Surrender 01 - Surrender

she couldn’t control her hormones. She could hate him for the way he made her feel, but she couldn’t stop desiring him.
    “I’m very hungry, if you wouldn’t mind taking me to the dining room,” Ari spoke just above a whisper, avoiding calling him by any name at all.
    “I wouldn’t want to keep you waiting,” he answered as he slipped her arm through his. She knew resisting him would be to no avail, so she forced herself to relax as she walked beside him, out the same door they’d come in.
    At least when the two of them were around other people, she wouldn’t have to battle him — and herself. If she could understand how she could hate the man while still desiring him, she’d be able to make millions. Women in droves would pay her for the secret.
    “How was your shower?”
    “Not too pleasant. You have a beautiful bathroom, but I did get too much sun today. The water felt like tiny knives cutting into my skin. However, the lotion on the counter worked wonders. I don’t know what magic ingredient is in it, but I feel almost back to normal.”
    “After dinner, I’d be glad to rub it all over your body. I’ll make sure to reach those hard-to-get-to places.”
    The soft purring sound of his voice caused her stomach to drop right from her body. Her legs were nothing but gelatin, and the fires of hell seemed to be heating her core. How could she possibly think she’d be safe in the presence of others? The man could whisper a single word and melt her, or brush against her with the lightest of touches and make her putty in his hands.
    Maybe she would take her chances with the sharks. At the moment, a shark seemed the less dangerous creature.

Chapter Nineteen

    Rafe should have been furious with his sisters, but he was too pleased to have Ari’s arm wrapped in his and the soft curve of her breast pressing against his bicep. Even knowing it was more than a desire to break her spirit — knowing he was intrigued by her — he continued his pursuit. Ignoring his intuition, he chose to enjoy Ari.
    “You have a nice boat.”
    Ari’s compliment filled him with warmth he’d rather not feel. He thought about making a sarcastic reply, but instead something held him back.
    “Thank you. Right this way,” he said as he opened a door that led into his ornate dining area. A large table was centered in the room with enough seating for twenty. In addition, another seating area was to the right, where his family was chattering in a lively fashion while having predinner drinks.
    “We were beginning to think you were never going to show,” his father said as he stood. “Who’s your beautiful companion?”
    “Father, this is Ari. It seems the girls found her at the beach today and invited her aboard,” Rafe replied as he sent his sisters a stern look. They actually had the decency to glance away, knowing they were busted.
    “We needed an extra person for volleyball and ran into Ari. We had no idea she was the same girl as Rafe’s… friend ,” Rachel said with an innocent smile.
    “What a happy coincidence,” Rafe replied with mockery.
    “Ari, it’s so good to meet you. My son seems to be quite fond of you,” his mother said in her slight Italian accent. It had lessened over the years as she spent more and more time with his father in the States.
    Rosabella stepped forward and took Ari’s hands, then leaned in and kissed her cheek, causing Ari to blush slightly at the warm greeting.
    “It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Palazzo.”
    “Oh, darling , please call me Rosabella,” Rafe’s mother insisted.
    “Thank you, Rosabella. You have wonderful daughters. I had a very pleasant day with them. I’ve also never been on a large boat like this before, and it’s quite the treat.”
    Rafe noticed that Ari had no trouble calling his mother by her first name.
    “My ornery son hasn’t brought you aboard yet? Well, I’ll just have to speak to him about his manners. The yacht is a nice escape. I’m thinking my husband and I need one of our own so we can take off for a few months. I could get used to sailing the high seas,” Rosabella said with a delighted laugh.
    “I will order one tomorrow, dear, and whisk you away to the far corners of the world,” his father said as he leaned down and gently kissed his wife.
    Watching the obvious love between his parents always pleased Rafe. If only he hadn’t seen so much devastation in other relationships…
    Lia spoke up. “Mom, you guys are getting all mushy