Broken Together

by K. S. Ruff

  “We’ll be departing in twenty minutes,” Kari warned. She coughed, trying to stifle a laugh.

  “We’ll be seated by then,” Rafael replied.

  My legs nearly buckled when I caught sight of the bedroom. A queen sized bed dominated the room. A dresser lie beneath the windows on the left, but there was still enough room to walk around the bed. The dresser and the bed were carved from the same dark mahogany wood that framed the fireplace, which was, as Rafael promised, visible from the bed. Glass shelves and lights were tucked inside the headboard. A white suede duvet covered the bed. White and brown pillows lined the headboard, and a plush, dark chocolate blanket lie at the foot of the bed. “This bedroom is… incredible.”

  “I’m glad you like it.” Rafael pulled the cork out of the Chianti and handed me a glass of wine. “Would you like to see the bathroom before we depart?”

  I took a sip of wine while running my fingers along the soft duvet. “Yes, please.”

  Rafael opened a door to the right of the bed. The white door blended in with the wall, so I was surprised to see him open it. He waved me inside.

  Had the lid been open, my jaw would have fallen inside the toilet. The bathroom held a mahogany vanity with a dark brown, black, and bronze marble countertop. A brushed bronze faucet and clear glass bowl lie beneath a mahogany mirror. A brown hatbox toilet sat beside the vanity. Both faced a moderately sized shower, tiled in the same marble as the floor and the vanity. The shower boasted six jets and a rainfall showerhead.

  Rafael stepped inside the bathroom. “Do you think we’ll both fit in that shower?”

  “I think we can make it work,” I replied with a wry smile. I slowly turned around. “This aircraft is beautiful… beyond beautiful.”

  He set our wine glasses on the vanity before pulling me into his arms. “I’m so glad you like it. I was worried it was a little over the top.”

  I practically snorted. “Oh, it’s over the top… but it’s also elegant and quietly understated… like you.”

  “I’m elegant?” Rafael chuckled.

  I pulled the leather band from his hair, slipped it over my wrist and buried my hands in the dark, silky strands. “We’re going to have so much fun making love on this airplane.”

  He grinned. “So it doesn’t matter where we’re going.”

  I pressed my body against his. “This jet could circle DC or sit on the tarmac for all I care.”

  Rafael’s arms tightened around me. He lowered his head and brushed his lips slowly… softly… teasingly… against mine. His hand wound through my hair, tugging my head back as his lips captured my mouth in a dominating kiss. His tongue delved deep inside, stroking… demanding… branding me from the inside out. My nipples hardened, pleading for his attention, while heat pooled between my legs.

  We both groaned when Captain Anderson’s voice sounded over the intercom. “Cabin crew, please prepare for departure.”

  “Soon,” Rafael promised. His husky tone promised sinful things. We grabbed the wine and returned to the main cabin.

  Two bottles of sparkling mineral water and a platter filled with grapes, sliced pears, sliced baguette, and a variety of meats and cheeses were sitting on the table. Neither of us had eaten lunch, so I dropped into one of the plush leather chairs flanking the table. “Oh! This seat is comfortable.”

  Rafael fastened my seatbelt and dropped a quick kiss on my lips before taking his seat. “Good. We’ve a long flight ahead.”

  The flight attendant stepped out of the galley and approached the table. “I have to remain in my seat until we reach cruising altitude. After that, I’ll be available for anything you might need. I’m sure you would prefer some privacy, so I’ll remain in the galley while you’re in the main cabin. I’ll check on you periodically, but please don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything.”

  Rafael nodded. “Thanks, Kari.”

  She topped off our wine and set the bottle inside a wine bucket that was built into the wall next to the table. She waved toward the food. “This should tide you over until we level off. When would you prefer the remaining courses?”

  Rafael glanced at me.

  “Two maybe three hours?” Frankly, I was more interested in the bed.

  Rafael smiled, as if reading my mind. “We plan to retire to the bedroom once the plane has leveled off. May I call you when we’re ready for dinner?”

