23. Chapter 23
Chapter 23
C HAPTER TWENTY – THREE
RORY
WEEKS LATER
Love is an odd feeling.
It comes at you unexpectedly, in the most unusual times, in the strangest places, and with the weirdest people.
Well, maybe not the weirdest.
But they are almost always the unexpected people. They're the ones you never see coming, the ones you probably didn't pay attention to when you first saw them, the ones who end up meaning more to you than you ever realized.
That was how I felt about Raphael.
It wasn't what I had expected at all, and yet, here we were.
"These are called Morning Glories," Raphael said as we both sat in front of the flower bush. He took a small pair of scissors and leaned in, cutting a few off the bush. Then he handed them to me.
The petals were velvety, unfurling in shades of azure, violet, and blush pink. Leaning in, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, letting the subtle fragrance envelop me. The scent was delicate, a whisper of freshness mingled with a hint of dew-kissed earth. The petals, soft as silk, brushed against my nose, and I breathed them in, wanting more.
"Beautiful," I said.
Raphael smiled. Then he turned back to the bush. "I also planted a few other flowers. I had to take out the lilies and China roses because I read those could irritate you. The carnations and Ivy are fine though."
"You planted flowers for me?" I asked, tilting my head.
He nodded. "Yeah, you said you loved them. I wanted to give you more."
He proceeded to water a few flowers, humming a tune I hadn't heard before. There were daisies, white tulips, red and pink roses. My favorite was a red dahlia that I could tell was going to grow into something beautiful. Raphael had said it would take a few weeks.
My heart pounded as I watched him work, his muscular arms and back flexing as he moved around.
I was in love with him.
And it terrified me.
Raphael and I were now in a relationship. A week after the dinner at his parents' house, we had taken a helicopter ride out to a cabin he owned by a lake. A huge heart-shaped stand with the words BE MY GIRLFRIEND written on it was standing right in front of the cabin.
We spent three days out there, making love, cooking together and talking before we headed back to New York.
I knew he had feelings for me. I knew he loved being around me, but did he love me?
"Raphael?" I called.
He turned around, using the back of his hand to push his hair away from his forehead. "Yes, love?"
"I think..."
He stared at me expectantly, but then I shook my head.
"Nothing. I'm thirsty."
"Oh, okay," he said, slipping his gloves off. He moved toward me and held out his hand. "Let's go inside. We should probably have a bath. I can clean the rest of these later."
I took his hand and we walked in together. Inside, we had a snack, and Raphael was already in the bath by the time I stepped in. I sank into the hot water, leaning back against him. His hands moved up my arms, my shoulders and then to my chest. He massaged my breasts gently and I moaned softly, leaning my head back.
"You know I can't keep my hands off you, right?" he asked, kissing my shoulder.
I smiled. "Good. Because I love it when you touch me."
Raphael's hands slid down to my belly. "I wonder how big you'll get," he murmured.
"Are you saying I'm not big enough yet?"
"Hmm," he rested his chin on my shoulder. "No. I just wonder what you'll look like when you're 8 months pregnant."
"You'll think I'm gross," I said.
"Impossible," he replied, nibbling my ear. "I'll still love every inch of you. No matter what."
My heart fluttered, and I turned around to face him. His hands moved to my hips and I rested my forearms on his shoulders, our eyes meeting.
"I need to ask you something," he said, his lips moving down my neck.
"Hmm?"
"Are you happy here with me?"
"Yes," I answered without hesitation.
Raphael's fingers slid up and down my spine, causing my body to shiver. "So, you'd like to stay with me?"
I paused, looking down at him. "Are you asking me to move in with you completely?"
His eyelids drooped and he stared up at me, his gaze smoldering. "What do you think?"
"Your mom said you moved out of the house because you wanted your own space."
"And now, I want you in my space," he said. "When the baby gets here, I’ll still want you here."
"Raphael-"
"You can say no. It’s fine," he interrupted.
"That's not what I was going to say."
"Oh, so that's a yes?"
I pressed my lips together. He grinned. Then he leaned in and nibbled my bottom lip. "Move in with me."
"We haven't even been together for that long."
"When you know, you know."
