Stefen sets the bags of takeout on the table and sits down. I dread having a meal with him. I don’t know him well. I expect him to have a lot of questions. I glance at Raf and he reaches out to touch my arm but drops it before it makes contact. I swallow hard and he gives a slight nod that reassures me. I sit down and take out the burger. I’m only able to eat a couple of bites.
“Not hungry?” Stefen asks.
“I’m sorry. I can cut this part off and you can have the rest.”
“Don’t worry about that. There’s plenty here. Raf will take you up on that—he’s our resident disposal.”
Raf grins around a giant mouthful.
I grin. This isn’t so bad.
“Gabriela, I’d like to ask you a few questions about—”
“Dad—” Raf shakes his head. “Come on, give her a break. She’s been through a lot tonight.”
“It’s just…the sooner we know who might’ve done this, the sooner we can make sure she’s safe.”
“I know, but look at her…she’s exhausted.”
The lump in my throat grows and I glance at Raf gratefully before turning to Stefen. “You should ask my mom. She knows who did this.”
She’d be upset with me for even saying this much, but I’m tired of covering for my dad and letting my mom take the punches.
Stefen’s eyes darken and he reaches out and pats my hand. “Thank you for telling me. I had a feeling.”
Raf inhales the rest of his burger and mine and stands. “I can show you the guest bedroom. I’ll loan you a shirt or whatever you need.”
“Thanks.” I stand up and try to smile at Stefen. “Thanks for everything.”
“I care about your mother. I hope you and I can be friends too.”
I don’t know what to say to that so I nod and awkwardly follow Raf out of the kitchen.
“Sorry about that,” he says as we walk up the stairs. “Sometimes my dad doesn’t know when to leave things alone.”
“He’s a private detective, huh?”
“Uh, yeah. I’m surprised he’s already told your mom that. It’s not something he usually starts with—women aren’t super comfortable with that career choice and it’s also risky for too many people to know.” He looks at me over his shoulder. “He must trust her.”
“She trusts him. Also surprising.”
He opens the door to the guest room and it’s beautiful with a large bed covered with pillows, a plush comforter, and a soft blanket draped across the end. It’s more decorated than his room and fits with the colors in the rest of the house—greys and blues with touches of yellow. “Wow, this is nice.”
“We haven’t changed anything since my mom died.”
My mouth drops and I turn to look at him. He’s staring straight ahead. “I had no idea your mom died. When?”
“Three years ago.”
“I’m so sorry. I don’t even know what to say.”
“It’s okay. I don’t know what to say about it most of the time. Fucking cancer.” He stalks to the bathroom and pulls out a towel and washcloth. “I’ll grab one of my T-shirts, if you want to sleep in that. If you think of anything else you need, let me know.”
“Thank you, Raf.”
“It’s not Ashton’s house, but—” He shrugs and I roll my eyes as he smirks.
I take a long bath and pull his soft shirt over my head. The tears start back up when I crawl back in bed and I sniffle, trying to get a grip and be quiet.
A box of tissues sits on the nightstand and I blow my nose and lie back again, staring at the ceiling. I don’t think I’ll be sleeping tonight.
The door cracks open and Raf peeks inside.
“You okay, Gabi?”
I sniffle again and sigh. “Not really.”
He walks over and sits on the bed. I pull the covers back and scoot over. He crawls in and lies down, staring at the ceiling with me.
“Do you wanna talk about any of it?”
“Why are you being nice to me?”
“I’ve decided my house is neutral ground.”
“Ugh. Okay.” The sarcasm in my voice is thick and he laughs, turning on his side to face me.
“Would you rather I pretend we’re at Longlake?” His voice is low and raspy and I feel it to my core.
I turn to my side and enjoy the way the light from the window casts just enough on his face that I can see his features.
“I’d never go back to Longlake if I had the option.”
“Then quit.”
“Why do you want me to so bad?”
“Has it been a happy experience for you?”
“No, but it’ll look good for Columbia.”
“Columbia, huh? You don’t want to go somewhere with more sunshine and heat?”
“Nope.”
“Hmm.” He reaches out and runs his fingers lightly over my forehead and cheek.
“You’re so confusing.”
“I think I’ve been pretty clear. I want you out of Longlake and in my bed.”
“Because you hate me…”
“Yes. You’re hot. And trouble.”
“You hate me because I’m hot?” I gasp when his fingers brush across my lips. When he drags them across again, my tongue sweeps out and licks him.
He groans and does it again and I circle my tongue over his finger, pulling it into my mouth and giving it a long suck.
“Gabi.”
“Is this hate?” I whisper.
“Yes,” he whispers. “Do you hate me back?”
“Yes,” I admit honestly.
“Because I’m hot?”
“Because you hated me first.”
He closes the distance between us and when his lips touch mine, I feel the current run through my body, head to toe. His hands drag through my hair and tug, his lips trailing a path from my ear, down my neck, and when he reaches my breasts and latches onto my nipple over the material of the shirt, I arch into his mouth.
“This is a bad idea,” I moan.
“We will go back to hating one another more thoroughly tomorrow. My house is neutral,” he reminds me, looking up and smiling.
“You’re crazy.” I watch as he pulls down the neck of the shirt and wraps his tongue around my tip.
“You’re beautiful. I’ve dreamed of this since I first saw you.”
“Why didn’t you start
