by Alison Mello
“Yes, she is. Look, we need to talk about last night.” He rubbed his thumb over her palm.
Her smile vanished, replaced by a hesitant stare, and she dipped her head low. “I’m okay really. I don’t expect anything from you. You’re married.” She shrugged and pulled her hand to remove it from his clasp, still not meeting his stare.
“Really? Is that it, Summer?”
The sharp tone of his voice made her snap her head up to study him.
Good, I need her attention.
“I know there isn’t a future for us…”
So she had thought about “us.”
Summer stepped back, pulling on her arm.
He cocked his head to the side. It was a start, but her dismissive stance frustrated him. He wanted more. “You decided that when? Before or after you asked me to f—” he said louder than he meant. A few diners looked their way. Summer stepped closer and placed her other hand over his mouth. Rafe captured her wrist. His anger was showing, and he needed to rein it in to explain calmly.
“I know you only did what you did because…” she whispered.
“You wanted me, Summer, but that’s not the only reason last night happened. Give me a chance to explain, but not here. There’s something else we need to talk about.” He kept his voice low but loud enough she could hear.
She flashed her eyes over him but clicked her pen and scribbled on the pad of paper. “I told you last night. It was great sex, maybe the best sex I’ve ever had, but it was one night only. We’re both consenting adults, I get that, and I’m not looking for anything more. You’ve been there for me when my shitty past resurfaced. You’ve helped me.” She pressed her hand on her chest, and her eyes glazed over.
Rafe reached out for her, but she stepped out of his reach and sniffed. “Don’t. I’m fine.” Crossing her arms, she effectively shut him out, and it drove him crazy.
“Don’t close the door on me, Summer. We need to have a serious conversation, whether you like it or not.”
Her eyelids fluttered. “Later.” She walked away but glanced over her shoulder and waved her pad. “The usual?”
He nodded, and she carried on, the distance growing between them. All he could do was frown. She was giving him the brush off.
What the hell do I do now?
***
Summer
Summer took one step after another, determined to keep her back ram-rod straight. He was right, she wanted him. Last night, she begged him to make love to her. She was never this needy or reckless, but with him, all sanity evaporated. She relinquished all control—completely and utterly. Shit, just the thought of his magical hands as they roamed over her breasts, drawing out her orgasms, made her stomach tighten with a fierce need.
Don’t look back. Don’t you dare.
Striding forward, she inhaled and lifted her head higher to reclaim some authority because last night he owned her body. Today, her muscles ached from his intimate and thorough exploration and possession. Once his reluctance dissolved, his masterful fingers demonstrated without a doubt his expert knowledge of how to leave a woman panting and writhing in ecstasy. She had begged Rafe to fuck her, which he did until his domination overwhelmed her. His boundless energy and complete obsession with fulfilling her needs left little time for sleep as he licked, sucked, and fucked every inch of her body in the most erotic way, ravishing her until it almost hurt.
But instead of pain, his sensual exploration left her craving more. Each time his magnificent cock thrust inside her, the emptiness withdrew. But it was sex, nothing more. She knew that, and it was most likely why he wanted to chat with her to ensure she understood that. She walked away, but her legs wobbled, and she gripped the counter at the memory of the multiple earth-shattering orgasms Rafe gave with his playful mouth, and damn it, she wanted more. If he asked her right now, she would jump on his lap and let him have his wicked way with her again. She smiled at the erotic image that created.
“Hey, honey, are you okay?”
Nicki stood carrying her tray of food, a frown littering her fresh face. In another life, she would spill all her secrets to her new best friend. Staring at Nicki and the row of three studs in her ear, she wondered if she was different from the others because bearing the Hamilton name came with a price. Making friends was easy, trusting them impossible. Summer caught her last best friend in bed with her boyfriend. A man her daddy handpicked because he fit the perfect mold of what he considered husband material—wealthy, influential, with good family connections.
No, real friends were rare.
