Relieved that he’d changed the subject, Anya shrugged. “Nothing out of the ordinary. I spent a week with my father in Bonn and a week with mom. She’s in New York. What with Helga calling me every day to cry over her crazy husband, the time away did me some good.”
“Who’s Helga? And what’s that about a crazy husband?”
“Helga’s my neighbor. She lives across the street. Her husband…” Anya paused, not wanting to be discussing her neighbor’s private life but then she relaxed. It wasn’t like Rafe knew her, anyway. “Her husband is abusive so I encouraged her to make a police report. She got a restraining order so he had to leave the house but then she called me every day for three weeks straight, crying that she missed him.”
“A man who was abusing her?”
“You would think she would be glad to see the back of him, right?” Anya shook her head. “Anyway, it got to the point where I had to get away. It was just too much.” Then she gave a tiny grunt. “And if that weren’t bad enough, I ended up having to take out a restraining order against her husband, too.”
That caught Rafe’s attention. He sat forward in his chair, a frown darkening his face. “Explain that one,” he said, his voice brusque. “Was that man harassing you, too?”
Anya grimaced. “You could say that. Just the other day he woke me up after three in the morning, pounding on my door, cursing me out. He blames me for his wife finally throwing him out.”
“What?”
“Yeah, he does. That night he made such a racket that I wasn’t the only one who ended up calling the police. Lots of neighbors heard him, too. When the police picked him up off my back porch he was stinking drunk."
“Jesus. Supposed he’d broken in?”
“He wasn’t armed. I could see that. If he’d put one foot in my house he would have suffered the consequences. That’s all I’m going to say.”
“Tough words, Anya, but you’re a woman living alone. I don’t like-”
“Don’t worry about it, Rafe. I’m not stupid. That’s why I took out the restraining order. And if he ever shows up again,” she said, eyes narrowing, “I’ll be ready for him.”
Rafe was shaking his head and, to her chagrin, he wasn’t looking impressed by her bravado. “Listen, I don’t want you to take this lightly. Do you have an alarm system installed?”
“No, I never thought of having one.”
“Get one installed immediately.” Rafe’s tone brooked no argument. “I don’t want you to take any chances with this guy.”
“Okay, okay, I won’t.” Anya was almost beginning to regret she’d even mentioned the incident. All of a sudden Rafe was Mr. Super Protective and independent spirit that she was, it was beginning to grate on her nerves.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Rafe said, startling her. “I can see it in the way you set your lips just now. You’re a stubborn little cuss but I’m not going to stop bugging you until you get it done. I’ll come over and install it myself if I have to.”
“A stubborn little what? What did you just call me?” Anya was trying hard to look offended but she couldn’t help the grin that was slipping in to spoil it. “Is that some kind of American insult?”
“Don’t you worry about that.” He was the one giving the stern look. “I’m not going to let you leave this restaurant until you promise me you’ll do as I say.”
“What? You’re going to tie me to the chair?” she challenged, giving him a look of defiance.
“I’ll do better than that,” he whispered, his voice now low and silky soft. “I’ll..."
He broke off and the seductive look he’d been giving her suddenly disappeared. It was when he glanced up and nodded that she knew why. The server was heading their way. It was dinnertime.
After that, Rafe didn’t bring up the alarm system argument again. Anya almost wished he would. The way his golden eyes flashed when he’d met her challenge, the way his voice turned smooth and sexy, the promise he’d been about to make…they’d been such a turn-on. Rafe could not have known it but at that moment if he’d said he would kiss her…or more…she wouldn’t have said no.
Later that evening when they couldn’t stretch out the dinner then dessert then tea and coffee then dinner mints any longer Rafe reached across the table and touched her hand. “It’s after eleven o’clock,” he said. “I think I’ve kept you out long enough. Little girls need their sleep.”
Anya sighed. She wished she could object but he was right. It wouldn’t be wise to be going home alone after midnight. She nodded, sorry that their evening had come to an end. She could only hope there would be more of the same. And hopefully next time he would be the one doing the asking.
Although she’d said it was her treat Rafe called for the bill and as they walked out of the restaurant and toward the parking lot he rested his hand lightly under her elbow, sending tingles up her body. It felt so good and yet so disconcerting. Was he feeling it, too?
They got to her car and Anya turned to say goodbye. “Thank you,” she said softly. “I had a wonderful evening.”
“Not so fast, little one.”
Rafe surprised her when he placed a finger under her chin and tilted her face up toward his. Was he going to kiss her?
“Do you think I’m letting you go like that? Wait here,” he said. “I’ll get my car. I’m going to follow you home and make sure you get in safe.”
When Anya realized she wasn’t going to get the kiss she was craving her heart sank. Just a little. She could only take consolation in knowing they weren’t saying goodbye. Not just yet.
As he’d promised Rafe drove behind her, following the whole eight miles back to her home. When she parked on the street in front of the house he pulled in right behind her, and when she got out of her car he did the same then took her hand and walked her right to her door.
But when Rafe turned her to face him and put that same long, lean finger under her chin this time she knew exactly what he wanted. Wanting the kiss, maybe even more than he did, she closed her eyes and waited for his lips to touch hers. When they did, she groaned. They felt so good.
Rafe’s lips were warm and mobile, firm but gentle, insistent then teasing. As he kissed her he slid his arms around her waist, pulling her close, so close she could feel the heat radiating from his body.