Chapter 16

Raphael

I tracelazy patterns across Helena’s bare shoulder as we lie tangled in satiated bliss. Her raven hair spills over the pillows, contrasting the creamy skin I can’t resist pressing soft kisses to. Helena sighs contentedly, stretching like a cat under my attentions. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of her.

As she arches into my touch, my eyes catch on the antique key pendant dangling from her necklace, nestled between her breasts. She never removes the jewelry, even when naked. My fingers drift down to trace the ornate metalwork curiously.

“This piece is exquisite—very unusual. An heirloom?” I ask.

Her eyes take on a playful glint and she leans up to whisper in my ear, “The key to your heart, maybe?”

I laugh, delighted by her teasing as always. “I think you picked that lock open long ago, my darling.” I tickle her ribs lightly and she squeals. Soon, we’re tussling and trading laughter across the sheets.

I let her pin me finally, gazing up at Helena’s flushed happy face with pure adoration. Her necklace dangles ticklishly, making me squirm. She takes ruthless advantage, but I don’t mind in the least. However mysteriously symbolic, if that antique key secures my beloved’s joy, then no treasure could be greater.

I give her a smile I hope conveys a fraction of the affection flooding my whole being. In the tender afterglow, our usual guards are lowered. I should ask her to stay, suggest grabbing real dinner together tomorrow, push for steps beyond these passionate yet clandestine trysts...

But the vulnerability in her open expression gives me pause. Coming on too strong could irreparably damage this delicate bud between us. Neither of us expected such an intense connection—it goes beyond primal chemistry into frighteningly dangerous territory for natural enemies.

So, I swallow the fervent words on my tongue, channeling them instead into a smoldering kiss along her elegant neck. We have time, I remind my impatient heart. I just need to nudge her gently from physical attraction into emotional intimacy at her pace. No scaring this skittish fawn away by blurting my dangerously strong feelings before she’s ready.

When we finally separate, Helena props herself on an elbow, lips curved teasingly. “Well, aren’t you energetic today, darling?” Her husky purr goes straight to my core. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you missed me.”

The truth of it nearly spills out. But I cradle her jaw instead, brushing a thumb over her flushed cheek. “Terribly,” I overstate with a dramatic sigh. “Counting the moments until I had you in my bed again.”

Helena laughs, low and throaty. “Oh, I see how it is. Just using me for my body, then?” She nuzzles into my palm, expression softening. “You really know how to make a girl feel wanted.”

“Because you are,” I say in a low, stern voice. “Very... very wanted...” Trailing fingers down her arm, I lift it to press feather-light kisses along the sensitive inner wrist. Her pulse taps rapidly under my lips and tongue. When I glance up, her own eyes have darkened several shades. Good—keeping this dance charged between us can only help tear down her walls further.

With concerted effort, Helena seems to shake off the sensual haze, propping herself higher on the pillows. I can’t hide a smirk at the pleasing view granted of her bare curves barely covered by the tangled sheet. Catching my stare, she pointedly tugs the fabric higher despite the teasing glint in her gaze.

“We should eat,” she declares practically. “I’m famished after that athletic display.”

My stomach chooses that moment to growl loudly, as if in agreement.

“There’s my answer!” Helena laughs again. “What time is it, anyway?”

I snatch my discarded jeans off the floor, fetching my phone from the pocket to check. “Just after ten.”

Her expression turns thoughtful. “Oh, I wish I could stay... but morning inventory comes at dawn. Raincheck on dinner?”

There it is—the perfect chance I’ve been waiting for all evening. Tamping down an eager grin, I keep my tone casual with effort. “No need to run off just yet. I’ll order us a pizza?” When she blinks in surprise, I sweep on before doubt can set in. “We’ll eat, relax a bit... plenty of time still to enjoy each other’s company.”

I hold my breath as Helena worries her bottom lip. Then her face transforms with a radiant smile that steals my breath far better than any kiss. “I’d love that. We always get so... distracted when we’re together.” One shoulder lifts seductively. “Be nice settling in without tearing clothes off straight away.”