All her old friends fluttered around her like bees at a honeypot, but when she needed them after the crash, they vanished. Not one of them returned her calls. What made her attractive to those fake friends was not her as a person, but what she could offer them as they tagged along to parties and nightclubs where she gained free entry. Her friends loved being around her wealthy parents and their connections to the rich and famous. The legendary glitz and glamor parties her parents hosted at their mansion in the Hamptons were always featured in Cosmopolitan and Vogue.
She blew out a long breath. “I think I have a migraine coming. Do you mind if I leave early tonight?” Like it or not, she needed to hear Rafe out and let him go. Thinking it best, she would meet him somewhere neutral, in public where there would be lots of people around. She clamped her thighs together, nervous to be around him and what that might lead to.
“Sure, I owe you from last week. Hey, I forgot to ask. How did the date go last night with Charlie?”
Charlie, shit!
Pulling out her phone from her pocket, she checked, and sure enough, there were several messages from him. Annoyed she had treated him badly, Summer sent a message apologizing.
“Well, it didn’t go quite as planned. In fact, it was a disaster.”
“What happened, or shall I guess?” Nicki cocked her head to the side.
Summer raised her eyebrow. “Charlie is handsome, smart, and a gentleman, but—”
“But he isn’t a moody biker. Aw, hon, he’s going to break your heart. You know that, right? Have you slept with him?” Nicki nodded toward the diner.
Summer stared at her friend, shocked.
“Shit, you have. Jesus, Summer, have you no shame?” Nicki laughed, and Summer grabbed her friend, tugging her into the short hallway that led to the kitchen.
“Keep your voice down. Rafe will hear you!”
“Summer, his eyes never leave you. You’re never off his radar, but he’s married. You’ve seen that platinum band, right? That marks him as off-limits.”
Of course, she had seen the ring and wondered about the matching one that was attached to his wife’s finger. She didn’t want to go down this road and examined Nicki. “I’m cool. It was one night. Hell, I’m entitled to some fun. It won’t happen again.”
Nicki rubbed her arm. “Of course, you should have fun, hon, if that’s all it was, but you don’t strike me as the type to not want more.”
How can Nicki be so intuitive? We have only known each other a couple of months.
“You don’t know me, Nicki.”
Her friend swiveled around and placed the tray down on the side table before wiping her mouth to look at her. “I know you’ve been hurt…badly. I know those scars on your wrist are self-inflicted, but you have scars that no one can see, too. You’re hiding away here from something even if you won’t admit it. You have trust issues, and until he turned up, you barely smiled or let anyone get close. Tell me I’m wrong, Summer. Go on.”
Summer inhaled a deep breath, ready to fire back, but she couldn’t. Everything Nicki said was the truth. She covered her wrists with her hands. The scars were barely visible, but she had noticed them, and if she had, maybe others had too. She gazed toward Rafe, and their eyes met.
There was an undeniable connection beyond mere attraction.
She didn’t know why, but as she tore her gaze away, she knew he only needed to place a finger on her skin and a hunger for
him called. The way he looked at her made her feel beautiful and like no one else existed. Something in the set of his face and intensity of his gaze told Summer he wanted to devour her. How could he view her like that when he belonged to another? But that had not stopped her.
“No, you’re not wrong,” she said. “What should I do?”
Nicki pressed her hand on Summer’s arm. “Honey, only you know that. I can’t tell you. Just know, I’m here, Summer. So does that mean Mr. Suave and Sophisticated Realtor is up for grabs? Life here in Bridgton gets dull in the winter unless you have someone to keep you warm.”
Summer laughed and nodded at her friend. Maybe she could trust Nicki. Only time would tell.
CHAPTER 10
Rafe
After listening to Summer, Rafe didn’t know how to proceed. Stepping into the diner, he wanted to be honest with her and admit their past, it was the least he could do, but now confusion reigned. All she wanted was sex nothing more. A cold bucket of déjà vu washed over him.
Is that all our relationship means?
