Chapter 7
Rafaela
Lightheaded.
I was so lightheaded and still feeling impulsive that when I made it back to the house, I stood outside staring at the moon above.
How could I not smile and feel giddy inside?
I’d finally had my first kiss and while I could never claim to know for certain if what I’d experienced was the best that any woman had ever had, going by how my stomach was fluttering, I was fairly certain I was right in my assumptions.
His beautiful angel. His little healer. I didn’t know which I preferred, but being in his arms had been everything I’d imagined it would be.
Perfect.
I’d read about how men kissed in books. I’d fantasized about what the first one would be like, but my God, I was still tingling all over, completely electrified.
I’d learned his name.
I’d spent an evening with him.
The moment had been magical. I slunk against the exterior wall, pressing my fingers across my lips. I wanted more than anything to call Sedona, but I’d made a promise that I intended on keeping.
After another couple of minutes of enjoying the moment, I headed toward the kitchen door.
Oh, shit.
My father’s office light was on.
Fear threatened to cripple me. I had to pass by the window to get to the kitchen door. Glancing at my sweet Golden, who was staring at me intently, I pressed my index finger in front of my mouth, grateful that when she was a puppy I’d taught her some sign language.
I’d done so in case of an attack, not for this purpose, but my good girl seemed to understand.
Crouching low, I moved under the window to get to the other side, but not before catching sight of a group of people inside.
Including my godfather. Giovanni Pollizi was my father’s age, his best friend and the Cosa Nostra Don.
He’d been at my christening, every birthday and Christmas celebration. If he had a son, I knew he would be the person I would marry.
Who was the third man?
I crept to the other side, pinning myself against the wall and daring to peer in.
While the third man was standing in such a way I could only see his face in silhouette, I noticed he was much younger.
Whatever the three were discussing, I could tell they weren’t arguing. In fact, my father lifted a glass in salute, all three men touching their crystal. Dying to know, I risked getting as close to the glass as possible, straining to hear.
“The venture will be successful,” my father mentioned.
“A new chapter,” my godfather added. “Business overseas in America.”
The stranger laughed, a unique sound that I could tell was done out of happiness.
Dear God. Was this the man my father would introduce me to?
I shuddered from the thought and rushed toward the kitchen door just in case their meeting concluded before I managed to move past the office door.
No longer able to arm the system, I only hoped my father would think one of his soldiers had disarmed the unit in preparation of his guests.
By the time I reached my room, my stomach was full of knots, my pulse racing. With the duffle bag hidden, I quickly threw on my pajamas, crawling into bed.
Getting caught would destroy what little happiness I’d found.
As I rolled over and closed my eyes, I envisioned Kazimir. He was so handsome, so incredible. I fought a giggle threatening to take over. He’d also been rock hard, his cock pressing into my stomach.
With his chiseled face still in my mind, I slipped my hand under the waistband of my jammies, sliding my fingers between my legs.
My pussy was hot to the touch, already aching from just spending time with him.
My lips were swollen from the roughness of the kiss, my cheeks lightly chafed from his beard.
The sensations would be gone in the morning.
But the ache in my core was something that would last for a long time. I flicked my finger across my clit, taking shallow breaths to avoid moaning. I didn’t need much, my cunt already throbbing from the desire that had lingered after the time spent with him.
The vision of his face lingered in sweet shadows and I bit back a moan when I pinched my hardened nub. If only he was here with me, his fingers touching me. His lips kissing me. His cock…
I shoved my legs down, pressing the heel of my hand against my swollen lips. I wanted him to be my first. I didn’t care who he was or if he was the bad man I’d accused him of being. I wanted him to take my virginity.
Was that so terrible?
It would be to my father. I was supposed to be pure of heart and body, saving myself for my husband.
The archaic values had been instilled into me from the moment I’d been taught about the birds and bees.
That was also the first time I’d truly understood that I was nothing but a possession.
Since then, every man who’d come around at my father’s bidding had been interested in the possibility of me being sold like a prized doll from a shelf.
A bird in a cage.
I could barely stomach the thought of being touched by anyone I didn’t want. The only promise made to me upon selling my body? That I’d always live in the lap of luxury.
I’d made a promise to myself I intended on keeping. I would do things my way and no man would ever take control of me.
Not my mind.
Not my body.
And certainly not my heart.
With a deep sigh, I slipped my fingers inside my tight channel, biting back the moans and whimpers threatening to give me away. Being lost in pleasure was rare, also considered against the will of God. Bullshit.
My nipples still ached, my pussy throbbing to the point I had difficulty breathing.
And all I could think about was the magnificent man driving his cock deep inside.
With my thumb rolling around my sensitive clit, I flexed my fingers, writhing under the covers as one image after another of the sexy prisoner played out in my mind.
As my fingers rolled back and forth, my mind played out several intimate scenes from recent books I’d read. In those few precious seconds, I was with him, hearing him whisper words of endearment while driving deep and hard into my pussy.
I could almost feel his touch, fingertips tickling my skin.
And his hot breath dancing across my cheek and neck.
His lips, so soft yet controlling, roughly taking what belonged to him.
In that moment where fantasy met reality, I was incapable of seeing the difference, biting my lower lip, writhing under the covers.
