Born Again by Rena Marks Page B

slowly
down the hallway.
    He smelled wonderful, a crisp clean aftershave smell. For
once, his cheeks were smooth.
    Raphael and Francesca were in the cocktail room when they
arrived.
    “Oh, Sara,” Raphael said, his eyes penetrating as they roved
over her figure. Then he kissed the curve of her cheek. “I do hope you get over
your inhibitions soon.”
    “I’m sure it will be very soon, Rafe.” For already, the
familiar, luscious heat curled into her loins.
    His dark gaze bore into hers and then he dipped his head and
blew that liquid, heated power of something exotic over her neck.
    The sensation was incredible, instant arousal flowing over
her sensitized skin. Sara let her head drop back, pushing her breasts up at
Rafe.
    He pressed light kisses to her cleavage, burning a trail of
liquid fire there also.
    “Oh God,” she moaned.
    Aric’s eyes glittered in her line of vision. “More, my
sweet, or stop?”
    They were already short on time. As soon as dinner was
finished, she’d have to leave. Beau waited tonight.
    “I guess we’ll have to stop,” she said regretfully.
    “Will you stay the night with us?” Francesca asked.
    Sara shook her head. “No, I need to return home. I have a
date with Beau.”
    “He can pick you up here,” Rafe suggested and Sara knew
Francesca had filled him in on her dilemma of dating two men.
    “It might be a little awkward to explain.”
    “Will you return tomorrow night then?”
    “I’m sorry. I promised him a date to the theater.” Sara felt
miserable, almost as if she were making excuses after teasing, when truth was,
she was spreading herself thin.
    Aric sensed her agitation. “The night after?”
    “I can do that.”
    His eyes gleamed. “I’ll pick you up from work on Monday then
and you’ll stay.”
    Sara smiled sultrily at the three eager faces and looked
forward to Monday. This would be a long dinner with the heat coiled so tightly
in her loins.
    * * * * *
    The limo took Sara home after dinner and it was only a few
minutes later when Beau rang the bell. She threw open the door and took in the
sight of the handsome man before her.
    “Hi, baby.” He grinned, holding out a handful of flowers. He
made her melt, deep inside. In spite of that deep, rumbling voice that sent
desire curling into her soul, he seemed more boyish than he had when she’d
first met him, although he looked exactly the same.
    “For me?”
    “Yeah, all for you.”
    She realized what it was then. He was carefree and relaxed,
eager to be with her. Her. Sara Michaels, the odd person who “feels” things. The
girl that attracted violent men finally found someone normal.
    “Come in while I put them in a vase.”
    He followed her into the kitchen and after she retrieved a
vase from the cabinet, he took her into his arms.
    “Kiss me,” he demanded and she parted her lips under his
onslaught.
    His silky tongue danced against hers and she moaned,
stopping herself from begging, although she wasn’t sure why. This was exactly
what she wanted, right here and right now.
    “I’m supposed to be putting the flowers in the vase,” she
whispered.
    “Okay, I’ll step away. Be quick.”
    Quick she was and the next time she turned to Beau, his eyes
were fixated on the curve of her rear.
    “Naughty man.”
    “Can’t help it. You’re so sexy.”
    But he stepped out of the small kitchen to give her room and
inspected the rest of the apartment for himself.
    “Nice place,” he complimented from the living room, where
she could see him from the half wall in the kitchen.
    “Thanks,” she said as she snipped the stems of the flowers.
    “Would you rather stay in and order pizza?” he called out
from the living room.
    Sara’s face lit up and Beau cursed himself for not realizing
that Sara wasn’t used to going out constantly. She wasn’t used to dressing up
all the time, being driven around and exposed to the things he took for
granted. She lived a simple life, just as she had before.
    “You