She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in to him, offering strength, taking his pain. “Oh, Rafe. I’m so, so sorry.”
He held her, cradled her. Then, when he could breathe, he pulled back a little to capture her chin. “I love you.” He drew in her fresh scent, luxuriated in her. “I screwed up.”
“Don’t.” She pushed hair back from his forehead.
He didn’t deserve her. “I hurt you.”
“We have time for that later.”
Urgency drove him. This was important. She was important. “I’ve asked—demanded—that you to bare yourself to me, but I didn’t take care of your heart.” Where were the words? “Part of me is missing. I’m begging you. Give me a second chance. I’ll be a better man.” In the midst of the anguish around them, he lowered himself to one knee. “The only thing I have to offer right now is my love and commitment.”
“That’s all I want.” Her eyes filled with tears.
Until now, he would have dashed them away, held her close until her emotions passed, but now he wanted them, bled for them. “Be my bride, my mate, my submissive, my partner, my equal. Let me love you.” He took her hand. “Days won’t be enough for me, nor the years, nor the decades.”
Her tears spilled, and his heart threatened to claw its way out of his chest. “Is that a yes? Please, please say yes. Put me out of this misery.”
She squeezed his hand with both of hers. “I’m scared.”
“Yeah. So am I. We don’t have to get married right away, if you need time.”
Tipping her head to the side, she frowned. “You need to get married.”
“I know. But I’ll wait as long as I need to.”
“I don’t understand. You’d risk your business for me?”
“Do you not understand how much you matter to me? I’d risk my life for you.”
“Oh, Rafe.” Her shoulders shook.
“For God’s sake, Hope, tell me you love me.”
“I love you, Rafe.” She crumpled into his arms, and they were bound together, on their knees. “I love you. I love you.”
Her words slayed him, healed him, made him whole. From here, from love, they could build anything.
Unable to breathe, he held her tighter.
Hope hazarded a glance across the interior of the car at Rafe, the man she loved. He was lost in thought, lines furrowing across his forehead as he stared straight out the front windshield.
She checked the rearview mirror, then tightened her grip on the steering wheel as she accelerated past traffic on the way up I-45.
After they’d somehow found their senses in front of Noah’s house, Rafe had helped her to her feet. Police cars left in silence, and he said he wanted to go to his cousin’s lake house. She’d offered to drive.
As she’d accelerated away from the metro area, they’d held hands across the center console, and he’d shared the horrible details of Lillibet’s disappearance.
But as they’d navigated through traffic near the Woodlands and the highway lined by miles of pine trees, he’d lapsed into silence.
She was grateful Skyler had put Rafe on speakerphone when he’d called the office earlier that afternoon. Hope had heard his every word, and his sincerity had been an ice pick that carved through the protection she’d wrapped around her heart.
Then Celeste insisted he was suffering, right before she’d provided an update on the Lillibet situation along with Noah’s address.
When Rafe had left the house, he’d stood on the porch, crestfallen with sorrow. And then, when he saw her… Her throat had swollen. His eyes had lightened as the demons had been vanquished.
The sound of a chime, followed by the disembodied voice of the navigation system, indicated she should exit the highway.
“Sorry.” Blinking, Rafe glanced her way. “I was thinking about my dad. What to tell him.” He pressed his thumbs to his temples. “When to tell him.”
“I can’t imagine what you’re going through.” Words were inadequate, so she settled for brushing a finger across his knuckles.
His phone rang with an update from Celeste. The police had entered the lake house and hadn’t found Lillibet. A search of the property’s two acres was underway.
Without saying goodbye, he dropped the phone to the console, then reached for Hope’s hand.
Within ten minutes, she braked to a stop near the Richardsons’ house, across from an ambulance and several police cruisers. Rafe pocketed his phone before they exited the vehicle.
“I’ll wait here,” she said after he dropped a kiss on her forehead.
He brushed a fingertip across her lips. “If you change your mind, text me and I’ll come get you.”
Halfway across the street, he stopped and looked back. “Thank you.”
She gave a half-smile, the best she could summon under the circumstances.
At the gate, he showed identification, and the police officer stationed there waved him through.
Hope remained where she was, the suffocating heat making everything difficult, including breathing. Somehow, that seemed appropriate.
Half an hour later, a uniformed police officer began cordoning off the area with yellow tape. Shortly afterward, a white SUV bearing the words Crime Scene Unit braked to a stop nearby, and two technicians began unloading equipment from the back. Hope wrapped her arms around herself as her heart broke—for Rafe, his father, for a young woman who’d been a pawn in some evil game.
Hope climbed into the car then leaned forward, resting her forehead on the steering wheel.
It took another hour for Rafe to walk around from the back of the house. His steps were short and deliberate, and his shoulders were slumped. Rather than waiting, she exited the vehicle to meet him.
He embraced her, holding her tight, as if he’d never let go. “God. Damn. She loved him. At some point, for her it had stopped being a charade.” His voice broke. “They were going to visit Casablanca.”
Hope had a dozen questions, and she didn’t ask any of them. For now, it was enough that she was here for him, that they were together. The rest could be sorted through over time.