Hot and wet.
Hungry and willing.
In desperate need.
Of him.
All for him.
As an orgasm swept through me, I smashed my face into my pillow to keep from screaming. My pussy muscles convulsed, the rapture much more intense than ever before. Very slowly, I came down from the beautiful high, wishing and hoping that all my dreams could come true.
I curled my legs against me, yanking the covers over my head, and just as I began to fall asleep, I could hear my sexy stranger calling my name.
Rafaela…
* * *
“Golden Angel! Cosa stai facendo? Torna qui!”
What are you doing? Come back here!
My perfect little fur baby had been acting naughty lately and I knew the reason why. She longed to see Kazimir. It was true what I’d said before, as if the man had placed a magic spell over her.
While I adored seeing the two of them together, now wasn’t the time or the place.
I would be late for school and graduation was right around the corner.
I’d made up my mind that when I returned that afternoon, I would have a long discussion with my father.
I was finished with him holding my future over my head.
I would go to the university in Paris one way or the other.
“Golden!” I rushed along the path, furious with the little fur ball. I could tell exactly where she was headed.
To the vineyards where she’d first met Kazimir. This was a nightmare. Somehow, she’d slipped out of her collar, running away from me in a flash. I continued to chase after her, hearing only a couple of barks of announcement to the world that she was on her way to make everyone’s day brighter.
I couldn’t keep up with her and had to pray that she didn’t get herself into any trouble. I was out of breath, groaning in frustration as I neared the same spot from before.
Yet she was nowhere to be seen.
I could see several of the estate trucks in the distance, the weeding ongoing. What unnerved me the most was that the full-time employees couldn’t care less about the life of my baby. If it was up to Marco, he’d instruct them to run her over if possible.
I was almost to the spot where my life had changed when I heard a horrible yelp. Freezing, I scanned the perimeter.
“Golden! Golden Angel. Come here right now. This instant.”
Terror sparked a wave of adrenaline, my heart racing so fast I was lightheaded. I took off in the direction of the sound, tears slipping past my lashes. If anything happened to my little baby, I couldn’t go on. Life wouldn’t be worth living.
“Golden.”
Another yelp floated into the air. The sound was closer. Oh, no. She’d found the briar patches, a horrible section that had yet to be cleaned for the year. With my legs pumping I pushed through brush and trees, stumbling over fallen limbs and breaking through to a partial clearing.
“Golden!”
Kazimir was on the ground and flashed me a look that said to calm down. He was whispering to Golden, who had her thick fur stuck in the briars. He was carefully trying to free her, keeping her calm so she wouldn’t bolt and hurt herself.
What was the little monster doing? Licking his face while he picked and pulled, creating bloody scratches on himself as he did. But he didn’t care. All he wanted to do was to save my baby.
For me.
All for me.
No one had ever done anything so nice in my life.
I clasped my hands over my mouth, holding back tears and every sound.
By the time Kazimir had freed Golden, I heard footsteps.
“Oh, baby.” I rushed forward, only to be jerked back with a hard pull.
“Non avvicinarti a lui, principessa. Quell’uomo è un mostro.”
Do not go near him, princess. The man is a monster.
I jerked my arm free, hissing when I did, even crouching on my knees so Golden could run into my arms. “The only monster here is you, Marco.” I’d purposely used English so Kazimir could hear and the fact Marco had difficult time understanding the various nuances of the language.
And I did so adore pissing him off. I had my reasons and he knew it.
Kazimir rose to his full height, his chest rising and falling as he pinned a heavy glare on the brutal overlord. That was the nickname I’d given the horrible man years ago when I’d caught him…
I couldn’t swallow what he’d done, the horrors he’d inflicted.
Marco stormed closer to me, close enough Golden Angel growled.
“Stay away from her,” Kazimir ordered. There was no emotion in his husky voice, just a command that he expected would be followed.
As I’d expected, Marco’s reaction was one of violence, threatening to throw a fist, but I was too quick for him, jumping in front.
“Leave him alone, Marco. He rescued Golden Angel from the briars. Can’t you see yourself?
Maybe he is dangerous but it’s apparent he’s also kind.
How sad that I can’t say the same for you. ”
Once upon a time I’d been terrified of the man. Not any longer.
Maybe over the last few days I’d been given the greatest gift of all and from a perfect stranger.
The will to live. My way.
I could feel Kazimir’s heated breath even from standing a few inches away. He was furious, so much so I feared him doing something that would cause him more pain.
Golden Angel continued to growl, even baring her teeth, which wasn’t like her at all.
Marco huffed and puffed but finally lowered his arm. “Go home, Rafaela. This man has work to do.”
There was no chance in hell I’d trust him, but the low second command whispered by my hero was enough of a reminder he could take care of himself.
“Zapomnite. Ya—d’yavol.”
Remember. I’m the devil.
With him using Russian, it felt as if we’d escaped into our own private, secretive world. It was enough of a reassurance that I felt comfortable enough to walk away.
But just as before, when I reached a certain point, I slipped behind a tree so I could see Kazimir again.
And swoon. He wasn’t just a handsome stranger. He was the man I was already falling in love with.