Page 20 of A Million Shades Of Love and Betrayal

Her eyes widened in surprise, and then a shy smile tugged at her lips. "You were?"

"Absolutely," I affirmed, reaching into my pocket and pulling out the velvet box containing the ring. "Your trip to the store reminded me that I needed to get you this."

Yasmin's breath caught as she opened the box, revealing the sparkling ring inside. "Rafael, is this..."

I nodded, unable to contain my excitement. "It would be weird if we told everyone we were engaged, and you didn't have an engagement ring."

She looked over at me, speechless for a moment. "Yes, yes, that's true," she finally said. "I knew this would come eventually but I didn't expect the ring to be so exquisite."

"Only the best for my future wife."

"Your fake wife," she amended softly.

I shrugged. "You'll legally be mine and I take care of what's mine."

"I can tell," she laughed softly. "Put it on me."

She held out her hand, and I slid the ring onto her finger, the cool metal a stark contrast to her warmth. For a fleeting moment, I let myself imagine what it would be like if this were real, if I were sliding a ring onto the finger of someone I loved.

But reality crashed back in, and I forced a smile, masking the turmoil within. Yasmin looked up at me, her eyes searching mine for something I couldn't decipher. And then it happened—a moment that caught us both off guard.

In a move that seemed to defy the script we were following, I leaned in, my lips meeting hers in a soft, unexpected kiss. Time seemed to stand still as my mind raced, trying to make sense of the sudden shift in our dynamic. Her lips were soft against mine, a contrast to the tension that crackled in the air between us. And then she kissed me back.

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Yasmin

The warmth of Rafael's lips against mine created a fluttering storm in my chest, a sensation so intense that it momentarily stole my breath. The warmth of his embrace and the gentle pressure of his kiss enveloped me, momentarily erasing any worries or doubts lingering in my mind. Lost in the moment, I let myself be carried away by the intensity of our connection, relishing how he molded me into his body.

But reality has a way of intruding, and the persistent buzzing of Rafael's phone was a sharp reminder that our stolen moment was just that—a fleeting escape from the demands of our lives. Reluctantly, we part, our breaths mingling in the air while we try to regain our composure.

"Sorry, it's work," Rafael murmurs apologetically, glancing at the screen of his buzzing phone. "I should take this."

I nodded, forcing a small smile as I stepped back, trying to ignore the lingering warmth of his touch. I hadn't meant to kiss him, no matter how much I needed that kiss. What we had wasn't real, it was a fabrication, and it would do me well to remember that. "It's okay. We can call it practice for tomorrow night."

He gives me a rueful smile before answering the call, his voice slipping effortlessly into business mode. I used the opportunity to retreat to my room, the echo of our kiss still reverberating in my mind.

**********

The morning sun streamed through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow across the cozy kitchen. I stood by the stove, flipping pancakes with a contented smile. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the sweet scent of maple syrup, creating a perfect start to the day. It also served as a distraction from what went down last night.

Rafael walked into the kitchen, his tousled hair and sleep-filled eyes adding to his charm. "Morning, beautiful," he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.

"Morning," I replied, trying my best to hold back a smile. I've been called beautiful before but hearing it from Rafael in his husky voice made it better. "Coffee's ready, and breakfast will be served in a few minutes."

As I set the table, Rafael poured us a cup of coffee. We sat down across from each other, our eyes locking in a silent exchange of understanding. The morning breeze wafted through the open window, carrying sounds of birds chirping and leaves rustling—a serene backdrop to our shared moment.

"So," Rafael began, a playful grin tugging at his lips. "About last night..."

I chuckled, feeling a blush creeping up my cheeks. "You mean me spending a lot at Pandora?"

He nodded, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "And the part where we may or may not have kissed?"

"It was a moment," I admitted, a mix of shyness and excitement coloring my tone. "A really good moment, that we probably shouldn't talk about."

He nodded again even though I knew he had more to say. "Maybe you're right."

We ate our breakfast in comfortable silence, savoring each bite and stealing glances that spoke volumes. After breakfast, we cleaned up together, the simple act feeling strangely intimate and domestic. Rafael insisted on washing the dishes while I dried them, our playful banter filling the air with laughter.

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