Surrender 01 - Surrender

and walked through an open doorway.
    Her eyes widened at the stunning four-poster bed in the center of the room. Its posts were thick and intricately carved; a deep purple comforter spread over it caught and held her eyes. Was there any way he could have known that purple was her favorite color? No, it was surely a coincidence. She wanted to run her fingers over the gleaming fabric and see whether it was as soft as it looked, but since she’d never sleep in that bed, there was no point in torturing herself. She’d never attain such a life of luxury.
    That isn’t true , she snapped at herself. When she finally finished college and got the job of her dreams, she’d earn an excellent salary. She’d treat herself to those things that made life a little easier, and she’d also treat her mother and make up for all the years of sacrifice.
    Ari turned to leave, not daring to look into the bathroom, where she knew there would be a large tub calling her name, and that’s when something caught her eye. She turned back to the bed and looked up.
    Her eyes widened as she realized what it was. Her hand came up and covered her mouth; she took a step closer. Yes, it really unsettled her, but only because it wasn’t horror she was feeling — it was the first stirrings of excitement.
    “I can see by the way your body is tensing that you won’t be as opposed to my lifestyle as you so vehemently insist. Just the thought of the things I want to do to you appears to turn you on, and you’re just too afraid to admit it — to me or yourself.”
    The sound of Rafe’s seductive voice whispering in her ear while the sight of his bondage straps floating before her made her knees weak. His hands snaked around her stomach and slid beneath her shirt.
    His fingers slowly moved up and over her breasts, lightly brushing against her nipples through the thin cotton of her bra as his breath whispered across her neck. When his tongue slid out and tenderly trailed across her skin, heat surged through her, demanding that her body respond — and it did; her core instantly grew moist and ready.
    “Yes, Ari. You want this. You want this so badly that you’re trembling. You want to play all kinds of games with me. Admit it. Stop fighting me and let me make the decisions. I’ve never once had a woman regret it.”
    Ari’s entire body tensed as her passion evaporated. He might as well have slapped her in the face. How many other women had he screwed in this same bed? How many others had he run his fingers across, then thrown out like yesterday’s garbage?
    “I’m ready to go home now,” she said as she wrenched herself away and walked out the door. She didn’t stop until she was clear of the condo and standing before the elevator. She was grateful he didn’t try to stop her. At least he was keeping his word of taking no for an answer.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

    Utter silence marked the ride to Ari’s apartment. Why her sudden change of heart? Rafe wondered. He’d handpicked that condo for her, chosen every single item in it.
    He always treated his mistresses well. But with Ari, he’d gone above and beyond what he normally did and had taken extra time to get to know her. He knew which scents were her favorites, knew that she preferred a luxurious bath to a diamond necklace, and most importantly, knew that she was trapped in a prison, just waiting for someone to free her.
    She might think she’s won in our battle of wills, but she’s only delayed the inevitable. At the moment Rafe was too angry for further discussion. Besides, he wasn’t fighting on a fair battlefield — she was still recovering from surgery. So if he pushed and she gave in, how could he value her surrender? The delay was all for the best. He preferred his victories when his opponent was at full strength.
    He pulled up outside her dilapidated apartment complex and stepped from his vehicle. Annoyance flashed through him when she opened her car door and stepped out before he made it around to her side, but he said nothing, just followed her up the sagging steps.
    Should the next item on his to-do list be to get the complex condemned? It wasn’t up to code, so he’d be doing the tenants a favor. Rafe loathed slumlords, those worthless bottom-feeders who preyed on the weak and helpless. Maybe he’d buy the property and fix it up. He made a mental note to look into it.
    “Thank you for the ride,” Ari said as she slipped her key in the rickety door lock and moved it