Page 66 of Hidden Raphael
Kimberly fell backward.
Their embrace was meaningful. Whoever she was had her face tucked into his shoulder and neck.
Kimberly covered her mouth and closed the door. She disappeared back into the blackness then let out a slight scream. No one would hear her from the roar of rotors.
How had she misjudged Raphael so much? How had she missed another woman in his life? No wonder he felt so guilty. She rubbed her arms and raced down the stairs.
Her eyes might tear up any moment, and until she had control, there was no way she wanted Raphael to see her like this.
She made it downstairs. She’d not leave evidence she had seen him. She'd misjudged him. He told her not to trust him. She should have listened to him. Right now she couldn’t face anyone. She couldn't go back to the main hall of the castle. Meg might see her. She continued down the stairs and prayed she could hide. She knew she shouldn’t have trusted him with her heart.
In her flight, she didn’t care that the lower level had a metal door. A key hung on the wall. She held her stomach, then turned the key to unlock the door.
She almost ran inside, but then stopped. She left the candelabrum on the floor. Raphael would know he was followed if he saw it there. He'd keep the girlfriend safe from her. Kimberly shook her head.
Now that she knew the truth, she'd be on guard. He had no right to be upset he was followed. None at all. She’d confront him as soon as she had her mind and body in tune as one. She needed to be alone right now. She returned to get the candelabrum.
The roar of the rotors lessened. Were they on the move? Kimberly quickened her steps and rubbed her arms until she reached the next level. She grabbed the silver and proceeded downstairs again.
The other woman laughed. "I couldn't stay away, Raphael."
He laughed back. Kimberly's eyes misted as she stopped halfway down the circular staircase.No. He'd not see her. She continued down the steps as quietly as she could.
The footsteps behind her grew louder. She crouched on the stairs and peered up. Raphael's hand was on the woman's back as he gave her shoulder a massage. Kimberly's heart almost fell out of her chest. Then he told the woman, "You were always impossible to stop."
Her body trembled. What had she done? Had she trusted this man so completely and painted him her hero, when all this time, he’d used her?
She fought back sobs that came from deep in her. There was absolutely no way she'd cry in front of either of them.
She covered her mouth and slipped back downstairs. She held on to the silver candelabrum like it was a weapon.
On the bottom step, she wiped her face. First, she'd get angry. She knew her mind. Once she had the fire that burned inside her, she'd bury it and wait. Raphael would never fool her again. He didn't deserve anyone or anything. She'd swallow this pain.
All men were the same. None were heroes.
