Again: A Second Chance Romance

by Nikki Chase

  That kiss felt more real than any other kiss I’ve ever had—not that I’ve had many other samples to compare it to. I wonder if Raphael felt it too.

  That’s unlikely, though. It’s probably just a part of the script for him. A guy like him wouldn’t go for someone as ordinary as me.

  Don’t get me wrong; it’s not that I think I’m unattractive. It’s just that… Sure, I have a pretty face, which is great, but he’s this hot guy who obviously comes from money.

  I’m sure he doesn’t have any problems meeting girls better than me. There’s no reason why that should be a real kiss to him.

  No, I’m just an emergency fake stand-in.

  That kiss may have felt real to me—just as real as this diamond ring on my finger. But just as this expensive ring is not a big deal to Raphael, that kiss was probably just as insignificant to him.

  “We’re both going to sleep here?” I ask. I hear thuds as Raphael drops both our bags on the floor of the same room. It sounds like a dumb question, even to myself.

  Raphael’s family thinks we’re an engaged couple, so of course we’re sleeping in the same room. On the same bed.

  “Yeah. I thought you'd already guessed when I told you it's an overnight trip,” he says. “We’re supposed to be a couple in love, remember?” Raphael steps closer and reaches his hand behind me to shut the door. “We need our privacy because we just can't keep our hands off each other.”

  His proximity makes my heart race in my chest. My body remembers the passionate kiss we shared earlier today, and it yearns for more.

  “Yeah, I guess I didn't think about that,” I answer lamely.

  “It's okay,” he says, standing so close to me I can almost feel the heat emanating from his body. He puts one hand on my cheek. “You’re pretty good at improvising, like you did on stage.”

  I smile nervously, unsure what to say. I’ve never spent the night with a man before.

  In high school, I had a boyfriend who’d sometimes give me slobbery kisses. And I used to make out with Mark quite a bit. But that's the extent of my experience with men.

  Until today. Until that kiss.

  “That was one hot kiss, wasn't it?” Raphael asks, his voice low and laced with seduction. “How about we have a little more practice in case we need to do it again?”

  Without waiting for a reply, Raphael leans in. His lips touch mine, soft like butterfly wings. My breath hitches in my throat.

  This is so different from the kiss on stage. Now, he’s taking his time, his movements slow and sensual. He slides his hand and puts it on the back of my head, running his fingers through my hair.

  He breaks the kiss, pulling away just a little bit so our lips are not touching, but I can just feel his warm breaths on my skin.

  Before I even know what I'm doing, I tilt my face up and step forward, trying to close the gap between us. I catch a glimpse of a smile playing on Raphael's lips before he kisses me again, harder and more insistent this time.

  I put my hands on his hard, sculpted body. I can feel the ropes of muscles on his back ripple with his movements, as he pulls me tight against his chest. I start to pant, but it’s like I need this kiss more than air now. I melt into Raphael’s body, letting him lead us to the bed.

  My heart hammers against my rib cage as he lays me down and hovers over me, our legs and arms tangled together. This is not just a practice kiss anymore, is it?

  “You’re so sexy,” Raphael whispers in a voice thick with lust before he starts assaulting my lips again. It sends a shudder down my spine, knowing he sees me like that.

  He slides his hand under my shirt as he continues to kiss me. I should probably stop him, but I don’t want to. How can I say no to this intoxicating feeling? My whole body is on fire and I only want more.

  He puts his hand on my breasts, cupping and kneading them. I’ve never had anyone touch me there before. It feels strange, but not unpleasant. When he pinches a nipple through my unpadded bra, I gasp, half in surprise and half in pleasure.

  It feels good.

  When I touch myself, I sometimes try to stimulate my nipples, like the girls I see in porn videos. It has never felt anything but weird.

  With Raphael’s fingers, though, it’s like there’s a direct line between my nipples and my core, and his touch sends a shockwave of intense sensations straight to my pussy.

  I hear a breathy moan and realize the sound is coming from me. My face grows hot with embarrassment. I didn’t know I could sound like that.

