Rafael's Woman

by Fiona Murphy

  “Well, I can see why Rafael was on his knees to make amends.” He took a sip of his wine, seeming deep in thought.

  “Do you think him giving me the job was a way of doing that?” Carrie had the feeling Javier would know Rafael well enough to know the answer and be willing to tell her the truth.

  Cocking his head, he studied her. “Not for one moment, do I believe Rafael would give you something without first knowing you deserved and could handle it. While, yes, you seem to be behind him cancelling meetings and leaving the office before the sun went down, Rafael putting you in charge of his building isn’t going to happen unless he truly believed you were right for the job.”

  “His building?”

  “Well, his in the sense he conceived, worked with the architect and oversaw the building of it down to watching the tile being laid. He owns the penthouse apartment at the top of the building.”

  “He lives there?” Her body went hot and cold in a manic response.

  “He didn’t mention that?”

  “No.”

  “I guess it’s not really surprising, he’s not really there very often. The man works so many hours I often wonder if he ever actually sleeps. Rafe is often out of town, he’s actually only been in Dallas for the last week. Most of the last month he’s been in Phoenix. Rafe prefers to check in on our offices and worksites in person, he was in California for a over month before his time in Phoenix. He was only supposed to be there for a week or so but there were issues with the site and he stayed on until he had it fixed.

  Me and Matteo have a bet he’ll be completely gray by the time he’s forty. I’m pretty sure I’m going to win.”

  At first, she had been nervous at the idea of him living in the building. Yet, hearing Javier go on and about how hard Rafael worked and how often he was out of Dallas, her heart sunk. The words slipped out tartly before she could bite them back. “He isn’t a machine, and it sounds like it’s surprising he isn’t completely gray already.”

  Javier’s eyes went wide and a knowing smile had him looking smug. “Ah que linda, don’t despair for my brother. Rafe is a big boy, he takes care of himself, more or less. Last Christmas he took two whole days off, didn’t look at his phone once to check his email. Of course the whole company was shut down but it’s never stopped him before.”

  “What did you say? Speaking Spanish when I don’t understand is rude.” Carrie frowned, trying to cover her embarrassment of her outburst. She’d heard the words before and had no idea what they meant.

  “I was saying you’re cute, for being worried about Rafe. Why don’t you get Rafe to teach you Spanish?”

  Biting her lip, she considered if she was giving away too much by asking the question. She’d been dying to know what it meant. “What does mi dulce mean?”

  He laughed, “Rafe’s already speaking Spanish to you? Interesting, it means my sweet. Carrie, you seem like a nice person and I trust Rafe’s instincts. Still, I care about my brother and I know it seems silly to say but please don’t play with him, only continue on if you’re certain he’s what you want. Rafe seems like he couldn’t be hurt if he was hit by Mack truck but he can be. He’s very traditional, our grandfather was and still is a huge influence on him. Rafe sees the world in terms most people don’t these days, honor and doing the right thing come first, often before his own needs.”

  Without thinking, she reached out and laid a hand on Javier’s. He appeared to be trying to make a point and couldn’t find the words. “I understand, I do. Who Rafael is, is extremely clear from the moment you meet him. He doesn’t hide or apologize for who he is and it’s one of the most appealing things about him. Rafael is a good man and there aren’t many of them left anymore.”

  Javier seemed relieved, squeezing her hand in return. Carrie’s skin burned and she looked up to see Rafael coming toward them. His face was hard, unreadable, his eyes on her and Javier’s hands. Instinctively, she pulled away. Javier looked up in surprise until he turned to see Rafael coming toward them.

  “Rafe, hey, I told you before I’d bring her back.” Javier’s smile is forced.

  “You’ve been gone over an hour.” Rafael’s voice was harsh and his eyes flicked over Javier only briefly. “Are you done?” His tone dared her to say no. Carrie wasn’t stupid, she nodded. “Let’s go.” Without another word to either of them, he turned and walked out of the restaurant.

