by Maya Blake
Recalling his conversation earlier with Raven, he paused in the hallway. I’m not going to force you to relive the emotional pain.
Little did she know that he relived it every waking moment and most nights in his vivid nightmares. He might have cheated death countless times, but his penance was to relive the devastation he’d brought to his family over and over again.
His phone pinged and before he glanced at it he knew who it was.
His father...
He deleted the message, unread. Dios, even if they wanted to grant it, who was he to accept their forgiveness—?
The sound in the library next to his study attracted his attention.
Raven’s lusciously heady perfume drew him to the room before he could stop himself. ‘It’s almost midnight. What are you doing up?’
‘I was looking for something to read. The only reading material I have upstairs is boring clinical stuff, and my tablet is charging, so...’
He glanced down at the papers in his hand. He had no idea what he was doing, no idea where this project would take him but... He debated for a few seconds and made up his mind. Closing the distance between them, he stopped in front of her.
‘Here.’ He tossed a bound sheaf of papers at her, which she managed to catch before they spilled everywhere.
‘What is this?’
One corner of his mouth lifted in a dangerous little half-smile that always made her forget to breathe. ‘Two articles for X1 Magazine...and something new I’m working on.’
‘Something new? I didn’t know you wrote outside of your monthly CEO’s Snippets.’
He shrugged. ‘Three months ago—while I was trussed up like a turkey in a hospital bed—I was approached by a couple of publishing houses to write my memoirs.’ He laughed. ‘I guess they figured a has-been like me would jump at the chance to lay it all out there before the moths set in.’
She glanced down at the thick inch of paper between her fingers. ‘And you agreed?’ she asked as she started to leaf through the pages.
‘I said I’d think about it. I had time on my hands after all.’
She read, then read some more. On the third page, she looked up. ‘This isn’t your memoirs, unless you were a girl who grew up in Valencia in the late forties.’
‘Bonita, you’re getting ahead of yourself. Por favor, contain yourself and let me finish.’
She stared up at him. Rafael gave himself a mental slap against the need to keep staring into those mesmerising eyes. ‘I started writing and realised fiction suited me much better than non-fiction. I told them no to the memoir.’
‘And?’ she prompted when he lapsed into silence. ‘You told them about this?’
‘No. I’ve told no one about this. Except you.’
Surprise registered in her eyes before she glanced back down at the papers. ‘Are you sure you want me to read it?’
‘It’s pure fiction. No deep, dark secrets in there for you to hold over my head.’
Wide hazel eyes, alluring and daring at the same time, rose to lock on his. ‘Are you sure?’
‘If you’re thinking of flipping through the pages for X-rated material, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed.’
Her blush was a slow wave of heat that he wanted to trace with his fingers. For a woman so fierce in her dedication to her craft and so determined to succeed despite her past, she blushed with an innocence that made him painfully erect. Despite his intense discomfort, he wanted to continue to bait her so she blushed for him again.
Unable to help himself, he lowered his gaze to the shallow rise and fall of her chest.
When she cleared her throat delicately, he forced his gaze upwards. ‘So what are you looking for—an honest critique? I’m sure I can read whatever it is you’ve written and give an honest view, if that’s what you want?’
He smiled at her prim tone and forced himself to step back before he gave in to the need to kiss her. Their kiss had only opened up a craving to experience the heady sensation again. But, aside from the insane physical attraction, he was feeling a peculiar pull to Raven Blass he wasn’t completely comfortable with.
Keeping his distance from her was impossible considering her role in his life, but he wasn’t a hormonal teenager any longer and he refused to make any move towards her that reminded her of her sleazebag father.
If anything was going to happen between them, Raven had to make the first move...or indicate in clear and precise terms that she wanted him to.
‘Gracias, it is. I await your thoughts on my efforts with bated breath.’
CHAPTER SEVEN
THEIR EARLY MORNING departure to Italy, accompanied by Rafael’s executive assistant and a trio of ex-racers, meant that Raven had no chance to discuss Rafael’s manuscript with him at any point. A fact for which she was more than thankful.
The story of the young girl was both uplifting and heartbreaking. Rafael’s language was lyrical and poignant, clever and funny in a way that had made her feel each and every word, every expression.
Reading his work, she’d felt just that little bit closer to him. Raven wasn’t sure if she was more frightened or insane for feeling like that. It was that floundering feeling that had made her take a seat as far away from Rafael as possible.
But even though she made the right noises with the guy next to her—whose name she couldn’t immediately remember—she couldn’t get Rafael’s story out of her head.
Nor could she deny his talent. She’d learned very early on, after reading an unauthorised biography on him before accepting the job as his physiotherapist last year, that Rafael had a magic touch in most endeavours he undertook in his life. That he’d dedicated his life to racing had only meant that the sport had benefited endlessly.
His regular contribution to X1 Premier Management’s monthly magazine already garnered a subscription said to be in the millions. If he chose to dedicate his life to writing fiction his fan base would become insane.
And you would probably be his adoring number one fan.
