Betrayed(17)

Where else to look? Something could be inside the attaché case. Kat flipped it open. Her heart almost stopped. Now she wished she’d never thought of looking in the damn thing. Inside was a file with her father’s name in bold letters across the front.

Footsteps sounded in the corridor. Hysterically, she snapped the attaché case shut, threw things into place, lay down on the chesterfield again and plastered a smile on her face.

Rafael opened the door and came over. He said, “The doctor will call soon. Would you like a shower first?”

She nodded, but her conscience twanged like mad. Deep down she supposed she hoped to find nothing. The file had spoiled things.

“I’ll come to the room with you.”

“I’m quite capable.” She swallowed hard, her voice full of nerves.

“I don’t want you keeling over whilst my back is turned.”

She tried to smile. “Is this an excuse to come with me into the shower as well, in case I keel over?”

“Of course not.” He looked at her with concern. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, of course, why?”

“You seem… strange.”

“Do I? Maybe it’s shaken me up more than I thought.”

He followed her through to the bedroom, opened the door for her then turned on his heel. “I’ll be in the lounge when you’ve finished, if you’d care to join me.”

“Is there a robe I could borrow, for when the doctor comes? I didn’t expect to need one.”

“I’ll fetch one.”

Kat watched as he walked away. After he’d disappeared, she closed the door and leaned her head on it. That damn file made her all of a shake.

Shortly after she’d showered, the doctor arrived, and Rafael brought him to her room. He gave her an examination, but didn’t think there was anything to worry about. When he left, she went to the lounge. Rafael ran his eye over the robe as she approached.





“Don’t dare say anything,” she warned. “I didn’t think it worth getting dressed again. It will have to do.”

“Would you like a drink?”

“Mm. A brandy please.”

He offered up a bottle of Martell in one hand and a bottle of Soberano in the other. She nodded to the Martell. He said. “The robe doesn’t seem the best of fits does it?”

“You’re not wrong.”

“It’s one of mine. Momia must have taken both of hers. Either that, or Aliaga has one in the wash.”

Kat already knew it was his, because when she squeezed it to her she could smell him on it.

Rafael poured a Martell. “Mixer?”

She shook her head.

He poured himself a stiff measure of the same and added several ice cubes and a slice of lemon.

“That’s an unusual combination,” she said. “I thought you were supposed to warm a brandy glass in your hands to release the bouquet.”

“Maybe I’m an unusual person.”

“Tell me more.”

“Ah! That comes with time. It doesn’t do to let one’s secrets out all at once.”

He carried the drink for her and they arranged themselves on an enormous sheepskin rug, which lay in front of the fire. Kat fingered the luxurious fleece. “This is delicious, like being swathed in a huge teddy-bear.”

Rafael grinned as he raised his drink to her. “Salud!” The glow from the fire made his face ruddy. He said, “So what did the doctor say?”

“The usual stuff. He gave me a once-over, asked a few questions, but he thinks I’ll be all right. If I feel ill I have to ring, otherwise he said to call at the surgery sometime to see how I’m going on. But I don’t feel bad.”

He tipped the glass to his lips, took a drink then placed it down. “I would say the problem is how you define, bad.”

She glanced quickly. Rafael was using his damn eyes. They were on her. Kat became guarded. “And what definition would you use?”

“Well, I suppose some people would say that being bad is good.”

“But the doctor thinks that being bad is bad?”

“And you, do you think that, Kat?”

She put the glass safe out of the way and gave a laugh. “I don’t really want to think anything. Thinking can be prejudicial.”

“Well I certainly don’t want to say the wrong thing, especially to a beautiful lady. Which is what I’m in the habit of doing just lately.”

“Beautiful? Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Very beautiful.” He planted a chaste kiss on her forehead.

She jumped as a log settled and the fire spat. Absurd as it was, her stupid heart wouldn’t stop skipping.

“I must say I think quite a lot about this sort of thing though.” Rafael’s voice became gruff. “I think it’s quite agreeable, barring interruptions from the fire.”

Kat tried to smile, but no smile would come, as if her sentiments were too battered to function. This whole Rafael thing made a mess her senses. She wanted him, didn’t want him. Desired him, hated him. What the hell was the matter with her? Why couldn’t she be like a normal woman? Quite deliberately she pushed him down, straddled him, and holding his face between her hands, plunged her tongue into his mouth.

When she at last allowed him air, Rafael lifted his head. “Well…” His grin became mischievous. “There seems something in my favour, though heaven knows what.”

His body felt warm and comforting against hers. All she wanted was Señor Rafael Saval. She needed him quite badly.

His hands were touching hers.

The log finally collapsed and a shower of sparks shot up the chimney. For a moment they were both startled then laughing at each other’s expression.

He said, “I must remember to use a portable gas heater next time, there are less unexpected happenings with them.”

He was inside her robe, touching bare flesh. A ripple of pleasure undulated through her as he traced small circles on her belly. The sensation tugged at the internal strings that ran to her groin. He moved his hand until he cupped her breast then gently touched a nipple.

The strings to her groin convulsed, and Kat began shaking deep inside.

He eased the robe from her shoulders and slipped it to one side. Her breasts were exposed. He delicately caressed them; fondled her, cupped each breast in turn. It became difficult for her to breathe, as if her lungs had forgotten to function. She felt crazy, desperate to have him inside her. Thinking about it made her dizzy.

She wanted to shout his name repeatedly, an incantation learned long ago, half forgotten.

Say it, say it; say his name.

She dragged her fingers through his hair, pulled his head close so his face was on her bare stomach, his coarse hair erotic against her breasts. It would be so easy to take him inside her, to bring them into oneness.

Say it, say it; say his name.

She remembered how he used to plunge deep inside her; it had been the epitome of paradise. Could she share paradise with him again?

Rafael’s hot mouth closed on the underside of her breast. His lips moved over her, kissing, kissing. He lifted his head and his tongue touched one of her nipples.

She drew a breath, involuntarily. The string to her groin jerked, and she felt a shuddering wave, as if something had been physically torn from her body. It shouldn’t happen so quickly. She lay for a moment, absolutely overwhelmed as intense waves of pleasure washed through her.

She put her hand inside his silk shirt and felt his muscles tighten. Primeval parts within her ached to possess him.

Rafael’s mouth covered hers again, mobile, searching. His hand caught the bottom of her robe and tugged. The material crept up her leg. She became aware each time it moved, her skin peculiarly sensitized, so she felt each hair disturbed as the gown lifted.

She started to panic. Why was she in panic? What was the matter with her? If she wanted him so much, why did she feel like this?

Rafael recognized her need for calm and they parted and lay in silence for a while looking into the fire, but even the pictures she conjured in the flames were erotic. He brought something out of her that without him simply didn’t exist. It was frightening how he managed it.

She thought she was in control, when had it changed?

He kissed the top of her head. “This is the stuff dreams are made of.”

Kat gulped. This was getting heavy.

He said, “What do you dream of? Tell me what goes on in your head whilst you sleep.”

He didn’t know what he asked, her dreams made her ashamed. Her dreams could never be shared. She turned and buried her head against his chest. She said softly, “Hold me.”

“You’re so beautiful,” he said gruffly.

“Don’t.” She put her finger to his lips to shush him. “I don’t want you to say anything else. Don’t say things you might regret.”