Rafi the Orc (rough draft)

Cornerstone Used Books was one of those places you wished everyone knew about, but at the same time wanted to keep a closely guarded secret. Ever since discovering it it has become your safehaven and refuge. Traveling down the aisles made you feel like a kid again, pretending to be wandering down labyrinths to find your prince.

Every shelf was tall, almost ceiling height, and packed so full of books it was like counting stars in the sky; near impossible for the human eye, but so funny to try. You had discovered the shop on a half day from work. You and some friends had a long lunch and then went shopping around the corner. There you saw it, like the gods had parted the clouds for you to see the oasis in the desert.

The small brick building was mundane enough to be passed over, and the fact it was next to a vape shop would have deterred you at first glance. But then you saw it, the sign featuring a stack of books held up by a knight in shining armor and a dragon sleeping underneath. It was your siren’s call.

Ever since that day, you’ve made a point to visit as often as possible. New stock was brought in daily, but even at the prospect of drowning yourself in books at home, the shop had become a stress relief after long days at the office. There was also Enzo, the bookstore cat.

After a particularly long, grueling day at the office you went into the bookstore with no other intent than to just roam until you felt like you could eat something. The front desk was empty, which was odd. Usually there was someone there. You wandered back, going towards the romance section where the store descriptors usually boosted your mood.

“Let’s see here.” You tapped the sides of your glasses, making sure they were on properly so you could seek out the best titles. You hummed to yourself as you searched the spines. Some were pristine, others were cracked and well loved in time.

“What’s this?” You stood on tiptoe trying to reach a book. The spine was pitch black with holographic lettering so you couldn’t quite read it. But it called to you, it begged you to get it. And since it was so high up, that meant it was a particularly spicy book.

Your fingers swipe and pass through it like a ghost. Huffing you look around for a step ladder. You see Enzo dart passed the aisle like another ghost.

“Hello kitty,” you called after him. “Can you find me a stool?”

“Here,” a gravelly voice trickled down your spine.

You turned around to see the shadowy outline of a very tall man behind you. He extended the book you had been trying to reach towards you.

“Oh! Thank you!” You took the book from him then watched as he put more upon the shelves. He had long hair tied into a braid, and you could see tusks jutting from his full, bottom lip. He was an orc!

“I thought I had met everyone who worked here,” you chuckled.

“Well, technically, I don’t work here.” His voice was so deep and rumbly it started to make you feel embarrassed. “My usual workers got sick, so I took over for the day. I own this shop.”

You felt starstruck. “You’re my hero!”

He turned and looked at you, his shadowed fiae giving way to his puckered brow.

“That sounds weird!” You had to laugh. “I love your shop so much. It’s become like a safety blanket for me as of late. It’s wonderful.”

“Oh, thank you,” he grumbled. He continued stacking the romance shelf. “I’m glad people have become so taken with it.” He stepped a little into the light and you saw he was wearing a very fine sweater that hugged tight to his chest.

You followed him as he went out to a shelf of special editions. “You’ve done an amazing job with it. I’m always so amazed every time I come in how organized and pretty everything is. I can’t even get my books at home to look half as nice as you do.”

He turned slightly, and you saw he had bright, crystal blue eyes. Your heart lurched and then your ankle was assaulted. You looked down to see tiny, white Enzo wrapped around it.

“Enzo!” The orc fussed.

“Nah he’s fine. He does this,” you waved him off.

“When I adopted him at the shelter I was told he was a very docile cat. Does that monster look docile to you?” He pointed as Enzo was using his back legs to kick at your foot while he chewed on your shoelace.

“Compared to some cats I’ve seen,” you replied.

He sighed heavily. “Enzo, you lunatic, get off the poor lady.” he knelt down in front of you and you could smell the spicy sweet scent of his cologne. Then his hand went around your ankle as he tried to peel Enzo from you.

“Sorry about that” He held Enzo in his arms and you suddenly felt more jealous of a cat than ever before.

“No need to apologize. I know I’m home when Enzo tries to eat my shoelaces.” You laughed, but your face was warm from the crush growing inside you, adding logs to a smoldering flame.

“I’m Rafi by the way,” he introduced himself.

You introduce yourself with a smile. “Nice to meet you. And thank you so much for your wonderful store. I’m not sure what I would do without it.”

