Chapter 11 #2
Walking up to the large desk at the back, he speaks to the woman in Portuguese standing behind it.
She nods to him, scribbles something on a piece of paper, and hands it to an assistant with instructions.
I watch as the assistant heads up several sets of winding staircases to retrieve the book Rafael has requested.
The woman behind the desk gestures toward one of the long tables that have been roped off from the public. I feel like a queen as I’m escorted to one of the wooden tables. Rafael pulls out a chair and says with a grin, “Please sit, Dona Lane.”
While we wait, he leans in and tells me, “We are proud of our Brazilian writers, and every book they have written is represented in this Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading, along with all of the world classics, of course.”
I’m inspired by the pride Brazilians have for their authors, and I am even more curious about the book Rafael has chosen for me.
I watch with eager anticipation when the assistant returns. He hands me a pair of white gloves before setting the old book on the table before me. I stare down in awe at the cover with gold lettering written in Portuguese.
“This is a first edition written by the famous Brazilian poet, Luís de Cam?es,” Rafael informs me.
It suddenly dawns on me that Rafael must be someone who is trusted by this museum of literature to request such a valuable book for my enjoyment. I slip on the white gloves and open the book slowly, careful not to cause any harm as I leaf through the pages.
“Would you like me to read one of the poems to you?” Rafael murmurs in my ear.
Pleasurable goosebumps rise on my skin, and I glance at him and nod.
“Turn to page seventy-four, moca.”
My fingers tremble slightly as I turn the pages and feel Rafael’s warm breath on my neck. When I stop on the correct page, he tells me, “The title of this poem is ‘Love is a Fire that Burns Unseen.’”
“That title makes it sound like a love poem,” I tease.
“It is,” he whispers.
I can barely breathe when he leans in closer and growls in my ear:
“Love is a fire that burns unseen,
a wound that aches yet isn’t felt,
an always discontent contentment,
a pain that rages without hurting,
a longing for nothing but to long,
a loneliness in the midst of people,
a never feeling pleased when pleased,
a passion that gains when lost in thought.
It’s being enslaved of your own free will;
it’s counting your defeat a victory…”
I’m swept away by the passionate way he reads the poem and, once done, I turn to compliment him, only to find his lips mere centimeters from mine.
“It would be improper to kiss,” he states in a low voice, but his gaze burns with fiery lust.
Sitting back in my chair, I close my eyes, struggling to regain my composure in this extremely public place.
When I hear him shut the book, I open my eyes. The two of us stare at each other in silence.
Briefly glancing at his watch, he suddenly announces, “I think it would be best if you returned to the hotel.”
My heart sinks, not wanting our time together to end quite yet. But I keep my feelings to myself, knowing that he’s right. I am here to participate in the auction, not to indulge in clandestine entanglements.
“That would be best,” I agree.
Rafael quietly picks up the book and returns it to the woman before escorting me out of the library. Before I leave, however, I look back one last time and take a picture. I plan to frame it and hang it on my wall to remember this place—and my time with Rafael.
As with my other escorts, once we return to the hotel, he walks me to the elevator. Pressing the button, he turns to address me. “I will have the staff send up some food so you will not arrive hungry for the auction.”
Before the elevator doors close, he nods to me and states in a formal tone, “Adeus, Dona Lane.”
Torn by the sadness of seeing him go, I reply hastily, “Thank you for showing me the beauty of this city.”
I lean back against the wall after the doors close, and blush at the hotel attendant as we travel up to my floor. Once I return to my room, I make a point to rush out to the balcony and search for Rafael’s yellow Puma but am saddened to find I’m too late.
I did not expect to crush so hard on one of my drivers. Having extra time on my hands, I decide to lay out my clothes and start a bath running. While I’m relaxing in the tub, I hear a knock at the door.
Suddenly realizing I’ve forgotten about the food Rafael ordered, I scramble from the tub and cry out from the bathroom, “Just a minute!”
“No need to inconvenience yourself, Miss Lane,” I hear a woman call out. “We will place the dishes on the table and leave.”
I hear the tinkling of plates and utensils. “Enjoy, Miss Lane,” she says, just before I hear the door shut.
My curiosity piqued, I quickly dry off and throw on the fluffy robe hanging from a satin hanger before sticking my head out of the bathroom to make sure it’s clear.
I suck in my breath. I expected a simple dish but discover a table laden with covered plates.
It’s like unwrapping presents as I lift each lid and discover mini versions of the local cuisine.
There is a combination of savory and sweet dishes, two of which I have enjoyed at the Training Center before.
Knowing that I have a full day of activity ahead, I only take a couple of bites of each, but I find that I have to finish off the Carolinas. The scrumptious morsels look like round, bite-sized éclairs, except the inside is full of dulce de leche and tastes so delicious!
After making finishing touches to my makeup and hair, I take a moment to center myself before heading down to the auction.
I’m ready to be tested.
I want to excel not only for myself, but in honor of Anton. Whoever I end up being paired with today, I plan to submit to their commands to the best of my ability, but I’m also prepared to call my safeword if I must.
Feeling confident of my success, I walk out of the elevator ready to serve my new Master—whoever he might be.