Without warning, Rafael’s gaze swung towards her. The sizzling knowledge in that look sent sharp arrows of need racing to her pelvis. Her pulse hammered at her throat, her skin tingling with the chemistry of what she felt for Rafael.
‘...you ever been to Monza?’ The German ex-racer seated next to her—Axel Jung, she remembered his name now—stared at her with blatant interest.
She shook her head but couldn’t tear her gaze away from the formidable, intensely charismatic man whose gaze held her prisoner from across the aisle. ‘Um, no, I was Rafael’s physio last year but Monza wasn’t on the race calendar so I missed it.’
‘You’re in for a treat. It’s one of the best racetracks in the world.’
She swallowed and tried to dismiss the intensity of Rafael’s stare. ‘Yes, so I’ve been told. The old track was even more spectacular, from the pictures I’ve seen of it.’
Axel’s chuckle helped her break eye contact with Rafael but not before she saw his gaze swing to Axel and back to her.
‘If you liked danger with your spectacular view, that was the track to race on,’ Axel said.
She made an effort to turn her attention to him and almost regretted it when she glimpsed his deepening interest. ‘I suspect that’s why it’s a thrill for most drivers?’ she ventured.
He nodded eagerly. ‘I don’t know a driver who hasn’t dreamt of driving at Monza, either on the old or the new track. The tickets for Monza’s All-Star event sold out within minutes of going online.’
Raven had a feeling it had something to do with Rafael’s presence, this being one of his first public appearances since his accident. ‘That’s great for the charity, then?’
‘Yes, it is. I’d be honoured if you’ll permit me to show you around Monza.’ He drew closer. His smile widened
, lending his blond-haired, blue-eyed features a boyish charm.
‘I’m there to work, I’m afraid. And you’ll be driving I expect?’
Axel, a two-time world champion twenty-five years ago, nodded. ‘Rafael and I have a friendly rivalry that seems to draw the crowd.’ He laughed. The fondness in his voice was clear. ‘He’s a special one, that one. The playboy thing is just a front. Don’t let it fool you. Deep down, there beats the heart of a genius forged in steel. A fierce leader who would fight to the death for what he believes in.’
Having her instincts confirmed that there was more to Rafael than met the eye made her slow to respond. A quick glance at him showed him in deep conversation with a member of his All-Star team. ‘I...’
‘He single-handedly brought the board members to his way of thinking two years ago when they tried to put off new safety measures for drivers,’ Axel said.
‘Safety?’ Raven asked in surprise. ‘But I thought...’
‘You think because we love speed and hurtle around racetracks at two hundred and fifty miles per hour we think less of safety? Ask any driver. The opposite is true. We manage to take the risks we do because of people like Rafael and the work they do to ensure drivers’ safety.’
Feeling wave after wave of astonishment roll through her, she glanced again at Rafael, only to find his attention fixed on her, his blue eyes narrowed to speculative slits. He glanced away again and resumed his conversation.
The floundering feeling escalated. ‘Excuse me,’ she murmured to Axel when the stewardess entered to take drinks orders. Standing, she made her way towards the large bedroom and the en suite bathroom.
After splashing water on her wrists, she re-knotted her hair in a secure bun and left the bathroom, only to stumble to a halt.
Rafael stood, back braced solidly against the bedroom door. His presence in the enclosed space, larger than life and equally as imposing, dried her mouth.
Heart hammering, she stayed where she was, away from the danger radiating from him. ‘I...is there something you need?’
He folded his arms and angled his head. ‘Need? No.’ He remained in front of the door.
Raven licked her lips and immediately regretted it. ‘Can we return to the cabin, then?’
‘Not just yet,’ he rasped, then just stood there, watching her with a predatory gleam that made her nape tighten.
Silence stretched for several minutes as he stayed put, seemingly in no hurry to go anywhere, or speak, for that matter.
She searched her mind for what he could possibly want, and felt her heart lurch with disappointment. ‘You’re not in here because you want to make sure your playboy status is intact, are you?’
‘What was Axel saying to you?’
She waved him away. ‘Nothing for you to worry about.’ He remained in place, that infuriatingly well-defined eyebrow arched. ‘Okay, if you must know, he told me that beneath all that lady-killer persona, you’re really a Boy Scout. Oh, and he also offered to show me Monza.’
He glanced away but she saw his jaw tighten. ‘I hope you told him no?’
‘Maybe.’ She started to move towards him in the hope that he’d get the hint and move. He remained, rock-still and immovable.
‘Stay away from him,’ he said, his voice low but no less forcefully lethal.
Her pulse spiked higher. ‘Sexually, socially or just for the hell of it?’
With a swiftness she wouldn’t have attributed to him considering his injuries, he reached forward, grabbed her arms, whirled her round and reversed their position. Her lungs expended their oxygen supply as she found herself trapped between the hard, polished wood and Rafael’s equally hard, warm body.
One hand gripped her nape while the other settled firmly on her waist. Heat ratcheted several notches. Inhaling only made matters worse because Rafael’s scent, potent and delicious, attacked her senses with rabid fervour.
