Chapter 26
It’s dark when Rafe parks next to my truck. I almost offered to go to his house again instead, but he seemed like he wanted to check out the new security system when we talked. My hair is still damp from my shower, and I didn’t bother getting dressed in anything special. After the long conversation with Mom and everything that’s happened over the last few days, I’m drained and would really like to just crawl into bed. I also have two more missed calls from Gwen.
I open the door and push the screen out when he reaches the steps so he doesn’t have to knock, not that him coming over is a secret.
Before I even speak, Rafe cups my cheeks and bends down to kiss me. It’s rough and demanding, but also sweet, like he couldn’t wait another second before his lips touched mine.
When he pulls back, he looks into my eyes. “Did they show you how to do everything?” It takes me a minute to realize he’s talking about the alarm.
“Yeah, I put in a new code and everything.”
“Good.” He gives me a peck this time, then bends to take off his shoes. It’s funny how comfortable he seems here. He doesn’t always take his shoes off at his house. “You talk to your mom?”
I nod and lean against the doorway, watching him. “She’s moving into a condo at the end of the month.” When she told me, I forced myself to seem excited and interested in her new place when she showed me the pictures. I didn’t want her to know how upset I was about the fact that she’s leaving so soon, but I don’t have the energy to fake it anymore, plus I don’t feel like I need to with Rafe anyway.
“Is she in her room?” His eyes dart down the hall.
“Yeah.” I give him a sad little grin. “No need to smuggle you in, I told her you were coming over.”
He wraps his arm around my back and places his lips near my temple. “We can always pretend if you want. I can throw rocks at your window.”
“Not unless you want the cops here in about thirty seconds since you insisted on this fancy alarm.” To prove my point, I lean over and hit the five numbers I programmed in and then tap the home button so we don’t set off the motion detectors.
“Did you eat?” I ask, knowing he has no food at his house.
“You gonna feed me if I say no?” He raises a brow expectantly.
I roll my eyes and spin away from him to sigh, “Yes,” like it’s a big deal, but I really don’t mind at all.
Rafe trails me to the kitchen, and I pull out some leftovers from the fridge. It’s certainly not fancy, it’s not even homemade, but I can make up for the frozen lasagna with some grilled sourdough topped with garlic butter and the brownies I made earlier. Mom gave a few of them to the guys installing the alarm, but I managed to save half the tray for Rafe. He’s the reason I made them in the first place.
I place the dish in the microwave and turn on the center griddle of the stove. Rafe leans against the counter, watching my every move. His gaze feels more intimate than the stares I used to get while I was on stage. I’m hyperaware of my movements, because he’s so engrossed in my actions.
“Go sit.” I point to the table with a bread knife. I feel like if I get too close to him, he’s going to snatch me up and I won’t get to finish what I’m doing.
“You don’t have to threaten me.” He lowers his chin and gives me a seductive look, then does as I ask.
“Threatening you?” I mumble under my breath. Both of us know that’s not true. When the microwave beeps, I have two thick slices of garlic bread ready, so I add those to his plate and take them to the table.
Rafe stares down at the messy square of pasta for a long time before looking up at me. His face is relaxed, and he looks younger somehow, even though he never looks old. “Thank you.” His words come out smoothly, but I can still tell they didn’t come easily.
“Welcome, now eat.” I feel shy and happy at the same time. I like knowing I’m taking care of him.
“You’re bossy tonight.” He grins and rips into the bread first. I don’t respond, but I don’t think he was expecting me to. Instead of just staring at him as he eats, I take out my phone and start to compose a text to Gwen. I know I said we would talk today, but I just don’t have the energy to deal with her right now, plus I need to speak to Rafe so I know what exactly I should tell her.
“What are you doing?” He leans over so he can see my phone screen.
“I need to talk to Gwen.” I show him the‘Hey, sorry I missed your calls’I typed so far. I place the phone on the table. “I’ve been thinking. She knows your name and after last night…I’m sure she has a lot of questions.”
“Why?” He examines me.
“That Jay guy told her about Rex.” I pinch my lips. “I only know because she mentioned he had a big meeting with him…you.”
The corners of Rafe’s mouth flatten, and I realize how much more expressive he’s become around me. He looks like the man from the club tonight—hard and unhappy. “Is she going to become a problem?” His voice is soft but even.
“A problem? What do you mean? I was just going to ask what I should tell her, because I promise she’s going to have questions.”
“I really don’t care if she has questions. I want to know if she’s going to cause a problem between us.” He’s still holding his fork, so he uses it to gesture between us.
