Page 48 of Forbidden Deception

He shrugs. “When have I ever been hurt by what you’ve said, Venezia?”

His words put a halt to my thoughts, but I internally shake my head to snap out of it.

How do I tell him that wanting him has become my biggest desire?

How do I ever voice that aloud? He has been honest with me, and I don’t want him to think I’m not being honest either. Yet, the atmosphere around us has put some kind of spell on me because the next words tumble out of me without a second thought.

“You’re exactly my type.” I force myself to keep a mask on, to not show the regret that is so desperately eating at me from the inside.

I shouldn’t have said that.

Rafael reels back, shock taking over his body.

“I didn’t mean I would cross our boundaries. I promise I didn’t mean it like that,” I rush out, my hand in his tightening so he doesn’t turn away from me nor treat me any differently.

“Ah, fuck. I bet you get this from your female colleagues all the time. Let’s forget I said that. Rewind and ask me another question,” I continue, my heart racing for a completely different reason.

If Rafael fires me, Remo would be so mad. I clearly remember Rafael wanting me out of his office because he didn’t find me good enough.

“Please, Rafael, let’s forget about this.” Desperation takes over my voice.

Rafael clears his throat, his eyes on his hand that is now in my hold this time. He looks up at me, and funnily enough, I don’t think I find anger in his expression at all. If anything, he seems interested, fascinated, or even curious.

“What exactly is your type?” His question throws me off.

“Rafael, I—”

“What is your type, Venezia?” He pushes, his eyes dark.

The waiter arrives, saving me from answering the question and giving me enough time to think.

I promised myself I won’t cross the line; yet here I am, blurring it.

“Enjoy!” The waiter walks away, but Rafael doesn’t look away from me, waiting for my answer.

“Older, handsome, dominant, and very much protective. I’ve watched my brother with his wife for years. I’ve seen the love they have, and the extreme lengths he’s willing to go to to protect her. I see a bit of a glimpse of it in you. I see what I want in you,” I confess, my eyes cast down.

“I see. Look at me, Venezia.”

I shake my head.

His voice quietens to a soft whisper that I barely hear above the crowd in the restaurant. “Look at me.”

I look up to find him watching me intensely.

And then, I see it.

His mask slips, and the almost emotionless face I’ve been looking at for the past couple of months melts away. There is clear emotion on Rafael’s face. It’s like he was hiding himself from me, fearing I may use something against him.

“Well then… I guess confessions are out of the way now.” He picks up his fork and nods at me to do so, too. “Your turn.”

“Truth or dare?” I ask without a second thought.

What is going on?

“Truth.”

Confidence rises in me, and I smirk. My next question will definitely surprise him. He doesn’t seem to be affected by my confession. So surely, I can tease him about it now.

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