Page 58 of Hidden Raphael
Raphael
He liked to torture himself. Outside there was no danger except from the storm. Roger was dead. Once again alone, she wandered into the hallway. At the stairs, Kimberly chose to go to her room and get her computer. Perhaps she could find a signal again and check her email.
Anything was possible. Raphael's kisses all down her body sent her body into steam heat every time she thought about it. He'd worshipped her body like she was amazing. She smiled. There was no way a man gave so generously if he had no heart. Raphael's pleas that he could never be in a relationship had nothing to do with a dead girl.
Kimberly froze. Why had Meg's words repeated in her heart? This wasn't good. She rushed up the stairs to get her computer.
No signal, of course. She sighed then told herself nothing mattered. In April, she'd go home to her mother and forget Raphael ever existed.If she was ableraced in her brain to finish that last thought, and she patted her forehead. Perhaps her thoughts about him would diminish with a hot bath. She left her computer on her bed, and went to scrub.
Dressed in her underwear, she found one of her old t- shirts in the closet and her favorite jeans. With a long soak, her mood lightened considerably. Yes, everything would be amazing.
She picked up her computer and decided to go to the room where she'd found service last time. From there she might explore more of the castle's rooms.
She used the banister to help direct her way and laughed.
"Are you playacting childhood again?" Raphael's voice echoed in the walls.
She held her laptop closer, shook her head, and then shrugged. "I like to amuse myself. I thought you were going to avoid me today."
"I thought about it." He stood aside to let her pass. His hair was damp. Meg must have been right that he went outside. His gaze bored into her. "We went too far, but your taste lingers in my mouth, Kimberly."
She held her hand to her heart. "Did someone you love die tragically?"
"No." He schooled his features, and she couldn't read him. The green in his eyes shifted color, though it seemed impossible. She didn't say anything, and he dropped his gaze. "It's not like that, exactly."
She placed her laptop on a table in the hall. This was more important. Raphael had to be in pain. She held her arms in front of him and asked, "What's it like, then?"
He widened his stance. "I don't want to talk about my past, Kimberly."
"Fair enough." Perhaps this wasn't a wise conversation. She chewed on her lower lip and chose her words. "Who cares about history? Last night was wonderful."
He nodded, but said nothing.
Not talking at least meant he didn't want to say something bad. Kimberly snapped her fingers at her side and asked, "Why were you out in the rain?"
He uncrossed his arms. The thunder cracked outside as he said, "I had repairs to see to."
The storm would keep her inside. "So you fix stone walls?"
He shook his head. "No. I wanted to access what needed to be fixed because of Roger. The castle walls are secure."
"Have you ever found any trace of Harry?" She licked her lips. "If he is dead, then I want to ensure his family gets his remains."
"I've not found anything." Raphael turned away.
Was he lying? Why did he turn away from her? She tucked her hair behind her ear. "I know you're a good guy, Raphael. I don't know what's going on with you, but I need you to know that I trust you."
His gaze met hers, and his hands clenched. She swallowed and waited for him to speak. He rubbed the back of his neck. "Kimberly, there are things you don't understand."
Again with the deflection. "Are there missiles pointing at Canada hidden on your island? Or are you running some secret government prison for terrorists in the basement?"
His face quirked into a smile, and she saw those dimples of his. "That's quite an imagination you have."
She tapped her finger on her knee. "Okay. Maybe something more personal to you. Is that woman you didn't love but haunts you in this house?"
His eyes widened. "You mean a ghost?"
"Sure."
