Rafael kissed her. A slow, searing, blow your socks off kind of kiss. Anna was fraught with excitement. She wanted this. For once she was going to enjoy herself, lose herself in the moment. She closed her eyes and gave herself up to the kiss. His tongue delved deeply, expertly into her mouth and she kissed him back with an intensity she never knew she possessed.
As she let herself go and succumbed to the emotions that had been building throughout the day, Anna thought what a relief it was to simply enjoy the moment. To not have to worry about whether he was the right kind of guy for her, or whether she was making a mistake. This kiss seemed never ending. Eventually they broke apart, gasping for breath.
Rafael’s gaze roamed erotically over her almost-naked body taking in every little detail. Anna shivered with anticipation and felt her g-string grow damp.
“I have to take you upstairs before I make love to you right here on the kitchen floor,” he growled, pulling her by the hand towards the staircase.
Anna glanced at the cold tiles and nodded. “I think that’s a very good idea. I don’t fancy lying down on those.”
“Come on then,” he laughed, and they ran upstairs holding hands like teenagers.
“This feels a little one-sided,” teased Anna in the bedroom, tugging at his shirt. Rafael’s huge bed was ready and waiting behind them.
“Easily rectified,” said Rafael, removing it in one smooth movement. Anna feasted her eyes on his taut stomach with its perfectly segmented six-pack and broad, bronzed shoulders. She gave in to the desire to touch him and ran her hands lightly over his shoulders and down his arms, feeling his biceps bulge beneath her fingers.
“More,” she demanded, still feeling a little underdressed by comparison and desperate to see more of his naked glory.
Rafael smiled indulgently and stood still, his arms out next to him, allowing her to undo his belt and release his trousers. Dark tufts of hair stood out under his arms and as Anna eagerly undid his zip and pulled his trousers down she inhaled his spicy deodorant, mixed with manly sweat and excitement. She could hardly focus on her task her hands were shaking so much.
Eventually, she’d stripped Rafael of all his clothes and he stood in front of her, splendidly masculine and unashamedly erect.
“Come here...” Gathering her up in his arms, Rafael laid her gently on the bed. “I can’t wait any longer,” he murmured, lowering himself on top of her and reclaiming her mouth with his own.
Anna luxuriated in the feel of his warm, velvety skin on hers as she kissed him back. His massive erection prodded her thigh and she groaned with desire, desperate to feel him inside of her again. She knew from their last night in Naples that Rafael liked to take his time, refusing to rush, even when she was begging for release. Her body felt on fire and she writhed beneath him, silently praying he’d remove her panties and enter her so she could feel his magnificent fullness. As if reading her thoughts Rafael’s hand snaked down and slid her g-string to her knees. From there she kicked it off with her foot. Feeling blissfully uninhibited, she let her instincts take over and moaned for him to take her. “I’m ready now,” she gasped.
Sensing her need, Rafael entered her in one smooth motion. She cried out with pleasure as he filled her completely. She heard his gasp of satisfaction and clung on to him until he slowly began to move inside her. Breathing heavily, Anna opened herself up to all the wondrous sensations flowing through her body. She felt released, as if a weight had been removed from her shoulders and she was finally able to enjoy herself with complete abandonment. She expected nothing from tonight, nothing except the ultimate pleasure. It was a completely foreign experience and she revelled in it.
With every thrust Rafael brought her closer and closer to release. As the delicious tension build inside her, Anna let herself go, thrusting back rhythmically, as the waves of pleasure grew bigger and bigger. His breathing grew ragged beside her and soon their bodies were glistening with sweat. As the contractions began, Anna cried out and gripped him tightly. He plunged into her again and again until she’d finished, and only then did he gasp loudly and collapse on top of her.
Anna woke first. Slowly memories of last night’s lovemaking came back to her and she stretched luxuriously, turning to look at Rafael, still asleep next to her. With his dark hair swept back from his forehead and those incredibly long eyelashes flush against his cheeks, Anna thought he was one of the sexiest men she’d ever met.
