But the problem is, I understand exactly what he means. And Ihavebeen deceitful to Raffi. Maybe to myself, too. Definitely to the Castellanis.
"Both kinds of men are necessary in this Family," Julian goes on softly. "We all have our roles to play. And while you've made no oaths, Redwoodisyour home. And weareyour Family. Those are the choices you made." His voice shifts back to a normal tone as he goes on, philosophically, "Yes, both types of men inhabit our world. But the honorable ones, they're the ones worth fighting for. Worth taking a chance on. Because when they love, they love with everything they have. That's a precious thing, Darian, not something to throw away lightly. Don't you agree?"
I nod slowly. He's right. Raffi is worth fighting for. Worth riskingeverythingfor.
"And I'll tell you something else," he says. "Very few honorable men can resist a sincere declaration from the heart." He turns to leave, takes a few steps, and then glances over his shoulder. "By the way," he says, "I insisted that Raffaello stay the night at Redwood. He looked much too tired to drive home. I believe he's in the same room you put him in for the parley—before he moved into yours, I mean."
With that, he sweeps away.
CHAPTER 37
DARIAN
Raffi's roomis down a corridor, around a corner, and halfway down the hallway.
I'm lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, but all I see ishim, casually bare-chested as he was here in my rooms during the parley.
I picture him stripping off for me. Naked. Hard.
I want to go to him. I want…
Him.
I throw off the bedcovers, take a step toward the door, then stop again as the fear overtakes me. He won't want me. I'm not honorable, not like he is.
But I can't forget the way he's been looking at me today. The warmth in his eyes, the slight smile that makes my stomach flip. Like he sees something in me no one else does.
Like maybe he still wants me as much as I want him.
Before I can change my mind, I pull on a robe and hurry through the hallways to his door , where I pause, my knuckles raised to rap. Is this a bad idea?
Probably.
I knock softly anyway.
"Yeah?"
When I open the door, I'm met with the sight of Raffi sitting up in bed, bare-chested, phone in hand like he's been scrolling through it. His eyes widen as they meet mine. We stare at each other, the moment stretching as something unsaid builds between us.
"Hi," I whisper at last, my voice barely audible even to myself.
"Hi," Raffi replies, his gaze never leaving my face. There's a question in his eyes.
I want to answer it, but my voice sticks in my throat.
Slowly, he gets out of bed and walks over to me, closing the distance between us until we're standing just inches apart. He looks down at me, and it's as if we're having an entire conversation in the silence—all our desires, our fears, our hopes laid bare.
"Are you sure?" Raffi asks softly.
"Yes."
"Then you know what to do."
I don't. I have no idea what he—oh. "Raffi…would you please kiss me?"
And with that single request, the last of the barrier between us crumbles away.
He grabs me and kisses me like he's starving, like I'm the only thing that can satisfy him. I moan into his mouth, clinging to his shoulders as the force of him washes over me.
