Page 21 of Rafael

Mesmerized by his gaze and how close her lips were to his, she waited, anticipating another kiss like the one from last night.

Instead of a kiss, Rafael brushed his thumb across her bottom lip. “I left my phone number on the counter. Call me if you need me. I’ll come at once. Otherwise, I’ll see you later.” He took the sleeping bag and gym bag and walked out of the shop.

For a long moment after Rafael left, Gisele continued to stare at the door, willing her pulse to slow and the butterflies storming the inside of her belly to calm.

“Wow.” Lena came to stand beside her, her gaze on the door as well. “Where have you been hiding your hottie?”

Gisele frowned. “He’s not my hottie.”

“Seriously?” Lena’s eyes narrowed. “Do you think he would go for a younger woman?”

Gisele’s lips pressed into a tight line. “Probably. But you don’t want to get mixed up with a man like that. He’s a player.”

Lena shrugged. “So? I gotta lose my virginity sooner or later.” She waggled her eyebrows. “I bet he could teach me everything I need to know about sex.”

Gisele gasped. “Lena!”

Her assistant chuckled. “I’m just yanking your chain.”

Gisele let out a relieved sigh.

Lena’s lips curled into a wicked smile. “I’m not a virgin.” She ducked out of reach of Gisele’s hand, reaching out to slap her arm. “I called it. Heisyour hottie.”

“He’s not mine,” Gisele protested.

“Maybe not yet. But you want him.”

Appalled at Lena’s observation, Gisele asked, “Why do you say that?”

“Girl, it’s written all over your face.”

Gisele clapped her hands to her cheeks. “Is it that obvious?” she asked before she could think better.

Lena nodded. “Clearly.” She grinned. “The good news is he’s totally into you. He practically devoured you with his eyes.”

Gisele snorted. “You’ve been reading too many of those werewolf romances. This discussion is over. We have work to do. I need you to take a box up tomy apartment and bring down the bottles on my kitchen table.”

Lena retrieved a box from behind the counter and headed out the front door with a smirky grin. “You hate it when I’m right.”

“You’re not right,” Gisele called after the girl.

Lena’s laughter faded as the door slowly closed behind her.

Gisele pressed her hands to her still-burning cheeks. “I don’t want Rafael Romero. I don’t wantanyman.” Especially him.

She lifted her chin, reminding herself she was a successful businesswoman and didn’t need a man in her life. They were entirely too much work for very little benefit.

But when he’d brushed his thumb across her lip moments before and kissed her last night, she was reminded of what was missing in her well-ordered life.

“Sex,” she said aloud. How long had it been since she’d gotten laid?

Obviously, too long.

Her body immediately heated at the thought of having sex with Rafael Romero. What kind of lover would he be?

A good one.

She knew, without a doubt, he’d be really good.

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