  “Of course. There’s a call button next to the bed.” The plane began to back away from the terminal. Kari walked to the front of the jet. “Enjoy the flight.” She disappeared into the galley.

  Rafael raised his wine glass. “To my future wife.”

  I tapped my glass against his. “To my future husband.” I studied him over the top of my wine glass. He had refused to tell me where we were going, claimed we didn’t need luggage, and drove straight to the airport in his SUV. He asked Jase to drive my jeep back home. He also cleared my absence with Paul. Seeds for Peace was closed between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, so we could be gone for two weeks and I’d only miss five days of work. As far as my schedule went, he couldn’t have timed this trip more perfectly.

  The jet picked up speed. I took another sip of wine as the nose of the aircraft lifted. Where to begin with my inquiry? “How long is our flight?”

  Rafael stacked meat and cheese on top of a slice of bread. “Twelve and a half hours, which includes a two hour layover while we refuel the jet.” He popped the tiny sandwich into his mouth.

  My eyes widened. “Twelve and a half hours? Clearly, we’re sleeping on the plane.”

  He nodded. “We should arrive at our final destination around seven-thirty tomorrow morning… their time, not ours.”

  I paired a piece of bread with some cheese. I still couldn’t believe Rafael sang to me. “You have such a beautiful voice. How is it I’ve never heard you sing?”

  “‘Make you Feel My Love’ is the only song I can sing. I was going to search for the man who sang that song to you the first time, but I didn’t want you gazing into his eyes while I was proposing. I decided to take singing lessons. I started about three months ago, so I could sing the song myself.” A boyish grin lit his handsome face.

  I shook my head in disbelief. “You have got to be the most romantic man to have ever walked the planet.” I tasted the pear and another piece of cheese.

  “I’m glad you think so.” Rafael smiled. “Shall we set a wedding date?”

  “Sure.” I glanced out the window. The jet was already beginning to level off. “When would you like to be married?”

  “Tomorrow.” He looked… serious.

  My eyebrows shot up. “Tomorrow? Is that even possible?”

  He laughed. “Anything is possible.”

  My curiosity piqued. “What type of wedding would you like to have? Aren’t there people you’d like to invite?”

  Rafael looked thoughtful. “Honestly? No.”

  The man had a point. Aside from the minister or priest and the two requisite witnesses, we were the only two people who really had to be there. Large wedding ceremonies could be stressful. They seldom focused on the bride and groom. Besides, I had a good sized family to include, while Rafael had no family to speak of. Having my family present could make Rafael feel the absence of his parents and brother even more. I reached for his hand. “I have to admit, the thought that our wedding would be focused solely on our vows, our relationship, and our marriage is appealing.” I truly didn’t feel the need for a large wedding.

  His eyes softened.

  A soft “ding” sounded before the captain made his announcement. “We’ve reached cruising altitude. The flight attendant and passengers are now free to move about the cabin.”

  We exchanged smiles.

  “The bedroom?” I bit my bottom lip.

  Rafael unfastened his seatbelt and mine. He grabbed the food and bottled water while I finished my wine.

  “About that date,” I murmured. “Can we wait until after I graduate in May? Even if we h
ave a small, intimate wedding, I’d rather not juggle all of the last minute preparations against work and school.”

  Rafael offered me his elbow since his hands were full. “If we were married tomorrow, there would be no juggling.”

  “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there’s paperwork involved.” We walked back to the bedroom.

  Rafael set the appetizers and bottled water on top of the dresser. “Paperwork? What kind of paperwork?” He began to undress.

  I fidgeted nervously. “Well, if I remember correctly, we’ll need our birth certificates. I’ll probably need to provide my divorce decree. We’ll need baptismal records and my annulment paperwork if you want to be married by a priest.” Suddenly, I felt like damaged goods. I took a deep breath and continued. “The Catholic Church requires engaged couples to attend a marriage preparation course in advance of the wedding. Some states require blood tests, and we have to fill out an application for a marriage license.”

  Rafael looked thoughtful. “Are you Catholic?”

  I shook my head. “Lutheran.”

  He pulled the sweater over my head. “But you were married in the Catholic Church when you were married to your first husband?”

