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just callously presented her with a marriage ultimatum, and all she could think about was how, with every fiber of her being, she longed for a repeat of last night’s kiss.
    The dark storm raging in Rafe’s eyes made it obvious he shared that desire. In the next heartbeat he was reaching for her, pulling her close and bending down to pay homage to her neck. He pressed soft kisses there until she burned with the need to feel his mouth joined with hers.
    She was positive she couldn’t endure another second of his ministrations when he moved on to plunder her ear, tracing it with his tongue in the way he knew drove her crazy. She would surely be at his mercy if she allowed the exploration to continue, yet she panted with the desperate need for him to command her lips.
    Finally his mouth greeted hers. She welcomed him with soft moans of pleasure. He tasted of rich chocolate cheesecake and fresh summer rain. Heady stuff that made her greedy for more.
    Boldly sliding her hands up to the smooth, warm skin revealed by the open collar of his rain soaked shirt, she wound her arms around his neck and tangled her fingers in the thickness of his dark hair.
    “It’s difficult to resist a bit of reconnaissance, isn’t it, agapi mou ?” he queried softly, breaking the kiss for just a moment before reclaiming her mouth again with intoxicating urgency. This time instead of teasing, he invaded, and she reveled in the onslaught.
    It was insanity, but she was past the point of putting a halt to it. A willing slave to the pull he held over her, she knew she would have let him take her if he hadn’t ended the kiss, abruptly putting a halt to their lovemaking.
    Dizzy with need and confused at his sudden retreat, she blinked up into his eyes. Impossibly long lashes shuttered his expression.
    “You insist you want nothing to do with me, agapi mou , but your body tells me differently,” he challenged smoothly, making it abundantly clear he was the one in control. “I’m going to give you one last chance to change your mind, and I have every confidence you’ll give me the right answer when I do. I’ll call you in the morning for your decision.”
    She wanted to wipe the smug look of confidence from his face. “I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you,” she asserted, fighting for composure. “I’ve already given you the right answer, so save us both the trouble and don’t bother calling.” She slipped off the blazer he’d loaned her and handed it back to him before unlocking her door with shaking fingers.
    Closing the door firmly behind her without a backward glance, she sagged against the supportive oak and closed her eyes against the sensual overload, her head spinning.
    The nerve of the man, she fumed. There was no way she’d cave to his ultimatum. Luke would back her decision. They held a trump card that Rafe wasn’t aware of. Like her freelance photojournalism work, Luke’s position at Intrepid was merely a cover career.
    Determining she should give her brother a heads-up all the same, she tapped his name on her cell phone.
    “Hey sis,” he answered sleepily. “What’s up? Is everything okay?”
    “Everything’s fine, Luke. Sorry to phone so late, but I’ve just come from dinner with Rafe Dimitriou, and I thought I’d better fill you in on the charming business proposal he offered me.”
    “The man shuts you out of his life and then pops back in without any warning to present some offhanded overture? Is he out of his mind?” he growled. “Where’s he staying? It’s time I had a chat with him.”
    Lauren winced at her brother’s snarl, knowing he would like what she was about to tell him even less. “I appreciate the thought, and you know I love you to pieces for it, but I’ve already taken care of it. Anyhow, that’s not the best part. Rafe now owns Intrepid Explorations . He’s promising your head will roll if I don’t agree to help him.”
    “What is he demanding? Or should I even ask?”
    “A marriage