Page 21 of Forgetting Rafe Thomas
My lips tingle merelythinking about those kisses. They were more than missing each other like the kissing was during the wedding. There was a sense of promise I’d never felt before in his kiss, and I’ve kissed Rafe more times than I can count.
When we arrive back at the cottages, I finally clear my throat and speak. He parks the car and turns it off, so I settle my hand over his, stopping him before he gets out.
“Before we go in and make dinner, I need you to know that I meant what I said. I want this to work. I’m here because I want to be with you, but we have work to do.”
“I know,” he whispers. “I’m willing to do it. I needed to hear you say I wasn’t falling into another false hope, though, not with so much on the line.”
I nod and swallow the rock in my throat. “You’re not. I’m here. I want to be here with you, working on our relationship so it can be better and stronger.”
“There’s a lot to work out. You live in another town and have an amazing job and—”
“Rafe,” I say and press a finger to his lips. “I promise you with everything that I am, I will not run back to Chatswain City without a plan to make this work between us, okay?”
He smiles against my finger, that goofy Thomas grin I could never stop thinking about. “Does that mean you’re my girlfriend again?”
I can’t help but giggle. “I would say we’re dating and will likely be boyfriend and girlfriend again by the time we leave Ireland, how about that?”
“I’ll take it.” He pushes his door open and comes around to let me out. “Am I making dinner, or are you?”
“Oh, are we having dinner together?” I tease.
“Thought so,” he says with a shrug. “I mean, you did seem to buy enough for two people.” He holds up my shopping bags and grins.
“What if that’s all for me? I’m going to be here for a while, you know.” I settle my hand on my hip.
“Mmm, I remember how you love cooking. I have no doubt in my mind that you’re making dinner for both of us so you can show off your amazing cooking skills once again.”
“You’re so full of yourself, you know that?” Just like old times, he spreads that grin wide, only behind the beard it’s different. My cheeks are a little scuffed from kissing him, but I like it. I like this new version of him. The beard, the increased confidence, the assertive nature of his determination. Even if it does make my temper flare a little and my defensiveness kick in. I still like it.
And I think I might like it if he tookmorecontrol.
“Why don’t you tell me what you want me to make, I’ll get cooking, and you can make a new fire in the fireplace for me.”
He pauses at the door to my rental cottage and blinks a few times. “You want me to choose?”
“Yep. As you noted, I got a lot. As long as there is lamb or beef involved, I can make it.”
It takes him a moment to think, and he checks my sincerity a few times with quick glances. “Did you get potatoes? Can you make shepherd’s pie?”
“Yeah, I can do that.” I push up and kiss his cheek, then urge him inside. “Go make my fire now.”
An hour later, Rafe has been stuffed to bursting with shepherd’s pie, and I’m pretty proud of myself. I’d never made it before, but I managed to find a simple recipe online. We sit on the sofa facing the fire, close but not snuggling. He sips his water and sets it on the side table before sinking deeper into the sofa.
“Mmm, I should head down to my cottage before I fall asleep. You are a great cook,” he mumbles through a sleepy haze.
“Thank you. You have mentioned that a time or two.” The guy can eat more than anyone else I know, but it always made me feel good to see him scarf down my food like it was the best on the planet.
“Can I see you tomorrow?” He rolls his head to stare into my eyes. I find longing and desperation in his. I want to ease that worry, so I scoot closer and kiss his cheek again.
“Yes, of course. I’m not sure what there is to do, but we’ll find some trouble to get into, I’m sure.” He settles his arm around me and pulls me against his chest. We’ve done this before, but it’s different now. Everything is the same but different somehow, and I can’t explain it. He’s the same Rafe, but everything has changed. I wonder if he sees the same thing in me? Luna but…not Luna.
He clears his groggy throat and sighs. “I really need to go. I can’t fall asleep on your sofa.” He reluctantly removes his arm and stands, pulling me with him.
“Drive safely all forty feet down the lane,” I tease.
“You laugh, but the owner told me there is a farmer just south of here that runs his sheep down this coast. She said sometimes one strays off, and I’ll need to be careful driving on and off the property.”
“Sheep? Like baa-baa sheep? In the back?”
