Surrender 01 - Surrender

several moments , and found that he enjoyed the sound of her voice even if he didn’t understand half of what she was talking about. Their conversation centered on mundane topics for the next half-hour, but he wasn’t in the least bored. If anything, he was more interested by this woman than ever.
    They ate through several more courses and he enjoyed the excitement entering her eyes as each dish was revealed. She stopped wrinkling her nose as she dived into the artistic creations, and though some of them were not to her liking, she eagerly tasted each one.
    “Thank you, Mr. Palazzo. This evening turned out quite pleasant. I can now say I’ve tried dishes I never imagined wanting to sample. I’m sorry the…um, employment didn’t work out, but I can’t say the evening was a total bust. It actually took my mind off my worries for a while. However, the real world is calling and I need to get back to it.”
    Rafe felt a small spark of irritation that she refused to call him by his first name, even after hours of dining with him, but he tamped it down as he stood to assist with her jacket.
    As his hands slid against her shoulders, he felt that now familiar stirring in his body. He found himself wanting to explore her hidden curves, touch her smooth skin, and discover whether she tasted as good as she smelled.
    “I’ve enjoyed myself, too, Ari. Maybe you will reconsider my job offer,” he whispered as he bent down so his breath warmed her neck. Satisfaction rolled through him as he watched her skin react — her body unable to hide its pleasure in his touch. He couldn’t resist the urge to lean in and gently bite the delicate skin of her neck before running his tongue over the spot, making her lean momentarily against him.
    Before he could wrap his arms around her and press his hardening body against her soft backside, she stiffened and pulled from him.
    “No. That won’t be happening. Thank you again for dinner, but I really must leave,” she insisted as she strode from the room.
    Rafe threw several hundred-dollar bills on the table, then turned to follow Ari. She made it out the front door and a small stretch down the sidewalk before with long, measured strides he caught up to her.
    “How were you planning to get home, Ari? My assistant is the one who brought you here. Besides, I always escort my date home,” Rafe insisted as he grabbed her arm and spun her around, enjoying the look of awareness on her face.
    “That’s not necessary, Mr. Palazzo , as this wasn’t a date. There’s a bus stop just down the road, and I’m happy to use it,” she fired back.
    “It’s not safe for a woman to be out walking at night. There will be no way in hell that I’ll allow it to happen.”
    “I’ve lived in the city for a while now and I’m fine on my own. I know how to take care of myself,” she said as she tugged against his hold.
    “I’m sure you do, Arianna, but why not let someone else take care of you for a while? I’m very good to my women,” he said as he backed her up against the brick wall of the restaurant .
    “I’ve made my decision. You need to let me go.” Her voice trembled as her gaze dropped to his lips.
    Rafe had a strict no-kissing rule, but he found himself wanting to devour her naturally plump pink lips. He felt himself bending down as his will began to break.
    Right before their lips connected, a drunken crowd of teenagers stumbled by, one of the boys knocking into the two of them and breaking the moment. Ari slipped from his arms and tore off down the sidewalk. But Rafe overtook her as she made it to the barely lit bus area.
    “I’m beginning to tire of chasing you, Ari. I said you won’t be taking the bus, so that means that you won’t. I really have no qualms about causing a scene, but since you’ve been hissing at me only beneath your breath, I take it that you do. You can either come with me willingly, or I’m going to pick you up, toss you over my shoulder and drag you back to the restaurant. It’s your choice,” he said brutally.
    Ari recoiled from his words. “You wouldn’t dare,” she gasped as she twisted away and looked around.
    A few people were beginning to walk toward them. Rafe could see the bus approaching several blocks down the street . She wasn’t getting on it, not on his watch.
    “Not only would I dare, but I’d enjoy myself. You have until the count of three. One…two...”
    “OK, OK. I’ll take your stupid ride,” she relented as his hands