21. Chapter 21
Chapter 21
C HAPTER TWENTY – ONE
RORY
The pictures of the date were posted a couple of days later and the comments were overwhelming.
"She's actually really pretty."
"Wait, they're really together?"
"That should be me."
"Parents!"
I took a deep breath as I scrolled through the pictures. My favorite was the one of Raphael and I after the little race we had. The photographer had captured the kiss we shared and it looked just as passionate as it felt.
"Hey, beautiful," Raphael called, walking into the living room.
"Hi," I said, turning to face him.
He leaned in and kissed me. It had been a few days since the date, and the air was still thick with tension. Raphael had told me he liked me.
Actually, he had told me that he liked me more than I liked him.
It was hard to believe. Why would he want to be with someone like me, especially after all the things I had said and done.
"What are you looking at?" he asked, leaning over my shoulder.
"The pictures," I said, tilting the phone toward him.
He smiled at that. Then he sat next to me. I moved a bit to give him space and he lifted me, placing me on his lap. A low squeal left my lips as his arms went around my waist.
"They're very convincing, aren't they?" he asked.
I turned to face him. He was watching me, a soft smile on his lips. I rolled my eyes. "I think we did a good job. Your fans love them."
"My fans? What about you?"
"Me?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Do you like the pictures?"
"I-," I started.
I didn't know what to say. I loved them. The date was supposed to be a staged one but it had ended in the best way. For us, it wasn't just a staged date, it was a moment of clarity.
I still didn't know where we stood, though.
"Rory," he said.
"Hmm?'
"What are you thinking about?"
I looked up from my phone, meeting his gaze. "How do you know I'm thinking?"
He licked his lips, and I followed the movement, my gaze trailing his mouth. "You have a face," he said, pressing a kiss to my shoulder and then my neck. "You make a certain face whenever you're deep in thought," he explained, his breath hot on my skin.
I blinked at him. "How do I look?"
He pulled away, his gaze scanning my face. "Your brows furrow a little, and your lips purse, just slightly. Your nose wrinkles up. It's so adorable."
Before I could respond, he captured my lips in a kiss, and my phone slipped from my hand, landing with a thud. His fingers slid into my hair, his tongue tracing the seam of my lips. I moaned into his mouth, my hands gripping his shirt.
The kiss was passionate, almost desperate, like we were both starved for each other. Raphael broke the kiss and trailed his lips along my jaw and down my neck. I could feel the bulge of his erection pressing against my ass, and the friction was driving me crazy.
He kissed a trail down to the top of my dress, tugging on the hem. "So tell me," he murmured against my skin. "What are you thinking about?"
"W-what happens now?" I asked.
Raphael leaned back, meeting my gaze. "What do you mean?"
"Between us," I clarified.
His brow furrowed. "What do you want to happen between us?"
"I asked first."
He rolled his eyes, and his lips tilted upward. "I want to be with you, Rory. Only you."
"For how long?"
"As long as you'll have me."
My chest tightened. Raphael's gaze was intense, his expression serious. His words echoed in my ears. He wanted to be with me. For how long? Did he mean that?
I didn't know what to say or how to react. He took my hand and kissed it. "I can't get enough of you," he whispered.
His words sent a shiver down my spine. The air was heavy, filled with the unspoken. "What if I want you to stay committed to me?"
"I'm already committed. I'm yours," he said, leaning in and kissing me softly. "I'll ask you to be my girlfriend if that's what you want."
I smiled. "Have you ever asked a girl out?"
"No."
I shook my head, chuckling. "Of course you haven't."
He pulled away, grinning. "I'm sure I'll be great at it. You'd be surprised at how amazing I am at pretty much anything I do."
"I know. I saw the flowers out back."
"Do you like them?"
I nodded. "I love them. They make both me and the baby feel at home."
"Good," he said, kissing my hand again, his eyes watching me in a way that made me feel special. "So, I was wondering if you wanted to go out tonight?"
"Sure," I said. "Where?"
"My parents' house."
As soon as the words left his lips, I froze. "Wait, what?"
"It's family dinner. We were invited," he said.
I blinked at him. "But-"
"You are part of the family now, Rory," Raphael said. "And my parents are upset that I didn't bring you around sooner."
I swallowed. "They already know me."
He clenched his jaw. "As Rylan's girlfriend, not as mine."
I took a deep breath. Meeting the Barlowes again was a big deal, especially when it came to Raphael. I hadn't gone by their house a lot when Rylan and I were dating, but they were nice to me. What did they think of me now, that I was with their second son?
"Rory, are you okay?" Raphael asked.
I nodded. "Are you sure they won't be upset?"
"They won't," he said, pressing a kiss to my lips. "They love me."
That was the exact problem. Raphael was the golden child of the Barlowes, their pride and joy, and their most successful son. They would have high standards for the type of person he dated.
