I almost shook my head until I realized it was a trick question. Instead, I pressed my legs together, willing the space between to simmer down. As if my stillness taunted him, he jammed a finger between my thighs and teased my slit. I arched into his erection, unable to stop myself, and rubbed my ass against his length. Just baiting him, probably playing with fire. He dipped a thumb inside me before wedging it between my lips.

The way Zach used to, except my reaction was vastly different. I sucked my arousal off, quieting a frustrated groan. Rafe would keep me strung all night. I dreaded it, but I also lived for it, knowing how his mind games heightened the thrill. The thought of being trapped by orgasm denial made me squirm. God, I was on the cusp of splintering.

“Do you want my cock in your ass again?” To emphasize the threat, he inched his tip into my tender hole.

I nearly shook my head, almost told him no.

Another trick question.

Going completely still, I counted, drawing in even breaths through my nose. He brushed his fingers over my nipple, and I bit my lip hard to keep from moaning out loud.

“Good girl.”

He shifted until the tip of his cock nudged my pussy, and I thought I’d die. How could he hold back so well? Especially since he was as worked up as I was. His chest pressed against my back in a furious tide, and I imagined his mouth stretched tight to withhold a curse. He couldn’t hide what his body wanted. His heavy breathing and hard cock gave him away.

He nipped my ear, and his lazy caress on my nipple turned to a hard pinch. “You’re so intuitive, knowing when to submit without a single word. So fucking perfect.” He tongued the rim of my ear, and I broke out in shivers.

“No more questions. Are we clear?”

No. We weren’t clear at all. Somehow, I’d find out why he’d left the way he had. I wouldn’t stop until I got him to talk to me. Otherwise, this would never work if we kept secrets from each other—if we couldn’t compromise. If we lied to each other.

But he’d left me no other choice. The word no wasn’t allowed in my vocabulary, so with my body on fire, held captive by my unwavering need for him, I told him what he wanted to hear.

“We’re clear.”

7. Favor - Rafe

7. FAVOR - RAFE

I’d been holding her for hours, comforted by the steady sound of her breathing. Maybe insomnia was a blessing, considering what I’d nearly done to her. If I hadn’t woken up when I had…a shudder tore through me, and I held on a little tighter.