  My cheeks heated. “Yes.”

  Rafael fingered my bra before unbuttoning my jeans. “And you’d be willing to go through all that again for me?”

  “Yes,” I breathed. “I… I presume you’re Catholic?” I couldn’t believe we hadn’t discussed our religious affiliations before now. I’d presumed Rafael was Catholic simply because Michael was. I stepped out of my jeans when they slid to the floor.

  Rafael nodded. He looked… conflicted.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck so I could feel him and not my tainted past. “I would prefer our marriage was blessed.”

  His eyes locked on mine. “Me too.”

  I ran my fingers along the chiseled planes that shaped his broad shoulders as he backed me toward the bed. “Then perhaps we should set a wedding date in June or July and meet with a priest when we return home.”

  Rafael shook his head. “I’d prefer not to wait that long.”

  “That’s only six months away,” I protested.

  His eyes darkened.

  “Why…” My question ended abruptly. “Are you trying to expedite our wedding because of Maxim?”

  His jaw clenched.

  I sighed softly. An earlier date would require me to juggle wedding preparations while I was still in school. “What about the third weekend in May? The weekend after I graduate?”

  Rafael released the clasp on my bra, eased the straps down my arms, and dropped it on the floor. “What about spring break?” He knelt and drew each nipple deep inside his mouth.

  My eyes slid closed. I was finding it increasingly difficult to argue my point. “I’m going to be in Rwanda over spring break. Remember?”

  He hooked his thumbs in my thong and tugged it toward the floor. “May, then.”

  I nodded my consent.

  Rafael lowered me onto the bed. “I can’t believe there’s a class.”

  I tugged the leather band from his hair. “It’s really not that bad. The class helps ensure we’re on the same page about our finances, marital roles, and children.”

  “About those children…” He nudged my knees apart as he pressed his body to mine. “I think we should work on that requirement now.”

  “Mmmm,” was my only reply. I wrapped my legs around his waist and pulled his hips to mine.

  In one long, decadent stroke he filled me. “Mine,” he sighed.

  “Yours,” I conceded. I linked my hands with his.

  We fell into a sweetly seductive kiss. Rafael thrust harder, knitting us together again and again.

  Tension coiled deep and low. “Rafael,” I panted. Pleasure sparked. I was so close… too close. More than anything, I wanted to prolong this moment.

  Rafael slowed. His hands clenched mine as he gazed into my eyes. He moved deep and slow.

  I fought for control even as my body demanded more.

  Rafael grasped my shoulders. He held me tight and thrust. “You. Are. Mine.” His muscles clenched. With a final thrust he owned me.

  My back arched as he pulsed inside of me. We unraveled in the searing heat.

  Rafael rolled his hips against mine, prolonging the pleasure, wringing even more desire from my deeply sated body. Slowly, he began to thrust.

  Still quivering, I relinquished control. “Yes,” I moaned. “More.”

  * * * * *

  The bedroom was bathed in a soft flickering light. I shifted slightly so I could watch the flames dance in the fireplace. I was surprised to find the fireplace was radiating heat. The room felt cozy and warm. Rafael’s arms and legs were locked around mine, and we were both tangled in the sheets. My eyes widened when the plane lurched unexpectedly.

  “Turbulence,” Rafael grumbled. He opened his eyes when my stomach growled. “Hungry?”

  “Very.” I briefly considered searching for my phone so I could see what time it was. I hadn’t a clue how much time had passed since the flight began.

  Rafael leaned over me to press the call button next to the bed. “Hi, Kari. We’re ready for the remaining courses.”

  “Will you be eating in the main cabin, or would you prefer I bring your trays back to the bedroom?”

  He grinned. “The bedroom, please.”

  “But we’re not even dressed!” I ducked under his arm and dove for my thong. Like that would cover me.

  A well-muscled arm wrapped around my waist. Rafael picked me up and tossed me back in bed. “There are bathrobes in the closet.” He strode to the other side of the bed and opened a white door that was built into the wall, just like the door to the bathroom.

