by Ruff, K. S.
He rapped on my front door before responding to the text.
I flung the door open and smiled. “I didn’t think you’d be home from work this early.”
He nudged the door closed behind him. “I was hoping we could catch an early dinner.”
My toes curled as he pulled me in for a kiss. “You don’t want to stay home and cook together?”
He shook his head. “Nope. I thought I’d take my girlfriend out for dinner, since she’s leaving tomorrow night.”
I stepped back and motioned toward my outfit. I was wearing a white silk wrap shirt and flowing black pants that tied on the side with a bow. “Will this work?”
Rafael fingered the bow on my pants. “Sure. You look great.”
I studied him quizzically. I was a bit surprised he hadn’t tried untying the bow. “Okay. I’m going upstairs to freshen up. I’ll be right back.”
He tugged on my pants as he pulled me in for another scorching kiss. “Don’t take too long. I’m already missing you.”
I gave him a hug so he wouldn’t see the tears pricking at my eyes. As excited as I was about the trip, I still didn’t want to leave. Rafael wandered down the hall toward the kitchen when I walked upstairs. I brushed my teeth, swiped some mascara over my lashes, and added a bit of lip gloss before walking back downstairs.
Rafael was sitting at my center island, texting on his phone. He glanced up from the phone when I walked into the kitchen. “Ready?”
I pretended not to see the box of training manuals when I reached for my purse. “Ready.”
He slipped the phone into his pocket and reached for my hand as we made our way down to the garage.
Rafael tucked me into his car before claiming the driver’s seat. He was wearing a pair of black slacks and a gray silk dress shirt. His hair was pulled back neatly, and he smelled amazing. I breathed in his cologne as I relaxed into the soft leather seat. “Where do you want to eat?”
He glanced at me as he backed out of the garage. “I’d like to take you to Jaleo’s in DC.”
My eyes widened. “I heard their tapas is amazing.”
He turned onto King Street. “Do you know how to salsa dance?”
I shook my head. “No. Why?”
Rafael smiled. “They have salsa dancing on Tuesday nights.”
“Dancing has never really been my thing. I’m afraid I was born with two left feet,” I confessed. A pained look fell over my face.
Rafael laughed. “That just means you haven’t been dancing with the right person.”
I rolled my eyes. “I take it you know how to salsa?”
He grinned. “Yes. I learned how to salsa in Boca Raton, when I was visiting Michael. If you’d like, I can teach you.”
I eyed him suspiciously. “You want to teach me? You won’t be wearing any padded red suits, will you?”
Rafael’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “No. I don’t see any need for padding, unless of course you really are a terrible dancer. Do you think I should have worn steel toe shoes?”
I punched him in the arm. “I’m not that bad. Just… don’t be surprised if I try to lead.”
He shook his head and laughed that wonderful heart-warming laugh of his. “You won’t get a chance to lead if you’re dancing with me.” Rafael reached for my hand and kissed it gently. “I’m really going to miss you. Eighteen days seems like such a long time.”
Tears welled in my eyes. “I’m going to miss you too. Hopefully, we can talk each night once I’m settled in at the hotel.”
He nodded reassuringly before pulling into a parking garage. “That should work, since you’ll be seven hours ahead of me.”
Rafael spoke briefly with the parking attendant, who waved him through to a no parking space. I nudged his arm. “I’m beginning to think all of the no parking spaces don’t really mean no parking is allowed. They appear to be VIP parking for people with sexy sports cars.”
Rafael laughed as he raised the doors to the car. “Perhaps they are…” He linked his hand with mine as we walked toward the restaurant. “Do you like tapas?”
I shrugged. “I’ve never eaten it before. I’ve heard it’s a variety of appetizers with a Spanish or Mediterranean flare. How can you go wrong with that?”
Rafael kissed the top of my head before opening the door to the restaurant. “Happy birthday, love.”
My breath caught. “How did you know it was my birthday?”
He shook his head and laughed. “What is it about my training that you don’t understand?”
“Surprise!” a rather full table of people cheered as we stepped further inside the restaurant.
