Page 34 of The Devil’s Feather

“You mean like you?” Damn those eye crinkles. “No one else has coaxed me to sleep soundly through the night at their side. That alone is worth more than any treasure in the world.”

“That’s very sweet. I still think you’re a boob guy.” I shimmied my obvious assets. “But I don’t know about being gorgeous. I definitely don’t have a thigh gap.”

“Why would you want one? I very much appreciate how your thighs quake when you orgasm. Do not take that joy from me.”

My face burned, and I focused intently on the overload of food on my plate.

Rafael scoffed. “What? I can shove my face into your pussy and make you shudder and scream, but I cannot talk about it? I almost asked your stupid friend if she wanted to smell my breath when she asked if I was gay.”

I choked on a hardboiled egg, coughing and sputtering into my napkin. “Fuck, warn me next time. It’s fine, I just wasn’t expecting it.”

“Shall I commission you a neon sign that says ‘smut’ to light up whenever we discuss sex? You can take it to your book signings.”

“Stop looking so pleased with yourself.”

He cleared away the plates, still grinning. Damn, this one was going to keep me on my toes.

Rafael eyed me over the dishes. “You still have not told me your dreams and aspirations.”

“I mean, making enough from my book to have a dedicated writing space would be great. I drafted almost all of Dragonsoul sitting on my bed with my antique laptop, and now I have permanent shrimp posture. Though maybe being with you will help, since I’m now constantly looking up.” I made a show of stretching my back.

“That is a small dream, Elaine. Tell me the real one.”

Defensive, I crossed my arms. “That’s an attainable goal! Fine, I’d love for my book to be adapted into an animated series or a movie. I’ve always loved animation, thanks to Don Bluth’s traumatic childhood films.”

Rafael smiled. “Better. What are your dealbreakers?”

“I need another coffee for that conversation. Do you have an espresso maker?”

“What do you want? I will bring it to you in the den.”

I drifted in there, staring at the Goya-esque paintings as the hissing screech of steaming milk kicked up from the kitchen.

Was there more art in all the storage Rafael had mentioned? The building was enormous for so little of it to be utilized. I turned around into a wall of muscle and jumped. A little shriek escaped my lips.

Rafael rumbled a laugh and handed me my requested oat milk cappuccino.

“You have no right to be that damn big and quiet on your feet as a cat. I’m going to put a bell on you.” The cappuccino was excellent, because of course it was.

“I will clap next time. Like scaring off bears when hiking. At least you are significantly less hairy.”

“Forget the bell. I’m going for a muzzle.”

“Are you having a meltdown? Should I hug you and hum?” His eyes sparkled with mischief.

I almost spilled my coffee laughing. “Fuck off. You’re a menace, you know that? Good thing you have such a pretty voice.”

“Certainly not a pretty face, so I had to make up for the lack.” He was grinning now.

“Rafael, shut—you know what? Do you want to hear about my dealbreakers or not?” Damn it, I liked him so much. Way too much. That earlier outburst made a lovely addition to the bouquet of red flags.

He sat and gestured magnanimously for me to continue.

“I don’t want kids, though that’s mostly a moot point by now. No smokers or addicts. I can support a friend through recovery, but it’s too much in a romantic relationship. Definitely don’t want to date another fucking cheater. And no religion. General beliefs are ok. No Republicans, but I think I know where you stand on that.”

He nodded through all of it. “Agreed on all counts.”

That was a relief, but… “Rafael.” I looked him directly in the eye. “If you ever hit me, I’m gone. Doesn’t matter if it’s an accident.”