Page 42 of Fix You

“I understand what he means.”

Glaring at him, I said, “Is that right?”

Rafe held his hands up. “I’m not agreeing with him. I just understand. In our world we can’t have weaknesses for our enemies to use against us.”

“In the underworld, a man’s family will always be used against him regardless of the way he feels about them. What can it hurt to love them?”

“While I agree, love does complicate things.”

“Will you not love your future children?”

“Of course I will.”

The romantic in me couldn’t help imagining a little boy or girl with Rafe’s dark black eyes and hair. I could see him holding their hand, putting them on his shoulders so they could see above the crowd, smiling in pride at them. “You’ll be a good father, Rafe,” I acknowledged.

His brows popped in surprise. “You think so?”

I nodded. “Even if you only put one ounce of the love you have for your brothers and Caterina into the love for your child, you'd be an amazing dad. But I know you’ll give them everything you have.”

Rafe’s dark eyes swirled with a mosaic of emotions as he stared at me. The intensity of his gaze sent heat blazing over my body. “That means a lot, Maeve,” he said, his voice becoming incredibly deep.

“You’re welcome.”

Silence hung heavy in the air around us. It wasn’t too surprising to me considering the weight of our conversation. At the same time, a new electricity popped and crackled. It was so strong I felt like if I reached my finger out towards him I might get zapped. But in the best way possible.

After Rafe stomped out his cigarette, he reached into his pocket for a mint. “Care for one?”

I swallowed hard. “Depends on if I need one because I’m finally going to collect on the bet.”

He winked at me. “I am a man of my word. .”

“Then yes. I’ll take one.” I reached over to take not one but two from the golden tin in his hand. I popped them into my mouth so forcefully I almost choked. At my wheezing, Rafe asked, “Are you okay?”

Clearing my throat, I choked out, “I’m fine.”

With an amused twinkle in his eyes, Rafe chewed on his mints. When he grew serious, my heartbeat broke into a gallop. As I fought to breathe, he closed the gap between us but froze and then frowned. “Is something wrong?” I questioned breathlessly.

“Murphy just pissed on my leg.”

My attention snapped from Rafe’s down to his ankles where Murphy stood hiking his leg. “Murphy, no!” I shrieked.

Rafe snorted his laughter. “I never imagined a weiner dog being a cockblocker.”

I jerked my head up to stare at him. “No, it’s not that. He’s terrible about marking things.”

“I was just teasing you, Maeve.”

Embarrassment flushed my cheeks. “Oh, right.”

The next thing I knew Rafe was sliding his hands around my waist, drawing me flush against him. “It’ll take a hell of a lot more than a little dog piss to keep me from giving you a kiss.”

“How romantic,” I blurted.

Rafe dipped his head to where his forehead touched mine. “Don’t be nervous.”

“I’m not.”

“Tell that to the pulse point in your neck that’s fluttering like mad.”

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