Power Play (The Billionaire's Club: New Orleans) by Mallery Malone Page A

front of a window, the sun setting her hair on fire. Lying on a blanket, her nose in a textbook. Making rabbit ears behind Raphael’s head as they split a plate of curry at Family Thai’s. On the nightstand a photo of her in bed, fast asleep with her hair spread out like a flag. It looked as if it had been taken on her last day with him.
    Shocked, she turned to stare at him, openmouthed. “Raffie?”
    He pulled open the nightstand drawer, pulled out a stack of paper. “I didn’t forget,” he told her, handing her a stack that she realized were letters. Her letters, addressed to him. “Who forgets the best moments of their life?”
    The emotional dam broke. Sobbing, she threw her arms around his neck, holding on because she never wanted to let him go again. A shudder shook his large frame as he held her until her tears subsided.
    He eased back slightly, his eyes shiny as he carefully brushed her tears away. “We’re going to come to an understanding, you and me. By the time this night is over, there will be no doubts between us. Come here.”
    He took the letters from her, returning them to the nightstand. Silently he undressed her, kissing his way down her body as he did so, stripping away layers of uncertainty, pain, and anger. She stood bare and exposed to him, waiting. Wanting. Everything fell away, everything else was unnecessary except for this moment, her, him, and the emotions that had bound them together from the first day they’d met.”
    “Raffie?”
    “On your knees, sweetheart.”
    Unsteady, she climbed onto the bed, bending down on her knees and elbows, exposing her intimate parts to him. Clothes rustled as he hurriedly undressed. She could feel the need welling between her thighs, the anticipation making her pant. Finally, the crinkle of a condom packet, then he climbed up behind her on the bed.
    He used both hands to touch her, his fingers stroking over every inch of exposed skin, teasing her, cupping her, filling her. Each touch brought him back to her, her to him, reconnecting until his presence filled her senses.
    He rested the blunt head of his cock against her opening, sending a jolt of want through her. “Do you want this?”
    “You know I do.”
    He stroked her, just the tip slipping into her slick folds. “Why?”
    “Because I need it,” she gasped. “Because I need you.”
    “But I abandoned you, Macy,” he said, his voice scraped raw. Another shallow stroke that made her whimper with frustration “Twice. Eight years ago I took off. Then three nights ago I did it again. I left you when you needed me most. When I should have been there for you, I wasn’t. That must have made you angry. Weren’t you angry?”
    “Yes!” she cried, hot tears spilling free again. “I was furious with you!”
    “You had a right to be. I deserved your anger. Hell, I deserve your hate. Do you hate me, Macy?”
    “No!” She pushed back against him but he withdrew. She nearly howled. “I don’t hate you, Raphael. I can’t!”
    “Why not?” he asked, his voice cracking. “You of all people should hate me, but you don’t. Why?”
    “Because I love you,” she sobbed. “I’ve always loved you. But it hurts when you leave, Raffie. It hurts because I know you’re alone and you’re suffering but you act like you don’t need me.”
    “I do need you,” he said, his voice gravel-rough. “So damn much it scares me. I need you to want me as much as I want you. I need you to want to be with me. But mostly I need you to forgive me. Forgive me for hurting you, forgive me for leaving you. Forgive me for taking too long to come back to you.”
    “Raphael.” Tears flowed freely. She wanted to reach for him, wanted to take him in her arms, to hold him and never let him go. “I forgive you. And I do need you, so much. I need you now. I’ll always need you.”
    “Thank you, my dear sweet Macy.” His fingers tightened on her hips. “I want you, Macy. I want you like this. Want to be inside you like