  “There’s a closet?” I crawled back out of bed so I could peek over his shoulder. “You… there’s… everything!” Rafael had stocked the closet with bathrobes, slippers, shoes, coats, and at least three changes of clothes for each of us.

  He tugged a black fleece bathrobe over his shoulders before sliding a slightly smaller version over my arms. “The dresser contains additional bed linens and clothes. The bathroom is stocked with towels, washcloths, and of all the same products we use at home.”

  I pulled the bathrobe closed and tied the belt. “Wow.” I shook my head and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Clearly, you’ve thought of everything.”

  Rafael beamed. His hands settled against the small of my back. “The place we’ll be staying is similarly stocked.”

  I pulled him down for a kiss. “Now I get why I didn’t need luggage.”

  A light knock sounded at the door.

  Rafael deposited me on the bed before opening the door. “Thanks.”

  “Ring me when you’re ready for the main course,” Kari encouraged softly.

  “Will do.” Rafael returned with two trays. The top tray held two Caesar salads, an assortment of bread, small salt and pepper grinders, herb butter, sparkling water, a cork screw, and a bottle of Apothic Red.

  Rafael set the bottom tray on my lap before distributing the food. He handed me a glass of wine before joining me in bed.

  I took a sip. A heady mix of rhubarb, black cherry, mocha, and vanilla notes slid soft as silk down my throat. I hummed my appreciation. “We should stock this wine at home.”

  He tried the wine. “Not bad for a California blend.” He speared some lettuce against a rather large crouton. “Has Oni firmed up her plane ticket?”

  I slathered the butter over a warm slice of French bread, tore a small piece off, and popped it into my mouth. “Yes. She’s flying in on January 10th. Can she stay with us for a week? The dorms don’t open until January 17th.”

  Rafael shrugged. “A week is fine with me. When does spring semester begin?”

  “January 20th..” I dug into the salad.

  “Is she excited about the move?” He buttered a piece of bread.

  My fork stalled. “Oni’s excited about graduate school,
but she’s not looking forward to being separated from her family, especially given the instability in Ukraine.”

  He finished his salad. “That’s certainly understandable. How’s her English? Do you think she’ll get along okay?”

  “Her English is impeccable. I can’t wait for you to meet her. You’re really going to like Oni.”

  Rafael hit the call button before setting his tray on the dresser. “Hi, Kari. We’re ready for the main course.”

  “I look forward to meeting her.” He snagged another piece of bread before climbing back into bed. “Has Maxim revealed what he’s going to ask of you?”

  “No.” I pushed the last of my salad aside. In a moment of sheer desperation, I’d panicked and promised Maxim anything… well, anything but sex… in order to secure his assistance in finding and freeing Kadyn, who’d been taken hostage during a shootout between the drug cartels outside San Fernando, Mexico. Maxim asked the Russian Mafia to secure Kadyn’s release from the Gulf Cartel just last month. I owed Maxim, big time, but Maxim had yet to reveal what he was going to ask of me. The not knowing was killing me. I was terrified Maxim was going to ask something that would cost me my relationship with Rafael.

  Rafael twirled the glittering engagement ring around my finger. “Maybe this will help Maxim adjust his expectations.”

  I blew out a breath. “Knowing Maxim, he’ll see I’ve replaced his ring with yours, raise the stakes, and demand even more.”

  A soft knock sounded at the door.

  Rafael scowled. He gathered the trays and answered the door. “Thanks, Kari. Why don’t we plan for dessert in a half hour or so?”

  “Sure.”

  “Let’s not talk about Maxim,” I pleaded.

  “Agreed.” Rafael separated the trays before doling out the plates.

  The peppercorn cream sauce tickled my nose, making me sneeze. “Wow. Steak, steamed broccoli, and a baked potato loaded with butter, bacon, shredded cheese, and sour cream? I gained ten pounds just looking at this.”

  Rafael settled in next to me with his tray. “No worries. I’ll burn every single calorie off you over the next few hours.”

  My entire body clenched. I set my tray and his on the bed so I could straddle his lap. “Maybe I should feed you, so you can conserve your energy.”