Rafael's Woman

“When are you going to the doctor again?” He was surprised himself agreeing with her. For over twelve years it hadn’t mattered if a woman was on birth control, he always wore a condom. Anticipation had surged through him though hearing Carrie describe how she wanted him inside her without one.

“Next week, it was the soonest opening she had.”

“At least you can start taking them immediately and it will be safe by the time I get back from Phoenix.”

Bright blue eyes opened in shock. “You’re going to Phoenix? When?”

“Next week, I’ll be gone for a few days then onto California for another few days. It should be a week total.”

“A week, so soon. That’s too bad. Then we should really make the time you’re here last.” She whispered the words against the skin of his chest as she licked him slowly.

“Damn, Carrie, again?”

“Mm, just lay back and I’ll do all the work. I really liked being on top.”

With a sigh he lay back and allowed her hands and tongue to roam over him. Who was he to deny her?

Chapter Eleven

Carrie was listless, the book she was trying to read couldn’t hold her attention and nothing good was on television. The thought of going to bed didn’t appeal in the slightest, not when she knew Rafael wasn’t going to be there with her. He had left for Phoenix this morning, way too early as far as she was concerned. As far as she was concerned the only good thing about him being gone was he had seemed just as unhappy about it as she was. She should be tired, he hadn’t allowed her much sleep last night. Again and again he’d taken her throughout the night. When she had woken up she was sore but when he’d began to push into her again, she hadn’t dared deny him. It hadn’t even crossed her mind, Rafael wanted her and she wanted him, body sore or not. He was rough and hungry, biting her neck and breast until she’d nearly screamed from the pain. Those things should have made it worse. Instead, Carrie loved she had given him the release and the pleasure he so completely needed from her.

It had been the first time in several nights he’d been rough with her and she had urged him on, knowing he needed it. She knew he didn’t like letting go completely, the control he kept such a tight rein on was so complete but there were times she felt the effort it took nearly vibrating through him. Only when he let go did she really feel his whole body sigh with the relief of release. This morning even though he’d been unhappy there had been a lightness about him that hadn’t been there for over a week. The long hour she had spent in the hot tub to help ease her ache had been worth it.

Another hot bath sounded appealing and then bed. Making her way to her room she listened in and knew the twins were out for the night even though their light was on. Opening the door, she saw they were stretched out on their respective beds, their first paychecks in their hands. Elliot had his on his chest and Riley had his at his side. Both had been shocked and overjoyed at the sight of the checks. All night they had talked about what they would do with the money. Elliot, the more thoughtful one, had listened and added to Riley’s chatter of video games and new shoes then surprised both Carrie and Riley when he said he wanted to open a checking account and save it. The checks had come in the mail with a note from Rafael, they had done real work and they deserved it, now was their chance to truly gain from their experience. Only Elliot had understood the meaning behind the note, it was time for them to learn to be responsible and what they did with their money would be their first test.

Carrie had been so proud she wanted to cry but hadn’t dared say a word as she ate dinner. Riley had at first been shocked and then made fun of Elliot, calling him a nerd. Elliot had been unshakable.

“But I have to be a nerd, don’t you remember what Carrie said. She’s not going to be able to afford to send us to college and she said we needed to get our act together for high school so we could get a scholarship. If we don’t start now then we’ll be stuck at a job like what we’re doing until we’re too old to do it anymore or we get hurt and can’t do it anymore like Donald. Donald’s only like thirty something and he hurts his back with all the heavy lifting and now he can’t work. I don’t want that happening to me.”

“Hey, I thought we

were gonna sign up for the Navy and have them pay our way through college. Remember?”

“I don’t know, I’ve been thinking I don’t want to be stuck in a steel trap for years. If I can get a scholarship and through loans why not do it that way instead?”

Biting her lip to keep from opening her mouth, Carrie had pushed the hamburger helper around on her plate. The twins had been the ones to make dinner tonight since she’d worked the front desk until late.

Riley had his father’s arrogance, “Loans? Why should we have to pay for something when we can get it for free?”

“But we aren’t getting it for free, we sign our lives over to the Navy and then we get something. I’m just thinking I don’t want to go that way anymore. A little hard work and this state is full of universities willing to give scholarships to in-state students.”

The argument had gone on all throughout dinner, slowly Riley had thought about what Elliot was saying and they’d gone off to their room with their checks in hand. Elliot had asked about opening a checking account before leaving the room. Carrie had promised she would take them to the bank over the weekend and help him open an account.

Slipping off their shoes she left them on top of the covers, they were too heavy to lift anyway. It didn’t matter there was a third bedroom, the boys had shared a bedroom since they were little. They would pick out rooms and call them theirs but they always ended up sleeping in one and using the other as the game room for their video games as Carrie had outlawed the use of the living room as game central. Carefully, she pulled the checks out of their hands and set them on the bedside table.

Carrie had been as surprised as the twins to see the checks, Rafael hadn’t said a word to her about them. It would have been nice to know in advance but she wasn’t going to think about it too much. If she did it would make her think about other things she and Rafael didn’t talk about, like everything except sex. She had hoped she could get something more personal out of him over the last week but he hadn’t said much she didn’t already know. Questions about his brothers or even work would have him turning them around on her and ask her about her own past. It was frustrating but it had only been a week and she needed to give him more time.

Turning on the water to the deep garden tub she added a few drops of scented oil and the smell of jasmine quickly filled the room. Undressing, she slid into the hot water and sighed at how good it felt. When the water covered her, she sat up to turn it off. She had just settled back against the back when her cell phone rang. A little shout of glee escaped her, she knew it was Rafael. Water sloshed over the edge of the tub as she sat up and reached for the phone. Checking the display, she wasn’t disappointed.

Forcing a deep breathe, she was shooting for happily surprised not giddy. “How’s Phoenix?”

“Fucking hot, how’s Dallas?”

“Hot here too, you know that. What was it this morning, something like ninety five by nine? The twins spent the whole of dinner making plans, you didn’t have to do that Rafael. Especially after what they did and still owe you.”

“They deserve it, had they not been really putting in work then they wouldn’t have gotten paid. What plans are they making?”

“Well, Riley had planned on spending it on video games and shoes but by the end of dinner I’m pretty sure Elliot had talked him into a checking account to save it.”