Taming Angelina: The Temptation Saga: Book Four (11 page)

“
W
hat happened
?” Rafe asked Tom as he hurried into Doc Larson’s office.

“He’s back getting an x-ray. Called the doc in on his day off.”

“Well, that’s the chance you take being a small-town doc.”

“True that. He fell getting out of the tub. That darn hip of his.”

“Where’s Lilia?”

“Around the corner getting us some coffees from Rena’s. You want anything?” He held up his phone. “I can call her.”

“No, no, I just had some coffee. I’m good.”

“Good news,” Doc said as he entered the waiting room. “No fracture. Just some bruised ribs. He’ll be in some pain, but he’ll be good as new in a few weeks. I’ll give him a couple Percocet. After that ibuprofen should be fine.”

Lilia came in with the coffees. She handed one to Tom and one to Doc. “How is he?”

Doc smiled. “He’ll be fine. Nothing’s broken, just bruised.”

“Thank God.” Lilia sat down. “I was so worried. He’s so stubborn sometimes. He scares the devil out of me when he insists on going out walking alone at night. I’m always afraid he’ll fall and hurt himself. And then he falls getting out of the tub!”

Tom laughed. “At least he’s keeping clean.”

“It’s not funny. If anything happened to him—”

“Nothing’s going to happen to him,” Rafe said. “Like you said, he’s too stubborn to let anything truly bad happen. If he’d use a cane, his life would be a little easier, but he’s too stubborn.”

“Too proud,” Tom said.

“Proud, schmoud,” Lilia said. “He’s still young at heart. Still handsome as anything. So his hips don’t work like they used to. So what?”

“We’re sure glad he has you around, Lilia,” Tom said.

Yeah, Lilia was a godsend. And here he was screwing everything up. What if she had to go back to Mexico? What would his father do? Rafe and Tom would have to step up and pick up the slack, that was all. They’d get him a housekeeper. It would cut into the money for the Arizona place, but so be it.

Unless…

No. Even if he couldn’t help Angie, he still needed to dissolve his marriage. Both he and Lilia deserved better than a marriage on paper only. They deserved love.

“He doesn’t listen. Tells me I’m nagging.” Lilia took a tissue out of her purse, wiped at her eyes, and blew her nose. “Well, maybe I am nagging, but it’s for his own good.”

Tom laughed out loud. “You sound just like our mother.”

Rafe agreed. “He hated her nagging. He’s always been stubborn. Never did know what was good for him.”

A few minutes later, out came Jack Grayhawk, leaning on Doc Larson.

“I taped him up real good,” Doc said. “Leave him taped up for twenty-four hours. Here’s four Percocet. Take one every six hours, Jack.”

“I don’t need any drugs.”

“You stubborn man.” Lilia shook her finger at him. “You’ll do what the doc says.”

Rafe chuckled. Yep, just like Ma used to say. Maybe Lilia would have better luck. He doubted it.

“You boys go on home,” Jack said. “It’ll take more than a little fall to bring me down.”

“Just promise you’ll be a little more careful, Dad,” Rafe said, as he and Tom each took one arm.

“Oh, he will be,” Lilia said. “The boys’ll get you into the car. Let’s get you home.”

They helped him into the passenger side of his car while Lilia sat down in the driver’s seat. Soon Rafe’s father was heading toward Echo Gardens.

“Hey”—Tom pointed—“isn’t that your girlfriend?”

Rafe shifted his gaze. Angelina Bay was leaving the boutique, her arms full of packages. What was the boutique doing open on a Sunday?

“She’s not my girlfriend.”
But God, I wish she were.

“Sure seemed that way the other night at the bar. I was afraid you two were going to make a baby right there on the dance floor.”

Yes, they had gotten carried away. The fresh lavender scent of her hair still made his nostrils tingle, the smoky orange taste of her kisses, her soft breasts crushed against him as they swayed to the music.

