Chapter 13

Bellona secretly hoped that Rafael would have returned to bed by the time she got home. No such luck. Rafael had helped himself to some brandy and was looking at all the paraphernalia she had collected over the years.

Bellona! Where have you...been? Rafael turned and looked her over, from her heeled boots and the tight satin of her dress to her red lips. Oh, wow. You look amazing.

You should be in bed, she said, pretending his reaction to her didnt affect her.

I needed to shower because I was gross. Imagine my surprise when I found that you were gone. Where have you been? Hot date that couldnt wait? Rafael asked, putting his glass down and crossing his arms.

Why? Are you jealous? she said, tossing her keys and purse onto a side table. He was in those sinful gray pajamas, his hair still damp and ruffled. Bellonas mouth watered.

Of course Im jealous. You claimed to Laverna that I was yours, and then you went out with some other guy.

I meant you are mine, as in my client. Bellonas tongue burned from the lie. And I had a date with Rita Costa.

What? Why? Rafaels brows shot up. Are you hurt?

No. It was a crowded restaurant. I wanted to see what the fuss was about and to warn her to back off before I make her.

Rafael chewed the inside of his cheek. And what was her response?

She went on a rant about how your fathers had put a marriage agreement in place, but Michele died before he could sign it. Bellona poured herself a brandy. Maybe it would help keep the rage and her messy feelings from spilling out everywhere. Did you know about it?

Of course not! Ive never seen such an agreement, and my father was controlling, but he couldnt have forced me to marry anyone. None of this makes sense. Why would she even want to marry me? Ive only met her once.

Bellona shrugged. Sometimes, once is all it takes.

Tell me about it, Rafael said, his eyes burning hot as they fixed on her.

Rita claims shes loved you since she was fifteen. She wants you by her side or dead. Bellona tried to keep her voice steady as he stepped closer to her.

And what was your response?

I told her to drop the bounty on you by dawn, or I would wipe the Costas off the face of the earth to keep you safe.

Rafael sighed. There is no other way?

Not that I can see. Shes obsessed. Like proper crazy obsessed. She wont stop until you are dead or you agree to be with her.

Rafael ran a hand over his face. I cant believe this is happening. It seems so ridiculous.

Bellona took another sip of her brandy. She knew how Rita was feeling in a way. That didnt make her pity her. Rafael was no ones breeding stallion.

Maybe I should have listened to my father and married years ago, and then this wouldnt be happening. I had offers. Someone in my position always does, Rafael said sadly.

Why didnt you? Youre a good person, and you wouldve made a good husband, Bellona replied, ignoring the itch of irritation under her skin at the thought of him being married.

Rafael pinched the bridge of his nose. He admitted, I met you, didnt I?

Bellona frowned. What are you talking about? I rescued you like twenty years ago. It was barely an hour.

You say that like its meant to matter. Dont you get it? Every other woman after was compared to you, Rafael snapped and then drew back, surprised by his outburst.

Me? A mercenary who killed a bunch of guys in front of you? That doesnt even make sense, Bellona replied, her temper flaring.

It wasnt just that. I cant explain it. I met you, and everything felt right somehow. No kiss afterward made me feel the same way.

Bellona tried to calm her heart and ignore the nervous sweat prickling down her back. It was just the adrenaline of the night, Rafael. Thats all.

Youre saying it was all in my head? he asked, closing the space between them. He was only half a head taller than her, but it was enough to make her feel the rush of challenge.

Yes, it was all in your head, she said, her eyes fixing on his.

Rafael was close enough she could feel his breath on her lips. Youre a fucking liar, goddess, he whispered and kissed her.

There was a rush of excitement and lust, her whole body screaming about how right it felt, all mixed with the heady silencing of the ghosts in her past, the roar of battlefields vanishing until it was just him. Bellonas lips moved against his, wanting more, but as soon as it started, it was over.

Rafael pulled away and swallowed hard. Yeah, thats exactly how I remember it, he whispered, his eyes fluttering open. Okay, Im ready for you to break my nose now.

