Never Say No to a Caffarelli (Those Scandalous Caffarellis 1)

Poppy sank back with a blissful sigh as he moved over her, balancing his weight on his arms so as not to crush her. The sexy abrasion of his masculine leg hair against her smoother skin was a potent reminder of how different he was from her. His mouth covered hers in a sizzling-hot kiss that fired up all of her nerve-endings all over again. His tongue played with hers in a commanding way, taming hers into submission, then backing off, making her come in search of him, encouraging her to be bolder, more daring. She took up the challenge, enjoying the deep murmurs of approval that came from his throat as her tongue danced with his.

His hands glided over her breasts, touching, teasing in unhurried strokes that made her heart race. He worked his way down her abdomen, those lazy caresses over her belly, hips and thighs making her skin tremble all over with need. She felt his erection move against her and got a sense of the urgency that was building in him from the increased rate of his breathing. It excited her that she was the one doing that to him, that she could have that sensual power over him.

He reached for a condom from the bedside drawer and tore the little packet with his teeth before applying it. He was not only a sensitive lover, but also a safety-conscious one. How different from her mother’s experience with her father, who had only wanted to slake his lust without a thought for the consequences.

‘Are you still sure you want to go ahead with this?’ Rafe asked.

Poppy touched his steely length, her body already pulsing with a longing so intense it was like a pain deep inside. ‘I want you to make love to me.’

His eyes meshed with hers for a long moment of intimacy that made her feel as if she was the only woman in the world he had ever wanted or would ever want. ‘I’ll go really slowly,’ he said in a gravel-rough voice. ‘Tell me if I’m hurting you.’

She put her arms around his neck and kissed his mouth, breathing in the male scent of him, the raspy feel of his stubble on her softer skin making her celebrate her femininity in a way she had never done before.

He moved against her, guiding himself as he gently nudged her apart. ‘All right so far?’

Poppy nodded. ‘I’m OK.’

‘Relax, ma petite.’ He waited for her to let go of her tight muscles before he tried again. ‘You’re in control, remember?’

She felt the glide of his body within hers, her own moisture making the passage far easier than she had thought possible. He was so big, yet her body stretched to accommodate him. She was feeling really proud of herself, but then he went that little bit deeper and a sharp pain tugged at her. ‘Ouch!’

He stopped and held her steady, his deep-brown eyes full of concern. ‘Sorry, ma chérie. That was too deep, yes?’

‘No...I’m OK.’ She took a little breath. ‘I’m sorry for being such a drama queen.’

‘You’re not being a drama queen.’ He brushed the hair back from her forehead. ‘You’re tiny. Just try not to tense up. Your muscles need to be relaxed to accommodate me. Let your legs go.’ He kissed her softly on the mouth, making her melt into him as he slowly went deeper. Her tender flesh caught on him but it didn’t hurt as much this time. She lifted her hips and he went in with a smooth, gliding thrust that made her gasp in pleasure.

He paused again. ‘All right?’

‘Mmm...’ Poppy caressed his back and shoulders, getting used to the feel of him deep inside her. He started to thrust, the friction of his body within hers stirring sensations that spiralled out from her core. She felt the tight ache of want building inside her; it was a thrumming pulse that reverberated throughout her body.

Taking his cue from her, he gradually increased his pace, using his fingers to enhance her pleasure. She felt the exquisite goal approaching but it was just out of her reach. She shifted restlessly against him. ‘I’m sorry. I can’t do it.’

‘Shhh,’ he soothed her gently. ‘Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere.’

Poppy gave herself up to his slowly measured thrusts, each one deeper and more exquisite than the one before. He caressed her intimately, varying the speed and pressure until she was hovering on the edge of a scarily high precipice.

‘Go with it, ma petite,’ he coaxed her gently. ‘Don’t hold back from it.’

Poppy gasped as the first wave of her orgasm smashed into her. She felt stunned by the velocity of it. It was like being on an out-of-control fairground ride. She was spinning around and around; she didn’t know which way was up or which way was down. Every cell of her body seemed to be concentrated at that one point in her body. She threw her head back against the pillows as the sensations coursed through her. It went on and on, thrashing her about until she felt like she was being shaken alive.

He waited until she was coming out of it to take his own pleasure. She felt the increase of tension in him, felt the bunching of his muscles underneath her hands as he pitched himself into oblivion with a deep groan that was thrillingly, unmistakably male.

There was a long moment of silence.

Poppy wasn’t sure what to say. What did you say after the most stunning experience of your life? ‘Thanks’ didn’t seem quite appropriate somehow. Her emotions were scattered like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that had been shoved out of place. She didn’t know what to think or feel. He had been so tender with her, so caring and considerate. How could she have thought she hated him? Her feelings were a little closer to the other end of the spectrum, but she didn’t want to think about that right now. Falling in love with someone just because they were a fabulous lover wasn’t a good enough reason, in her opinion. Loving someone had more to do with having similar values, and trust and commitment on both sides; knowing they would always be there for you, no matter what. Rafe Caffarelli wasn’t making those sorts of promises. This was a fling and the sooner she got her head—and her body—around it the better.

He propped himself up again to look down at her. ‘How do you feel?’

Poppy felt a little tug on her heart at the tender concern she could see in his gaze. ‘I’m fine,’ she said. ‘No worse for wear...I think.’

He picked up one of her stray curls and tucked it behind her ear. ‘You were amazing.’

She gave him her version of a worldly look. ‘I bet you say that to all the girls.’

A frown pulled at his brow. ‘I know you probably won’t believe this, but it was different for me.’

‘How?’