But that was all over now. He couldn’t marry her in time to save her ranch. So what good was he? She didn’t want him any longer anyway. She wouldn’t even listen to him when he’d tried to explain about his marriage.

And she’d never said she loved him.

He was nothing. Just a ranch hand. She’d made that clear as day.

So why can’t I get her out of my heart?

“Hey there!” Tom gestured to Angie.

“Shit. Don’t call her over here.”

“Too late.”

Angie ambled over, her bags an obvious burden.

“Let us help you with those,” Tom said, taking the biggest one and handing it to Rafe. “Here, help the lady to her car.”

Rafe gave his brother what he hoped was a “fuck you” look.

Tom laughed. “I gotta run. An…appointment.”

“On Sunday?” Rafe tried the “fuck you” look again.

“Yep, on Sunday. See you.” With a tip of his hat, he was gone.

I owe you one, Tom.

“What are you doing around here today?” Angie asked.

“I live just down the street, as you recall.”

“Right.” Her cheeks turned crimson.

God, she is beautiful. So damn beautiful.
“How about you,” he said. “What’s going on? Why are you in town on a Sunday?”

“Shopping. Deb opens up special for me when I need her to.”

“Oh.” Pretentious as all get out. What did he see in her again? “So you had a shopping emergency, is that it?”

“In a manner of speaking,” she said. “I needed a wedding dress. I’m getting married on Saturday.”

Rafe’s whole body quaked. Had someone punched him in the gut? He took a deep breath. “Who’s the lucky guy?”

“Frank Longhorn.”

“Oh.” Longhorn was a rancher about Angelina’s age. He had much more to offer her anyway. A woman like her deserved…

What did a woman like her deserve?

A man who wasn’t already married, for one.

“Nice choice. He’ll be able to afford you.”

He regretted the words as soon as he’d uttered them. She dropped her packages by the trunk of her car and fished in her purse.

“You can go now. I’ll be fine.”

Something primal overtook him then. He seized her, her hand still in her purse, pushed her against the door of her car, and slammed his lips onto hers.

Open damn it! Open your lips for me.

As if she read his mind, she opened. Her sweet tongue darted out and met his. He could kiss her forever and never tire of her unique flavor. Their tongues tangled and mated, their lips slid and mashed together. The kiss was raw, unapologetic, yet still seductive and mind-blowing.

For a millisecond, he tried to capture the moment, ink it on his brain so he could pull it out for sustenance once she was married to someone else.

Someone else.

Someone else in her bed. Touching her beautiful body, kissing her private parts, making love to her…

He deepened his assault on her mouth, his desire becoming a need—a need to possess every part of her. He was a beast in the jungle, and she his mate.

When his ferocity melted a little, the kiss become more tender, more loving. Loving. Yes. He’d been right before. He loved this woman. Never had a mere kiss been so meaningful, so much like the actual act of making love.

He broke the suction of their mouths and rained tiny kisses along her cheeks, the sexy curve of her neck. Oh, he could live forever on her and only her. If only he could have said yes when she asked him to marry her. If only…

“Rafe,” she said against his cheek, her breath a soft whisper against this skin.

“Baby, come home with me.”

“God, Rafe.” She nibbled on his earlobe, her soft puffs tickling the inside of his ear.

“Please. Come to my bed. Let me make love to you.”

She ran her tongue along the outer edge of his ear. Damn, she made him crazy.

“Please, baby. Please. I need you.”

His erection pulsed inside his jeans. An orgasm threatened to erupt…from a kiss. He steeled himself, willed his desire to wane. Didn’t work. He needed her. In his bed. In his life. In his heart.

She’d never be out of his heart.

In an instant, she pushed him away, still panting. His dick throbbed, aching for her fingers, her tongue.

“Baby?”

She closed her eyes, sniffed. “I can’t. I’m promised to someone else.” Quickly she plucked her packages off the ground, opened her car door, and threw them in. “Goodbye, Rafe.”

