asked. She couldn’t help it, but the idea of having sex, not just with Rais, but with any man, was terrifying. She had a deep dread of the sexual act, afraid of the pain and humiliation of it all. And sex with Rais? That would be even more terrifying, even if she knew that their relationship had a future, which it didn’t since Rais wasn’t the kind of man to have just one woman in his life.
“Why would a relationship between the two of us be impossible?” he clarified. They were walking along a path that went in and out of the sunshine as they passed under trees, stepped over rocks and jumped the creek as the path wound its way through the woods along the border of his property.
She had to laugh at his question as she balanced one foot on a rock before jumping onto another, keeping her feet out of the quickly flowing water. “Well, first of all, you were just talking about sex which isn’t a relationship, I’m sorry to inform you. But secondly, you don’t do relationships, Rais. You’re not a one woman kind of man and I don’t really enjoy being just another in a long line of women in your life.”
He thought about that for a moment and nodded. She had some valid concerns and he could easily explain away those women, but he didn’t want to frighten her. He had to show her that she could trust him. “So if I were to declare fidelity to you, that would reassure you of my intentions?”
She glanced up at him, then away. “No Rais. We’re not going down that road.” She abruptly turned around and headed back to the horses, intending to ride back to the stables and start brushing down Dolce.
“Where are you going?”
“This conversation is finished. I have things to do.”
She heard him behind her only moments before he grabbed her arm and spun her around. “So do I,” he said. A moment later, his mouth covered hers, obliterating her admonishment for him to leave her alone.
She stood still for all of one second, maybe only half that time, before she whimpered and her arms went around his neck, her fingers holding onto his shirt tightly because she wasn’t sure what to do. This seemed so familiar to her, like it had just happened a few hours ago but that was impossible. She couldn’t help but kiss him back, feeling her body ignite as his hands moved around her waist and pulled her against his hard body. She’d never felt anything like this, her whole mind shut down from reality while he kissed her. His tongue moved inside her mouth, tangling with hers and driving her more insane, heating her up even higher with a need she didn’t really understand.
He pulled away for a moment, both of them staring at each other as if to gauge the other’s reactions, their breathing heavy and labored. “We can’t do this, Rais,” she finally whispered, but her body pressed against his, her mouth opened to scream out but nothing happened as his head dipped down again towards her, his mouth explored her neck, her ear, finding little places that made her shiver and go crazy.
“We seem to be doing it quite well already,” he replied, his hand moving underneath her sweatshirt, then under her shirt to finally find her soft skin.
“This isn’t right,” she sighed and shivered when she felt his hand against her skin, the rough calluses creating a delightful texture that she hadn’t expected possible.
“It’s very right.” He pulled her hand down and pressed her palm against his heart. “This is what you do to me,” he said and pushed her backwards, looking down at her the whole time. “I want you, Rachel. I think you’re one of the most beautiful and intriguing women I’ve ever met in my life.”
If he hadn’t stopped touching her, she might have been lost. But his words didn’t sound right. They felt practiced and insincere. Maybe it was her suspicious nature, or perhaps it was just too close to what she wanted to hear. But the words were like a cold bucket of water over her libido. “Is that what you used to whisper to all those other women? The ones you used to bring out to your house and make love to in the stables or near the rose garden?” she asked, her eyes focused and her hand steady even if her heart was still pounding