Surrender (19 page)

She’d really love to call him on his bluff, but she was too afraid he’d actually follow through. She didn’t know what he’d do to her, especially with witnesses, but for all she knew, his entire family could be twisted. Maybe they liked to sacrifice young women at sea
by throwing their bodies to the sharks.

“What? No sarcastic comeback, Ari. That’s unlike you,” he teased as his fingers ran through the natural curls of her hair. The slight tremble that raced down her spine was a clear give-a-way of how much he was affecting her, but no matter how she scolded herself, she couldn’t control her hormones. She could hate him for the way he made her feel, but she couldn’t stop desiring him.

“I’m very hungry if you wouldn’t mind taking me to the dining room,” Ari spoke just above a whisper, avoiding calling him by any name at all.

“I wouldn’t want to keep you waiting,” he answered as he slipped her arm through his. She knew resisting him would be to no avail, so she forced herself to relax as she walked beside him, out the same door they’d come in.

If she could just get around other people, she wouldn’t have to battle him, along with herself. If she could understand how she could hate the man while still desiring him, she’d be able to make millions. Many women would pay her for the secret.

“How was your shower?”

“Not too pleasant. You have a beautiful bathroom, but I did get pretty burned today. The water felt like tiny knives cutting into my skin. However, the lotion on the counter worked wonders. I don’t know what magic ingredient is in it, but I feel almost back to normal.”

“After dinner, I’d be glad to rub it all over your body. I’ll make sure
to reach those hard to get to places.”

The soft purring sound of his voice caused her stomach to drop right from her body. Her legs were nothing but jello, and her core heated to inferno temperatures. How could she possibly think she’d be safe in the presence of others? The man could whisper a single word and melt her, or touch her with the barest of brushes and she was putty in his hands.

Maybe she would take her chances with the sharks. At the moment, they seemed the less dangerous creature.

Rafe should be furious with his sisters, but he was too pleased to have Ari’s arm wrapped in his and the soft curve of her breast pressing against his bicep. Even knowing it was more than a desire to break her spirit – knowing he was intrigued by her – he continued his pursuit. Ignoring his intuition, he chose to enjoy Ari.

“You have a nice boat.”

Ari’s compliment filled him with warmth he’d rather not feel. He thought about making a sarcastic reply, but instead chose to simply enjoy the moment.

“Thank you. Right this way,” he said as he opened a door that led into his ornate dining area. A large table was centered in the room with enough seating for twenty. In addition, another seating area was to the right, where his family was chattering lively while having pre-dinner drinks.

“We were beginning to think you were never going to show,” his father said as he stood. “Who’s your beautiful companion?”

“Father, this is Ari. It seems the girls found her at the beach today and invited her onboard,” Rafe replied as he sent his sisters a stern look. They actually had the decency to glance away, knowing they were busted.

“We needed an extra person for volleyball, and ran into Ari. We had no idea she was the same girl who was Rafe’s…
friend
,” Rachel said with an innocent smile.

“What a happy coincidence,” Rafe replied with mockery.

“Ari, it’s so good to meet you. My son seems to be quite fond of you,” his mother said in her slight Italian accent. It had really lessened over the years as she spent more and more time with his father in the states.

Rosabella stepped forward and took Ari’s hands, then leaned in and kissed her cheek causing Ari to blush slightly at the warm greeting.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Palazzo.”

“Oh,
darling, please call me Rosabella,” his mother insisted.

“Thank you, Rosabella. You have wonderful daughters. I had a very pleasant day with them. I’ve also never been on a large boat like this before, and it’s quite the treat.” Rafe noticed she had no trouble calling his mother by her first name.

“My ornery son hasn’t brought you onboard yet? Well, I’ll just have to speak to him about his manners. The liner is a nice escape. I’m thinking my husband and I need one of our own so we can take off for a few months. I could get used to sailing the high seas,” Rosabella said with a delighted laugh.

“I will order one tomorrow, dear, and whisk you away to the far corners of the world,” his father said as he leaned down and gently kissed his wife. Rafe was always pleased with the obvious love between his parents. If he hadn’t seen so much devastation in most relationships, he may actually hold out hope that he could have that for himself. He knew better,
due to his previous marriage. What his parents had was a very rare thing.

“Mom, you guys are getting all mushy again and embarrassing Rafe’s guest,” Lia spoke up, causing another blush to steal over Ari’s cheeks.

“Don’t mind me at all,” Ari murmured.

“I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m starving. That volleyball game really zapped my energy,” Rachel said, saving them from the slightly awkward moment.

“Me, too,” Lia piped in.

“Yes, Ari was saying she was quite hungry herself. You must have played a strenuous game. I may have to join you next time,” Rafe said as he looked down into Ari’s eyes, which widened in a bit of panic.

He liked catching her off guard. He’d been giving her too much space. The longer she took to realize they were going to be together, the less patience he had. Seeing her tonight was lighting a fire beneath him.

“A couple of our opponents sure wanted to whisk Ari off to the high seas,” Rachel said with a mischievous grin at Rafe. He glared at his little sister before turning to Ari who was looking at Rachel in horror.

“Really? Do tell,” Rafe commanded.

“Oh, I think it was the red bikini. She looked hot with a capital
'H'. The guys were tripping over themselves to offer her drinks, help her up when she fell, and then, of course, the dinner and drinks invitation. We were a little tempted to accept and tag along just to watch the show, but the boat was calling our names,” Lia answered.

Neither of his sisters was fooling him. He knew exactly what they were doing. Knowing didn’t matter, though. The thought of these unknown men flirting with Ari was causing a simmering burn in his gut. He needed to brand her – let the world know she wasn’t up for grabs. He planned on doing it soon.

