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  Katy backed out of the kitchen, hoping she didn’t collide with anything and fall on her ass. Never had she been as discombobulated as she was this morning. Perhaps her brain had been jarred inside her head when that guy punched her. She didn’t breathe until she was out of his sight and heading down the hall.

  “Good one, Katy,” She muttered under her breath. “So smooth.”

  Whatever Rafe’s story was, he still hadn’t made a move to take things to the next level and that confused the hell out of her. What kind of red-blooded, twenty-first-century guy didn’t try to get into a woman’s pants by this stage of a relationship? Especially a woman who was nearly throwing herself at him and now sleeping under his roof.

  She couldn’t reconcile the incongruence of his dual personalities. On the one hand, he appeared to be really attracted to her. And then two minutes later, he treated her like a close friend.

  Whatever his deal was, she vowed to give him about two more days of this strange dance he performed and then go all in. Even if she totally embarrassed herself and he turned her down, at least she could move on and stop pining away over his sexy body. It would hurt, but better sooner than later.

  •●•

  Rafe didn’t hear Mason come in. He was so intent on beating the tar out of his punching bag that Mason was standing directly in his line of sight before he knew he’d entered the basement. He grabbed the bag to steady it. “Shit. Sorry. Didn’t hear you.”

  Mason smirked. “You do realize that punching bag is inanimate, right?”

  “Ha ha.” Rafe reached for his bottled water and took a drink.

  “So you have a woman upstairs?” Mason raised an eyebrow. “I’ve never known you to bring a woman home. Let alone keep her.”

  Rafe set his water down and took a deep breath. “Long story, but yes.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Katy.”

  “Shit. Isn’t that the woman that distracted you so badly I knocked you on your ass a few weeks ago? Joe’s niece?”

  “That’s the one.”

  “That’s serious. She looked very high class. She’s into the D/s scene?”

  Rafe took a deep breath and released it slowly.

  “Oh my God. You haven’t told her?” Mason chuckled.

  “The timing hasn’t been right.”

  “That’s so unlike you.”

  “She’s got a lot on her plate. That’s why she’s here actually. Some asshole is stalking her. He smashed her face in last night.”

  Mason gasped. “Are you shitting me?”

  “No. And I really like her. I mean really really like her.”

  “No wonder you brought her home. But that’s no excuse for misleading her. Dominance is in your blood, dude. I can’t see you leaving the lifestyle for a woman, no matter how hot you think she is. How long are you planning to string her along before you tell her? You can’t continue sleeping with a woman who doesn’t know the score.”

  Rafe glanced down and shuffled his feet.

  Mason froze. “Now I know you’re shitting me. You haven’t slept with her?”

  “She’s not that kind of girl, man.”

  “Oh, God. This is serious.” Mason sat on the chair at his back and leaned on his knees. “Should I get my tux rented now?”

  Rafe lifted his gaze. “I don’t think so. Like you said, I’m stringing her along. I haven’t had the balls to let her go.”

  “Are you certain she’ll bolt?”

  Rafe nodded. “Positive. If I took her to Extreme, she would freak out.”

  “Doesn’t mean you can avoid it forever, though. You have to give her all the information and let her make her decisions.” Mason stood and set a hand on Rafe’s shoulder. “Maybe she’ll surprise you.”

  Rafe straightened to his full height. “Let’s get to work. I need to burn off steam.”

  “Is she okay? I mean, did you call the police?”

  “Of course we did. And she’s going to be fine, physically. She’s a bit stressed though, understandably.” Rafe fisted his hands for the millionth time. “I’ve never been a violent person outside the ring, but I gotta tell you, man, if I could have gotten ahold of that punk, I’d have knocked him into the next century.”

  “How did she get away?”

  “I showed up. But not fast enough to keep him from hitting her.”

  “How did he get away from you?”

