by Erin Rylie
Forty-five minutes later, Rafe was hooked. He wasn’t usually one for musicals, but this shit was good. It was only when he heard a throat clear that he saw Sophie and Kelsey standing in the doorway to the hall, watching him with bemused expressions. He paused the movie and took his time checking out Sophie.
She looked incredible in a fitted dress with slender straps. The dress was molded to her body, but long enough to remain respectable. As was fitting for a club, it was black and sparkly. She’d paired it with a pair of red fuck-me heels that had him practically drooling. Her long, blonde hair was pulled into a loose knot at the top of her head, a few strands escaping and curling down her neck and across her collarbone.
Rafe had never been a fan of too much makeup on the women he dated, preferring the natural look, but Sophie’s makeup was tasteful and subtle with the exception of her cherry red lips. The lipstick she wore accentuated the bow shape of her gorgeous lips, giving him the most delicious vision of Sophie on her knees, performing acts he really shouldn’t be thinking about now.
Rafe’s personal favorite thing about Sophie’s outfit though? The tiny baby bump he could make out through her dress. She was right—it was slight, and was probably just the result of water weight, but it reminded him that this woman was carrying his child. He stood up off the couch and walked over to Sophie, leaning over to kiss her cheek.
“You look incredible,” he whispered in her ear, before planting another small kiss in the place her shoulder met her neck. He felt her shiver against his lips and stepped back. He was debating the likelihood of Sophie skipping this whole night to stay in bed with him when he heard Kelsey clear her throat.
“Hey, jackass. I look pretty fucking great too, thanks for noticing.”
Rafe let out a chuckle. “You look fantastic, Kelsey. Are you riding with us to the club? I can go ahead and call an Uber.”
Parking downtown was notoriously nightmarish, and he wanted to have a few beers while he was there. Driving with even one drink in his system wasn’t something Rafe would ever do, and he didn’t want Sophie to have to worry about driving.
Finally, at ten-thirty, the trio pulled up outside of the club. Rafe could hear the music pouring from the building and was already dreading this night. Maybe he would have a Jack on the rocks instead. Beer suddenly didn’t seem like enough to get him through this. Sophie noticed him lingering near the car, clearly reluctant to enter the building. She walked over and grabbed his hand, linking their fingers and pulling them toward the bouncer.
“Come on, big guy. A little fun won’t hurt you.”
Rafe grumbled and followed her inside.
As he had expected, there were drunk fucking morons everywhere, gyrating and screaming, and sloshing drinks all over the already sticky floor. The temperature inside was stifling, making him wish he’d worn a T-shirt. He kept his grasp firm in Sophie’s as she led them through the club to a roped-off section. When they were within sight of the area, an energetic, screaming redhead flew past the ropes and into Sophie’s arms. Sophie released his hand to hug her back before she moved on to hug Kelsey.
“Fucking finally!” she screamed. “My party started an hour ago, you bitches!”
Sophie laughed, gesturing at herself. “Hey, looking this good takes some work. Becky, this is Rafe.”
Becky turned her attention to Rafe, her eyes slowly skimming his body before lingering on his face. She stuck her hand out. “So you’re the man behind that sexy voice. I swear, the first time Sophie played me that clip of your interview I came in my seat.”
Rafe felt himself blush and he coughed, looking at Sophie. “Well, um, thank you?”
Sophie was practically doubled over laughing at his discomfort. “Wow, so you really were channeling Carlos during that interview, huh? The Rafe I met on that first day would have definitely made some lewd remark.”
Rafe shrugged, but before he could respond, a hand clamped down on his shoulder.
“There you are, man! Could your invitation have been more vague? ‘Sophie and I are going to a club downtown.’ Do you know how many clubs there are downtown? This is the third one I’ve been in.”
Rafe turned to his friend. “Carlos, that wasn’t an invitation. You asked what I was doing and I told you.”