When he pulled back, his features were strained with grief. “I need to tell my dad in person.”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Go with me?”
The request stunned her. “Isn’t this something you’d rather do alone?”
“I don’t want to be apart. At least travel to Florida with me.”
She could refuse him nothing. “I’ll go.”
He exhaled a shaky breath that showed her how important her answer had been to him.
Although it was after business hours, he called Jeanine and said he needed a plane and the best available suite at the Sterling hotel in St. Pete Beach.
Hope drove them back to Houston. At her apartment, she packed an overnight bag, and when she walked into the living room, she found the Colonel curled on Rafe’s lap.
Hope stood there for a second, staring. How is this even possible? “After I feed her, we can be on our way.” As Hope spoke, the Colonel glared at her. “I think she might be your cat.”
“Seems that way.”
It wasn’t until Hope opened a can of food that the Colonel jumped down from his lap.
“Traitor,” Hope said when the feline entered the kitchen. She flicked her tail, then started to eat, ignoring Hope. “I feel abandoned.”
“Pets always know who’s a good person.”
“Uh-huh.”
He picked up her bag and carried it to the car. During the drive, she asked Skyler to cover, perhaps for an extended time. Then she had Rafe ask Caroline to take care of the Colonel. Caroline was shrewd. She negotiated for another spa day, a hotel stay, dinner, and a bottle of champagne.
“You drive a tough bargain,” he told her. “But yes.”
Hope shook her head. Was he going to be this much of a pushover when they had kids?
In his condo, he packed, and she watched the beginnings of the sunset unf
url across the sky.
“We don’t have to live here,” he said, coming up behind her.
She’d been so lost in thought that his approach startled her. “I haven’t said yes to marriage.”
“You didn’t say no to shacking up.” He gave an irresistible grin.
“Shacking up?”
“Living in sin? Cohabitating? Consummating? Doing the dirty?”
“Consummating?”
“We should get started on that.”
At the heat in his words, her pulse turned sluggish. “We’ll have time.”
“Yeah. We’ll go away together as soon as we can make arrangements. After the…funeral?”
When they reached the airport, the plane was waiting. Rafe held her hand through the flight, and he dozed, the stress lines around his eyes lessening. Now that it had ebbed, she recognized the anguish he’d endured since she left.
They landed after ten p.m., and they drove down the coast until they reached the hotel. “Are you sure you don’t want to go with me to see my dad?” he asked after their luggage had been brought up.
She wanted to be with him to support him, but since she hadn’t met his dad, it wasn’t a good idea. “I’ll be here when you get back.”
“It will be early morning,” he warned. He dragged her against him and kissed her with the emotion he hadn’t expressed before.
Her toes curled, and her insides warmed. Having this moment was worth any risk.
“I love you, Hope. I’ll spend a lifetime proving it.”
She kissed her first two fingers, then pressed them against his lips. “Go and be with your father.”
Before leaving, he kissed her again.
She walked to the window, pulled back the heavy blackout curtain, and watched him walk toward their rental car. It didn’t surprise her when he stopped, turned, then scanned the windows until he saw her.
Beneath a light, he touched his heart, then pointed at her. He made her giddy, and her knees buckled in response. He was going through something horrendous, but he had still stopped to acknowledge the connection they shared.
After his car had disappeared from the parking lot, Hope drew a bath and sank into it. With memories of Rafe filtering across her memory, she closed her eyes. This time, though, the past wasn’t all there was. Images of a potential future appeared there too—a wedding? The baby he’d once mentioned? Like mist, the pictures themselves were shrouded, uncertain, but not threatening the way they once might have been.
She fell into bed wrapped in a fluffy robe for security, and she was asleep when Rafe returned.
He undressed her somehow, then wrapped his naked body around hers, holding her tight, as if he’d never let her go. Deep inside, she wanted that too.
“Morning.”
As the sound of the rich masculine voice sashayed into her unconscious, Hope slogged through the many inviting layers of sleep that separated her from the real world.
“I have coffee.”
The devil himself knew her weaknesses and used them to tempt her.
“It’s hot.”
The reality of this morning, Rafe and his promises of love and their many tomorrows, was far more inviting than her dreams. With a soft smile, she allowed her eyes to drift open.
Rafe, her man, her lover, was beside her in the bed, propped on one arm. He smelled of spice. His hair was damp, and an errant drop of water clung to his forehead. Except for a white towel wrapped around his waist, he was naked. At some point, he’d opened the blackout drapes, allowing soft sunlight to filter into the room. His eyes were cerulean, and his gaze was riveted on her.
“Should I make love to you now or after coffee?” he mused.
“Don’t make me think you woke me on false pretenses.”
“Coffee, instead of this?” This being his dick, protruding against the towel.
“Nothing is more important than your almighty cock, Mr. Sterling.” She paused. “Sir.”
“Fuck,” he groaned. “I need you, sweet, sweet Hope. I need you. I love you.” He moved her beneath him, kissing her, murmuring words of love, nipping her earlobe.
Heat and the hunger for reconnection poured through her. “Please…”
Rafe pinned her arms above her head.
