-15-
Yasmin
The warmth of Rafael's lips against mine created a fluttering storm in my chest, a sensation so intense that it momentarily stole my breath. The warmth of his embrace and the gentle pressure of his kiss enveloped me, momentarily erasing any worries or doubts lingering in my mind. Lost in the moment, I let myself be carried away by the intensity of our connection, relishing how he molded me into his body.
But reality has a way of intruding, and the persistent buzzing of Rafael's phone was a sharp reminder that our stolen moment was just that—a fleeting escape from the demands of our lives. Reluctantly, we part, our breaths mingling in the air while we try to regain our composure.
"Sorry, it's work," Rafael murmurs apologetically, glancing at the screen of his buzzing phone. "I should take this."
I nodded, forcing a small smile as I stepped back, trying to ignore the lingering warmth of his touch. I hadn't meant to kiss him, no matter how much I needed that kiss. What we had wasn't real, it was a fabrication, and it would do me well to remember that. "It's okay. We can call it practice for tomorrow night."
He gives me a rueful smile before answering the call, his voice slipping effortlessly into business mode. I used the opportunity to retreat to my room, the echo of our kiss still reverberating in my mind.
**********
The morning sun streamed through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow across the cozy kitchen. I stood by the stove, flipping pancakes with a contented smile. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the sweet scent of maple syrup, creating a perfect start to the day. It also served as a distraction from what went down last night.
Rafael walked into the kitchen, his tousled hair and sleep-filled eyes adding to his charm. "Morning, beautiful," he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.
"Morning," I replied, trying my best to hold back a smile. I've been called beautiful before but hearing it from Rafael in his husky voice made it better. "Coffee's ready, and breakfast will be served in a few minutes."
As I set the table, Rafael poured us a cup of coffee. We sat down across from each other, our eyes locking in a silent exchange of understanding. The morning breeze wafted through the open window, carrying sounds of birds chirping and leaves rustling—a serene backdrop to our shared moment.
"So," Rafael began, a playful grin tugging at his lips. "About last night..."
I chuckled, feeling a blush creeping up my cheeks. "You mean me spending a lot at Pandora?"
He nodded, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "And the part where we may or may not have kissed?"
"It was a moment," I admitted, a mix of shyness and excitement coloring my tone. "A really good moment, that we probably shouldn't talk about."
He nodded again even though I knew he had more to say. "Maybe you're right."
We ate our breakfast in comfortable silence, savoring each bite and stealing glances that spoke volumes. After breakfast, we cleaned up together, the simple act feeling strangely intimate and domestic. Rafael insisted on washing the dishes while I dried them, our playful banter filling the air with laughter.
As we stood side by side at the sink, Rafael turned to me, his gaze soft yet intense. "Yasmin, about last night."
I set down the dish I was drying, turning to face him fully. "Yes?"
"I don't want to rush anything," he said earnestly, his eyes searching mine for understanding. "But I also don't want to ignore what's between us."
"What are you saying?"
"I think what I'm saying is I liked kissing you and I don't want to downplay it."
I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions swirling within me. "I enjoyed it too."
He smiled, a mixture of relief and joy crossing his features. "Good, hopefully, the next time we kiss one of us will be brave enough to do something about it."
I could only smile knowing that he had no idea how tempted I was to do something about it right now. We finished the dishes in comfortable silence, the air filled with unspoken promises and shared dreams. As I dried the last plate, Rafael grabbed his phone ready to leave the room.
"Thank you for breakfast," he smiled.
I turned to face him, staring into his eyes. "You're welcome."
**********
I sat back in the plush leather chair, enveloped in the gentle hum of the spa. The soft scent of lavender filled the air, calming my nerves after a tense start to the day. Closing my eyes, I let the skilled hands of the aesthetician work their magic on my skin, massaging away the tension that had settled in my shoulders.
"Is the pressure, okay?" the aesthetician asked, her voice a soothing melody.
"Yes, it's perfect, thank you," I replied with a contented sigh.
As she continued with the facial, I couldn't help but let my mind wander. When Rafael proposed that I get revenge on Ethan I was a bit hesitant but mostly excited. After the horrible way he and his family treated me, I wanted nothing more than to have him bow at my feet. He thought I was some broke, hopeless woman, who would be nothing without him, but little did he know I could end his career with the snap of a finger.
My father encouraged us to be humble and made it a point never to let us abuse our power, but he was fiercely protective of us. If he knew that I was divorced he would be sad for me but if he found out that my ex insulted my character and let his family verbally abuse me, he would be out for blood.
After the facial, I moved on to the manicure and pedicure station. The vibrant colors of the nail polish brightened my mood, and I couldn't help but smile as I admired my freshly painted nails. Everything felt perfect, a prelude to an evening of business and revenge.
Next came my hair. The stylist expertly crafted loose curls that cascaded down my shoulders, framing my face in a way that made me feel beautiful and confident. I checked my reflection in the mirror, adjusting a stray curl before nodding in approval. She rolled the curlers pinning them in place so I could unpin them later and have the curls looking as fresh as they did now.
Feeling pampered and ready for the night ahead, I walked back to the penthouse, excitement bubbling inside me. I imagined Rafael running around getting ready, however, reality greeted me with a different scene. The penthouse was quiet as I entered, the soft glow of the evening lights casting a warm hue over the living room. Rafael sat on the couch, engrossed in his phone, a frown marring his features.
"Hey," I greeted him.
He glanced up briefly, offering a half-hearted smile. "Hey, how was your day?"
"It was peaceful. Are you about to start getting ready?"
Rafael shrugged, setting his phone aside, instead of focusing on his laptop. "Yeah, in a minute."
"What are you watching?" I ask, curious about the source of his focus.
"It's the live stream from outside the gala venue," Rafael replied, gesturing for me to join him. "Looks like the paparazzi are already camping out, waiting for everyone to arrive."
I shrug nonchalantly, though a small knot of apprehension formed in my stomach. "Well, let them wait. We'll give them something to talk about."
With a wry smile, I excused myself to finish preparing for the night ahead. The warm water of the shower washed away any lingering tension, leaving me refreshed and ready for the night. As I applied my makeup with practiced precision, I couldn't help but steal glances at the elegant gown waiting for me.
Dressed in a gown that seemed to shimmer with its radiance, I descended the stairs, nerves, and excitement intertwining in a heady mix. Rafael stood at the bottom, dressed in a tailored suit that accentuated his every contour, making him look like a gentleman.
He stared at me, eyes wide with wonder. For a moment I thought he wouldn't say anything but then he stunned me with his words. "In a sea of beauty, you're the rare pearl that takes my breath away."
"I don't know how to beat that," I told him, smiling nervously. "But you look handsome."
"Thank you," he smiled wide, offering me his hand. "Let's go."
A surge of excitement coursed through me as I looped my arm through his, our steps falling into sync as we headed toward the car. As the driver drove towards the gala, Rafael took out his phone, scrolling through the pictures we took earlier.
"I think it’s time we stirred the pot a little," he smiled lazily, showing me the image of us, his hand proudly displaying the engagement ring on my finger.
I smirked at him, agreeing that it was time. "Let the drama begin."