Carlos shrugged. “Whatever you say. We both knew it wouldn’t be a party without me.” He kissed Sophie on the cheek and threw a head nod Kelsey’s way.
“Hey Kels, looking fine as hell tonight.”
Kelsey looked uncomfortable for a moment before responding. “Oh, hey Carlos. Thank you. Becky, where are the drinks?”
Becky grabbed Kelsey and Sophie by their hands and led them through the velvet rope to the table where she’d ordered bottle service. Rafe’s eyes flicked back to Carlos. His friend was watching Kelsey walk away, looking slightly dejected. He shrugged it off quickly and turned to Rafe.
“Looks like they only have vodka and tequila up there. I’m gonna go grab us some whiskey from the bar.”
Rafe nodded. “Thanks, man, that would be great.”
A while later, Rafe had to admit he was having a pretty great time. Becky was hilarious, telling stories about her most horrific failed Tinder dates.
“There was this one guy who messaged me asking if I liked mustache rides.” She laughed, tipping her head back to take another shot.
Sophie leaned forward. “Becky, didn’t you go on a date with that guy?”
“Well, yeah.” The redhead shrugged. “I fucking love mustache rides!”
The entire table burst out laughing. This girl was too much. She actually reminded him of Carlos in a lot of ways and he couldn’t help but wonder if his friend would be better off pursuing her instead of Kelsey. Sophie’s best friend had been practically ignoring Carlos all night, talking instead to the other girls in the group.
Carlos finished his drink and slammed it down on the table before standing. “Kelsey, come dance with me,” he said, sticking his hand out to her.
Kelsey hesitated, looking around at her circle of friends before shaking her head. “I’m not in the mood to dance, Carlos.”
“Oh come on…” He grinned. “I’m an excellent dancer. My mom tells me so all the time.”
Kelsey smiled but shook her head. “I’m not sure it’s really something that friends do,” she replied, putting extra emphasis on the word friends.
Carlos dropped his hand, but before he could respond a pair of blondes walked up to the area they were seated in. One of them leaned across the rope, sticking her chest out, her obviously fake tits practically falling out of the tiny dress she was wearing.
“Excuse me,” she said in a sickly sweet voice. “Are you two the ‘Houston’s Finest’ cops that were featured in the newspaper?”
Rafe rolled his eyes and threw his arm around Sophie, hoping to make it clear he wasn’t interested. But Carlos, having just been rejected in front of everyone, sauntered over to the pair.
“Why, yes, we are.” He grinned. “I’m Carlos, and that over there is Rafe. He’s a taken man, but I’m just here with friends. How about we go take some shots?”
The pair giggled, one of them resting her hand on Carlos’s chest as she leaned forward to whisper in his ear. Rafe couldn’t hear what she said, but Carlos’s answering grin made the subject matter pretty clear.
“Sounds like a fun night. Count me in.”
He unlatched the velvet rope and threw one arm around each girl’s shoulder. Carlos turned back to look at Kelsey. “Don’t wait up, friends.”
As a whole, the group turned to look at Kelsey, who was staring at Carlos’s retreating back as though willing him to turn around. Becky started to wrap Kelsey in a hug, but Kelsey shook her off, picking up the bottle of vodka on the table and taking a shot straight from its mouth.
“I think I’m going to go dance after all.” She smiled at the group and walked out onto the dance floor.
Rafe, whose arm was still wrapped around Sophie, placed a hand on her thigh and lean
ed in. “What do you say we go dance too?”
He started drawing circles on her leg, each one creeping slowly upward. Sophie shivered in his arms and looked up at him. Her hair had fallen out of her messy bun almost completely and he ran one hand up the back of her neck. He pulled the hair tie gently from her blonde locks, watching them cascade down onto her shoulders.