  I open my eyes. Raphael’s looking at me intensely with his piercing green eyes, which only makes me feel more self-conscious. He’s not smiling or grinning anymore. He has this serious expression on his face. Focused.

  I wonder if he could tell I’ve never done this before. Would it turn him off, knowing I have no idea what I’m doing?

  If he could tell, he doesn’t show it. He continues to watch me with barely concealed desire as more heavy breaths and raspy moans slide out of my open mouth.

  He pulls the cups of my bra down and puts his lips on my nipple. He gives it a light lick, and I squeeze his arm from how good it feels. As my pussy starts to tingle, Raphael keeps his gaze on my face. He sucks my nipple into his mouth and plays with it using his lips, his tongue, his teeth.

  I have no idea what he’s doing, but it’s the best feeling in the world. I didn’t know a man’s touch could feel this good. I’ve been missing out my whole life and I didn’t even know it. To be fair, though, I’ve never had a man like Raphael show interest in me before.

  I sigh as he puts one hand on my bare thigh. I never knew that part of my body could feel so much. I could sense every little graze of his fingers. And I want more.

  I whimper as he slowly, torturously, moves his hand up my inner thigh. My legs part on their own, my hips lifting off the bed, desperate for Raphael’s touch.

  I don’t even know the words to say, but my body seems to respond on its own. Like magic, every part of me opens up to him. I could feel my wetness leaking onto my panties.

  Oh god, that’s where his hand is heading, isn’t it? He’s going to find out. Do I really want him to go on? If things continue this way, he’s going to… We’re going to have sex, aren’t we?

  I don’t know if I want it. My body is yearning for something I don’t even understand. There are so many new, amazing sensations as it is.

  Raphael’s hand reaches the top of my thigh and he slides it over my pussy. Now there’s only the thin cotton between us.

  “You’re wet, princess,” Raphael says, taking his mouth off my nipple. He smirks before his head dips down to kiss my neck.

  I can only hold on, grabbing onto his back, as he nibbles on my neck and rubs my pussy over my panties.

  I should really put a stop to this. I should probably be more thoughtful about my first time. I should at least wait until I’ve seen him more than three times…right?

  My brain is trying to tell me to stop and think, but it’s like I can’t even focus on anything else, other than Raphael. His body weight on me, his insistent lips on my neck, his hand rubbing my pussy.

  My arousal keeps building up, and I can almost feel my release. It’s within reach. It won’t take much longer now.

  Raphael places a knee between my legs and pushes my thighs apart. His movements get more and more urgent. He starts to bite my neck, and the little bit of pain actually heightens my pleasure.

  Through the fog of pleasure, I can just feel something hard poking into my thigh, and I realize it must be Raphael’s erection. It drives me wild, knowing I can turn him on like that. But it also reminds me what he really wants to do right now.

  And I don’t think I’m ready.

  He pulls the crotch of my panties aside and his fingers touch my lower lips. I gasp from the skin-on-skin contact. God, I want him to go on, but I know I’m not ready.

  Fighting my own instincts, I reach my hand down and wrap it around his wrist. I pull his hand away, although my pussy keeps
throbbing and aching for his touch.

  He stops and looks at me. “What’s wrong, princess? Does anything hurt?”

  “No, I’m okay,” I say, my voice still hoarse from arousal. I clear my throat. “I just… I don’t think this is a good idea.”

  He inhales deeply, and I worry about letting him down after leading him on like that.

  “Of course,” he says with a smile. “Let’s just go to sleep, then.”

  As Raphael reaches toward the table lamp on the night stand, his hard bulge brushes against my thigh, and I realize he must feel at least a little disappointed.

  Nevertheless, he rolls over on the bed and pulls me into his arms. Spooning me from behind, he holds me like I’m something fragile he’s shielding from the world.

  I know this is nothing to him. I know we’re just pretending to be lovers. I know he just wants meaningless sex.

  But I feel so safe and warm in his arms, and I’m afraid I want more from him.

