Page 34 of Alpha's Secret Baby Girl
“Gwen,” he breathed, moving closer. “Don’t shut me out.”
Gwen pulled in a deep breath through her mouth to avoid bringing the scent of him into her lungs. She made herself look away, her shoulders tensing as she wrapped her arms aroundherself. “I can’t talk about this right now. I told you I don’t want to live here.”
“I’ve done so much work—”
“That doesn’t change how I feel about this place. It doesn’t change everything I’ve gone through.” She took another deep breath and lowered her voice. “It doesn’t change that you still knew the pack would look down on Lianne because of how she was born. You’ve made changes, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe for me or my daughter.”
Rafael didn’t argue. Gwen started walking again, fighting herself. They were quiet as they got back home. Chelsey was reading on the couch and looked up in surprise when they came in. Gwen thanked her for looking after Lianne, and Rafael called a cab to drive her home. The demon hadn’t been seen in town, but it was better not to take a chance.
Once she was gone, Gwen took a moment to calm herself, trying to ignore the way Rafael continued to stare at her. He hadn’t taken his eyes off her, and she knew he had more he wanted to say. She wanted to derail the conversation, to bring it back to Daniel, but Rafael’s reaction to him was only a symptom of the problem.
“I told you that we can’t do anything,” she said finally. “There’s a reason I’m putting these boundaries into place, Rafael. There’s a reason—”
“Yes. You have many reasons,” Rafael interrupted.
Gwen swallowed hard at his gravelly tone. It was the same tone he’d used seven years ago just before…
He stepped closer to her, lifting one hand to lightly brush his fingertips against her cheek. “Do you really want thoseboundaries tonight? We’ve both been under stress. I know that you want me. Can’t it just be sex?”
“No,” Gwen whispered. It would never be ‘just sex’ with Rafael.
He started to say something, but he stopped suddenly and turned. Moments later, Gwen heard the soft patter of feet. Lianne trotted into the living room, wearing her unicorn PJs.
Upon seeing them, she gave a sleepy smile. “Hi, Mommy. Can Raf-el read me a bedtime story?”
Chapter 14 - Rafael
For the first time since they had come to the island, Rafael felt a twinge of annoyance toward his daughter. He pushed that away, chastising himself. The interruption had come at the worst time, just when he could see Gwen starting to soften toward him, but wasn’t one of the reasons he wanted them to stay with him, because he wanted to get to know her better.
Gwen, her cheeks flushed and eyes still too wide, turned slightly. “You’ll have to ask Raffie, honey.”
“Raffie?” Rafael repeated. Gwen shot him an almost guilty look. Ahh. She was trying to piss him off so he’d let the subject of desire and longing drop. He wasn’t so easily dissuaded.
Lianne wrinkled her nose. “I don’t like that. His name is Raf-el.”
“Yeah,” Rafael repeated, teasing despite this lingering tension as he gazed at Gwen. “My name isn’t Raffie. And I will read you a bedtime story.”
Gwen smiled, shrugging. Lianne grabbed Rafael’s hand and dragged her to his bedroom, where she pressed a book into his hand before she jumped onto the bed, not looking the least bit tired. Once he started to read, though, she settled. She watched him as he read, her eyes slowly growing heavier. Rafael kept his voice even and low. He would always mourn the fact that he hadn’t had the opportunity to do this for the last six years, but now he had the chance.
But what if Gwen decides she does want to divorce me after the year is up?He tried not to dwell on that thought. He’d have partial custody at the very least. And he was certain Gwenwouldn’t try to keep them apart now that she knew why he’d said what he said seven years ago. She could see that he was changing, even if he hadn’t changed enough for her to trust him.
She knew he’d look after their daughter, didn’t she?
He didn’t realize that Gwen was watching from the bedroom doorway until after Lianne had fallen asleep. She leaned into the doorframe, resting her head against it as she wrapped her arms around her middle. She’d changed out of her dress and into a t-shirt and a flowy skirt. Their eyes met. Gwen’s gaze was soft, conflicted but calmer than she had been before.
“Let’s talk,” she whispered.
Rafael nodded. His throat was dry from reading so many stories. He turned on the nightlight, turned off the big light, and followed Gwen down the hallway. She glanced at him, biting her lip, as she rested her hand on her bedroom door. Rafael’s heart thudded. He tried to remain calm and not have expectations. Whatever she saw in his face decided her. She pushed open the door and led him inside.
Rafael shut the door lightly behind him, his heart hammering, and his wolf perked up in interest.
“So. Boundaries?” he asked with a small, teasing smile.
“You can’t do what you did tonight again.”
Rafael cocked his head to one side. “What do you mean exactly?”
Gwen slid her fingers into her hair, her gaze not leaving his. “What you did with Daniel. I had it handled. And if you don’t trust me to talk to men, then there’s no point in waiting a year until the divorce.”
