AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You mean other than wanting to stick my nose in other people’s business?”
“Ouch.” He winced at her thrust. She had a good memory. “That round goes to you.”
She leaned toward him. “I didn’t know you were keeping track.”
“I’m competitive,” he conceded.
“Now I’m curious. What’s the score?”
“Three to one.”
“I’ve got to know who’s ahead.”
“As you can see, it’s rather close.”
She laughed. “That has to mean I’m ahead. Otherwise you’d be gloating.”
Her enthusiasm lit something inside him that he hadn’t realized was dormant. “It pains me to admit you’re winning.”
“I’m so celebrating my victory!” She raised her glass high, cheering for herself.
“No one likes a sore winner.”
“Of course they do. Everyone enjoys watching the underdog emerge victorious. See?” She shook her shoulders, and he shook his head.
“You’re rubbing it in.”
“Why keep score if you’re not going to high-five or eat a chocolate doughnut when you win?”
“The game isn’t over.”
She gave a fake shudder, then grinned, despite the growled warning woven through his words. “I’m feeling pretty confident in my abilities, Mr. Sterling.”
“I hope that saves you, Ms. Malloy…” Because he couldn’t help himself, he pushed back his chair, stood, then cupped her elbow and guided her up.
“What are you going to do?” she asked with a mock-scandalized tone while she clutched at her pearls.
More and more, he was falling for her. “I do believe I’m going to kiss you.”
“What will the neighbors say?” But she didn’t check whether anyone could, indeed, see them.
“I think they will say I’m one lucky bastard.” He pulled her onto her tiptoes. Rafe started the kiss with as much tenderness as he was capable of.
Within seconds, her response ignited his fire.
He forced her mouth apart, tasted the sweetness of wine on her tongue and the tang of her complete surrender. Like a pirate, he plundered deep, leaving no part of her unexplored. With a tiny shudder, she wrapped her arms around his neck, letting him support her. In this way, and many others, he wanted to do just that.
Rafe made love to her mouth. As she opened wider, he mimicked penetration, letting her know that she might win the battles, but he intended to win her.
He kissed her until neither could breathe and she became his world. “That will have to hold you until later,” he said against her ear when he ended the kiss.
“I like the way you share my celebration.” Her voice was dreamy, lazy.
That was not what he’d been doing at all. Rather, he’d been planning the next assault in his battle plan.
“You’re pretty good at that.” She ran a finger across her lips after he released her.
“Pretty good?” He frowned. “I’m happy to practice until I rock your world.”
“I suppose that’s okay.” She sat and fanned herself with her napkin. “Yeah, pretty good.”
He wondered if she had any idea that with every passing moment, she stood less and less chance of escaping him. “Let me get dessert.”
“Dessert?” Her eyebrows lifted.
“Coffee and chocolate cake. With sweet whipped cream. I’m told it goes with the cake.”
“Absolutely. Cake. Whatever else could it be for?”
“Right.” He imagined her gorgeous nipples slathered in the sweet stuff.
“Maybe I could stay a little longer,” she teased.
“Temptation is difficult to resist.” He returned her grin. “Sit tight.” Rafe was anxious to get on with the evening. He began gathering the plates.
“Can I help?”
“No. You should enjoy your wine and the evening.”
“But—”
“Keep arguing. And you can sit out here with a sore bottom, which may make it more difficult to relax.”
“In that case, I think I’ll finish the rest of my champagne.” Then, with great deliberation, she added, “Sir.”
Fuck. Between the kiss and the honorific, his cock was hard and throbbing. For him, tonight, everything was about Hope.
