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<div style="text-align: right">aven miller<br/>
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Aven hummed her acknowledgment, turning her attention fully to Rafael. From her last interaction with Danielle, Aven knew that she was a very spitfire, confrontational woman. Aven, on the other hand, was the opposite. Confrontation, to Aven, was much better avoided than dealt with - a mindset that had bit her in the ass more times than she could count. <br/>
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She noticed Rafael's intense focus as she pushed the ramekins in the oven. Her eyes drifted up to him, a raised eyebrow in question until she saw his cheeks redden and his gaze pull away. Aven couldn't help it. The faintest bit of pleasure trickled into her at his sudden bashfulness, lips tugged up in a sweet smirk. The smile immediately slipped the moment she heard his next words. <br/>
<br/>
What was she, Nike? If it were as easy as to just ‘do it’, Aven would have already told Sebastian. She would have casually told him the first day, assured him there were no reminiscent feelings, and that she was still very much in love with Sebastian, and definitely not Rafael, a married man who had a kid with his longtime girlfriend, now wife.<br/>
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Yet Aven hadn’t and it itched at her strongly. It was only when Rafael continued, did her lips turn downward.<br/>
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Aven scowled. She loathed that preachy tone he used on her as if she were his student who continuously disappointed. Aven regretted asking the question. It was <i>so</i> like him to answer back in such a forceful manner. Not that he was particularly wrong. Aven knew it would be fair for Sebastian to ask her to quit, and yet the thought of starting afresh in a new kitchen was something Aven really did not want to deal with. She was lucky to have worked under Alejandro who let her creatively express herself as she pleased. Rafael, with all his rules and demands for perfection, allowed her the same freedom. There was no guarantee that the next head chef would let her do what she desired, and all that would kill her love for the job. Aven was about to bite out a smart comment, maybe a ‘Thanks Rafael, what could I have done without you?’ until her gaze lifted up to his in an electrifying stare.<br/>
<br/>
Aven's heart clattered in her chest as Rafael stalked towards her. She peeked up at him through a layer of thick, inky lashes, throat going dry. He was close. Too close. It reminded her of before when things weren't perfect, but had been as perfect as they could be. Her treacherous gaze leaped down to his lips and once again she found herself fantasizing about how his mouth would feel over hers. She still remembered the intensity in the way he used to kiss her, still recalled the way her lips sloped over his so desperately,  the way she'd pull him til there wasn't a fraction of space between them Aven tugged her face up. Her back knocked against the counter lightly and instinctively her hand found purchase of the shirt he wore. Involuntarily, Aven's feather-like clutch urged him to come closer until his body heat curled into hers. Her figure hummed in pleasure, taking delight in the proximity.<br/>
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<i>As if I would let you go.</i><br/>
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Aven's cheeks warmed at the possessiveness in his tone, voice guttural and low. <br/>
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If it were Rafael, Aven wouldn't feel the need to stalk off to her workplace in the dead of the night.<br/>
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Aven didn't protest when his hand lifted up to her face and swept a lock of her hair back. She leaned into his touch, the familiar feel of the rough pads of his finger a sensation she completely missed. The urge to twist her neck in his hand's direction and kiss his palm was strong but Aven resisted. She needed him to hear her. Hear what had been boiling under the surface for the past few weeks working with him. <br/>
<br/>
"I'm here because you won't leave my goddamn head," Aven murmured. "You distract me and confuse me and quite frankly piss me off  and...” Aven trailed off. Her eyes were riveted to his lips. <i>And I can't stop thinking about how fucking good you kiss me.</i> <br/>
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