I stopped and stared. Shae, Paul, Sammi, and Cory were all sitting there, along with Cenia, Roger, Phil, Marie, and Kadyn. I looked at Rafael. “You did this?” I whispered with tears in my eyes.
He wrapped his arm around me. “I knew you really wanted to see Kadyn before you left for Ukraine. It took some convincing, but he agreed to come once he learned it was your thirtieth birthday party.”
I threw my arms around his neck. “Thank you,” I choked out. I was trying really hard not to cry. “This is the most amazing gift.”
Rafael nudged me toward the group. He spoke with the waitress while I took turns hugging everyone.
I saved Kadyn for last. My tears finally fell when our eyes met. “Thank you for coming, Kadyn. I’m so glad you’re here.” I hugged him for a very long time. “I really wanted to see you before I left for Ukraine.”
Kadyn shoved his hands in his front pockets when he released me. “Rafael told me you leave tomorrow night. How are you holding up?”
I slowly shook my head. “Don’t tell them…” I nodded toward Shae and my other colleagues, “but I’m scared to death.”
Kadyn sighed as he pulled me in for another hug. “Please, just be safe.”
I smiled shakily as I stepped back and swiped at my cheeks. “I’ll do my best.”
Rafael joined us. “Are you ready for your birthday present?”
I motioned toward the table where my friends were gathered. “I thought this was my birthday present.”
Rafael shook his head. He smiled as he glanced over my shoulder.
“Surprise!” my cousin’s voice rang out from behind me.
I spun around. “Lexie?”
She laughed as I flung my arms around her neck. Then we both began to cry.
I swiped at my tears as I hugged her husband, Nate. “You came all the way from Montana for this?”
Lexie reached for a napkin. She blotted my tear stained cheeks. “Like I would miss your thirtieth birthday party! Besides, this guy…” she nodded toward Rafael, “wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
I chuckled softly. “I’ve noticed that about him.” I gazed adoringly at Rafael. “You really are amazing.”
“I just really like to see you smile.” He wrapped his arm around me as he walked me to my seat. The waitress was already pouring my wine. Rafael settled me in next to Lexie before claiming the chair on the other side of me. He tapped his fork against his wine glass as he addressed the group. “I’ve ordered the chef’s tasting for everyone, so you don’t need to worry about what to order. They’ll bring a variety of tapas to the table shortly. I’d like to thank everyone for coming this evening. I know how much Kristine values each and every one of you.” His eyes settled on Kadyn. “I have to say, it’s nice to see her surrounded by so many people who truly love her.” Rafael turned to look at me. “Here’s to Kristine.”
“To Kri!” the group cheered loudly.
Lexie took a sip of wine before setting her glass on the table. She hooked her arm around my neck and pressed her lips to my ear. “You haven’t been keeping me in the loop, cuz. We have an awful lot of catching up to do before you leave for Ukraine.”
I pulled back to look into her bright blue eyes. “I can’t believe I have to leave tomorrow night. You finally drag your sorry butt to DC, and I have to leave the country. That’s so unfair.”
She offered a sympathetic smile. “Rafael said Nate and I could stay with him or we could stay at your place while you’re gone. Is it okay if we crash at your place?”
I shot her a crazed look. “Are you serious? Of course you’re staying at my place. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I just wish I had more time with you. I would have liked to take you sightseeing.”
Lexie laughed. She glanced at Nate as he handed her a plate of tapas. “I’m sure there will be no shortage of tour guides between Kadyn and Rafael,” she said, handing me the tapas.
I took a bacon wrapped date before passing the plate to Rafael.
He was beaming at me. “Do you like your present?”
I looked at Lexie, who didn’t bother hiding the fact that she was eavesdropping. “Eh. She’s okay.”
Lexie swatted at my shoulder before handing me a bowl filled with steamed mussels. “I’m the best present you ever had.”
The three of us laughed.
Rafael wrapped his arm around me. “I love you,” he whispered as his lips brushed against my temple.
