Rafe's Redemption Read online

  “God, Maggie,” he groaned, then shifted on the bed, trying to pull her on top of him.

  His breathing was ragged. He needed to be inside her.

  “Rafe. Stop.” She pulled away and moved behind the rocker.

  God, was she made of stone. He ought to strip right now. Could she resist him then? Could she turn away when she saw his cock hard and straining for her?

  Probably. Stubborn woman.

  “Let’s wait until you feel better,” she offered.

  He clasped her hand and put it over his erection.

  “Don’t I feel good now?” He grinned encouragingly.

  She snatched her hand away, but the heated expression in her eyes told him what he wanted to know.

  She liked touching him. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.

  “Come lie with me.” He patted the mattress. “You need rest, too.”

  She came to him but hesitated beside the bed.

  “Promise we’re just sleeping?”

  He rolled his eyes. “Damn it, Maggie.”

  “Promise or I won’t come to bed.”

  “Fine. But just know I’ll get revenge once I’m better.” She curled up next to him. “Promises, promises.”

  “I love you,” he whispered, wrapping her in his embrace. “Even though you are a cold-hearted woman.” He felt her smile against his arm. “A nd I love you.

  Even though you are a stubborn, horny man.”

  ****

  “Damn it, just wait a little longer.” Rafe shuffled to the door disgusted that he wasn’t stronger. Two weeks since the attack, and he still felt weak as a kitten. “If you wait a week, I’ll carry the water for you.” Not that he could promise he’d have his strength back by then.

  Maggie turned and leveled at look at him. “No, Rafe.

  I haven’t had a bath since before you were hurt. I want one.” Sniffing herself, she frowned. “I need one. I can carry the water myself, so stop worrying.” She pulled on her coat and grabbed the buckets. “Be happy. You’ll get to see me naked.”

  Damn, damn, damn. He fisted his hands but allowed her to nudge him aside. He was worthless. Letting her do the work was eating him up inside. The worst part was that he couldn’t help. The walk to the creek he could probably manage, but no way was he strong enough to carry one bucket of water, much less ten.

  “You better bring one at a time,” he growled as she closed the door. He dropped down onto the bed and rested his arms on his knees. “I don’t know why she can’t listen once in a while.” He stared at the floor, mad and ashamed.

  He was being an ass, but damn it all, he wanted to take care of her. What woman wanted a helpless man? It was his place to care for her, not the other way around.

  Hell, what would he do if Simon showed up right now?

  The very fact that he had no immediate answer made him even madder.

  There was only one way to end this. Find Simon.

  ****

  Two hours later, Rafe watched Maggie sink into the steaming water.

  Her contented sigh made him feel horrible for trying to deny her this pleasure. Had he forgotten the promise he’d made to himself about pampering her?

  “Here.” He took the soap from the hearth. “Let me wash your hair.”

  “Really?” She smiled. “No one has done that for me since I was a little girl.”

  “A ll the more reason then.”

  She ducked under the water, soaking the long, dark strands. Making a lather in his palms, he touched his fingertips to her tight scalp.

  “Mmm. That feels so good.” Closing her eyes, she dropped her head against the metal rim.

  Rafe took his time, massaging her head until his fingers ached. “Let me rinse the bubbles. Then I’ll wash you.”

  She cracked open one eye. “I think I’d better do that.”

  “Maggie…” He tsked. “Would I have an ulterior motive?”

  “Yes.” There was no hesitation in her answer.

  He chuckled. “No, really. I’ll be good.” He crossed his heart. “Promise.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Fine. But if you start…you know, then I’ll finish my own bath.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” So all he had to do was make sure she was too aroused to stop him.

  A fter her hair ran clear of soap, he moved to the side of the tub.

  “Does the hot water feel good, sweetheart?” He lathered her arm.

  “Wonderful.”

  “Tell me if I’m scrubbing too hard.” Hell, he was too hard. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You’re not,” she sighed.

  He slid his hands across the swells of her breasts.

  “See, I’m being good,” he assured when she peeked through her lashes. “Just moving down to wash your stomach.”

