by K. S. Ruff
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.”
The hostess slipped away unnoticed.
Rafael propped his shoulder against a braided stone pillar when he joined me. “That’s Our Lord Jesus of the Stone Sanctuary.”
<
br /> “Why is it shaped like a hexagon?” Actually, the church contained three hexagons, a large hexagon for the main sanctuary and two smaller hexagons, one on either side.
Rafael shrugged. “King Joao V commissioned the sanctuary after surviving an accident where he evoked our Lord Jesus of the Stone. No one knows why he chose this particular design.” He turned to face me. “There’s an ancient stone cross inside the sanctuary that is rumored to have miraculous power. If you’d like, we can see it tomorrow.”
My palm brushed against his lightly stubbled cheek while I pressed the faintest of kisses onto his lips. “A cross that yields miracles. I think I might like to see that.” We settled in at the table. I still couldn’t believe we had this breathtaking view all to ourselves.
The candles on the table flickered when Rafael reached for my hand.
A waiter slipped quietly through the heavy wooden door. He was carrying two champagne flutes filled with what appeared to be pink champagne and a small metal bowl filled with strawberries.
“Cherry Kir,” Rafael explained.
He set the champagne flutes and strawberries on the table.
“Obrigada,” I murmured softly.
“Você é bem-vindo.” He exchanged polite nods with Rafael before disappearing through the heavy door.
Rafael handed me a strawberry and raised his glass. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
I met his gaze. “Happy Valentine’s Day.” We tapped our champagne flutes, bit into the juicy strawberries, and sipped the Cherry Kir.
Rafael quietly considered the sparkling cocktail.
“I can’t believe this is our first Valentine’s Day together.” He’d lavished me with so many romantic escapes, it felt as if we’d shared a lifetime of Valentine’s Days together.
He set his drink aside. “This isn’t the first Valentine’s Day we’ve spent together.”
My brow furrowed. “I’m pretty sure it is.”
He smiled but offered no further response.
The waiter returned with bread and two bowls of spicy vegetable cream soup.
I tore a piece of bread and dipped it into the soup. “Okay. Explain.”
Rafael feigned offense. “I’m crushed you don’t recall.”
My spoon hovered above my bowl.
A secretive smile played on his face. “It was the first time we slept together.”
I abandoned the spoon altogether. “Your birthday was the first time we slept together, and that was March 14th.”
He chuckled softly. “I distinctly recall sleeping in your bed on February 14th.” He shook his head. “I really should have hand delivered those roses.”
I raked through my memories from that night. Rafael had sent the most beautiful long stemmed roses I’d ever seen to Dr. Sandstrom’s classroom. He’d written a romantic note, but he didn’t sign the card. I didn’t discover he was the one who sent them until we started dating in March. I gasped when the light finally clicked on. “That was the first night you snuck into my bedroom… the first night I smelled your cologne.”
Rafael laughed. “Behavior hardly becoming a knight.”
I shook my head. “Well, I’m glad you stopped sneaking around. I prefer knowing you’re in my bed.”
The waiter returned with breaded green beans and a bottle of wine. He held a brief conversation with Rafael in Portuguese while he poured the wine.
I tried the green beans. They were crunchy and nutty tasting, like parmesan cheese. “How many times do we need to meet with the priest?”
“Twice,” Rafael answered. “I think we should schedule the second session in March. We just need to pick a weekend when you can return to Lisbon.”
I reached for my wine. “I’ll be in Sierra Leone over spring break. Are you still planning to join me?”
“Yes. Chief D’Souza approved my leave.” He sounded relieved.
I breathed my own sigh of relief. “Why don’t I fly to Lisbon first? We can meet with the priest before we leave.”
He smiled, obviously pleased. “I’ll see if Father Ramires is available on the thirteenth.”
I leaned forward excitedly. “We can celebrate your birthday in Lisbon since we don’t have to be in Sierra Leone until the fifteenth.”
“Sounds good.” Rafael piled a few more green beans onto his plate.
I studied him over the top of my wine. “What would you like to do for your birthday?”
He laughed. “The same thing we did on my birthday last year.”
“Rafael!” I gasped. “What would Father Ramires say?”
The smile slid from his face. We’d had sex eight times that day.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You do remember Cenia and Roger abstaining from sex before they were married?”
“Yes.” He choked down a green bean.
I folded my arms across my chest. “And who do you think encouraged them to abstain from sex?”
“Their priest?” he answered weakly.
I offered a solemn nod.