  Piper

  “Ready?” Raphael asks when I walk out from the bathroom, having had my shower and put on my makeup.

  “For what?”

  “Breakfast,” he says.

  “You make a simple meal sound scary.”

  He laughs, then says, “You don’t have to worry. They like you, but that’s exactly why they’re not going to leave you alone.”

  “Okay.” I check my reflection in the full-length mirror that’s leaning against the bedroom wall.

  “You’ve been doing really well,” Raphael says as he comes up from behind me. He pulls my hair back and I watch as he dips his head down and plants a light kiss on my shoulder, sending a thrill down my spine, reminding my body of everything we did last night.

  “Thanks?” I’m not sure what to say. It’s not like I pride myself on my acting skills. I don’t care how well I’m doing at fooling Raphael’s family into thinking we’re a couple.

  But I do care about him being all affectionate with me. I haven’t decided how I feel about it. I like it, but it scares me. Or maybe it scares me because I like it too much. I don’t know.

  A part of me wants him to cut it out so I won’t have all these confusing feelings swimming in my stomach. This is supposed to be a mere charade of a relationship. But a few other parts of my body want him to have his way with me.

  “You’re welcome.” He grins as he looks at me through the mirror. “You look beautiful. Let’s go.”

  We make our way out of our room, our feet padding quietly on the thick beige carpet.

  My heart beats quickly in my chest as he leads me by the hand. My steps are heavy. I’m nervous about continuing this ruse in front of strangers. It doesn’t help that the warmth of Raphael’s hand makes me want to pull him close and finish what we started last night.

  “There’s the happy couple,” someone shouts from the dining table as we enter the spacious kitchen, which opens up to the dining room and living room.

  I smile nervously as everyone turns around to look at us. Raphael rubs my hand with his fingers, which makes me feel a little more at ease.

  I’m okay. He’s going to make sure everything goes well.

  I’m only here to make his family think we’re engaged. And then, after this morning, we’ll go our separate ways and we probably won’t ever see each other again, save for when I pay the rent—or fail to pay the rent.

  Hey, that’s one way to make him come see me if I ever miss him in the future, I think to myself.

  Raphael pulls out a chair and gestures for me to take a seat, which makes a few of the women smile with longing and go, “Aww…”

  “Thank you,” I say.

  “You guys are adorable together,” Diana says. She has been the most friendly one out of Raphael’s relatives. We’re also not that far apart in age, so it’s easier for us to connect.

  “Guess what?” Raphael’s mom asks as some people in uniforms place plates of breakfast food on the table.

  “What?” Raphael asks as he fills his plate and gestures for me to do the same.

  On the table, I see plates of bacon, scrambled eggs, French toast, pancakes, and waffles, as well as some fruit juices.

  One of the waiters ask me if I need anything else from the kitchen, and I almost laugh in his face. I’ve never had this many options for breakfast in my life. I can’t even imagine what’s missing from the assortment in front of me.

  “We have a surprise for you. An engagement gift,” Raphael’s mom says. When she introduced herself yesterday, she insisted on having me call her Elise.

  “Uh-oh,” Raphael says. “Should I be afraid?”

  “It’s the good kind of surprise,” Elise insists. “You and Piper would definitely like it.”

  I look up from the food in front of me, even as the delicious aromas fill my nostrils and send hungry signals to my stomach. I don’t often get the opportunity to eat well, so I’m dying to start eating. But why did she mention me?

  “I see I got your attention now.” Elise grins. She looks a lot like Raphael with the mischievous glint in her eyes.

  “Remember how we were talking about the shopping trip to Paris yesterday, dear?” Elise asks me. After I nod, she continues, “And you told us you’ve never been there. So Raphael’s father and I decided to get you two a trip to Paris. You're leaving tonight.”

  My jaw drops. I turn to look at Raphael, but he looks caught off guard as well.

  Elise, Diana, and everyone else—even including the kids—watch us with interest, waiting to see our reaction

  “They don't even know what to say,” Diana breaks the silence, prompting everyone to laugh. “I think that makes it a successful surprise gift.”

