Page 96 of Forbidden Deception

“Rafael?”

“Yes, my love?”

Don’t call me that. You’re making this decision harder for me.

“Can you please come out?”

“Are you outside?”

“Yes.”

Rafael’s glass mansion sits tall and vast. The grand fountain in front of his castle-like home is surrounded by only two cars, the rest are probably in his garage today.

I look up at the sky.

Dark and cloudy. Perfect weather for a lovers’ heartbreaking end.

My heart quivers and begs me to run away from this situation. The tall black mansion in front of me holds memories of me coming into his home to cook with him. I can hear my laughter as I run away from him after throwing flour on him. I can still feel my heart pound when he nuzzled against my cheek, covering me with the flour too.

The beating of my heart is ferocious, and tremors shake my hands.

A small click sounds, followed by the door opening.

I look at the door to see Rafael walk out with his white dress shirt opened at the top, sleeves rolled up, and brown trousers. I’m still in my jeans and jacket. My hand around my bag’s handle tightens as I watch the harsh lines around his face soften when his eyes land on me.

Rafael, despite being older, despite being my boss, despite being my brother’s rival, has given so much of himself to me that I feel lost without him now. What do I do with myself?

He’s walking leisurely towards me, one hand in his trousers’ pocket, his eyes doing a slow sweep of me like they do every time I come into his view. He looks at me with so much love that I struggle to keep my emotions in check.

How do I explain that my heart is bursting at its seams?

Our love will turn so sour that it will end up killing me.

Rafael reaches me and lifts a hand, running his knuckles on my cheek.

He leans forward and steals a kiss.

And my heart finally bursts.

I drop my head to his chest and hug him.

I can’t breathe.

I can’t think.

I can’t do anything but hide in his arms.

“What’s with all this affection? Did you seriously miss me that much in the hour since we finished work?”

I nod stiffly, words escaping me.

He tightens his arms around me.

Lightning flashes in the heavens above us, then thunder booms.

That second of light is enough for me to catch Rafael’s face basked in love. It’s enough for me to see the love confession written all over his face, and my chest tightens painfully.

A raindrop falls on my burning flesh.

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