<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"></span><div style="margin: auto; overflow: visible; max-width: 600px;background: #0000000; color: #000000;text-align: justify"><br/>
<div style="text-align: right"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-size: 22px">rafael silva<br/>
_________________</span></span>​</div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"></span><br/>
<div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">
<div class="bbImageWrapper lazyload js-lbImage" data-lb-caption-extra-html="" data-lb-sidebar-href="" data-single-image="1" data-src="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/attachments/1622634799527-gif.84398/" title="1622634799527-gif.84398">
<img alt="1622634799527-gif.84398" class="bbImage lazyload" data-src="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/attachments/1622634799527-gif.84398/" data-url="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/attachments/1622634799527-gif.84398/" data-zoom-target="1" height="" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" style="" title="" width=""/>
<noscript><img alt="1622634799527-gif.84398" class="bbImage" data-url="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/attachments/1622634799527-gif.84398/" data-zoom-target="1" height="" src="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/attachments/1622634799527-gif.84398/" style="" title="" width=""/></noscript>
</div>
</span>​</div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">The sound of the timer going off disrupted the still silence inside of the kitchen.<br/>
<br/>
<i>"Creme brulee."</i><br/>
<br/>
Rafael mustered up the strength to chuckle, his breath warm against Aven’s neck, making the crook much more comfortable. He moved back slowly, his lips catching hers and refusing to let go, no matter how she peeled away from him. He tilted his head back, his eyes closing halfway as the sensation of blood rushing back to its proper spots drew new life into his body. Rafael pulled away with reluctance then, too comforted by the feeling of Aven pressed against him and cuddled against his chest. His movements were clumsy as he stepped back, his jeans still pooled around his ankles. He watched as Aven fluidly jumped down from the counter, a subtle wobble in his stops as she pulled on the chef’s coat and made her way toward the oven.<br/>
<br/>
Rafael reached down to pull up his pants, unfazed by the motions that came naturally to him. The nostalgia was hard to ignore – though he couldn't pretend the lingering question of what they were supposed to do after this wasn’t bouncing around his mind. The feelings between them couldn’t be ignored and tonight they had opened Pandora’s box, unlocking energy that they had tried to contain and stuffed away. He couldn't even look the same after this or act the same after this. Already he felt himself drawn toward her, his eyes catching every little thing she did swooning over her as though she were the only woman on Earth that mattered. It was a terrifying feeling.<br/>
<br/>
Rafael adjusted his shirt, walking over toward Aven and watching as she carefully held the torch in her hands. There was no room for hurt as he was tickled and humored by her comment. He settled behind her, his arms on either side and his hands propping him up. His nose grazed against her neck, still a bit damp from their intense coitus<br/>
“I never said you were wrong, I simply gave my input,” he teased the young woman.<br/>
<br/>
It was too late for Danielle to be awake and yet he didn’t want to risk going home and encountering her with the scent of Aven still clinging to his skin. He didn’t want to leave her at all. Like a sip of alcohol for the first time after months of sobriety, Rafael was reminded of all the good that came with his blonde minx just from one kiss, one plunder in her silky depths. But Aven was much harder to give up than alcohol. His need for her had been easily overshadowed by the stress of running two restaurants and saving his marriage . . . raising his daughter – but how could he ignore her when she was in his face every day? He was a greedy son of a bitch.<br/>
<br/>
They both had nowhere to go but this restaurant to be alone. No matter how badly he wanted to take her again, to fall asleep with her head resting on his chest . . . he couldn't. She had someone to go home to, someone she couldn't ignore forever. There was nothing easy about what they both wanted and Rafael knew that neither of them were completely ready to break the hearts of those that had stood by them in each other’s absence. He had no desire to figure out the logistics of their situation, he just knew that he wanted Aven as long as she would have him and even while very aware of how this could all end in flames.<br/>
<br/>
The harsh sound of the torch soon died down and Rafael had moved away to pull out two spoons: one for each of them.<br/>
“And what exactly is the prize for being right?” He asked as he leaned over the counter, his blue eyes cutting a look at Aven.</span></div>