His Obession: The Don and the Damsel

Chapter 2 - Raphael.

~Octavia~

I nearly forget how to speak as I stare back at him.

'Say something damn it! Before he thinks you're a complete nutcase.' I think to myself.

"You... could say that," I reply quietly, trying to keep myself together as I turn back to my drink... but now my concentration is wavering...

"Boyfriend trouble?" he asks, standing beside me as he rests against her bar counter, his gaze inquisitive...

"Ex-boyfriend trouble," I correct, the word "ex" tasting bitter on my tongue as I exhale deeply. "Points for the perfect guess." I let out as I smile at him.

His smirk deepens. "His loss." He answers, his voice sounding even deeper than before, and I have no clue how it's even possible for him to get any sexier.

I don't know why, but I laugh. Maybe it's the alcohol, or maybe it's the way he says it... so confident, so matter-of-fact, like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"Thank you," I say, taking another sip to try and calm my nerves, but it's already too late. I feel completely flustered.

He doesn't ask for details, and I don't offer them. Instead, we remain next to each other with a sudden tension that neither of us can seem to ignore.

"I'm Octavia." I let out, smiling back at him politely.

"That's a beautiful name... I'm Raphael. It's a pleasure to meet you." He lets out, holding his hand to me.

"The pleasure is all mine..." I'm about to say just as I shake his hand, and that's when he steps closer to me, bringing my hand closer to his lips and placing a soft, light kiss on it. A wave of butterflies fills my stomach, and I begin blushing profusely, not even being able to look him in the eye.

There's something magnetic about him, something that makes it impossible to resist his charm, and I don't think I realise how much trouble this is putting me in.

I don't even notice how much time has passed after we continue talking, until the door suddenly swings open and I hear a familiar voice.

"Lana!"

My stomach drops as I turn to see Elliot storming into the bar, his face flushed with anger.

"Are you serious right now?" he snaps, his eyes narrowing when he sees me sitting next to Raphael.

"Go away, Elliot," I say, my voice coming out calmer than I expected, considering the night I've had.

"We need to talk," he insists harshly, suddenly grabbing my arm and making me flinch as I look back at him.

Before I can react, Raphael is on his feet, standing between us. He is much, much taller than Elliot, broader, and the look in his eyes is calm, yet cold and deadly.

"In case you didn't hear her clearly... she said go away," Raphael says, his voice dangerously low and terrifying.

Elliot then meets his gaze, glaring at him as he tries to step up to him. But I know Elliot, and I can see the fear in his eyes.

"This isn't your business." He tries to say.

"It is now," Raphael answers, and he doesn't raise his voice, but there's something in his tone that makes Elliot hesitate completely.

After a tense moment, Tyler slowly lets go of my arm and glares at Raphael for a second longer, but Raphael doesn't flinch. He doesn't have to say anything else; it's clear that Elliot is intimidated by his presence. Tyler huffs under his breath, his ego bruised, and storms out of the bar, slamming the door behind him.

The tension in my chest loosens just a little. I let out a shaky breath, realising my hands are still clenched at my sides.

"Are you okay?" Raphael's voice is low, calm, but something about it is able to silence the noise in my head.

I nod quickly. "Yeah. I'm fine." But my voice wobbles, betraying me.

He doesn't say anything right away. Instead, his eyes scan my face like he's trying to read me, and the weight of his gaze makes my pulse jump.

"You sure?" he asks, his voice softer this time, and there's something about the way he says it that makes my throat tighten.

I take another deep breath, trying to get myself together. "Yeah," I murmur. "Thank you... for that. For stepping in."

His lips shift into a small, knowing smile. "Don't mention it."

For a second, neither of us moves or says a word. The air feels heavy and electrifying, and I can still feel the warmth of his presence, even though he's standing a couple of feet away now. I glance up at him, at the sharp line of his jaw, the dark, focused eyes that don't shift from mine, and suddenly, everything inside me snaps.

Before I can think twice, I grab the back of his neck, tugging him toward me as I crash my lips against his.

It's clumsy at first, all heat and desperation. My heart is racing so fast it feels like it's about to burst out of my chest. His lips are warm, and his scent, his masculine scent, something mixed with leather and spice, invades my senses, making my head spin.

For a second, he doesn't react, like he's caught off guard. Then his hands find my waist, pulling me flush against him as he kisses me back.

And it's everything.

His lips move against mine slowly and unhurriedly, like he has all the time in the world to explore me. His fingers tighten on my waist, sliding just slightly lower, and the heat of his touch makes my knees weak. For a moment, I forget where I am. I forget Elliot, Cara, everything that brought me here. All I can think about is Raphael... his lips, his hands, the way he feels like the only solid thing in a world that's been spinning out of control.

And then reality hits me like a bucket of ice water.

I pull back abruptly, my chest heaving as I stare at him, my lips still tingling from the kiss. "Oh my God," I mutter, my voice barely above a whisper. "I-... I shouldn't have done that."

He doesn't answer at first and still keeps his hands around my waist, keeping his eyes on me as he watches me carefully.

"Why not?" His voice is hoarse and sexy, and all it makes me want to do is kiss him even harder than before.

"I don't know, I just..." I answer shyly, carefully slipping out of his hold and biting my lip as I run a hand through my hair, suddenly aware of how close we're standing.

"It was stupid. I'm just-...I'm drunk and emotional and... I'm sorry." I try to explain.

"Don't be," he says simply, his voice completely calm. There's no judgment in his tone, no pity. Just calm curiosity, like he's used to being the one in control.

I look at him, unsure what to say, unsure how to feel. My heart is still racing, and I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks.

Raphael watches me for another moment, then his lips change into a faint smile. "Why don't we get out of here?"

The question catches me off guard. "What?"

He chuckles lightly, his expression calm but confident. "Let's leave. Go somewhere quieter."

I hesitate, the rational part of my brain screaming at me to say no. But the other part of me, the part that's still reeling from Elliot's betrayal, that just kissed a complete stranger in the middle of a bar, knows I don't want to be alone tonight.

"Okay," I hear myself say, my voice barely above a whisper.

And just like that... I leave with him...