Page 16 of Under Dark Skies

Layla nodded, but nine tenths of what Rafe was saying right now was wasted on her because she was staring so deeply into his brown eyes.

“He has to be warned before their plans execute. If they take him by surprise they could kill him.”

“So how do we get his number?” Layla couldn’t understand how naïve her question was.

“It’s not quite that easy. Could you get the president on the phone? You’re talking about a guy that has lived several of your lifetimes. To him, phones are a fad that just started becoming popular for no reason.” He tried to not sound patronizing.

If he was, Layla didn’t care. This was all very much out of her wheelhouse. “So we can call a helper?” She wondered.

“And what if that person was also in on the conspiracy?” he couldn’t help but to stroke a strand of her hair out of her eyes.

“I see your point.” She leaned her head into his warm chest and became lost in the comfort. If she had it her way, they’d never leave this safe house. Dirty and dingy as it was. They could spruce it up.

Fifteen

Layla

While Rafe rummaged through a closet on a quest to find some appropriate clothes, she would see random articles go flying by. Being with him was rewarding on multiple levels. Obviously the intimate moments were sensational, but more than that, it felt like there was no situation Rafe couldn’t handle.

“Seriously, why did I buy this?” a sweater soared into view before it landed on a growing heap of clothes.

She corrected her thoughts. He could handle any situation that didn’t involve wardrobe. Rolling off the bed, she walked over to the excluded sweater and picked it up against her chest as though she was trying to check it for a fit. “I don’t know. It seems pretty fashionable to me.” She said sarcastically.

Rafe peeked back around the closet so that half of his face was visible and he began laughing. The red and green interlocking spirals were the very definition of clash. “In my defense, canines are famously color blind.” They both laughed at his humor.

“For what it’s worth, I vote you go topless.” She said with a wry grin.

“I guess, but I don’t think we have time for me to get sexually molested by every lady walking the streets.” He was being ridiculous, but Layla enjoyed that about him. No matter how tough the situation, he kept his cool, and his humor.

Looking in a mirror while still holding the sweater against her, Layla couldn’t help but remember all the times she and her sister would try on clothes. “Do you think we’ll be able to track down Darla?”

He stopped his quest for clothing and rested his hands upon the closet dresser. His shoulder muscles knotted up when he did, and Layla was impressed with his physique. It was difficult to fight back the urge of rubbing her hands along his muscular contours and possibly sinking her teeth into some of that flesh.

After some consideration, Rafe spoke. “Finding Darla just isn’t in the cards for us right now. I’m not saying we will be tracked, but wolves are after us. We’re pretty good at that sort of thing. If we lead them to your sister, and she got hurt as a result, you’d never forgive yourself.”

He wasn’t wrong. Layla couldn’t stand the thought that maybe she would be responsible for something even worse happening to Darla. “Okay.” She reluctantly agreed. “So what is our play?”

“That’s the million dollar question right there.” Rafe came out of the closet. No closer to being dressed than when he started. He rubbed both hands through his thick brown hair and shagged it up.

He walked, more like paced, the floor between bedroom and kitchen, back and forth while he carefully consider the array of options.

Even though they’donly just met, there was something so uniquely special about Rafe. She found a counterpoint in him that she’d never experienced in her life. It was worth fighting for and if that’s what it took to explore this budding love story, then that’s exactly what she’d do.

Layla looked up into his eyes again, and he stared back into hers. She spoke softly, but with steadfast determination. “I want you to know that this isn’t exactly my comfort zone, but I’m all in. Wherever you go, I want to be there with you.”

Nothing else needed to be said, and Rafe leaned in to kiss her deeply.

Sixteen

Rafe

When their kiss endedd it’s as though they forgot how to breathe and they both stood there with empty aching lungs. Until finally they both exhaled and inhaled in unison. Rafe tenderly ran the back of his hand down her cheek.

“I wouldn’t be on this ride with anyone else. I hope you know that.” He said while peering into her emerald eyes. He could tell it’s what she needed to hear by her smile. Rafe loved the way her eyes smiled too and almost gleamed.

Then she let go of him and smacked his ass after side stepping. “Now fetch us some traveling clothes.”

“Fetch?” he raised an eyebrow, but smiled at the dog reference.

---