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“Well, you didn’t want to marry me in the first place. This would make it perfect for you to become a wealthy widow.”
Victoria couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She thought things were getting better between them. She stared at him.
“Is that how you think of me? That I’m waiting for you to die?”
“I don’t know. Are you?”
They stared at each other. Victoria didn’t know what to say. She had thought things were getting better between them. Evidently, that wasn’t happening.
Rafe was the first to break, blinking and looking away with an ashamed look.
“Forgive me, Victoria. That was not nice of me. I don’t know what came over me.”
“I….” Victoria swallowed. “I’ve heard about people having behaviour changes after hitting their head. That must be it.”
“It happens that fast?”
“I suppose.” Victoria hesitated and then moved towards him. “But I’m only doing this because I care. I want to know that you’re not hurt.”
Rafe looked up. Something flickered behind his eyes, although it was gone before Victoria could figure out what it was.
“You really do care about me?”
“I do.”
She meant it. Victoria really did care. Rafe stared at her for a long moment, his expression intense. Then he reached out for her. Victoria took his hands and allowed Rafe to pull her into his arms. He hugged her tightly, his head against her chest, his embrace making Victoria struggle to breathe. But she didn’t care. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him just as fiercely. Rafe let out a shuddering sigh.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not running away. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.”
Victoria didn’t know what to say to that. She stroked his hair, very much aware of how Rafe’s cheek was pressed against her cleavage. This was almost just as intimate as when they were in the library. Victoria could feel something stirring in her belly, which she tried to fight back. Why now? Her husband had just been hurt. She shouldn’t be thinking such erotic thoughts.
Husband. When had she been able to say that without flinching?
There was a knock at the door, and Victoria tried to pull away, but Rafe wouldn’t let her go. Victoria’s breath caught as he moved his head, almost like he was snuggling into her.
“Rafe, you’re going to need to let go. Someone wants us.”
“They can want all they want. I just want you.”
A thrill went through Victoria’s belly. But she managed to ease herself out of his embrace, taking his hands in hers. Rafe frowned at her.
“I don’t want you to go.”
“Rafe, you’ve hit your head. You need some rest.”
“But….”
“Trust me, it will be better for you.” Victoria touched his hair, brushing her thumb over his forehead. “You want to confront this Asante, don’t you?”
“Of course….”
“Then you get some rest. You do that, and you can go with Mayfield. But you’re not leaving this room until the doctor’s seen you. Do you understand?”
Rafe looked like he wanted to protest further. Then he huffed.