  “I wasn’t chasing him.” Rafe met Mason’s gaze. “It was him or her. Hardest thing I’ve ever done, but there was no contest. She was lying on the ground with blood running down her face. I couldn’t leave her to chase the mother fucker.”

  “Of course not.” Mason shook his head. “So how long is she staying with you?” Mason picked up a set of free weights and began to pump his biceps.

  “Forever I hope.”

  Chapter Ten

  Katy sat in the bay window in Rafe’s bedroom, her knees at her chin, her arms wrapped around her legs as though she were cold. She stared out the window. It was gorgeous outside. The sun was high in the sky and the trees were blooming. She’d tried to look over a few files from the office, but her mind kept wandering back to the man currently in the basement working out.

  He hadn’t specifically shown her his room, but he had said to make herself at home. She wandered around aimlessly for thirty minutes, absorbing his space and learning more about the man she was fast falling hard for.

  When she saw this little cove in his bedroom, she couldn’t resist the allure. With pillows at her back and his scent filling the space, she was in heaven. She watched tiny white and pink buds rain down from the trees, preparing for summer.

  A noise startled her, and she twisted her head toward the door.

  Rafe filled the space as he entered. “Hey.” His smile lit her up and dragged her from her funk. He pulled his shirt over his head and wiped sweat from his face as he came toward her. “You okay?”

  She leaned her head back to look up at him. If she could stop time and remain in this position staring at this Greek god for eternity, she’d be a happy woman. “I hope you don’t mind me coming in here. I couldn’t resist the view.” She nodded toward the window.

  “Of course not.” He headed for the bathroom. “I’m going to grab a quick shower and then we’ll see about lunch.”

  She followed him with her gaze until he disappeared, shutting the door behind him. When she heard the water running, she had to grip her legs tighter to keep from joining him.

  What was up with this man? When he kissed her, he exuded fiery passion. When he wasn’t touching her, he seemed to withdraw. And he’d done more of that since she’d come to his home last night. His words indicated he wanted her to stay, but he didn’t give any indication their relationship was moving to the next level.

  Katy stared at the bathroom door, her mind conjuring up a naked Rafe, dripping with water, his hair slicked back. She thought of his chest and all those muscles, his tapered waist, the way his jeans hung low on his hips.

  She squeezed her knees together tighter against the assault on her sex. If his motives were based purely on some sort of misguided desire to respect her, she was going to have to raise the bar and entice him a bit more. Perhaps not today, but soon. She would surely self-combust if she didn’t get him on top of her in the next few days. Her sexual frustration was at an all-time high, and it wasn’t as though she could lie in the guest room masturbating under his roof with him across the hall. She didn’t trust herself not to come screaming to images of him floating in her mind.

  Rafe stepped back into the room, a towel around his waist, water dripping from his hair onto his shoulders. The sight was better than her imagination. She gulped back the lump in her throat and willed the towel to fall to the floor. Too bad she didn’t have some sort of telekinetic ability. If she did, he’d be naked, and she’d be staring at his fine ass.

  In the boldest move she’d ever made, she stood and padded toward him, her legs carrying her as though she were i
n a trance. She didn’t know how she managed to reach his side, but somehow she was propelled forward by the instinctive need to touch him.

  As he opened a drawer and removed clothing, she set her hand on his back. She traced the enormous tattoo with one finger while he froze in his spot. “This is gorgeous. Does the dragon have some personal meaning for you?” Her voice was hoarse.

  Rafe set his hands on the top of the dresser, dropping the items from his grip. He took a deep breath. She wondered in what way she was affecting him. It was impossible to read his mood. Did her touch send the same spark of arousal through him that it did her? Or was he humoring her with his stiff stance?

  “Yeah. It’s my fighting name. The Dragon. I’ve grown attached to the idea. They call me The Dragon in the ring, so I added the tattoo a few years ago.”

  She continued to trace the outline of the tattoo, her finger barely grazing his skin as she moved it around his shoulder blade and across his back slowly. She never wanted to stop touching him.

