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They reached the bedroom, but just barely.
The instant the door snapped closed, Rafael pinned her against it. His lips followed a slow path down her neck. Quietly, he noted every spot that caused her to gasp, her fingers weaving through his hair as his mouth roamed her throat. He pulled away, noting her dilated pupils and plump lips.
She pulled at his tie. "Well you’re becoming daring.”
“Are you complaining?" he whispered, placing a kiss beneath her collarbone.
“Not really,” she whispered, his hands moving up her sides playful. "You’ve been flirting with me all night.”
“I was not.”
“You touched my wrist while we were having dinner.”
“That doesn’t count as flirting.”
He pressed a kiss below her jawline causing her to gasp. "It’s does when you do it, that way.”
Her fingers tangled in his hair drawing him upward to meet her lips, fervent and urgent. His hands gripped her hips firmly drawing her nearer bringing them into alignment.
“Tell me to stop.”
Her nails scraped along his back at a pace enough to make him hiss. "I never ask you to quit.”
“Then I won’t.”
He scooped her up and placed her on the dresser with a skilled movement that sent her heartbeat racing. His lips met hers with increasing intensity, hips pressing her firmly against the wall.
“You’re making me crazy,” he whispered amid kisses.
“Good.”
He chuckled without catching his breath. "You’re going to destroy my willpower.”
“I’m fairly certain that occurred awhile back.”
He leaned his forehead against hers panting heavily. "Say my name.”
Softly, she responded. Then more audibly as he pressed his lips to hers. His hands moved upward, his mouth leaving a trail of warmth along her neck, her breath hitching with each tender caress.
“Rafael—”
He trembled. "Uy mi amor don’t say it that way unless you want me to —”
“Maybe I do.”
He raised his eyes. "Then come here.”
She drew him back for another kiss. As he moaned softly against her lips, she sensed the triumph like a jolt along her spine. They didn’t advance any further. Not yet. With Noah just down the hallway. But the vow lingered between them like a fiery, unvoiced and unavoidable truth. They remained in that position for a bit, their foreheads touching and their breaths gradually steading. Rafael traced his thumb gently along her jaw, gentler this time as if conveying both regret and a vow in a motion.
“Later," he murmured softly, “I promise.”
She grinned and pulled him in for one last kiss for the time being. "I’d hold you to it, but I know you always make right by it.”
A gentle thud echoed from somewhere down the corridor, steps, a known presence. Rafael moved aside initially to demonstrate he was capable although the expression he directed at her indicated it took a toll on him. He adjusted his tie with precision as though reestablishing control over himself. She stepped down from the dresser adjusting her outfit, heart still pounding. They remained silent. There was no need, for words.
Rafael let out a breath through his nose a grin appearing on his lips. "Timing," he whispered.
She chuckled softly running her thumb along his jawline before taking a step. "That’s typical for us.”
Another sound, drawers, then Noah’s voice, half sleepy. “Rafa?”
Rafael responded without delay. "Yea bud?”
He cast her a glance before heading down the hallway, a look that assured her that it was merely delayed. When Noah showed up in the doorway holding his blanket Rafael immediately crouched down.
"What’s going on?”
“I couldn’t get any sleep " Noah said, looking at her briefly before shifting his gaze to Rafael. "My mind just won’t be quiet.”
Rafael grinned softly. “Oh really? Mine does that occasionally as well.”
She stood against the doorframe observing how Rafael placed a hand on Noah’s shoulder steadying him just as he had steadied her moments before.
“We’ll read for a while " Rafael murmured gently his gaze rising to lock with hers once more. "Alright?”
She gave a nod. "I’ll stay here.”
As they walked away, down the hallway she sensed it more, that tug. Not merely desire but a deeper feeling. Something that remained after the door was left ajar and the night returned to silence. Later wasn’t just waiting. It was becoming clear. The house eased into its nighttime quiet, with lights lowered, footsteps muffled and the constant cadence of Noah’s breathing floating along the hallway. Rafael returned to her after a couple of minutes with his sleeves pushed up hair a bit tousled. He said nothing initially. He simply stood before her near enough for her to sense his warmth.
"He’s asleep," he whispered.
She gave a nod. "You handle him well.”
A softer expression passed over his face then. He extended his hand gradually allowing her the chance to retreat if she wished. She chose not to. His palm came to rest on her waist his thumb tracing a casual circle as though it were meant to be there.
“He makes it easy," he said, softly.
Her breath faltered, not due to heat but because of its significance. She leaned her forehead on his chest attuned to his heartbeat, calm and confident. They remained like that briefly. No hurry. No urgency.
She grinned at him. "I appreciate you staying.”
His chin lowered, gently touching her hair. "I didn’t intend to leave,” he whispered.
When he kissed her it was gentle and deliberate more so a vow, than passion, with his lips lingering as if etching the sensation into his memory. Later still waited. But the quiet, shared breath felt just as intimate.