The world was silent here. Only their breathing could be heard in the night. There was only the feel of Rafael's arms around her and the crystal world with gently drifting snow– almost surreal.
«It doesn't seem possible that danger could be lurking so close, does it?» she whispered, afraid if she spoke too loud it would break the spell.
«There is only the two of us, Colby.» He kissed the back of her neck. «Just us, alone in this world. Nothing evil and no shame, only a man who loves you above all else.» His arms tightened around her as if he could keep her safe from anything-even her own feelings of inadequacy.
Colby fit her body more closely to his. Why did she feel inadequate? Was it what Paul had said? That most people just did? Or was it the fact that she'd never had a childhood? She suddenly sat up a little straighter. «Rafael. I'm like Josef.»
He snorted, began to choke, sputter and cough all at the same time.
Colby swung around to look at him over her shoulder. «No, I am. I never developed social skills at all. I worked all the time and I had to hide who and what I was. Don't you see? I'm still doing it. I don't want anyone to know about Razvan, so I hide away, feeling ashamed. I don't have to go out and meet all these people-people you know and grew up with. People I'm afraid might wonder why someone as talented and gifted as you would choose to be with someone like me. I'm a teenager, struggling to find myself. That is just plain pitiful.»
«I think this is all a conspiracy to make me feel more guilt because I tried to scare that boy. I'm not apologizing to him. He shouldn't have been ogling Ginny.»
«I'm sure he didn't ogle her. He wants to be friends.»
«Men never want to be friends, Colby.» His hands slid under the coat to cup her breasts, his thumbs brushing her nipples as the horse circled back toward the house. «Our minds are too preoccupied with other much more pleasant things than friendship.»
«You mean your mind is,» Colby answered. She closed her eyes and savored the feeling of his hands caressing her body. Both of them were highly sexual, and Rafael rarely went too long without sliding his hands possessively over her body. He couldn't walk past her without his palm cupping her bottom, or brushing her breast. Sometimes, she leaned against him and rubbed enticingly like a cat, loving the feeling of his body growing rock hard and knowing it was all for her. Like now.
The motion of the horse created a wonderful friction with her wedged between his open legs. Her gaze met his, and instantly she felt a thrill run down her spine. He was looking at her with that urgent hunger, so intense, so in need, everything in her body reached out in response. She tilted her head so she could nibble at his chin, further provoking him.
For a woman who had done nothing her entire life but be responsible, it was wonderful to have no inhibitions, to be able to just be whatever she wanted when she was with Rafael. She reached behind her and deliberately stroked the hard bulge forming in the front of his trousers.
Maybe she wasn't so sure of herself with others, but that wasn't the case when she was in
her own home. Rafael was an extremely dominant man, yet she could stand up to him and knew always that he loved and desired her. She had Ginny and Paul and they both loved her for who she was. Maybe it was time to stop hiding from herself. She was no longer afraid of her own power. She knew what she wanted and she knew she was strong enough and determined enough to go after it. Razvan may have fallen a long way from grace, but he had passed on a legacy of gifts she couldn't deny. And so had her mother. She had to give Paul and Ginny the opportunity to embrace those gifts-not run from them.
«You'll do the right thing,» Rafael murmured against her ear. «You always find the right answer for them. Jaguar traits are not all bad, and you want them to love that part of themselves. They may have great gifts and we can help them develop them, and if there are things that are difficult to deal with-well-we both know about them too. We can guide them together, Colby.»
«Thank you,» she said softly.
«I haven't done anything.»
«Of course you have. You knew I needed to work this out to do the right thing for the kids and in order to do that, I had to believe in myself.»
«I took you for a ride on a horse.»
«You gave me a dream.»
He was silent for a moment, urging the horse back toward the house, listening to the sounds of the hooves crunching the snow. «So this other boy. This Josef. Tell me about him.»
Colby hid her smile. Rafael liked to be such a tough guy, but deep inside he was a marshmallow.
He leaned forward. I caught that thought. I am going to make you pay for that.
Excitement zinged through her body and heated her bloodstream. I always so enjoy your little punishments. She turned her head to lift her mouth to his. It was more than awkward kissing on a horse, but they managed it, and as always, liquid fire poured through her veins and love seemed to flood her mind to the point of spilling over.
«Josef is Byron's nephew. He seems young for his age. I think he's barely out of his teens.»
«That is a babe by our standards,» Rafael pointed out, his fingers anchoring in her hair. «Where did Paul and Ginny meet him?»
«Online. They all correspond. Skyler, Paul, Ginny, Josh and Josef. Some of the adults play video games online with them. But they've all become great friends. They were very
much looking forward to meeting in person. I think Josef has a difficult time because he is a little older in age, but not maturity, yet everyone expects it of him.»
Rafael sighed. «I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try to get to know the boy.»
«You really are a marshmallow,» she teased, knowing he would retaliate. Wanting him to. Anticipating it. Her body was suddenly pulsing with energy-with need. Rafael exuded sex, his mouth sinfully sensual, his good looks wickedly masculine. She loved the way he wore his clothes, his hard stomach flat and his hips and the columns of his thighs encased in denim. His eyes were heavy-lidded and black as night, holding a seduction all their own.
Immediately, she felt overheated and sensitive, her body flooding with urgent need. His hand cupped her neck, drew her head back so his mouth could claim hers. She sat in the cradle of his hips, his erection pressed tightly against her buttocks, his arm over her breasts and his mouth rough, his tongue a velvet rasp of excitement, stroking and teasing, licking at her skin, teeth nibbling gently.
Just like that her body responded, heat spreading like liquid gold through her veins. She wanted him so bad she could taste it.
I want you too. But you deserve to suffer a little bit.
Beneath the fur-lined coat, her clothes were gone, leaving her body exposed and vulnerable to his wandering hands. He slipped his hands inside the coat, guiding the horse with his legs. His palm slid along her thigh, and her breath hitched in her throat.
«What are you doing?»
«Whatever I want.» His voice had turned husky, almost hoarse, and the heat from his fingers was in direct contrast to the chill in the air.
Her blood heated instantly, her core pulsing with excitement. His fingers began a slow, almost lazy circle, occasionally brushing her most sensitive spot. A low moan escaped. The fur slid along her skin, sensitizing her nerve endings even more. He kissed her again, lifted his head, but held her face toward his with one hand while the other moved over her damp curls.
«Look at me, querida. Keep looking at me,» he commanded.
She always loved that about him. He wanted her to know who possessed her-who loved her-who drove her out of her mind with pleasure. And she loved to look at him, to see his fierce hunger, his stark desire for her, the lines of lust etched deep, the burn in his eyes as he took her.