Averting her gaze, she got into the car and drove off.

Off to marry another man, so she could keep her ranch.

Angie Bay, who valued things over people, property over—

Over what? True, he loved her, but she’d never said she loved him. Maybe she didn’t value property over love. Maybe she didn’t value love at all. Maybe she was incapable of the emotion.

He shook his head. No. Couldn’t be. Not the way she kissed him, touched him, made love to him. She had to be capable of something other than greed. That, or she was one mighty fine actress.

His mind tumbled to the packages of clothes she didn’t need.

Actress it is.

“
T
hanks for coming over
,” Dallas said, opening the door on Tuesday. “There’s someone here I’d like you to meet.”

Rafe walked in. “Where’s Annie?”

“At the clinic. Didn’t you see her when you left?”

“Nope, she wasn’t in yet.”

“Good thing. She had the girls with her. You know how they love you.”

“They’re great kids,” Rafe said. And they were. Twin girls, Laurie and Sylvie, who looked exactly like their daddy. What he wouldn’t give for a bronze-skinned little girl with Angie’s emerald eyes.

But that wasn’t to be.

Dallas led him into the kitchen where they’d talked previously. “This is my friend Lisa Cohn. She’s an immigration lawyer.”

Right. Dallas had promised to call in a favor for him. Too bad he no longer needed it. Since Angie was marrying someone else, no reason existed to dissolve his marriage to Lilia after all. Yes, they both deserved love, but there was no hurry now. Everything could continue as planned. Course Dallas had gone to a lot of trouble. He might as well hear the lady out.

“Nice to meet you,” Rafe said.

Lisa stood. “You too. Dallas and Annie speak highly of you.”

“I appreciate that.”

“Sit, please.”

He sat.

“Dallas told me a little about your situation. I looked into your file. Obviously you passed the interview five years ago.”

“Yes, we did fine.”

“First of all, you broke the law. You know that. But it was a noble thing you did. Lilia Martinez is the daughter of the biggest drug lord in Nogales, right on the border.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Life couldn’t have been easy for her. Do you know any of her circumstances?”

“Just that she was physically and emotionally abused by her father and her brother. She told my mother things, thing’s she’d never repeat to us. All she’d say is we didn’t know the half of it, and Lilia had sworn her to secrecy. She said we had to protect Lilia, that her life depended on it. Those secrets died with my mother.”

Lisa nodded. “I can understand why you married her to protect her. It’s skating around the law, but sometimes there’s good reason.” She cleared her throat. “The good thing is, Lilia didn’t enter the U.S. illegally. She had a valid student visa. So that’s in your favor. I’m pretty sure I can fix it so she can keep her green card since you’ve been married for over three years.”

Great. Didn’t matter now, but whatever. “That’s kind of you.”

Lisa took a sip from the glass of water in front of her. “Is Lilia involved with anyone?”

“Why would that matter?”

“Because if she could marry someone else, it would help. But it’s not a necessity.”

Rafe rubbed his eyes. Such a long couple of days. “Honestly, I don’t know. She seems happy just working for the realtor and keeping house for my dad. She’s really a great person.”

“I’m sure she is.” Lisa shuffled some papers on the table. “Here are the forms you need to file to dissolve your marriage. Only one of you needs to file, and since you’re here, let’s go ahead and get this ball rolling.”

A lump formed in Rafe’s throat. He hadn’t even talked to Lilia about this. And now? With Angie marrying someone else? He didn’t need to go through with this at all.

He sighed. Wrong. It was time. Angie was marrying a man she didn’t love. Rafe—and Lilia—deserved better than that. Once their marriage was dissolved, they could each find love and spend eternity wed to their soul mates.

Well, at least Lilia could. Rafe had already found love. Too bad it would never be returned. Maybe though, just maybe, he’d find it again someday.

He signed on the dotted line and shook hands with Lisa and Dallas. “Thank you for your generosity and kindness. Both of you.”

