Page 21 of The Dark Obsession

“I want to stay.”

“Right, let’s have one more drink.”

The waitress rushes over, her face shadowed with confusion.

“Sorry.” Rafael smiles. “We’ll be staying a little longer.”

The waitress nods and does an odd courtesy, before realising what she’s done, going bright pink and rushing to behind the bar.

Rafael holds a bemused expression as he watches her for a moment longer, then he refocuses on me. “When did you know you wanted to work in law?”

“When I found out that was what my father does. He’s amazing.”

“I have a feeling you’ll be amazing too.”

“I’m quite nervous. When I came in for the interview, I could never have imagined getting to work with you.”

“You’re nervous to work in law?” Rafael leans in a bit closer.

“Uh, no. Nervous to work with someone like you.”

Rafael smiles. “Why? What’s wrong with me?”

“Nothing.” I blush. “I just mean, you’re the big guy—the whole entire boss.”

“Ah, naturally.” He snickers. “I’m not that scary, though. I think you’ll be okay.”

“I’m very sure of that.” My phone dings loudly, and Dale’s name pops up again.

“Is it time for me to deliver you to Dale?”

I glare at Rafael. “I’m not sure I want to go anymore.”

“C’mon, you can go give this Dale a piece of your mind.” Rafael laughs and raises his hand again, asking for the check.

The waitress rushes over with the bill, and he hands her some money.

He snatches his jacket off the chair and heads for the door. “Come.”

I hurry behind him.

The sun has disappeared already, the dark clouds making the setting more dreary than ever. My hands shake with nerves—what a terribly embarrassing dinner.

The valet pulls up beside us, and Rafael opens the passenger door but does not speak.

My skin shines in a sheet of fresh downpouring rain.

He wraps his jacket over my shoulders. “You’ll catch a cold. Put it on.”

Chapter 10

He pulls off quickly, his eyes on the road and one hand turning on the heating. “Will you put on your seatbelt, Rosalie,” he snaps.

I realise I had just been sitting there, staring at him with my mouth open, and force myself to look away. I pull my seatbelt around me and notice Rafael looks furious, though his face is still so beautiful, if not more so now he is frowning. I can’t understand why he’s so annoyed. I rack my brain, considering all the possible reasons, but none make sense. The car slows outside the gates to Dale’s house, and his finger taps on the gear stick.

“You’re to be in tomorrow at eight thirty. My office.” He looks at me for the first time since outside the restaurant.

I take a deep breath, relieved his sudden annoyance hasn’t lost me my new job. He lifts the seatbelt over my head, and his hand brushes my cheek. I smell the leather on his hand from the steering wheel. His hand moves to my face. I stop breathing, my heart thumping with all its might, then he tucks a strand of wet hair behind my ear.

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