Her hands slid up and down my chest, kneading my muscles, making it hard to concentrate.
“The engagement. Our relationship,” she whispered as she dropped soft kisses on my face and neck. “I’ve decided I don’t care. I want you Rafa. Now. Tonight.”
What could I say to that? She was giving me exactly what I wanted—even if it wasn’t how I wanted it—and I could only take what she offered and enjoy it.
“Harper,” I groaned her name when she unfastened the towel and gripped my engorged dick in her small, delicate hands.
“So hard. So big.”
Her words, spoken softly but so full of longing and heat that my cock twitched in her hand. She gasped and my control snapped.
“Lie down Harper.”
Heat flared in her eyes at my command and she obeyed without taking her gaze from mine.
“Like this?” she asked, spreading her legs indecently. Who was this minx, so sexy and seductive?
I licked my lips and covered her body with mine, kissing her hungrily and grinding against her. Skin against skin, we touched and kissed frantically as our passion escalated.
“No, like this,” I told her and pressed into her until she panted and writhed beneath me.
“Rafa!”
Her moans were music to my ears, an erotic symphony that only sent my need for her higher. I kissed down her body, pulling a tight pink nipple into my mouth and sucking hard until she groaned her pleasure and tangled her fingers in my hair. She let me tease and tease, never once begging for more, seemingly content to let me drive her crazy. “Rafa,” she whispered again and again.
I trailed wet kisses down her belly, my fingers continued to pinch her nipples to keep her on the verge of true bliss. I could smell her arousal before I saw how pink and swollen she was, how wet.
“Such a pretty pussy Harper.”
She gasped at my words and her legs fell open. I took advantage of the change and buried my face between her legs, taking a long slow swipe through her folds. “Rafa!” My hands moved from her nipples to her hips, holding her in place against the onslaught of my mouth and tongue. She tasted sweet and salty and I couldn’t get enough, licking and nibbling at her, lapping at her juices. I slid one finger into her tight channel, then another, stroking into her, and seconds later she flew apart with my name on her lips.
“Damn I could do that again and again.”
She smiled down at me with a goofy, satisfied grin. “With your mastery, I just might let you.”
The laughter in her voice hit me hard, right in the chest and I needed to bury myself in her and let go.
“Rafa please. I need you.”
Music to my ears. Kissing my way back up her body I trembled with my need for her.
“I’ve needed you for a long time Harper.”
“Then have me. Take me.”
I kissed her again as I lined our bodies up, loving the way she moaned into my mouth and sucked on my tongue. “You’re beautiful Harper.”
She smiled up at me full of affection and licked her lips as though trying to savor my taste on her mouth. “You’re pretty amazing yourself, Rafael.”
I can’t deny that I loved hearing those words on her lips. But what I loved more than anything was the way her eyes lit up when I breached her opening. She was so tight, squeezing me so hard stars appeared behind my eyes. “So tight, beautiful.” I slid in slowly because she was so tight and tense, and that’s when I felt it. “Harper.” I couldn’t believe it.
“Please don’t stop Rafa. I want this. Truly.”
Of all the things I expected when I found Harper naked and waiting on my bed, her virginity had been the most surprising. She locked her legs around my waist to keep me in position and I growled my pleasure.
“Harper.” She winced as I slid past her barrier and I hated to hurt her. The journey to her core was slow and torturous as I rocked in and out, using her juices to ease my path and a well-placed thumb on her clit smoothed the way.
“Oh!” Her little cries went from sharp and tentative to low and deep and mewling, making me harder by the second. “Oh, oh!”
Fully seated, I froze, letting her adjust to my size. To having me inside her. “How do you feel?”
“Like I’m full and tingling and ready for more.”
I groaned when her muscles tightened around me and started slow, sure strokes meant to drive her out of her mind. She was so tight and wet it took everything in me not to pound into her hard and rough until her eyes rolled in her head. But I didn’t, I went slowly and it killed me.
