I smile a little. "I'm not so sure. But anyway, he also said that I'd made my choice by being here. Staying here. I might not have sworn vows like you did, Raffi, but Redwood is my home, and the Castellanis are my family. I don't want to see them hurt any more than you do. So—if you think there's some truth still out there about what really happened at the parley—I think we should find it. Together."
"If I tell you no, will you just go sneaking around anyway?"
I chuckle. "Probably."
He pulls me back into his arms and says, "Okay, D. We can do that. Together."
The next morning is very pleasant, waking up spooned in Raffi's arms. He reaches down sleepily to stroke a questioning finger between my butt cheeks, but when I flinch away a little, still tender from last night, he rearranges so that his thickening cockis nestled between my thighs instead, sliding gently in and out as he teases me hard, too. It's one of the laziest, most luxurious sensual pleasures I've ever felt, the silken feel of him between my legs as he strokes me to orgasm while I'm still waking up, warm and happy and safe in his arms.
If this is how things will be going forward, I can hardly believe how lucky I am.
"Maybe you should stay at Redwood while we plan the party," I mumble, after we've both reached our peaks. "Then we could do this a lot more."
His lips press against the back of my shoulder. "Mm. That sounds good to me. You sure you want to share your bed with me every night?"
"Yes," I tell him. "Definitely yes."
And share a purpose, too. Because we need to find out what really happened during the parley, to put the matter to rest for once and for all.
We shower and dress, and then walk too closely together from my quarters into the quiet foyer to start our work days, smiling and whispering and hushing each other. After glancing around to make sure we're alone, he draws me into the circle of his arms, bending to brush his lips over mine in a tender kiss that is just as devastating as the most passionate.
When he pulls away, he murmurs, "Love you, D. You have a good today, you hear me?"
"Love you, too. And I hope you do, too."
Our moment is interrupted by the pattering sound of piano keys from the nearby salon. Raffi's smile turns rueful and he rolls his eyes theatrically, making me almost laugh out loud.
"Come on," he sighs. "That's a summoning if ever I heard it. Let's see what he wants."
Julian is seated at the piano in the grand salon, filling the room with a soft, lovely melody. His eyes lift to meet mine as Raffi and I enter, pale gaze sharpening with interest.
"Good morning, Darian," Julian calls over without missing a note. "I was beginning to think you'd abandoned us already." We're right on time, so this is just Julian being Julian. He abandons the piano to walk over to us and then he startles me by drawing me into an embrace.
He's never hugged me before and I stand there slightly stiff, uncertain how to react. Then he releases me, and I offer a weak, "It's good to see you too, Mr. Castellani."
But Julian is already turning a sly smile on Raffi. "And how areyou, Raffaello? I do hope you enjoyed your stay at Redwood last night—no keeping my favorite butler boy up too late with his duties, hm?"
"Your butler,myboyfriend," Raffi drawls. "You don't need to worry, Mr. C. I tookverygood care of him."
Amusement dances in Julian's pale eyes. "Well, what an interesting development. Who couldpossiblyhave predicted such an outcome? This should make things much more entertaining around here. That is, of course, as long as you're staying, Darian? Please tell me you don't still intend to resign."
"N-no," I say, glancing at Raffi with a smile I can't squash. "No, Mr. Castellani. I'll be staying on at Redwood."
"Excellent." Julian sighs happily, and then pats Raffi on the shoulder. "Well done, Raffaello. Very well done." He walks off, and Raffi and I exchange a look, then a laugh.
"Come on," he says, throwing an arm around my shoulders. "Let's get to work. I'll grab some of my things from home later today and bring them back to your—" he gives a charming grin as he corrects himself "—ourroom. If that's still okay with you?"
"Veryokay."
He presses his lips to my neck, just under my ear, murmuring softly. "And I thought maybe I'd take control again tonight, if that's also okay with you?"
I babble out my enthusiastic assent, and Raffi chuckles, and then we go our separate ways.
Oh, I can'twaituntil we're alone again tonight.
CHAPTER 42
RAFFI
