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“It was just crazy talk. You know how people who speak of bad juju and things are. I didn’t pay it much mind after I got out of my head about it.”
“What’d she say?” His eyes shined dimmer than before, but he seemed no closer to telling me.
“You,” he kissed the tip of my nose, “shouldn’t be worried about nonsense.”
Raphael’s hands moved along my back, playing tricks on my brain. We were talking and now, the deep caresses were pulling me under his spell and distracting me from the goal. What were we talking about again?
“I just want to hold you and pretend like nothing else matters tonight. I never thought that I’d have you in my arms again, and here we are. This is what I needed. You, Anise. It’s always you.”
His eyes searched mine, and I could feel the intensity behind his gaze. There was more. It was right there, but so far out of reach.
“What time is your flight tomorrow?”
“I leave at 1. Will you be able to go with me? I can never have too many goodbye kisses from you.” His lips tilted upward, and I wanted to kiss the corner of them.
“I have a meeting that should end at 11. I’ll get there early and then leave right after. We can’t have you leaving without your kisses.” I teased.
“Very true. Since you’re going in early, does that mean that you won’t stay the night with me?”
I could have said no. I could have saved us the added damage, but the hope shining back at me was too wonderful to diminish.
“I’ll stay the night.” I granted his wish and hoped that I wasn’t hitting the final nail into my coffin of regrets.
“Instead of walking around the city, let’s just head back to my room so that I can hold you. As much as I would love to be inside you, I really just want to feel you relaxed in my arms.”
Emotion caught tightly in my throat, and I swallowed, hoping to unhinge it from its hold. This man always said the right things at the wrong time. He was leaving me tomorrow and while he could have anything he wanted from me; he wanted to just be. Unfortunately, I was doomed to stop the disaster that was about to happen. My heart was already cracking and tomorrow was still hours away.
* * *
Figures that my night was amazing. Raphael and I spent the night cuddling and talking the night away. It was wonderful. I went to work on cloud nine, but that didn’t last long. My meeting that should have only taken an hour, took almost two. Not only that, there was traffic that held me up. By the time that I got there, it was ten minutes to one and my heart sank low, disappointed.
A message came through from Raphael just as I pulled off to the side near the airport’s entrance.
Raph: Bummed that I didn’t get one last kiss before the plane took off. I’ll call you when I land. Sorry that work was a mess. Don’t worry, we’ll see each other soon enough.
Me: Traffic was crazy. Be safe and please let me know when you land, no matter what time it is. *blowing kisses from the front gate*
Raph: You’re here? I can get off and catch the next flight.
Me: No, silly man. We’ll see each other soon. Don’t drink up all the wine!
Raph: I make no promises. :) Miss you already.
A lone tear slid down my face that I didn’t bother to wipe.
Me: Miss you too.
And that’s when the dam of tears ruptured.
Chapter Fifteen
RAPHAEL
Five weeks later…
Daily messages back and forth with Anise have been the highlight of most of my days. It took awhile but we’ve gotten back into our old grove. Video calls included.
“I can’t believe your couple of weeks job has now kept you there for over a month!” Anise exclaimed.