  Rafe held his breath for a few moments, allowing her to explore. She noticed he didn’t move an inch of his body. And then he snapped. He turned around in a flash, startling her with his speed. He grasped her wrists with both hands and backed her up until her knees hit the edge of his bed.

  Before she could consider the possible ramifications of his actions, he was on top of her, one of his knees wedged between her legs, his mouth covering hers in a deep kiss that sucked the air out of her lungs.

  He still held her wrists, high above her head. His tongue dueled with hers. His chest pressed into hers, flattening her breasts and making her ache to be as naked as him so she could feel his skin against her own.

  Dressed in jean shorts and a tank top, she wasn’t wearing much, but it was too much for her taste at the moment.

  Rafe consumed her. He didn’t just kiss her. He devoured her. And it made her head swim. She wanted this so bad, she didn’t dare move for fear she would break the spell. Or perhaps, the way he held her down kept her from moving if she wanted to.

  When he finally released her swollen wet lips to trail kissed down her neck toward her ear, he pressed his thigh up tighter against her pussy.

  Katy tipped her head to one side to give him better access. She moaned as wetness coated her panties. A throbbing need built in her lower belly. She would have lifted herself to rub harder against his leg, but he had complete control over her.

  The way he manhandled her made her hornier. Who knew she could be so quickly aroused by such a show of dominance. She gasped for a breath, her chest heaving. Her nipples rubbed against her bra, aching to be released. She wanted to feel his mouth over them, sucking them hard.

  Since when did she like that kind of rough sex? Since now. She craved anything he would dole out. Please, God, let him rip the clothes from my body and put an end to this standoff.

  Without thinking, she reached for his head, wanting to weave her fingers into his hair and hold him to her. She was brought up short, however. He didn’t budge when she tugged on her arms. In fact, he held her tighter, not giving her an inch of wiggle room.

  Katy’s body burned brighter. Holy shit, she was close to coming again, clothed against his leg. What the hell was the matter with her when she was around him? Who got off so easily with a man they barely knew with their clothes on?

  Her heart beat harder until her ears seemed to ring. All she knew was his lips licking a path from her ear to her shoulder and dipping into the cleavage of her tank top. Her breasts swelled with wanting.

  She moaned. “Please, Rafe. Please,” she begged. She tried to squirm, but he didn’t allow any movement.

  He lifted his face as though startled from a trance, his eyes wide, his mouth as swollen as hers felt. His lips were parted and he took a deep surprised breath. “God, what do you do to me?”

  She swallowed. “Good things I hope.”

  “Way too good.”

  “Is there such a thing?”

  He groaned and lowered his gaze and set his forehead against her chest. He took deep breaths, releasing her hands slowly and easing his thigh from between her legs.

  No. Her brain screamed in frustration.

  “I’m sorry,” he muttered. “I’m taking advantage of you.”

  She grabbed his head with both hands. “How do you mean? It’s not taking advantage if I’m asking for it. Please, Rafe. Talk to me. Whatever it is you need to say, say it. Because I want this. I want you to make love to me.” She couldn’t be any more blunt than that.

  He said nothing for long moments that dragged on. When he finally lifted his head, he was much more in control. “I’m not ready.”

  “To sleep with me?” She narrowed her gaze, not understanding.

  “To explain myself.” He brushed a lock of hair from her face and traced the edged of her jaw.

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I know. And I’m being selfish.”

  “How is this selfish? Rafe. I need you to explain better.”

  He crawled off her, adjusting his towel to keep himself covered.

  “Do you want me to leave?”

  “No.” He met her gaze. “No. I want you to stay. I want you here. I want to know you’re safe. I want to woo you with my charm and my cooking and my good looks.”

  “Why? You’re making me feel rather slutty the way I keep coming on to you and getting no results. We aren’t teenagers. You don’t have to respect some sort of laws of chastity here. I’m a grown woman. Not a virgin.”