  Nearly running to keep up with him, she didn’t dare complain. She wanted to explain only she didn’t dare. What was she supposed to say, I was trying to reassure your brother about how much I care about you and think I’m in love with you and would never do anything to hurt you. Christ, he would think she was nuts and she’d be lucky to keep the job let alone ever see him again. Then the words tumbled around in her head, she loved him? No, no fucking way, not possible. It hadn’t even been twenty four hours since she met him. Carrie didn’t believe in any of the love at first sight crap it was lust. Then she remembered how he’d held her. How gentle he’d been cleaning her up and taking care of her and confusion flooded her. She was so lost in her confusion, she walked right into him when he stopped.

  His hand went around her arm, as soon as she caught her balance he let her go. “Get in the car, Carrie.”

  Blindly, she did as he told her and clicked her seatbelt on. Stamping down panic, she wished she’d finished her glass of wine, she really felt like she needed it. The drive was relatively short before he pulled into a parking garage attached to a high-rise building she was estimating at over twenty stories. He swiped them into a massive foyer straight out of a cutting edge hotel. There was a security room to the right of the entrance from the garage that held a of wall closed circuit televisions showing a constant view of the building. A man in a security uniform stood up and welcomed them into the building, his belt was as full as those she’d seen on a cop, the only thing missing was a gun. The entrance from the outside of the building was in front of them and to the left there was a desk that reminded her of a check in desk. A woman came out and greeted them, Rafael held up his hand and told them both he was taking Carrie on a tour of the building.

  He started a running commentary without ever looking at her, “This is the ground floor, you can only get in through the two doors you just saw. You can see there is a full size gym, including a lap pool, there are showers and a steam room through the back. This is the mail area, larger packages are signed for and kept at the desk. Keep going and you can see the theatre room, it seats twenty five it has to be reserved for use. As we come to the end of the ground floor this is the pool and Jacuzzi all owners can use. Like the elevators you’ll use a key card to scan in.

  To get into the elevators and get it to go up, you have to scan your card or the person at the front desk will press a button to release it. Once the elevator has left the ground floor it can be used to go up or down without needing to scan anything. This is the first floor off limits to the owners. Here is your three bedroom, the head of security has a three bedroom as well, the head of maintenance also has a condo. The head of maintenance is always on call but there should be another maintenance man available until the front desk shuts down at nine in the evening. This condo is empty, it’s where staff can come and rest or have lunch or a break. This is another empty condo that holds all the supplies that are needed for cleaning and maintaining the building.

  From the next floor up are all owned or condos we take care of leasing for the owners.”

  “Including your condo.” It was a statement, he was so cold she wondered where the man from this morning had gone.

  At her words he went still, then nodded. “I’m guessing while you were holding hands with Javier, he told you. Yes, I own the condo on the top floor. I’m the only one with access to the roof deck, I have private pool there as well.”

  “Rafael, please, don’t be angry at me or Javier. I was telling him about my mom and the twins, it was just comforting nothing more, for either of us.”

  His jaw clenched, s
haking his head, he didn’t look at her. “It’s none of my business, whatever it was. I’ll leave you to get settled with Denise downstairs. She has been determined to be clear of any wrongdoing so for now, she stays as long as you want her to. The decisions of hiring and firing are yours to determine and your responsibility. I’ll come back to pick you up at five to take you home. The boys will be dropped off by the foreman at the jobsite, your place is on his way in so he’ll pick them up tomorrow and take them in with him.”

  Helpless against his refusal to really look at her, she followed him to the desk and pasted on a smile for Denise. Seconds later he was walking away, she wanted to scream in frustration. It felt final, like he wasn’t really coming back, despite what he said about driving her home. After this morning her mind was a whirlwind of confusion. What the hell was going on?

