Page 13 of Licking Fire

Chapter Four

Alondra walkedwith shaky steps behind Rayer as he opened the door to his penthouse. Timothy stayed close by her side. She wasn’t sure why she’d agreed to stay, let alone stay with Rayer, but she’d found herself saying yes when presented with the option. Rayer had her jacket, her bloody sweater, and her bag. She felt strange letting the bag be held by another, but she trusted the man.

As they entered Rayer’s home, Alondra’s jaw dropped. Just inside, to her left, was a long granite table with a bust of what looked like a Greek goddess upon it. The table alone probably cost more than all the furniture in her tiny apartment. She didn’t even want to guess at how much the bust cost. She could barely afford a place that fit her in the city, let alone anything this ornate. The guy didn’t just own one heck of a penthouse; he owned the entire building. From her research, more than one building in the city.

The man sneezed money.

She barely made rent on her crappy apartment in a sketchy section of the city. And that was now ruined as well. What little she had possessed was in pieces thanks to the mayor and his men.

Rayer stepped into a large dining area and put her jacket on the back of a chair. He laid her sweater on the table as if he didn’t care if blood got on it. Then he placed her bag on the floor. When he returned to the foyer, he stood directly in front of her. “Come. Timothy can assist in drawing you a bath. He is, uh, better at this than me,” said Rayer uncomfortably.

Without thought, Alondra reached out and touched his steely forearm. Heat flared once more. She didn’t react. “I think you’re good at whatever this is as well. You did insist I stay here.”

He stared at her, and then stepped out of the way, allowing Timothy to lead. She followed the older man and Rayer fell into step behind her. She considered stopping just so Rayer would run into her with his hot, hard body. The idea of him pressed against her backside brought on a slew of depraved thoughts.

She’d read books and seen movies. She wasn’t totally naïve in the ways of sex, and she knew Rayer would be one hell of a lay. Starting with him might be a bad idea. How could other males ever possibly live up to a billionaire with a body like his?

She slowed as Timothy did. Rayer did not. His body formed to hers, and it was easy to picture them doing the very same thing minus the clothing.

His hands found her shoulders, and he stayed pressed to her. “My apologies,” he whispered.

She didn’t want to separate from him. He didn’t seem in a hurry to move from her either. She’d heard the rumors about him—that he liked women the way she liked a good book and a pint of ice cream.

A lot.

Though no one could name any woman he’d actually been with. Only rumors of his prowess.

“Mr. Drackos, thank you for letting me stay here tonight.”

“Call me Rayer,” he stressed as they followed Timothy into a huge bedroom.

She cleared her throat. “Rayer.”

“Do you belong to another?” he asked abruptly.

Timothy glanced over his shoulder and then rolled his eyes at Rayer.

She paused, caught off guard by the question. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Have you a husband, a boyfriend, or a significant other?” asked Rayer.

“No.”

He seemed pleased by the response.

“Do you have a significant other?” she blurted.

A slow, sexy smile spread across his face. “No. Not yet. Soon though.”

Her chest tightened. He was taken. Figures.

“How old are you?” he asked, steering the questioning back to her once more. “You do not look very old.”

“Mr. Drackos,” said Timothy. “It’s not polite to ask a woman her age.”

“It is if you do not want to be brought up on charges,” responded Rayer. “Laws today are not what they used to be.”

Alondra blinked. “I’m, um, twenty-four. Almost twenty-five.”

“Good,” he said.

Timothy groaned. “If you wouldn’t mind stepping out, I’ll get Alondra settled in and then phone my friend, the nurse. She’ll be able to assist.”

“I don’t want to be any more trouble,” said Alondra.

Rayer puffed out his chest. “You are no trouble. Sit. Stay.”

“She is not a puppy, sir.” Timothy gave him a hard look.

Rayer grunted. “Sorry. Please sit. Please stay.”

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