Chapter 4 The Vow of Vengeance

The loud car horn blared again from the driveway, its high sound cutting straight through the dark living room.

I froze on the sofa, my heart slamming wildly against my ribs. Rafael lifted his head slightly, his chest rising and falling heavily against mine. His dark eyes were black with dark passion, his large hands still pinned tightly in my wet hair.

"Ignore it," Rafael growled, his voice thick and rough.

"It's Joe," I whispered, my voice shaking as another sharp honk echoed outside. "He must have come back to look for me."

Rafael let out a bitter, low laugh against my lips. "Let him stand in the rain. He doesn't deserve to step foot inside this house."

He didn't give me time to answer. His mouth slammed back onto mine with a raw, demanding force that wiped every single thought of Joe right out of my mind.

It wasn't like any kiss I had ever known. For ten long years, Joe had kissed me with careful, polite routine. It was always tame, vanilla, and predictable. But Rafael kissed me like a starving man taking his last meal. His tongue parted my lips effortlessly, claiming every inch of my mouth while his heavy body pressed me deep into the soft sofa cushions.

A quiet moan escaped my throat, vibrating straight into his mouth.

Rafael groaned loudly at the sound. His hands left my hair, sliding down my sides, pulling my wet sweater up over my head in one smooth motion. He tossed the damp fabric onto the floor, leaving me in just my black lace bra.

"You are so beautiful, Dara," Rafael rasped against my exposed neck.

His warm mouth trailed hot, lingering kisses down my collarbone, his teeth gently nipping the sensitive skin near my shoulder. I arched my back, my fingers digging into his broad shoulders, holding on for dear life as a wave of intense heat rushed straight to my core.

"Rafael..." I gasped out, my breath catching as his hands unhooked my bra, letting it slide off my arms.

"Tell me what you want, little bride," Rafael growled softly, his hands cupping my bare breasts, his thumbs rubbing over my peaked nipples until my whole body shivered with intense pleasure.

"I want you," I sobbed out softly, throwing all my shame into the dark room. "I want to forget him. Make me forget him."

"I'm going to make sure you never think about another man again," Rafael promised in a dark rumble.

He moved his hands down to the waistband of my pants, pulling them off along with my wet underwear. He shed his own clothes with quick, desperate movements, stepping between my thighs. His broad body hovered over mine, dark tattoos stark against his golden skin in the dim light.

When he pushed slowly inside me, a sharp gasp left my lips, followed by a loud, desperate moan.

He was so thick, so warm, filling me up completely until my hands tightly gripped his back, my nails digging into his skin.

"Look at me, Dara," Rafael commanded, his voice dark and breathless as he began a slow, heavy rhythm that rocked my entire body.

I opened my eyes, staring into his dark, intense gaze. He moved inside me with a powerful, relentless pace, every deep thrust bringing me closer and closer to an overwhelming edge I had never reached before.

"Ah... Rafael, yes!" I cried out, my legs wrapping tight around his hips, my hips lifting to meet every heavy stroke.

"You're mine," Rafael growled against my ear, his breath hot as he drove deeper, faster. "Say it, Dara. Say you're mine."

"I'm yours!" I gasped, my chest heaving as the intense heat exploded behind my eyes, sending a wild wave of blinding pleasure crashing through my entire body.

Rafael let out a low, primal roar, his body stiffening as he buried himself completely inside me, holding me tight against his chest as he reached his own peak.

We lay on the sofa for several long minutes, both of us gasping for air in the quiet room. The car horn outside had finally stopped, replaced only by the quiet hum of the rain against the roof.

I rested my head against Rafael's broad chest, listening to the heavy, steady thud of his heartbeat. My skin was still warm, my mind completely clear of the pain Joe had caused me.

Rafael shifted slightly, leaning up on one elbow to look down at my face. His fingers gently traced the line of my lower lip.

"This changes everything, Dara," Rafael said, his voice dropping to a serious tone. "If we do this, if you want me to help you ruin Joe, there is no turning back. You can't go back to playing the innocent, quiet girl."

I looked up at him, my resolve turning into hard steel. "I don't want to be that girl anymore. I want him to pay for every single lie he told me. I want his father, his friends, and the whole city to see who he really is before the wedding day."

Rafael narrowed his eyes, a dangerous, dark smile slowly spreading across his lips.

"I'll help you tear his life apart," Rafael said softly. "But my help comes with a price, little bride."

"What price?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

"Absolute surrender," Rafael growled, his thumb pressing firmly against my lip. "By day, you play the quiet fiancée so he doesn't suspect a thing. But by night, you belong entirely to me. No secrets, no holding back."

I took a deep breath, looking into his fierce eyes. "I accept."

Right as we shook on our unholy pact, the front door handle of the cottage suddenly jiggled violently, followed by the loud sound of a key turning inside the brass lock.