Chapter 37 THE ACT OF...
I could have purred into his face at that moment as I found his request extremely lovely. He was just like a child— a child that all he needed was to be loved upon and so, my face lightened up and I opened my arms to him, beckoning him to fall into my embrace.
“Oh, Nessa…!” He moaned, coming closer to fall into my embrace.
There was a fierce urgency in the way he quickly reached out for me, pulling himself closer to me by wrapping his hands around me.
With his hands wrapped firmly around my waist, Rafael buried his face into my neck while I rubbed on his back, allowing him to have his moment.
“You smell so heavenly, Nessa,” He praised, still endlessly lost in the hug which he never would want to fall out of.
“Do I?” I asked, chuckling into his ears as his height was broadened over me, forcing me to arch my back a little bit to make him comfortable in the embrace.
“Oh, yes, you do.” He replied. “You're so soft that I want to touch you everytime. I absolutely do not think I can help myself anymore. I don't want to ever stop holding you, Nessa. Everytime you're near, my hands always try to find yours like they've always known where they belong and when you allow me to touch you, it's not just the want or the feeling of it— it's worship, Vanessa. I adore you so much.” Rafael made known to me, going on and on like he had always wanted to say these words to me and I could hear his voice crack like he could cry.
I had never heard a man confess this much to me— of them wanting to worship me at all times, not even the man I was in love with— the same man I had almost gotten married to.
Rafael knew the right words to say, reassuring words a woman would crave to hear from her man.
In his vulnerable state that professed the love he had in his heart for me, I found Rafael to be perfect. A lot too good to be the kind of man he was.
We just stood that way, our heart beating at the same symphony, no one was willing to break the endless cycle of silence that had lodged between us and all we did was share each other warmth, and him burying himself deeper into my embrace and I knew for sure Rafael never wanted to let me go and he never will unless I broke things up with him.
Slowly, I pulled out of the hug, slipping my hand into his to at least retain our touch but in a lesser way than a hug.
This still made him satisfied as I graced him with a warm smile. He squeezed my hand tenderly, and I felt that was his way of making a conclusion on acceptance or perhaps he was thanking me that I could let him hold me.
“Do you want to get a drink?” I asked him, my mood genuinely uplifted already. “By the poolside over there.” I continued, pointing towards the pool area I had found during my little stroll while I was going up to meet with him at the balcony.
“I'd never refuse you, Nessa,” He replied with a smile to his lips and I responded with mine as well.
“I really cannot swim.” I giggled, dropping my mocktail glass by the pool lounge bar while Rafael popped out of the water, glistening like he was divine as the beads of water strolled down his shirtless body.
His body was art, perfectly carved that I tried to look away every time he came out of the water to avoid glazing at him too much. His wet hair falling in strands over his face made him look extremely gorgeous, sexy and more dangerous— reeking more of an atrocity as deadly as sin.
“Come on, Nessa, the pool is not that deep and besides, you have me here— there's absolutely nothing to be afraid of.” He said to me, pushing his hair to the back.
I felt like he was pulling a show for me— a thirst trap show and I must confess, he was getting me riled up that I could feel intense heat pool in between my legs.
I bit my lower lip hard, my eyes betraying me as they continued to stay glued on Rafael. I adored his body so much, his manly build that was carved to perfection that I couldn't thank the universe enough for blessing me with such a view that was standing right in front of me in human form.
Rafael looked too perfect, too good I could assume that perhaps he was well written and made by a crazy, lonely, paranoid college girl who desired nothing but to create a man as perfect as Rafael.
“Vanessa!” His husky voice called my name again, sending me out of my train of thought.
I cleared my throat, hoping he hadn't realized I was totally into him— his glistening, bold body.
“There's something to be afraid of.” I said, rolling my eyes at him. I just wanted to look away from this man, but he wasn't making it easy for me.
He then stood still in the pool, his mouth pouting with an expression of unbelief and a pose of akimbo.
“What?” I laughed at him, finding him unbelievably charming and adorable as I watched him.
“Tell me, what is going to happen when you come in?” Rafael flagged a question.
I twirled, trying to put on a cute act with him, playing along with his cute cat show.
“I mean…, I could drown.”
“Not while I'm here, milady. Come, come, I promise never to let go of your hand.” He said, beckoning on me to come by stretching out his hand at me.
I thought about his offer for a bit, contemplating whether I should take his hand and join him in the pool or let my mild phobia for large water overtake me.
“I promise.” Rafael continued softly, the look in his eyes making more than just a promise— they were like vows.