  Chapter Six

  Rafael walked away, his skin felt too damn tight, his back was burning from her eyes on him. He didn’t dare stop or look back, he knew he’d see the shock and pain she was feeling at his behavior. It needed to stop, all of it, before damage could be done. The moment he’d seen his brother’s hand on Carrie’s he’d wanted to do a shit load of damage to Javier. Rafael didn’t do anger, or temper. He disdained the stereotype of hot Latin blood, he had none. He prided himself on a cool head and even temper, until he saw Javier touching Carrie. The need to break Javier for touching his woman had been a cold slap to his temper. Carrie wasn’t his woman, she couldn’t be so if Javier touched her, it had nothing to do with him. Even as the thought stung, he held it tightly, he needed to back away and leave her as he found her.

  Javier was waiting for him and Rafael’s shook off the desire to land a punch on his brother’s smug face. “Javier, I don’t have time. I’m behind, we can talk about the conference call later. Just leave the notes, I’ll go over them tonight.”

  “Rafael, are fucking kidding me? We both fucking know I’m not here about the damn meeting. Don’t do that, it was nothing. I know she’s yours Rafe. I would never do anything to insult you by trying anything with her.”

  “She’s not mine.” Shaking his head, he refused to look at his brother. “A word of warning, she’s a virgin. Be careful with her, don’t go after her unless you’re ready to settle down into marriage. It’s what she deserves.” He bit out the words, his jaw grinding as he thought of his brother married to Carrie.

  “Rafael, did you not listen to a word I just said? What the hell is the matter with you? She’s yours not just because you want her but because you are what she wants. Carrie is so obviously in love with you a blind man could see it. Why is her being a virgin a big deal? You’re getting old, hermano, you still aren’t ready to get married?”

  “It doesn’t matter what she wants, she’s infatuated that’s all. It’s not just that she’s young or a virgin. She’s not the type of prospective bride mom has been shoving at me for the last ten years. Carrie’s wouldn’t fit our family’s lifestyle.” Saying the words out loud he wanted to kick his own ass. How the hell did he sound like snob?

  “I cannot believe you just said that shit. It was a load of bullshit, you know that right? Please, please tell me you don’t actually believe what you just said.”

  Rubbing his hands over his face, he fought for control of his thoughts, saying it out loud did sound like a bunch of bullshit. It didn’t matter what kind of woman his mother had been putting in front of him, at the end of the day he was the one who had to live with the choice. “Benny and Margie, Margie was sweet and beautiful, she was like Carrie. No college, no status, and she hated not fitting in. They were at each other’s throats.”

  “That had nothing to do with it, Benny was fucking around on Margie. How did you not know that? He slept around while he was seeing her, right up to the day before the wedding. Margie found out about it, the poor thing genuinely loved him, she was trying to make it work. Benny used the excuse of the whole no class or credentials to make it seem like there was a reason other than he was an asshole who couldn’t keep it in his pants.

  Rafael, are you really thinking of letting Carrie go because her blood isn’t blue or is it because you’re scared?” Javier rapped out the question, demanding Rafael’s attention. When he saw he had it, he nodded. “I can understand the fear, she’s been through so much in a short life. I understand you would be afraid of failing her and causing her more pain. It’s a chance she’s willing to take though, she’s not infatuated with you, it’s deeper and I believe you know that. It does matter what she wants, she wants you. All you have to do is reach out and take her.” Javier’s parting shot lingered long after he had left.

  For too long he stared at the closed door. How did his brother know him so well? He’d already snuffed out her fire and driven the young woman to tears, and it had been without even trying. Rafael couldn’t imagine ever wanting to hurt Carrie yet when two people entered into a relationship the chances of pain were high and boundless. He knew it, but did Carrie?

  His cell phone rang, breaking into his thoughts. It was his mother again, knowing he couldn’t send her to voicemail twice in one day, he answered.

  “Rafael, how sweet of you to answer my call.” His mother’s voice tinged with the lightest of sarcasm.

  “I answered your call. Yet you give me every reason as soon as I do to regret doing so. What do you want?”

  “Your rudeness is tiresome Rafael. I’m your mother and I know it sounds crazy when you are so rude but I do miss seeing my sons. I’m having a party tomorrow night, I know you’re only in town for another week. Please come so I can spend time with my sons. It’s bad enough Mathew is so far away in Maryland. You and Javier live right here in Dallas and still I never see you.”