Laughing in relief, I steal another swift kiss, wallet already in hand. “I’ll grab the phone and order. Make yourself comfortable, gorgeous.”

Escaping the temptation of all that bared skin, I duck into the adjoining sitting room to place our order. The mundane task barely registers as I float on an elated high from her agreement. It’s a small step maybe, but my heart swells imagining cozy domesticity with this fascinating woman.

When I return, Helena has wrapped herself alluringly in the top linen sheet like a goddess in a Roman fresco. She leans casually amidst the pillows scrolling her cell phone, at ease in her near-nudity now. My oversized dress shirt tossed aside for her scandalous choice in covering. Swallowing thickly, I drag my eyes up to meet her amused ones.

“See something you like?” Helena teases, dropping her lashes coyly.

“You know I do...” I prowl towards the bed, thoughts of dinner fading under sudden desire. “Though now I’m debating whether we have time to properly enjoy you in that sheet before the food arrives.”

Laughing brightly, Helena holds out an imperious hand, halting my advance. “Down boy, you’ll ruin my makeshift dress. Come sit and talk with me.” She pats the comforter, eyes dancing. “We have weeks-worth of catching up to do.”

I can’t maintain pretenses under her delighted expression. This right here—playful intimacy beyond physical release—feeds my heart as much as it does my body. I go to her eagerly, careful not to disrupt her artful draping as I join Helena comfortably atop the duvet.

We chat about everything and nothing in easy companionship: her family overseas, my passion for artistic hobbies, city living adventures. No heavy confessions, simply discovering each other’s quirks and histories organically. Laughter comes quick and often, never a lull.

When the knock on the door signals dinner’s arrival, I jump up before thinking. At Helena’s startled look as her minimal covering shifts precariously, I grab my shirt off the floor and press it into her hands.

“Here, put this on so you don’t give my doorman a show.” My grin turns wolfish. “That view is for my eyes only.”

A pretty flush stains her sharp cheekbones. But Helena just laughs again, the sound swirling golden warmth through my veins. “My hero.” She fakes a swoon. “Now go fetch our feast, sir knight, before your damsel starves!”

Still chuckling, I duck out and return swiftly with the hot pizza box emitting mouth-watering scents of sauce and melted cheese. Helena has migrated to the couch, swamped endearingly in my oversized shirt. At my entrance, she sets aside the remote control and folds her long legs beneath her.

My unnecessary breath catches at how naturally she fits here surrounded by my belongings, beautiful and unselfconscious. Studying her easy poise, I wonder again what higher powers saw fit to orchestrate our fated collision. Surely, no curse could result from something so pure between us... could it?

Oblivious to my reeling thoughts, Helena smiles brightly and raises her wineglass from the coffee table. “To finally having dinner together!”

Her joy is contagious, washing away any lingering gloom. Beaming in return, I retrieve two plates from the kitchen and flop onto the opposite end of the couch unceremoniously. “To many more cozy nights ahead.”

Our enthusiastic toast echoes through the high ceilings, twining our laughter together. Helena dives for the pizza eagerly, humming at that first hot, gooey bite. Watching her unreserved relish quickens my own appetite.

We feast leisurely straight from the box between us, chatting and joking easily about nothing consequential. Two souls delighting simply in each other’s company alone. No past or future exists beyond this room.

As the last crumbs disappear and credits roll on the classic romcom Helena selected, I stifle a yawn behind my palm. Glancing over, I find her eyes at half mast, cheek propped lazily on one palm. My shirt has slipped beguilingly off one creamy shoulder, but for once, desire remains banked, a steady warmth rather than hungry flames.

“It’s getting late, beautiful.” I brush my knuckles gently down her arm. “I should call you a cab...”

“No!” Helena’s vehement reply jerks me upright, every sense on high alert at the panic lacing her voice. But her expression stays soft, eyes vulnerable. “Not yet... just a little longer?”

