Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Before I could say more his mouth crashed on mine. This is no sweet, gentle kiss. He kissed me hard, fast. He kissed like a man. All I could do was respond to the kiss. Our lips danced creating fireworks. As fast it started, it ended when we heard the tell-tale of the elevator sound. Anyone seeing us now could say that we are hardly composed. Our irregular breathing gives away the effect we had on each other.

Still not breaking eye contact Raphael said, 'I'll drop you'

'There is no need for that', I weakly protested not yet recovered from the kiss.

He just gave me the look; you know with the whole eyebrow thing (someday I'm going to learn it)

I sighed and followed him to his car. Not so surprisingly the ride was filled with sexual tension. I was so strung with an awareness that I couldn't speak a single word even if I tried. Very soon we reached my place.

Raphael stopped the car, but didn’t move to open the lock. His gaze was in my neighborhood, checking the surroundings.

I cleared my throat and asked, 'Uhh. do you...do you want to... do you want to come inside?'

Shit, Erica. Don't stammer. You can do this.

I quickly clarified before he misunderstands me, ' you know, for a cup of coffee or tea. Maybe both. Or something stronger. I'll just... I'll just shut my mouth now'

Suddenly he laughed. Raphael Sinclair laughed. Not just a smile, but that full-blown belly laugh. My gaze locked on his mouth. Something stirred at my heart region. Am I getting gastronomic pain?

'Yes, Erica I'll join you for a cup of coffee or tea or something stronger. But not all three at the same time', he said. His eyes still hold the laugh.

It's as if we understood each other, craving for privacy, we didn't talk while we reached my flat. Once inside I don't know what to do.

'So... which one do you want?'

'I'll go with the stronger option if you don't mind', he said removing his jacket. I gulped when his shirt strained at the biceps.

'Ya sure', I said searching for the wine bottle I store for special occasions.

We relaxed on my couch, each holding the wine glass, looking at each other's eyes. Our legs 'innocently' brushing. We were not drunk, not even tipsy, but we were getting there. At least I'm.

'I don't like this place. It’s too far for me to come whenever I feel like. I have a flat near the office. Why don't you shift in it?'

Whoa. My brain put a sudden break into my fantasies. 'Excuse me? Are you asking me to move in with you?'

He gave me a panic look before composing himself enough to say that ‘No. I mean not the right time now. But I'm asking you to move into one of my flats I own'.

My temper raised from 0 to 100 just like that.

'Correct me if I'm wrong, but did you just ask me to move into a house you provide for me? like a Mistress?'

'No. As a Boyfriend. There is nothing wrong with that'. My heart pinged when I heard the word 'boyfriend', but I can't let it distract from the nonsense he is sprouting from his mouth.

'Ugh, I can't believe I'm hearing this. You don't know the struggle that I went through to own my home. This is the first real home that I made with my own bloody hands. Just because you want to tap me whenever you want, I must shift? Which universe are you from? And who said you are my Boyfriend? You never asked me. Ahh...This is moving too fast for my comfort. I think... I think you better leave’, as I rambled, one step away from pulling my hair, I took two steps back, wanting to create some distance.

Raphael stood and instead of going towards the door, he closed the distance between us, his hands on my shoulders, ' it's k if you don't want to move. I just suggested it. You can live wherever you want. I respect your wishes. As per the other question, maybe I should cover the formality. Will you be mine, Erica?', he asked, drawing me near him, closing the remaining distance between us.

He didn't say 'will you be my girlfriend?’. Instead, he asked much more. My anger deflated with that simple question.

I looked into his eyes, trying to decipher his seriousness. Before I could reply to him, he kissed my senses away. This one is different from the elevator. That one was demanding, whereas this was coxing me to accept him, tugging at my lips to enter my mouth, into my life. I broke the kiss before my senses left the building.

Still in his arms, holding to him, our breaths mingling, I confessed to him what's on my mind.

'I'm scared. I'm really scared. This is all new to me. Two weeks back you don't have time to talk to me much alone listening. Now, suddenly you want me to be yours. Why the sudden change? Which one is the real Raphael? The one who glowers at me or the one who smiles at me? Which one is the real you? I'm confused, Raphael. What brought this change?'

'I'm the same, Raphael. The one YOU want. Change you say. Maybe we never had the moments to clear the air. Maybe we misunderstood each other. Maybe I was always like this, but we never got an opportunity till now. Whatever it was, I'm happy I have you now. Isn't this enough? You never answered my question, Erica. Will you be mine?'

I put my doubts in a small box and locked in a corner of my mind. I don't want to start our beginning with doubts lingering between us. I never expected Raphael Sinclair would ask me to be his. I never permitted myself to think about such a thing, fearing the impossible. But it's not impossible anymore.

'Yes. Yes, Rafa. I would be yours'