Page 16 of Exes, Hexes, and Strategy
“You don’t know how many times I wanted to tell you,” she continued.
Gently easing her back so he could see her properly, Rafe cupped her cheek. “Tell me what, Nina? What happened?”
She brushed at her tears with trembling fingers, her throat working as she swallowed. “Your father,” she began, stumbling over the rushed words and Rafe had to force himself to focus as his suspicions were confirmed and the red tint of rage began to edge his vision.
“He found out about us, I don’t know how,” she said with a shake of her head. “He was at my apartment.”
Any semblance of control he might have garnered shredded upon hearing her words as he imagined Vincent DeMarco lying in wait for Nina.
His eyes turned a lethal shade and his fangs elongated as he gritted out, “Did he hurt you?”
If his father had, Rafe would end him – slowly, painfully – before taking great pleasure in destroying the man’s empire.
“I was scared,” she admitted, swiping at the tears that continued to flow and Rafe tucked her head back into his shoulder, his other hand stroking soothing circles over her back.
“I’m so sorry,” he said against her hair. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
Her fingers fisted in his T-shirt. “He said things, Rafe. Threatened to hurt people, my friends, family, if I ever saw or spoke to you again.”
Rafe clenched his jaw so hard he was surprised his teeth didn’t snap. It was what he’d assumed, yet hearing Nina say it out loud made it all that much worse. Blood ties or not, if Rafe had anything to say about it, Vincent DeMarco’s days were numbered. He’d threatened what Rafe held most dear. If it was the last thing Rafe did, he’d revel in the fear in his father’s eyes as the man died in excruciating pain at Rafe’s hands.
“I’ll take care of it,” he vowed, his deadly intent coming through in his tone. “You’ll never have to worry about him again.”
Nina’s head lurched back, her wet eyes wide with fear. “You can’t go up against your father, Rafe.”
His fingers caught a tear at the corner of her eye. “My father sent me here to recruit an army for him,” he told her thoughtfully. “Perhaps instead, I’ll create an army against him.”
Not that he would need any help, but a promise of numbers might ease Nina’s anxiety. Vincent DeMarco was a creature of habit. Easily predictable, easy to plot against, and Rafe knew the man’s schedule inside and out. His father’s destruction would come at his hands and his hands alone.
Her grip tightening on his shirt. “Please don’t,” she begged. “I can’t stand the thought of you getting hurt.” She shook her head sadly, “I want so much to be with you, Rafe, but I also can’t risk him hurting my family, my friends. I don’t know what to do.”
“You’re safe here,” he promised, hugging her tightly to him. “We’resafe here. His reach is wide, but it doesn’t extend to this territory. It never has.”
“I had hoped,” she said, the words muffled against his chest. “But I still think it best we’re not seen together.”
Her fingers skated up to his jaw as her head lifted. “I’ve missed you so much.”
Rafe’s rage was instantly supplanted by a longing so deep, it went through him like lightning. His hands gently cupped her face, his lips meeting hers softly at first and then with more urgency. It had been so long.
Nina moaned in the back of her throat. How she’d missed this. The strength of Rafe’s arms around her, the taste of his kiss, the smell of his skin. It was like coming home. Unable to resist, she burrowed her fingers under his T-shirt to slide her hands over the heated muscles of his abdomen. A thrill jolted through her as she felt them clench and ripple beneath her touch. She’d never loved anyone as much as she loved Rafe, and she doubted anyone would ever come close in comparison.
She’d never put much stock in the whole soul-mate thing until she’d met him. They’d clicked immediately. Like Rafe was the missing piece to her puzzle. When she imagined her future, he was beside her, rooting for her. When she imagined her future wedding, it was Rafe she pictured waiting for her at the end of the aisle. These last several months without him had been like walking through the world in a cold, gray fog. Now, finally, there was a burst of sunshine on the horizon.
Rafe’s kisses moved to her jawline, the sensitive column of her throat, and she eagerly tipped her head back as her fingers dove for the button fly on his jeans and the hard ridge of his erection beyond.
He let out a growl of approval before his head lifted. Heavy lidded eyes scanned the room and his lips pressed into a grimace. “What I wouldn’t give for a bed.”
“I don’t need a bed,” she gasped out as she released his pants and slid the palm of her hand over his length. “I just need you.” She felt so empty, and she needed Rafe to fill her. It had been too long since she’d felt the exquisite sensation of him inside of her.
His face was tight with suppressed need as he looked into her eyes. “But we’re in a janitor’s closet.”
She shook her head almost frantically. “I don’t care,” she told him, kissing the strong line of his stubbled jaw. “I don’t care. Anywhere with you. Anywhere,” she repeated, stressing the word.
Stepping back just slightly, she yanked her workout tank over her head and threw it. Where it landed, she didn’t care, too absorbed in the fierce look of passion on Rafe’s face as his eyes dropped to her breasts.
His hands trembled slightly as he cupped them, his thumbs skating delicately over the stiffened peaks. His voice was reverent as he uttered, “You still take my breath away.” His eyes lifted to hers. “You willalwaystake my breath away.”
Nina felt a sob catch in her throat. How she loved this man. Reaching up, she slid her hands over the short hair above his ears, guiding him closer. His mouth eagerly latched onto a nipple and she hissed in a breath through her teeth. “I love you, Rafe. I love you so much.”