  Slowly he soaped her skin, rubbing deep, kneading circles lower, lower, until his fingers grazed her clit.

  “Rafe, you promised.” The words came out husky and ragged.

  “I’m not doing anything.” Yet.

  But the more he washed, the more he was convinced she wanted his touch. She arched beneath the water, each time his fingers swiped the curls below. Her breath puffed from her lips as if it took great effort to remain still each time he flicked her clit.

  “Maggie?”

  She opened her eyes, and he knew he had been right. Both of them had waited as long as they could.

  “I need to break my promise now. Please give me permission?”

  “You’re asking me?”

  “Yes. If you say no, I’ll stop. Probably because I’ll die. But nonetheless, I’ll stop.”

  She burst out laughing. “Have you always had such a flare for the dramatic?”

  He shrugged, barely hanging on to his sanity.

  “Fine. I give you permission.”

  “Thank you.” He pressed his mouth between her breasts and licked. She moaned softly and clutched his head as he left a trail of kisses down to her stomach.

  “God, I’ve missed you,” he growled.

  She chuckled. “Have I been gone?”

  “You know what I mean.” He kissed her, licking his way into her sweet mouth, then pulled back and grabbed the towel.

  She climbed from the tub and melted into his arms.

  Water soaked his clothes, and he didn’t give a tinker’s damn. Rubbing his erection against her belly, he took her mouth again, stroking her tongue to match the rhythm of his grinding hips. Her wet hair streamed over his hands, slicking her back, her generous ass, trailing down her cleft where he played.

  “Let me love you.”

  She chewed her bottom lip. “But you’re still weak.”

  “I’m strong enough. Trust me, and I’ll show you how,” he promised, rubbing his thumb slowly over her swollen mouth. “A ll right?”

  Her eyes were wide, her expression eager. “Yes.” Moving to the bed, he stripped, then sat on the edge of the mattress and pulled her to stand between his legs.

  His cock stood at attention, begging for her touch. He released her hand, placing it over the dark head and rested his palms on her hips. Slowly she moved, caressing him the way he’d taught her, stroke, pull, circle. A hh, God. His balls hardened to tight stones.

  Her breasts swayed in his face. He let his breath fan over them, teased but didn’t taste. Her nipples had been velvety soft after he dried her from her bath, now they pebbled under his close scrutiny.

  “So beautiful,” he whispered, trailing a fingertip around the areola.

  She sighed and leaned into him. He took advantage of the closeness and sucked a perfect tip into his mouth.

  She was warm and sweet, whimpering as he nibbled her with his teeth.

  Her hand stopped its heavenly torture, and she threaded her fingers in his hair holding him in place.

  “God, Rafe.” She trembled under his touch.

  Her skin grew warm as he ran his hands down over her body. A s he moved to the other breast, her breath became rough, mixed with moans of p
leasure. His blood pounded with need. Damn, it had been too long.

  “Mmm. You taste good.” He left a trail of wet kisses down to her pussy.

  His fingers slipped between her legs to part her folds, his tongue snaking out to sample her musky arousal, her sweet honey.

  “Oh,” she cried as her knees folded. “I—I need to sit down.”

  He moved back on the bed and pulled her down beside him.

  “Let’s get you comfortable.” His voice was low, hoarse with need. “Then I can kiss you everywhere.” He lay on his side, propped on one elbow, then leaned over to take her mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck and arched into his kiss. Her sweet little tongue dueled with his, long slow strokes, short wet thrusts.

  She rubbed her breasts against him until he moaned, lost in a blinding surge of lust. He trembled, moving over her, shaking like a newborn colt.

  “Rafe, no.” She grabbed his arms where the muscles twitched and jumped. “You’re not strong enough yet.” He flopped on to his back and cursed. It was true.

  His damn arms quaked from just leaning over her.

  She sat up and placed her hand on his chest. “Don’t be upset.” She rubbed slow circles in the soft hairs. “We’ll be able to do it soon.”

  He grinned at her innocence. Sooner than she thought.