The room faded away as I gazed into his soft brown eyes. “I love you too, Rafael. Thank you for doing all of this… for making my birthday so special.”
He shrugged as he passed the tapas to Marie. “You only turn thirty once.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “How old are you, anyway?”
Rafael took a sip of wine. “Thirty-two.”
I accepted another tapas plate from Lexie. I popped a crispy potato ball into my mouth and was surprised to find it filled with spicy chorizo. I handed the plate to Rafael. “When’s your birthday?”
Rafael smiled. “My birthday was in March. Actually, it was the same day you discovered me in your room.”
My heart sank. “I wish I’d known. I would have done something special for you.”
Rafael grinned as he lowered his voice. “We actually did do something quite special that night. That was the first time we made love.”
My cheeks flooded with heat. “That was pretty special,” I conceded.
Rafael nodded toward Cenia and Roger as they made their way to the dance floor. His handsome face lit with that panty dropping smile of his. “Let’s join them.”
Lexie choked on her sparkling water. “You’re salsa dancing with Kri? Now this I’ve got to see!”
I glued an innocent look on my face. “Why don’t you and Nate join us on the dance floor?” I asked in a syrupy sweet tone.
“Yeah, right,” Lexie snickered.
Nate folded his arms across his chest. “Are you saying I can’t dance?”
I tried not to laugh. The four year old in me was thrilled to have gotten Lexie into trouble. Lord knows she had gotten me into enough trouble over the years. I was anxious to see her talk her way out of the implied insult, but Rafael tugged me out of my chair.
Lexie shot me a look of pure desperation. “Kri?”
I winked at her.
She wadded her napkin into a ball and threw it at me. “You set me up!”
This time I laughed.
Rafael continued tugging me toward the dance floor. He stood beside me as he showed me the steps. “Step back with your right foot on one. Lift and lower your left heel on two. Shift your weight, but don’t move the left foot. Then return the right foot so it’s even with the left foot on three. Step forward with your left on five, lift your right heel as you keep your foot in place on six, then return the left foot so it’s flush with the right on seven. Like this.”
I tried to follow Rafael while I watched his feet move. “Where’s four?”
He stopped and stared at me. “What?”
I walked through the steps as I counted. “One, two, three… five, six, seven. Where’s four?”
He shook his head and laughed. “I don’t know where four is.” Rafael rested his hands on my hips as he moved behind me. “You need to move your hips as you shift your weight for each step. Keep the steps small, like this.” Rafael rolled my hips as he counted our steps. “One, two, three… five, six, seven.”
Rafael moved in front of me once I got the hang of the steps. He placed my left hand on his shoulder, then held my right hand. “Okay, here we go.” Rafael pushed my right hand back as he stepped forward, so I automatically stepped back. Then he pulled me forward as he stepped back. He smiled. “You’ve got it. Now, just listen to the music as you count your steps. One, two, three… five, six, seven.”
I glanced over at Cenia and Roger, who were working their way across the dance floor in a flurry of rotations and spins. Cenia did a little kick with her foot as she moved through the steps. “Can you turn me like that?”
Rafael’s eyes glittered with amusement. “Sure.”
He swung my right arm out, then in, quickly turning me under his arm while he counted out the steps.
I grinned. “Again!”
Rafael laughed as he spun me in his arms again. He pressed on the small of my back as he navigated me in front of him, rotating our position so we were dancing flush with Cenia and Roger. Sammi, Cory, Shae, and Kadyn joined us as we danced through the next two songs.
I motioned for Lexie to join us. I stuck my tongue out at her when she refused. Marie and Phil switched seats so they could join Lexie and Nate in watching everyone on the dance floor.
Kadyn tapped Rafael on the shoulder when the song ended. “May I have this next dance?”
Rafael placed my hand in Kadyn’s hand and smiled. “She’s all yours.” He offered his hand to Shae. “Shall we?”
Shae laughed. “I’d love to!”
I glanced down at my feet as Kadyn gently moved me through the steps. I smiled sheepishly when I finally relaxed. “I’m still trying to get the hang of this. I don’t want to step on your toes.”