“You’re most welcome,” Lisa said. “I’ll be in touch.”

Rafe said goodbye and left.

Now home, to tell Lilia they were getting a divorce.

“
H
ow did
you get him to start using that cane?” Rafe asked Lilia.

“I finally put my foot down.” Her smile gleamed. She looked as though she’d just conquered Mount Everest. “I told him I was out of here if he didn’t start taking better care of himself.”

Her soft gaze rested on his father. Was that love in her eyes? Rafe wasn’t sure. He inhaled and let out the air in a slow stream. Now or never.

“I need to talk to you two.”

“About what, son?”

“About…us, I guess. Lilia and me.” He cleared his throat. “I think it’s time to end the marriage.”

Lilia and his father looked at each other. Neither seemed fazed. What was going on?

His father lifted his gaze to Rafe. “Could I ask why?”

“I’ve…been thinking. A lot, actually. I was young when I agreed to this, and at the time I didn’t think I’d ever want to marry or have kids. I’ve changed my mind.”

“Oh,” Jack said.

“But don’t worry. I’ve talked to a lawyer, and Lilia will be able to keep her green card since we were married more than three years. It’s all worked out.”

“How much will it cost?” Lilia asked.

“The filing fees, of course. Other than that, nothing. I’ll owe Dallas McCray a big favor, but nothing, for now.” He grinned. “Maybe I can give his kids riding lessons or something. I’ll figure it out.”

“I don’t like you beholden to anyone, boy,” Jack said. “We Grayhawks find our own way.”

“Finding our own way sometimes means accepting help when it’s offered,” Rafe said. “Then we help others in return.”

“He’s right, Jack,” Lilia said. “If I hadn’t accepted help from your family, where would I be today?” She smiled. “Besides, it’ll solve our little problem.”

Rafe widened his eyes. “What problem would that be?”

“Come here, honey,” Jack said to Lilia, and she went to him and perched on his good knee.

Ah, so that’s how it is.

“We’ve fallen in love, son,” Jack said. “It’s been coming for some time. So Lilia won’t have to worry about keeping her green card, because as soon as your marriage is dissolved, I plan to make an honest woman out of her.”

“That’s wonderful.” Rafe’s heart warmed. He couldn’t have asked for this to work out any better. “I’m happy for both of you.”

“What about you?” Jack asked. “Is there a lady in your life? Why this sudden interest in making yourself available?”

Angie’s image appeared in Rafe’s mind. Beautiful Angie, who kissed him like a temptress and made his knees weak with a mere look. Lovely Angie.
Engaged Angie.

“Not at the moment,” he said.

“What about that Angelina Bay? Tom and that pretty Amber sure tried hard to keep me from seeing you on the dance floor with her.”

Rafe laughed. Nothing got past his father. “Angie is a remarkable woman,” Rafe said. “But she’s too old for me.”

“Age ain’t nothin’ but a number.” Jack gazed at the woman in his lap. “Right, honey?”

“Right,” she agreed.

Rafe sighed. “No matter what her age, she can’t be mine. She belongs to someone else.”

“Oh.” Jack’s eyes drooped a little. “I just thought—I mean the two of you looked so—”

Rafe simply shook his head.

“I’m sorry, son.”

“It’s okay. We’re from two different worlds, anyway. But my woman’s out there somewhere. In the meantime, I’m glad you found yours.” He meant those words with his whole heart.

As he left to go back to town, he wondered if he’d ever find his own.

He had a sneaking suspicion he’d already found her.

Too bad she’d never be his.

“
W
hat are you doing here
?”

Rafe’s deep timbre voice cut through Angie like a saw through a giant redwood. She swallowed. “I still need to learn to ride, don’t I? I’m going to be a rancher’s wife. You’ll still be paid the price we agreed upon.” She smoothed Belle’s mane. “Besides, my horse is here.”

Rafe grabbed the bandana out of his pocket and wiped his face. “I figured our lessons were over. You haven’t been here in a while.”