“I need to speak to the Captain. Why doesn’t everyone get seated, and I’ll have dinner served immediately,” Rafe snapped as he walked from the room.

He decided right then that they were staying out for the night. He knew his family wouldn’t mind, and he wanted to keep Ari trapped on the ship with him – where she couldn’t possibly escape. He would show her who she belonged to.

He returned shortly and their first course was served. As she sat next to him, his temper cooled, but his desire continued to escalate.

Conversation filled the room as his exuberant family all spoke at once. Rafe was used to the loud voices of his family as everyone demanded to be heard. He enjoyed nothing better than sitting back and listening to his loved ones, especially now. It helped soothe his easily roused temper.

“Ari, has Rafe told you yet what a hellion he was as a teenager?” Lia asked with a twinkle in her eye.

“Lia…” Rafe said in a warning tone which she completely ignored.

“I somehow can’t imagine Mr.… um…
him
as a child,” Ari quickly corrected herself. Rafe was somewhat disappointed. He would love for her to slip up. He had big plans on different forms of exotic torture he could put her through.

His hand slid beneath the table and landed on her bare thigh, causing her to jump and nearly knock her wine glass over.

“Is everything okay, Ari?” his mother asked.

“Yes. Sorry about that. I’m being a bit clumsy. I think I got a little too much sun today,” Ari said as she tried to push his hand away without causing a scene. He just squeezed her leg a little tighter, letting her know he had zero intentions of letting her go.

She sent a desperate look his way before responding to a question his father asked her. As his fingers danced along her thigh, she sat tensely next to him with her legs clamped tightly shut. He had no doubt he could outlast her. She’d grow too tired to hold herself so stiffly long before he’d lose interest in caressing her.

“Back to my story, Ari.
Rafe was once a child, though I do understand how that’s difficult to believe considering he rarely even takes off his suits now. He was a horrible monster, always playing tricks on Rachel and I. I remember the worst thing he did was put a huge snake in my bed. I was so tired after a late night volunteering at our church, and the room was dark. I turned on my lamp and pulled back the covers and an eight foot snake was slithering across my sheets. I screamed so loud that my dad burst through the doors a few seconds later with the shotgun raised. I was sufficiently satisfied when Rafe got grounded for a month. To this day if I see any snake, even a gardener one, I freak out,” Lia said dramatically.

“How did he get that big of a snake to stay in your bed?”

“Oh, it was his pet. However, after that incident, Mom made him give it away. He was grounded from having any more reptiles or rodents in the house. I was quite pleased with that outcome.”

“Snakes give me the creeps, too.”

“Who actually likes them? Only other reptiles,” Lia said as she stuck her tongue out at Rafe.

“You did your own share of pranks, Lia. Why don’t you explain why I put that snake in your bed,” Rafe said with a laugh, not offended at all by her goading.

“It was nothing compared to what you did to me.”

“Nothing!
Are you kidding me? She put itching powder in my work-out shorts. I started running in P.E. and then had to make a mad dash to the showers. My friends wouldn’t let me live that one down for the rest of my high school career.”

“Oh, that’s great,” Ari said with a laugh as she looked up at him, delight dancing in her eyes. It seemed his Ari had a wicked streak about her.

The bantering of his family caused Ari to relax, and he was able to move his hand higher up her leg, his fingers drifting to the inside of her thigh. Before she realized she’d let down her guard, his fingers brushed the brief piece of lace covering her delectable womanhood.

Her legs tightened immediately again, but all it did was trap his hand flush against her heat. He took immense pleasure when he felt the warm wetness of her body drift through the delicate lace. She desired him – whether she was willing to admit it or not.

Suddenly, his little game turned on him to the point of pain. Knowing her body was prepared for him to enter her caused him a pulsing erection. With a small gasp, Ari opened her legs and he reluctantly removed his hand. He’d never make it through the rest of the meal feeling her moist heat.

Her cheeks were flushed and her breathing quickened and she refused to meet his gaze. She was doing her best to carry on conversation with his family, but he could see it was taking a lot of effort on her part.

As their final course was served, Rafe breathed a sigh of relief. Soon, he’d get her alone again. He knew it wouldn’t take him much longer to convince her to make their situation a mutual arrangement. He could offer her much pleasure, and he had a feeling she’d provide for his needs more than sufficiently.

By the time desert was served, Rafe was done visiting with his family. He had to get Ari to his bed – it was beyond desire – pure need was gnawing at the zipper of his pants.

“I hope you all don’t mind the surprise, but I’ve told the Captain to keep us out to sea for the night. I thought you’d all enjoy spending the night aboard the ship,” Rafe announced, not turning toward Ari when out of the corner of his eye he caught her head whip around in his direction.

“I… uh… can’t. I have to get home,” she stuttered.

“Oh, do you work tomorrow, Ari?” his father innocently asked, not sensing her tension.

“No,” she responded with hesitancy. “I don’t actually work, but I have laundry to do and other stuff to get ready for the week,” she finished feebly.

“Don’t worry, Ari. We’ll get in early,” Rafe said, making sure she knew the discussion was closed.

“I’m delighted with the surprise, Rafe. It will give me a chance to see how I sleep aboard the ship. I guess I should try it at least once before purchasing one of my own,” his father said.

“We’re going to go get some rest,” his mother said as she rose from the table with his father’s assistance. The two of them left the room practically giggling, before the girls took a clue from Rafe’s look and then made their own excuses and shuffled out after their parents.

“It looks like it’s just you and me now,” Rafe said as he scooted his chair back and gripped Ari by the waist. He moved quickly and had her straddled across his lap before she knew what was happening.

“This is kidnapping, you know,” Ari warned him breathlessly.