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I laughed, then Ben claimed her and they left. Raphael returned to me, sweeping his gaze over me in that familiar and reassuring way he did when checking I was okay.
He raised a hand to brush over my cheek, probably rubbing away a smudge of dust on my skin.
“Am I dirty?” I asked.
His lips tipped in a smirk. “You’re perfect. Ready to go? We’re having dinner with my family tonight, but there’s time to change.”
The knot in my belly tightened, but I nodded, and we climbed into his car then drove out of the village.
Twisting in my seat, I faced him. “Catch me up on what you’ve decided for tomorrow.”
Raphael tapped the steering wheel. “Ye took the words out of my mouth. For the sake of safety and weather, we’re flying out at first light. I’ve secured a heli, and there’s a helipad at Issy-les-Moulineaux in Paris. Should be able to land there. Assuming Dori is waiting for us and we don’t need to track him down, we’ll head straight back. He’s agreed to it all, so I’m hoping it’ll be straightforward.”
I mangled my fingers together, stuck on the image of Raphael disappearing off across the sea. “Is this dangerous? I don’t just mean the flight, but for what you’re doing.”
He grinned. “You’re worried. That’s cute. This is what I do for Leo, fly him in and out of cities, bringing him home here. Piece of cake.”
His confidence eased some of my concern, but not all. “How long is the flight time?”
“Four hours or so, but we’ll need a couple of refuelling stops. Should be home mid-afternoon.” He reached for my hand and squeezed it. “The flight planning was a breeze. The bigger issue was who’s going with me. Valentine has this irrepressible energy and hates being left behind, particularly as our team is quiet atthe moment, but Jackson pulled the best friend card. I think he’s unhappy that I’ve neglected him.” He slid a look my way before returning it to the country lane. “I didn’t talk to him about ye.”
My heart thumped. “You can tell him whatever you like.”
His voice returned less sure. “Did ye talk to Dori about me?”
“A little. He called you my boyfriend. I said you weren’t.”
My whole existence pinned on him correcting me. Or asking the question. The thing between us had happened gradually but surely, and was only growing by the hour. I had no chance of stopping it. I didn’t want to.
But Raphael didn’t say a word.
His focus was locked on to something ahead, and tension poured off him.
I followed his gaze. Instead of returning to the castle, he’d taken us someplace else, to a pretty hillside where two white cottages overlooked an incredible view. Sunshine spilled over the front gardens where Valentine and Mia climbed out of their car. The door to what must’ve been their cottage flew open, and a little girl half fell out to reach them for hugs.
Raphael idled the car until they’d gone inside then cruised on to park outside the next cottage. He killed the engine and turned to me. “I know it isn’t a palace, or castle, but I thought the privacy might suit ye better.”
I stared from him to the cute building. “We’re staying here?”
Colour flushed his cheeks. “If ye want to.”
I swung back to take in the building. It was the cutest home, and the view was to die for. I’d been content with the idea of returning to Castle Braithar, mainly because I got to be there with Raphael, but he was right. We had little privacy in someone else’s home.
This was…everything.
“I came here earlier to set the place up as much as possible. I installed cameras around the outside. The doors and windowsalready have decent locks. We only have the basics in terms of furniture, but I stocked the fridge. It’ll make a good hideaway.”
I’d wondered where he’d gone but figured it was something to do with his job. No. Raphael had yet again been doing something for me. Or for us. The lack of an answer over the boyfriend situation dissolved, replaced by joy.
I pulled back to gaze into his eyes. “You’re amazing. I love it.”
The corner of his mouth tipped up. “Ye haven’t seen inside yet. But even that is going to have to be done in a rush. We need to be at Gabe and Effie’s soon.”
I was already out the door, on my way to investigate the cottage.
Inside the thick wooden front door, a flagstone floor spanned a generous living room with a kitchen to the left. There was a sofa and a bookcase, and curtains in the windows, plus a wood-burning stove in the corner, the space clean and bright. A short hall held two bedrooms and a new bathroom.
In the main bedroom, I gazed at the big bed, complete with fresh sheets and plump pillows. My bag waited on the bedside table, the only other piece of furniture besides a lamp.