Page 49 of Hidden Raphael
The room itself appeared to have another small room. With the layout, Kimberly guessed this was some sort of tearoom. In the morning, this chamber would have light from the early sun. The bigger windows showed her the raging storm outside. The drips of rain echoed against the glass. She turned around and then marched to the furniture that held the china. In a movie, this would be where she'd find the secret door. She pushed back the hanging tapestry.
Victory. She opened a creaking door that led to a circular staircase.
She clenched her hands to do a fist pump, but the heavy candelabrum needed a steady hand. Perhaps it wasn't wise to go up there. If Raphael lived there, he might see her intrusion as rude. He had run away from their kiss. At home, she'd leave him in peace.
She stepped back to leave, closing the door behind her. A draft rushed by her. If there was a secret, then she had to know. She turned around and opened the door again.
What was this place?
A cold wind hit her, though no windows were open. The circular staircase was spotless. Was the earlier dust a ruse to stop her? Kimberly's heart raced and she climbed the stairs.
At the top step, there was another door.
Heavy footsteps echoed behind it. Raphael? She pressed her ear to the door and heard Raphael's voice. His words were hard to make out, but that was his tone.
Now wasn't the time to barge into his bedroom. He needed alone time. Her breaths were short as she ran down the circular case, left the room, and went into the hall.
Later, once he wanted to talk about their kiss, then she'd ask him to show her his room. Her shoulders relaxed. That would definitely sound like an invitation, and he might not be ready for her yet.
What did the tower look like? Could he see the ocean beyond the trees? How far off from the mainland were they? Kimberly's head spun with a million questions, but her body burned for another kiss. Now was not the time.
