Page 51 of Hidden Raphael
Who else was buried in the courtyard? Kimberly chewed her lip. Meg would not tell her anything bad about Raphael, so she'd have to learn on her own. Were there others buried in the courtyard other than Eileen and Ali? Kimberly rubbed her arms. "I'm glad that Gabriel found a new happily-ever-after. You must be so happy."
"Happily-ever-after is a children's story," Raphael's voice called from behind her.
Kimberly pushed her hair behind her ear then turned around. "Is your brother miserable?"
Raphael leaned against the door. He stood there in a clean black shirt that hugged his muscular frame, and dark jeans. Her body heat went up now for an entirely different reason, and the room was less cold. She stared at his shoulder to try to stay calm, but her lips tingled in memory of their last kiss.
"My brother spent too long without people. He needed to get married."
Her gaze met his. "And you don't need anyone?"
"Nope. Is dinner ready?"
Kimberly’s fingers went into her circle of calmness. He turned away again in his obvious tell. "Or your brother is smarter than you and saw a good thing to keep in his life."
"You don't know them, Kimberly."
"No, I don't." She walked closer to Raphael. She flipped around to say goodbye to Meg, but she was gone. She must have slipped out the back door. Kimberly's stomach was in a knot. "I only know you, and you love your family."
His face turned red. Something inside her told her to be kind to Raphael. She brushed past him. "Come on, then. Let's go eat."
She heard her footsteps in the hall, but then Raphael's deeper step followed. If they were talking about their kiss, they needed to be truly alone and without a way for Meg to slip in unnoticed.
She turned into the dining room and went to get the plates of food. Raphael followed and she heard him with the china and silverware. The fire blazed. He helped, which made him at least a nice crazy billionaire. "What ex-girlfriends of yours are buried in the courtyard?"
He turned away. "What did you find in my laundry?"
No. He'd not redirect this. She sat down. "I'm stuck in a castle without any television or internet, Raphael. So tell me, what ex-girlfriend?"
He rubbed his temples and avoided eye contact. "The only people buried there are Eileen and Ali."
She swallowed. She had to believe that. If she kept on this line of questioning, she'd turn him away. "I guess since you saved my life a few times now, I'll cut you some slack."
"You don't need to bring that up." His succulent green eyes met hers again. "I'm no hero."
She blinked. How? "I get to make up my own mind on what I think."
"Okay." He dropped his hands to his sides. "Don't cast me as some white knight. You'll be disappointed."
She nodded, then offered him a small smile. "You don't disappoint me, Raphael, even when you run away from our kisses."
"I don't want to hurt you, Kimberly."
She swallowed then ate a little of her food. The sauce was perfect. He ate in silence. Then she placed her fork and knife down. She rubbed her neck and he watched her every move. Her body pulsed with the knowledge he was close. She picked up her fork again. "Okay. We'll start again as friends, and no more kissing ever."
She ate in silence. He did the same. She bit her lip and held back how his green eyes sent a thrill down her spine. Her dreams would be filled with his touch, but she'd not throw herself at the guy. They could never be anything if he was closed off and unavailable.
He finished eating.
Kimberly's heartbeat became stronger. Years ago she'd have run from any sort of permanent relationship with anyone, family included. Time taught her how she'd been wrong and that she needed her mom back. Perhaps she should get involved with some handsome man who would be more permanent. It would be an adventure.
Raphael's face seemed grimmer than one of those vampires in a movie or television show. Kimberly bit her tongue. Now was not the time to decide on Raphael.
He pushed his plate away.
"Since we're friends now, can I ask a question?"
He wiped his lips with a napkin. "Yes. What, Kimberly?"
