Chapter 14: Temptation

Genevieve:

Genevieve never hit the floor, though.

Raphael reached out and gripped the side of the door, holding it in place even though Genevieve’s entire body’s weight was against it. His muscles constricted with the exertion and he leaned forward as the force of her body caused him to take a step forward.

Genevieve was immediately aroused. Her body bloomed with the heated tension that awoke between them as Raphael’s breath and the steam of the shower pressed against her exposed skin. She swallowed and dared not look him in the eye, fearing that he would see right through her. His chest was at eye level and his body held a sheen of sweat mixed with water droplets that dripped down his smooth skin.

She did her best not to release a moan as she almost reached out and touched him before Genevieve gained her senses and began to straighten. As she pushed off the door, though, it caused her breasts to press against Raphael whose shadowed gaze was still on her. A vibration rumbled through her chest and it took a moment for Genevieve to realize that it was Raphael who had made the sound.

She swallowed once more and her throat constricted with the need to press her hips against his. To ease the fire in her core with the pressure of what Raphael could give her. She wanted him, wanted the pleasure she knew he would give her, but the memories of what had happened hours prior began to scratch at the edges of her mind.

“Uh,” words seemed to fail Genevieve and she stepped back, away from Raphael. She knew her face was in flames and tears stung her eyes as she thought about receiving the same rejection once more. She wouldn’t be able to handle knowing that he wasn’t attracted to her. It was why she was too scared to so much as reach for him. “I’m sorry about that. Clumsy me.” She laughed at her own fault and placed her bag on the floor, her back turned toward Raphael.

“I’m sorry my house isn’t up to your standards.”

The comment came as a slap to Genevieve’s face and she realized that Raphael really didn’t know her at all. Anger took place of her arousal and she whipped around, her body vibrating with the need to lash out.

“Your house is lovely. What, you think just because we went to some ritzy party that it’s what I do every day? I come from the middle of nowhere, in a state most people don’t even know where it’s located. I grew up on a farm, with only the comfort of books to keep me company. Sure, I go to some of these parties because it’s what Karoline books to help promote my writing, but that doesn’t mean it’s who I am. So I’d appreciate it if you didn’t assume that I’m some high maintenance barbie–no, scratch that, high maintenance Fiona.”

Raphael flinched near the end, but it fell into a deep scowl that caused Genevieve’s stomach to lunge up into her throat. She took a step back as Raphael took one closer.

“I’ll apologize for misjudging you if you agree to never downgrade yourself like that.” His voice was only a growl, animalistic in nature, and dangerous to Genevieve’s ovaries.

“W-what do you mean?” She huffed out a faint breath as she tried to keep her reasoning about herself. She needed to stay cool, calm, and collected right then, not hot and bothered. Not weeping for Raphael to do all sorts of things to her core. Yet the simple thought of him pressed up against her had Genevieve biting back a moan.

“You just aligned yourself with an ogre. Genevieve, I can assure you, no matter your weight, you are perfect in every way.”

Those eyes, they penetrated deep within her. Genevieve wanted to laugh at his words, to say something self-deprecating about herself, but the look he pinned her with told her to watch herself. To choose her words wisely.

“You can’t say that.” Was all that she could get out through the burning of her entire being. The edges of her vision was blurry from the intensity with which she tried to reign in her racing heart. “You don’t have any right to say that.”

A cringe was stopped on Raphael’s face before it completely formed. “Why’s that?”

“Because…” she wasn’t sure what to say. Genevieve knew that if she mentioned what had happened earlier, that he could easily say anything and her mind would be swayed in his favor. Her body was already acting on its own accord.

“Go on,” Raphael rumbled as he took another step forward, into her space. “Say it.”

Genevieve wavered, but her mouth finished her sentence for her. “You obviously stopped earlier because you weren’t attracted to me.”

“Does this seem like I’m not attracted?”

Without warning, Raphael reached forward and grabbed Genevieve’s wrist to pull her hand forward and place it on his groin. His cock surged, pulsating under her touch, even as the towel still stood in the way.

Genevieve gasped, her body warming anew to the friction of their contact. Raphael was hard, for her. He was attracted to her. But, didn’t she already know that? Hadn’t she already come to terms with the fact that a one-night stand was more than likely good enough for him?

“But… you stopped.” she had to force the words from her lips once more in order to keep herself from melting into a puddle of arousal. The whimper stuck in her throat.

“Baby girl,” Raphael leaned forward, pressing into her hand as he nipped at her ear, “I’m not going to stop again until you’ve been satisfied in every way possible.”