Page 120 of In Love and Revenge

He inhales through his nose, eyes locked on mine. ‘I think I’ve already fallen, actually. I’m right down at the bottom of the bloody cliff. Looking up at the most incredible woman I’ve ever met in my life and hoping she doesn’t finish zipping up her suitcase.’

I drop the zip I’m fiddling with like it’s on fire.

‘We’ve only slept together three times,’ I whisper.

His gaze intensifies, making me shiver. ‘And you’ve consumed every part of me – mind, body, and soul – for over three months.’

‘You didn’t like me. I was just material for your wank bank,’ I say, like saying it out loud makes it true. Makes it all I am to him. Because the idea that he actuallylovesme ... It makes my mind race at a million miles per minute.

What would being loved by Rafael Fairfax be like?

What would being held in his arms every night like I’m safe be like? What would being kissed like I’m precious be like? What would being looked at and listened to with amused molten bronze irises as I regale him with the virtues of various crisp flavours be like? Being adored enough that he fills his cupboards with them ...

And what would being loved so much that he’s irrational and jealous because he thinks an ex-boyfriend hurt me be like?

Rafael holds my eyes. He doesn’t need to correct me, because the way I’m looking back at him – lips parted, pulse racing with desire – it’s obvious that IknowI’m so much more than that to him. And I always have been.

But he does anyway, making light burst from my core like a cascade of glowing stars.

‘You’ve never beenjustanything, Beauty. You’ve always beeneverythingto me. Even long before I realised it. And I’m not asking you to love me back, far from it. I’m just asking you to stay.’

We stare at one another. The air thick with need. But he won’t move until I invite him to. He won’t come to me without my instruction. I can see it in the way his eyes are darkened and intent on mine. He needs to know if I want this. He’s waiting for me to make the next move.

I lick my lips, the need strong to still prove to him, and myself, that I have some control here. That Rafael Fairfax telling me he’s in love with me doesn’t mean I lose my own voice. That I don’t have to bend to his every whim, the way people at his workplace do. If whateverthisis between us is going to work, then he needs to understand that he can’t throw his money around and get his way whenever he wants it. Not with me.

‘I’m not sure you deserve to walk in here yet,’ I say, allowing my eyes to rake over him from head to toe.

He arches a brow, his question coming out in an inviting growl. ‘Then how do you suggest I come to you?’

A vision of something pushes to the front of my mind. Of him. Handing all control over to me. Trusting me to take charge and give us what we both need. If he wants us to work, then he needs to meet me halfway.

‘On your knees,’ I reply. ‘Crawling.’

His eyes narrow and for one beat of my thundering heart I expect him to laugh. To tell me not to be so bloody stupid.

But he jerks his chin, gesturing to me. ‘Stand up.’

Heat zaps all around my body, before it concentrates between my thighs, pulsing in my clit like a deep bass as I rise.

Holding my eyes he slowly removes his jacket and tie, placing both on the floor. Then his hands reach for the buttons on his waistcoat.

‘Leave that on,’ I breathe. ‘I like it.’

His eyes blaze and a muscle twitches in his cheek. ‘Very well.’

Then he lowers to his knees.

My breath echoes in my ears as he crawls across the carpet, painstakingly slowly, drawing it out like he wants me to remember every second. The broad muscles in his shoulders roll and strain beneath the starched white cotton of his shirt. The closer he gets, the more intense the scent of his cologne, mixed with hot male skin, grows.

I sink my teeth into my lower lip as he reaches my feet and looks up at me from beneath thick, dark brows.

‘Aur—’

I silence him, lifting one finger in the air in front of his face like he’s a dog I’m training. I don’t know who this woman is who’s taken over my body, but I’m loving watching what she does. And judging from the glittering heat in Rafael’s eyes, so does he.

‘Tell me what you want to do to me,’ I breathe.

‘Taste you,’ he answers, not needing to consider it for a second. ‘Wear you all over my face for the rest of the day.’