Page 72 of The Dark Obsession

Cool fingers move down the buttons of my shirt whilst he continues to look only into my eyes.

My heart beats slower, almost stopping, as he reaches the last button on my shirt and pulls it down my arms. I shrug, and with a trembling lower lip, I close my eyes. Embarrassment colours my face. I try to shuffle a heavy leg, my muscles stiff after staying tense for so long. I open my eyes to see Rafael’s weak smile. I nod, giving him the go-ahead, before he moves behind me. I watch our reflection in the mirror; his broad shoulders are almost double my width, and he’s at least a head taller than me. His skin glints in the light; his flushed cheeks barely reveal his emotions.

Staring at our reflection, I can’t help feeling ashamed of myself and my imperfect skin and disgusted with myself, repelled by the skin that Dale has just touched. With great effort, I move my arms across my body. A soft finger trails along my shoulder, and I close my eyes again, feeling the coolness across my heated skin. Only when my eyes are closed can I feel his hand quiver. I open my eyes to see he’s already on one knee, his hair visible at my hips, and he carefully slides down my jeans. I hear his intake of breath when he stands and removes his own.

I turn and behold his beauty with a small gasp and approach the shower, removing what’s left of my clothes. I step inside, the warm water instantly easing the ache in my muscles.

Rafael enters behind me. “Second shower today.” His hands run over my shoulders, rubbing gently. The coolness of his body reaches mine making my skin prickle, although we're not touching, I can feel the chill.

I dare not look down, or even at him. I keep my eyes closed against the flowing water.

His hands move from my face to my shoulders, then to my hips, massaging soap over my body, then he starts on my hair.

I lift a hand and hold it against Rafael’s chest.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers so quietly I can hardly hear him.

“No.” I open my eyes for the first time in the shower.

The water sprays between us, and he looks down at me. The whites of his eyes are red, and the corners of his mouth turn down. “I wasn’t back in time to stop him,” his voice cracks. There, in the shower, he stands, vulnerable. The water that splashes down his face wipes away his tears.

I wrap my arms around him, closing the small gap between us, our bodies against one another. The steaming water falls for what seems like forever on our entwined bodies. My lips tremble against his shoulder. I can feel each indentation of his perfect body, each intense breath he takes. I’m not ready for the ache I feel in this moment of pure emotion, defenceless in each other’s arms. I crumble to my knees, and so does he.

He stands after a couple moments and takes my hand.

I climb from the shower and wrap myself in a towel, shivering the second reality hits. I hold myself tight and stare at my feet when Rafael emerges from the shower.

He doesn’t look at me, maybe hiding his own embarrassment, and walks to the mirror, grabbing a towel off the hook on the way. “Come here,” he says, watching himself in the mirror as he wraps the towel around his waist.

I move across the bathroom and stand next to him, my arms firmly wrapped across my body.

“Do you think we washed away his lips?” Rafael eyes me expectantly.

I nod. I feel clean; I feel safe again.

Rafael leans down and kisses my ear. “You’re safe now.”

“I don’t want him to hurt me again,” I say shakily, my hand brushing my painful raw cheek.

His arms wrap around me and he lifts my feet off the floor. “I’ll not let you out of my sight again.” And with that, he softly kisses my lips.

Chapter 24

Rafael holds me tight for a long time, we sit in silence on the end of his bed, me wrapped in his arms. His whispers of support ease my rigid body. Only after an hour passes does he lift my chin to wipe away what’s left of my tears and stands.

I dress briskly, pulling my hair into a messy plait and slipping on a V-neck red t-shirt.

Rafael pulls on a pair of tight jeans and a tight white vest. He throws a flannel shirt over it and beckons me to the bedroom door.

“Do you look good in everything?” I say jealously.

He frowns. “I’ve never tried a dress. I’ll let you know when I do,” he says, trying to make me smile.

We laugh together, walking down the hallway, his arm draping protectively around my shoulder.

Adriel arrives at the top of the stairs. “Brother.”

“How was Lucy?”

---