RAFAEL
“A week after Mikhail went missing, and the news spread to the school,” I began the story I never told anyone. It tortured me to share this part of my life with someone, but not this me. Surprisingly, I felt fine. My tranquility was her doing.
Savannah was now leaning on my chest with my arm on her shoulders on the bed. I loved smelling her vanilla-scented hair. We fucked and made love in the last three hours, but I still couldn’t get enough. I needed more of her.
“The kids watched, the teachers felt sorry, and that was when Brett’s friends came to me. They told me what happened at the amusement park. We came back every day. Dad hired people to find him, but he was gone. He didn’t speak to me for a while.”
“So you blame yourself because you thought he blamed you. Your dad mentioned something about it,” she said. That was probably when they spoke at the beach. “Why do you think he blamed you?”
“I brought him there after school. Mikhail didn’t speak, but he understood me. I asked him if he wanted to see the carnival, and he nodded eagerly. It was the first time I saw him really want something. I brought him there even though it’s far.”
“I remember him like that. Michael was really quiet, but he was kind and obedient. He’d carried me in his arms, and he’d tried to speak little by little. Do you want to know when he truly first spoke?”
I hummed, stroking her soft, silky chestnut hair.
“When our mom passed away. I was six years old. He cried her name so hard. I always entered his room to make sure he was fine. I didn’t even know he was adopted until they told me dad passed away the same year. Both our parents suffered from illnesses.”
“I’m sorry. You were just young. It must’ve been hard,” I whispered.
“We had our dad’s life savings. It helped us get through life, but Mikhail also worked part-time jobs while he studied because the savings was for our education. I’m alive because of him. I know it’s selfish, but I’m still thankful dad found him that night. If he didn’t, I’d be alone right now.” She wiped the tears that fell on her cheek, but she chortled. “Sorry about that.”
“Don’t apologize. I’m glad you found each other. Maybe he disappeared that day because someone needed him more.” I kissed her forehead. She embraced me.
“I’m proud of him, Rafe,” she said. “He’s my lucky charm.”
I nodded. It lifted my heart that Mikhail was that important to someone.
I’d missed a lot of things in his life. I didn’t see him grow or excel in school or any sports, but the details of his childhood helped me picture his life. He grew up a fine man.
Savi rose up to look at me. “But you didn’t stop looking for him. Some people would. It’s been such a long time.”
“Dad did because he didn’t want our family suffering over it, especially my mother. We tried to cope, but my guilt remained inside me. I brought him there, so he was my responsibility. I thought I didn’t deserve to rest.”
“No. Michael wouldn’t have lost if Brett wasn’t such an asshole. But that’s all in the past. You found him now.” She smiled kindly. “It’s because you didn’t stop.”
“And I don’t want you involved in anything with Brett again.”
She grimaced. “I never wanted to be involved in him anyway. Just this once. He did help a little. Let’s let it pass.”
“Fine,” I muttered. But the whole idea of him still sickened me.
“So, when are you telling your parents about him? I tried to speak to him. He said he’d try.” She gave me another warm grin.
“Really? He’d try to meet them?”
She nodded. “He’s skeptical. But it’s only because he’s worried about me. It’ll take time until this sinks in, but Michael has always been gracious. He’ll come by. I’ll help you.”
I wrapped my arms around her waist and squeezed her against me.
God, I adored this woman. She was always optimistic, put a person’s feelings first, and respected those around her. Her compassion was one of a kind. She got me this way; it was only fair that I reciprocated the same attention she gave me. She deserved more, and I was anxious that my actions weren’t enough. I guess I should start thanking Michael. After all, we value the same woman now.
“As for Erin,” I went on. It was a good gesture that I mentioned it first before she asked me. “Last time was really just an emergency. That’s all to it.”
She scowled. “About that. What’s her deal? Carter said she’s like a stalker and she’s Gill’s friend! That’s big because you had sex with her.”
“She used to follow me and reported my every move to Gill. What happened to us was a one-time thing. I was frustrated. It’s ugly, but I regret it. I’m sorry if I startled you.”
“Can’t you see that she might want you for herself? She still works around your circle. She sounds obsessed.”
“She won’t be a problem, I promise. I already talked to her. She won’t bother you… or us. I told her what you mean to me.”
“You do?”
