Carpathian 17 - Dark Celebration

spine. He was looking at her with that urgent hunger, so intense, so in need, everything in her body reached out in response. She tilted her head so she could nibble at his chin, further provoking him.
    For a woman who had done nothing her entire life but be responsible, it was wonderful to have no inhibitions, to be able to just be whatever she wanted when she was with Rafael.
    She reached behind her and deliberately stroked the hard bulge forming in the front of his trousers.
    Maybe she wasn't so sure of herself with others, but that wasn't the case when she was in her own home. Rafael was an extremely dominant man, yet she could stand up to him and knew always that he loved and desired her. She had Ginny and Paul and they both loved her for who she was. Maybe it was time to stop hiding from herself. She was no longer afraid of her own power. She knew what she wanted and she knew she was strong enough and determined enough to go after it. Razvan may have fallen a long way from grace, but he had passed on a legacy of gifts she couldn't deny. And so had her mother. She had to give Paul and Ginny the opportunity to embrace those gifts—not run from them.
    "You'll do the right thing," Rafael murmured against her ear. "You always find the right answer for them. Jaguar traits are not all bad, and you want them to love that part of themselves. They may have great gifts and we can help them develop them, and if there are things that are difficult to deal with—well—we both know about them too. We can guide them together, Colby."
    "Thank you," she said softly.
    "I haven't done anything."
    "Of course you have. You knew I needed to work this out to do the right thing for the kids and in order to do that, I had to believe in myself."
    "I took you for a ride on a horse."
    "You gave me a dream."
    He was silent for a moment, urging the horse back toward the house, listening to the sounds of the hooves crunching the snow. "So this other boy. This Josef. Tell me about him."
    Colby hid her smile. Rafael liked to be such a tough guy, but deep inside he was a marshmallow.
    He leaned forward. I caught that thought. I am going to make you pay for that .
    Excitement zinged through her body and heated her bloodstream. I always so enjoy your little punishments . She turned her head to lift her mouth to his. It was more than awkward kissing on a horse, but they managed it, and as always, liquid fire poured through her veins and love seemed to flood her mind to the point of spilling over.
    "Josef is Byron's nephew. He seems young for his age. I think he's barely out of his teens."
    "That is a babe by our standards," Rafael pointed out, his fingers anchoring in her hair.
    "Where did Paul and Ginny meet him?"
    "Online. They all correspond. Skyler, Paul, Ginny, Josh and Josef. Some of the adults play video games online with them. But they've all become great friends. They were very much looking forward to meeting in person. I think Josef has a difficult time because he is a little older in age, but not maturity, yet everyone expects it of him."
    Rafael sighed. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try to get to know the boy."
    "You really are a marshmallow," she teased, knowing he would retaliate. Wanting him to. Anticipating it. Her body was suddenly pulsing with energy—with need. Rafael exuded sex, his mouth sinfully sensual, his good looks wickedly masculine. She loved the way he wore his clothes, his hard stomach flat and his hips and the columns of his thighs encased in denim. His eyes were heavy-lidded and black as night, holding a seduction all their own.
    Immediately, she felt overheated and sensitive, her body flooding with urgent need. His hand cupped her neck, drew her head back so his mouth could claim hers. She sat in the cradle of his hips, his erection pressed tightly against her buttocks, his arm over her breasts and his mouth rough, his tongue a velvet rasp of excitement, stroking and teasing, licking at her skin, teeth nibbling gently.
    Just like that her body responded, heat spreading like liquid gold through her veins. She wanted him so bad she could taste it.
    I want you too. But you deserve to suffer a little bit.
    Beneath the fur-lined coat, her clothes were gone, leaving her body exposed and vulnerable to his wandering hands. He slipped his hands inside the coat, guiding the horse with his legs. His palm slid along her thigh, and her breath hitched in her throat.
    "What are you doing?"
    "Whatever I want." His voice had