Sophie’s lips parted, her breath coming more heavily than before. Rafe stood up and pulled her to her feet, no longer waiting for a response. He led her to the dance floor and wrapped her in his arms as a song with a slow, thumping beat came through the speakers. Rafe fitted her body to his, wrapping one arm around her waist while the other roamed her curves. Sophie locked her hands behind Rafe’s head, fitting one of his legs between hers as they grinded to the beat, completely lost in one another.
They danced until they were both sweaty, several songs passing, as they stood in the middle of the dance floor. Rafe leaned down and gently brushed his lips over hers as he pulled her hips into his, grinding his erection into her. Sophie moaned in his mouth, digging her fingers into his hair to deepen the kiss. He ran his tongue over the seam of her lips, requesting entry and when she opened for him, his desire broke free.
Their kiss turned brutal and passionate, tongues tangling, as Sophie continued to grind against Rafe’s leg, her hands pulling softly on his hair. Rafe was rock hard and ready to take her right here on the dance floor, when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He growled and broke the kiss, turning to punch the shit out of whomever had dared to interrupt them.
Carlos held his hands up. “Whoa, man, sorry to interrupt your public fuck-fest, but have you seen Kelsey?”
Sophie looked around, and Rafe was pleased to see that her lips were swollen, her hair in disarray from his fingers. Unable to let go of her completely, Rafe kept his arm around Sophie’s waist as he turned to scan the dance floor for Kelsey. When he finally spotted her auburn hair, he saw that she was dancing with some dickwad in a pink polo. The guy’s hands were roaming her body freely as she grinded into him. He looked away quickly, trying to find something to distract Carlos, but when he looked at his friend, his eyes were already locked on the pair.
Carlos’s features hardened, mouth falling into a straight line, his hands making fists at his sides. Rafe put a calming hand on Carlos’s arm. “Hey, maybe she isn’t interested, man. This shit isn’t worth starting a fight over. Think of your badge.”
Carlos shook off Rafe’s hand, his eyes still fixated on Kelsey. He tensed as though preparing to storm over there, and then deflated. Carlos looked down at the ground, shaking his head. “Yeah, I’m gonna get out of here.”
Sophie spoke up at Rafe’s side. “Wait, where are those two badge bunnies you were with? They looked like they wanted to fuck your brains out in the club bathroom.”
Carlos smiled. “Not really my style, shortcake. We took a few shots, and they were drunk as hell so I put them in a cab.”
“Hey man, we’ll leave with you. I can already feel the headache coming on.”
Carlos waved them off. “Nah, you two have fun. I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”
Chapter Eighteen
Sophie woke up the next morning with the biggest smile on her face. Kelsey-and-Carlos drama aside, she’d had an amazing night with Rafe. He’d been so wonderful with her friends, laughing at all of the right times, jumping in with fun stories from his time on the force, and just generally being charming. He’d remained by her side throughout the whole night, making her feel like the most beautiful woman in the room. His eyes had never strayed, despite the number of scantily clad women around.
When she had originally made the deal with him—three dates if last night went well—she hadn’t expected to feel this way. She’d thought he would return to being the cocky, arrogant player he’d been when she first met him. Apparently though, Rafe really had been channeling Carlos the day of their first interview. Sure, he’d been an insufferable flirt with her when they first met, but he hadn’t flirted with any other women in front of her. In fact, she hadn’t even seen him glance another woman’s way.
Sophie placed a hand on her stomach, trying to remind herself that a few weeks of good behavior on his part didn’t make him any less of a player. Maybe the guy was just a good actor. Her exes had seemed sweet enough when she’d started dating them too. Even though they’d been charming at first, Shane and Charlie had checked out women in front of her, even on their first dates. She’d always brushed it off as a “guy thing,” but Rafe seemed different.
The whole thing was confusing the hell out of her. She knew that she’d promised him three dates, and she was going to follow through. After the third date though, they needed to remain friends. It was the only way that they could be successful co-parents. She wouldn’t let this get out of hand. Losing his support would make her life ten times harder. At least she could allow herself a little bit of fun for three dates. Surely, that couldn’t hurt anything.
