The Doctor’s Promise
Page 16
“Glad to hear it,” he said but she could see the depth of emotion in his eyes. “There will never be anyone else for me either. We have our family, we have each other. All good things, now.”
“All good things.”
But, in the middle of the night, she woke to find the bed empty beside her. She slipped from the bed and pulled her robe around her. She went to find her husband and was surprised to see him sitting in the living room, staring out at the snowbound night.
“Hey, sweetie… couldn’t you sleep?”
Rafa turned to her and smiled but she could see the strain in his eyes. “Hey, what’s up?”
He held out his arms, and she went into them. They cuddled up on the couch. “I’m sorry, Noe, I think it’s just hit me. How much I lost, how much I almost lost. Don’t worry, I’m not freaking out. It just took my breath away for a minute.”
Noemi studied him. “You know, after everything happened, after Leo got shot, I had some counselling. Do you think you might benefit from some?”
“Maybe. I didn’t really have time to process anything after Tomi died, then when I almost lost you.”
“And Zani. There’s no shame in rocking back. And if you do it here, no biggie, you know. We’re here for us, to relax, to take stock after everything that’s happened. A lifetime’s worth in just a few years.”
Rafa smiled gratefully at her. “All I need is you, Noemi, and out family. This will pass.” He looked as if he might say something else but shook his head.
“What is it?”
He grinned sheepishly. “I still watch every man who comes near you, and I know it’s wrong of me, but I can’t help it. I still have nightmares about finding you in that car wreck.”
“Paul’s dead and Zani’s enemies are far away. No-one’s coming to get me, boo.” She got up and offered him her hand. “Come back to bed. I’ll show you there’s only everyone man who gets to be close to me.”
***
In the morning, she was glad to see that Rafa’s mood had improved. He offered to drive down the mountain to get some provisions. “Make sure none of it is healthy,” she said with a wicked grin and he laughed.
“Trans fats and refines white sugar coming up.”
She waved him off as he drove down the mountain, then made herself some hot chocolate and sat outside on the snowy deck. The view was beyond spectacular, endless valleys between the mountains, everything washed in white. The sun beat down, its strength weak at this time of year but it glared against the bright white snow.
Noemi snugged down in her coat, cupping her hands around her mug. It was so quiet that the only sounds she heard was the slight squeak of her chair as she moved and a faint breeze blowing through the pine forest that surrounded her.
So, when someone spoke, it was so unexpected that Noemi jumped up, startled. She turned to see a man walking through the snow towards her. He held up his hands. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Rafa’s mood last night had affected her, she realized, as she looked at the man with suspicion. The nearest other cabin was at least a half-mile away. She backed up a little, ready to scuttle inside and lock the door. “Can I help you?”
“Hi, yes, well… I’m in the cabin just over there and I can’t get the heater to work. Not used to it, I’m afraid. Wondered if you could give me some advice.”
“I’m not sure…”
“If I could just come in and see how yours works?”
Ha. No freaking way. “My husband is on his way. He might be able to help you if you want to wait?”
The other man, not much older than Rafael she guessed, smiled pleasantly. “No problem, I don’t want to cause you any inconvenience. First time here?”
Noemi nodded cautiously. He didn’t appear unfriendly but then again, nor had Paul, who had shot her sister in the head and had planned on killing Noemi and her unborn twins. “Honeymoon.”
“Congratulations, ma’am. I’m just here on my own his time. I used to come here with my wife.”
“I’m sorry.”
The stranger laughed. “Oh, no, she’s not dead, we’re divorced. This is my first time here alone, and well… I don’t know why I’m telling you all this.” He laughed sheepishly. “You have a kind face.”
She gave him a half-smile. “You come here a lot?”
“At least once a year. The peace, the silence… I thought I needed it but, well, I always had Sheryl to go back to talk to. Now… it takes some getting used to, the solitude.”
To Noemi’s vast relief, she heard Rafa’s SUV arrive and the door slam. She looked around as he approached, his eyes riveted to the newcomer. “Hey. Rafael Genova.” He stuck his hand out to the man, who shook it without hesitation.
“Archie Clements, good to meet you, sir. I was just talking to your lovely lady.” He explained his predicament to Rafa who nodded.
“No problem. Noe, there’s a bag of groceries in the car, would you mind fetching them while I show Archie how the heater works?”
She nodded and as she passed him, he leaned in as if to kiss her cheek. “If I yell, get in the car, lock the car, drive and don’t stop.”
Noemi rolled her eyes. As if she’d leave him there…
Rafa read her mind. “Noe.”
“Fine.”
She went to fetch the brown paper bag with the groceries in, listening carefully. No yelling, no shouting. She carried the groceries into the cabin and saw the two men standing by the wood burner. Their discussion was purely about the burner and Noemi began to relax. God, they were so paranoid…
Archie thanked Rafa. “Thank you. I’m only here for a day and I didn’t want to freeze. They’ve changed the system since I was here last with Sheryl. Well, I leave you lovebirds alone. Thanks again, great to meet you.”
He moved towards the door and suddenly Noemi felt sorry for him. “Archie… stay and have lunch with us.” She looked at Rafael, who nodded and smiled.
“Please do.”
“Oh, I don’t want to interrupt…” But Archie’s flushed cheeks told Noemi he was delighted and flattered to be asked.
Later, after Archie had left, Rafa wrapped his arms around Noemi as they sat together in front of the open fire. “You, Mrs. Genova are the sweetest thing.”
“Not really. At first I was on my guard with him.”
Rafa chuckled softly. “I admit when I saw you talking to a strange man, I nearly barreled out of the car and took him down. Paranoia, much?”
“Ha, no, I’m with you there. I guess we both have some relaxing to do. There are good people in this world. I hope Archie finds happiness. What a sweet guy.”
Rafa kissed her. “Damn it, now I have competition.”
Noemi laughed. “Never. Never ever. You are my world.”
Rafa smiled. “Then come to bed and show me, beautiful one…”
And Noemi did just that… all day and all night…
The End.
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She had it coming to her. Everyone knew it, too…
A little princess at work, she was anything but that when I got her home.
She was required to strip down to her underwear as soon as we entered our apartment.
At work, she was my intern. At home, she was my slave.
And a very good slave at that.
But it was time things changed. Would she be able to conform to what I now wanted her to be?
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About the Author
Mrs. Love writes about smart, sexy women and the hot alpha billionaires who love them. She has found her own happily ever after with her dream husband and adorable 4-year-old.
Currently, Michelle is hard at work on the next book in the series, and trying to stay off the Internet.
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