Bellona didnt hit him. Her fingers reached out and rested lightly on the soft fabric of his shirt and hung on. It was a bad idea that would complicate the job and how she already had begun to feel about him. It didnt matter. He had touched her, and she thought she would cry if he walked away from her. She had sex too many times to keep count, but none of it really mattered. Sex with Rafael would.

For the first time, Bellona didnt know what to say or how to voice what she wanted. Instead, she tilted her head to the side in invitation. Rafael leaned forward and pressed a line of soft kisses on her neck.

Fuck, I love how you smell. Your perfume has haunted my dreams, he said and lightly licked the curve of her jaw. Bellona was clenching his shirt so hard, her hands ached.

More? Rafael asked.

She nodded. Yes.

Tell me if you want me to stop, and I will. Just say the word, he said, and a wicked smile danced over his handsome face. Or Im going to strip off this dress and kiss you from head to toe.

Bellonas core went hot, and her toes curled just thinking about it. Yes. That.

I like that you agree with me for once. Rafael stroked his fingers through her golden hair. You can be the one to show me how to make war, Bellona. Ill be the one to show you how to make love properly.

That was so lame, she said with a soft laugh at his ridiculousness.

Rafaels grin was infectious. And its still working for you.

Very cocky of you to think so.

Once you reach my age, its pronounced confidence. Rafael kissed her bare collarbone, and a shiver danced over her skin. Well see whos laughing in the end. Just one more thing. Take it off.

Bellona reached for the zip under her arm, but Rafael caught her hand. I will take care of the dress, bella dea. Take off whatever it is that makes you look different. I dont want the fake you.

Bellona struggled to breathe. But Im not as beautiful without it.

Let me be the judge of that, Rafael replied, his hands resting on her waist. Just let me have you as you are. You can kill me for seeing your real form in the morning.

Bellona didnt know if he was joking or not or if he really didnt care if she did. She took a deep breath and let the glamor slide off her.

Rafael ran his hands over the curved muscle of her arms and brought her scarred hands to his lips. Thank you. Now, you have done a very good job rescuing me today, so let me take care of you in return.

Bellona could only nod. No one had ever taken care of her. She had never needed anyone to. Rafael went to his knees and unzipped the side of her dress, exposing her from the thigh up.

Rafael licked and kissed his way over the thin stretch of bare skin before letting the purple satin pool at her feet. She stood in the middle of her living room floor in boots and a red G-string, and Rafael just stared at her with a level of worship in his eyes that she hadnt seen since the days of her Bellonari. She had felt less exposed when she fought naked in Beirut.

Rafael placed a hand on his chest. You really are the most beautiful thing Ive ever seen.

Bellona ran her finger under the collar of his shirt. And you need to be wearing less clothes.

Rafael caught her finger with his mouth and nipped it. Ill get there. He ran his hands up the curves of her calves and kissed the sensitive inside of her thigh.

Bellona rested her hands on his shoulders, so she didnt lose her balance. She would let him do whatever the fuck he wanted to her as long as he didnt stop making her feel the rush of sensation with every nip and caress. His hands moved over her thighs, kissing every slashing scar on them before he cupped her full bare ass.

I was going to be a gentleman and take you to bed, he said, brushing his lips over the curve of her hip.

And now? she asked, voice cracking a little.

Rafael responded by moving backward and dragging her with him until he was on the rug, and she was straddling his chest. I told you I would find the most comfortable place for you to sit on me.

He grabbed her ass and brought her down to sit on his face. Hot breath seeped through the lace as he kissed her mound, and Bellonas pulse leaped to her throat.

How could that feel so good? Rafael only smirked up at her before moving the strip of lace aside and putting his hot mouth over her pussy.

Bellona tried to wriggle, her body not knowing how to handle the amount of pleasure that was rolling through her in waves. Her hands went to her breasts, squeezing them, needing something to relieve the pressure building. Rafael watched her, his eyes so hot and adoring that she almost came. His hands kneaded her ass, matching the pressure that she was inflicting on herself.

