“This is my room?!” My hand runs over the back of a light cream loveseat, taking in the space. It’s bigger than my duplex at home, all it’s missing is the kitchen. “I honestly would be okay in something smaller if someone else needs this.”
Rafe steps forward into my space and my breath catches in my chest. He’s electric, just like his storm cloud eyes. Him being so close always makes my skin buzz. “I have some things I need to do and probably won’t be back in time for dinner. I’ll have the house chef bring some food up for you. You can rest in here until I’m finished or go out back and check out the ocean if you want.”
I nod, all too aware of the peppery smell of his skin when he’s standing so close. “Yea, okay.” It’s a breathy whisper that croaks from my chest.
A knock on the open door breaks our silent moment, and Rafe steps back from me as the man from before sets my bag just inside the door. Looking back at me, Rafe gets my attention once more with his hand pushing my hair behind my ear. “I’ll be back soon.”
With that he pulls from me, giving me his back as he walks toward the door. I watch as he shuts it behind him, unsure what to do now. Walking to my bag I pick it up and bring it back to the loveseat. I pull out my little prepaid flip phone and the charger for it looking around the room for a plug in. After finding one underneath a side table, I plug it in and check for any messages or missed calls. I was able to put minutes on it this month since I didn’t have to pay my utilities. The only person who really ever calls anyway is my mom and sometimes the diner if they need me to pick up a shift.
I wonder if I should call the diner.
Rafe had told me not to worry about my shifts, reassuring me before we boarded the plane that he had taken care of it. How did he take care of it? With my hand hovering over the contact, I decide against calling the diner and flip my phone shut. I trust Rafe enough to believe him. Setting the phone down I wander to the row of windows on the far side of the room, looking out at a perfectly groomed garden landscape. Everything about this place is so lavish. It’s surreal being here. I feel like I don’t fit in, like I’m one of the old furnishings they forgot to replace when they redid the whole thing.
The thought makes me uncomfortable and I shake my head. I should shower. I didn’t have time to shower after my shift at the diner and I’m overly aware of that right now. Rafe hasn’t said anything, he never does, but I know my hair smells like fast food, and can practically feel the diner food scent clinging to me. I find the bathroom attached to the bedroom and see that it is gigantic, fitted with both a standing shower and tub with a double vanity sink. Apparently everything in this place is huge. Running my fingers along the marbled edge of the standalone tub I walk to the shower. Opening the glass door I see that it’s already been stocked with various soaps and shampoos.
Rafe must have told them I was coming when I was sleeping in the car.
I reach in and turn the water on, waving my hand under the rainfall style drops for a bit. I’ve never used a showerhead like that but I’ve always wanted to. Stripping out of my clothes as it warms up I can’t help but notice how much faster it heats up compared to my duplex at home. Once I’m in, I take far longer than I probably should trying to pick a scent but eventually go with some sweet honey smelling soaps. Lathering my hair and body, I close my eyes and let myself relax.
Shutting the water off when I’ve finished, I grab a light grey towel off the wall hook, and dry off. Wrapping it around myself, I grab another to wring my hair out better before hanging that up to dry. Walking into the bedroom I sit on the bed. I hadn’t realized how tired I actually was until now. I guess my nap in the car didn’t cut it. Scooting farther back on the bed I lay back into the silky cream sheets.
I’ll just lay here for a minute before grabbing my clothes.
A loud knock on the door wakes me up and I jolt from the bed, looking around. My hair is almost completely dry, I notice as it swings against my shoulders. I must have fallen asleep again. I stand, resecuring the towel around my chest as I stand. I hear the door open, “Hold on.” My voice sounds deep and throaty from sleep so I clear it before continuing, “I’m coming!”
Leaving the room my steps falter as I see Rafe lifting the lid to a meal tray sitting on the table in front of the loveseat. I didn’t even hear them bring it up. His eyes find me, the corner of his plush lips lifting. My hands tighten on my towel, all too aware how naked I am underneath the small piece of fabric.
“You didn’t eat?” His tongue swipes over his bottom lip, feet bringing him closer to where I’m standing. I shake my head and silver eyes drop to my towel, slowly coming back to my face. The look on his face makes my skin heat. “You weren’t hungry?”
“No, I—” He prowls into my space, his breath fanning across my cheeks. “—I just fell asleep. I didn’t even know they brought it up.”
I swallow when his eyes fall to my lips, my breaths quickening the longer they stay there. I can smell the hint of alcohol on his breath and it pairs perfectly with the already spicy notes of his skin. His hand rises between us and I almost hold my breath as his thumb runs along the seam of my lips, parting them with his touch. “You should eat.”
I nod, forcing myself to say something. His touch almost making me forget what we were even talking about. “Yea.”
“I like your hair like this. You should leave it down more often.” His hand falls away but he doesn’t step back.