Taming Rafe Animals MC book 7

Chapter Nine.

Raphael woke up slowly, he felt better than he had before but the room was cold. Underneath the pile of blankets in the narrow bed he was warm. It was then he realized he was not alone.

He was laying on his left side, spooning against a warm body. Tess, she was still asleep but she was warm her body against his.

He stared at her for a few long minutes her flawless skin, dark eyelashes, the way her black hair fell over his arm where her head rested on it. Her trim waist and well-rounded hips against his.

He remembered why it was so cold in here now, the generator. After she spent the last few days taking care of him the least he could do is try and get the generator going.

He carefully slipped from the bed taking a minute to bundle the covers around her body. Then he pulled on a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. Walking to the main room and pulling on his coat and boots he disappeared outside.

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Tess woke up alone in the small bed, blinking at the sunlight that was pouring through the small window. The bed was warm but she could feel the house was still cold.

She crawled from the bed, moving around the cabin looking for Raph but not seeing any sign of him anywhere.

She found a worn out pair of sneakers in the closet near the door and slipped them on but couldn't find an extra jacket.

Stepping outside she saw his tracks in the fresh snow leading around the side of the house.

She found him around back, working on the generator. He had a red, metal tool box open next to his feet and was leaning over the generator.

"You shouldn't be up," She said softly.

He turned glancing over his shoulder at her before going back to the generator.

"You shouldn't be out here without a coat."

She took a few timid steps forward, he was weak, he had saved her life but she was still afraid of him.

"Can you fix it?"

"Yeah, no big deal."

She moved closer curious as to what exactly he was doing. He glanced at her again then motioned with his head for her to join him.

She walked up next to him staring at the large machine and his capable hands as they busied themselves with work.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"Cleaning the carburetor."

"Can I help?"

He glanced up at her and she saw him bite back a laugh.

"Sure city girl, roll up your sleeves and get to work."

"I'm not completely worthless," She pointed out.

"I never said you were."

He set aside the tool he was using, reaching for a rag to wipe the grease from his hands.

"That should do it," He said.

He closed the large hood on the machine and then turned to flip a switch and press a button. After sputtering a few times it roared to life.

She sighed in relief.

"You best go inside," he said.

"What about you?"

"I need to hike to the top of the mountain and make a phone call."

"I can come with you, I would like some fresh air."

"You didn't get enough the other night?" He asked.

She fell silent staring at her shoes and he watched her for a minute then he sighed and shed his jacket, reaching to wrap it around her shoulders.

"Bundle up then, it's colder at the top of the mountain."

He turned closing the toolbox and setting it aside then started walking towards the woods.

She waited then hurried to catch up with him, not wanting to be alone in the woods again. She struggled through the snow, her toes and feet growing cold.

When they reached the top of the mountain she was winded and nearly frozen, Raphael didn't seem affected at all. She stumbled to a log and sat down admiring the view, slightly disappointed that she didn't see a building anywhere nothing but trees and sprawling snow-covered mountains.

"You okay?" He asked as he pulled out an old flip phone.

"A little winded," She admitted.

"It's the altitude change, you'll get used to it."

At first, she felt her heart flutter to life that he must not be planning to kill her then she realized he must be planning on keeping her for some time.

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Raphael turned away from her as the phone rang, waiting for his connection to pick up. He should have called them the minute the job was done but he'd been to busy with Tess and then being sick.

"Raph?" The voice answered.

"It's me."

"It's about damned time, did you finish the job?"

"Yes, it's finished he's dead. Where's my money?"

"Any loose ends?" The voice asked.

He glanced at Tess who was wiping nose on his sleeve and couldn't hold back the smile.

"No...no loose ends."

"Okay, I'll have the money wired to your account."

"Good, I'll be in touch."

He hung up without another word not sure why he chose not to tell them about Tess. She was now staring at the scenery and he felt bad for her. She didn't deserve to be involved in this mess.

"Are you ready to hike back?" He asked.

"Yeah."

He turned walking down the mountain, the sun was setting by the time the cabin came in to view.

She opened the door and he followed her inside, relieved to see it was warm in the cabin. He wouldn't admit it to her but he was completely exhausted.

He made it to the couch before collapsing.

"Can I make you something to eat?" She asked.

"No, Tess...I don't expect...."

"I know, I want to. You...could have done a lot of things to me and you haven't. I can at least...repay you by not being a pain."

"Whatever you want to make, I'll eat." He said.

She gave a small nod then disappeared into the kitchen, he felt his eyelids grow heavy and fell asleep to the sound of her moving around.