Surrender 01 - Surrender

She was stunned to be refusing the man who offered her and her mother the chance to escape their hopeless situation.
    She stood in thunderstruck silence as puzzlement crossed Mr. Palazzo’s features. He was almost gaping at her as if he’d never before heard the word no . Stillness suffocated the two of them as a waiter came in and set dishes on the table before scurrying from the tension-filled room.
    “You said yes over the phone. I thought this was settled,” Rafe calmly replied. He picked up his wineglass and slowly took a sip of the dark red liquid while she remained awkwardly standing a few feet from him.
    Ari finally moved her head, looking around for Mr. Kinsor, but he had disappeared. She’d have to find another way home. It was too long a walk.
    She watched as Rafe swallowed, saw the way his throat constricted as the fluid slid smoothly down. As if looking through another person’s eyes, she noticed again how handsome and self-assured he was . Why would he need to hire mistresses? As he’d pointed out in his office building, there was a line of women practically begging to be chosen to grace his arm.
    He must have known she didn’t want to do this even before she refused, so why go through the motions? She would understand it a little more if he were a nasty tyrant, unbearable and hideous to look at. With his olive complexion, attractive but slight Italian accent, and amazing self-confidence, she didn’t see a reason behind what he did. In other circumstances, in another universe, she might have even been disappointed not to date him.
    Of course, he wasn’t asking for a girlfriend — he didn’t want to date. He wanted a woman to do his bidding, be at his beck and call, fall at his knees, and perform all sorts of kinky, twisted sexual favors. She’d never be what he was looking for.
    Ari’s own knees grew shaky as the two of them continued their standoff, so she slowly sank down into the chair. As his gaze held hers captive, she took a steadying breath and picked up the full glass of flavorsome red wine in front of her and took a sip, giving herself a minute to think. She didn’t know why it was important for her to say anything, but she needed to.
    “I thought I could do this — sell my body for the sake of my mother. I was wrong. I planned to say yes , was determined to take the position and deal with it. I had no idea I would say no until the word popped out of my mouth. I’m slightly desperate at the moment, but I guess I actually have a bit of pride still intact.”
    Ari watched his eyes narrow dangerously. She hadn’t been trying to insult him, but it looked as though she had anyway. He seemed to be the type of guy you didn’t want to rile when you were precariously close to a steep cliff.
    Suddenly, she didn’t care. She felt exhilaration banish her ever-present fear as she took another sip and looked him dead in the eye. He might have all the money in the world, and he might even have more power than the president of the United States, but he was still just a man. The bottom line was that he couldn’t force her into anything— no matter who he was.
    If they’d been in certain foreign lands, he could probably have just shot her right there on the spot with no consequences, but she was here in the land of the free, where she was safe. Feeling as if she actually had a choice gave her hope. She’d made the right decision.
    She refused to be somebody she wasn’t. She never would have even thought of dating a man as striking and sophisticated as Rafe — not in her lifetime. She would marry an accountant, or a fireman. She’d have a small house with a yard that needed mowing and two kids splashing in a shallow pool with their puppy. She wasn’t a girl who wanted to play kinky games with a jaded, worldly tycoon.
    She finished her wine and felt relief that her knees had stopped shaking. It was time to leave, so she stood up again . There was no point in having their conversation continue. She’d said no . She didn’t owe him an explanation. She’d reached down to grab her purse when his hand snaked out and gripped her arm.
    “This conversation isn’t over, Ari. I’ve learned over the years that every woman has her price. It’s just a matter of time before I figure out exactly what yours is.” The raw power in his tone and the controlled movement of his hand sent a shudder down her spine. What had she gotten herself into by going to that interview? She really wished she’d