Enzo purred loudly, snuggled between Rafi’s pec and bicep. It felt smug to you but you had to remind yourself it was just a cat.

“Well, if you’re interested, I am trying to start a book club.” He walked over to the front desk and took a box from behind the shelf. He removed a card from inside and passed it over to you. “I was going to do a trial of it with some of my staff and a few friends. But since you’re such a regular that you consider Enzo’s assaults familial, I feel you’ve earned it.”

The gloss card advertised the book club and had several notches for a punch so you could receive discounts on the book of the month. There was a place for you to sign on the back as well. You felt like you’d just received a power-up in a video game.

“What book do I need to get this month?” You asked excitedly.

“Well, we decided to start with something we felt we all had. But if you need ‘Little Women’-” He started to turn but you busted at the seams.

“I have five editions” You said excitedly. “It’s one of my favorites!”

Rafi looked back at you. “Five editions?”

“Some have really pretty covers or additional artwork. I got one that was signed by Winona Ryder at an auction too.”

Rafi’s eyes brightened. “How on earth did you get that one.”

“I had to use my credit card but I literally cried.” The conversation took a quiet, intimate tone.

Rafi smiled. “Well then, considering your fondness for the book, I’m looking forward to our commentary.”

“When’s the first meeting?”

Rafi furrowed his brow and he went to the calendar hanging on the wall. “Next Sunday at one. We were gonna do a tea with some finger foods if you wanted to bring anything.”

It was too good to be true, you could swear you were dreaming. “I haven’t had a tea party in ages. Granted I mostly have coffee.”

“Oh there will be coffee,” he chuckled. “It’s all I drink too. But coffee party sounds like something depressing, doesn’t it?”

“Teeny tiny bit.”

“Oh, before I forget, I’m still getting a room fixed up for the book club meeting, so if you go to the stairs just on the other side of the sidewalk, we’ll be having it at my place.”

Going into the tower of the handsome bookshop owner, not tantalizing or a fantasy you’d ever had at all; you think sarcastically.

Rafi set Enzo down on the counter. “Excuse me for a second. I need to go get another load.” He wagged the empty carton of books and vanished towards the back.

You finally looked down at the book you had in your hands. You had almost forgotten it had been there. The title was ‘Love Rituals of the Orc God’. You frowned and clicked your tongue.

“Oh crap,” you muttered. “Well I embarrassed myself, didn’t I, Enzo.”

The cat slow blinked at you.

Later that evening, at home, you got down your various editions of ‘Little Women’ and looked through them. You re-read some of your favorite sections; including the scene where Behr comes for Jo.

“I wonder if he actually likes this book,” you thought to yourself. “Or did he choose it because it was easy to get ahold of?” You laid back in bed, smelling the spine of the book over your face.

A few days later you returned to Cornerstone, finding Rafi behind the counter. Your heart jumped with elation upon seeing him.

“Back already?” He asked.

“I come here a lot,” you chuckled. “Especially when I’ve had a bad day. I’m surprised to see you here.”

“My employees are still down with something,” he sighed. “But did you have a bad day then?” He set aside what he had been working on and turned his focus onto you.

You shrugged. “My office is kind of going through these changes. New owners, new management, and those of us they didn’t fire are…let’s call it the shit covered end of the stick.”

Rafi had a sympathetic look in his eye. “I understand. Go ahead and look around, you and I are the only ones in here at the moment.”

“What about Enzo?” You asked.

Rafi shrugged. “He’s somewhere I’m sure.”

You see Rafi the next few times you go into the bookstore. He’s either behind the counter or stocking shelves. Those few times though the store is busy, so you don’t really get a chance to talk much. But the two of you always seem to find a moment to share a few tidbits about your day.

You went one evening after work. It was gray outside, had been for a while now as it tried to decide what foul weather was going to happen. Rafi was arranging a display at the front and he smiled as you walked in.

“Welcome back.”

“Good to see you,” you chuckled. “It’s quiet today.”

“Thankfully,” he huffed. “First time I’ve had a chance to fix up this display. It was starting to look ragged.”

“Then I’ll leave you to it. I actually have something I’m looking for today.”

Rafi perked up. “Do you need any help?”

You shake your head. “Looking is half the fun. But if I get lost, I’ll call for you.”

You went back towards the fantasy section, making a pitstop at the comic section where a brightly colored spine caught your eye. You went into the nook and started reading the manga. After a while you felt Enzo slam into your leg and start attacking.