“Yes. She followed me to ensure I was still the miserable man she knew years ago. She believed if it wasn’t Gill, she and I would be together.” It was better to be more honest. It was surprisingly liberating. “But she meant nothing to me. I didn’t do relationships. Not until I met you, at least.”
“That part I know,” she said proudly. She cleared her throat. “But I don’t want you involved in anything with her ever again, okay?” she ordered with conviction.
God, this side of her sounded too cute. I suppressed a laugh.
I sighed. “We work in the same industry. There will be times we run into her.”
“I know, but it’s uncomfortable. I trust you, Rafe, but I don’t trust her. She wants what’s mine.”
“Okay. I’m sorry.” I needed to work harder. I stroked her arm to console her. “If I see her, I’ll ignore her. I’ll reassign her to another department, branch, or state. We don’t have to work together again.”
She pouted. “If you could do that, why didn’t you?”
As always, she knew what to say. “That was before. It was when I was interested in buying her father’s company. But I have most of the ownership now. I can do whatever I want.”
Her face softened. She seemed satisfied.
I felt my body slowly relax. I’d never been more nervous in my life.
“I’m hungry,” she suddenly said. “Are you hungry?”
“What would you like? I can have something delivered—”
“I’ll cook!” She released herself from my arms and hopped out of bed. The bedsheet slipped out of her body, exposing her perfect, luscious body. I leaned on the headboard and watched her pick up my shirt in admiration. She put it on. “What do you have?”
“I don’t cook, but my housekeeper probably left some we can use in the fridge.”
“That’ll do!” She grinned. “Aren’t you coming?”
“Yep. I am.” I got up, thrilled at what she had in store for us.
SAVANNAH
I signed the bill of sale Rafe showed me in the afternoon.
“I still think this amount is lavish. Two million is too much,” I said after scribbling my name on the page. I gave him the fountain pen. “Are you sure you don’t have anything to do about this?”
He was filthy rich. He could even give me a whole new apartment without touching his riches.
“Of course not. I only helped, but it’s your money.”
“Half of it was supposed to get to Edward. He’ll be surprised, so I’m just giving back what he spent, and I’ll transfer some to Michael. I don’t think he’ll accept it, though. The only thing left is finding a new apartment.”
“What for?” he asked. “Just keep the money.”
“I’ve been living with Wesley and Riley for several weeks and back and forth to Michael’s house. I need a new place.”
I still liked moving around freely in my own space, running in my living room naked when I forgot something in the bathroom, or sleeping in my underwear.
He stared at me. “You’re not getting it, do you?”
“What?”
“Move in here.”
My eyes widened in shock. “Are you sure?”
“What kind of a question is that?”
“It’s just…”
“Don’t give me that look.” He rolled his eyes. “We’re practically engaged, unofficially, but engaged.”
“Oh.” I blinked because the air stung my eyeballs.
Of course, we are… I told him I would marry him. I basically proposed to him this morning.
Oh my God, I proposed to him! I cupped my face with my palms.
“This place will be your home.” He looked around his penthouse. “You can do whatever you want here, redecorate or change some stuff—it’s your call. Eventually, you’ll need to settle in. And everything I have will be yours, too.”
This impossibly huge home will be mine too? With Rafe? This was so different from my first marriage. Everything in our lives now would change.
I stared blankly into space.
Rafe brushed his thumb on my chin and smiled. “Hey. What are you thinking, mm?”
My heartbeat started accelerating abnormally, and butterflies churned in my stomach.
“Oh, gosh,” I said breathlessly. “We’re going to get married.”
“Yes?”
“In less than three months!”
“The sooner, the better.” He grinned mischievously.
“Then we have a lot to do! The preparation and telling our families… How about Michael? You just found him. We still haven’t—”
“Hey, Savi.” He laughed, cutting into my words. “It’ll be fine, okay? We’ll tell everybody. I will talk to Michael first. Come here.” He moved close to me and pulled me against him. He stroked the back of my head gently. “We’ll figure this out together, okay?”
I slightly pushed him away to search for his eyes. “I’m sorry if I’m panicking.” I chortled.
“Everything will be alright. I got you.” He brought me back to his arms.
I rested my head on his shoulder. “I love you.”
“I love you more,” he whispered. His fingers slowly trailed the path to my panties…