Page 43 of The Dark Obsession

Chapter 17

We arrive at his home, and I get out of the car. It feels more familiar when I approach the large doors.

Rafael walks behind me, carrying my backpack. He takes me upstairs to the room opposite his own. “Yeah, we’ll just leave your bag here. I must do a little bit of work. You’re welcome to join me or just relax. I have an entertainment room downstairs where you can—”

“I’ll come with you.” Yes, I feel safer in this giant house; however, Rafael is the real reason I feel safe. Without his presence, I’m sure to just crumble.

Rafael’s cheeks lift into a grin, and he throws my bag onto the bed. “Then let us go.” He smiles and turns for the door. He stops, sighing loudly, and steps backwards.

Lucy stands at the door, hands on her hips. “Sir.” Her eyes flitter in my direction.

“Yes?” Rafael moves backwards a few steps to stand next to me.

“Your brother called. I’ve left a note in your office,” she mumbles. Her eyes widen as Rafael’s arm wraps around my waist.

My body stiffens at his unexpected touch.

“Miss Lockwood will be a houseguest here.” Rafael grins at Lucy. “We’ll need towels and soaps for her.”

Lucy’s eyebrows rise, her cheeks reddening. “For how long?”

“As long as she’d like, Lucy.”

Lucy nods, and her gaze lands on the floor when she turns for the door.

Rafael watches her as she leaves, the pale flush of guilt flooding his face.

“What the hell was that about?” I remove his hand from my waist.

His answering smile stuns me. “I’m sorry. I just want her to move on. And since she already thinks we’re a thing, maybe it’ll help her.”

“Whatthing?” I say before I can stop myself.

Rafael frowns at me. “She thinks we’ve been sleeping together, Rosalie.” His slight Spanish accent somehow makes him more attractive.

I laugh loudly, then choke on the words as I repeat them.

Rafael’s lips spread into another dazzling smile, and he shakes his head.

We leave the room and walk down the long hallways and into his office. I sit on the white leather sofa, staring at the beautiful gold print on the walls opposite me.

Rafael sits as stiff as a board opposite me, his eyebrows knitted together, reading some paperwork. He glances up at me from time to time as I check through some paperwork of another case—house theft, very boring compared to our current case. I watch a curl drop over his eye several times. He removes his glasses only to push them onto his head to hold back his hair. I watch as he unbuttons his first three buttons on his sapphire-blue shirt. He unravels his tie so it hangs on either side of his shirt.

He stands, then strolls around his office. “Rosa,” he starts after a couple hours of silence, then shrugs off his jacket and flops onto the sofa next to me. His arm drapes lazily over my shoulder, his friendly manner completely back.

“Raf.”

“Can I tempt you with some wine?” He smiles as Lucy walks through the door, holding a tray.

“Absolutely.” I slap Rafael’s upper thigh.

Lucy’s eyes snap in my direction, and Rafael stares at me before jumping up and swiftly taking the tray.

“Some tapas,por favor, Lucy,” Rafael says.

Lucy mumbles something I can’t hear as she leaves the room.

Rafael chuckles knowingly and pours our wine. “What was that?”

---