A Need So Insatiable

by Cecilia Robert

  She halts, facing me with her lips pursed. “Do you really want to involve yourself in this? I’m operating at a loss right now. I’m paying Kravic his money, and then the rest will be invested in repairs.”

  “Let me help, baby,” I say.

  She studies me. Fatigue lines bracket her forehead and the corners of her eyes. She makes a sound at the back of her throat and presses her fingers to her eyelids.

  “Yes, I would love to have you partner with me. I promise to return every last cent, and I’ll work hard to pay you as quickly as possible. I might need to borrow Ben to help deliver the money, though.”

  Closing the space between us in one step, I cup her face and smooth the lines around the corners of her mouth, then the ones on her forehead. “Ben will call Kravic and take the money today. Thank you. You’ve been taking care of everyone else. It’s time someone took care of you. First thing tomorrow, I’m--we’re hiring more manpower. I won’t let you drive yourself into the ground, all right?” I brush my thumb along her cheek to wipe away a single tear.

  “Fucking tears,” she says, laughing. “I cry one time, and suddenly I’m a dam, ready to explode.”

  “Christ, I’d love to kiss this dirty mouth of yours,” I say, running my thumb along her bottom lip.

  “Then, kiss me.”

  I don’t need a second invitation. I slam my mouth to hers, shoving my tongue inside to tangle with hers. She slips her hands around to cup my ass, pushing me into her. Her chest presses against mine and I can’t think straight.

  “I love feeling your soft curves against my body. So fucking sexy,” I say against her lips. I push her back, trailing my lips down her jaw, her collar bone. I slide my hands down her shoulders, kissing my way to her breast. I capture her nipple my mouth, sucking through the fabric of her shirt. She jerks forward, sucking in a breath.

  “Rafael!”

  Her body trembles, and goosebumps spread along the slip of skin between the buttons of her blouse.

  “Work now, play later,” I say, moving up to her lips again.

  She spins around suddenly, pinning me on the kitchen counter with her weight, catching me off guard. I could easily flip her back, but I want to see what she’ll do.

  I cock a brow at her. She stares at me through her lashes.

  “You’ve played me like a fiddle, leaving me burning in the aftermath,” she says, moving her fingers to the zipper on my jeans. “Time for me to play you.”

  Fuck!

  She pulls the zipper down, and fumbles with the belt. Shutting my eyes, I grope around for something to hold on to, and grip the island’s edge.

  The action south stops as soon as my jeans are pulled down.

  “Can you get any sexier?”

  Snapping my eyes open, I glance down at her. “You like?”

  “What’s not to like? You’re commando. Completely accessible. Anytime.”

  I yank her up, and kiss her hard on the mouth, pulling her to me. She wiggles in my arms, trying to pull away, but I tighten my hands around her, fitting the curves of her body to the hard planes and angles on mine.

  She nips my bottom lip and leans back. “Hey, I was about to give you the best blowjob you’ve ever had.”

  I laugh, hugging her tighter. “Man, between you and Hawk, I’m going to die.”

  She pulls back, frowning. “Well, I’ve never done a threesome, but--”

  “Threesome? Sophie, I won’t share you with anyone.” I scowl down at her, but her smile widens, reminding me of the first time I saw her. I feel my anger melting away. I might never be truly mad at this girl. “A few weeks ago, Hawk and I played poker. He won, I lost. My loser’s trophy was to stay celibate for three months.”

  She gapes at me. “Who the hell bets on sex?”

  “Me, apparently,” I say with a sigh.

  I pull my zipper back up and run my fingers through my hair, then focus on her as she rearranges her blouse. I move to stand before her and undo the top two buttons to expose the swell of her breast. She stares at her chest, then lifts her gaze to mine, one brow raised.

  “I still need something to look at,” I say, ducking my head and brushing my lips to the shell of her ear. “Let’s go work on my hair before I break the bet and bend you over that counter.”

  I slide my hand across her lower back and head to the downstairs bathroom, gathering what we need along the way. She darts a look at me, then eyes my crotch. I glance at her, staring at her breasts. I can still see the place around the nipples where my mouth had been.

  I’m killing Hawk the next time I see him.