“I’ve had other things to do, as you know. My father just died.”

“Yes, I know.” He put the handkerchief back in his pocket. “But aren’t you getting married day after tomorrow?”

She swallowed again. The thought nauseated her. “Yes. So it’s safe to say I won’t be here for a lesson tomorrow. I am, however, here today.”

“I’m sorry. You’re right. We have a deal. Go ahead and bring her out.”

Rafe saddled Adonis, and they led the horses to the practice area once again. He helped her mount.

“You obviously did fine with walking and trotting the other day.”

“Yes, but I used the reins.”

“I know. We’ll work on getting you to use your body more so you aren’t in her mouth so much. Go ahead and do the circles I taught you last time, only this time, don’t hold onto the reins at all.”

“At all?” Fear gripped her. Silly, she knew. She’d hardly used the reins the last lesson. Still, they were kind of a security blanket.

“Don’t be frightened. I’m right here. I won’t let anything happen.”

His voice soothed her like a cup of steaming chamomile. As though it could take all the bad away and keep her safe forever.

But it couldn’t. Rafe couldn’t.

At least she could have him for riding lessons. Spending this small amount of time with him might get her through the next few days. She hoped, anyway.

He’d stopped trying to explain about his marriage. At this point, it didn’t matter. He couldn’t save her ranch for her, so she’d marry someone else and live without love. It had worked for her parents. They’d grown fond of each other, and they’d respected each other. They’d had two more children, and she knew her mother had suffered several miscarriages between Harper and Catie—one of the reasons they were nine years apart. So sex had worked between them. They no doubt enjoyed it. Sex was fun with anyone, right? She’d enjoyed it with Zach McCray and with others.

But she’d been attracted to everyone she’d had sex with. She was not attracted to Frank Longhorn. He was a nice guy. A genuine guy. A man who genuinely adored her.

More than she could say for the magnificent man with her now.

Why, oh why, does he have to be married? And why, oh why, didn’t he tell me before we…

She shook her head. No use ruminating. She’d done herself a disservice coming here today. She’d only prolonged her agony.

Today would be her last riding lesson. Her last riding lesson with Rafe, at least. She’d still learn to ride. She’d promised her daddy, and she meant to keep that promise. She’d be a rancher’s wife, after all.

Rafe worked both her and Belle hard, and by the end of the long lesson, her thighs and buttocks were sore and miserable.

“I’m going over to Catie’s pool and sit in the hot tub,” she said.

“Okay, have a nice time.”

“Want to come?” she blurted out before she could stop herself.
Damn. Not the way to fall out of love Rafe Grayhawk.

“I’m on the clock, sorry.”

“Yes, of course. I know that. But…Chad took Catie into Denver for a pregnancy checkup.”

“Wish I could. Can’t.”

“I understand.”

He nodded. “Go ahead and get Belle situated. I’ll see you Monday for your lesson, I guess. By then you’ll be Mrs. Longhorn.”

She shook her head. “I won’t be coming back. This will be my last lesson.”

“Thought you said you needed to learn to ride. You being a rancher’s wife and all.”

“True. I will need lessons. But I’ll find someone else. Seeing you…it’s too…” Too what? Too hard? Too sad? Too much like stabbing herself in the heart?

All of the above.

“You interested in hearing me out yet?”

She shook her head. “What would be the point? I’m marrying Frank. I have to.”

“Damn it, Angie, you don’t
have
to do anything.”

“You don’t understand. I can’t lose my ranch. I just can’t. I don’t have anything else.”

“You’d have—” He stopped.

“What?”

“Never mind. Enjoy your dip.” He tipped his hat, removed it, and wiped his face. “On second thought, I might just join you after all. Chad always says the pool is at our disposal if we need it, long as we warn Catie we’re comin’. Since she’s not home, I guess that rule doesn’t apply.”

