"Where are we heading?" she asked for the sixth time, walking down the long, narrow corridor. "You should at least give me an answer since you abducted me from the ceremony."
"We're going to my bedroom," Rafael finally answered.
"I understand that I'm alluring enough to get your attention, but I can't be with you in your bedroom," Madelyn's composed voice hinted at her fear and uncertainty about what he wanted to do with her, aware of his reputation as a golden boy who could have any woman he desired.
"Is there something wrong with us being together in my bedroom?" Rafael asked, stopping in front of his suite and opening the door with a keycard.
He turned to face her, noticing her angry expression, like a volcano about to erupt.
"Of course, it is wrong for us to be in your bedroom. I'm a well-known businesswoman who needs to be considerate of her reputation," Madelyn rebuked.
Rafael tilted his head, looking unconvinced. "Why can't I recognize you as a well-known businesswoman among the countless others I know?"
Madelyn allowed a mild, wry smile to grace her lips. "It's not my fault you don't recognize me because I'm not the type of delicate woman you typically encounter. I'm a thorny rose that thrives and prickles ruthlessly." She said in a somewhat tedious tone, leaving Rafael more amused.
A soft smile settled on his lips, sparkling with charm, causing Madelyn's brows to narrow as she pondered whether her comment had even been funny.
"You're an intriguing woman. Unfortunately, I'm bound to someone else. Otherwise, I'd make you mine because you have that voice." He lowered his seductive gaze on her perfect hourglass figure. "And body. But only your face will determine how qualified you are for me to keep you forever."
Forever? How dare he entertain such absurd thoughts after what he did to her? Did he think he could have her? In his dreams.
She'd kill him before he became an unbearable nuisance to deal with.
Madelyn clenched her fists at her sides, striving to keep her emotions in check. "Anyway, whatever you have to say, you can say it to me. I'm all ears." She stood still in her spot, six steps away from him.
"Seems like you're frightened to be with me tonight in my bed. So tell me, why are you scared of us sharing a passionate night, woman?" he teased as if he could read her thoughts through her frightened and angry expression.
His head ached on the way here from the hallway because of her voice, which reminded him of the woman he resented most.
A passionate night was nothing more than a lie from his lips, as he had never shared such a moment with her during their failed marriage. Rafael had always been rough with her, except for that last night when he surprised her by being gentle.
Madelyn closed her eyes, trying to force those thoughts from her mind. She couldn't understand why his words were troubling her so much. She scolded herself, reminding herself to forget everything that had happened between them and to focus on ruining him instead.
In fact, Madelyn thought she would prefer to spend her night in the woods and let wild animals have her as prey rather than be intimate with him again. She squinted her eyes at him, feeling the intensity of her disdain.
With a heavy sigh, Madelyn spoke. "It would be strange if something like that happened between us. I mean, this is our first meeting." She replied while trying to play along with his banter.
Rafael nodded as if he understood her reasoning. He noted that she seemed defiant, clearly not the type to walk into his room if he asked her to. Instead, she stood there like a doorman.
He stepped closer and held her wrist, saying, "If you hadn't shown up at the ceremony this evening with that tone of voice, we wouldn't even be having this conversation."
As he finished speaking, he pulled her from her spot, and she stumbled on her heels as he led her into his room. He released her wrist and shut the door behind them.
"Who are you…?" Rafael's voice trailed off as he advanced toward her, while she instinctively stepped back to maintain distance.
Madelyn's heart raced, faster than it had ever did at the sight of him approaching with an imposing air, tension thickening the room. She kept retreating until her back met the wall, leaving her with no place left to escape.
Rafael closed the distance between them, his hand gliding over her slender waist, pulling her closer until her soft body was pressed against his broad chest as if he wanted to draw her into his very soul.
He lowered his head toward her neck, inhaling the delicate fragrance that clung to her—soft, floral, like a water lily.
His frosty blue eyes found hers again, holding her gaze with an intensity that unsettled them both.
"How can you sound like the woman who's long been dead?" Rafael asked, struggling to resist the magnetic pull of her presence, but he couldn't resist.
How dare he question her existence—as if he were some kind of god? Was he so curious to claim her life again?
Madelyn tilted her chin, meeting his gaze with a defiant glint. "I owe you no explanation," she replied coolly, her voice firm despite the heat in the air between them. "You're the one committing a grave sin by touching me so carelessly."
"Is my curiosity about what lies beneath these pretty masks a sin?" Rafael challenged, his slender fingers stroking the delicate path of her cheeks.
"Your curiosity will ruin you," Madelyn warned, her voice low and edged.
Her words left Rafael momentarily speechless, though a hint of amusement danced in his eyes.
"Let's find out." He released her waist and strode off toward the restroom.
Madelyn watched him return, holding a cotton pad and a bottle of cleansing water.
"Take this and wipe off your makeup," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for refusal.
"I don't take orders from anyone." Madelyn retorted in a soft tone.