The small, jagged scar stretching along his cheekbone looked almost silver in the morning light. It served to remind her of Rafael’s violent childhood, and how he’d managed to rise above all that to become a successful lawyer and businessman—with Giovanni’s help, of course.
Anna leant over and kissed him tenderly on the scar. His eyelids fluttered. “Morning, beautiful,” he murmured, a smile playing on his lips.
Anna smiled. “Morning. Did you sleep well?”
Rafael rolled towards her. “Mm... yes, when you finally let me get some sleep.”
She punched him playfully on the shoulder, only to have him grab her wrist and kiss her full on the lips. “I haven’t brushed my teeth,” she complained.
“Don’t care,” mumbled Rafael, nibbling at her neck. Then he rolled on top of her and Anna became aware of his enormous arousal.
“Oh my...” she gasped, as it prodded her inner thigh.
“I want you,” he growled in her ear, causing the fine hairs on her neck to stand on end. “Now.”
Already naked, Anna opened her legs granting him immediate access. There was no foreplay this morning. None was necessary. Anna was already moist, already excited to feel him inside her.
As he slid inside of her they both moaned in delight. He filled her so entirely, as if she were made for him. Slowly he began to move, and Anna soon lost herself in the whirl of emotions flooding her body. You would think after last night’s mammoth session, or sessions, rather, that she’d be exhausted today – yet one look at him and she wanted him again.
In the back of her mind she feared she was already addicted to him. But she didn’t want think about that now. Her need was too strong.
As the glorious tension built Anna clung on to Rafael for all she was worth. Higher and higher he took her until with a shattering explosion she gasped and climaxed, riding the waves of her orgasm until he erupted inside her and they clung to each other, drenched in sweat and completed sated.
Rafael was the first to speak. “See, I knew this would be a good idea. What a way to start the day!”
“I would have to agree with you there,” she grinned and wriggled out from underneath him.
Rafael climbed out of bed and walked to the bathroom in all his naked glory, totally unselfconscious. The ripped abs, the lean hips and taunt butt. He was a god. Anna watched faintly bewildered. It was hard not to feel a bit smug about it. That is all mine for the next week, she mused.
Granted, it may be hard letting him go at the end of it all, but what memories she’d have to take home with her.
The shower went on and Rafael reappeared. “You want to go first?”
Anna nodded and slipped out of bed. As she past him, he grabbed her and planted a soft, lingering kiss on her lips. Anna glanced up in surprise, but Rafael didn’t speak. He just gave her hand a little squeeze and stood back to let her by. Pleased by Rafael’s sudden display of affection, but determined not to read anything into it, Anna disappeared into the bathroom and immersed herself under the steaming hot water.
Rafael walked to work with a spring in his step. Right now he was thoroughly sated, but he knew the feeling wouldn’t last. By the time he got home he’d be aching to have Anna again. His desire for her increased each time they slept together. It was a novel experience and he was enjoying every second of it.
The morning passed quickly. At lunch time Rafael met Rico, his private investigator and friend. It was time to find out if all Anna’s details had checked out.
“Buongiorno,” he greeted his friend as they shook hands
and took a seat at one of the pavement tables. “How was the trip over?”
“Got a lift with a friend,” grinned Rico. “Beats taking the ferry. I can see why you bought a boat.”
A waiter brought them two espressos and they got down to business.
“She seems legit,” began Rico. “I’m not sure what you expected to find, but her mother died, as she said, back in 1995. I downloaded a copy of the death certificate.”
Rafael nodded. “Good. I admit she does seem to be sincere. What about a birth certificate?”
“It exists,” confirmed Rico. “But only the mother’s name is on it so that doesn’t help us at all. I got a copy anyway.”
“Damn.” Rafael bit his lip. “Anything else?”
“I got an address, presumably where they used to live. The house was sold in ninety-six, which would coincide with the mother’s death. There’s no record of any other property in that name.”
“Any other relatives?” asked Rafael.