  “Perhaps, mother, if it were a simple family gathering Javier and I would be willing to attend. Instead, we will have simpering socialites shoved in our faces with their bodies half on display. It’s tasteless mother.” Right now he wasn’t in the mood for her, for any of it. He knew she was having a party because her Botox and her fillers had settled and now it was safe to show off her carefully preserved beauty. It often made Rafael queasy to see his mother. She could easily be mistaken for just ten years older than him instead of the truthful twenty four years.

  “Now that was tasteless of you, Rafael. What is so wrong for me to want to see my sons settled with a few grandchildren while I’m still young enough to enjoy them? You aren’t getting any younger and Javier is taking after you.

  It’s been a long time since Patricia, don’t you think it’s time you moved on?”

  He stiffened at the mention of his one and only mistake, “I have moved on from Patricia. I’m actually quite happy with the lesson learned, women are better enjoyed on a basic level in the bedroom, not outside of it. Have a good party mother, I won’t be attending.”

  Ending the call, he very carefully turned off his cell phone. Opening his desk drawer he set it down and closed it with a thump. Opening up the spreadsheet the numbers swam in front of him. It had been a long time since Patricia, more than ten years. He hadn’t been mouthing the words, he truly appreciated the lesson from his broken engagement. Women were to be enjoyed as long as both knew the rules and lines were carefully drawn. He never denied a woman a carefully designated enjoyment of his money and in exchange he enjoyed them in their bed, never his. His life out of the bedroom was strictly off limits. There were women he bedded and women he did the business dinners and fundraisers with, the two never met. Marriage wasn’t something he had considered since Patricia, the flicker of Carrie even in the same sentence made his blood run cold all over again.

  What really spooked him was he knew Carrie wasn’t Patricia. Patricia had been his mother all over again, demanding of his wealth and status and time to tell her how beautiful she was. Carrie wasn’t Patricia, who she was and what she felt shone right from her bright blue eyes. It made her more dangerous than Patricia had ever been. Carrie wouldn’t ask for or demand his money. She’d want his heart and she
couldn’t have what he didn’t have to give.

  Chapter Seven

  It had been two weeks since Rafael had picked her up and dropped her off at home, without speaking more than a handful of words to her. Now was going to be the first time she would see him since that day. Only two days after she had started working he had flown out to New Orleans and he had gotten home late last night. The array of closed circuit television below the front desk showed his car pulling into the garage. Taking a deep breath she was glad she had given Oliver the night off and only Roger was in the security room, Dirk was walking the property.

  Rafael stopped when he saw her at the desk. Hesitating only a moment before nodding, he began to move to the elevators. Her hands clenched and she swallowed her fear.

  “Mr. Castillo, one moment please.” She was proud of how calm she sounded.

  He seemed to consider her words for a long moment before he turned and walked to the desk. “Yes?”

  She practically shoved the envelope across the desk. “For the clothes, sir.” Unable to look at him a moment longer she dropped her eyes and stared at her clasped hands so tight they were nearly bloodless. He said nothing, only the sound of his walking away across the echoing foyer was loud to her. Still, she kept her head down and then the elevator doors opened up and then closed again. Taking a few deep breaths, she lifted her head and saw the envelope containing the check was gone, only the notes of Rafael’s cologne lingered. Sighing, she almost collapsed into the only chair behind the desk. She felt boneless. Not a single word beyond his acknowledgement of her. He was treating her like just an employee. The actions spoke more clearly than any words and she needed to remember that was all she was to him.

  The next morning she was dragging, as she had the last two weeks. It was hell to be up so early to get the twins across town and back for work. She had just woken the twins up and they were fighting in the bathroom when a knock sounded on the front door. An extremely large man with a full beard and dark black eyes was waiting. He was dressed in the vest that designated he was a foreman at one of Rafael’s worksite. A bright orange vest that had Castillo Construction on the front and back.