There’s a slight edge to his tone. Rafael is similar to the curve of a blade: If you don’t apply too much pressure it won’t hurt you, but the potential for pain is high and allows for little error. With this in mind, I nod again, albeit more slowly this time. I have no desire for anymore suffering.
“I’ll get to act like one too.”
My lips pull into a skeptical frown. “In what way?”
Rafael sets the pistol on the end table and leans forward with his arms resting on the couch. “Nothing out of the ordinary” he says with a nonchalant shrug. “I’ll escort you places so people can see us together in public. I’ll also touch you, kiss you, and fuck you when and where I want. You know, the usual.”
Carina
It’s a shame my gun is empty because this man is incorrigible.
I’ll admit there have been several times in the not so distant past I briefly considered shooting Rafael in his smug face. That would’ve been over the top and definitely uncalled for, but not without some merit.
However, I need him.
Not deigning to respond to his ever-present sexual banter, I say, “How do you want to do this?”
He gives me one of his panty-drenching smiles. And I would know because mine were soaked earlier, from before he even touched me. I can’t think about that right now. Preferably never, if I want to maintain an air of professionalism with him.
Which is absurd considering he just had his fingers in me not too long ago.
Regardless, I’m not above repressing things, preferring to grapple with them at a later time when the more important issues have been dealt with. And right now, playacting this engagement is my priority.
Well, that and keeping Rafael’s hands off me.
“How do I want to do this?” he repeats, pursing his lips in thought. “I want to do it a number of ways, most of which you’ll find shocking.”
“Can you please take this seriously? My life is at stake.”
He stalks over to me and I hold my ground. Barely. It’s difficult and it requires every ounce of fortitude I possess to stay rooted to the spot I’m standing in. At this point, running is pointless and Rafael no longer suspects me of trying to kill him, so I’m relatively safe.
I think.
He takes hold of my chin, his gaze piercing me. “I can promise you that I’m very serious about keeping you alive and fucking you. In fact, it’s all I can think about.”
My brain shorts out like an electric fuse. There are no currents of energy flowing through my mind, save one: Oh. My. God.
I clear my throat in an attempt to rid myself of the self-consciousness coursing through me. “If you are serious about helping me out of this predicament, then let’s devise a strategy and implement it.”
Rafael releases me and exhales. “I’m going to need to think about this more, but my first plan of action is to make it look as if you’ve lived here for a while. It’ll help explain why people haven’t seen us together before now. And because I own this building, it won’t be hard to do.”
I begrudgingly admire how clever he is. I’m the one who thought of this marital charade, but that’s as far as I’d gotten. Granted, I had a lot on my mind, almost being killed and whatnot, but it’s nice to have someone else take the reins in a situation like this.
My father would’ve done what’s in his best interest, which is probably why Rafael wasn’t aware I’d been exiled from my family. Knowing my father, he most likely told people I was traveling abroad or attending college. Anything that would avoid bringing shame to him.
“What else?” I ask.
“We need to be seen together in public, doing something a normal couple might engage in.”
I dip my head in acknowledgment. “This is really good.”
Rafael yawns and then stretches, the rippling muscles of his torso and arms catching my attention. I felt his hard body against mine and I know the strength that lies just beneath his olive skin. It was also shown in the power behind the thrusts of his fingers and the way he was able to keep from crushing me with his massive frame. I wish I didn’t notice such things, but I believe he’d tempt just about anyone with his good looks.
“We’ll figure out the rest in the morning. Come on.”
I follow him a short distance until we reach his bedroom. Then I stop just outside the door because that’s the very last place I want to be. Staying with Rafael is one thing, but staying in his bed is another.
“Thank you for letting me sleep here,” I say. He swings to face me and his gaze flares with irritation. Gripping my hands tightly, I lower my eyes, unwilling to hold his intimidating stare. “I appreciate it, but I’m more than happy to sleep on the couch or in a guest bedroom.”