“More Rafa, more. Please.”
I flashed my teeth in a grimace. “I do love it when you beg.”
“I want to come again.”
“I think I can make that happen.” And I proceeded to do just that, gradually increasing the speed and depth of my thrusts as her nails scored down my back and her heels dug into my ass. I took her higher and higher and soon she was pulsing around my hard length, coating me in her cream as she fell apart.
“Oh shit, Rafa!” She laughed as I continued to drive deep inside her wet and waiting body until suddenly I was crashing and growling her name into the desire-thick air. “You’re very good at that.”
I laughed. “Yes, well you don’t have much to compare it do you?”
She blushed and I kissed her neck, using my position to sink into her again. “Still that was even better than the night by the pool.”
“I definitely agree. You feel fantastic.”
She laughed again. “That was all you.” Her finger traced down my jaw, my neck, chest and then my abs. “Can we do it again?”
“We can do anything you like Harper. Anything.”
Harper
I had never felt so nervous in my life as I walked into the L.A. County Courthouse, dressed impeccably in a crisp white dress with nude stilettos and the choker I’d finished a day before. Though I looked every bit the bride-to-be for a rich and powerful prince, his nerves and Sofia’s fear had me feeling as though I wore yoga pants and a ratty t-shirt. The full bodyguard staff had traveled with us, forming a wall around the three of us as we climbed the stairs.
Sofia’s whimper drew my attention and I picked the little girl up, settling her on my hip. “Everything will be fine. After we’re done here, how about ice cream with brownies?”
Big hazel eyes perked up and she thought about it for a moment. “And fudge?”
“Fudge? Hmm, I think we can make that happen.” I flashed a smile and gave her a wink to let her know it would be okay. I just hoped I was right.
We finally settled into the courtroom, Rafa and Tara on one side and the Wentworths and their lawyer on the other side. The judge walked into the room looking somber in his black robe and even blacker scowl and then court was in session. I watched the proceedings, equal parts terrified and mesmerized as the lawyers argued back and forth, tossing points of law and personal information between them while the judge listened, his face expressionless.
“Stop.” One long hand with thick fingers hung in the air, automatically shutting up both lawyers. The judge looked at the lawyer for the Wentworth family. “Are your clients claiming some danger to the child?”
“Not physical harm, no. But it is our contention--,”
“Stop,” he instructed again. “Your client wants to retain full custody I take it?” This time his impassive gaze bored into Tara.
Tara gave a terse nod. “Since he is her father and the only complaint was his single state, of course.”
He took a moment and absorbed the details, then he nodded. “Mr. and Mrs. Wentworth it is unlikely you will get sole custody of Sofia, but I will hear formal arguments in two weeks.” He banged the gavel and suddenly it was all over.
My eyes were riveted to the man in charge, trying to see any indication of his probable decision concerning the little girl glued to my side. He stood, eyes locked on mine as Crystal and Mark made their way over to us. She reached for Sofia who yanked back with a loud yell,
“No!”
Finally, my eyes dropped from the judge but I saw his frown before I cuddled Sofia in my lap. “It’s okay baby.”
“You’ve turned her against me,” Crystal accused, her face twisted in a painful scowl.
I stood, Sofia’s arms in a death grip around my neck. “No Crystal you terrified her with your careless words. If anyone is to blame for this, it’s you.” I plowed forward, hoping she moved before I ran into her but I couldn’t focus on her when Sofia needed me.
Out in the hall she finally settled down and set her on her feet. “You’re okay Sofia, I promise.” My body relaxed when Rafa’s warm hand settled low on my back. “You okay?”
He nodded with a wry smile. “Working on it.”
“Good because it’s time for ice cream.”
“Ice cream!” Sofia’s smile returned along with her sweet giggles.
“You heard the girl,” I told him, our eyes connected for a long, tense moment.
“Judging by the look of you, I’d say my plan is working?” Edie looked at me, silver brows arched with amused satisfaction.