“There you are,” Rafi said. “I’ve been looking for you.”

To whisk me away, you thought in the back of your head. “Is something wrong?” You asked.

Rafi’s eyes focused on you and there was a slight tinge of color to his cheeks. “Since you’re the only one here, I was going to sneak out and get some coffee so I can make it through the last hours. I wanted to ask you a few questions about the book club, so I was curious if you’d wanna go with me.”

“Oh sure!” You hopped up from your seat as your insides vibrated. “That sounds like a perfect date to me.” You wanted to die. You couldn’t believe you had just said that out loud.

“Well, you beat me to the punch.”

Your insides squirmed now. “What’d I do?”

Rafi chuckled. “I wasn’t going to call this a date, just coffee. But I was going to use the moment to…expand into that.” He rubbed his fingers along his long braid. He cleared his throat. “Let me go get my coat and we can go.”

You slapped your hands around your face. This couldn’t be happening! The sexy, orc, bookstore owner wanted to ask you, of all people, out?

You left with him, going just down the street to a cafe on the corner. The walk down was a little awkward, both of you clammed up from nerves. But inside the coffee shop, you sparked a conversation about coffee.

“So what if I like fancy drinks? It’s fun. Can’t I have fun?” You chuckled.

Rafi was grinning. “Coffee is coffee, it doesn’t need bells and whistles to be good.”

“Maybe so, but cinnamon and vanilla and whipped cream make it even better!” You felt dreamy imagining that coffee.

“Then prove it. Order something and make it two. If I like it, I’ll give you a discount at the store. If I don’t like it, you have to cook me dinner.”

“Wait a second. Wait a second!” You sliced your hand through the air. “You didn’t say dinner was on the table. I’ll give up that discount if you can put your own money where your mouth is. Loser makes dinner, how does that sound?”

Rafi smirked, arching a brow that definitely did things to you. “You got it. Now, what’s the poison for the evening, little bookworm.”

You liked the nickname and it stalled you for a second. You looked up at the menu, deciding on something fairly simple, but extravagant compared to his black coffee with two sugars.

The cinnamon and cream latte with caramel was sure to win him over. You made sure to watch him very closely as he took his first sip. You clutched your cup with both hands, grateful for the extra warmth on that rather chilled day.

Rafi lowered the cup, licking some froth from the side of his tusk. He settled for a moment, thinking and keeping his eyes downcast.

“Well?” You asked.

Rafi looked into your eyes and scoffed. “I could see where this would be considered a treat. I would…perhaps have this for dessert one day.”

Your eyes lit up. “So you liked it?”

He scoffed. “Maybe.”

“Am I getting a home cooked dinner or not?”

Rafi furrowed his brow then let out a huge sigh. “Yes.”

You grinned from ear to ear. “I knew you’d like it! I can’t believe I actually won though! I never win.”

Rafi’s smile was soft. “How about Saturday then? You can help me set up for the book club.”

You scoffed. “Excuse me? I have to work on this date?”

“I promise to make it worth your while,” he teased.

You smiled and nodded. “Okay fine. But first, I’ll need your number.” You held out your phone to him, letting him add his contacts to yours. You sent him a message and giggled.

“What?” He asked as you stepped back outside.

“I sent you a question I’m really curious to hear the answer to,” you replied. “It’ll help me decide if you’re umst the dreamy bookstore owner.”

He stalled on a sip. “Dreamy?”

Back at the bookstore you went back to get the book you wanted to purchase, plus what you had been reading in the comic section. As you were about to get up front, Rafi replied to your text.

You had asked possibly the silliest most mundane question, but it was one you found showed more about the person than you might think.

“Do you put the shopping cart back when you’re done?” You asked.

Rafi replied; “not only do I put my own back. But if I see one discarded in a parking spot I often go out of my way to put it back as well. Is it weird I feel bad for them when I see them like this?”

Your heart melted. Once you got up to the front you could barely make eye contact with him at all without feeling like a puddle.

“I don’t think it’s weird at all. It’s kind of cute really.”

Rafi smiled. “Really?”

You nodded and shyly glanced away, seeing Enzo approaching.

“Do you put yours back?” He asks.

You bite your lip. “Of course. I often try to take it back inside if there aren’t many in the store too.”

