Broken Together (28 page)

His
fingers clenched my hips when I squeezed my breasts. “Please, Rafael. I need
you.
Now
.”

Still,
he denied me. His tongue dipped inside my belly button, circled my breasts, and
carved a trail to my neck. He feasted on my neck.

My
eyes slid closed when our bodies aligned. My arms and legs clenched his back as
I urged him closer.

“Kristine,”
he breathed. Determinedly, he filled me. He pinned my wrists over my head when
our hips finally met. His eyes darkened. With a groan, everything spiraled out
of control. Our bodies slammed together, raped and ravished one another, until
we fractured.

The
air rushed from my lungs when Rafael collapsed on top of me. I relished his
weight. He wrapped his arms around me, held me close, and rolled so that I was
lying on his chest. I tucked my head beneath his chin and listened to his thundering
heart while we tried to catch our breath.

Rafael
shifted unexpectedly. “When did the food arrive?”

I
followed his gaze. “That food was there when we stumbled into bed.”

“Thank
God,” he whispered. “I was afraid someone walked in on us.”

I
laughed although that would have been embarrassing. “Are you hungry?”

“Yes.”
His response contradicted the sated look on his face.

I
sat up. Rafael was still inside of me, so that one simple move forced him even
deeper.

His
eyes hooded.

I
braced my hands on his chest and curled my hips against his. “You’re mine now.”

He
chuckled. “I have always been yours.” He sat up and pulled our hips even
closer.

My
hands tangled in his hair while he suckled my breasts. My head fell back. My
hair had grown so long, it brushed against his legs. “God, I love making love
to you.”

He
murmured his agreement while coaxing my lips into another passionate kiss. His
tongue chased mine in a dance as old as time.

I
could feel him swelling inside of me. Our hips barely moved, but he was buried
so deep I could feel him brush against my womb. That had to be the most erotic
feeling in the world. When he came, I knew. He was part of me now… the only
part anchoring me to this world.

We
were both spent, but Rafael climbed out of bed so he could throw another log on
the fire. The room was cold so we wrapped ourselves in the fur throws before inspecting
the food they’d delivered for us.

The
bench under the window held a wooden bowl filled with grapes, oranges, apples,
and pears. A wood cutting board held two blocks of cheese and a crusty loaf of
bread. A dagger had been stabbed directly into the board. A small metal bowl offered
a variety of olives. A jug of wine and a ceramic pitcher filled with water sat
next to two pewter wine glasses and two medieval tankards.

The
dagger made me smile. “Is that for the cheese?”

Rafael
grinned. “I believe it is.”

I
poured the water and wine while he moved the food to the stone hearth in front
of the fireplace. He spread his fur blanket over the floor and wrapped the two
of us in mine. We picked at the food, talked, and made love long into the
night.

*
* * * *

Someone
snuck into our room during the early morning hours. We were shocked we didn’t
hear them deliver breakfast. “They take room service to a whole new level,” I mused.
“What kind of food did they deliver?”

“Mulled
wine, meat, fish, and bread.” Rafael poured the wine. He filled two metal
plates and carried everything to bed.

“What
an odd breakfast.” My stomach growled regardless. “I can’t believe we’re
drinking wine for breakfast.”

“What
do you want to do today?” Rafael threw another log on the fire and joined me beneath
the blankets.

“I
want to take a bath in the copper tub.” The roast beef nearly melted in my
mouth. “How is this still warm?”

“They
lined the bottom of the ceramic pot with hot rocks.” Rafael sipped his wine.

I
tried a hearty wheat and nut filled bread. “This is really good.”

“Anything
else, besides the bath?” He cut into the flaky fish.

“I’d
like to explore the castle. Maybe we can find the key and open the chest.”
Obidos Castle was filled with ancient chests. Rafael told me there was one
chest in particular, an iron chest that had yet to be opened. All guests were
encouraged to search for the key that would unravel its secrets.

“How
do you feel about eating in the dining room tonight?” Rafael tossed a piece of
rye bread into his mouth.

“What
sort of attire is required? Aside from the dress I wore to work yesterday, I
don’t really have anything to wear. My carry-on contains textbooks. I thought
I’d be reading and knocking out some coursework while I was on the plane. I thought
I’d have access to my wardrobe at your place, so I didn’t pack any clothes.”

“No
wonder your suitcase was so heavy,” Rafael murmured. “I’ll see if Eva can stop
by the flat and deliver some clothes today. We’re only forty-five minutes
away.”

 “I’m
sure she has better things to do on Valentine’s Day.” I frowned. “I really
should have thought of this yesterday.”

Rafael
shook his head. “
I
should have thought of this. I just assumed when I
saw your suitcase that you packed what you needed from home. Would you prefer I
ask Brady or Jase?”

I
nearly choked on the warm wine. “God, no. I don’t want those two sifting
through my panties.”

Rafael
laughed. “Eva it is then.”

“I
can make do with what I have. I’ll wear one of your shirts while we’re in the
room and ask housekeeping to clean my dress.”

He
continued typing on his phone. “I’ll sweeten the deal by reserving them a room
in the other tower, assuming one’s available.”

“But
they’ll want to eat with us, and I don’t want to share you,” I grumbled. I
climbed out of bed so I could refill our wine. The orange and clove infused
wine tasted surprisingly good for breakfast.

Rafael
rolled his eyes. “I’m sure Benjamim has other plans.”

I
handed him his wine when he finished the text.

He
eyed me over the top of his glass. “You better drink fast.”

My
brow furrowed. “Why?”

He
guzzled his entire glass of wine. “So we can have make-up sex.”

I
laughed. “Are you saying
that
was a fight?”

Rafael
nodded. A boyish smile lit his face.

I
downed the wine. “I like the way you fight.”

