Page 52 of Trust Me With Forever

My heart thudded in my chest and time stilled as I waited to see what he’d do.

He murmured, “Do you want me to lick you clean, wife?”

“Yes.”

Leaning closer, his breath danced across my lips as he said, “Then I suppose I need to fulfill my husbandly duty and listen to you.”

His tongue flicked out, swiping across my bottom lip, before retreating, and he hummed. “Delicious, but not as good as the sweet honey I found between your thighs.”

Before any memories could flash in my head, Rafe licked my top lip and then took my mouth in a hot, lingering kiss. I melted against him, uncaring that we were both a little bit sticky, and moaned as his tongue stroked mine.

I was just about to press my body against his when he broke the kiss. His eyes searched mine, and the heat and yearning I saw there made me suck in a breath.

His voice was low as he said, “I have a contractor appointment in half an hour. I need to clean up and go, Abigail. No matter how much I want to stay here with you.”

My heart thudded in my chest. Part of me wanted to be selfish and ask him to stay. And yet, his earlier confession about needing something to keep him from feeling adrift came back to me. I couldn’t be responsible for derailing his plans, especially since I wasn’t really his wife.

So I patted his chest and smiled. “I know. Besides, I have to finalize any construction changes soon myself, so I should probably get to work too. And it’ll be easier to concentrate with you gone.”

Rafe looked about ready to say something else, but instead he stepped away and nodded. “I’ll see you at breakfast tomorrow, Abigail, if not sooner.”

I nodded. “And I’ll cook tomorrow.”

He smiled. “Will you wear a frilly apron for me? Combined with those tiny shorts, it will almost look like you’re naked from the front under it.”

I snorted. “You’ll just have to wait and see. Now, go, before I make you late and your business partner regrets you hiring me.”

“Mark never would.” I opened my mouth to protest, but he put up a hand. “But I do need to get ready and go. I hope you have a good day, Abby. Let me know if you need anything, anything at all.”

With that, he headed upstairs to clean up, and I leaned against the wall, closed my eyes, and tried to calm my heart.

I needed to be careful, really careful, because at this rate, I’d lower my walls, let Rafe into my heart, and then I’d fall to pieces all over again when we divorced in a year.

No, I needed to be strong.Remember, enjoy the physical but keep your heart separate.

With that, I went to wash my face and get ready for work. Just like Rafe could throw himself into something new and find a purpose, I’d do the same with the tutoring center.

That way I wouldn’t have much time to fawn over Rafael Mendoza and do something stupid, like fall in love with him.

Chapter Twenty-One

Rafe

Aunt Lori:Everyone told me to wait before texting you, but you’ve had enough time with Abby. I want some of you to myself. This is Aunt Lori.

Me:Er, okay.

Aunt Lori:You need to make things up with your sister and West. And soon. When are you going to do it?

Me:Excuse me?

Aunt Lori:Oh, come on. You know you’re going to be BFFs with West again eventually. But the clock’s ticking, and you’re not getting any younger.

Me:Did you just call me old?

Aunt Lori:Don’t you remember the time you both tried to build a tree fort, only for a bobcat to decide they liked the spot and chased you away?

Me:We were nine. That was a long time ago.

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