SAVANNAH
The kiss started light, learning the taste, the wet and warm feeling, and how far the sweet impulse could go. Rafael’s hand curved across my cheek and leisurely passed my jaw before moving to the back of my neck. As his mouth worshiped mine, he started stroking my back and my waist, squeezing gently, persuading me to relax. Our mouths gilded together, calculating and smoothing. After a moment, his tongue slowly emerged, enticing me to respond.
His mint breath and the taste of champagne embraced my senses. He consumed me. I couldn’t decide whether I’d let him in or mirror his movements. He sucked my tongue into him, sliding and circling. I opened up, breathing in between our mouths and releasing the rigidness in my chest. A tight ball of desire rolled around in my stomach.
Rafael nipped my lips between his mouth, pulling and teasing. As I relaxed beneath his care, he grew bolder. His tongue rolled over my bottom lip, and leisurely our tongues met. Heat exploded in our mouths at a sensual and erotic pace. A moan escaped my lips.
This was better than I pictured—so much better than my wet dreams or imagination. This man desired me, and I didn’t know if I could prevent myself from falling so hard. I was beginning to. Badly. And I was letting myself plunge into those new and uncertain feelings.
As Rafael pressed his lips to mine, he explored my mouth. I deepened in my seat as our kiss intensified. I tangled my fingers in his hair, pulling him up until I was cosseted between him. My small frame pressed into the corner of his couch.
He moved his right to my lower back to ease my position, pulling me down so I was lying on my back. He groaned loudly against my mouth. It was loud, rough, and erotic. The sound vibrated from his chest, echoing in my ears and lingering in my mind for the rest of my life. Blood rushed through me, hot and boiling.
The heat was too much. I needed to breathe. I pulled back away from Rafael. I heaved out a heavy breath.
Were we really doing this? No real commitments? No exact label or meaning?
His finger swept under my skirt and eased my panties aside, easing his finger through my slit. I jerked, and his finger sunk into my opening.
“Oh God, Rafe…”
“You’re so wet. How badly do you want me?” he asked, his voice needy.
“Badly...” I cried.
“And I want you too.” He pulled out his finger and inserted it back in. I shuddered with such pleasure. “I want you writhing in pleasure like this, Savi. You’ve been messing up with my head since I met you. It’s hard to think straight. This is new for me, but I don’t think I can stop.”
He let out a feral groan when I caught my breath. My sex was clenching around his fingers as he drove it inside.
Rafe did things to me—from the way he smelled, the way he kissed me, and as he moved his finger in my fold. He was driving me crazy.
I searched for his eyes, seeking his soul and his heart. Rafe’s words seemed sincere, but this entire setup’s uncertainty didn’t change.
“This is new to me too. Oh, my—” His finger hit my most sensitive spot. I shivered in too much pleasure. Something moved in my womb, something I only reached by using my vibrator.
Rafe’s mouth enveloped my lips again, claimed me, owned me. He licked into my mouth, nibbled on my lower lip, and stroked my tongue along his. His breath became hitched when his erection pushed against my throbbing pussy, concealed only by the thin fabric of the panties. A much more intense fire burst inside my body.
I was close. God, I was close.
But while I was still in my right mind, I had to stop before I exploded.
“Wait.” I pushed his chest a little. ““I’m sorry. I can’t… I don’t know… This is…”
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m… almost there.”
He laughed quietly. “Is that bad a thing?”
“No, it’s just that. I never…”
“What do you mean you’ve never…” he paused, frowning. “Is that possible?”
“I have, but only when I self-stimulate.”
“Oh.” He rose from his chest and chuckled darkly. He stuck his finger into his mouth and sucked my juice. I breathed deeply. That was the most erotic thing I’d ever seen. “That’s… odd. He never? I mean, he didn’t…”
“No, he can’t make me come. There, you don’t have to say it.” Embarrassed, I sat properly, clenching my thighs because my bladder felt full.
“Why did you stop me?”
“It’s…” I exhaled. “I’m just not used to it, and we’re not in a proper place.”
“I’m sorry.” A muscle in his jaw ticked. “I didn’t mean to startle you. Next time, I’ll be… more careful.”
“No, you didn’t startle me. It’s exhilarating, so don’t be careful.” Whoa. Did I just say that?
He smirked, and the humor reached his eyes. “I think we’ll have a good time together, Ms. Gibson. Well…” He stood up and adjusted his cuffs. “My mission is to calm you down. I’m beginning to hate seeing you in that state anymore.”
“What state?”
His eyes softened as if something else was in his gaze, almost like possessiveness. “Every time you cried in front of me, I wanted to make him pay. Break every bone in his body.”
