Page 26 of The Senator: Raphael

“You’re here! Thank God. I have no idea where to put all these things.” She waves toward the chaos.

“How is it even possible you fit all of this inside your tiny apartment?” I ask, laughing because the amount of the boxes is bigger than her entire bedroom.

“I don’t know!” She shakes her head incredulously like she doesn’t know where it all came from.

I chuckle and rub my face. I have to direct the people staring at me, but I can’t think about it right now. This is exactly what I warned Matthew about when he told me my life would be basically the same. It’s not. I’ve never lived with a woman and I’ve never shared my space. There is a whole other life in this living room right now that doesn’t fit with mine.

“Okay, guys, go home! I need time to figure out where to have you put everything,” I shout, and the movers can’t escape fast enough from this nightmare.

I turn to Silver, who is studying me carefully. “Can we talk?” she asks, nodding toward my office, and I guide her there.

When the doors closes behind us, she frowns. “It was your idea to have me here,” she points out and I lean against the desk nodding.

“Yes. It’s better for both of us. I can keep you safe here,” I assure her.

“So, why don’t you want me here? You disappeared and left me alone, and now you don’t give a shit whether or not my things get put somewhere. I’m changing my entire life for you. The least you can do is give me some attention while I try to fit into yours.”

I feel like an asshole. I should have been here helping her feel at home instead of going to the club. I didn’t even think about it.

“You’re right. Can you find what you need for now? Tomorrow, I’ll call the movers back and stay here with you and go through your things. I honestly didn’t think I was needed here,” I confess.

Her features soften a bit. “I packed a duffel bag for tonight. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to find everything in the middle of this chaos.”

I nod. “Good. Now that we’re here, can we go through some rules about this whole roommate-slash-fiancé situation?”

“Yes, sure. I figured there would be some.”

“We need to look like we’re in love.” I say, trying to gauge what she thinks about it.

“Yes, of course.” She frowns.

“I mean, in the house too,” I explain. “I have a lot of staff coming and going. We’re never entirely alone. They’ve all signed non-disclosure agreements to work here, but people talk anyway. If they sense something is off, they’ll blow this whole charade.”

“Oh,” is her only answer.

“Are you okay with that?” I didn’t expect enthusiasm, but words would be nice.

“You mean we have to act like a couple in this house too?”

I nod.

“Like being affectionate? Hugging…?” she guesses.

“Kissing too, if you’re okay with it,” I add.

She nods. “Yes, sure. I can kiss you. I mean, you’re not that ugly, so I won’t be too disgusted.” She giggles and I chuckle.

“Well, thank you. You’re not so bad either.” I wink at her.

She blushes a little. “Do we have to…you know…do more?”

I frown. “Like what? Sex? God no! I would never ask you to do something like that!” I rush to explain.

She chuckles and lets out a sigh. “Sorry, I had to ask. You never know.”

I study her, amused. “Besides, I wouldn’t have sex in front of my staff even if this were a real relationship. Are you into public sex and exhibitionism?” I tease her.

She rolls her eyes and gives me the middle finger. She’s relaxing, I see.

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