Page 20 of Older Hotter Grumpier
“Thirty.”
“Thirty-five,” I reply.
As Severino keeps bidding higher, faster, Rafe’s expression darkens with impatience, and my heart beats quicker as he nods and doesn’t let go of my hand as I say the words that try to get him the painting.
“One hundred,” Severino announces, and the round number sends another shocked gasp around the room. This is, after all, a charity auction for a school.
“You’ve proved your point, Sev,” Rafe growls. “She bids a hundred and fifty thousand.”
Severino barks out a laugh and gives an ironic bow. “I’ll hold you to your promise, big brother.”
“Sold!” The teacher is gleeful, and, I think, a bit dazed.
I’m in shock. What happened?
“Good girl.” Rafe drops a brief kiss to my forehead then rises. In a few steps he’s at the stage. My boss grabs the painting from the assistants, who give it up without a fight, and everyone looks on, scandalised, as he strides back to me and props the picture against his chair, facing me.
“For you. My future wife.”
I could cry with how much I wish that was true.
Then Rafe yanks me up into his arms, hard against his big chest. His mouth finds mine, confident and firm.
A kiss.
Our first kiss. The first real kiss I’ve had, and yet it doesn’t feel like a first. Rafe is utterly commanding, leading me with his lips and as my mouth opens, his tongue slips in, conquering, possessive. There’s no hesitation, like we’ve kissed in this way a hundred times before. It’s all just the caress of his tongue and the pressure of his lips sending sparkling pleasure to my core.
I’m dimly aware there is an audience, but the world feels irrelevant compared to the solid, heated body of Rafe.
I dig my fingers into his shoulders, and grip so as not to fall.
I’m so greedy for this kiss. It’s hot and intimate, and like nothing I’ve ever felt. I thought his eyes on me were intense earlier? This is more.
His hands hold me tight at my waist and at my neck, under my hair. We’re close, but I cram myself towards him anyway. I need more of him. When I touch my tongue to his he rumbles a groan in response.
My boss.
Oh my god I’m kissing my boss, clinging to him. This is all my office daydreams and secret night-time fantasies come to life. This might be a fake, but he’s kissing me like he means it. As though I’m precious and beloved.
And it’s possessive as hell.
Somewhere in the distance, there are whoops and cheers, along with a smattering of applause and some awkward British titters. I barely notice. Rafe strokes my neck with his thumb, still holding me as though he needs to check I’m real and touch me more, but can’t risk letting me go even an eighth of an inch. He’s hard all over and it makes me go molten. I’m as liquid as he is hot stone.
“And that, ladies and gentlemen, is my brother in love,” drawls a familiar dry voice.
I’m dazed as Rafe gently releases me with one last firm press, everywhere.
The whole thing can’t have been more than ten seconds and yet my world is upside down. Because they’re right. This isn’t a crush. It’s love.
I’m in love with Rafe Blackwood. The knowledge shoots through my arteries, making my blood sing as I stare up into my boss’ serious expression. I knew I adored and admired him, but I’m such a goner. I’m so far gone into love with him I’m lost in space without even the stars to navigate by, and that kiss just showed me, revealing how lightyears from my past I am. I couldn’t find my way back to an earth where I don’t love Rafe in a million years.
Sliding his hand from my neck down over my shoulder and to my waist, Rafe flicks his blue gaze to the side for a second. As he returns his attention to me, I can’t help but check what he was looking at.
Identical blue eyes stare back at me as I glance over. Severino.
Oh. Right. Maybe that was all this was, proving a point to his brother.
In love?
