Page 35 of The Dark Obsession

“No, it’s fine. You stood and protected me today, Rafael. Thank you.”

He moves his wine glass to his lips, and I follow. Together, we finish our first glass within seconds. Its fruity burn flows roughly down my dry throat.

“Well, I wasn’t going to let him touch you. Will you be wanting to press charges?” He fills the glasses with more wine.

“I’d rather not. I have enough going on.”

I drain the next glass as fast as I did the first.

Rafael grins, drinking back his glass too, and refills them. We drain the rest of the bottle before he speaks. “Would you like to stay here tonight, Rosalie? I’d feel better if you did, and in the Morning, I can drive you home.”

I swallow my wine, only stopping because the room spins around me. I nod as I think through my options. My heart thuds at the thought of Dale sitting outside my house now, waiting for me to get home, my father’s raw pain and crying with Ben. If I stay here, I’ll at least feel safer. “My father can have my room for tonight.”

My head feels lighter than it has for ages. My body can loosen up after being so tight for the last couple days.

Rafael laughs as I shake my head in a daze. “Good, because I couldn’t drive you home anyway.”

His smile shines like a beacon of light in this time I desperately need it, and his green eyes glitter like emeralds in the white spotlights. My head feels even lighter as the alcohol has time to travel through my body, reaching my hands and feet at a wonderful pace.

“Lucy, wine please,” he says to his phone. He must have called her. He raises his eyebrows at me. “I know it’s hard, but try just relax tonight. You’re safe. I’m here.” He puts the other shirt between us, a cheeky smile spreading across his face. “I’m sorry. I don’t keep women’s bedclothes here, but you’re welcome to use this.” His cheeks redden with every word.

I smile and nod in thanks, unsure of what to say.

Lucy throws open the door, holding a bottle of wine. She looks at Rafael, curiosity filling her childlike eyes. She places the wine on a tray and waits patiently.

“Rosa will be staying here tonight.”

“Oh … I’ll prepare your bed, sir.”

My heart thuds as I contemplate what she’s saying. I stare at Rafael, and my mouth drops wide open.

Rafael’s laugh echoes around the tall, circular room.

Lucy’s eyebrows rise in surprise, and she steps backwards, almost scared.

Rafael looks at me, then again at Lucy. His head drops into his hands and says towards the floor, “Lucy, prepare my bed, yes. But can you also prepare the guestroom opposite my own?” He looks at me sideways, head still in his hands. “Am I really that undesirable, Rosa?” He straightens up, smiling, and pours more wine.

“I didn’t mean that. Of course, you’re not.”

“So, I am desirable to you?”

I grab my wine and sip slowly this time. “Does it matter?”

Lucy coughs, as if to alert us of her presence.

Rafael dismisses her without even glancing in her direction as he moves farther from me. He looks me up and down, his smile hesitant. “No, not really.” He stretches his arms, leans back, and rests his arms on the back of the sofa. His stature relaxes around me, and suddenly, he’s no longer my boss. He’s settled quickly into the position of a friend.

We finish the bottle, chatting about life—my life, mainly. The sandwiches I start to eat nearing my last drink are perfect on my empty stomach.

We’re still laughing as he leads me upstairs, walking almost as wobbly as me. He requests with a chortle that I hold the stair rails extra tight. The staircase moves in a blur with every step I take. Rafael’s warming hand wraps around my upper arm, comforting on the otherwise strange marble staircase.

“My room. Your room.” He points out, then opens my door. “Good night, Rosa. I’m straight across if you need me.”

I survey the swirling bedroom; it’s simple but elegant. A large double bed, two bedside tables, and a wardrobe occupy the white, open room. I flop onto the bed and unbutton my shirt. The room spins in synchronisation with my thudding heart. I force myself into a sitting position and slip off my shirt and jeans. I pull on Rafael’s blue shirt; it doesn’t cover much of my legs, but it’ll do. I unsteadily fasten the buttons and lie back on the bed, staring out the double glass door that leads onto a balcony that looks across the driveway.

My body shakes irrationally as I picture a tall, blonde man staring back at me from the dark balcony. My breath heaves. An unnatural fear for a man who has barely even threatened me spills out, and I rush from the bedroom. Not looking back, I slam the door shut and burst into Rafael’s room.

CHAPTER 15

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