Rafe shook his head. Before he’d left Betty’s Diner, Summer had agreed to meet him, and he’d suggested STEPS when she requested a public setting. Which was why he now sauntered through the deserted building site. She was late, and everyone had left for the day. He checked each room of the educational facility to ensure that the place was secure. Happy everything was locked tight, he wandered back to the ten thousand square feet of luxury that reminded him of a castle with its octagonal-shaped towers at the front.
The enormous rectangular log structure with its peaked and sloping green roof, expansive front porch, and back deck that overlooked the stunning views of the mountains was excessive but filled him with tremendous pride. Mr. Markham wanted a statement piece, and this sure as shit was it. What started life as an idea for a rustic log cabin quadrupled in size and cost to provide the creature comforts to ward off the challenging climate as well as satisfy their investor’s requirements.
Rafe loved nothing more after surviving a tour of duty and surviving the elements to return to the comforts of home. Although his home never resembled anything like this. But he understood the importance of providing a welcoming base that everyone looked forward to after merely existing. Although one of the aims at STEPS was preparation in the event of a catastrophic event, every member of the team appreciated the comforts of home.
Maybe one day, he would build his own, but not one as pretentious as this.
After climbing up the several steps to the front porch, he stared at the idle red rockers and wondered what Summer would think of this place and what kind of home she would want. Stepping inside, the raw beauty of the exposed wood and elegant interior caught him. The height of the open-beamed ceiling impressed him every time as he strode through the airy reception area. A large floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace was to his right, where several leather couches provided a cozy greeting area for guests. Beyond stood a large dining and bar area that opened onto the back deck.
The massive house was accented with rich ruby reds, glass, and elegant golds that oozed wealth. The interior was their investor’s choice and excessive in his opinion, but he marched through the door that led to the side office behind the large reception desk. Rafe walked over the gray plush rug to check the fridge for the wine that chilled inside with two glasses. He had picked some bright blue and pink wildflowers and placed them in a makeshift vase made of an empty milk carton, which he set on the low wooden recycled crate in the center of the long room where the décor was tasteful and minimal, the way he liked it.
Gathering up all the girly magazines, Rafe trashed them, making the space as neat as possible. This was a male-dominated area, where all the planning and brainstorming went on while the physical work continued outside. Staring at the wall where the sitemap was pinned and photographs illustrated the various stages of the build, he wondered whether this incredible dream would reach reality. Rafe sighed. Last December, he had raced to share the news with Summer, and now he stood here as the venture he envisioned came to life. His future. A future he wanted Summer to be part of. But would she feel the same?
The crunch of gravel outside stopped his thoughts, and he glanced around the room once more to assure himself it was suitable. Moments later, Rafe stepped outside as the sun dipped low on the horizon, setting the sky ablaze with streaks of wild purple and bright, vivid pinks. The night sky created a beautiful backdrop but paled in comparison to the dazzling woman who descended from her car and slammed the door shut. Damn, but she had a temper, and he needed her soft and pliant tonight. She stood there in a faded denim skirt that barely covered her ass and a long-sleeved black top. He drew a deep breath.
Fuck. Does she know how sexy she looks right now?
In an instant, his dick swelled in his pants, making it uncomfortable and tight.
Damn her!
Summer peered around and zeroed her gaze back at him, yet to move away from the car, and he took long, measured steps toward her, but she backed up until she leaned against the door as if suddenly afraid of him. Rafe pressed on until he stood right in front of her, staring down at her pale face that stared beyond him.
“When you said to meet you at work, I pictured others being here.”
Rafe blew out a long breath. “You’re an hour late! If you were here at five like I suggested, there would have been a full crew, but people need to eat and go home to their families, Summer.”
“It took me longer to get here than I imagined. I didn’t plan to be late. I almost turned around…” She lifted her dark-brown eyes to him, and he brushed his thumb over her perfect high cheekbone.
“And yet here you are?”
Summer leaned into his hand and closed her eyes as he moved his thumb to trace a line over her full pink lips. Watching her chest rise and fall in quick succession, all rhyme and reason escaped him. Rafe cupped her neck and sealed his lips over hers.
