AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He wants assurances too. He wants you to look him in the eye and tell him that you’re not being held hostage in my bed.”
I throw my head back and laugh until there are tears rolling down my cheeks. Not that it’s so funny, although it is, but the emotion that’s been building inside needs somewhere to go.
Rafael grins, and he looks young and carefree, and I vow to bring out more of this side of him. Every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes, I silently promise him, I will make you forget the burdens that sit on your shoulders.
“That must have been quite a conversation with my father.”
“Oh, it was.”
“Did you mention anything about what we’ve been doing? You know.” A small part of me hopes he did tell my father—not about the sex—but about us. Telling my father would be the equivalent of taking a step toward a committed relationship.
“Did I tell Will Clarke that I’ve been banging his daughter? Nooo. Do I look like an idiot?”
I snicker. It’s probably for the best he kept his mouth shut.
“All kidding aside,” he says soberly. “I didn’t feel it was my place to tell your father. I’m not in the habit of discussing my sex life with anyone, Lexie. I don’t like to sneak around, either, but I’m willing to take my cues from you in that regard. You tell whoever you’d like—your parents, Valentina, write an article about how amazing my dick is. I don’t care.”
“Your dick’s nice enough. But I’m not sure it’s the kind of amazing that warrants an entire article.”
“Pfft.”
“I haven’t said anything to Valentina, because I didn’t want to betray you in any way. But I hate keeping secrets from her. Besides, she has that sixth sense, and she always knows when something’s up.”
“I don’t care what you tell her. But given that she’s like my little sister, I don’t think she’ll appreciate the dirty details—at least I hope not.” He wrinkles his nose.
“I’m not sharing the dirty details with anyone, Huntsman. Those belong to you and me.”
Rafael leans across the island and pulls me toward him, finding my mouth with the kind of fervor that makes my knees wobble. Don’t get off track, Lexie. First business, then pleasure.
I force myself back and try to find some poise and right my breathing.
Before I can ask anything, Rafael’s phone rings. His expression hardens when he answers, and the temperature of the room plummets several degrees. “Yeah,” he barks, getting up and walking into the living room.
I don’t have a moment to contemplate his reaction to the call before my phone rings. Valentina. It’s like she knew we were talking about her.
“Hi,” she chirps when I answer. “It’s last minute, but I’m having dinner at my parents’ house tonight. Do you want to come?”
I’m with Rafael negotiating my future. It’s a bad time. “I would love it, but I’m not dressed to go out and I have work to do. Can I take a raincheck?”
“Of course. “My father’s walking toward me,” she groans. “He’s in a big hurry to leave. I’ll call you on my way home from my parents’.”
“Say hello to them for me, and give the kids big hugs.”
When I hang up, Rafael’s still on the phone.
I listen, but catch only bits and pieces of his side of the conversation. He mentions Marco, but it’s cryptic. All I know is he’s not happy.
Hopefully this has nothing to do with why Valentina’s so stressed lately. Rafael getting involved in her relationship with Marco is a bad idea—for Valentina and for him. If he causes any more trouble for her marriage, I’m afraid she won’t forgive him.
37
ALEXIS
“Everything okay?” I ask when he comes back to the kitchen. He doesn’t look okay. He’s tense, and his jaw is ticcing.
“Fine. Who were you on the phone with?”
“Valentina.”
