RAFAEL
I’d imagined this scenario dozens of times in the past month – the beautiful, brown-haired Savannah in my penthouse, my living room, her luscious body bared and spread before me; her round hazel eyes pleading to me to take her. But I didn’t exactly think I would do it. I tried to avoid acquainting myself with her, but I ended up wanting her more. It was amazing how I could still feel the soft tissues of her pussy around my cock.
Savi was now coming out of my bedroom, wearing my T-shirt and sweatpants. It was huge on her but seeing her in my clothes sent an inexplicable delight in my chest. I was envious at the same time of the piece of fabric. I wanted her in my arms again.
No one except my family had been into my private space; no other woman had walked into my bedroom except if it was my housekeeper, Annie, who came in two times a week. She was a middle-aged woman.
I couldn’t wait to make her fully mine and show her to the public. I’d order my agent to process her divorce tomorrow morning.
Savannah walked toward me with spread arms, instantly wrapping herself against me. She hummed. “Are you normally this sweet?” I nuzzled her slightly damp hair. She smelled like my shampoo and soap. It’s not that I’m complaining, of course.” I chuckled. I wasn’t used to canoodling, but she had been an exception to many things. It was surprising that I didn’t hate it. There had been changes to my plans ever since I met her. I’d wondered if this was how Julian felt when he met his wife. I might give him a visit sometime.
She shrugged, her face on my chest, smiling. I used the other bathroom to shower because I didn’t want to disturb her bath. She seemed to enjoy the water when I heard her giggling in my bathroom. “Maybe. Thanks for letting me stay tonight.”
That one was another exception. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to handle the unfamiliarity of having someone in my bed, but I’d probably see it myself tonight.
I moved my mouth to her temple to her rosy cheek. You’re welcome. Come, sit with me. I’ve prepared snacks while you’re in the bathroom. Let’s continue where we stopped. You must’ve questions.”
She perched on the couch where I just bent her over. Her image in that position would probably inhabit my head for a long time.
“Fruits and cookies, huh? And with slow music playing in the background.” She searched where the sound was coming from. “Please don’t tell me you don’t really know how to be romantic.” She picked a piece of cookie and took the first bite.
“I really don’t.” I took a small piece of watermelon for myself and ate it. “Julian submitted those songs this afternoon. He asked me to listen to them and give him my feedback tomorrow. It’s rather quiet too, don’t you think?”
She nodded, smiling. “Must be convenient working with brothers who support you.”
“We all support each other. I take care of their mess as well.” I winked at her. “Especially when one of them engaged in a media scandal—whether truth or lie. How about you with your brother?”
“Oh, unlike you, I feel like I relied on him my whole life. I love my brother so much that I hate disappointing him.” She forked a piece of apple and popped it into her mouth. “I don’t know how I tell him about you while I’m still married to another man. He’s a world literature professor and a historian, so he lives under some principles too.”
“A professor. That’s admirable.” I had huge respect for professors. My brother, who was one, was probably wiser than me in some ways. Julian was a peacekeeper among us brothers.
“He is admirable. But I tell him everything, so I hope you don’t mind if I tell him about us later.”
“It’s fine. He’s your only family. As the future head of my family, I’d wish to know my brother’s business if they let me.”
She beamed at me. “You’re like Michael, you know. He feels responsible for me in every way, but I don’t really feel like he’s controlling my life. Although, he really hates loud noises. It irritates him, especially when he was younger.”
“Interesting. I was like that too, when I was younger. Was it hyperacusis?”
“Yes, yes! That one. I read about that. Really? Did it go away?” Her brown eyes widened as she asked.
I laughed at her curious reaction. “It did. But it was only a mild one. That’s also why I hated… crowds.” I stopped, suddenly remembering something from my childhood I didn’t wish to relive again.
Her expression turned serious. “Michael still has it, but he can manage the symptoms now, unlike in his teenage years. He only has a few friends because of it. Anyway…” She shook her head and blew out a soft breath. “Let’s talk about the deal. Fine, I’ll do it. I’ll sign whatever you want me to sign if that’s what you prefer, but I wish to do this properly.” She glanced at the pitcher, so I filled it with water.
