he finished, he took his plate to the sink and cleaned up all the dishes, something that made Carmen think he might be on the mend, especially since he nudged her out of the way when she tried to help. He told her to go sit and relax.
Once he was done with cleanup, he grabbed another glass of juice and came to sit beside her.
“So, what have you been up to?” he asked.
“Mostly being pissed off at you.”
He cocked a brow. “Yeah? Why?”
“You were in pain and you blew me off.”
He shrugged. “I internalize when I’m upset.”
She shook her head. “That’s not going to work for me, Rafe. The last guy who held secrets from me was my ex, and it was because he was fucking someone else.”
Rafe gave her a look. “Carmen. I’m not with anyone else.”
“And how was I supposed to know that? I called you to invite you to dinner at my house, and you said you were busy. I texted you and you ignored me. Put yourself in my place. If the shoe was on the other foot, what would you think?”
He started to answer, then stopped. “Okay, you have a point. But how many times do I have to tell you that I’m not your ex? I’m never going to act like him, or treat you like he did. So stop comparing me to him. That’s not fair.”
Now it was her turn to blurt out a reply, and then hold back for an instant as his words sunk in. “You’re right. I’ve been holding you to this low standard left by my asshole ex for way too long. And for that, I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”
He nodded. “Thanks.”
“But you can’t shut me out when you’re feeling shitty. We won’t have a relationship if we don’t communicate with each other.” She swept her hand along the side of his face. “It can’t only be the good times we share, Rafe. We have to be willing to share the bad ones, too, you know?”
He took her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. “Yes, I do know. I should have let you in. I’d have felt a hell of a lot better a hell of a lot sooner if I’d just come to you and told you what happened. I’m sorry, Carmen. It won’t happen again.”
She felt the sincerity in his words and in his apology. Words hovered on her tongue. Important, monumental words that scared the hell out of her. She wasn’t ready to say them. Not yet. Not until she was certain she was going to hear them back.
“Thank you. Are you feeling better?” she asked.
“Much.”
“Good. So how about that invitation to have dinner with my grandfather and me? It’s still open. And Felice is coming over tonight.”
“Oh yeah?” He leaned back against the sofa. “And how’s that going?”
“Surprisingly well, actually. She came over the night I invited you. She’s very sweet.”
“I’d love to come over for dinner. Thanks for inviting me—again. And for forgiving me.” He pulled her onto his lap, his fingers splaying over her hips. “Now. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?”
She laid her palms on his chest, realizing how much she’d missed the feel of his strength and heat, and never failing to be surprised at how fast he could fire up her desires.
“Where’s the rest of the fam?”
“Becks is at work. Jackson is having his truck detailed. Kal is doing a training session.”
Knowing that they were alone sparked her up. She realized it had been days, and she needed him inside her.
“Then yes, Rafe. Sex. Right now. Right here. I need you.” She suddenly found herself flipped over onto her back on the sofa. Rafe kneeled between her legs, his hands on her knees, spreading them apart.
“I need to get a condom.”
She was throbbing, aching for him. “Then go. And hurry up.”
After he left, she shimmied out of her shorts and underwear. She was about to take off her tank top, but he had already gotten back.
“That was fast,” she said.
He dropped his shorts and boxer briefs, his cock erect and painfully beautiful. “I missed you the past few days.”
“Same.” She pulled off her tank and bra, tossing them to the floor.
Rafe slipped on the condom and lowered her to the sofa.
She wrapped her legs around his hips. “I don’t need foreplay. I’m ready for you now.”
“That’s good, because I’m rock-hard and aching for you,” he said. He slid inside her