When you know, you know.
I gasped softly at his words and Raphael slid his tongue into my mouth, his kiss passionate and fierce. He cupped my ass and I wrapped my legs around his waist, letting out a low moan.
"I want you, Rory," he said, his voice deep. "All of you."
He took my lips in a bruising kiss. I closed my eyes, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him back. When he broke the kiss, his forehead touched mine. I smiled. "Okay," I whispered.
His hands went up to my head, his fingers tangling in my hair. "Okay, what?"
"I'll move in with you," I whispered again.
"Good," he said, leaning in and pressing his lips to mine.
Raphael Barlowe was either going to be the greatest thing that had ever happened to me or the worst mistake of my life.
Only time would tell.
***
Ember's was full later that night. The club was filled with the scent of alcohol, sweat, and sex. The bass from the speakers was loud, the sound vibrating through my body. Vivian and I made our usual rounds an ensured everything was in check before moving into the office to go over the profits.
"We had a slight increase," she said, shutting the door behind her. "Not as much as I expected."
"Well, it's only been a few weeks since we implemented the new strategy," I said. "Think long term."
I sat at my desk and Vivian moved opposite me, a tablet in her hand. We talked about the profits and the future plans of the club. When the conversation died down, Vivian's eyes dropped to my belly.
"So, how's the little one?" She dropped the tablet and smiled. "Do you want a boy or a girl?"
I shrugged. "I don't have any preferences, but Raphael wants to be a girl dad."
That made Vivian laugh
"He's been amazing," I said. "Even when I get nauseous at the weirdest times or cry at the silliest things, he's there, supporting me."
"That's good. What you deserve is someone who's good to you, Rory."
Before I could respond, my phone rang. I glanced at where it sat on the desk. Raphael's name flashed across the screen and I picked it up with a smile. "Hello," I said.
"Hey beautiful," he said.
Loud music came from the other end and I frowned.
"Turn that shit down, Rex!" Raphael spat. The music went off and I could hear him more clearly. His voice was softer as he said, "Rory?"
I chuckled. "Yeah?"
"Me and the guys are close to Ember's. They want to get drinks and I want to see you. Are you busy?"
I stared at the papers on my desk. "Vivian and I are going over the finances," I replied. "I should be done when you get here though."
"Alright, see you soon!"
Then he hung up.
It didn't take long for Vivian and I to finish up. From my office, the sounds coming from the club were a bit muffled. When we opened the door, the music grew louder and we stepped out, making our way down the hallway. As we got closer, the music was even louder.
"Investing in soundproof walls was probably the best thing I could have done," I said to Vivian as we rounded the corner.
She laughed. My phone flashed in my hand and I glanced at it to see that Raphael had sent a text.
'In the parking lot:) Can't wait to see you.'
I smiled. Vivan headed to the bar while I walked toward the exit, my steps fast. When I stepped outside, I was greeted by a cool breeze. The parking lot was filled with cars but the one carrying the members of No Limit was unmistakable. It was a sleek, black Range Rover, its windows tinted.
The guy’s got out one by one. When Raphael did, he looked up at me. A wide grin spread across his face as he jogged toward me, scooping me up and twirling me around. He was laughing, and I could feel my heart thudding against his.
"Someone's happy," I said.
"Because I get to see you," he replied, pulling me into a hug.
"How was practice?" I asked.
"Good. I can't wait for you to hear the new song. Xander wrote it. I had no idea he could even write good music."
"Fuck you, Barlowe," a voice said from behind me.
I laughed. Raphael wrapped his arm around my waist and turned. We stood in the center of the parking lot. The rest of the band were walking toward us from the car when it happened.
The sound of an engine roaring filled the air. I looked up. A silver convertible was barreling down the lot, it's flashing lights making me flinch as it headed straight toward us.
"Rory!" Raphael's voice filled the air and I felt him push me toward the rest of the band. Mason caught me and a loud thud echoed.
I gasped.
My head spun as I turned. The convertible had stopped and Raphael lay a few feet away from it, his body completely still.
My heart thundered, my mind spinning. I could see Raphael lying there, could see the blood that stained the pavement.
A scream tore from my throat.