Rico shook his head. “Nada, my friend. The girl has no one.”
“Except maybe Giovanni,” intoned Rafael, thoughtfully.
“So you have changed your mind?”
Rafael shrugged. “I think I’m starting to. She seems genuine, and everything you say tallies with what she’s told me. I have to admit my instincts may have been wrong on this one.” He gave a wry grin.
“No way!” Rico rolled his eyes at his friend. “You, admitting you were wrong. Incredible.”
“Okay, okay, let’s not get carried away. She’s agreed to the paternity test. If she’s for real, the DNA will prove it.”
“Then what? You’ll give her the money?”
“I’ll have to. It’s rightfully hers.”
Rico grinned. “So not only is this girl very beautiful, she is also going to be rich.”
“True.” Rafael ran a hand through his hair. Anna was going to be an heiress. After she left Capri she could do whatever she pleased. Anna Crawford would never want for money again.
“This makes her very attractive, no?”
Rafael laughed. “She is very attractive without the money, believe me.”
“Oh, I know. I’ve seen photos.”
“What photos?” spluttered Rafael.
Rico looked sheepish. “I didn’t know whether it was relevant, but she’s done some modelling work. Have a look. It’s all there.” He threw an A4-sized envelope on the table.
Rafael frowned and reached for it. “What kind of modelling work?”
Rico merely nodded at the envelope. “You’ll see.”
Rafael pulled out the prints and flicked through them slowly, one by one. The images were grainy and of poor quality, but there was no mistaking who the model was. He’d recognise those breasts anywhere.
“Hell!” Rafael felt his chest tighten with an unfamiliar emotion.
“Come on,” Rico was quick to reassure him. “They’re not that bad. At least they’re only topless shots.”
Rafael’s lips were drawn in a tight line. “That skimpy underwear hardly leaves much to the imagination.”
“Why do you care?” enquired Rico, his eyes twinkling. “You’ve dated models before. You know what they’re like. It’s just a job.”
“I didn’t know she was a model,” confessed Rafael, his expression hard. “And I’m not dating her, well not really.” A week long affair wasn’t dating.
“Not really?” Rico laughed. “So what is going on between you two then, amigo? Something, yes?”
Rafael frowned. He didn’t want to discuss his relationship with Anna, not even with his oldest friend, who he knew to be discreet. It was too new. Too raw. He was still enjoying the spontaneity of it all.
“Something... Yes.” He gave a curt nod. “She’s leaving after the settlement is allocated. Going back to England.”
“Ah, I see. And you’re okay with that?”
The photographs of Anna annoyed him more than he cared to admit. He didn’t like the fact she took her clothes off for other men. He thought she was a nurse. The photos must be a part-time gig.
“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”
Rico shrugged. “Just asking.”
Rafael drank the rest of his cappuccino in silence while Rico brought him up to date on Mancini. Apparently his fourth wife had just walked out, taking their daughter with her. Now a custody battle was looming. Rafael felt sorry for the kid. She wouldn’t even be alive now if it hadn’t been for Anna. He told Rico about the drowning incident and the subsequent agreement to hold off the demolition for two months. Rico was amazed at Anna’s foresight in getting Mancini to sign the napkin.
“She’s smart, this one, Rafael. Perhaps you should marry her before she gets away?”
He laughed at his own joke and then raised a sardonic eyebrow at Rafael’s unexpected silence. Clicking his tongue, he said, “My friend, I think you have it bad.”
At Rafael’s glare, Rico threw back his head and guffawed. “Here, coffee’s on me.” He threw some change onto the table. “You look like you need another one.”
Rafa looked up. “You aren’t staying?”
Rico shook his head. “I have to go now, but I am very interested to see how this little relationship develops. Please keep me informed.”
Rafael rolled his eyes. “There is no relationship.”
“Yeah-yeah. Do you want to keep the photographs?”
“No. Get rid of them.”