“Here.”
“Thanks.” She took the glass and drank. “I want real dates. I don’t want to pretend; I want us to try. If I were to marry you later anyway, don’t you think we should take this as a practice? This isn’t a normal relationship; I get it. This is who you are. But isn’t that the point of a trial? So we can work this out?”
As always, she made sense. “What if I do it wrong?”
She chuckled. “Oh, Rafe. You just do it like this one. You can be a natural if you want to.”
I stared at her. I didn’t think it was that simple. “In the past, I tried to.”
“Oh.” Her brows furrowed, confused and curious. “It must be with your only ex-girlfriend,” she assumed.
“Yes, well...”
“Did you love her?”
If I did, Savi wouldn’t be here. It would be devastating. “No, but she waited, and she expected me too. It just didn’t work out.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
I never told anyone, but if I would, it was with Savannah, the woman I chose to bore my future heirs. Just not now when everything was going well with her.
“I would, but not when I know it could ruin this night. Trust me, Savannah. That part of my past was ugly. I don’t want to change how you see me.”
“We all have dark moments in life, Rafe.” She reached for my hand and squeezed it with her soft palm. “And I’m not that petty, you know. But you don’t have to tell me if you’re not ready.”
This was why I wanted her. She was different. She didn’t cross lines. She was considerate, patient, and kind enough to tolerate the peculiarity of our situation.
“You can be so sure.” I brought her hand to my mouth. “What else do you want?”
“I want more of this with you.” She watched me kiss her hand. “We should make time to know more about each other. We’ll tell each other how our day went, and I wish us to be more open. I’ll also tell you everything I do—not with exaggeration, of course.”
“Night is more convenient. I get up every five in the morning to run. I have meetings in the morning. My two o’clock is for Adam, and Carter is my three. My afternoons are packed with team discussions. Would you like me to ask Billy to give you my schedule?”
“In addition, that. A relationship is not business, so I rather you do it yourself, not your assistant. This is how commitment happens. This agreement is also a commitment. If you need anything to say, just tell me.”
Commitment. I guess I had something more to do now in my free time. I had an hour each day. Billy made sure I got to eat my lunches in peace. On the weekends, I visited my other studios for weekly audits. One or twice a month, I had state-to-state trips, sometimes overseas.
“I’m used to having my assistant adjust my schedule, but fine. As you said.”
“You see...” She took back her hand to take more snacks, then sat properly. “There are many reasons why a relationship fails. It’s not always adultery that destroys marriage. It could be a lack of time, falling out of love, a job, money, or both parties’ egos and insecurities—they would build sadness and pain at a point you will be lost. At least on my part.”
It was funny how I could understand her, despite not experiencing what she had gone through.
She was like my mother in that sense. She hadn’t told me everything about Reed, but I saw a glimpse of their failed relationship. The promises you both made all went for nothing. No one was happy.
This was how my father failed, and the things he failed to see were what I saw. He was proud of his accomplishments because he had us, his children. He bragged about us being his pillars and thought he was doing the right thing by just loving his family alone, but he lost the sense that my mother needed him too. Mom only chose to stay because she loved him, but the prize was endless nights of suffering. I didn’t want to blame him and still respected him, but he wronged her in many ways.
If I wanted to be a different person than he was, I should do things differently this time. At the right time, I would tell Savanah everything.
“You’re right, I understand. I’ll consider everything you said. Is there anything you want to add?”
“Lastly, I will not agree to everything you want or will say. It always depends on the situation.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “I have no basis yet, but there are things like that. We all have differences.”
“Done. It is respect for another’s opinions that you seek. We can come to a negotiation.”
“That’s it, then. Should we need minutes for this?” she teased, grinning. I was glad we were making progress.
“How about I tell you your first task?”
“Mm. What is it?”
I stood up to take the seat next to her. “I have a meeting with Emilio in two days, and he requires your presence.” I
“My first task, huh? Sure.” Her smile reached her ears. “Sure. Let’s see what I can do.”
For the rest of the evening, I told her about Carter’s report and how she would play the role of my girlfriend…