Page 53 of Forbidden Deception

“Please.” A whimper falls from my lips. My eyes to snap open and I pull away instantly.

My heart is still thumping hard, my chest rising and falling in desperate pants, and when I look at Rafael, the need, want, and absolute agony on his face while his hands keep hold of me makes me panic.

“Rafael… What have you done?” My fingers touch my tingling lips as I stare wide-eyed at Rafael.

Instantly, his eyes darken in anger, and his hands on my waist tighten. “Don’t you fucking dare say you regret it.”

I shake my head. I don’t. How could I regret that earth-shattering kiss?

Rafael takes my wordless response a different way because his jaw locks, his eyes hardened, and he stays put. It’s like he is waiting for the worst to happen, bracing himself for disaster.

“How could I regret my first kiss? No, but you overstepped the boundaries we had, Rafael. How will we move forward after this?” My voice is hopeless. I’m not sure where to take this.

“You are my boss. No one in the office likes me, and I can’t… I don’t know where I stand with you now, because you and me? We are not as alike as you think.” A shuddering breath falls from my lips while I run a hand through my hair.

Rafael hasn’t moved from his spot.

“You are a real estate giant. You are worth billions, while I am nothing. You are far older than me, far out of my reach, and I know it will be wrong between us. I can’t put myself through any of it, not even a fling, nothing. I won’t do anything that isn’t a forever thing. I’m sorry,” I finish quietly.

I can’t tell him that I will betray him and slice through the walls of his trust, but it’s not like he is in love with me. He might care for me a little, but he will hate me in the end. He will despise me, and I cannot stand to be hated by a man this powerful, by someone who I may have wanted something more with.

Silence flows between us, but the waves and the soft music playing from the few late-night restaurants create a quietbackdrop while we stand looking into each other’s eyes, trying to read each other.

Rafael takes a deep breath, his hair ruffling with the wind, hair that I had my hands in.

“Do you truly believe I am a man who will demand a fling? Does it look like I will ever settle for anything that will waste my time?” His voice hardens, his eyes blazing at me. “Venezia, how much clearer can I make it? I fucking want you!” he grits out, his hands reaching out and cupping my cheeks, the touch harsh. Just like him.

“You don’t want a fling? Fuck it, neither do I. You don’t want this? That’s a whole different story. I will keep you right here, right in my palm, beside me. If you want me to set you free because you don’t want to work under me in fear of any rumours, I will write you a letter of recommendation that will get you any job in the industry, but I will not let go of this, of you.” He tilts my head up, his eyes sure and fierce.

“Y-You want to do this, Rafael?” I stutter like a fool.

Something maddening weaves through his dark iris. “Do you think I am one to play games?” He brushes his lips over mine, stealing my breath away.

“You’ll leave,” I whisper, shutting my eyes. I shouldn’t have said that. He doesn’t need to know about that part of me.

Rafael stiffens.

“Are you sure? I’m pretty snappy. You may not like it when I constantly talk over you once you have given me the right,” I quickly say, eager to avoid him asking about my deepest fears.

“I won’t.” He kisses the corner of my lips.

“I don’t like driving, so I walk in the rain, and my clothes get wet,” I say.

“I’ll drive you,” he murmurs, kissing me on the cheek.

I place my hands on his chest, my heart taking control of me. “Can you stop? Can we talk for a second? Like civil humans?”

“We can. With you in my arms after you say yes to me.” His words melt my heart, the blood rushes to my ears, throbbing, and I can’t make sense of what I am doing.

My eyes water, but I hold my emotions in check, trying to see if Rafael is being genuine with this. Will he truly accept me? Will he forgive me?

“Rafael, you are a powerful man. How can I trust you won’t go behind my back with another? Will you promise me fidelity? How do I know that you just won’t leave me standing with my heart in my hand?” My voice quivers, and Rafael gathers me in his arms, placing his chin on my head.

“Trust me.”

Two words.

Words I can’t say back to him because whatever this is between us is destined for doom.

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