“I need to touch you.”
“In a moment,” he promised. “First, keep your wrists together.”
He was maddening, infuriating…hers.
Rafe kissed his way down the column of her throat. He was intent, filled with purpose as he cupped her breasts, imprisoning them while he sucked on each nipple in turn. She writhed, struggling to follow his orders. Not grabbing hold of him was sweet torment.
When her nipples couldn’t take any more attention, he traced a finger down her torso, over her belly, then between her folds. She’d missed his touch, and her body was on fire for him.
He made tiny circles on her clit and she arched toward him. “Rafe!”
“You can manage this,” he told her.
“I…” She moved her head to the side and saw he was studying her reactions.
Connection arced through her. Though he was familiar with her body, this was as special as their first time.
He dipped his finger inside her, seeking her G-spot.
“Oh God.”
“You were made for me.” He found her sensitive flesh and she cried out. “Are you going to come for me, Hope?”
“If you let me…Sir.”
His eyes blazed at her acknowledgment that she wanted his dominance. “This morning, yes. This afternoon, maybe not.”
She shivered at his promise of more to come.
He pressed his thumb against her clit as he stimulated her insides.
Hope screamed his name. Without warning, she came with a powerful shudder. She wasn’t sure anything had ripped into her like that one. It was more than physical. It was her newfound emotional response.
She expected him to enter her, but he didn’t. Instead, he lowered his mouth to her pussy and teased her until she cried his name.
“Now, maybe you’re ready for me.”
“I’m not sure there’s anything left.”
He knelt between her legs. “I’m betting there is.”
Every part of her—her breasts, nipples, pussy, feelings—was consumed by him. He teased her entrance with his cockhead, making her groan. “More.”
“Greedy,” he said, but his smile showed that he liked her need.
He slid in a fraction of an inch, then pulled back, leaving her wet and throbbing. He went deeper with the next stroke, and each of his movements seemed calculated to ensure she fixated on them and the relationship they were building.
“You may touch me now.”
Exhaling her relief, she did, trailing her fingers across his skin.
“You’re so perfect for me, sweet Hope.”
He filled her completely, making her scream at his girth and penetration. Hope dug her fingers into his hair and wrapped her other arm across his shoulders, using a bit of force to leverage herself up to allow him greater penetration.
“Shit, that’s hot,” he said.
Their tempo changed.
Passion devoured sweetness. Carnality triumphed over longing.
He fucked her, hard, marking her with his masculinity. He demanded her full participation as a partner. Holding nothing back, she gave it.
“Wrap your legs around me.” He dragged a pillow over and slid it under her to support her spine as she lifted her buttocks.
Since he didn’t pull out of her pussy, it took a few moves before she was able to cross her ankles.
Once again, he trapped her arms above her head, holding her wrists down with one of his strong hands. Though he used one hand to brace himself, he was so far inside her, she could no longer think.
Over and over, he filled her.
With his cock, he claimed her
Her heart thundered, and her control splintered. Her internal muscles clamped down on him, and she gyrated her
hips, grinding out an orgasm. “More, Rafe. More.”
“Jesus.” He groaned. “The way you say that, like you can’t get enough of me…”
“I can’t,” she confessed.
“Hope.” His eyes closed. “Sweet Hope…”
She wanted to feel him come in her. Hope kept her hips high, letting him take what he needed from her body. “Yes,” she murmured.
He stiffened. With a loud “Fuuuuck,” he spilled inside her.
Lost in him, she stayed where she was.
“So damn perfect, Hope,” he managed once he’d regained control. He released her wrists. “We’ll have to do that again.”
“Not too soon,” she said. “I may need a little recovery time.”
“A hot bath will have to do you. I’m not waiting long.”
She grinned as she lowered her legs. Her muscles had already tightened from being held in that position for so long. In fact, most of her body was a little tender. “I might need that bath soon.”
Rafe rolled onto his side and pulled her against him. “I love you, Hope. Thank you for taking a chance on us.”
She reached up to stroke back a stray lock of his dark hair. “I love you.”
“To our future,” he said before kissing her temple.
“To our future,” she echoed, rolling on top of him.
“I have to admit, I like your version of the future.”
She grinned down at him. “I thought you might, Mr. Sterling.”
EPILOGUE
“Shall we?” Rafe glanced down at Hope, who was stretched out poolside on a lounger. A giant yellow umbrella kept the sun off her, and she appeared quite comfortable with her after-dinner wine on the table next to her.
She peeped at him over the top of her book. He’d made electronics off-limits except for the hour they were each allowed to check in with the office every day. After the mental and physical grind of the past three weeks, they’d needed to disconnect and spend time alone with no distractions. In an unheard-of attempt to avoid work, he’d opted not to stay at a Sterling property and instead had accepted an invite from his college roommate, Griffin Lahey, to borrow his Caribbean island for a week. It had been an excellent choice. Each afternoon, a chef arrived by boat to make them dinner and restock provisions. Other than that, they were alone with the birds, the white sandy beach, the sunshine, kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear, and the bondage equipment Rafe had brought with them.
Billionaire's Matchmaker (Titans) Page 27
