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“I put it in there a few days after we mated.”
I sighed, leaning back against my chair. “You’re making it really hard to stay mad at you. Apparently, I can be seduced with money and joggers.”
“You should’ve told me how much you hated my suits earlier,” he said, shaking his head. “If I’d known joggers were the way to seduce you, you’d be putty in my hands by now.”
I snorted. “It seemed like a part of my life that didn’t have to affect you. It wasn’t anything against you—you just didn’t have to know.”
As I said the words, I understood Rafael’s point of view little more.
Wasn’t he in the same position?
I didn’t like his clothes, and as far as he’d known, I didn’t like his job. We both kept our thoughts to ourselves because it seemed easier. Obviously, his silence had more of an impact than mine, but the concept was the same.
“Well, like I said, I’m entirely invested in making myself as attractive to you as possible. Next time, tell me.” His hand landed on my thigh for the first time all day, and he squeezed lightly.
“I will.” The words were honest.
He squeezed my thigh one more time, then released it.
And I found myself wondering how long I’d really be able to keep up the distance I put between us.
twenty-four
TATUM
Rafael helpedme in the kitchen until Sophie closed up for the day. He got along with her and the rest of my employees so well, it was ridiculous. It was good to catch up with everyone, but I was honestly relieved when Sophie locked up and slipped out.
When she was gone, I shooed him out of the kitchen while I turned on my music so I could jam out and work alone. He sprawled out in one of the booths with his phone, and I couldn’t stop my gaze from going to him every time I walked that way.
When I was finally done, I made him a cup of coffee and shut off the music. After padding over to him, I plopped down on the bench next to him. He immediately pulled me onto his lap, and I peered down at his phone screen. “Is that ahouse?”
“Mmhm. My landlady evicted me a few hours ago.”
I was the landlady.
And I guess I kind ofhadevicted him.
Whoops.
“She sounds like a bitch,” I said, plucking the phone from his hand and looking through the pictures.
“She had a good reason.” He kissed my neck lightly. “But my mate has always wanted to buy a house anyway, so it’s the perfect opportunity.”
“Well,shesounds high maintenance.”
“No. She’s perfect the way she is.”
“This place is gorgeous, Raf.” I looked up from the phone, leaning to the side so I could meet his eyes. It wasn’t the ridiculous mansion I would’ve expected when we met, just a spacious house with every possible upgrade. Oh, and a kitchen big enough to make me shed a tear or three. “Did you buy it?”
“I know better than to pick out a house for us myself, Tater-tot. I texted you links for a dozen that I would be happy with; look through and pick your favorites. We’ll go walk through them tomorrow.” He brushed a loose strand of hair from my eyes.
“I’m supposed to be mad at you,” I reminded him, though I hadn’t really felt that since our conversation earlier.
“I support your anger. Ready to head home?”
There was no way to hold back my smile at his words. “I guess.”
He drove us back to the complex, and I spent the whole drive looking at houses.