Her heart leaped. He’d come with her. She recalled their previous time at the pool when he’d driven her crazy and then left. How she’d hungered for him to finish what he started. And finished he had, the next day.

They didn’t talk as they tended the horses, and then made their way to the pool house. Angie’s nipples were straining against her bra by the time they got there. Rafe’s arousal was evident beneath his jeans.

Such a beautiful man. With such a beautiful body. Even his golden bronze cock was beautiful.

Would Frank’s be beautiful?

Shivers raced down her spine. She didn’t want to find out. Why was she thinking about him anyway? She’d enjoy this last hurrah with Rafe. It was just a date in the pool and hot tub after all. Nothing dishonest about that.

He’d left her in the pool house to change. She grabbed her red bikini off the hook and undressed.

Why did she need the bikini? It’s not like that hadn’t seen each other naked before. And no one was home. Chad and Catie would be gone all day…

She hung the suit back on the hook and stepped out of the pool house buck naked.

Rafe’s eyes turned to dinner plates.

Good, good. Just what I wanted.
“I figured you wouldn’t have a suit here, so I didn’t want to make you feel bad.”

“God, baby. Why are you doing this?”

“Doing what?” Good, let him squirm. Let him see what he’d be missing. Let him imagine her using her body to pleasure Frank Longhorn in bed.

He stalked toward her like a wolf scenting his mate. “Damn you.” He grabbed her and pulled her to him, crushing her body to his.

Their lips met in a frenzy of teeth and tongues.

She gasped, her heart beating so hard against her chest she knew he must be able to feel it. “You have too many clothes on.”

“Damn right I do.” He shed them quickly.

Her skin tingled as he bared himself. So gorgeous, a sculptor’s dream. A painter’s fantasy. Though she had no artistic talent, Angie was sure Rafe could inspire her to create a masterpiece.

She dropped to her knees, the cement of the pool deck grating into her skin. She didn’t care. She needed that beautiful cock in her mouth.

Sweet, stiff hardness. She licked the head, sucked on it, trailed tiny kisses down to the base of his shaft.

“God, baby.” His voice cracked.

“Mmm, you like?” she teased.

“I like.” He grabbed the back of her head. “Take me. Take all of me.”

She obliged, taking as much of him as she could into her mouth. Pleasure ripped through her. He stroked her hair, keeping to her rhythm, never rushing her, moving with her, guiding her in his pleasure. Giving oral had never been her favorite part of sex. Rafe changed that.

“Baby, baby, yes, yes.” His voice drifted over her, a soothing caress.

No man had ever ejaculated in her mouth. She’d never even considered it, thought it too…too… She wasn’t sure. But she was sure right now. She wanted that from Rafe.

She continued to torment him, adding her hands so she could pleasure his entire massive length at once.

“Baby, slow down. I don’t want to… God, slow down.”

Not in this lifetime. She wanted this more than she wanted to breathe. She continued her assault, faster, faster, faster…

Until pulses began beneath her tongue.

“God, baby, I can’t stop it—” He panted, his breath coming in rapid gasps.

She continued, hoping he knew it was okay. Hoping he would give her this gift that she’d treasure always. Hoping—

He came with a gush over her tongue. The salty tang of him slid over the roof of her mouth, down her throat.

She shivered. This was the most erotic experience of her life. She’d never forget it.

Never.

And she knew in the depths of her being, she’d do this for no other man. Ever.

She pulled away from him. Rafe’s gaze was upon her, staring down at her with lust and anticipation.

“I’m sorry, baby.”

She shook her head and smiled, only now realizing the pain in her knees. “Don’t be. I wanted it. I wanted to do that for you.”

“It was amazing.”

“For me too.”

He pulled her to him. “I hope you don’t think we’re done.”

“You mean?”

“Hell, yes. I may not be eighteen anymore, but you affect me like no other woman. Let’s go sit in that tub and soothe your sore muscles, and I’ll show you exactly what I’m capable of.”

She couldn’t wait.