I glided my hand on his palm and brought it to my cheek. How could this man say he wasn’t capable of caring when he clearly did? “He’s not worth it. I’ll try not to cry in front of you again.”
“No, baby. You can, however you want—just not because of him. As you’ve said, he’s not worth it.”
I was surprised at myself, giddying over his endearment. I smiled at him. “Yes, thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”
He brushed his thumb over my face. “So, have you calmed down? I’ll get you home.”
“I’m staying with my friend because I still haven’t got a new place. She’s expecting me, but I guess I should go to Michael’s tonight. I suddenly want a long drive.”
“Is that an excuse?”
I shrugged, smiling. “Maybe.”
“Clinton Hill, then.” He pulled my hand to get me up, but I didn’t let him release me right away. I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him so tightly that I could barely breathe. I just needed to feel him around me again.
I could get lost in this feeling, and everything else wouldn’t matter.
Rafe chuckled in my hair, enveloping his arm in my waist.
***
Thirty minutes flew by, and we were already in front of Michael’s house. To be honest, I wished I could spend more time with Rafael, but my brother would be surprised I was already bringing a new man home. Michael would eventually find out about Rafael because I was already thinking about it. However, it was too soon. I also needed to talk to Rafael about the timelines because I didn’t want to deceive my brother.
“Thank you for always doing this for me.”
He smiled. “It was only twice.”
I chortled. “Yeah. So, I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“See you tomorrow.”
“Nah.” I waved my hand. “That’s impossible. I have loads to do, and you’ll be busy at your desk as the CEO.”
He reached for my hand and kissed my knuckles. “Come see me, then.”
“But your employees will see us.”
“Don’t mind them. I don’t intend to hide you.”
I gaped at him. He said it as if it were so simple. “Now that we’ve mentioned it, don’t you think they’d talk about us? They’d think I got the job because I have a special connection with the boss.”
“I’m not your direct superior. Carter is.”
“Come on. You know what I’m saying. Don’t you have a non-fraternization rule on the employee’s manual?”
“Are you worried you might get fired?” he teased, smiling mischievously. “I don’t remember writing that rule.” He folded his arms across his chest. “Isn’t that the point of this deal? Let the people and my parents know?”
“I haven’t agreed.”
“Yet. But you will.”
I laughed, remembering the same lines we said earlier. “There is so much to consider, including this.”
“If you have questions, ask me. I don’t want you to think I’m forcing you on anything.”
“I don’t feel forced. Not really.” It was my heart screaming at me to just sign and get over it. Rafael would be mine, and if things went well between us, I’d walk down the aisle with him. It was a strange way to have a relationship, but if it was the only means I could have him, so be it.
“I’m glad to know that. Take your time, Savannah. I’ll see you tomorrow. I have plans for us.” He leaned over and kissed my forehead.
He had plans for us. The anticipation made me giddy. “Good night.”
“Good night, Savannah. And don’t watch me leave. Get inside.” He winked, then went back into his car and drove away.
I laughed at his command, but I was stubborn, so I didn’t listen. I watched his car fade into the road.
I entered the house like a ghost. I didn’t want to make any noise because Michael might already be resting or writing lessons in his room. He was gentle as a sheep, but he hated it when there was noise.
But I hadn’t even reached the stairs; the lights were turned on, and Michael was standing at the staircase landing like a statue.
“Geez, Michael.” I touched my chest in shock. “What are you doing?”
“He’s in your room sleeping.”
“Who?”
“Who else?”
“Oh, God.” I rushed my fingers through my hair. “How did Edward know I’ll come here?”
“I don’t know, don’t ask me.” He scratched his head, annoyed, and with his eyes squinted. “He came in drunk and spitting nonsense. He threw up everywhere in our living room.”
“Fuck,” I whispered. “What did he say?”
“I’m tired, Savi, so let’s talk about it tomorrow, okay? I’m going back to bed.”
“Yeah, I’m so sorry. Good night.”
Michael walked upstairs without answering.
I blew out a sharp breath. After the commotion he had just pulled into the restaurant, he still had the guts to come here and cause trouble. Did he forget he left me first? This was exactly why I couldn’t move on, no matter how much I tried to. He was going to be the death of me.
I hurried to my room to check how bad the situation was. Expecting Edward to be already sleeping, my bed was empty, and the room was a disaster. My clothes and underwear were everywhere on the floor, and the mattress was a total mess. My stupid soon-to-be ex-husband was in the bathroom, puking his stomach out.
I already had a long exhausting evening because of him and Sofia, in addition to my brief mind-blowing night with Rafael. I should’ve stayed with him or gone to Riley’s place. I couldn’t make a noise because we’d already disturbed Michael enough, so I couldn’t just go there and yell at him.
This was going to be a long night.