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CHAPTER 11
Raphael did not want to think about the chances of Skai not giving him a call.
He took out his phone and quickly went through his call log, but found no 'unknown' number from yesterday until now.
He sighed heavily, his eyes fluttering close. He couldn't shake off the feeling that their connection held more significance than he realized.
Thanks to that, he was determined to let this meeting turn into a one-time chance.
Picking up his drink, his fingers lightly grazing the edge of the cup, Raphael leaned back in his seat, a mixture of frustration and intrigue painting his expression.
After a few more minutes, he resigned himself. He could not take it anymore and did not care how he would look when he decided to speak with Kiera.
He felt the chemistry between Skai and himself and wondered why she did not give him a call to tell him how her birthday went, at the very least.
Yesterday had been more than a fling, her body pressed against his, the heat emanating from their closeness, that kiss—those lips... His breathing hitched, and his mind raced again as he felt her lips ghosting over him.
Raphael shook his head, clearing his thoughts. 'I have to see this through.'
He had hoped to apologize for his impromptu disappearance and see where things led with Skai.
Besides, he owed her that kiss and more. She danced well. She worked hard for it. He'd be a wicked man to promise endless pleasure and not hold his end of the bargain.
He picked up his glass, taking a swig of his bluish-coloured drink. He placed the glass back down, paid the bartender, and walked away.
Passing through the throng of bodies on the dance floor, Raphael soon came to stand beside the boot, where Kiera was heavily engaged in her conversation with her companion.
He swallowed, a lump forming in his chest at his interruption, but he couldn't care less.
It was important. She was the only person who could give him an explanation. Lifting his chin, a part of Raphael felt he needed one. "Ahem!"
He raised his hand to cover a part of his mouth, his green eyes glancing at Kiera before acknowledging the man seated opposite her with a nod.
A subtle frown appeared on Kiera's face; her ears perked up as she turned her head to the side to check on what the problem was and to whom.
Her lips fell. She had not expected him to come over. At once, her inner devilish smile of triumph surged. She knew what it was about—Skai.
She was always right on these things.
"Evening," his charming voice greeted. "Remember me?" He exuded an air of confidence, masked with an irresistible allure. There was no way she wouldn't remember him.
The guy opposite Kiera squinted at the side profile of the man hitting on his girl.
He was just about to interfere and create the perfect image of a perfect boyfriend when Kiera's next choice of words escaped her lips.
"Hey, you…" Her smile grew, and the crease on her brows and face relaxed further. "Hello."
"Hello. Um, please, I do not see your friend." His eyes drifted around, proving his point, and when they came back, narrowing on her, he lifted a brow.
"Oh, Skai," she had deliberately mentioned Skai's name to him, in case he had no idea. "She's not here. She doesn't frequent the club," she added, helping Skai create a good profile.
"I see." He gave a nod, disappointment flashing in those appealing eyes of his.
"By the way, you left in a hurry yesterday," Kiera added, pushing the conversation forward.
Lifting his fingers, Raphael lightly raked them through his hair, slowing down to scratch the back of his ear in disguise.
"Um?" Although Kiera liked him for Skai, she did not appreciate it when a man did not treat a woman with proper care or respect.
Her brow arched, waiting for an explanation.
"My bad. Something urgent came up."
"You could have waited or…"
"I dropped my number for her since I couldn't get hers," Raphael interjected, explaining his ordeal. "I hoped she'd call so I could apologize, explain, and make up for it."
"Wait! Hold up!" Kiera blinked severally. Her eyes went round, and her face stuck with the shocking news while her brain tried to work around this piece of news.
If he had given Skai his number, as he said, then why was Skai acting weird when she mentioned him?
More than ever, Kiera could tell something was wrong, and she needed to get to the bottom of things.
She could wait for Skai to speak up or… Her long eyelashes fluttered as her eyes raked his body from head to toe and back up.
She did not bother hiding her suspicion, and by now, her companion had relaxed in his seat. He understood his girlfriend was one any guy should be weary of.
If she found something fishy, she'd not stop till she got to the bottom of things. Right now, she looked like a detective on the loose.
"You gave her your number," Kiera stated rather than asking, her mind seemingly clouded by her thoughts.
"I did, and... well, it's okay. Perhaps she did not get it or something. Sorry to disturb your date."
Before Kiera got a chance to prevent his abrupt departure, he excused himself, giving another nod to her boyfriend.
She could have pushed through to figure out what was happening, but a part of her kicked against it.
That gut-wrenching feeling in her mind told her this handsome guy had done something to Skai to make her guard up.
Last night, she was the one defending his disappearance, even though she was sad. One would think she'd jump at the opportunity to meet him again and if not...
Skai was nice. A bit naive, but not foolish.
Once angered, it was hard to see her innocent side again. She'd be done.
Thanks to that knowledge, she did not offer to give him Skai's number. If he had asked, she might have considered it, but he didn't.
"Babe?"
"Umm?" She darted her gaze back to her companion, an apologetic smile touching her cheeks. "Sorry for that. Where were we?"