He rang up your books then put them into a bag. “Good. I’d hate to think you were a villain.”

Your heart pattered away. “So, I guess I’ll see you on Saturday. Should I bring anything with me?”

“Just yourself,” he replied. “I’ll message you later to ask about the meal.”

You were breathless. “Okay. I’ll look forward to that. Goodnight.” You waved as you left, catching your breath once you were outside. You felt droplets of rain so you rushed to make it back to your car.

At home you settled down for the evening, changing into comfortable clothes and putting on some music. You took out the new books you purchased and added them to a stack beside your chair.

“I should get a shower,” you murmured. But as you stepped away, your phone chimed from your purse. You saw it was from Rafi.

Your cheeks warmed as you read it over. “I’ve got a few specialties I can cook. Mind you I’ve not cooked for anyone else in quite a while. But I can do steak, a risotto, and I have this seafood couscous dish that’s pretty good.”

“A surprising variety,” you replied. “I’d be happy with any of those.”

“No allergies?” He asked.

“None that I’m aware of.” You go into the bathroom and turn on the tub to let it fill. “So if we find something that’ll be exciting.”

“Sure. Exciting.” He replied.

“What’s your favorite color,” you asked.

“Why?”

“Just answer the question.” You took off your socks and set your feet into the tub.

“Your eyes,” he responded.

You squealed and doubled over, kicking the water in the tub. “Be serious!”

“I am serious. That’s my favorite color.”

You bit your lip as you tried to think of something cute to reply back, but he had you beat. “I was going to wear something that was the color. Now I don’t know what to do.”

“Just come comfy. I like seeing a woman comfortable.”

“Damn he’s good,” you whispered to yourself.

You then texted him back. “Same goes for you. I want to see you comfortable. It is your home after all.”

“I’ll leave some surprises for you.”

You nearly dropped your phone into the tub so you set it aside. “Okay. Time to start getting ready now. You let the tub finish filling up and began a beauty ritual for a date that would take all the way until Saturday. There were certain bath salts involved, body oils, hair masks, sheet masks, nail polish, pedicure, lotions, perfumes, lots of tiny little steps that would assure you’d be walking into Rafi’s apartment looking your best self.

Did you know this was ridiculous and silly? Oh of course it was! Did you know plenty of people who were also this ridiculous and silly? Yes of course! But it was one of those unspoken taboo things that could break the magic spell if known.

Despite how much it hurt you, you decided to stay away from Cornerstone Books until Saturday. You thought the absence would make you both grow fonder. But you missed the books so much. You knew you would be seeing Rafi. But oh…all the books you could be missing out on!

“Is there a reason you’re avoiding the store?” This message popped up one day at work. You were blankly staring at your computer screen, so you were happy for the distraction.

“Why? Does Enzo miss me?” You replied.

“In his own way. Have you not been having any bad days?”

“Oh plenty. But I’m trying something.”

“Debt?”

It took everything in your power to keep from laughing. You looked around, staring out the corner of your cubicle to make sure no one was glancing your way. You leaned back in and typed back a reply.

“I thought since we’re having a date on Saturday it would be kind of fun.”

“And hurt poor Enzo in the process?” He attached a blurry image of Enzo in his arms. All you could see was a wide open mouth and eyes, but it might as well have been a picture of bigfoot.

“Are you trying to emotionally blackmail me?”

“If I wanted to do that, wouldn’t I use the books instead?”

You smiled shyly. “I knew there had to be some villain in you. The cart answer was way too perfect.”

“Then how about you come by after work? Maybe I’ve had a bad day.”

Was he always this smooth? This sounded too good to be true. “Have you?”

“I’ll tell you about it later. I’ve finally got someone to cover the closing shift so when you come by we can go get coffee again. Maybe I’ll make you try my way.”

This wasn’t supposed to be sexy right? “You got a deal.”

“He missed me?” You whispered to yourself. “Is that what he was getting at? He missed me?” You stiffened in your seat when you heard someone walk by. You exhaled and slouched back in your seat.

Your phone chimed again. “Before I leave you alone. I have a question of my own.” He texted. “What’s your favorite book?”

That seemed like a question that should have come up ages ago. Especially since you both met in a bookstore, his book store.

You typed your reply then immediately got back to work as you could hear your boss coming back.

After work you went directly to the bookstore. It smelled like rain outside so you put on your raincoat just in case. Inside the shop was pretty quiet, someone was stocking shelves towards the side and Enzo was laid up on the counter.

