She couldn't believe it when she heard what she had just heard. Raphael was attempting to buy her body. She didn't know why she was surprised; Raphael thought she had once taken 50,000 pounds for the same reason.
'We'll both know where we stand this time.' Raphael was obviously thinking along the same lines. 'There will be no pretense between us, just a simple enjoyment of our arrangement.'
'I—Are you still interested in me?' She was taken aback by the thought; she had assumed from his contemptuous treatment of her the day before that she disgusted him.
'Isn't it incredible?' He murmured. 'But once I saw you again, I knew I'd never stop wanting you physically.' But this time, I want you on my terms, with no misunderstanding of any emotional commitment between us. I'll pay for your living expenses and the operation if you need one, but in exchange, I want you in my bed whenever I want you. 'That has to be understood from the beginning,' he rasped.
It was a terrible deal, all one-sided if he didn't know it, her own finances making her indebted to him in that way unnecessary. Despite this, she couldn't say no. If seeing her again demonstrated to Raphael that he still desired her, it demonstrated to her that she still loved him. He was offering her a way to be with him without making the commitment that he had demanded for once upon a time.
And she couldn't believe this bitterly cold man was all of him; she knew the gentle and passionate lover she had once known had to exist somewhere. She had hurt and humiliated him in the past, but the Raphael she adored was still alive and well somewhere.
'I'd never have guessed you had to pay a woman to share your bed,' she mocked.
'Unfortunately, the woman I want can only be had in that way,' he said dismissively. 'And now that I've learned the rules of the game, I'm ready to play.' Besides, I prefer this business arrangement to any feigned emotion on either of our parts.'
He was making it clear to her that he would never care for her again, that his interest this time was purely physical. And yet, what other deal could she possibly accept from him? Wasn't his arrogant and dismissive lovemaking preferable to nothing at all?
'Your family,' she stated flatly. 'Hugh dislikes me.'
'Hugh won't find out about you,' Raphael said coldly. 'I don't usually talk about business with my ten-year-old son.'
She reacted angrily to his coldness, to his complete lack of emotion. 'You don't want our affair to become public knowledge?' she exclaimed. 'Am I to be relegated to the role of someone you're ashamed of wanting?'
'You can tell who you damn well want,' he rasped. 'However, Hugh will be unaware of your existence because I visit him at my mother's house or at his school; he does not come here.' His pupils constricted.
'Why are you hesitating, Sophia? You've always liked sleeping in my bed.'
She blushed at the realization. But hadn't their physical oneness once been due to their love for each other? But hadn't she known when he kissed her the other day that she'd go to any length to be with Raphael again? He had no idea she was going to give him her soul rather than her body, that she was paying the devil's price for loving him.
'Perhaps you'd like to see a demonstration to refresh your memory?' He took a menacing step toward her.
She swallowed hard as she noticed the gleaming intent in his eyes. 'I don't need any free demonstrations of your sexual prowess, Raphael.' Her head cocked proudly. 'I want to keep things strictly business.' When do you want me to start living with you?'
His brows furrowed. 'Does this mean you're on board with the arrangement?'
'It means I'm thinking about it!'
'This isn't something you can consider; you either agree now or forget the whole thing,' he bit out.
'Why not?' she asked dismissively. 'It could be interesting.' And why should I have to struggle through the next few months when I could be living with you in comfort?' she scoffed, knowing that if he knew how badly she wanted to be with him, he would make her life even more miserable than it was.
His mouth twisted at the expected response from her. 'I had a feeling you'd see it that way.'
You are welcome to move into my apartment as soon as tomorrow—'
'No, not tomorrow,' she said, shaking her head. 'I need to see Dave Hadley, and I also need to tie up a few other loose ends before I move in with you.'
'Such as telling the current man in your life that you've discovered a more valuable prize?' Raphael was enraged.
The insult made her breath catch in her throat. 'Something like that,' she agreed without hesitation.
'Then we'll make it Thursday,' he scoffed. 'You might as well stay until then.' I'll send you a taxi on Thursday afternoon.'
He wasn't even going to drive her to his apartment! 'I can find my own way, thank you,' she stated flatly. 'Our business relationship does not begin until I enter your apartment.'
'As you see fit.' He shrugged, certain he had her in his sights.
Sophia shivered at the thought; she had struck a deal with the devil himself!
Sophia wondered if she had been too quick to agree to whatever Raphael offered. But then she remembered how it used to feel being with him, how her heart used to race just at the thought of him alone and how it still does.
'You're such an idiot Sophia, really why did you easily agree to that.' she thought to herself, but she knew deep down that this might be the only time she gets to be with Raphael again. She had missed him so much and although she wouldn't admit that to him.
BUT who is this friend you're going to stay with?' Rod lowered his gaze to the piece of paper she had handed him. 'This exclusive address belongs to someone who is not short on cash.'
Sophia hadn't had anything pressing to do today other than see Dave Hadley, which she had done this morning, and had his diagnosis confirmed. But she knew she had to keep Raphael's arrogance in check if she wanted to keep her dignity. She was moving in with him because she loved him, not because of his money, but he wouldn't believe her even if she showed him the bank statements proving she had no money pmarklems. He found it much easier to believe she was a mercenary, that her body was merely a commodity she used to get what she wanted and where she wanted.
And the mercenary little bitch he imagined her to be would be self-assured enough not to be intimidated by him. As much as she would have liked to move in with him today, she wanted to start this relationship the way she wanted it to continue: with her having some control over her life.
'Raphael is very wealthy,' she said now, not wanting to hide who she was living with. Tell whoever she wanted, Raphael had said, and that was exactly what she intended to do. 'It's Raphael Mcklerin,' she said.
'I know who it is, Sophie,' Rod said, frowning. 'But isn't moving in with him a little—surprising?'
'I used to live with him,' she shrugged. 'A few years ago.'
'Something was mentioned by Kat...' His scowl widened. 'I care about you, Sophie; are you certain you're making the right decision by moving in with him?'
'No,' she laughed mockingly. 'But I know it's the only thing I can do,' she says.
'If you have to leave because of this time—'
'It isn't,' she stated emphatically. 'Whether you believe it or not, I adore him.'
'I believe it,' Rod said, nodding and sighing. 'What does he think of you?'
'Really, Rod?' she mocked. 'It's one thing to tell you how I feel; it's quite another to discuss Raphael's feelings.'
'Are you certain he has any?' Rod enquired. 'From what I saw of him at your show the other night, he's a pretty cold sort of man.' You haven't even been out with a man in years; isn't moving in with him after only knowing him for a few days a bit drastic?
'I appreciate your concern,' she said softly. 'I truly am. But it's because of Raphael that I haven't dated anyone else in years.' She laughed as he continued to look concerned. 'Come on, my temporarily unemployed agent, I'll treat you to lunch.'
'You certainly appear to be content,' he observed as he stood up to put on his jacket. She was overjoyed, happier than she had been in a long time. All that mattered was that Raphael was back in her life.
'Aren't we splashing around?' Rod teased them as they walked into the Ritz arm in arm.
'It's a business lunch,' she sneered. 'I need to keep my agent happy until I can get back to work.'
It was a happy time for her; for the first time in years, she felt completely alive.