  “I know.” He rolled his eyes. “Trust me. I can see how very grown you are.”

  Katy squirmed to a sitting position. She rose onto her knees and met his gaze level. “So you want me here. In fact you insist. But you aren’t going to sleep with me because you have some big secret and your conscious tells you not to make love to any woman until you reveal that secret.”

  “Exactly.” He exhaled as though that explained everything and he was relieved by her understanding.

  “So you’re afraid I’ll run out the door and never look back if you tell me the big secret.”

  He nodded, his shoulders lowering with his mistaken belief that she was finally catching on.

  “I’m offended.”

  He flinched. “Why on earth are you offended?”

  “Because you can’t trust me enough to take a risk. What if I don’t run?”

  He swallowed and stepped back. “You’re right. I don’t trust anyone that much. And if you weren’t dealing with a shit ton of your own problems, I would probably take that risk right this second and spill my life at your feet. But right now, we have way bigger problems. Some man tried to kill you last night. Did you forget that?”

  Katy narrowed her gaze. “Aren’t you being a bit dramatic? I hardly think he wanted to kill me.”

  “Really? Because that’s the very attitude that scares the fuck out of me. You’re too blasé about this stalker. That’s why I can’t let you out of my sight. Regardless of what you may think of me later on down the road, for now my main goal is your safety. And that means I need you to stay here. It means more to me than the fact that I may hurt your feelings later.

  “But I’m not a big enough ass to think it would be okay to sleep with you while you’re vulnerable.”

  Katy jumped off the bed and stood at his side, not touching him, though she had to fight desperately to keep from it. “Vulnerable? Is that how you see me?”

  “Yes.”

  She stomped toward the door to his bedroom. When she reached the frame, she grabbed it and twisted to look at him. “I’m not some weak girl you picked up who can’t use her mind to think for herself, Rafe. I’m fully aware of what happened to me and what the stakes are. My desire to have sex with you has nothing whatsoever to do with this asshole following me around.

  “I wanted inside your pants before this ever started. Probably from the instant I walked out of that gym and planted my lips against yours, losing all sense of anything around me. Do you realize
how rare that is? Maybe it happens to you every day. Or, fuck, maybe it isn’t happening to you at all.”

  Rafe stepped toward her in one long stride, but stopped short of reaching out. “I’m clear on all that, Katy. I felt the sparks. Hell, I feel the damn electricity flickering every time you breathe, move, sigh, walk, or roll your eyes at me. I’ve never wanted to make love to a woman so badly in my life. You consume me even when you aren’t around.

  “And it scares the fuck out of me.” He visibly shook while he grabbed his towel to keep from letting it fall to the ground.

  Katy believed him. God help her, she couldn’t imagine why she trusted him, but she did. And she needed to give him more time, apparently. “Fine. Put some damn clothes on. Your chest distracts me and your tattoo draws me in like a fucking magnet.” She turned and left him standing there.

  Chapter Eleven

  Katy padded into the kitchen the next morning on autopilot, aiming straight for the coffee she could smell.

  Rafe chuckled from the table. “Not a morning person, then. I wasn’t sure if that was yesterday or all days.” At least he was wearing a shirt this time. How noble of him.

  Katy ignored him and headed for the bathroom with her mug.

  After their strange argument yesterday, they had skirted around each other, each working intently on their respective computers, or at least feigning to do so.

  When she’d gone to bed in the guest room, she’d been so frustrated she flopped around for at least an hour before falling asleep. That damn infuriating man had gone to his own room and shut the door with a peck on her cheek. She’d wanted to slap him.

  Katy came back into the kitchen dressed to run. It was Sunday. If he thought he was going to keep her from meeting Jenna at eight thirty, she would read him the riot act.

  “I wasn’t sure if you had cancelled with your friend or not.” Rafe stood and set his coffee cup in the sink. “You want something to eat first?”

  “I’ll eat a protein bar on the way. But I need my car.”

  “We can pick it up on the way back.”