Page 52 of Hidden Raphael
She craned her neck. "Where is it you sleep at night in the castle? You're not on my floor."
He scooted further into his chair. "No, I'm not."
She walked over to him and crouched beside his seat. "I’ve been exploring the castle. I found a secret door that led to a turret. Do you sleep in there?"
"Kimberly, you shouldn't ask about my bedroom."
"Why not?"
"That's not a good idea."
"Scared?"
"Terrified."
She smiled. She’d won this round, but the moment his hand brushed against hers, a wave of heat shot straight through her. "Every moment with you is torture."
"I am nice." She playfully pushed her elbow into his arm. "I promise I don't bite."
He stood up, and she rocked on her feet. She almost fell backward, but then his arms went around her waist. Heat coursed through her. Raphael held her close and told her, "You'd tempt a saint, Kimberly."
Every cell in her body screamed to do whatever he wanted right now, as long as he made her his, at least physically. She ran her arms around his shoulders. "I was being friendly."
"I saw." His fingers curled into her skin, and she melted like butter. "I can't be friends with you."
Her body begged for him. She tried logic: "Why not?"
His mouth came closer to hers, and she closed her eyes. He was less than an inch away from her. "I want you."
Her eyelids fluttered, but then the moment his lips met hers, she opened her mouth and kissed him back. Whatever battles he fought internally were unimportant. Her breasts pushed into him, and she wanted them both to strip naked, right now. She sighed and ended the kiss. "What's held you back, Raphael? Was it the women in your past or something else?"
His hands uncurled, and he stepped away. "How I answer this might change a lot of things."
"Everything we do in life can change a lot of things. Why did you burn Tiffany's portrait?"
His face turned red again. He swallowed then the glimmer in his eyes dissipated and his pupils seemed almost dead. "I kept that as a reminder to not trust a pretty face."
She pouted. "Is that what I am?"
"No. You're the angel sent to torture me."
She rubbed his arm. "Raphael, you're living in the past and not the present. Are you married?"
"No."
"Engaged?"
"No."
"Dating anyone?"
"No."
"Then we're both free. Just relax and enjoy whatever happens."
"There are things you don't know." He tore his arms away from her. "It's not in your best interest."
"It's not in your best interest to deny what we both want."
His body stiffened, though she saw his excitement in his pants. "I should go."
He stormed out the door and she curled her hands into balls and shoved her hand on top of her mouth to not scream. What had she done? This was far from over, and next time, there might be no end. Would she survive Raphael Murphy? He might burn her far more than the plane crash did. She rubbed her arms.
Next time, she'd say yes. She wouldn’t hurt Raphael, but it was time to open up and trust him with her heart.
