Page 62 of The Dark Obsession

I narrow my gaze but can’t see a thing anymore. Surely Rafael can’t have seen anything. If he has, he wouldn’t chase it. I agree with myself as I run up the stairs and into my room to see out my window, the treacherous rain creating an obscured view. I squint into the distance and see nothing but darkness. I grab a towel off the radiator on the landing; I’m sure he’ll be wet. My legs feel stiff when I descend the stairs to the front door, ready to open it for Rafael. I stare at the coloured glass pane as I wait for Rafael’s shadow to appear. My heart hammers when I look through the peephole again.

Rafael is standing at the tree again. His clothes are drenched as he walks down the path and knocks on the door, panting. “Rose!”

I open the door, pull him in, and slam it shut.

He stands there, his hair wild. He brushes it back and shakes off his soaking jacket. His eyes almost burn into mine when he drops his jacket. A water droplet drips off his long eyelashes.

A tinge of jealousy fills my stomach; how can he still look so good? I try to swallow, but my throat refuses.

“I thought I saw someone. I ran around to the back of the house but couldn’t find anything,” Rafael huffs.

Before I know it, I’ve wrapped my arms around him. My face is squashed against his wet chest. His heart thuds as erratically as mine on the side of my face.

His freezing body shudders under his white and see-through shirt. He pushes on my shoulders for me to release him.

I thrust a towel at him. “Here. Come to my room.” I run up the stairs and into my room.

Rafael hands me the now dripping wet towel and peels the soaking shirt off his body.

I try not to stare at him walking into the bathroom. I move to the shower and turn it on. The steam starts to fill the bathroom. “I’m sorry I have no jeans for you, but I can get you a shirt from my brother’s room.” I reach for his wet shirt off the floor.

“Don’t wander the house alone.” He grabs my hand. “Just lie them over the radiator in here for now.”

I nod and move to the radiator. I hear movement behind me. I take a deep breath at the thought that Rafael might possibly be absolutely starkers behind me. I linger purposely until I hear the shower door open, then close. “I’ll just wait.”

“I feel even colder now.” Rafael voice quivers in the steaming shower.

“I’m so sorry.” I automatically look up, then force my gaze to my feet and face the wall. My heart is battering my chest. I try to think, or not to think of what I just saw—Rafael’s muscled back, his soaking curls, and … I dare not even think it myself.

“Don’t apologise.” The shower turns off. “Can you pass me the towel?”

I grab it and close my eyes, holding it at arm’s length.

He laughs as he takes the towel. “I feel frozen.” Rafael’s teeth chatter as he talks and takes my hand.

He’s right. The second his hand touches mine, goosebumps form up my arms. I shiver with him this time, though a feeling entirely different from cold or nerves engulfs my unsuspecting body. I throw my arms around him, his cold and wet chest burning my hot face.

Rafael holds me close to his body, and, for a moment, I stay still, feeling his warm breath on my hair. “Good idea,” Rafael whispers and lifts me off the floor. “Your body is warming mine.”

I let him squeeze me. I tighten my arms around him too.

Another shudder rolls through his body, less violent than the others. He releases me too soon; the only thing left is his cold hands in mine again. “Okay.” He coughs and smiles. “Jeans?”

I jump and rush to the radiator. “They’re not completely dry.”

“That’s all right. I’ll definitely need to borrow a shirt though.”

I turn and approach the door, then turn back to look at him. “What type of—” My eyes widen. “Sorry!”

Rafael stands in my bathroom, his towel already on the floor. He hides his privates awkwardly with two hands. “Rose.” Rafael gasps through a smirk.

My stomach burns as I turn away and run into my brother’s room, hyperventilating. I open the wardrobe and breathe deeply several times. I force my eyes shut and listen to the silence of my house. I giggle silently through my embarrassment, my lip curling into a smile. A laugh escapes me as flustered tears bulge in the corner of my eye.

To my surprise, I hear Rafael’s deep chuckle.

I exhale, glad he’s seen the funny side too, and grab a white long-sleeved shirt. It will be a bit tight; after all, all my brother’s clothes are tight. I stand in the hallway, readying a serious face for when I enter my room. I ponder about why Rafael makes everything feel all right. His smile can restrain even the darkest of my demons. “Raf,” I call out before entering my room.

He’s standing in front of my mirror. His jeans sit just below his hips, his finger tracing his scar down. He doesn’t acknowledge me as he usually would, with a smile. His eyes are dark, haunted by something I dare not ask about. He turns to me and smiles weakly. “I’m not cold anymore… After my show.”

---