Page 29 of Rafe

“He ate my couch,” Rafe said with a mischievous grin.

“I’m sorry, he did what?” Maggie frowned in disbelief as Rafe let out a chuckle.

“That was after I finally managed to house-train him. I thought I’d let him roam free while I was away at work, especially after installing a little pet door for his convenience,” he recounted ruefully. “Big mistake. I walked in one day to find stuffing scattered everywhere, the seat cushions nearly devoured, and him sitting there as though saying, ‘Look what I did.’ It took me six months before I trusted him again. I ended up confining him in a crate every time I left the house afterward, and though I hated doing it, I didn’t want to have to buy new furniture every time I left the house. He’s well-behaved now, though.”

Maggie laughed. “I can’t believe he did that.”

“I learned the hard way that he didn’t like being left alone,” Rafe sighed, shaking his head as if dismissing a fond memory.

“Why wasn’t he out with you, the day I came here and found you in the pool?” Maggie asked with a teasing lilt in her voice.

“I let him out only after I’ve done a few laps. Swimming is one of his great passions,” Rafe replied, sharing a quiet smile with Maggie.

“Just like you,” she remarked softly.

“One of my favorite things to do,” he admitted.

Maggie moved toward him, her arms winding around his waist as she gazed deeply into his eyes. “And what else is among your favorite things to do?”

“Horseback riding... and you,” he said with a grin.

“That’s my favorite one too,” Maggie replied, her laughter mingling with his as he leaned forward quickly to capture her lips in a tender kiss.

“I’ll take your bag to the bedroom,” he added, his voice carrying the promise of intimacy.

“Alright. I’ll be right here,” Maggie murmured.

Rafe paused; his eyes locked on hers, and then nodded. Picking up her bag, he walked slowly down the quiet hallway, his heart pounding with anticipation at the thought of having her close once again.

****

As soon as he vanished from view, Maggie’s fingers deftly slid the zipper along the back of her dress. With deliberate grace, she tugged the fabric downward until it settled just above her breasts. She was aware that he would catch a glimpse of the delicate straps of her teddy underneath, but she relished the anticipation of shedding her dress for him, slowly and tantalizingly.

When Rafe reentered the room, his movement stilled; he paused in the doorway, his eyes locked on her. He slowly advanced toward her, his head tilting as if savoring every detail of the unfolding scene. As she lowered her dress to her hips, a warm, knowing smile played across her lips. Inch by inch, she worked the garment down, slipping her thumbs into its sides, and with a playful shimmy, she extricated herself from its embrace. The fabric pooled around her feet like a soft, dark cascade as she stepped free, watching with satisfaction as his gaze roamed over her exposed skin.

“Holy hell,” he murmured, his voice husky with admiration as he closed the distance between them. “You’re a stunning woman, Magdalena Lancaster.” He reached up to release the pins trapping her hair, allowing it to fall in unruly, silky waves around her shoulders. His fingers combed through the tresses gently before he cradled her neck, leaning in to place his warm lips against her ear. “Those shoes and that teddy are staying on,” he whispered.

A gasp escaped Maggie’s lips as he scooped her up, her legswrapping instinctively around his waist as he carried her toward the bedroom. At the threshold, he shut the door with a decisive kick, his chuckle echoing lightly as Booker’s bark filled the space behind them.

“Later, buddy, I’m going to be busy for a while,” he said, the humor in his tone mingling with her laughter.

He gently laid her on the soft, inviting bed, then shed his clothes with a speed that seemed almost practiced. Her gaze was irresistibly drawn to him, tracing every contour of his form. As he approached the foot of the bed, Maggie rose onto her knees, her movements fluid and deliberate as she crawled toward him. Her fingers curled around his taut arms, drawing him nearer with a gentle but insistent pull. One hand ventured downward, encircling his throbbing cock, eliciting a deep, resonant groan from him. Yet it was the moment her warm mouth enveloped him, her lips tight around him while her hand expertly traversed his rigid length, that a sharp intake of breath escaped his lips, mingling with the charged atmosphere of the room.

Rafe stepped back from her; his eyes dark with urgency. “You have to stop. I need you now, Maggie,” he implored, his voice rough with desire.

Maggie sank back onto the soft mattress, her eyes locked with his as her fingers deftly reached between her legs to unsnap the fastenings on her teddy, the small clicks echoing in the quiet room.

“Then come and get me,” she whispered.

Rafe crawled up over her body, the warmth of his skin brushing against hers, and placed his lips on hers, kissing her deeply and passionately. The taste of him was intoxicating. She pushed gently at his shoulders, prompting him to lift his head and meet her gaze, their eyes speaking volumes in the silent exchange. He rolled onto his back with a grin, and she straddled him with a playful glint in her eyes.

“My ride this time,” she murmured into his ear, her breath sending a shiver down his spine before she took his earlobe gently between her teeth. She straightened, her body poised, then lowered herself slowly, taking him deep inside her, a moan escaping both their lips, the room filled with the sound of their mutual pleasure.

Maggie moved rhythmically, her body rising and falling with an increasing tempo, each movement stoking the fire between them until she cried out, her climax washing over her like a tidal wave. Rafe flipped her onto her back and drove into her with an urgent passion. She succumbed once more, her body arching as another wave of ecstasy crashed over her, just as Rafe groaned her name, his own release following swiftly.

The next morning, Maggie awoke to streams of sunlight flooding through the windows, casting a golden hue across the room. Stretching her arms luxuriously above her head, she smiled at the memory of last night, the passion, the unbridled intensity, and the knowledge that he was a man who left nothing to chance. Yet when she turned to her side, she realized with a start that the man who had ignited her desire had already vanished. Glancing at the clock, she noted it was past nine, an unusually late hour for her.

She tossed aside the covers with a flourish and rummaged for her bag before choosing a pair of well-worn jeans and a softly fitted T-shirt, then entered the bathroom to brush her teeth. Once dressed, she wandered into the kitchen searching for any sign of Rafe, but he was nowhere to be seen, and neither was Booker. With a soft sigh, she retraced her steps to the bedroom and pulled open the patio door blinds. She smiled at the sight of Rafe leisurely floating with Booker splashing playfully in the pool. She slid open the door and stepped out into the warm morning.

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