‘He was looking at you as if he wanted to serve you up on his sauerkraut.’
‘And what, you’re jealous?’
‘Not if you tell me you’re not thinking of falling into the clutches of an ex-racer more than twice your age.’
‘Axel’s only in his mid-forties. And I’m touched you’re looking out for me.’
Blue eyes deepened by his blue long-sleeved shirt and navy jeans narrowed even further. ‘And he also likes to think he’s slick with the ladies.’
‘Scared of the competition?’
‘Scared I’m going to have to toss his ass out of the plane without a parachute if you don’t tell me you’ll stay away from him.’ Without warning, one thigh wedged between hers. The heat emanating from him made her whole body feel as if it were on fire. Second by inexorable second, he pressed closer against her. His hard chest brushed against hers, stinging sensitive nipples to life. Raven fought a moan and tried to decide whether defiance or acquiescence was her best path.
‘Is this what it means to be caught between a rock and a hard place?’ she asked, unable to resist baiting him just a little.
His laugh sent a skitter of pleasure through her. ‘You’re making jokes, querida?’
‘You’re laughing, aren’t you?’
‘Sí,’ he agreed. The hand on her waist moved a fraction higher, dug deeper in an almost possessive hold on her ribcage. ‘But I’m still waiting for an answer.’
A small voice cautioned her against throwing more fuel onto the flames.
‘I spoke to him for fifteen minutes, but I barely remember what he looks like,’ she whispered against seriously tempting lips a hair’s breadth from hers. ‘But why do you care? Really?’
‘You were the first person I told about my father outside my family. You haven’t condemned me...yet. In my own small way, I’m trying to return the favour by saving you from a potentially unfortunate situation.’
‘By trapping me here and threatening to toss a man out of the plane?’
‘It’s my Latin blood, piqueña. It takes me from zero to growly in less than five seconds.’ He closed the gap between their lips and their bodies.
A fervid moan rose from her chest as sensation crashed over her head. Her knees turned liquid and she would’ve lost her balance had she not been trapped so powerfully against a towering pile of formidable maleness. As they were, with his thigh wedged so firmly between hers, she felt the heat from his leg caress her intimately. Friction, urgent and undeniable, made her pulse race faster. Even more when his tongue delved between her lips. Like the first time they’d kissed, Rafael seemed bent on devouring her. Although she’d been kissed, she’d never been kissed quite like this, with a dedication so intense she felt as if she were being consumed.
When he finally let her up for air, it was to allow her a single breath before he pounced again. Her hands, which had miraculously risen to glide over his shoulders, finally found the wherewithal to push him away.
‘Rafael...’
‘No, not yet.’ His lips swooped, but she managed to turn her head just in time. He settled for nibbling the corner of her mouth, a caress so erotic she throbbed low down with the sensation.
‘We need to stop. Everyone out there will think we’re in here...doing...having...’
‘Sex...saying it doesn’t make you a dirty, dirty girl, Raven.’ His thigh moved, inserting itself even more firmly between hers. Again friction caused sensation to explode in her belly.
She flushed. ‘I know that.’
‘Then say it,’ he commanded, pulling back to stare into her eyes.
Defiance surged back on a wave of desperation. ‘Sex. Sex, sex, sex—’
He kissed her silent, and damn, but did she enjoy it. When he finally raised his head she was thoroughly and dangerously breathless. ‘It’s okay, you’ve made your point. Although I can’t say that’ll dissuade our fellow travellers from thinking we
’ve joined the Mile High Club.’
A growl of frustration rumbled out before she could stop it. ‘Why couldn’t you leave this alone until we landed?’
‘The same reason you’re still caressing my shoulders even though you’re protesting my presence here with you.’
She dropped her hands and swore she could feel her skin tingling in protest.
‘I...this is crazy,’ she muttered under her breath.
‘Sí, but we can’t help ourselves where the other is concerned. Are you ready to go back?’
A shaky nod was all she could manage before he withdrew his thigh from between hers. The loss of his support and heat made her want to cry out in protest. She stopped herself in time and checked to see if her buttons had come undone.
With a sigh of relief, she stepped away from the door.
Rafael was very close behind her when they exited the bedroom. ‘You didn’t tell me what you thought of the story.’
She looked over her shoulder. ‘I thought it was incredible.’
He stilled, an arrested look on his face. ‘You enjoyed it?’
‘Very much. The girl has an amazing spirit. I can’t wait to find out more about her journey.’ She glanced at him. ‘That is if you intend to continue with it?’
A look passed over his face, gone too quickly before she could decipher it. ‘With such a rousing endorsement, how could I not? As it happens, I have a few more chapters.’
Pleasure fizzed through her. ‘Will you let me read it?’
He smiled. ‘You mean you want to read more, despite the lack of X-rated material?’
She huffed in irritation. ‘Why did I think a lovely conversation with you would last more than five seconds?’
His low laugh curled around her senses. She was so lost in it, she didn’t realise he had led her away from Axel until he pushed her into the seat next to his.
