“No.” Francine brushed her soft fingertips over his mouth. “Just wipe the satisfaction off your face.”
“Nope. I can’t do it. I won’t do it.”
“Aw, come on. We don’t need any more rumors about us floating around out there.”
Raphael paused. “Maybe we do. I mean, we are officially fake engaged now. Why shouldn’t the world know it?”
She pondered what he said before nodding. “That’s a really good point. Fine. Keep the satisfied look, then.”
“I will. I hope you do, as well.”
Francine gave him a saucy smile with a quick wink before she returned to the front door and opened it. A beautiful blush came up in her cheeks as the elderly Mrs. Greenstone came in without waiting for an invitation.
As she did, Angel scampered into the room, little body leaping, front paws batting as she seemed to play only with the air around her as a toy.
The older Alpha woman laughed at the kitten’s antics. “Well, now, I guess both rumors I heard were true.”
“Both?”
“A new kittenanda new gentleman friend.” Mrs. Greenstone looked pretty joyful at her discovery.
Raphael stepped forward, offering his hand. “Hello, Mrs. Greenstone. I’m Raphael, Francine’s fiancé.”
“Fiancé?” Her eyes widened and zeroed in on Francine’s hand with the violet diamond ring.
“Wow! What an unusual engagement ring. Is that amethyst?”
“Violet diamond,” Raphael said. “A rare and perfect gem for a rare and perfect woman.”
“Well, aren’t you just the most romantic breeze to sweep through Alienn in a long while.”
“Thank you.”
“Have you two known each other long or is this an arranged marriage sort of thing?”
Raphael settled his arm around Francine’s shoulders, hugging her close. He loved having her pinned to his side. “Oh, no. This is a love match, not arranged.”
“Well, good. That’s the best kind. I just haven’t seen you around here before.”
“I came from out of town in conjunction with my employment. I saw Francine the day I arrived and couldn’t keep myself from her. She is exceptional.”
“That’s so romantic.” Mrs. Greenstone looked enchanted.
“I hate to ask,” Francine said, “but we planned to go to my sister’s wedding in a couple days for about a week. It’s out of town. Would you be willing to look in on Angel while we’re gone? I hadn’t planned to get a kitten, but I stumbled over her on my way home from work last night and now I’m attached.”
“Of course, dear. I’d be delighted to.”
Mrs. Greenstone met Angel, cooed over her and then left as quickly as she’d come. She gave Raphael several side-glances of seeming approval in the short time she was there.
Once they were alone, Francine took her gaze from Angel and stared at her new fake fiancé. He stared back.
“Dare we try again?” he asked.
“What?”
“Kissing.”
She grinned. “Yes. We should definitely kiss again. I just can’t promise who will promptly knock at the door next.”
