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Chapter One

Rafe sat there, un, as Ari continued toward the open door of his jet A chill traversed the length of his spine and his throat tightened — surely the thudding of his heart couldn’t be fear He stiffened slightly, but only to keep his body fro his reaction If she were to walk out the door, onto the tarmac, and out of his life, he wouldn’t stop her

He knew she wanted him, kneouldn’t be a hardship for her to stay Any use of force was out of the question Much as he wanted her subame; the chase was over

Ari held all the cards — she just didn’t realize she was in control He wouldn’t keep herchips

Rafe’s only real poas in Ari’s not knowing if he was as ruthless as he’d claimed He’d proved himself a callous adversary — he only hoped she didn’t call his bluff

When Ari suddenly stopped, Rafe’s heart skipped a beat Slowly, she turned, fla in her fury, and his body aith the overwhel need to take her, claim her as his own

Did she really have a choice?

No — and now they both knew it They both knew that Ari couldn’t let her mother down If Sandra left the hospital only to find that she had neither a home nor a business, that Ari had been co and terrible illnesses, both women would be devastated

“You realize I will forever despise you, right?”

“I don’t need your affection — only your subhtest tilt to his lips Confidence now e as he watched her make her decision

She was his!

Without another word, Ari lifted her head high and began the short walk to the back of his jet — straight to his bedroo inside him, Rafe rose froh of her shoes as she moved before him

He turned to tell his pilot they were ready — the doors could now be shut — then he followed Ari into his room

Anticipation made his to settle and then she was his for the taking The long anticipated wait had been worth it, if his body’s reaction was any indication Her eyes caught his everyso valiantly to hide

“Come here and sit,” he commanded her

A slight san her slow approach Yes, he’d always known she’d ood submissive Still, disappoint to his will If he ed to break her so soon, would he enjoy her nearly as much? Part of her appeal was her defiance

Ariout, then lifted her ar the backrest just inches fro inside her was burning through his veins

“You ht as ipe that victorious sareement and your Snidely Whiplash words like a sword and shield But it is only a game and I refuse to play I said I’ll stay — and I will You’ve obviously et the upper hand, but that doesn’t mean you will own me ”

“I don’t understand ” A rush of adrenaline al in her eyes Joy coursed through him She was in no way defeated — not even close They had only a few o back out front and sit for takeoff He’d been hoping to get the formalities out of the way and then relieve the ache in his body

This was better

“I won’t be on a leash I’ll be your mistress, but I have my own conditions If you don’t like what I have to say, then turn this jet around and letthan loseshe has nothing left — but she’d never forgive ave up my soul ”

“What are your conditions?” Rafe was surprised by her words — evenprovisions He didn’t allow his mistresses to make demands He certainly didn’t allow them to speak to him this way Any other woman would have been banished froh She was his obsession

“First off, I want to keepother than bending over the back of your desk Secondly, I get one day a week off — one day to do with as I like, such as visit with , and I won’t have you telling me I can’t spend ti e 2

He beheld the passion in her eyes, heard the slight quiver in her tone She wasn’t bluffing If he refused her, she’d walk Would that be so bad? Quite honestly, he just couldn’t tell any longer The only thing he knew for sure was that he couldn’t seeo

“Mr Palazzo, we’re cleared for takeoff Will you please return to your seats?” Rafe glared at the s over, he pressed the intercom button

“I need ten more minutes ”

“Yes, sir ”

Rafe returned to Ari and the two of them stood motionless in a face-off He kneas critical not to cave to her de a hed his odds If he called her bluff, yes, she’d walk away His other option? Make a few concessions, but still keep his unbendable rules intact

What was most important to him? His fixation on her could very well undermine every defense he had put in place over the last few years

Was she worth it?

Ari didn’t kno she was keeping her knees froether What if he’d simply had too much and decided to throw her out? Was that what she wanted? She hated him in these moments, but there was no doubt she desired him, too

It wasn’t such a hardship to i his bed She just couldn’t turn herself into a whore She refused to be one of those wo more than candy for their man

Keeping her heart fro deal When he bullied her, treated her like nothing but anotherhi hi on And that was so she absolutely couldn’t ever do

The seconds passing by see the two of the to blink first, but finally she couldn’t take it Her anger was evaporating, and she needed to sit Breaking their deadlock, she e

Rafe spoke after a brief pause “You take a lot for granted, Ari One of these ti with me isn’t such a hardship I treat my mistresses well ”

“I have no doubt you treat them exceptionally well I just don’t understand your desire to be with ood, but I iood sex I don’t really see the appeal in all of this for you ”

“You’d be surprised how hard it is to find soood, Ari — it’s extraordinary I will give you your one day off per week Of course, that will be void if we’re out of the country That’s so I can’t help ”

“If that happens, then e get back, I can take two days the week

after, and so on until I am paid the days off that are owed to me,” she broke in By the flare in his eyes, she knew she was pushing her luck

Too bad He needed to be defied Obviously, not enough people refused the all-powerful Rafe Palazzo

“We can negotiate that point when the time comes Under no circumstance is your day off an excuse to see other men While you’re with me, you are exclusively mine Do you understand?”

“Yes ”

“Good As for the eotiation You can’t carry on full-time work, or even part-time, and be committed fully to me ”

The arrogance in his tone made her skin crawl How could she sub This wasn’t going to end well