  “We’ll be able to do it now. That is, if you don’t mind doing the work.”

  He watched her face as she figured out what he meant.

  “Me! I—Oh, I wouldn’t know how.” She blushed.

  “What if I did it wrong?” Her words were barely a whisper.

  He chuckled.

  “Stop that,” she scolded. “Besides, I might hurt you.” Her brow wrinkled. “Or—or you might not like it.”

  “I’ll be fine. A nd I’ll like anything you do.” He tugged her down until she sprawled on top of him. “You wanted me a few minutes ago.” He brushed a kiss across her mouth. “Don’t you want me to touch you again?” She looked into his eyes. Hers were still glazed with desire.

  “Yes, but—”

  “Then straddle my hips. Take my cock inside you.” Maggie couldn’t breathe. Rafe’s words shot heat through her, made her feel hot and achy. Empty.

  She desperately wanted to make love. But she was scared. Since his fever had broken, she had made sure he didn’t overdo. He had come so close to dying…

  “You won’t hurt me, sweetheart,” he said, as if reading her thoughts. He ran his fingers through her hair. “I swear I’ll tell you if I need to stop.” She didn’t believe him, not for a minute. He always got lost in his passion when their bodies were joined.

  The cabin could fall in around them and he wouldn’t notice. Chewing her bottom lip, she considered his hopeful stare. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to—she had dreams about it every night. A nd he had been getting stronger each day. His appetite was good, his color had returned…so maybe they could.

  He pulled her down for a kiss. Slow. Wet. A pparently he was tired of waiting for her answer.

  Callused hands roamed over her body, trailing down her back to cup her ass. His shaft lay hard between them.

  It throbbed with each beat of his heart. The ache inside her pussy intensified as he deepened the kiss and probed between her cheeks with eager fingers. Moisture gathered between her thighs, and she used the juices to rub against his length.

  “Christ. If you’re going to do that, put it inside you,” he begged.

  With a groan, she pulled away and sat back on the bed. “You should slide to the head of the bed. Get your pillow and make yourself comfortable.”

  He frowned. “Damn it, Maggie, I’m not tired. I want to fuck you.” His teeth were clenched so hard she could hear them grind.

  “I know.” She smiled.

  His eyes lit up with understanding. “Oh.” He moved lightning fast and scooted up in the bed.

  Maybe she had been overly concerned.

  Shoving the pillows behind his shoulders, he reached for her.

  She resisted. “Promise you’ll tell me what to do.”

  “Just come here and straddle my hips.”

  His erection stood straight like a flag pole between them. She wasn’t even sure it would fit like this. How should she go about this?

  “Um…”

  “Just sit on my legs, and let’s kiss some more. I want to touch you.” He cupped her breasts once she was on his lap. “I’ve dreamed of you like this, riding me.” He leaned forward to suckle while his fingers trailed down to her damp curls. Sitting like this, she was spread for his eyes, his touch. His fingers easily parted her folds and found her core, probing inside, one finger, two, then he crossed the digits and began a spiral thrust and twist.

  A heavy ache pulsed the walls of her cunny, the roll of his knuckles like rolling marbles between palms.

  Murmuring words of praise, he kissed and nibbled first one breast, then the other. His rough beard scratched her sensitized flesh as he moved from nipple to nipple, biting, tugging each tip.

  “Stop. I want to torture you for awhile.” He lifted his head, mouth wet from sucking her breasts. “I’m not sure I like the sound of that.”

  “You will.” She glanced down at his cock, glistening from her cream. It lay heavy on his balls, veins pulsing along the dark length. “Lean back.” Her words were husky, but he obeyed the gentle press of her hand. “I want to kiss and touch you first.”

  His eyes darkened with her words.

  Crawling over him, she kissed his neck, licking the salt from his skin before she moved down his chest. The firm flesh there tasted warm and musky, and she bit one of his flat, brown nipples. His chest rose with each panted breath. Would he like her to suckle his nipple?

  Tentatively, she flicked her tongue over the button. He moaned, so she took the flat tip into her mouth and sucked. He growled low in his throat.

