Rafe is sitting at the piano, his hands easily moving across the keys as he tilts his head to one side. Jet-black hair falls across his brow, eyes closed as he absorbs the music. The light of the moon streaks through the room, casting shadows that add to the hauntingly beautiful melancholy of the piece.
I remain hidden, watching as his fingers glide over the keys with ease while the powerful emotion of the piece continues to build. The melancholy. The longing. Theyearning.
My body feels electrified, each nerve ending standing on edge as I become riveted to the scene before me.
“Come closer,Stellina.”
Rafe’s eyes remain closed, his fingers not missing a single key, when his husky, low command reaches my ears. Of their own volition, my feet pad silently closer until I’m by his side. He shifts over on the bench, and I slip in alongside him, watching his fingers as though mesmerized.
“I played this for you.”
My stomach dips as my gaze takes in his side profile. His face is peaceful, his eyes still closed as he stays fully invested in the piece.
“When I returned from Vermont, I played to remember you. Or perhaps it was to forget you, I don’t know.” He inhales a deep breath, his eyes finally opening and meeting mine. “But since you’ve arrived here, I’ve played to keep my distance.”
His eyes drop to my mouth, flaring when I automatically draw my lower lip between my teeth. “It’s even harder to keep my distance now that I’ve tasted your kiss.”
“I thought we established this earlier.” My eyes flicker between his before I gently lay my hand on his bicep. “I don’twantyou to keep your distance, Rafe.”
A frown crosses his brow as the music suddenly stops, and he brings his hands up to cup my face between his warm palms. “Fate brought you to me the first time, and it’s brought us back together now. And fate won’t be denied a second time,Stellina. I feel like I’ve waited forever to have you, and I will continue to wait as long as it takes?—”
He breaks off when I stand to throw one leg over his so that I am straddling him. His dark eyes don’t leave mine as I loop both my arms around his neck, tugging him closer.
“Don’t keep me at arm’s length.” I tip my head to one side, expelling a soft sigh. “You told me once that you’d never take my choice from me. But you did.”
Rafe grimaces, shaking his head as he opens his mouth to speak, but I quickly place my index finger atop his lips.
“Show me now that you meant it. That my choice really and trulyismy own. That I’m finallyfreeto do what Ichooseto do.”
I remove my finger from his lips, and he watches me closely for a long moment before his hoarse voice murmurs, “What do you choose,Stellina?”
And I answer honestly, freely, and without hesitation.
“I choose you, Rafael Caruso. I choose this lifewithyou. I choose everything that comes with it. The good,andthe bad.” I thread my fingers through his soft hair, holding him firmly as I lay myself open to him. “Because you see me. The true me. And within your darkness, you allow me to shine.”
RAFE
Elodie’s eyesglow as though she’s lit up from the inside as she bares herself to me. Her confession resounds in my mind, taking a beat to register when my breath catches in my throat.
My heart pounds in my ears, and my vision blurs as I focus solely on the woman before me, laying herself bare for me. And I revel in this moment until the desire to kiss her outweighs everything else.
I loop my hands around her waist, the keys of the piano behind her clanging loudly when I lift her to sit on the lid before I shut the fall board and fit myself between her legs.
My mouth brushes over hers as her tongue snakes out, licking the seam of my lips tentatively, and I open to her. Our tongues meet gently at first, exploring one another as though time is of no consequence.
She tastes of cinnamon sugar, and I groan deep within my chest as I slowly savor her mouth. Her tongue tangles with mine stroke for stroke, and soon, she’s panting against me.
I break the kiss and pay homage to the graceful curve of her neck, licking and nipping my way to her ear before swirling the lobe into my hot mouth. She moans breathily, pumping her hips against mine, giving my dick the friction he’s so desperately looking for.
As though she’s read my mind, she reaches between us to slip her hand inside the waistband of my sweats, gasping when she wraps her delicate fingers around my throbbing cock. She pumps my shaft, and I can feel precum bead the tip already.
I move my hand over hers, easing it out of my pants with a groan. “Next time,bedda mia.”
Her eyes light up at my use of the endearment. “Your beautiful one?”
I nod before I press a chaste kiss to her mouth, whispering against her lips, “Si,Stellina. Now let me make you feel good.”
Then I slide my hand up her bare leg and beneath her super short pajama shorts.
