Surrender 01 - Surrender

never seen that ad.
    This unhappy, disillusioned fellow thought he knew what the world was all about, but he had a lot to learn. Not every woman was for sale, not by a long shot. Though she’d thought she could do this, she had more value for herself than she’d realized. Let him think what he wanted, but she wasn’t to be bought — no matter what he threw at her.

Chapter Five

    Rafe gazed in surprise at his hand gripping Ari’s delicate arm. He’d been jostled out of his normal cool and he wasn’t ready to let her walk from the room. What startled him most was his enjoyment of it all . To be refused by this complicated woman intrigued him.
    What he should do was wish her a good day, eat his meal in silence, and go home. His assistant would simply call in the next woman on the list. It was easy — not a big deal. So why had his hand trapped Ari’s arm? Why didn’t he just let her go?
    It was most likely because he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been challenged — by a woman or by anyone, for that matter. Everyone practically bowed at his feet. Not until this very moment had he realized how bored he was by it all. It seemed he’d already achieved everything he possibly could, and now he just compounded his successes with a minimum of effort.
    Obviously, he needed more challenges if a refusal from a woman caused more excitement in him than a new multibillion-dollar merger did.
    Still, there was nothing he could do if she didn’t enter into his employment. He would never force a woman to be with him, and he had no desire to take the time to court a mistress.
    I t wasn’t so simple when it came to Arianna Harlow. He could actually picture himself throwing her over his shoulder, taking her to his car, and spiriting her away to his home, where he’d tie her to the bed and ravish her until the morning light.
    A wolfish smile spread slowly across his face at the thought of doing just that . What he wouldn’t give to be a pirate in that moment. Rafe had a feeling, though , that one night wouldn’t be nearly enough to sate his desires — not with this woman. Maybe it had just been too long since his last mistress. Arianna’s appeal was most likely nothing more than sexual frustration.
    “Sit,” he commanded and watched her flinch from his cold tone. Good. She had no idea who he truly was. This was all a game to him, nothing more — and he couldn’t lose. It wasn’t in his DNA.
    He watched emotions flit across her face as she looked down at his hand. He saw the tremor in her body, knew she wasn’t unaffected by him. She might not like his rules, but she did desire him. The question was — what was he willing to do to get her to admit it?
    Nothing!
    He wouldn’t chase her. He just wanted to finish his meal. At least, that’s what he told himself. It was all merely a game that he must win, not a serious desire to be with the woman.
    “I guess a free meal won’t hurt,” she replied after the pause became uncomfortably long. She tugged on her arm to remind him that he was still gripping her.
    He let go, zeroing in on the slight redness his fingers had left against her soft ivory skin. The sight caused his body to stir, the beginnings of desire trickling in low in his belly. Normally, it took a lot more than his fingers branding a woman’s arm to make his pulse quicken .
    She intrigued him more by the minute , though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly why. Yes, she was beautiful, but beauty wasn’t a rarity in his world. Every other woman he ran across was stunning.
    As Ari sat cautiously across from him , she picked up her spoon and began twisting it in her fingers as she eyed her soup . It should have been tasty, but…
    The waiter soon appeared with their second course, artfully prepared sushi. Rafe had to suppress a smile when her nose wrinkled at the delicate pieces of rice, raw fish, and seaweed.
    “Um, no thank you,” she said to the waiter, who looked at Rafe as though he had no earthly idea what he was supposed to do. Rafe was sure the young server had never had his food returned at this exclusive restaurant.
    “It’s fine; leave it,” Rafe said, and the waiter scurried away. “Don’t dismiss it until you’ve at least given it a try. This one here is a rare delicacy that is said to wake up a woman’s… cravings . Have you heard of fugu before?” When she shook her head, he continued.
    “Fugu is more commonly known in the States as puffer fish or blowfish. If the chef