Fuck, Rafael, was all she could manage, her breaths already coming in pants. He took it as a challenge, lifting her higher so her could lick over her holes and send her crashing through an orgasm before she could catch her breath. Rafael hummed a satisfied sound and stuck his tongue in her pussy, not letting up until she was going over the edge again.

Bellonas legs were shaking. Rafael didnt give her time to recover; he slung her over his shoulder and carried her upstairs to bed. He didnt seem in any hurry as he took off his shirt and pants. Bellona stared in dazed hunger at his hard cock.

You were right. I think Im going to get along great with your dick, she said, and he let out the sweetest, bashful laugh.

Stop that, Im trying to seduce you.

Its working, she reassured him, her pussy still throbbing with tingling aftershocks. Rafael took off her boots one at a time. He was reaching for her panties and froze.

Whats wrong? she asked, suddenly worried.

I just realized I dont have any condoms with me. Rafael swore and picked up his pants. Im clean, but Ill still go and get some.

Rafael, its fine. Gods cant get STDs, and pregnancy is so rare its almost non-existent.

He still held onto his clothes. Are you sure? It will only take me a moment.

Thats very kind but unnecessary. Now, get over here, Bellona said. She lifted her hips. Or am I going to have to take this thong off myself?

It seems unwise to deny a goddess, Rafael said, dropping his clothes again.

Bellona bit her lip. The most dangerous thing in the world you can do is say no to this one.

Oh, mia dea, I would never dream of it, he replied. He hooked his fingers around her thong and pulled it down her legs. Spread them. I want to see how wet you are for me.

Signor Asellio, I didnt think a nice boy like you would have a kinky streak, she teased but spread her legs for him anyway.

Nice boys are the kinkiest of them all, Rafael replied. He climbed up her body, kissing her full breasts one at a time, sucking her nipples until they were hard and red. You really are perfect. Scars and all, Bellona. Thank you for letting me be this close to you.

Something cracked deep inside her, and she didnt know what else to do but pull his mouth to hers. She kissed him with all the pent-up emotion she was feeling and didnt understand.

Rafael didnt stop kissing her as he lifted her hips and pressed his dick inside of her. Bellona moaned, unable to stop herself from grabbing his hips and trying to get him to move faster.

Patience. I told you I would get you there, but youre so tight, mia dea. Let me be gentle before I make you scream, he murmured between kisses.

Bellona wanted to tease him about being a cocky little shit again, but he meant every word he said. It had been a while since shed even used a toy on herself, and she loved the pleasure-tinged burn of him stretching her.

Her legs wrapped around his waist, and she thrust gently against him, letting the delicious slide of him inside of her overwhelm all her senses. There was no screaming in her head, no bloodlust, nothing left of the rage that had been eating her alive all day. Bellona ran her nails down his back.

Okay, okay, he laughed softly and thrust hard into her, finding the spot inside of her that made her cry out. Fuck, thats the best sound Ive ever heard. Rafael leaned back and dragged her hips up, slamming into them until she grabbed the pillows behind her to stop herself from sliding away. He ran his fingers over her lips, moistening them with her saliva before spreading her pussy with them and running them over her swollen clit.

Bellona swore in a language no one had spoken for over two thousand years, her whole body on fire for him. Please, Rafael. Please.

Shh, be a good goddess and lie there and let me play with this sweet cunt of yours. Let me remind you how you should be worshipped, he whispered, eyes bright with that deep adoration that sent her reeling.

Rafael slowed his strokes, moving in deep, slow circles and doing things to her clit she didnt even know were possible. She could not hold out anymore, couldnt bear it a single second. She exploded in an agonized cry, golden light pouring out of her with every shock wave of pleasure. Rafael didnt look afraid, just in awe as she shimmered and shook.

Rafael… she pulled him close and kissed him, leaving gold on his lips. Rafael, come for me. Let me feel it.

Fuck yes, he panted, kissing her again, fucking her with abandon until he was filling her up with a hoarse shout of her name.

Bellonas legs locked around him, unwilling to release her hold on him even though they were covered in golden sweat and come. She had doubted if she would be able to walk away from him when the job was over. Now, she knew she would never be able to let him go.