Kadyn smiled as he spun me in his arms. “You’re doing great, Kri.”
I shook my head at him. “I should have known you could salsa. Is there anything you can’t do?”
Kadyn laughed. “There are a few things I have yet to master.”
My smile faded as I grew serious. “I’m so glad you came. I’ve missed you, Kadyn.”
He nodded. “I’ve missed you too. I’m still not happy that you’re dating Rafael, but I can see that he truly cares about you.”
My feet stalled. The lump in my throat made it impossible to speak.
Kadyn sighed as we resumed dancing. “I don’t want you to think I’ve given up on us, because I haven’t.”
I met his gaze, then nodded in understanding. “Have you decided to stay in the military or are you separating at the end of the month?”
Kadyn strengthened his hold on me as he rotated us on the dance floor. “I decided to separate from the Air Force. I’ve accepted a position with the Department of Homeland Security in Customs and Border Protection.”
I stumbled through my next step. “Will you be staying in DC?”
Kadyn’s eyes locked on mine. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying right here, Kri.”
My breath rushed out all at once. “I’m glad. Can I call you when I get back from Ukraine, so we can talk?”
Kadyn pulled me flush against his chest as the song ended. His voice broke when he spoke. “I’d like that. If you don’t mind, I’m going to head home now. You be safe in Ukraine, Kri.”
I peered up at Kadyn through watery eyes. “I will.”
He ran his thumb over my lips. His thumb slid away as his lips brushed against mine. “Happy birthday, Kri.”
I hugged him as hard as I could. “Thank you, Kadyn.”
“Be safe,” he repeated as he turned to walk away.
I stood motionless on the dance floor as I watched him say goodbye to Lexie. He glanced at me one last time before he walked out the door.
“Are you okay?” Rafael asked as he joined me.
I nodded as I wrapped my arm around his lower back and leaned into him. “Thank you for inviting him.”
Rafael hooked his finger under my chin and lifted my face towa
rd his. He studied my face, then brushed away the tears. “I would do anything to see you smile.”
“Anything?” I asked teasingly.
“Anything,” he confirmed.
I glanced over at Lexie. “Would you drive my cousin home so she can ride in your car? I’ll ride with her husband so he doesn’t get lost.”
Rafael chuckled softly. “I can do that. I assume they’re staying in your guest room?”
I nodded. “I want you to spend the night too.” I stared at my hands as they lingered on his chest. My eyes slid shut when I felt his heart beat against my hand. I longed to press my chest against his… to feel his heart beat in time with mine. My fingers clutched at his shirt. “How will I ever leave you?”
His forehead fell against mine. “I pray you never do.”
* * * * * *
I zipped my suitcase, set it upright, then rolled it toward the door. I glanced over at Lexie, who was sprawled out on top of my bed. “Well, that’s it in a nutshell.”
Her bangs fluttered against her forehead as she blew out a long breath. “Wow. I don’t envy you that decision one bit.” She sat up and fluffed my pillows before reclining against the headboard. She patted the spot next to her. “You know how much I like Kadyn. I think he’s a phenomenal guy, but I’ve known him longer than Rafael.”
I climbed onto the bed and stretched out next to her. “It should have been easy for me to slide back into a relationship with Kadyn. I love him, and I know he’s a good guy, but when we tried dating again, nothing felt right. It seemed like we were trying too hard and the timing wasn’t right.”
Lexie sighed. “How do you feel when you’re with Rafael?”
“I can’t seem to resist Rafael.” I laughed softly. “Not that I’ve really tried. He’s so easy to be with. For some reason my relationship with him just feels right. I trust him… I love him… shoot, I think I may even be in love with him. I don’t know how he did it, but the guy has completely stolen my heart in just six weeks’ time.”
Lexie squeezed my hand. “I hope I can get to know Rafael better while I’m here. He seems like a really good guy, and he’s obviously in love with you. I’m kind of surprised he’s not going to Ukraine with you, though. Why is that?”