by Tessa Teevan
With Rafe, I’ll erase him from my memory, erase his touch from my skin, and eradicate any sense of ownership he had over me.
As soon as I’m ready.
When I climb into bed, soothed and sated, I heed Rafe’s words. I remember him, his touch, and I realize I’m more than ready now. But can I really fool myself into believing he’s just going to be a rebound?
WHAT THE FUCK AM I doing?
This wasn’t in the plan. She wasn’t in the plan. At least, getting intimate with her wasn’t.
Still, when I saw her there, barefoot, damp hair, in nothing but a T-shirt, I couldn’t help myself. I had to put my hands on her. I had to touch her. I needed her to trust me, and I knew that that would be a good start. I knew that it could work to my advantage.
The thing is that I wanted more than for her to be a means to an end. More than a good fuck. More than a fucking rebound.
When I looked into her eyes, wide and trusting, it touched something deep in me, and a fierce longing for her rose from within. The idea of Morningstar ever placing another hand on her burned deep, and I knew I couldn’t let it happen.
I wanted the one thing I couldn’t—I shouldn’t—have.
For all intents and purposes, I want Gabrielle Latham, and even though it could cause this whole thing to blow up in my face, I won’t stop until I get her.
I meant what I said to her. I can’t stay away, no matter how hard I try, and even though I have other work to do, I’m making it my mission to make Adrian Morningstar’s woman my own. Not in the sense that he possesses her like a material possession who’s only there for his own amusement and satisfaction. Which is exactly why I need to be cautious, be the man she needs—the complete opposite of him.
I don’t just want to fuck her. I want to care for her, cherish her, learn every inch of her beautiful body and her sharp mind as she breaks free of him.
But if either of them find out the real reason I’m here, this whole thing will blow up in my face. Still, I can’t help it. It’s a risk I’m willing to take.
After having a taste of her, I know I can’t go back. I’m already too far gone. I’ll just have to be careful and hope she won’t hate me when it’s all said and done.
And I hope like hell I can protect her in the aftermath.
FOR THE FIRST TIME in months, I wake with a smile on my face and a delicious ache between my thighs. Not the ache you get after a night of mind-blowing sex, but an ache for Rafe. For his fingers. His tongue. All of him. And if I have my way, I’ll be getting it—him—today.
As I stare up at the ceiling, I know I should get up and get ready for work—work! Just another reason to appreciate the man. But I can’t help but let the memories of the night before replay in my mind.
He made me feel special. Desired. Wanted. He gave and took nothing in return even though I’d have gladly given it to him.
Until I opened the offending package. Yet, even still, with both of us given a reminder of Adrian’s humiliation from days earlier, Rafe offered comfort, held me like I was precious, and the memory of his warm embrace eradicates any remaining hurt from the panties.
Finally, everything is looking up, and even though I’m still in this monstrous house, I don’t feel like it’s a prison anymore. More like a halfway house. And as soon as I can stand on my own two feet, I’ll be gone. Or, like Rafe suggested, be with him—temporarily—because staying in the same house with Adrian is no longer an option. I sealed that deal last night.
My phone chimes with my morning text from Adrian, and if I didn’t know better, I’d think he has a direct line to my thoughts. His timing is suspiciously perfect.
Adrian: Good morning, sweet Gabriella. I hope you enjoy your gift. As always, be good.
Any guilt I may have felt about what happened last night or what I intend to happen today melts away with just one text. Adrian wants me to enjoy his “gift”? Fine, I will.
And so will Rafe.
I type out a messaging telling him that I plan on it, but I quickly delete it. There’s no need to poke a sleeping bear, so instead, I send my thanks quite begrudgingly.
With a renewed spirit, I push the covers off and head to the bathroom to get ready for my first full day of work. And to get ready for my first—fingers crossed—day full of Rafe.
As I make my way to the trailer, my cheeks flush with embarrassment when I get catcalls and hollers. Usually, I’d be offended, but I know how I look. I’m dressed in a denim skirt—perfect for those black crotchless panties—a long-sleeved, scoop-neck tee that hugs my breasts, and a pair of cowboy boots, my long, dark hair hanging loose in waves down my back. I’m about to lower my eyes to the ground when I hear a loud curse and a chorus of, “Sorry, boss,” which causes me to grin. My eyes glance around until they fall on him, and I smile wider.
