Oral Care

Chapter 23: More Than A Casual Thing

*** Rafael's POV ***

I am falling in love with Evelyn. If it was a slow burn before, it is a full on forest fire after spending the weekend with her. Everything about her ignites something inside me.

The only thing that gives me pause is the little glimpses of vulnerability over her strained relationship with her family. As much as my family may feel like they are helping her from feeling homesick, I fear that maybe it's too much for her. I'll have to keep an eye out.

Today is her first day on the job. I know it's important for her to like the very thing that brought her here and I really hope the work lives up to expectations. I listened closely when she gave details to my prying family and called my favorite local florist to get flowers delivered to her at the office. I know it was a very "boyfriend" type of move, but I want her to know I am thinking of her.

Lately, she's been all I think about.

About mid-afternoon, I receive a text with a photo attachment of the bouquet.

Evelyn: You are too sweet.

Rafael: You deserve everything.

Evelyn: Well thank you. You effectively disarmed any hypermasculine advances by my coworkers. And maybe a lesbian or two as well.

Rafael: Don't let me dissuade the lesbians. If you're interested, I mean...

Evelyn: I wish I had more time to consider that, but...I need to get back to work. I just wanted to say thanks.

I am desperate to see her again after dropping her off last night. She offered for me to stay but I declined because I wanted to be sure that she got a good night's sleep, especially since I was unrelenting the previous night.

Rafael: Any chance I could take you out for a celebratory drink?

She doesn't respond. I try not to read into it. She told me that she needed to get back to work. I need to respect that and chill out.

I still haven't heard from her by what I assumed would be the end of her workday. I decide to go to the gym to work out some of my angst. Bad idea.

"What are you doing here on a Monday? Gotta keep tight for your whore?" Tara waltzes over and leans her toned body against the machine I am at. I need to either change my routine or find a new fucking gym.

"Always a pleasure, Tara. How is it that I see you more now that we broke up?" I ask sarcastically.

"Lucky, I guess. I came by your parents house yesterday. I'm going to guess that you didn't get my message. Christian was pretty rude. It's no wonder he's divorced." She prattles on.

I furrow my brow. Christian hadn't said anything. "What did you want?"

"To show you I could play nice. But apparently you brought her. She knows she's a rebound, right?" Tara pushes.

I slam the machine into place and run my hands through my sweaty hair in frustration. "My relationship status is none of your concern, Tara. Back the fuck off."

"Oh did I hit a nerve?" She laughs and tosses my towel at me. "I'll admit that's what Alberto was."

I roll my eyes and stand, wiping down the machine. She bravely steps forward and extends her long body over mine so she can whisper in my ear. "And although he fucked my brains out, I still crave you and this cock."