“She seems to like him, I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Rafe says. “Either way, the kid has escaped death at least a dozen times at this point, so if he dies, he dies.”
Because I can’t help being curious, I ask, “Have you ever killed someone? I don’t mean hands-off, commissioned a hit, but like…”
“Dirtied my own hands? Yeah, of course.”
Of course, he says. I guess they probably wouldn’t let him be boss if he hadn’t proved himself somewhere along the line. “More than once?”
Smiling faintly, he says, “Yes, more than once.”
“That’s so weird.”
“Considering my posit
ion, I think it would be weirder if I hadn’t,” he tells me. Then with a nod, as casually as if we were discussing the weather instead of his murder record, he says, “Give me a strawberry.”
I turn to grab a piece of fruit. “With chocolate, or no?”
“Sure, what the hell?”
I dip the strawberry in the chocolate mousse and lean over to hand it to Rafe. He makes no move to reach for it, instead curving his finger and beckoning me closer.
Ah, he wants me to feed him.
Well, I like feeding him, so that’s fine. I take a sip of my water and put it down on the ledge, then glide over to him. It’s a big tub, but he’s not a small man, so I still have to sit mostly on his lap to fit over here with him. I loop my free arm around his neck for increased comfort, bringing myself closer. Then I bring the strawberry to his lips, holding his gaze as he bites into it.
“Are strawberries your favorite fruit?” I ask, since this is the second strawberry-related treat I’ve had with him.
Rafe nods, one hand coming up out of the water and catching my hand. He brings it back to his lips, devouring the rest of the strawberry, then grabbing the back of my head and pulling me close. My loins stir and I close my eyes just in time for our lips to meet. He tastes like strawberries and chocolate, as if I didn’t already like kissing him enough. Grabbing my hips, he resituates me so I’m facing him, straddling his body. His hands slide up my back and he pulls me close, bending to catch my nipple in his mouth. I gasp, my body arching as his tongue circles the hard nub, one of his hands coming around to squeeze the other one. Sensation takes over, and for the first time in a while, I get caught up in the pleasure. He takes his time, nibbling and sucking, drawing sighs out of me. He turns his attention to the other breast, giving that nipple the same thorough attention. His teeth graze the sensitive nub and I jump, arching my back and pushing my fingers through his hair.
It’s a different texture than Sin’s and the thought stabs me in the heart. I do my best to ignore it as Rafe’s hands move to grasp my hips, pulling me flush against him. I feel his cock pushing against me, and instead of wanting it inside me, I panic.
“Wait. Wait, I’m sorry. I can’t.”
Rafe sighs, his head falling back.
“I’m sorry, I’m not trying to be a tease, I swear. I thought I could, but I can’t. I don’t want to be the person who feels like shit afterward.”
“You’re killing me.”
“I’m sorry,” I repeat. “I really am. Just… I need to know he fucked the waitress first. I’m so sorry, but I have to. If he did, then I’ll know it’s over. I’ll have closure. But I have to know. I can’t be the one who ruins it, I need it to be him. I’m sorry; I know this is… not what you want to hear.”
Instead of looking angry, he looks relieved. “That’s it? You only need to know he fucked someone else?”
“Yes.”
“And you’ll let go?”
I nod. “I’ll cut the strings of that attachment so fast, you won’t even see it.”
“Huh.” He cocks his head. “Okay. I can handle that.”
“Yeah?”
“Sure.” His hand comes up out of the water again to cup the back of my neck and draw me closer. It’s a Sin move, one that cuts deep because it’s a Sin move, but right before he gives me another kiss, he says, “He probably fucked her last night, so I won’t have to wait long.”
21
Laurel