He’s leaning up against a backhoe, his arms folded, and a delicious scowl on his face. I can read the confliction in his expression. He likes what he sees. He just doesn’t want anyone else to see it. A shiver runs down my spine, and I take my lower lip in between my teeth, biting down to help stamp out a bit of my arousal. It backfires, however, because Rafe’s eyes heat as he watches my movement. His jaw tenses, and the memory of his head between my legs has me on fire for him.
With quick, long strides, he moves towards me. Then he takes my elbow and leads me to the trailer, trying to shield my body from the other men. It’s entirely endearing. He opens the door for me, and just as I’m about to enter, he grips my hips and stills my movements. Even though he’s stopped on the step below me, his frame still engulfs my own. His face comes to the crook of my neck, and as he places a light kiss there, his stubble scrapes against my skin, causing me to quiver.
“I was going to give you space, but dammit, Brie. Are you trying to kill me?” he whispers gruffly against my neck.
Tilting to look up at him, I smile broadly. “Killing you would do me no good. Especially after last night.”
He groans and lifts up, his teeth nipping at my earlobe. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you last night. I was so fucking hard remembering the way you came in my mouth.”
A tremble rumbles through me, and I turn in his arms, leaning up to steal a quick kiss. “It didn’t have to end there.”
“I know. Fuck. I know, but I’m trying to be better for you, unlike . . .” he trails off, and I shake my head.
“Rafe, there’s no comparison. I promise. You showed me that last night.”
He swallows hard and nods as his eyes sweep down to the swell of my breasts. He lets out another curse. Then he places his hands on my shoulders and pushes me forward. “If I don’t get out of here, I’m going to be hard for the rest of the morning.”
“You know I can take care of that for you,” I tease. “I’d hate for you to be distracted on the site.”
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Brie. One a lesser man might take you up on.”
“Then maybe I’ll have to find a lesser man,” I challenge.
He growls and takes a step up into the office, pushing me inside. Just as I think he’s going to give in to me, the phone rings, breaking the spell. Muttering a curse, I break our contact and enter the trailer, crossing to the desk as the door slams behind him.
“Brie,” Rafe calls right before I pick the phone up.
Pausing, I glance up at him.
“You’ve already been with a lesser man. Give this one a chance.” With that, he turns and exits the trailer, leaving me to gape after him.
Give him a chance? I’m already signing on the dotted line. He just needs to give in to me. And while I appreciate his sweet hesitancy, I don’t need it. Nor do I want it. I just want him, and I plan on letting that be known as soon as I can.
The rest of the morning passes slowly and without another appearance from Rafe. I try not to let disappointment creep in, but the longer the minutes tick by, the harder it gets. Then again, this is his career, his work site, and now that he’s my boss, I know I shouldn’t push
the boundaries. But, God, do I want to.
Letting out a sigh, I push back from the desk and start filing. Just as I’m finishing up, I hear the door open, and take a gamble that it’s him. Hoping like hell that it is. I bend over in an exaggerated fashion, knowing that my skirt is just short enough for him to get a peek of what’s underneath.
A sharp intake of breath comes from behind me, and I hear his work boots as he crosses the room, coming closer to me. He stops, and I glance back to see him studying me, his eyes locked directly on my ass. Slowly, they rise to meet mine, and a delicious, wicked grin crosses his face.
“It’s been killing me, Brie, all day knowing you’re in here, looking like that. I tried staying away, but this is as long as I’ve lasted. And holy fuck did I pick the perfect time. Does this mean what I think it does?” he asks, a hint of hope in his voice.
Straightening up but not fully turning around, I nod. “It does. I’m ready, Rafe. I don’t need to wait any longer. I can’t wait any longer.”
He closes the distance between us and pulls me back, allowing me to feel his arousal, which is thick and straining against his jeans. Against my ass.
“You’ve picked a helluva time to be ready, baby,” he groans as his mouth finds my neck. He rains kisses along the curve, up my jaw, until his lips hover just above my ear. “You’re driving me insane. I’m ready to explode, but dammit, Brie. I’m not taking you in this trailer, bent over a desk. Not the first time I’m inside you. You deserve more than that, but, Jesus Christ, I don’t know how I can keep my cool.”
