, the scene which had so often given him satisfaction only left him feeling alone. His woman was in a building along the skyline but it was hours before he could hold her in his arms. Right now, he was alone and he ached for her.

  A brief knock was at his door before it opened. Javier’s smiling face was bright, “Hey Rafe, come on. Let’s get out of here and grab a beer and have some dinner.”

  Normally, he would have made an excuse. Now he shrugged and went to grab his jacket before following his brother out of his office and out into the Dallas heat.

  Chapter Seventeen

  A month later

  Carrie sighed as she heard her bedroom door close. Rafael left so early in the mornings and this morning he left without making love to her. She knew he was trying to be thoughtful but she hated when he simply left. Her thoughts were troubled, it had been almost four months since they had begun and she knew he was happy. Felt his happiness and his ease with her but still he confined their time to night. Swallowing hard, she hated to admit she had thought they would have moved farther along by now. Fear kept her from even hinting at wanting more from him. She was too afraid it would push him away, even though she ached for more, for now, she wasn’t willing to rock their boat.

  Knowing she wouldn’t be able to get back to sleep she got up and took a long hot shower. Listlessly, she dressed and went to make some coffee and something for breakfast. A little shard of happiness broke through her mood, the twins had been up and gotten their own breakfast and off to school and they had actually cleaned up after themselves. She was proud to see they had made a healthy breakfast. Carrie believed Heather had been an angel sent from heaven, but she wasn’t, the woman was sent by Rafael and it made her even happier.

  At first the nutritionist had seemed like such a silly idea, of course she knew what she shouldn’t eat and should eat. Then the woman had really laid it out by going through the cupboards. With each thing thrown in the trash Carrie had wondered if there was going to be anything left. Then the woman had taken her shopping. The prices of some of the items had been shockingly high to Carrie. But after an overwhelming tutorial on what could be done with the items Carrie could see the benefit. Thankfully, the next day she’d brought paper, Carrie loved paper. She loved having something she could refer to with ease and the woman had provided menu after meu of easily prepared and easily cooked lunches and dinners. The twins had grumbled loudly but given in to helping and in the last month Carrie had dropped the few pounds she had gained.

  The twins had liked the healthier eating admitting once their eating habits changed they had more energy. She knew they were happier at the school they were at, taking Rafael’s advice she had talked with the school and they had been allowed to enroll in honor classes and even though it was only a few weeks in, they seemed to be thriving.

  Settling on a bowl of cereal, her cell phone rang and she answered without checking, knowing it wouldn’t be Rafael.

  “Hermana, have lunch with me today, it feels as though it’s been ages. The Italian place close to the office, I’ll make sure they have a table for us.”

  “I don’t know, Rafael acted like he was going to hurt you the last time. I don’t want you to get into trouble.”

  “Don’t worry about Rafael, he hasn’t been putting as many hours at the gym as he used to, thank you for that by the way. I’m sure I can take a punch easily. Come, from what I hear your biggest excitement is dealing with your demanding owners. A good meal, good conversation and you’ll be back to work on time.”

  “Okay, I’ll meet you there. I don’t want you to worry about running me back to work.”

  “See you then, hermana.”

  She was so excited and when she realized it, it made her sad for a moment, he had been right. Her life hadn’t been very interesting lately. The twins had a more active social life than she did. Now back in school, they had decided to fill their schedule with as many things as possible that could get them a scholarship. Elliot had taken up the trumpet and basketball. Riley had taken up the trumpet too but had picked baseball. They had also started volunteering at the local food bank on the weekends. Carrie envied the boys, for her it was work, the boys, and nights of Rafael. She talked to Bethany a few times a month but not often, the last time they had talked Bethany had mentioned coming up to Dallas but it had been vague. It wasn’t like she really cared, before moving to Dallas her only days out of the house had been with Bethany and every once in a while a Sunday dinner with the twins and Bethany’s parents.

  The
re was a difference when she didn’t feel like she had a choice, she had even refused Javier’s invitations because Rafael had been so thunderously angry the last time. As hard as she tried, she couldn’t understand his anger when he’d gone to the restaurant to find them laughing over lunch. She hadn’t been wearing a skirt, she had tried to joke, had in fact put them all to the back of the closet. He hadn’t liked the comment but said nothing, simply walked out. That night he’d been close to violence. Afterward he had apologized so many times she thought his voice was going to go hoarse. Carrie had assured him it was okay but a part of her knew she’d never push him that far again. She wasn’t afraid of Rafael, she was afraid for him, afraid she’d push past a point where he would regret too deeply what he did.

  She didn’t want to be wined and dined, she just wanted Rafael to admit her importance in his life. He had put people in charge of his Los Angeles and Phoenix offices so he didn’t have to be away from her. Since his first trip he had never been gone longer than a week and every time he returned his lovemaking was fierce and greedy. When he was gone they talked every night and sometimes they actually just talked. He finally talked about his other brother Matteo an oncologist specializing in children cancers, who worked and lived in Baltimore at John Hopkins. He spoke fondly of his nephew, attending Yale and going into law. The love he felt for his grandfather was clear and she longed to meet the man who was such a big influence in his life.

  She didn’t want to push, was too afraid to push. Her relief was too high he came to her every night without fail. It didn’t matter if sometimes she was so exhausted she simply wanted to sleep. Afraid he would leave, she hadn’t told him. He’d seen it and only took her into his arms and held her through the night. There had been a few times when he was so stressed he hadn’t been interested in sex but he’d needed to hold her. The words had come out of him and it had been clear it pained him to admit them. Carrie had felt like he’d just handed her the world when he said them, so she’d done her best to not gloat only smile and hold him close.