  “Do you always get your haircut at home?” she asks.

  “First time.” Definitely not the last, though.

  Her lips twitch. “Do you have anything smaller? These are just too huge.” She picks up the scissors and tests their weight in her tiny hands.

  I shake my head. I’m a bloody idiot. Why didn’t I ask around for the appropriate scissors?

  She sighs. “Time to chop off that hair, then.”

  I eagerly perch myself on the edge of the bathtub. The thought of her hands on my skin has me coiled tight with need. She grabs a towel from the rack on her right and drapes it around my shoulders. I close my eyes, feeling my body relax as she combs my hair with her fingers. I can’t believe Sophie is here in my house. Feels damn fantastic. I could get used to this. I like how her presence fills every fucking room.

  “Move in with me. You and Lilli.”

  She stares at me like I’m mad. “Move in with you?” She grunts in what sounds like frustration. “Why?”

  “I want you to. And I’ll be able to protect you from Kravic.”

  “What difference would that make? If they want me, nothing will stop them.”

  I fix my stare on her, and wait. I need to tell her about my connection to Kravic. Maybe then she can finally understand the extend of his brutality, and that I’m the only one capable of protecting her.

  Sophie

  I ROLL my eyes. “Lose the intimidation crap, Rafael.”

  “I just love the romantic words that pour from your lips,” he says, pulling me onto his lap. I shift around, feeling him harden beneath my ass. If I don’t get up, we’ll never finish what we set out to do.

  I push to my feet, and tug at his hair, shaking my head. “Let’s take it one day at a time. I still want to keep the house, for when Lilli comes back.”

  I’m clever enough to realize when I need help. And what Rafael is handing me is a solution. But I don’t want to depend on him for everything, or become some sort of baggage pulling him down. I know he means well, but still.

  I finish cutting his hair, then clean the comb and scissors. Will he ever open up to me? I need to know why the mere mention of his name made Tony shrink, what it is he’s keeping from me. But I don’t want to push him until he’s ready.

  “Have dinner with me Sunday night, then, right here. I’ll cook for you and Lilli.”

  “I need to take this slow, Rafael. Please. See how it goes.”

  He clenches his jaw stubbornly. “I’ve tried to get you out of my mind, Sophie, out of my fucking system. But you’re part of me, like my blood. I want to take care of you. Allow me to. Please.”

  I study the possessive glint in his eyes, and I know he won’t give up without a fight. “I’ll ask Lilli if she’d like to join us.”

  He lifts a hand and wraps a lock of hair around his finger. “I’m sorry, I can’t not touch you. Such soft, beautiful skin.” He leans forward, burying his face in my neck. “You smell so damn good.”

  “Good enough to . . . bite?”

  His eyes darken instantly. He crushes my mouth with his, his tongue dipping between my lips, tasting me. Pushing my body into his, I meld and mesh my curves against his hard planes until we fit together. I whimper, wanting to get closer, to slide my hands under his shirt and run my fingers along his chest. He’s all muscle, and he’s so freaking warm; my skin burns from being this close to him. He tilts his head, dee
pening the kiss. He does something with his tongue, sending heat low in my stomach, pooling between my legs.

  “So damn hot,” I say, pushing my boobs into his chest. “I want you so bad, Rafael. I’m going crazy and if you stop right now, I’ll die. Please, please, don’t stop.”

  My words seem to send him into a frenzy. He hooks his hands behind my knees and hikes my legs around his hips. His big hands cup my butt, squeezing almost painfully. He stalks out of the bathroom, his steps controlled and purposeful as he climbs the staircase and enters his room. His eyes don’t leave mine, even for a second, as he kisses me. I’m worried we’ll hit something if no one is paying attention to where we’re going.

  We enter a room and his scent hits me hard. We’re in his bedroom. He kicks the door shut and halts next to the bed, tossing me onto it.

  “Wow, so romantic,” I say, scrambling to sit up and watch as he strips off his t-shirt and jeans. As soon as he lowers his pants, his dick springs out proudly. I knew he was big when I touched him downstairs; I didn’t think he was that huge.

  Swallowing hard, I stare at his erection, breathing fast.

