Page 58 of The Dark Obsession

I swallow against an uncomfortable lump in my throat.

Rafael’s softening gaze watches emotions flit across my face.

“Then hold me.” I step forward and wrap my arms around his tense body.

His arms wrap reluctantly around me. His cheek rests on my head, and slowly, his arms tighten warmly. “I’m sorry …”

It’s barely 10:00 a.m., and the sun shines brightly on the lawn outside his back window. He takes me outside, and we sit in the decking area. Though the air is cold, the sun’s rays are warm on my back.

“Lucy and my cook have a day off today, so we’ll have to sort our own lunch.” Rafael carries two coffee mugs and places one in front of me.

I chortle at how he seems to think that’s an issue. “I’d rather her not be here.” I wink. “I don’t have to keep fondling you when she’s not around.”

Rafael’s laugh surprises me. “Yes, let’s pretend you do that just for her.” He leans closer to me, his eyes glowing behind his glasses.

My gaze darts around the garden.

“He’s not here,” Rafael mutters.

My body jolts at the sound of his voice, my racing heart speeding. “W-what if he is? He mentioned us k-kissing. He said he’s … seen things.”

“He’s taking guesses. He’s trying to manipulate you, scare you.” Rafael leans closer.

I shake my head and lean into my hands. “But, what if?”

“Then I’ll protect you.”

The cold breeze blows at just the right moment. My hair flutters around my face, covering my reddening cheeks.

His cold fingers grab my hands.

We sit for a long moment, across from each other, hand in hand.

“Tell me,” Rafael says, “if Dale wasn’t an absolute nut job, would you still think I’m this adorable?”

Rafael’s efforts at trying to lighten the mood work, and I smile freely and squeeze his hands. “I’ve always thought you were adorable.” I roll my eyes.

The door creaks quietly, and Rafael drops my hand when Adriel opens it and sits next to me. His arm automatically rests around my shoulder again, and he grins. “They’ve got Dale in for questioning.”

Chapter 21

The minutes pass like hours. We stay in the slowly warming sunlit garden. I watch the grass dance in the wind and listen to Rafael and Adriel chatting about what they think will happen. Rafael smiles several times at me. Adriel’s presence clearly no longer hinders Rafael’s affection for me.

Rafael stands behind me, his hand on the nape of my neck, his thumb moving in a soft circular motion, relaxingly tingling my skin. “So, do you think he’ll guess it’s my fault he’s getting questioned?” Rafael says and his thumb becomes still on my neck.

Adriel stops pacing. “Probably.” He resumes pacing.

“He’ll be mad,” I squeak, my eyes widening. “What if he tries to hurt you?”

Rafael chuckles darkly. “Keyword being ‘try.’ But I think he isn’t stupid enough to come crawling around too soon.”

I shudder at the thought of Dale hurting Rafael again.

He feels me shake under his hand and squeezes my neck, reassuring me.

“My father is heartbroken that we can’t lay my mother to rest yet, that her killer is still around,” I say lower than usual. I rarely mention my mother’s case; the pain is so raw it rips me open each time. Instead, I try to bury it. It works well except for when I do eventually mention it, and my chest gapes horridly.

“The police are doing what they can, Rosalie. And when they find someone, I’ll be there to make sure they’re put away for as long as possible,” Rafael says.

---