“It’s hard to imagine.”
Grace brushed some loose hair behind her ear with her free hand. “It is. It makes me feel so small.”
Rafael tried not to stare at her. He tried not to wonder what would happen after this, after their whirlwind adventures at cathedrals and monasteries. Maybe they would eat and drink wine. Maybe they would kiss again. Maybe they would return home and stumble back to his bedroom…
“What?” Grace asked.
“What?” he repeated, feigning innocence.
“Stop staring at me,” she said, leaning over and nudging her shoulder against his.
The side of his mouth hitched. “Why? I like looking at you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Such a charmer,” she said.
He was a charmer when he wanted to be. He prided himself on it, in fact. But this felt different somehow. It felt real.
“Do you come here often?” Grace asked. “That’s not a line,” she clarified.
“What’s a line?” Rafael asked, pretending to be oblivious.
Grace cleared her throat. “You know, like a come on.”
He shook his head, trying not to smile.
“I mean, I’m not just flirting.” A blush crept into her cheeks again before she caught his eye and realized he was teasing her. “Just answer the question.”
He smiled and leaned toward her, almost whispering. “No,” he said. “I do not come here often. I might like you to think I hang out at beautiful, historic cathedrals on a regular basis, but it’s a special occasion.”
“What’s the occasion?” Grace asked, a hint of flirtation creeping into her voice.
He didn’t answer, choosing instead to distract her with the glimmering sacristy at the head of the building. “Would you believe I’ve never paid much attention to any of this. It almost seems like it should be a crime.”
“What? Gilding a chubby angel in that much gold?”
“Not appreciating something so spectacular when it’s right in front of you.” He squeezed her hand, and Grace rolled her eyes, but she was still smiling.
She turned away from him toward the figures at the front of the building, everything golden or brightly colored, everything breathtaking. The beauty of it all made Rafael feel like he was almost outside of himself, a separation of soul and body that wasn’t religious or spiritual, despite the setting. It was unlike anything he’d ever imagined before. It was like he was floating.
Grace stifled a yawn with her sleeve then glanced at him sheepishly.
“Are you bored with all of this art, Graciela?” Rafael joked.
“Of course not. I just didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.” She looked down, trying to hide her small smile from view.
“Very true.” That reminder sent a thrill through him. “And it’s been a long day,” he added. He couldn’t wait to touch her again, more than just her hand. “Should we go home?” How did that feel so natural? The two of them together, comfortable and happy, headinghome.
Grace nodded and bit her lip.
“Nowyou’rebeing quiet. And there weren’t nearly as many penis jokes as I remember from the last time I was your tour guide through a Spanish city.”
The tension in her eyes seemed to ease. “Oh, I had a few of them, but I kept them to myself. I know how you feel about that kind of humor.”
Rafael put his palm to his chest. “I’m a changed man, aren’t I? I can take a good dick joke. I want to hear them all. Don’t hold back.”
A surprised laugh slipped out as Grace shook her head. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I can be, if given the chance. Sometimes I’m even a little funny.”