  “Changed your mind, Sophie?” he asks, standing there, naked and gorgeous. A painter’s wet dream.

  My head snaps up to his face. His eyes are wide and really dark, his jaw clenched like he’s in pain.

  “Come here,” he orders me.

  “So bossy,” I say, scooting forward, unable to disobey. His chuckle is low and soft as he grabs my ankles, pulling me to the edge of the bed. Excruciatingly slow, he pulls my pantyhose down, his movements measured like everything else in his life. When he’s done, he flips me around to unzip my skirt and pull it down. My blouse and bra are next. He folds everything neatly, laying them on the sofa.

  “Gah! I’m dying here, Rafael.”

  He returns to the bed, drops to his knees and lifts my leg. He lowers his dark head to kiss my foot, my toes, up my calf, halting at the dip behind my knee.

  “My favorite spot.” He nibbles and kisses and licks and . . . ah, baby, I’m about to blow apart.

  He flips me onto my stomach so fast, I don’t have time to catch my breath. I squeeze my eyes shut as he licks down my spine, pausing long enough to kiss the butterfly tattoo on my hip. His mouth leaves my skin and before I can turn to look at what he’s doing, he covers my body with his hard one.

  Holy shit! The way his heavy erection rubs against my already sensitive skin doubles every sensation racking through me. He jerks forward, sliding himself along the curve of my butt. I wiggle to have him where I want him.

  He growls in my ear. “Stop moving. God, your body is wound so tight, baby. When was the last time you made love?”

  “Made love?” I pant, lifting my head. “Do those two words exist anymore?”

  “I don’t do sex, Sophie. When I finally take you, it will either be making sweet love to you, or fucking you hard and fast. I don’t do in-betweens.” His voice is like an aphrodisiac to my sex-starved body.

  I might have whimpered, or choked on air, I’m not sure.

  He plants his hands on the side of my face, lifting himself off me. “Turn around.”

  I flip around and lie on my back, my body hot and impatient. He lowers himself slowly until he’s on top of me, breathing hard. He lifts one hand, caressing it along my jaw, my collarbone, the side of my breast before slipping his fingers between our bodies.

  “Still waiting for your answer,” he says, trailing a path down my inner thigh. I’m not sure whether to press my knees together to keep him there, or open myself to him and let him explore.

  “Does it matter?” He squeezes a strong hand on my thigh. I can’t tell whether it’s a warning, or insistence. “Five years,” I mumble under my breath, cringing.

  His hand stills. “Come again?”

  “You wanted to know,” I say, feeling a bit defensive.

  “Five whole years? Where have you been living? A cave?”

  I don’t appreciate where this conversation is going, so I shift slightly and his hand slides off my leg. Immediately, he pulls me back where he wants me.

  “Well, damn, Sophie. The thought of a five year celibacy makes me want to lay you down and ravage you until I burst that dam of tension you’ve built.”

  He ducks his head, capturing my mouth with his and kisses me. Jesus, that kiss! It’s like he’s starved, desperate and unable to have his fill. He groans deep in his throat as his mouth leaves mine, traveling from my neck, down my shoulder, closing around my breast. Something clatters nearby. I jerk upright, dislodging him from my nipple.

  “Did you hear that? Someone’s in the house.” Pulse racing, I scramble to grab the red silk sheets.

  He stares at me with dark, dilated eyes, groaning. “My alarm’s on. There’s no way anyone could get in.” He cups my cheek, and ducks his head to meet my eyes.

  “I need you to relax, Sophie,” he murmurs, brushing a thumb along the curve of my jaw. “You’re safe with me.”

  “It’s a habit.”

  “I know, but relax. For once in your life, let go.”

  “Easy for you to say.” I shake my head, still trying to listen for any sound, and exhale. “Until Kravic and his men are out of the picture, I can’t let go.”

  “Yes,” he says in my ear, nipping my earlobe. “Yes, you can. Just for one night. I want you to surrender control. Let me take care of you.”

  “Let me take care of you.” I catch him off guard, knocking him over and straddling his hips. His eyes widen, followed by a slight upward curl of his mouth.

  “Well, isn’t this interesting,” he drawls. “Control, even in bed?”