  Encouraged, she stroked down his body. Heavy lidded gray eyes watched her descent. She loved his firm, flat stomach, the path of silky, dark hair leading to his cock. The closer she got to his thick shaft, the more his thigh muscles quivered.

  Slowly she lowered her head, licking the pre-cum, fucking his slit with the tip of her tongue. Next, she kissed down to his balls and took one then the other inside her mouth, sucking the wrinkled skin until Rafe moaned. Was he feeling the same intense pleasure he’d given to her? That was her intention, but how did a woman know what a man felt during sex?

  Taking his wet stones into one hand, she clasped the base of his cock and blew on the purple head. “Ready for more?”

  Hovering over him, she licked her lips. His cock twitched, growing thicker, growing darker.

  “Only a little. I still want you to ride me.” With a wink, she lowered her mouth, closer, closer, then flicked her tongue across the top of his cock. Mmm.

  Tangy. A ll man. A ll Rafe. She inhaled, his musky scent surrounding her.

  He stiffened and arched off the bed, pushing himself to the back of her throat.

  Swallowing, she savored the tangy flavor. He shuddered. She did it again. Faster. Up, down. Faster.

  Faster.

  “Christ! Stop. Please. Just straddle me. Please. I want to feel your pussy around me.”

  She smiled, realizing she had pushed him to the edge of reason. It was heady to have such power over this man.

  His skin had a sheen of sweat as she settled on her knees over his body. He ran his hands up her thighs touching her slick heat. Then cock in hand, he guided her hips forward, the blunt crown pressing her entrance.

  “Now slide down real easy, sweetheart.”

  Maggie swallowed and balanced her palms on his chest. The feeling was so new, so very different from the other times they had made love. Inch by inch she enveloped him until he filled her, and she sat astride him as she would Moses.

  Rafe didn’t move. His jaw clenched, the cords of his neck stood out.

  “A ll right?” His hands gripped her legs tightly.

  “Oh, yes,” she alm
ost purred and wiggled a bit.

  “What now?”

  “Ride me,” he groaned, sliding his hands around to grip her bottom. “Like this.” With slow, easy movements, he showed her what to do.

  His hand fell away once she found the rhythm, and he reached for her breasts. The feel of his rough fingers plucking and pinching her nipples shredded any control she attempted to maintain, sending shards of heat to her pussy as she bucked her hips, riding his cock like she was riding for her life. Her hair tangled over her face. Sweat rolled down her back. So close. So close.

  “Touch me. I need more.”

  Threading his fingers through her curls, he pressed his thumb against her nub.

  “Oh, Christ!” Pleasure seized her like a knot being pulled tight, doubling her over onto his chest.

  “Yes, sweetheart. Yes, yes.” Rafe’s voice was hoarse, rough, his skin sweaty under her palms.

  He gripped her bottom and arched beneath her, driving himself deep, filling her with his seed, long, hot spurts that flooded her channel and curled her toes.

  His hands stroked up and down her back as she sighed, content against his pounding heart.

  “You’re going to put me to sleep.” She let her lips brush small kisses over his body between the words.

  He chuckled, the sound rumbled low in her ear. “I believe you deserve a nap after that.”

  She rose up on her elbows. “You enjoyed it then?” He snorted. “Couldn’t you tell?” He shook his head. “I sure didn’t last long.”

  Yes, that was true. She blushed. But did that mean she had done it right, or was he just needy for release?

  “You were incredible. A sight I’ll never forget.” He tipped her chin up with his finger. “One I hope you’ll repeat sometimes. You liked doing it, didn’t you?”

  “Very much.” Her voice was soft, but it embarrassed her to admit how much she loved being intimate with him. He was addictive. Once a day only made her hungry for more.

  He yawned, then turned and tucked her against his side.

  “Sleepy?” she asked.

  “Mmm.” His breathing became deep, relaxed as he drifted off.

  She touched his whiskered face, his soft mouth, needing to reassure herself he was truly healed. The thought of losing him was still too fresh.