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“You know I have to do a background check, bro. No exceptions.”

So, what I always thought about rich people is true. They are crazy.

“Don’t fucking care about the rules. Not this time.”

“Raph, it’s not only about you…”

“Rami, glove collection,” Raphael threatens him—I think. I mean,gloves? What’s that about?

A gasp comes through the line. “You wouldn’t.”

“Is it a Michael Jackson thing, or more on the kinky side?” I whisper… loudly. “Fuck, I said it out loud. The painkillers always loosen my tongue.”

“Do they?” Raphael smiles like the Grinch with an evil plan.

“Yes, they do. It’s like there’s no time between forming my thoughts and opening my mouth.” I realize I said that out loud too, just by looking at Raphael’s amused expression. “Gloves?” I abruptly yell, trying to take the fire away from me.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Rami sniffs.

“Yes, that’s why I asked you, assface.” Oops. Too much?

“I like you, Michael. You have bigcojones,” Rami says, surprisingly.

“Back off,” Raphael grunts, and damn, that’s so hot.

“Apart from the huge violation of my privacy, I still think you’re an assface.” Am I making any sense?

“At least my pee doesn’t stink. I mean, with the amount of asparagus you buy, your house must be a biohazard site.”

I want to tell Rami to fuck off, and then list the diuretic property of said vegetable, but my eyelashes are starting to droop. Damn painkillers. I sway slightly to the right, before Raphael pushes me back to him. His firm chest is suddenly under my cheek, and the sound of his heartbeat reverberates in my ear like the sweetest lullaby. I moan, snuggling closer to his heart, loving the feel of his hand running through my hair.

Raphael brings his phone to his ear again, but I can clearly understand Rami’s words now.

“What are you doing?”

“Leave it alone.”

“Alright.” Rami sighs. “Are you sure you want to talk to her alone, Raph?”

Raph. I like it. It makes him more… human.

“Yes,” Raph answers. “Don’t tell her about Michael yet.”

Is he talking about me?

“Why? What are you keeping from us?”

The rest of the conversation fades away. The knowledge that Raph is here, in addition to the painkillers’ effect, cause my brain to relax. And I crash surprisingly fast. My dreams are chaotic, filled with intense, jade green eyes, and a pink, scruffy stuffed pig with one red button.

Chapter 5

RAPHAEL

I take an insane amount of pleasure in sleeping next to Michael. The last time I actually shared a bed was with Sari when I was a kid. It was induced by fear—on his part—certainly not enjoyment. Not like this morning. And it’s…odd.

My aversion and disinterest for others on top of my inability to keep focus usually push me to pursue newventures.For the most part, out of tedium.

But not with Michael. I always want to be able to touch him. To feel him all over me. To slice my body open and push him in the deepest part of me.