She did, however, notice the state-of-the-art glass-encased lift that whisked them to the top floor and opened out into a polished marble foyer lined with a dark wood finish.
‘The building is patrolled by Chase Security,’ Rafe informed her, ‘a high-level security firm, and all the windows are bulletproof. Two of your secret service detail will be arriving later on tonight. I’ve organised for them to have a lower level apartment while you’re here. A concierge is on duty twenty-four-seven if you should need anything and I’m not here.’
He walked through to a living area with twelve-foot ceilings and enormous windows on three sides that gave an incredible view over the park and the city beyond. An ultra-modern monochrome chandelier hung from the high ceiling, perfectly setting off the sectiona
l furniture that was both homely and state-of-the-art.
Even though she lived in a palace, the architectural elegance of Rafe’s home took her breath away. ‘It’s beautiful,’ she said reverently. ‘Like a castle in the clouds.’
Glancing up from checking mail that had been neatly placed on a display table, Rafe gave her a mocking glance. ‘The ceiling chains are in the bedroom.’
‘Ceiling chains?’
‘It’s par for the course with being a hedonist. Isn’t that the word you used?’
Alexa groaned as he threw that back in her face, but really, what did he expect her to think when he made so little effort to refute any of the wicked claims made about him? In fact, he’d basically told her they were all true!
‘Are you saying I’ve got it wrong?’
His mouth twisted into a cynical line. ‘I’m saying I had a good time in my twenties. Make of that what you will.’
Alexa thought about everything she’d read about him, and everything she knew to date. So far he didn’t seem all that self-absorbed at all, and he had stopped kissing her in the library when she’d asked him to. In fact, he’d given her fair warning that he was going to do so, thereby giving her enough time to say no. Not that he’d given her fair warning the second time. The second time he’d taken her in his arms on the terrace she’d all but swooned at his feet.
‘Here’s the thing, Alexa.’ His voice sounded all soft and growly. ‘I like sex, but I like straight up bedroom sex. Sometimes I like shower sex or spa sex. I’ve even been known to enjoy table sex and floor sex. I leave kinky sex for those who enjoy it more.’
Knowing he was trying to shock her with his litany of sexual venues, Alexa ignored the jolt of pleasure from just hearing him say the word. ‘Does that mean that the whips are in the bedroom too?’
Clearly surprised by her comeback, his mouth twitched. ‘No.’ Heading for the doorway, he gestured for her to follow him. ‘I keep those in the safe.’
She couldn’t help laughing, and it relieved some of the tension that had plagued her since she’d walked down the aisle towards him.
‘I’ve asked Mrs Harrington to prepare one of the guest suites for your use down this hallway. If you want to use the pool or gymnasium they’re on the lower level and the library is on the mezzanine above to your right.’
‘I thought apartments were small,’ Alexa said, admiring the artwork on the walls as she passed. ‘You like the Impressionists?’
‘I like all art as long as it’s not a landscape. I prefer the real thing to a painting.’
‘I feel the same.’
Alexa couldn’t hold back a smile as she took in the gorgeous honey-toned bedroom with a view of glowing city lights that spread for miles. Her eyes darted to the ceiling with impish humour, but she wished she hadn’t because now he was looking at her lips and she couldn’t breathe properly.
Sexual awareness pulled at her insides, worse than it had done all day, and the quiet of the apartment highlighted that for once it was just the two of them. Alone. Together.
As if feeling the same pull she did, Rafe stepped back. ‘Your private bathroom is through the walk-in closet. Stevens will be up with your bags in a moment.’
Trying to steady her breathing so he didn’t see how badly he affected her, Alexa dropped her handbag onto the king-sized bed that faced the wall of windows. ‘I probably won’t sleep tonight anyway. This view is incredible.’
‘That’s up to you. I intend to sleep very well. Goodnight, Alexa.’
Watching him leave through the reflection in the windows, Alexa let out a slow breath. She couldn’t deny the effect Rafe had on her. Especially after he’d listed off places where he liked to have sex.
Good lord!
But being intimate with a man like the rebel Prince of Santara would be like driving a Formula One racing car on a suburban road.
Deadly at every turn, but, oh, so much fun.
And why was she even countenancing such a thought when she’d already made her position on intimacy clear? But she knew why, didn’t she? She was attracted to him. Incredibly attracted and no logical reasoning or denial made a difference to how she felt.