Taming Rafe Animals MC book 7

Chapter Sixteen.

They were lying naked on the rug in front of the fireplace, wrapped in blankets and each other's arms for warmth. He held her so tightly and so close she almost believed he didn't want to let her go.

"I just realized something," he said.

"What's that?"

"It's going to be Thanksgiving soon, then Christmas."

She thought for a second doing the math in her head and realizing he was right, she had been here awhile.

"Yeah, you're right."

"Maybe we can get a tree," He offered.

"I would really like that, do you have decorations?"

"No, I don't but I'm sure we can come up with something."

"I would really love that," She said.

"I would offer to take you home but...if someone sees you at your parent's house...it puts them at risk too."

"I know, I understand."

He kissed the top of her head and the two fell into a deep and comfortable sleep, in fact, he couldn't remember sleeping as well as he did with her next to his side.

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The next day they donned their heavier clothes and went in search of the perfect Christmas tree.

Raphael carried the ax while Tess hurried ahead of him.

At last, she picked a small pine tree in a clearing near the top of the mountain, he was in the middle of chopping when he felt his phone vibrate in his back pocket.

Stopping he pulled it from his pocket and saw a text from the men who hired him to begin with.

The numbers on the text may look like random nonsense to most people but he instantly recognized them, they were the coordinates to his cabin.

His blood ran cold in his veins and he felt suddenly sick, they knew where he was and they knew where Tess was.

"Hey, is everything okay?" Tess asked from his side.

He jumped at her voice, forgetting for a few minutes and then realizing where he was and what was going on.

"Fine, wrong number."

He shoved the phone back in his pocket and gripping the ax a little harder went back to the tree, his mind racing.

They would swarm this place and he would be outnumbered, there was no way he could fight them all off. He didn't care for himself but he wouldn't be able to protect Tess either.

He was distracted the rest of the day, even as they decorated the tree and Tess chattered aimlessly.

He had to let her go, the thought repeated in his head, he had to get her off this mountain and far away from him. She wasn't safe if she stayed.

After they decorated the tree they cuddled on the couch, wrapped in a blanket and sipping hot chocolate.

"You didn't seem like yourself today,"

"I'm sorry,"

"Is something wrong?"

"Tess...if I were to tell you that...that you can leave. You can go home tomorrow, would you?"

She set her hot chocolate aside and turned to look at him.

"I do miss my family but...no, I wouldn't."

"Tess..." He set his hot chocolate aside as well.

"I love you, I know it doesn't make sense but...I do. I'm in love with you."

He winced, his heart constricting painfully, he didn't want her to leave but he couldn't let her stay either.

He leaned forward sealing his lips over hers and kissing her deeply pulling her back onto the couch with, he would get her to safety one way or another.