Page 58 of Forbidden Deception

How have I become so weak?

“I’ll be late soon, so I need to hang up. I love you.” I cut the call before he can answer and head out of the car and walk into the building. The morning sun is covered by the invading clouds that have cast the city in darkness.

“Venezia.”

My head snaps up to see Rafael standing outside of his office door. He tilts his head to his office, and my heart instantly drops.

Did he find out?

Will he think I accepted his confession because I am spying on him?

With trembling hands, I walk inside. The door slams shut behind me, and I get pushed against it. My purse drops from my hand, and I look up, wide-eyed.

Rafael’s hair falls into his eyes as he towers over me, his gaze dark and swimming in amusement.

Lifting his hand to my face, he runs his knuckles across my cheek. My eyes shut of their own accord at the soothing touch. My heart calms to a slow pace, my body almost shutting down, knowing Rafael is close. A net of safety forms around me creating a warm feeling inside me.

His hand wraps around the base of my neck, then he tilts my jaw up. My eyes collide with his while he lowers his lips, desire overriding every emotion. He steps closer, his body plastered against mine to the point where I feel his every breath, every inhale and exhale.

“Rafael,” I whisper, my heart pounding in my eardrums and blood rushing to my head.

He skims his lips across mine once, inhales, and thenkissesme. My hands weave through his hair, and it turns frenzied and crazy. It turns fast and lustful. His hands dip into my scalp, angling my head expertly. He picks me up, and my legs wrap around his waist.

He kisses me like a crazy man, like he has discovered what breathing is, like the very second he lets go, he will realise that everything he wants is right here. And I don’t want to feel guilty for it.

Ever.

And yet I do, but I push the emotion away.

“I want you so much,” Rafael hoarsely whispers, his forehead set on mine while his eyes beg me to never let go.

“I’m irresistible,” I mutter against his lips. I skim my lips across his cheek and down his jaw to his neck.

I wrap my arms around his neck and rest my head on his shoulder. His strong arms wrap around my waist, our shuddering breaths in sync.

I want to just be in the moment with him right now.

“How do I ever believe you would want someone like me?” I whisper, my hand at the nape of his neck.

“Not someone, I want you. Just you. Fuck, after just meeting you once, my family is entranced by you. How could they not be? Those who haven’t met you now love you.”

Confusion overtakes me, but I brush it away.

“I have work to do, and so do you,” I whisper.

“Truth or dare?” Rafael asks.

My smile against his neck is inevitable. I brush my lips against his ear, and a shudder passes through him as I whisper, “Dare.”

“I dare you to let me take you out on a date.”

I reel back to find Rafael’s expectant expression, his brows raised as he searches my eyes.

Why, heart, did you have to go crazy over someone so forbidden?

“About time you asked. I was going to quit the job if you kept it up. I expect a good date.”

A deep laugh spills out of Rafael, and my smile widens.

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