His dark eyes are solemn, filled with warmth and sincerity. I nod, taking his hand in both of mine.
"I'msosorry, Raffi. I was only thinking of-of proving myself to you, but…I should have talked it over with you. I'm not supposed to get involved in Family business, after all."
The corner of his mouth quirks up. "I mean, I could tell everyone in that room wanted me to shut up and go along with your story. Even the Boss had that 'just agree so we can get this over with' face on." I laugh along with him. "And I appreciate you trying to protect me," he continues. "But I gotta say, it feels weird being the one who's protected and not doing the protecting."
His smile turns rueful, and I understand. Raffi is used to being the strong one, the man in charge who handles things. Letting me shield him goes against his nature.
But there's something in my nature thatneedsto care for him. I lace my fingers through his. "You're allowed to let me take care of you, too. Partners, remember?"
At my words, Raffi leans in and brushes his lips over mine. I sigh into the kiss, the immediate kindling of the heat that's never far away when Raffi is near.
When we come up for air, Raffi rests his forehead against mine. "Partners," he repeats. "In all things. I love you, sweets. Do you know that?"
My heart feels like a firework, exploding into light. "You do?"
"Yeah. More than anything, D. I love you."
"I love you, too," I choke out. "I do, so much, and I need you to know it?—"
"I do." He smiles, rubs his nose against mine. "I know you do. So what say we show each other exactly how we feel?"
He stands, drawing me up with him, and tugs me toward the bedroom.
"Oh, I-I need time to get ready," I say, although I really don't want to pause.
"Fuck that," Raffi growls, and then pulls back for a moment. "I mean, yeah, if you really want to, that's fine, but I don't mind so much, D. You don't need to be perfect all the time for me. You know?"
I wind my arms around his neck. "I'll try to aim alittlelower than perfection, so long as you promise to put up with it."
"Put up with it? I plan to make a total mess of you, sweets. Tonight and every night—and hell, every morning, too."
"And will you—could you?—"
He grins. "Take charge?"
I nod vigorously. "And—and maybe some dirty talk, too?"
"Yeah. I can do that."
"I'd better lock the door," I squeak, and slip out of his grasp for a moment to do so. But Raffi follows, crowding me right up against it, taking my mouth in a searing kiss until I arch greedily against the hard length of his body.
"Get naked," he growls against my lips. "Now."
I hasten to obey, stripping out of my clothes as Raffi watches, still right up close, his eyes hungry, intense, possessive, and by the time I'm bare before him, I'm trembling.
He drags his fingers down my chest in a feather-light caress that makes me gasp. "God, you're beautiful. I've been thinking about doing this all damn day." His lips trail a scorching path from my throat to my chest, pausing to tease my nipples before he grabs my face in his hand and smiles. "Get on your knees."
I hit the floor so hard I think the thump must have been heard throughout Redwood Manor, but I don't care. All I care about is the way he's seizing my wrists, pressing them together above my head against the door. The sensation of being at his mercy sends a shudder through me. He keeps my wrists there with one hand and then with his other, he opens his pants. He's hard already, and I can smell his musk as he takes out his cock.
"You're mine, aren't you, sweets?"
"Yes." I look up at him. "I'm yours, Raffi. However you want me."
He gives a sharp intake of breath, his fingers caressing my face. "Mine," he says again. "Good. Now open up that mouth and let me use it."
CHAPTER 40
RAFFI