You lowered your hood as you walked in and looked around, hoping to see Rafi. You took out your phone, but just as you did the back office opened up. Rafi came out with an armful of books that he carried to the employee. He set them down and from the corner of his eye, he saw you.

You waved shyly as he made his way over.

“Ready?” His hair wasn’t braided, instead it fell free over his back. He gathered it and pushed it over his shoulder. It was magnificent.

You nodded. “Sure. Although it looks like rain. You may want to grab an umbrella.”

“Wait here, I’ll get one from the back.” He touched your hand before he went back to the office. You bit your lip and smiled then approached Enzo lounging on the counter. You petted the top of his head and he started purring.

Rafi came out with his coat on and an umbrella in hand. He placed his hand on the small of your back as you headed for the door.

“Okay, so I have to follow up on your favorite book.” He opened the door for you.

“Oh really? Did I surprise you or something?” You walked out onto the street, the scent of rain stronger than before.

“I’ve never actually met anyone who said it was their favorite.” He walked alongside you. The umbrella was frustratingly in the hand closest to you, or you might have attempted a hold.

“It’s so good though,” you argued.

“It’s terrifying too,” Rafi jabs.

“Okay, okay. I get how some people might be put off by ‘Watership Down’ but it’s amazing. It’s so soulful and in depth. The characters are so real.”

“They’re rabbits!”

“Rabbits are real,” you laughed.

Rafi’s smile was genuine, and he was moving closer to your side as you walked down the street. His tongue grazed up the side of his tusk as he looked at you. “I supposed I was expecting you to say ‘Little Women’ when I asked. But you really threw me for a loop.”

“What were you expecting?” You eyed him closely.

He shrugged. “Not too sure. Maybe ‘Love in the Time of Cholera’ something by Carrie Fisher. It was a toss up between something sultry and something nerdy.”

“Sultry,” you said the word to make sure it was the right one. “What makes you think sultry?”

Rafi glanced aside. “You always get something from the romance section.”

“But sultry? What about me is sultry?”

Rafi stepped forward to open the cafe door. “After you.” He was using this to deflect. He had just given away a top secret.

You walked inside with a smug smile. “For your sake I’ll save that question for Saturday,” you chuckled.

“So are you going to try coffee my way?” He asked, again trying to deflect.

The umbrella was in his other hand and there was a small line at the counter, you noted. You could hold his hand while you waited. But only if you were gutsy enough. Sultry enough, even.

“Only fair. But I reserve the right to get some sort of fancy creamer if I don’t like it so black.”

One of Rafi’s eyebrows raised. “Aren’t we going to make a bet again?”

“You want to?” You stood a little closer. “Obviously you’ve been thinking about it since last time. So what do you want?”

“If you don’t like it you can get whatever creamer you want, and I’ll give you a little discount at the store. But if you do like it-” he stopped, as if second guessing himself.

You came closer, almost taking his hand if it weren’t for a last minute spike in nerves. “Is it a secret?”

“No.” Rafi shook his head. “If you do like it, then how about a kiss?”

Your brains scrambled and your heart was the beater. “Like the chocolate thing?”

His nostrils flared and he huffed. “No like…with me.” His fingers went through his long hair, fluffing it out then falling upon his chest.

“I can tell you right now that I won’t like it.” The words spilled out as both your faces turned a darker shade.

“You haven’t even tried it!” He laughed shyly. “Oh!” He realized what you were saying. A kiss was on the table regardless of your feelings about the black coffee.

You weren’t sure who held whose hand first, all you knew his palm was big and warm and holding yours. You smiled shyly, biting back the urge to break into a massive grin. Rafi ordered the two black coffees and you both went and sat down in a corner booth.

The two of you were quiet at first, but under the table a playful game of footsie started. You looked into his eyes and you both grinned like fools.

“Seriously, Watership Down? Are you hiding something?” He started in.

“What’s to hide?” You laughed. “I enjoy the book. I love the characters. Why is liking it the problem when I could have said Twilight?”

Rafi made a face.

“See?” You took a sip of your coffee without thinking and made a face.

Rafi’s smile grew. “Don’t like it?”

“It was so hot.” You cupped your hand over your mouth.

His hand on yours smoothed up, rubbing the back of your wrist. “Are you alright?”