“Hey Grandma, say hi to Sofia.” I knew Sofia’s presence was the only thing that could possibly get her off the subject of me and Rafael.
“Oh my goodness! Is that gorgeous young lady little, bitty Sofia?” Grandma’s eyes lit with enjoyment as they settled on her. “Come closer and let these old eyes look at you.”
“Hi Grandma,” she answered shyly. It always amazed me just how Edie’s affection could turn Sofia into a shy little thing. They went through this every time I brought her. By the time we left she would be talkative and affectionate with my grandma. “How are you?”
“Well I’m much better now that my two favorite girls are here!” She squeezed a hug and let Sofia smack a kiss against her cheeks. “Go check out those little baskets over there,” she told the little girl who quickly lost herself in trying on dozens of fancy hats and scarves, admiring herself in the full-length antique mirror.
“She begged to come with me today. After the custody hearing I think she needed some real Grandma love.”
“I’m happy to have her. But now I want to hear about you and Rafael,” she sang his name suggestively, making me laugh.
“I decided to try things your way.”
“I figured,” she answered with a smile in her voice.
“It was amazing. It is amazing.”
“But?”
I smiled because Edie always knew. “But I worry that he’ll never love me back.” I knew I loved him, had fallen in love with him, and there were times I thought maybe he cared for me too. But ever so often, he got this look in his eyes, and I knew his thoughts were of Angelica.
Edie patted my hand and gave me that understanding look that had gotten me through puberty, my first period and my first heartbreak, not to mention various teenaged imagined crises.
“He isn’t the only one who gets to decide here, honey. You love him sure, but is he worthy of that love? Does he deserve it?”
“He’s a good man.”
“But that doesn’t mean he’s worthy. If he’s not smart enough to love you back, cut him loose.” I opened my mouth to argue and she held up a hand. “I know it’s not that simple. Love never is. But you can’t make him love you, so you have some deciding to do as well.”
I knew I couldn’t do that, not yet anyway. But as I listened to Sofia chatter on the drive home I couldn’t stop thinking about it. There was a very good chance that Rafael did not love me and would never have more than affection and desire for me. I just had to figure out if I could live with that. If I could continue sharing my body with him, making love with him knowing that.
As soon as I walked through the front door Rafael was there, waiting with a smile for us. In my mind, that smile was just for me. That’s when I knew, with all my heart, that I would stay with Rafa for as long as he would have me.
No matter the cost to me.
Rafael
“Can’t say I’ve ever been woken up like that before.” My lips curled into a satisfied smile as I looked up at Harper, licking her lips after the incredible way she’d just taken me with her mouth.
She shrugged with a shy grin. “I wondered how long it would take until you woke up. Impressive.”
Damn I couldn’t get enough of her and the way she threw herself into our lovemaking, so eager to try new things. “I think you’re the one who’s impressive, particularly that mouth.” My finger traced her mouth and that pink tongue darted out, pulling a groan from me.
“You taste good. I mean different but good different.”
“Harper,” I groaned when she licked her lips as though still savoring my taste. I pulled her hips over me until her moisture dripped onto my growing erection with every glide across my length.
“Rafa,” she moaned and tossed her head back, succumbing to her pleasure in a sexy little cry that had me thrusting up and slipping inside her. I loved being with her, being inside her and losing myself. And I did just that. I let Harper take away the tension over what today would hold when I walked inside that courtroom. I let her take her own pleasure and give it right back to me until we both reached our pleasure in the quiet early morning light.
I hated that my fate would come down to some stranger who knew nothing of my life. Nothing of my struggles, or Sofia’s. I appreciated Harper’s willingness to let me forget about it for just a little while. I kissed her long and hard and deep, never wanting to let her go.
But I knew I’d have to because what we had now was fun and sexy, but not serious. Soon she would leave Sofia and I and return to school. Harper had made it very clear that she fully intended to continue her education once Sofia was a bit older and required less full-time care. She’d taken a leave of absence from university in order to work and save up for the rest of her tuition.