My own relief mirrors hers as I fold her readily into my arms. “We have allnight, darling. Stay here.” Thoughtlessly, I press my lips to her hair, breathing deeply her jasmine perfume. It feels right, having her close like my heart has craved all these weeks.

Tension seeps from Helena’s frame and she nestles closer with a sigh. “Thank you. Being here with you like this... I don’t want it to end yet.” One hand migrates absently to my chest, fingers tracing delicate whorls over my shirt. Even that light touch ignites shivery heat.

Silence settles around us, weighted and intimate. My thumb strokes her shoulder idly, memorizing every shift of muscle and bone beneath her flawless skin. Still marveling that fate gifted me this priceless chance.

When Helena tilts her head back with an impish little smirk, I dip readily to meet her waiting mouth. We trade lazy, wine-sweet kisses that gradually turn feverish as suppressed longing roars back to life. Her nails rake flames down my chest and I groan approval into her clever tongue’s slick caresses. My hands grip slim hips, guiding Helena astride my lap without breaking contact.

The film’s credits conclude unheeded, music fading until only the wet sounds of kissing fill the charged air. This woman sets my entire body aflame, makes me drunk without ever touching alcohol. I want to consume every irresistible inch until no particle exists that isn’t intrinsically mine...

A shrill buzz cuts through the heady passion, making Helena lurch upright with a gasp. I chase her lips hungrily but she twists away, fumbling through discarded cushions for the rude device. When she blinks blearily at the screen, lips kiss-swollen and hair chaotically tucked behind one ear, I nearly toss the phone away to ravish her properly out of professional temptations.

But reluctantly, I restrain the impulse, watching emotions shift subtly over Helena’s expression. Her back goes rigid, jaw tensing. I touch her arm wordlessly in support but she just shakes her head, attention never straying from the message.

“Everything alright, babe?” I ask.

“Hmm? Oh yes, fine...” Helena’s distracted reply is remarkably unconvincing. She worries her lip before visibly steeling herself. “I need to go, actually. Something came up with work.”

Ice claws down my spine at her abrupt shift, warning instincts flaring. “At this hour?” My hand tightens protectively on her hip. “Helena, what’s going on?”

But she avoids meeting my searching look, already slipping gracefully off my lap and heading for the bedroom. “Just a minor crisis at the club. Nothing I can’t handle.” Her flippant words echo oddly from inside as she shucks off my shirt. “Don’t worry yourself over it.”

I hover tensely by the couch, apprehension sinking leaden roots beneath my ribcage. Every instinct screams not to let her walk out that door alone into some unnamed danger. Not after everything we just shared, this blossoming tenderness I would kill or die shielding. But confronting her head-on seems unwise when she’s clearly so spooked.

Indecision gnaws bitterly until Helena reemerges wearing her dress from before, avoiding eye contact. My stomach drops, watching her hastily grab up her coat and purse. She looks composed, but I glimpse unsteadiness in the tremors plucking her purse strap too tightly.

Stepping forward swiftly before she can flee, I tuck my shirt around her bare shoulders, cradling her tense jaw between gentle palms. “At least tell me where you’re going this late? Let me drive you.” I pour all my vaulted emotions into my eyes, hoping she reads the depth of care and worry reflected there.

Something fragile crosses Helena’s expression and her palms cover mine pressed to her cheeks. But she shakes her head, dislodging my hold. “Don’t trouble yourself.” One corner of her mouth twitches up halfheartedly. “Get some rest. Thank you for dinner and... everythingelse.”

The finality in her tone sinks like lead, every protective instinct railing uselessly against her retreat. This feels dangerously similar to the night we first met—Helena fleeing my arms into certain hazard beyond my influence. But she ducks deftly aside when I reach out, slipping around me into the entryway.

Heart pounding erratically, I can only watch helplessly as Helena pauses with her hand on the front door. Our eyes meet for a weighted beat across the room. Something painful and resigned shadows her usually keen gaze now.

“Goodbye, Raphael. Stay safe.” Her whisper reaches me a moment before the latch clicks behind her retreating form.

And so, I’m left alone in ringing silence, my soul adrift by her loss.