“Fine. But I do need the creamer. Be right back.” You stood and then he held you still. His hand around yours gripped and you understood the message without having to hear a word. You turned, meeting his gaze, and from there it was natural.

His kiss was soft and tentative. This was testing the waters for something much bigger. His tusks brushed against your cheeks. You pulled back slowly, taking a breath of air as his hand loosened from your wrist.

“Nice!” You hated yourself instantly.

Luckily Rafi laughed, and the rest of the coffee date was just as enjoyable. You talked for hours, leaving when you realized how late it was. Rafi walked you back to your car and dipped down to kiss you again. It was less soft this time, it felt more permanent.

“Are you still going to try and stay away?” Rafi asked.

“Maybe,” you murmured. “We’ll see how that goes.” You took a lock of his hair and coiled it around your finger. “I don’t want you getting sick of me before our big date.”

He kissed you again. “I’ll be happy either way.”

You had to take a few calming breaths before driving home. But once you did get home you wallowed in the joy of those three first kisses.

You went by the bookstore one more time before Saturday, but only for a brief visit to deliver Rafi a coffee on your way home. Another kiss, and another night blissfully day dreaming. Once Saturday arrived your beauty ritual was completed, and everything was going great. You even had a new outfit picked out that looked amazing on you. New jeans, a new sweater, new ankle boots. Once you put them on even you had to admire how nice your shape looked.

It had been raining the past few days, so it was wet and misty out. It started raining again as you drove to the bookstore, but since you would be up in his place you weren’t too worried. If anything the weather only added to the atmosphere of the home cooked dinner.

You parked and took a deep breath. You could see the lights on in his apartment above the bookstore and your belly fluttered. You stepped onto the sidewalk and before you even went down the street a car drove into a huge puddle and soaked you.

It was your worst nightmare. Your beauty ritual! Your new clothes! It was all ruined by some massive white truck that wasn’t even supposed to be driving that way in the first place. You wanted to cry and you had no idea what to do. You could go home and change, but you probably need a bath on top of it all.

“Oh my god, are you okay?” You looked up to see Rafi with a trash bag in his hand, taking it towards the cans on the curb.

You dripped and sniffled.

Rafi came right over to you, pushing your wet hair from your face. “What happened? Are you alright?” He looked you over then took hold of your hand. “Come on inside. I’ll get you something dry to wear and put these clothes in to wash.”

You couldn’t say anything, you followed him inside and he stood you before a heater in his living room.

“I’ll be right back. I’ll find you some clothes and get a shower started.” He brushed your hair aside again. “It’s okay.”

“I can’t help but feel a little defeated,” you mumbled.

Rafi smiled. “We still have all night for ourselves. There’s no defeat.” He went off and after a few moments he called you back to the bathroom.

“I put you some clothes here, they’re mine though so they might be pretty big. And here are some towels.” He set some dark colored towels next to the sink. “Lock the door if that makes you feel comfortable.”

You sighed heavily. “I looked so good tonight too. And that white truck fucked it all up. I swear to god, I’ll hate every white truck I see from now on.”

Rafi smiled with some sympathy and he pressed a kiss upon your temple. “You look cute no matter what.”

You pouted, but his words did help. “Thanks Rafi.”

“I’ll finish up dinner while you get cleaned off. But take your time, I’m sure you’ll wanna scrub that street water off yourself well.” He left the bathroom and you stripped out of your wet clothes. It felt strange to be in his apartment naked already, so you had to push those thoughts aside.

Rafi had better shampoo and conditioners than you did. He also had fancy bath soaps that smelled like an even fancier log cabin. You scrubbed away the grime and part of your hatred for white trucks. When you stepped out you wrapped yourself in one of his towels, which was huge.

He left you a sweater and some sleep shorts with a tie waist. The sweater was cashmere and smelled like his cologne. You put it on and you felt like a little girl playing dress up. It was massive on you and the arms hung limply far down from where your hands stopped. The sweater might as well have been a dress, but you still put on the shorts. You did a turn and realized you looked like a jellyfish.

You walked out with your wet clothes folded up and saw Rafi setting the table.

“I’ll take those. Sit down.” He pulled out a chair for you as he took your wet clothes. “I poured some wine, so go ahead and relax. I’ll be right back.” He went down a narrow hallway and you heard a door shut.

