Chapter 21
My night was strange, filled with an awareness of Rafael mounting me and fucking me ruthlessly into the mattress. Was that a dream? My head feels cloudy and my mind hazy, so when I touch between my legs and feel the wetness there, I know it wasn’t a dream. I open my eyes on a wince and close them before trying again.
Ugh, I ache, so bad. Every part of me hurts. As I swing my legs out of bed and head into the bathroom to relieve myself, I try to ignore the soreness between my thighs and find delight in the fact that Rafael simply can’t help himself.
I use the toilet, switch on the shower, and chance a look at myself in the mirror. My eyes widen at the marks littering my body, then I turn to view my ass before grimacing at the thick welts, and quickly turn my back.
My gaze latches onto the open toiletry bag on the counter, and when I take my birth control out, a sliver of disappointment races through me. My hand finds my stomach and a strange longing bubbles inside me. I close my eyes, trying to push away thoughts of a baby with Rafael; that would be insane. To choose to bring a child into the Mafia would be irresponsible, cruel even, especially when I barely know anything about their way of life, other than violence.
Still, as I open my eyes, a flash of a little girl with Rafael’s dark hair and eyes like Oliver’s hits me in the chest, forcing me to suck in a sharp breath.
Walking over to the shower, I step inside, letting the water flow over my body, cleaning away the thrill of his essence that coats my skin.
With it, washing away thoughts of a future with a man I barely know anything about.
A man so deadly and unpredictable, his behavior is borderline insane.
Rafael’s stern voice breaks me from my thoughts as I bounce down each stair and head toward the kitchen for breakfast.
“Oliver, you’re going to be hungry. Eat a little.” His firm voice leaves no room for argument.
I open the kitchen door and find Oliver shaking his head at his father. If it were anyone else, I’m positive Rafael wouldn’t stand for their refusal.
Rafael turns as I enter the room, and my heart jumps at the way his hungry eyes eat me up, roaming over me with hooded desire.
“Morning, Little Doll.” His lip curls at the side, something akin to a smile threatening to break out.
“Morning.”
“Come.” He pats his thigh, and I stare at him, unsure of what he means. “Ellie,” he warns, his tone darkening.
Oliver watches as I sit on his father’s lap. “Good little doll,” he whispers in my ear, creating a shiver to run down my spine. “Did my baby sleep well?” The warmth of his breath against my neck as he places a kiss there has me clenching my thighs, and when I inhale his sandalwood scent, I swallow harshly.
“Oliver, did you eat your breakfast?” Rosalita walks into the kitchen, ignoring Rafael’s display of affection toward me, and the thought causes me to jolt; is this normal for him? To cozy up with women around Oliver. Jealousy courses through me, and I know Rafael has sensed a change in my demeanor because he pulls back to scan over me.
“Nn-no,” Oliver replies coyly.
Rafael straightens. “He won’t touch it.”
I glance at Oliver’s solemn face, then down toward his breakfast. A mixture of fruit sits in a bowl, alongside a plate with a croissant and various spreads, but the poor boy looks miserable.
“Watch this, Oliver.” Moving quickly, I lean over the table and nudge the croissant to the edge of the plate. Then, rummaging through his fruit with a spoon, I pick out the grapes and place them on his plate into a line. I take a raisin, adding it as an eye to the caterpillar I created. Next, I scoop out some chocolate spread, creating a trail from the caterpillar. “You need to eat that croissant before the naughty caterpillar eats it. Then you can munch on him too.” I smile at him. His cute little face lights up, and he beams back at me before nodding and picking up the croissant. “Dip it in the mud.” I encourage, pointing to the trail of chocolate sauce.
“You’re fucking brilliant, you know that?” Rafael turns my chin in his hand, then slams his lips against mine.
A throat clears and Rafael freezes, and the moment his lips leave mine, I feel his loss and whimper.
I turn to face a pretty blonde-haired woman in a tight green work dress and matching high heels. The way she glares in our direction has me tensing. “We have an appointment, Rafael.” Hostility rolls off her in thick waves.
“I’m aware,” he spits back, with anger in his tone.
She glances at her watch. “Would you like to change it to a working breakfast?” She throws her hand out toward the table.
“No.” He slides me off his lap and stands, placing me on his chair. He bends and places a soft kiss on my lips, then pulls away, leaving me breathless and eager for more. “Can you look after Oliver today until we have interviewed for new staff?”
“Of course.” I smile.
“Good girl.” He places a kiss on the top of my head before turning and striding toward his office. “My office, Kendal.” She throws me a smug smile and a wink before following behind him with a sway of her hips, and my stomach drops as they disappear. Does he fuck her in his office too?
Unease creeps inside me, jealousy curdled with worry.
“Do you like her, Oliver?”
Oliver scrunches up his nose and shakes his head.
“She’s lawyer. Family are lawyers and very important to family,” Rosalita adds. “But don’t worry, Ellie. Rafael doesn’t eat breakfast. He was waiting for you. Rafael never waits for anyone.” She smiles as she pounds her fist into the dough on the counter.
“Papa likes El.” Oliver smiles, and butterflies flutter through my stomach.
“You think?” I ask him with a smile.
“B-big like.”
I widen my eyes and drop my mouth open. “Big like?” Then I widen my arms. “Like this big?”
He nods frantically, and I can’t help but giggle at his adorable face.
When Rafael’s office door slams and her heels click down the hall toward the front door, I can’t help but bite into my lip to stifle a smile threatening to spread over my face.
“Big like.” Rosalita smiles, nodding toward the front door, and this time I can’t help but smile with relief.