  “What?” Raphael says belatedly. “You didn't even think to ask us first?”

  “What kind of a surprise would that be?” Elise says.

  “What if we have work, or other plans?”

  “I asked your dad and Diana about your work and they told me it's fine. And Piper, you're a student, right?”

  “Uh, yes,” I answer, still dumbfounded.

  “And it's summer break, so it's perfect,” Elise decides.

  “She has work to do,” Raphael protests.

  “Yes. The retail job, right? I don't think the manager would mind if she misses a shift or two. I worked retail, too, when I was younger, you know?” Elise looks at me and asks, “It's not going to be a problem, right, Piper?”

  “Uh, no.” I don't know what's happening. I mean, it sounds like we're going to Paris, but that can't be true, right? People don't just gift international trips out of nowhere.

  I want to go—of course. I’ve always wanted to travel. I’ve never been in a position to afford it, though. But apparently, all it takes is an engagement to a hot, wealthy man with an overly generous family.

  “We’ve already prepared the private jet, and the house, too. So you two have nothing to worry about. I told Marie you’re going to be there for two nights, but you can stay for as long as you want,” Elise says. “Think of it as a little de-stressing getaway before you start planning your wedding.”

  “Oh god, wedding planning is the worst,” Diana says. “Oh, Piper, remind me later to give you my wedding planner’s business card. She's the best. Expensive, but saves you so much time and frustration. And with the amount of discounts she’ll get you? It may be cheaper to hire her than use someone else.”

  For a moment, I think about how nice it would be to really be getting married to Raphael. He's kind, funny, generous, and hot, too. Plus, his family is awesome.

  “Whoa, wait a minute, guys, hold your horses,” Raphael says. He turns to me and asks, “Is it going to be okay with your job? And with your cat?”

  “She already said it's okay, Rafe. Stop being such a party pooper. You guys can come back whenever. The jet’s not going anywhere without you,” Elise says as she rolls her eyes.

  “Oh my god, you have a cat? My kids love cats. Can they see your cat sometime?” Diana asks. “I promise they’ll
be gentle.”

  “Yeah,” I say to Diana with a smile. They’re getting me an impromptu trip to Paris; I can’t say no to letting some kids into my apartment to see McClaw.

  Raphael is still looking at me with both eyebrows raised. I don’t know how we can get ourselves out of this, now that everyone seems to just assume that we’re going.

  “Are you sure you want to go?” Raphael asks.

  I don’t know how he feels about spending two more nights with me. But if he wants to back out now, he’s going to be the one to tell them. I don’t know how to handle these people.

  “To Paris? God yes,” I say honestly.

  “And Dad? Are you sure there’s nothing you need me at work for?” Raphael asks in a louder voice, directing the question at his dad, who is sitting on the couch, watching TV.

  “Yeah,” he answers without looking, distracted by whatever’s on TV.

  “Okay, then. I guess we’re going.” Raphael shrugs.

  “It would’ve been easier if you’d just do whatever I tell you to do,” Elise says with a victorious grin.

  Oh my god. This is happening.

  “Carly, you’re not going to believe this, but I’m going to Paris,” I share the news excitedly over the phone.

  I’m standing outside to make the call. For all its luxuries, the one thing they don’t have here is good cell phone reception. I have to get out here to get one or two bars of signal on my phone.

  “You what?”

  “Yeah, crazy, huh?”

  “Crazy doesn’t even begin to cover it,” she says. “I thought you didn’t have money. A few days ago you were telling me you couldn’t pay rent.”

  “Yeah, it’s all been paid for.” To be honest, I don’t know if they’re “paying” for anything. It sounds like they own the private jet that’ll fly us to Paris, as well as the house where we’ll stay, so there’s no need for plane tickets or hotel bookings.

  “By Raphael? The landlord?”

  “Well, his family. So, yes and no.”

  “Are you sure it’s safe, Piper? You don’t even know this guy.”

  “Yeah. I know it sounds crazy, but I think I can trust him.”