  “Anywhere I can get it.”

  Within two seconds flat, I’m on my back again. His hips pin me to the mattress, and his strong hands wrap around my wrists, holding them on either side of my head. I can feel power rolling all over his body, and I know he’s holding my wrists with barely a quarter of his strength.

  “Anywhere I can get it,” he echoes my words. His erection digs into my thigh as he shifts to align his pelvis with mine. “Tonight, Butterfly, you’ll let go.” I narrow my eyes at his command and he mirrors the look.

  “I could dislodge you with a knee to the crotch.”

  He lifts a dark brow, one side of his mouth curling up. He ducks his head to my neck, sucking and nibbling until I’m squirming. I whimper and groan. He leans back to stare at me, his eyes hooded.

  “Still want to kick me?”

  I shake my head, panting, and pull my wrists from his hands. “I want to taste you. Every inch of you.”

  His eyes widen, a slow smile curling his lips. Yum. He’s beautiful. He scoops me up and flips me onto my stomach again, knocking the breath from my lungs. Oh, he seems to favor this more than me on my back.

  I push my ass up as he drapes his body around mine. He groans deeply and sinks his teeth into my shoulder. I scream his name, sweet pain and pleasure racking my body. I bury my face in the pillow and scream again. The image of a male lion holding the female down during mating flashes in my mind. I’m so wet right now.

  He loosens his hold, and kisses the spot he bit. “Now, be patient, Sophie. Can you do that for me?”

  I nod quickly.

  “Good girl.” He shifts, licking my ear, down my neck, and kisses my shoulder. “I fucking love these freckles,” he murmurs, swirling his tongue over them before moving down my spine to the dip in my lower back. “Love this curve, so soft, feminine, and these fucking sexy hips.”

  His fingers sink into my skin and it’s much too much. I sob, I think, or scream, or whimper. I’m not sure. My body is a hurricane of lust, desire, want, need and impatience. I squirm again.

  “I asked you not to move.” I lift my head to scowl at him, and my gaze collides with his. His jaw is clenched tight. He presses his lips on one buttcheek, then bites it. Stars and fireworks explode behind my eyes

  “Arie, oh my God!”

  “That’s more like it,” he says, sounding
satisfied. I can’t move, so I just lie there as he grabs two pillows from the bed, propping them under my stomach. He shifts lower, skimming his nose along my inner thigh.

  “Oh God, no, Rafael. You--no, don’t do that.” I squirm off the pillows, but he grabs my waist to stop me.

  “Why not?”

  “I--I should shower for that, you know. I don’t want you--”

  “Shh.” He presses a finger on my lips. “I love how you smell. And I want to lick you down there, showered or not.”

  I open my mouth to protest, but he quickly covers it with his own.

  “I want to make you come with my mouth, my fingers. Your scent is so damn intoxicating. It’s my drug. Come on, Sophie, lie back for me.”

  I do, shivering from his words and the thought of him making me come with his tongue. He turns me around, placing the pillows the way he wants them. Seconds later, his hands trail down my thighs, inching toward my center. He pushes one finger inside me while he presses little kisses on my buttcheeks, tracing them up my spine as inserts another finger. Pumping into me. Five years of no sex fades into nothingness. This is what I was priming for, a touch from this god of a man.

  “So very beautiful,” he murmurs as he nibbles and licks, his scruffy jaw abrasive on my sensitive skin. “I’ve dreamed about this a million times.” He shifts to his knees, his fingers still inside me, working me, thrilling me, casting a spell on me.

  In that moment, I don’t care that my boobs are sub-par. I don’t care that my thighs do this jiggly thing whenever they’re involved in any sort of movement. I just shut my eyes and welcome the fire he’s breathing into my skin with his hands.

  Some people want the fire, but don’t want to get burned. Rafael is my fire, and I want to toss myself into the flames, burn completely. I haven’t let myself drown in fire for a long time, letting it lick my skin inch by inch. My fingers grip tight around the sheets. I moan into the mattress. He pumps his fingers faster, and his tongue flicks the skin where my shoulder and neck meet. The sensations inside me build.

  “Rafael!” I scream into the mattress. He groans above me, the sound vibrating through me.