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I step, deciding to save Raphael from any further embarrassment. Reluctantly releasing the cup, I grab one of Raphael’s hands and pull it to my chest. “He’s not bad. He’s very sweet.”
Isabella shakes her head and grabs a menu. “My son is a lot of things but not sweet, so if he is with you, he must truly love you.” She says it so nonchalantly but I still want to make it clear that he’s not neglecting me or that it’s a one-sided relationship.
“He works a lot.”
“I’m not denying that, Atlas. I’m just saying that sometimes he loses sight of what’s important.”
Raphael groans and drags me tighter into his side. “Mom, I’m right here.” A slip of his authoritative voice makes it way out and she gives him a warning glance.
“Yes, you are and I’m making sure your boyfriend is comfortable. What are we eating?”
Isabella is a delightful reminder of what would have happened if my mother made it this far. I would have loved for Raphael to meet her, even more so for Isabella to. Hell, Heather and my mother would have gotten along so well. Raphael threads his fingers through mine and brings it to his lips, drawing me out of my thoughts. “What’s on your mind, little one?”
The fact that he still calls me that in front of his mother tells me how close he is with her. “Just wishing my mother could be here.” My eyes glaze over with tears, Raphael pressing a light kiss to the bridge of my nose. I don’t bring her up often but he knows how much I miss her. I’m sure if I had shared more of my life, it would have been easier to let him in on my struggles.
“They would have made fast friends, wouldn’t they?” He kisses my nose again. “Now, let’s get some food in that belly so I can return you to work.”
I’m about to protest when my stomach gurgles and all my fight gets thrown out the window.
Chapter 17
ATLAS
Spending time with Raphael becomes my favorite thing—not just the sex—but hanging with him in the rarely used living room as I study and he works through scary stacks of paper. I usually drape myself over his lap, kicking my feet up as he holds his papers or phone above my head, every so often, running his fingers through my hair. The days pass quietly, our routine hardly changing as he drops me off to work or class and then takes me home at the end of the work day.
The whispers have quieted but they still float around the office and spill into the café. Raphael has mentioned that a few members of the board weren’t too happy but since I’ve stopped delivering coffee, there hasn’t been anything to complain about. Except for the kisses that he doles out as a ‘thank you’ in front of the entire café. Tracey is always giggling, Gerald hooting and Heather just smiling in the background. Paula never came back but we don’t miss her.
Even now as I run through another set of biology facts for my last final, sprawled over Raphael’s lap, I can’t help but think of how things could have turned out differently nearly a week ago. At the end of my rope, I almost ended things with Raphael for fear that he would judge me because of my circumstances. Instead, he’s been nothing but understanding. There’s been a few times he’s tried throwing money at something—like offering to buy me a new car when we got back from the diner—to which I pushed back rather abrasively, in the parking lot no less.
“How’s the car, Atlas?” Raphael asks as he parks a few spaces away. I’m still coming down from the high that Isabella is not only a fantastic mother but a wonderful person. I have never felt safer in the presence of someone’s family than I have with her. Even if I felt completely out of place with two people who looked like they walked out of a catalog. And the hug that Isabella gave me just as we left? I wanted to sink into the embrace and never let go. The tears that naturally came with it made it more embarrassing but Isabella just kissed my head and promised to be there for me. “Atlas?”
“Huh? Oh. Still dead.” I sigh and look at my beautiful baby that’s been through the wringer. I have just enough to spend on a tow and having Raphael drive me around has saved more money than I planned. In another week, I’ll have enough to get it diagnosed and hope and pray that the bill isn’t too much.
I slip out of the car and move to mine, looking inside to see if there’s anything I need. I don’t own much and my entire wardrobe is in my bag that’s currently in the café. A second pair of shoes, three pairs of pants, and a handful of shirts. Enough for any man to survive. Raphael comes up behind me, resting his chin on the top of my head. “Why don’t we just get you a new car? We could-”
My body tenses as I swallow my initial reaction—anger—and then slowly turn around to look up at him. “I don’t want a new car, Raphael. I don’t want a handout. Would it be easier? Yes. But I’ve worked hard to keep this baby on the road and I don’t want to throw that all away because it’s easier to get a new one.” My brows furrow and my hands clench into fists at my side. I need him to understand this. As much as I love him, I don’t want to be showered with money. I just want his love.
“I apologize, Atlas. That wasn’t my intention. What can I do to help?”
I blink several times, not ready for his apology. It’s never that easy in the movies. I need to start trusting that Raphael is in this for the long haul. “Um, can you call a tow? I have enough to cover it and then I need to get a diagnostic.” My body relaxes as his expression softens.
Raphael nods and pulls me into his chest. “Absolutely. How about this? I’ll have it towed to a friend’s shop to look at it and start working on it. Hold on, Atlas. The longer you let your car sit here, the more likely it is that they won’t be able to fix whatever is wrong with it. This is one of those times that money will solve the problem but I’ll hand you the entire bill so that you can pay it back.”
Raphael never gets angry or yells at me when I voice my opinions. However, the multiple times that he told me he wants me happy and healthy has had me spending all of my time at his house. I haven’t returned to the shelter and I’ve never been so happy to have a bed to curl up in, especially when Raphael is right there beside me.
It may not be forever but I’m going to cherish every last minute.
“Little One, what are you doing?”
I pause and think about it before wriggling around and then looking up at Raphael. This is the first time I’ve seen him in anything other than a suit or part of a suit, the man dressed in sweatpants and a no sleeve tank. Both are black and form fitting, showing off every curve of his body, including the outline of his cock when he stands.
Delicious.
“Doing what?”
His hazel eyes darken as his tongue darts out to lick his lips. “You keep wiggling. Do you want to get spanked again? You keep putting that perfect ass in the air, tempting me for a repeat of that night after the event.”
My cheeks heat and I stop moving. I’m not even sure why I’m so antsy. Memories of that night slip back into my head and even though I was still a little tipsy, I fell in love with Raphael just a little more. I shimmy backward a little until my head is directly over his lap. Raphael grunts when I move to pull his pants down just enough to unearth his cock.