Tipping my neck to give him further access, I close my eyes and enjoy his touch. It’s a sweet sentiment, but I don’t want his chivalry. “I’m not asking you to be a gentleman, Rafe. I’m not fragile or delicate. I want this. I want you. Now, here in this trailer. We have time for beds and romance later. Right now, I want you to fuck me like I’ve never been fucked before. I’ve imagined it all day, waiting and wondering when you were going to come in and take me. It’s killing me, too.”
He presses up against me, his hands finding my waist as he whispers against my neck. “You are so goddamned beautiful. A fucking treasure I want to worship.”
My body reacts to him in ways it hasn’t reacted in months. Well, except for last night. I can’t remember the last time I felt this way. Almost coveted. He’s the very definition of desire, and even though I never thought I’d be doing this so quickly after trying to leave Adrian, lust has no mercy. And neither does Rafe as he slowly drags a hand up my bare thighs, under my skirt, and over my ass.
My nipples tighten as his hand moves away from my ass and slides around my waist, moving higher until it curves over the swell of my breast, cupping it with his large hand.
“Are you wet, Brie? Do you like when I touch you? Does it turn you on?”
I push back in response, grinding my ass against his erection, giving him my answer.
“Is that a yes?” he asks, his voice husky. He moves his free hand to the space between my thighs. Then he cups my pussy through the crotchless material, groaning when the evidence of my arousal coats his hand. “God, I love knowing that you’re wearing these for me. I would’ve waited as long as you needed, but I’m so fucking grateful you’re ready now. Is this what you want? Do you want me to fuck you in those sexy crotchless panties, taking you from him once and for all?”
“Y-yes . . .” I barely manage the whisper as his finger slides up and down in slow succession until I’m gasping and panting, my hips circling as I urge him to quicken his pace.
My head falls back against his chest as the hand on my breast moves to the other, caressing me, and kneading each one with equal measure. His cock is nestled in the curve of my ass, grinding into me. I press back against him, wanting him inside, aching for him to fill me like he promised the very first time we met. My hips rock in a circular fashion as he continues to stroke me. I’m oh so close to the edge, but unlike last night, I’m not allowing him to get me off with anything but his cock. I crave it, and if he doesn’t give it to me soon, I might burst.
“That feels so good, Rafe, and I love your hands on me, but please, I need you. I want you inside me. Now.”
With a low growl, he pulls his finger from my wetness and grips my hips. Then he turns me and pushes me up against the desk.
Butterflies fill my stomach with a violent flutter, and my heart races. God, am I really doing this? I wonder briefly before looking up into his piercing, blue eyes. He takes my hand and brings it up to his lips, placing a gentle kiss to it. The tightness of his control rattles me, and my heart skips a beat. The anticipation is killing me slowly.
“Are you positive you want to do this, Brie?” he asks. “I don’t want to push you until you really are ready.”
“Rafe,” I whisper, gazing up at him, my heart tightening. What was supposed to be a rebound is quickly turning into so much more, and I’m helpless to stop it. The concern he’s showing is wreaking havoc on my emotions. At the same time, I’m tired of his caution. “How many times do I have to say it? Yes. I want this. Don’t you? Want this? Want me?”
His thumb rubs smooth circles on my bare thighs, slowing inching my skirt up. “I’ve wanted this—you—since the very first day. One look, I wanted you. One taste, I was a goner. I’ll do anything you ask, Brie. Anything.”
His words cause my pussy to tighten with anticipation, and I can’t wait any longer.
“Then don’t make me wait any longer. Take me. Right here. Right now.”
He wastes no time as he bows his head and captures my mouth, his thumb and forefinger tilting my chin as he parts my lips and draws my tongue into his mouth, where he caresses and sucks, driving me wild. A flurry of longing and need whirls around like a cyclone, growing stronger by the second. My hands grasp his shoulders and draw him closer, deeper, wanting nothing between us.
His strong hands roam my body as he deepens the kiss, our tongues acquainting themselves as he grabs my ass and lifts me up, setting me on the desk.