His face blanched. “The priest is going to talk about sex?”
He sounded so incredulous I nearly snorted my wine.
The waiter returned with crab pot pies. He topped off our wine.
I waited until he was out of earshot. “I’m afraid our days are numbered. You should enjoy it while you can.”
Rafael’s reaction was priceless. At first he looked physically ill. He didn’t say much until the lamb arrived. Then, he just seemed frustrated. By the time the waiter delivered dessert, he was eyeing me like I’d thrown down the gauntlet.
I rather enjoyed the sexual tension, so I dragged coffee and dessert out as long as I could. I informed Rafael, “Crepe Flamejado should not be rushed.” The crepes were stuffed with apples, kiwi, and strawberries, all of which were swimming in a rich, buttery sauce.
Imagine my surprise when the waiter delivered a second dessert, Sobremesa Namorados, a brownie type pie topped with toasted meringue and drizzled in a tart cherry sauce.
I was beginning to question whether we’d make it back to our room before we had sex.
Sadly, we did not.
* * * * *
“What did you pray for?” Rafael asked. We were lying side by side in the soft grass watching eagles and falcons soar through the crisp blue sky. We’d stumbled across a private garden after exploring the romantic village tucked inside the castle wall. The weather held after all.
I curled onto my side so I could study his handsome face. “I prayed we would survive this separation, marry in May, and live happily ever after.” I felt guilty about my greedy little prayer. I should have prayed for world peace, a cure for cancer, or an end to pedophiles everywhere. “What did you pray for?”
Rafael’s hand found mine as he rolled onto his side. “I prayed for a baby.”
A smile tugged at my lips. “Well, you’ve certainly been working diligently toward that goal.” My eyes shifted toward the castle wall. A falcon had just landed on one of the merlons. His head cocked while he studied us. “Can we come back here some day?” Obidos castle had proven the perfect escape.
Rafael smiled. “We’ll spend every Christmas in Lisbon, every Valentine’s Day in Obidos, and our summers in Saint-Tropez.”
My eyes held his. “Even when we have a baby?”
He pulled me closer. “We’ll ask Benjamim or Chief D’Souza to babysit on Valentine’s Day.”
My shoulders relaxed. “I’m irrevocably in love with you.”
His smile widened. “I’m hopelessly in love with you too.”
The falcon cried when his lips slanted over mine.
* * * * *
I sneaked a peek at Rafael. Father Ramires was quietly comparing our answers on the compatibility test. The first few questions were designed to rule out abuse. The remaining questions explored our religious beliefs, our perceptions toward one another, our communication and conflict resolution styles, our physical attraction, our plans for having children, our thoughts on discipline, and how we plan
to manage our finances. We spent the first two hours praying; discussing the sacrament of marriage; discussing my previous marriage, the abuse, the annulment, and how we first met. Then we took the test.
Father Ramires chuckled while turning the page.
Rafael and I exchanged glances.
The clock ticked on the mantle.
Father Ramires cleared his throat when he returned to the first page. “I don’t believe I have met a more compatible couple.”
Rafael slowly released his breath.
He looked thoughtful. “Your conflict resolution styles are surprising given the violence you’ve both endured.”
“I’ve received extensive training in crisis negotiations, and Kristine is working on a master’s degree in conflict resolution,” Rafael explained.
Father Ramires nodded. “How do you typically work through your disagreements?”
“We discuss the problem and generate solutions we’re both comfortable with,” I answered. Really, there were very few disagreements between us.
He jotted a few sentences in his notebook. “Do you work through these problems face to face, from across the room, by e-mail, or over the phone?”
Rafael’s brow furrowed. “We sit next to one another, hold hands or touch in some other way.”
Father Ramires looked pleased. “A reassuring touch can help immensely. It is difficult to be angry with someone who is holding your hand.” He made another notation. “What do you see as the most challenging part of your relationship?”
“The fact that we’re currently living on two different continents,” Rafael answered.
“My past,” I added softly.
Father Ramires nodded. “Let’s discuss Rafael’s concern first. “How do you plan to resolve this problem?”
“I’ll be joining Rafael in Portugal as soon as I graduate in May. We’re getting married the weekend after I graduate,” I answered.
He leaned back in his seat. “Will you remain in Portugal once you are married?”
I glanced questioningly at Rafael. “I don’t know. I guess it depends on how long this assignment lasts.”
He twined his fingers with mine. “We should be able to wrap up our investigation by the end of June, although a new lead could always extend things. I’ll know more by the time we’re married.”