Claiming her.
Talking was overrated, and whatever was said may change the course of his future forever. But he knew one way to reach Summer, and maybe she would listen afterward. Rafe flicked his tongue along the seam of her mouth, nudging her lips to allow him access, which she did. Once inside, he tasted the freshness of mint. Groaning, he deepened the kiss and stroked her tongue. Summer reciprocated by toying with his driving him wild until he needed her naked and beneath him, frantic like last night.
Rafe ground his hips into hers and pressed his hard arousal against the apex between her legs. Despite the fact Summer insisted she knew last night had been a one-night-only event, she was here, and her body told a very different story. One he intended to take full advantage of. He was done playing nice. Her demands on his body had ripped off that Band-Aid, and now he was undone.
If what they had was only sex to her, Rafe intended to demonstrate what she would miss when she walked away. He wanted her at his mercy for a change. Reaching under her blouse, he smoothed his way upward to cup her soft round breast through the lace of her bra with his callused hand. Feeling the ample weight and massaging it tenderly, he stroked his thumb over her hardened nipple through the material, grazing and tweaking the bud under his finger until she moaned. That raspy sound made him lower his head, grazing her skin with his beard, he nipped the soft skin between her neck and shoulder, making her gasp.
Her hands braced his shoulders. “Rafe.”
Hearing her husky voice moved him to stare at her wide brown eyes full of heat and passion. A mischievous smile played across his lips, and he breathed into her hair that fell around her shoulders. “Tell me what you want, baby.”
As he licked and kissed the sensitive skin around her earlobe, she writhed against him, and her moans of pleasure drove him crazy. She ground her hips against his erection, expressing her need for him, but he needed more.
“Say it, Summer, now.”
She gazed right at him with her mouth parted as her chest heaved against his. “I can’t.”
A wildne
ss burst forth, and he kissed her hard, demanding and possessing her while she gripped his shoulders. Breaking the connection, he continued.
“Yes, you can. I need you to say the words, Summer,” Rafe’s rough voice insisted as he needed her to admit what she wanted.
“I need you,” she admitted.
Rafe hoisted her up by the waist and pressed her back against the car. A desire to be inside her right now, to feel her snug warmth pulse around him, drove him.
“Wrap your legs around me.” He wanted her splayed out before him to feast on as the sun set. Right here and right now.
Summer tilted her head to look at him. “Someone may see us.”
“Now…” He nipped her ear. Nothing short of her submission would do.
She winced, but as he soothed her skin with his tongue, she did as he requested. Pinning her down, Rafe reached under her short skirt, which rose to the top of her thighs, and pressed his fingers over the silky material that covered her sex, feeling the wetness of her arousal. He stroked the length of her opening until she gyrated and pressed herself closer to his hand as he took control of her pleasure. Lost in her enjoyment, he swept her tiny panties aside, feeling her heat.
“Rafe, please.”
Her impatience made him back off, and he withdrew his fingers, which made her gasp. He wanted her to understand he was in charge. He unbuttoned her shirt and made fast work of releasing the front clasp of her bra to free her breasts for his perusal, savoring her generous curves. He adored her dark plum nipples that were highly sensitive and already hard. He lowered his head and sucked the tight bud of her right breast, making her arch her back. Pushing her back, Rafe held her exactly where he wanted, teasing and playing with her breasts, sucking, licking, and laying tantalizing bites, which made her jerk, only for him to kiss them better.
“Rafe, please…”
Having her at his mercy like this was the only time he felt in control. God, he longed to sink inside her velvet heat. Dragging her panties off, he sunk a finger deep inside her tightness and added a second one, eliciting a whimper from her. Wetness coated his fingers as he thrust deep inside her tight sex, and he groaned as her muscles clamped around, embracing him. He ground his erection against her sensitive skin, and Summer leaned her head back as her orgasm built. Driving her to the edge was his intention as he wanted her at his mercy, and he withdrew his fingers.
