Page 10 of Disciplined: His Forbidden Crush

Rafael’s laughter was unexpected and chilling, a mocking sound that gripped Summer’s gut like a fist. “Is that what you think?” Rafael asked with an arched eyebrow. “Sit down.”

Summer hesitated, trying to read the unreadable expression on Rafael’s face. He couldn’t tell if Rafael was bluffing, but one thing was clear: the man standing in front of him was not the same one he’d once admired and desired in secret.

Fear tightened its grip on his chest, but he refused to let it control him. He had faced danger before, and he wouldn’t bow to Rafael just because the man came from his past.

“Did prison make you stupid, Rafael?” Summer sneered, forcing his fear down with a surge of anger. “You think I’ll just obey you like some frightened puppy?”

The dangerous glint in Rafael’s eyes intensified, and Summer felt a rush of apprehension, even as he refused to back down. His heart pounded in his chest, but he lifted his chin higher, challenging Rafael to respond.

“Watch your mouth, Veranito,” Rafael said coldly, his voice low and laced with menace. “Your father may have spoiled you, but you’d better learn to behave or you’ll regret it.”

“Regret it?” Summer scoffed, his voice wavering only slightly. “What are you going to do? Beat me into submission?”

He watched as Rafael’s dark eyes seemed to bore straight through him, assessing him as if he were an unruly animal in need of being tamed. The air between them crackled with tension, and Summer felt it like a physical force. He swallowed hard, trying to ignore the way his pulse raced. If he pushes me, I’ll push back. I won’t let him boss me around.

But there was a part of him that wanted to yield.

“Keep going, Veranito,” Rafael urged, his dark smile sending a jolt of apprehension through Summer. “See what happens.”

Summer hesitated, his bravado faltering as he tried to gauge the intentions behind Rafael’s words. Why was he encouraging him to continue? What did he have planned?

“Cat got your tongue?” Rafael taunted, his eyes narrowing with amusement. “Where are your balls now, huh?”

The humiliation burned hot in Summer’s chest, fueling his anger once more. He refused to be made a fool of by this man, no matter how much power he held over him.

“Fuck you,” Summer spat, gathering his courage and lifting his hand to slap Rafael across the face.

Rafael’s reflexes were lightning fast, and he caught Summer’s wrist easily, his grip like iron. Pain lanced down Summer’s arm, but he refused to show weakness, glaring directly into Rafael’s dark eyes.

“Is that all you’ve got, Veranito?” Rafael sneered, tightening his hold on Summer’s wrist just enough to make him wince. “You really think this will end well for you?”

As much as Summer hated to admit it, the fear began to take root, making him doubt his own stubbornness. Was it worth pushing Rafael to the edge? But he couldn’t back down now, not when his pride was at stake.

“Let go of me,” Summer growled, trying to yank his arm free from Rafael’s grasp. “You don’t scare me, Rafael.”

“Maybe I should,” Rafael replied, his voice low and dangerous.

In a sudden movement that caught Summer off guard, Rafael pulled him closer, their bodies pressed tightly against each other. The heat radiating from Rafael was like a wall of warmth, and for a moment, Summer felt as if he couldn’t breathe. The scent of Rafael’s sweat mixed with the sharp tang of his cologne assaulted Summer’s senses, making his stomach clench in response.

Summer sucked in a breath, keeping his eyes averted to conceal the unwanted arousal that stirred in him. How could he still be affected by this man after so many years, especially under such circumstances? Memories of late nights spent touching himself in the dark while fantasizing about Rafael’s body against his flooded his mind, leaving him breathless.

“Look at me, Veranito,” Rafael commanded, his voice low and dangerous. Reluctantly, Summer raised his gaze to meet Rafael’s piercing eyes, afraid and aroused all at once. Rafael leaned in closer, his lips brushing against Summer’s ear as he murmured softly, “Your father wants you to learn to behave.”

A shudder ran through him at the feel of Rafael’s breath on his skin, his words sending a mix of dread and excitement coursing through him.

“He wants a good, obedient boy, not a mouthy little shit. And he’s given me free rein to do anything I want to you to make it happen.”

Summer’s mind reeled as he tried to process Rafael’s words. He knew he should be terrified, but instead, his body seemed to betray him, responding to the menace and authority in Rafael’s voice with an undeniable thrill. He reminded himself that this was wrong, that he shouldn’t let his attraction for Rafael cloud his judgment.

“Go to hell, Rafael,” Summer spat out defiantly, refusing to submit without a fight. “You think you can control me? You don’t know shit about who I am now.”

“Is that so?” Rafael challenged, his grip on Summer’s arm tightening painfully. “Then let’s see just how far I can push you. Let’s see how long it takes for you to break.”

Summer’s breath hitched as he realized the true extent of his situation. Not only was he trapped here, but he was trapped with Rafael, the man who had been the object of his first and only real crush. The man who now had the power to control him, to dominate him in every way possible.

“Rafael, please,” Summer whispered, desperation creeping into his voice.

“Get used to it,” Rafael replied coldly. “This is your life now. And I suggest you learn to obey, or things will become very unpleasant for you.”

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