Sophie rolled over when she heard her phone chime from her bedside table. Another smile broke over her face. The only person who ever texted her first thing in the morning was Rafe. She couldn’t wait to see what he had to say after their night together.
Rafe: Last night was fun.
Sophie: It wasn’t so bad. I guess you’re an alright dancer.
Rafe: Alright? I’m a fucking fantastic dancer. One more song and I would have had you coming on that dance floor.
Desire hit Sophie hard, making her body flush and setting her nerve endings on fire. That dance had been incredible, and the kiss had been quite possibly the best of her life. Rafe’s hands around her waist, her hands tugging on his hair, his erection grinding into her hip while she rubbed herself against his strong thigh. He wasn’t wrong; she’d been one song away from an orgasm.
Sophie: I think you overestimate your skill, big guy.
Rafe: Well, you’ve got the big part right. This conversation is only making it bigger...
Rafe: And I call bullshit. I’m willing to bet you’re as turned on as I am right now.
Sophie: Sounds like you need a cold shower.
Rafe: Well, I am about to hop in the shower. I just got back from the gym and I now have a problem I need to take care of…
Sophie clenched her thighs together in an attempt to alleviate some of the pressure building between them. Thoughts of Rafe naked, drenched in sweat from his morning workout, filtered through her head. She was just contemplating grabbing her vibrator from her nightstand, when her phone went off in her hand again.
Rafe: No response? Are your hands too busy to text, Sophie?
Sophie: One of them might be...
Rafe: Jesus, Soph, what are you doing to me?
Sophie: I’m personally more interested in what you’re doing to yourself.
Rafe: Currently, I’m picturing you on your knees in front of me, your mouth replacing my hand on my cock.
Rafe: My hand is on the back of your head, guiding your rhythm, and your hand is between your thighs, rubbing your clit in circles.
Shit, he’s good at this. Sophie almost reached for her vibrator but decided to instead use her fingers, sticking to the image Rafe was creating.
Sophie: Fast circles or slow circles, Rafe?
Rafe: Shit, Sophie. Please tell me you’re actually touching yourself.
Sophie: Are you?
Rafe: Fuck yes I am, are you crazy?
Sophie: So what happens next, Rafe?
Rafe: To start, your fingers are rubbing your clit in slow circles, to match the pace of your mouth on me.
Rafe: And then I start to move my hips, needing more. Your hand speeds up too.
Sophie: Keep going.
Rafe: Just when you’re about to come, I pull you to your feet and get down on my knees to return the favor, sucking your clit into my mouth, pushing two fingers into you.
As she read his texts, Sophie continued to rub her clit with her thumb, following his instructions and pushing two fingers inside.
Sophie: Rafe, I’m close.
Rafe: No ma’am, not yet. We come together, Sophie. I lift you off of your feet, set you on the counter, and push into you. I move my thumb to your clit, rubbing gently as I fuck you on the counter.
Sophie: If you want me to finish with you, you need to hurry up. I’m already close.
Rafe: Shit, Sophie. I’m close. Come with me.
Sophie was close too, her fingers and thumb increasing in speed until she shattered. She bit her lip to contain the moan building in her throat as her orgasm washed over her.
Rafe: Fuuuuuuuck that was good. I wish you were here. I just came all over my damn sink.
Sophie laughed, finding the thought of Rafe having to clean his sink hilarious for some reason. That had been the best orgasm she’d had since...well, the supply closet.
Sophie: I should probably get out of bed and take a shower now.
Rafe: Ha. Me too, I actually have to work today.
Before Sophie could respond, she heard a loud pounding coming from the front of the house. As the sound grew more persistent, she pulled on a pair of shorts and a tank top, before wrapping her robe around her body. The racket was coming from the front door, and as she went to answer it, Kelsey came out of her room down the hall.
