Page 36 of Hidden Raphael
Chapter 10
Raphael's hands were on her back. Kimberly's skin was alive, and she swallowed.
"Pay attention."
What? Her skin was so warm. "I'm listening."
"Turn out of my grip," he told her. Then his fingers ran down her spine, and she tingled. She tried to spin out, as he instructed her, but his hand went around her waist, keeping her close. "Go fast. If someone attacks you for real, then you get a split second at most."
Why? She rubbed her neck, but nodded. "Okay. I was confused."
He reached for her, and this time she leaned back into him and melted like butter. His hand gripped her hips and his chest brushed her back. His warmth seeped through her clothes and her bottom brushed his groin.
He stepped back like she'd scorched him. He shook his hands at his sides like he wanted to shake her out of his system. "Kimberly, I need you to fight me as if I'm the bad guy."
He then stepped closer, and she smiled at him. "You're not a bad guy."
He crossed his arms. "Says Little Red Riding to the Wolf."
She reached out and brushed the stubble of his five o'clock shadow. "Are you the wolf in that story, then?"
"Bad example." He shook his head, and her hand fell back to her side. "Let's try again."
He reached behind her and grabbed at her waist. She pushed backward and let him hold her. He let her go and wrung his hands again. "You're not learning to fight. You're staying in my arms."
Did he always state the obvious? She shrugged. "You don't scare me, Raphael."
He crossed his arms again. "I should."
The low tone of his voice made her warm inside. She gazed into his intense green eyes and squared her shoulders. Whatever happened in the past didn't matter, not even with his brother's wife. Clearly Raphael was haunted by crazy Tiffany. He was sorry, so sorry that he refused to forgive himself even though his brother already had. She swallowed then smiled. "No, you shouldn't. You need me."
His eyebrows went up. "I need you?"
"Yeah. Else you'll turn into a recluse."
He wavered in his stance, but kept his arms crossed. "I came here to be alone."
"Why?"
He stepped back. "It's not your concern, Kimberly."
She shook her head. "I don't understand anything. Is this about your brother or something else?"
He put his feet into his sneakers, then tied them. "I'll find you again, later, and we'll eat dinner."
He rushed out of the room like he was the bullet, and he intended to rejoin the gun. Violence wasn’t the best solution. She placed her fingers into her calming circles, then stepped back into her sneakers. What was his problem?
The lights flickered. On her way out, Kimberly picked up a candelabrum. The stone castle always made it feel like night.
Her mother at the kitchen table with her coffee in her hands was always the wisest person in the world. She'd know exactly what to do or say with Raphael. What would she advise? Her mother hadn't liked her last boyfriend at all, the one she’d run away with. With Erica, Kimberly remembered her mother would say things like "a man should take care of you, sweetheart" and "don't let your emotions get in the way of good judgment."
Kimberly blinked. Her mother had calledherboyfriend a fool—and she’d been right. Kimberly shook her head. She'd like Raphael.
Kimberly ran her free hand down her t-shirt, remembering the past did nothing for the present, and she had no idea what to do. Perhaps she should change into her dress again. She wandered toward her room.
Every cell in her body wanted to kiss him. Then she ended the situation with an argument? She let out a groan. She might never find out why he came here, and she shouldn’t push her questions. She should just be grateful.
Besides, his past wasn't her business. Not unless he liked her too.
