Page 58 of Midnight Embrace

Emma didn’t know if she was more hungry or tired. While she and Toby frantically went over the data, Colin had from time to time put chopped veggies and dip, a few mini sandwiches, some sliced fruit on the desk. But Emma’s stomach had been closed off. Now it was yawning wide open.

Over her head, Raul held open the door and she ducked into her apartment. She loved her apartment and had decorated it with family heirlooms from her mother’s side of the family. Her father had been about to throw everything away after her mother passed away, but she salvaged some nice pieces, because they’d been the only things in her life that reminded her of the past.

The result was a charming apartment that was warm and welcoming. She always breathed a sigh of relief when she came home and the door closed behind her.

It was even better now that Raul was with her. It felt like they were closing the door on big problems that couldn’t be solved and the only safe haven was here.

Raul headed toward the kitchen to offload the bags of food. “I can unpack everything,” he said. “If you want to take a shower or change.”

As he said it, she realized she desperately wanted to wash the frustrating day off her. “Are you sure you’re ok?”

He smiled. “Oh yeah. Raffaello came out and explained every single dish in detail. What to warm up, what not to warm up. How to plate everything.”

She stopped. “Well, that’s odd. Raffaello never comes out of the kitchen. He lets Cristina take care of customers. He’ll come out to say hello to me because I’m a friend of the family, but otherwise …”

Raul’s mouth curved in a cynical smile. “Oh, I don’t think he cared how I was going to plate anything. I think he wanted to take a good look at me. To see if I was good enough for you.”

Emma’s mouth fell open in shock. “Whoa! That’s – that’s not what he was …” She couldn’t even find the words. It was a foreign concept, that anyone cared who she dated. Plus, she wasn’t, technically, dating Raul. They were … well, whatever it was they were doing, it wasn’t a usual dating scenario. It was more like sailors in a storm clinging to each other.

“That is definitely what he was doing, believe you me.” Raul was clearly used to dealing with food. He was unpacking the bags like a boss. “I recognize it. Every guy that dated one of my sisters got the treatment. And once they’d passed muster with us,thenthey went through Mama.” He gave an exaggerated shudder that made her smile.

“Well, you must have passed muster.” Raul seemed to have eight arms, because the groceries were put away and he was setting the table. She leaned against the counter and watched him work.

“I did. He gave me a ten percent discount.”

“Huh. That’s what he gives me. You must have really impressed him.”

He smiled, and waved his hand at her. “Scoot. I don’t want this stuff to get cold.”

Emma took a really quick shower, which made her feel better. The power of running water. She put on a green track suit, but no underwear. Because … because.

Raul looked up when she walked into the dining room. “Ah. Just in time. Milady…” He pulled out a chair.

She sat and looked at her plate. Raul had spooned some creamy mushroom risotto, two fried polenta wedges and a tomato salad with ricotta and torn basil leaves onto her plate. On serving platters on the table were slices of tagliata, a green bean salad with parmesan shavings, a thick pasta frittata and one entire platter of sourdough bruschetta. There were still bags on the counter, full of food, and one entire bag of desserts.

“Did I order all of this?”

“I might have made a few additions.”

“It all looks so good,” she sighed.

Raul pointed with his fork. “So, eat.”

So, she did.

The food putsome color back in her face. It should. It was spectacular. Since he’d known Emma he’d eaten some amazing food. Everything about her, except for Toby and his troubles, signaled extreme pleasure.

Now that she had color back in her face, and was worrying him a little less, there were other appetites to feed.

He put his fork and knife on his plate and pushed back.

“Raul? Do you want –”

She saw his face. “Oh.”

“Yeah, oh.” He stood, held out his hand. Was really happy that she put her hand in his with no hesitation at all. He led her into her bedroom, trying hard not to drag her like a caveman, though he felt like one.

In her dark bedroom, Raul turned her in his arms and kissed her and felt everything slotting into place.

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