“That is not the look of a sexually satisfied man.”
“Sorry. You were incredible but I can’t seem to turn my mind off.”
With a sympathetic look down at me, she gave my chest a soothing caress that had me growing harder inside her. “Then I suppose you should start getting ready.” Slowly she pulled our bodies apart and slid from the bed, wrapping herself in a short, plush robe before going back to her own room.
I watched her go, staring at the door for a long time as I tried to reign in my feelings for her. It grew more impossible by the day to hide it, and there were moments I found her looking at me with what I hoped was more than affection and desire. Sometimes I was certain it was more, but I couldn’t press her. Couldn’t ask her to put her life and her dreams on hold to become a mother to Sofia and more children. Could I?
By the time I finished in the shower and made my way downstairs, Harper was dressed in jeans and tight pink t-shirt, blonde hair pulled into a knot on top of her head.
“What’s going on?”
“Sofia doesn’t feel well. I’m sure its anxiety but I don’t think she should be there today.”
I agreed. Despite the obscene amount of ice cream she’d consumed after the last hearing, it had taken a trip to see Harper’s grandmother days later to finally pull her from her funk.
“Okay.” As much as I wanted Harper there with me, I knew Sofia needed her more.
She rubbed slow gentle circles in my back to calm me. How she knew I needed it based on that one word, I had no idea. But I appreciated her for it.
“You’ll be fine Rafa. The lawyers will do all the talking. And you have nothing to worry about, you’re a great father.”
“Thank you Harper. You really have made this bearable.” I turned and pulled her in my arms, kissing her hungrily until she clutched at my shirt and moaned before stepping back.
“You go, and remember to stay calm. Don’t let Crystal or her lawyer get to you, okay?”
I nodded and kissed her again before leaving.
Though the judge hadn’t reached a decision and likely wouldn’t for another week at least, I felt a whole lot better after hea
ring all the evidence laid out in court. Tara had exposed Mark’s cancer, going for the jugular by arguing that soon Crystal would provide the same one-person household she deemed so unacceptable for Sofia now. Crystal had been in tears as Tara droned on and on about Mark’s impending death. She’d done it with ruthless precision and even the judge had seemed swayed.
At least I hoped so.
Feeling good, I called ahead and had Eleanor prepare a big feast, knowing how much Harper loved all things Italian. It was too early to celebrate but I felt good about my chances now that everything had been laid out clearly.
When I got home Harper and Sofia were curled up on the sofa under the blanket watching some animated movie.
“Daddy!” My little girl flew off the sofa and I knelt to catch her as she flew exuberantly through the air. “You’re home!”
“Feeling better?” She nodded, face full of love and hope. Innocence.
“Yes.” She stood, waiting for me to tell her if her world would be upended or if she could continue living life as she knew it.
“The judge hasn’t decided yet honey but I don’t want you to worry about that, okay?”
“I’m not leaving you daddy!” Her hold tightened around my neck and I stood, carrying her to the sofa and sitting beside Harper.
“I won’t let you. Even when you’re old and married you’ll have to stay with me.”
She giggled just as I expected she would and laid her head on my shoulder. “Love you.”
“I love you too.” If for some reason the judge gave custody to the Wentworths, I knew I would go to the ends of the earth to ruin them. Take their fortune, their home, everything until I had my little girl back. “Always.” Sofia was asleep in under a minute.
“She’s been fighting to keep her eyes open this past hour; she insisted on waiting up for you. How do you feel about today?”
I blew out a long breath and settled a hand on her thigh. “I think my chances are better than good, actually.”
Her smile became bright and hit me right in the chest. I knew there was something special between us in that moment. “That’s why you had Eleanor prepare enough food to feed us for the rest of the week?”
It's Only Pretend: A Single Dad Boxset Page 5