"If you don't want to go..."
"I do," I said.
Besides, Raphael's parents were going to be the least of my problems tonight.
Because Rylan was most likely going to be there too.
***
The Barlowe's home was just as I remembered.
It was situated in Battery Park, the richest part of the city. The streets were lined with towering buildings and elegant house, and the air was heavy with wealth and prestige.
The Barlowe's house was no exception.
It was a massive, five-story building, with a pristine white exterior and a sweeping staircase leading up to the front entrance. The windows were tall and arched, and the roof was adorned with a series of ornate chimneys. The driveway was lined with a row of perfectly manicured trees, and a large fountain stood proudly at the center.
As Raphael and I headed up the stairs, I took a deep breath. My heart was racing, and my palms were sweaty. I had worn one of the new dresses Raphael bought for me - a simple Greece-style dress that fell to my ankles. It had a flowy skirt and a deep neckline. My hair was styled in loose curls, and I had added a bit of makeup.
"You look so beautiful that I want to go back into the car right now and have my way with you," Raphael murmured, his breath hot on my ear.
I glanced at him and rolled my eyes. He was wearing a pair of dark jeans and a white button-up. His sleeves were rolled up, and he looked even more handsome than usual.
"Raphael," I scolded.
He grinned, and the door opened before we could ring the bell. A maid appeared.
"Mr. Barlowe," she greeted.
"Hello, Martha."
We walked inside, the scent of food wafting through the air.
"Baby!" a voice said excitedly. I looked up to see Isabella Barlowe hurrying through the foyer, her heels clacking against the marble floor. Her eyes sparkled, and her cheeks were rosy. She looked exactly the same as she did over a year ago, when Rylan and I had last been here.
She pulled him into a hug. "I've missed you so much. You haven't been picking up my calls!"
"Sorry Mom, I've been busy with the band and with Rory," Raphael said, pulling away.
Isabella released him, turning to face me. "Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes?"
I gave her a small smile. "Good day, Mrs. Barlowe," I said, handing her the small bag containing a gift I had picked out early. "This is for you."
"Oh, thank you, dear," she said, smiling brightly. "And please, call me Isabella."
"Isabella," I repeated.
"You look so good. How are you feeling?"
Before I could respond, she took my hand and led me into the house. Raphael followed, a grin on his face.
"I'm feeling well," I said.
She glanced at my belly. "What have you been eating? If it were up to me, you would be staying here with my husband and I. We would feed you a lot," she said.
She continued talking, taking me around a large staircase. I glanced around, marveling at the elegant artwork and décor that adorned the walls. We ended up in the living room where Raphael's father, Isaac was seated.
Isaac was an imposing man. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His eyes were a deep brown, and his gaze was intense. However, he had a kind smile.
"Aurora," he said, stretching his arms open and giving me a warm hug. "Welcome back. You're even more beautiful than I remember."
I blinked at him. Raphael moved behind his father, watching us closely.
"Thank you, Mr. Barlowe," I said.
"What's it like living with my son?" Isabella asked as we all sat. "He left this house as soon as 'No Limit' got famous. He loves his privacy."
"Oh, uh..."
"Mom," Raphael warned.
"I'm sorry. I just...I'm very curious," Isabella said to me. "What's the house like?"
"It's pretty nice actually. The staff is nice and-"
"The house is great, Mom. We have a pool and a gym. Rory has everything she needs."
Isabella looked at me. "Is he treating you well? You can always tell me."
"Mom," Raphael groaned.
"Isabella," Isaac said, shaking his head. "Let the girl breathe."
I laughed. "Raphael has been treating me well. I love it there."
She smiled at that, her eyes lighting up as though the praise I gave her son had pleased her. "I'm so glad about that. When we heard about...the baby. I had my fears. I didn't expect him to be so involved, but..." she took a deep breath. "I'm happy you're here."
I'm happy you're here.
Warmth spread through me. Raphael had said that his parents had been supportive when he told them about me. I didn't believe it until now.
"I'm going to get Rory some snacks," Raphael said. "Can I trust that you won't interrogate her while I'm gone?"
"Fine, fine," Isabella said, waving a dismissive hand.
Raphael leaned in and pressed a kiss to my cheeks before he left the room. Isabella's eyes widened slightly as she stared at us.
"So, you're together?" she asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Wow," she breathed, glancing at her husband. Then she turned back to me. "Well, are you sure you'll be okay, with Rylan being here?"
I smiled. "Why wouldn't I be?"
She studied my face for a moment. Then she sighed. "Okay."
Raphael returned moments later with a small bowl of fruit and a plate of sandwiches. Isabella and I continued to talk, mostly about me and the baby. The tension gradually left my body, and I found myself enjoying the conversation.
"Did the party start without us?" a familiar voice said and my body tensed.
Rylan was here.