Wasting no time, I wrap my arms around his waist and pull him in so our bodies are mashed together, smothering any inch of space between us. The sensation of his hard length straining against his jeans and my belly is enticing, and I moan in appreciation, anticipating our imminent coupling.
“Did you lock the door?” I ask before the last bit of my senses fades away in a fog of lust.
“Fuck yes. There’s no way I’d let any of these assholes see you like this. Only me, Brie.”
Nodding, I pant. “Yes, Rafe. Only you.”
I reach down and tug on the hem of his shirt, wanting to see his bare chest. He takes over and whips it off, and I lean back on the desk, admiring the way days of hard labor have defined his chiseled torso and tanned his skin. It makes him look like an exotic being. It thrills me to know that this alluring man wants me.
He growls as he tears my shirt off and slides his arm around my waist, pulling me in close so our bare chests collide. His mouth descends on mine as our tongues tangle frantically. We kiss and caress as if neither of us can get enough. Truth is that I can’t. It’s all I’ve thought of these past few days, and now that we’re here, I want to savor it. Yet, at the same time, I want him to take me hard and fast.
Rafe lets out a groan as his hands move up my sides and over my breasts. My nipples tighten as he massages each one and uses his thumbs to tease them with slow, agonizing brushes.
“Jesus, Brie. I love how responsive you are. How aroused I make you, and how your body reacts to my touch.” His voice is thick, low, and throaty, a sound that does nothing but heighten my desire.
Wanting to play, too, I trace a finger along the waistband of his jeans, my eyes lifting to meet his. As I unbutton them and slowly slide his fly down, he rains kisses along my jaw and down my neck. I slip my hand into his boxers, teasing the silken tip of his manhood with my thumb, just as he did my nipples. It’s exhilarating—liberating, even—touching another man. This is exactly what I need.
“Fuc
k, baby. Touch me. Grab my cock,” he requests low in my ear, nipping at my lobe.
My hand moves farther into his boxers and finds him impossibly hard and thick. As I stroke rhythmically, he urges me along.
“Yes . . . Just like that, Brie.”
Suddenly, he pulls my hand away and pushes me down on the desk, pulling my skirt down over my hips and throwing it on the floor. He takes his time kissing, licking, and nibbling his way down my body, giving each breast equal amounts of attention until I’m writhing beneath him. The lower he gets, the more aroused I become, and just as his tongue circles my clit, the invigorating stimulation causes me to cry out. I’m unable to take the waiting any longer.
“Please, Rafe. I need you inside me right fucking now.”
Relief swells as he complies. He stands and pushes his boxers down before gripping himself in his hand. My legs rub together in anticipation, and I watch with hungry eyes as he rips a condom open and sheaths himself. As he rubs the smooth head up and down my slit, teasing and tormenting me, his eyes darken.
“Tell me again, Brie. Who do you want?”
“You. God, I want you,” I breathe, my hips arching to draw him in.
I barely get the words out when, in one swift stroke, he enters me, full and deep, taking me as his. It sends a shockwave straight to my pussy, making me so incredibly wet, already so incredibly close with just that one thrust. He grips my hips, holding me firmly in place. His eyes close as if he’s revering our intimate connection.
“Your pussy is perfect. Just like I knew it’d be,” he groans just as he begins to move in and out of me at a leisurely pace, as if he could do this all day. Usually I’d be all for that, but I’m burning with the overwhelming desire to be fucked and fucked hard.
“Rafe, please . . . Please don’t go slow. I need you to fuck me. I need you to make me come,” I pant with a desperation I’ve never felt.
His thrusts send pulsing pleasures throughout my body before he stills, his cock buried to the hilt. He slowly moves his hips, causing friction against my clit. My hands rest on his shoulders as my nails dig into his skin. The tension builds as he slowly withdraws and then eases back inside me, increasing his tempo with each thrust. I arch my hips, aching for more of him, and I tell him so. With a low growl, he releases his grip on my hips, and a hand swiftly moves to my head, where he fists my hair, hauling me up until our mouths meet. His tongue parts my lips, dueling with mine as the desperation of his kiss consumes us both. All too soon, he tears his mouth away, causing me to whimper. With his hand, he tilts my head to the side and kisses down the curve of my neck.