The last thing he wanted was to be reminded about that. Besides, what Anna decided to do with her body was up to her. It was none of his business. He was merely her lover for a short while and then she’d be gone, never to return. At least with her share of Giovanni’s fortune, she’d never have to resort to B-grade modelling again.
Anna, lying on a pink sarong in the garden was enjoying the warmth of the dappled sunshine when she heard the gate squeak. Looking up she saw her man walking towards her. She probably shouldn’t call him that, since technically he wasn’t really her man. Yet, he was so delicious and she had sole use of him for a week. Why not make the most of it?
Anna gave him a lazy smile and watched as his eyes roamed enticingly over her bikini-clad body.
“Enjoying yourself?”
“I’ve had a lovely relaxing day, thank you. How was yours?”
“Interesting.”
Rafael looked tense.
“Is something the matter?” Anna asked.
“Actually, I heard from the pathologists this afternoon.”
“That was quick.” Anna sat up.
“It’s not what you think. Apparently they don’t have the sample of Giovanni’s blood to make the DNA match. The only live sample left is in Rome. So they’re getting it sent over.”
“I see. Well, I suppose at least they have another sample.”
“Yes, but it will add a few more days, perhaps even a week onto the process.”
Anna was silent for a moment. Another week here with Rafael. Her heart surged at the thought, but then plummeted just as quickly. Another week and she’d be irrevocably in love with him. She didn’t bother to fool herself on that score. Her heart was only so resistant and already he was making heavy inroads. Eventually the nights of lovemaking would wear her down. How would she detangle herself then?
“Is that a problem for you?”
“Um... yes and no.” What could she say? I don’t want you to ruin me for other men. He wouldn’t understand.
Rafael sat down next to her on the sarong. There was a questioning look on his face.
“Well, it probably seems silly to you, since in your world everything is so black and white.” She ignored his frown and continued, “But after two weeks of living together and sleeping together...” she faltered, unsure of how to continue.
“I think I know what you mean.” Rafael was silent for a moment, and then he said reasonably, “Do you not think in two weeks you may well be sick of me? That you might be ready to go back to England?”
It was all so simple fo
r him.
“Perhaps,” she smiled weakly.
“Passion fades, Anna.” His face told her all she needed to know. There would be no future for them after these two weeks and that was that. She’d better get used to the idea.
“Yes, so you said,” she uttered, lying down and closing her eyes. She heard him sigh. Serve him right for being so...so...resistant to feelings.
“There’s something else I want to ask you,” he said after a few long minutes had passed.
Anna opened one eye. “Yes?”
“Have you done any modelling lately—and I don’t mean the glossy kind.”
Anna leant up on her elbows. “What are you implying?”
“I saw some photos of you today,” he admitted. “They weren’t pretty.”
“You saw photos of me?” Anna stared at him. Then the penny dropped. “How did you find out about that? It’s not public knowledge.”
“Actually, it is.” Rafael gave her a hard look. “When you pose half-naked for a trashy magazine, everybody sees it. You can’t get more public than that.”
Anna seethed. “You had me checked out, didn’t you?” Obviously, that’s how he knew about the photos. He had her investigated like a common criminal.
“I told you I would.” There was no apology in his expression. Anna gritted her teeth. Yes, he had mentioned it, but she’d forgotten about that.
“I did some part-time work for a magazine--once.”
“So it was a once-off?”
“Not that it’s anything to do with you, but yes. I posed for those photos at a time in my life when I desperately needed money. I had just finished my nurse’s training and hadn’t gotten a job yet. It was the only way to pay the bills.” The fact that the agency had lied to her and she’d taken the assignment thinking it was a legitimate photo shoot, was something she didn’t mention. It would only have made her appear gullible on top of everything else.
Rafael remained silent, watching her.
“I wasn’t naked, which you probably know if you’ve seen the photos.” She’d drawn the line at that, despite the photographer’s insistence. Topless was one thing, but spreading her legs for a top-shelf magazine was something else entirely. She had standards.
The Italian Inheritance Page 13