He
pulled the pewter wine glass from my hand. “Shower first, then bath.”

*
* * * *

“I’m
pretty sure I would have remembered seeing this in the closet.” I spun while admiring
the filmy black gown. The wrapped halter neckline was anchored over a sparkling
jewel encrusted collar. I was praying the jewels weren’t genuine diamonds.

“I
asked Eva to make a purchase along the way.” He’d also requested his tux. I
loved the way his muscular physique looked inside that tux.

I
poked my toe out from under the gown. “I’ll put these back on at the bottom of
the stairs.” Six glittering strands swirled around the bottom half of my foot.
The top half of my foot was bare, but a soft velvet cuff encircled my ankle
above a five inch silver stiletto heel. As breathtaking as they were, the heels
seemed more appropriate for an S&M club.

Rafael
swallowed. Hard. “I’ll take them off for you.” He knelt in front of me so he
could remove the shoes.

I
laughed. “Maybe we should just save them for bed.”

His
eyes flew to mine. “Oh, you’re definitely wearing them in bed.”

My
body hummed its agreement. I wondered if I’d ever tire of sex with this man.

Rafael
slid his finger through the cuffs so he could carry the shoes. He offered me
his arm. “Ready?”

“Ready,”
I agreed. We picked our way down the long flight of stairs. “I want to continue
our search for the key tomorrow.” We’d found a number of keys, but none of them
opened the chest.

“You
wouldn’t prefer to explore the village?” Rafael asked. The candles flickered in
the narrow passageway.

“No.
I rather like kicking around this old castle.” I’d discovered that while some
parts of the castle were primitive, other areas were downright opulent. I was
guessing the dining room was opulent given the way we were dressed.

Rafael
nodded. “That’s probably best. They’re expecting more storms tomorrow.”

“Maybe
we should just stay in bed then.” We crossed very few people while exploring
the castle, and the staff were practically invisible. I had a feeling we’d find
more people in the dining room.

“Whatever
your heart desires.” Rafael smiled.

I
stopped mid-step. “My heart desires you and only you.”

He
kissed me like a man possessed. Grudgingly, we continued down the stairs.

“I
was serious when I said I wanted to move to Portugal,” I whispered.

Rafael
frowned. “I don’t want you quitting school when you’re so close to graduating.
Kristine, you’ve fought tooth and nail for that degree.”

My
eyes glistened. “School doesn’t feel important anymore. Neither does work. I
just… I feel so lost without you. I didn’t realize this would be so difficult.”

He
took a deep breath and slowly released it. “You’ll regret it. Maybe not today,
tomorrow, or next week… but someday you’ll regret walking away from school when
you were so close to earning your degree.”

I
diverted my eyes. “Three months feels like an eternity.”

“I
won’t argue that point. Three
weeks
feels like an eternity these days.” He
stopped me on the third step from the bottom so he could slip my heels on.
“Maybe I should try to find a way out of this assignment.”

I
braced myself against the stone wall while Rafael fastened my shoes. I thought
about my conversation with Chief D’Souza.

“There’s
one thing you should understand before you marry this man. Rafael needs you just
as much as you need him.”

I
gazed at the man kneeling before me.

“You
will love and support him in his efforts to protect those who are vulnerable
whether through the police force, his private security firm, or the Templar.”

My
heart clenched as Rafael rose and reached for my hand.

“Do
you solemnly vow both secrecy and support for Rafael Tiago Garcia and his
fellow knights?”

A
single tear slid down my cheek.

“Kristine?”
Rafael inquired worriedly.

“No.”
I grasped his shoulders as he lifted me from the stairs. “You have to put every
last one of those predators away so those children will be safe.”

He
offered a solemn nod. “And you have to stay in school. That degree helps you reduce
violent conflict. That’s important too.”

I
burrowed against his chest. “I love you.”

His
fingers slid soothingly over my hair. “I love you too.” We walked arm in arm down
the dimly lit hallway. “Did you bring the invitations?”

“They’re
in the suitcase.” I’d brought samples so Rafael could weigh in. I wanted to
ensure our wedding invitations reflected both of our personalities.

He
veered into the red carpeted hallway we’d explored earlier. “Did you decide on
the flowers?”

“Yes.”
That was easy. “Wisteria with deep purple roses and calla lilies.”

He
smiled. “That sounds pretty. I’ll let the florist, the palace staff, and the
pastry chef know.”

I
eyed the tapestry depicting the Knights Templar on the wall to my right. “Did
Chief D’Souza agree to be one of your groomsmen?”

“Yes.”
Rafael frowned. “I can’t seem to decide on the other two.”

“Who
are you considering?” I inquired curiously.

His
frown deepened. “Ethan, Brady, and Jase.”

I
nodded thoughtfully. “I can ask Marie to serve as a fifth bridesmaid so you don’t
have to choose.” Lexie, Kimme, Cenia, and Shae agreed to be my bridesmaids back
in January.

Rafael
looked relieved. “Really? That would make things so much easier.”

“I
adore Marie. I’ll ask her as soon as I return to Virginia,” I assured him.

He
wrapped his arm around me. “What happened to our small wedding?”

I
laughed lightheartedly. “I haven’t a clue.” We stopped in front of the dining
room.

“It’s
very contemporary,” Rafael observed. The upholstered arm chairs, contemporary light
shades, and finished walls seemed sorely out of place in the medieval castle.

He
spoke with the hostess. She led us through a set of wooden doors and out onto a
small, intimate balcony.

I
was so drawn to the view I walked right past the chair Rafael pulled out for
me. A large white church glowed beneath us, framed by rolling hilltops and a
moonlit sea. The clouds had cleared, the moon was full, and a billion stars pierced
the sky. Very few lights flickered beneath the hilltops, which made the view
all the more spectacular. “It’s breathtaking.”