You drank the wine, liking that it wasn’t too dry. You looked around his apartment, seeing just as many books in random stacks as you had. The food smelled amazing, and the more his cashmere sweater sat on your body, the more it felt like he was wrapped around you.

“Your clothes should be done before you have to go.” Rafi was wearing an apron over a button up shirt. The sleeves were pushed up to his elbow, which seemed like a dangerous move for an unsuspecting bachelor.

“Are you okay?” He asked, coming up beside you and kissing your cheek.

“I’ll be fine. It was just the shock of it. Thanks for the clothes.”

“Of course.” He stood back up and went into the kitchen. “Dinner is almost ready. You relax and enjoy yourself.”

You watched his arms as he went to the stove. The muscle and veins in them seemed almost lewd the way you enjoyed them. You turned back to the table, seeing he had it set with glasses, plates, and candles.

Rafi came by and took the plates into the kitchen. He plated the food then returned, taking a seat near you. “I went for the risotto. A bit more complicated, but I figured it’d be comforting given the rain we’ve had.”

“It looks great. Thank you.”

The two of you made small chit chat as you ate. The food was so good that Rafi took the brunt of the conversation. Afterwards, you reclined back and drank wine which allowed the conversation to go a little deeper.

“It’s been a while,” Rafi admitted after you asked him about his last relationship. “It didn’t last long. I got busy opening the store and everything and I just didn’t have the time.” He frowned. “Or that’s what she said.”

“It’s been a bit for me too. At least a year since anything I actually cared about.” You shrugged. “I just figured I’d start looking when I felt like it.”

“For a year?” He asked.

“Yup. I think that’s right around the time I started collecting more and more books. I doubt there's a correlation though.” You laughed.

Rafi chuckled then sat up in his chair. “Why don’t we go into the living room? It’ll be comfier there.”

“Sounds good.” It wasn’t until you stood up that you remembered what you were wearing. You were basically only one layer of cashmere separated from Rafi.

In the living room you sat on opposite ends of his sofa, which faced a heater that mimicked a flame. There were books stacked everywhere, and in one corner was a record player. Rafi stood up almost immediately after sitting down and went to the record player.

“How about some music?” he asked.

“Sure.” Your eyes watched his back, going down until you saw the curve of his rear. He did have a nice backside, large thighs too. You glanced away shyly, seeing a copy of Watership Down right next to the sofa. You picked it up and went to the page where the bookmark was.

Soft music began playing, and Rafi turned to see your eyes focused on the book. He sat back down on the sofa and chuckled.

“Have you been reading it?” You shut the book as you looked at him.

“Someone I have a crush on recommended it.” His smile spoke volumes.

You stood up to look at his other random stacks of books. You had heard of many of them, had some of the others in fact.

“So what’s your favorite book? You never told me.” You found a copy of Little Women sitting by the record player. It was old and the gold lettering was faded away on the cover.

“The Phantom Tollbooth. My dad read it to me when I was little. Ever since, I can’t help but read it when I feel homesick.”

“I’ve never actually read that one. I’ve seen the cartoon.”

Rafi scoffed. “How dare you come into my home then? Before you come over again, you will have to start reading it,” he teased.

You turned around and the sweater billowed and the sleeves swung. You did that a few times, letting the sleeves flop and the sweater puff out.

“You’ll have me over again?” You asked.

Rafi’s eyes went back and forth, watching you play in that sweater. “You know…when you do that…I can kind of see everything.”

You stopped and pushed the sweater down. Your face was crimson red. “You’ve got to be kidding me!”

“I’m sorry I enjoyed it,” Rafi laughed.

You rush up to him and shoved him, pushing him into the sofa. “I’m mortified and you laugh like that?”

“What’s to be mortified about? You looked amazing.”

Your cheeks grew hotter. “It doesn’t matter how I look!” You plopped down onto the sofa and hugged your arms around yourself.

Rafi leaned in, kissing your cheek then neck. His hand went down your thigh, gripping so his fingers sunk in.

“Hey-” You whispered.

He grunted against your neck.

“That feels a bit too good.” You gasped as he tugged down the sweater, kissing your bare shoulder. “What do you think you’re doing?”

He lifted his head, kissing your lips. You unfolded your arms, touching his face and letting him lean into you.

“Is this okay?” He kissed your ear.

“Yeah,” was all you could say.

The two of you kissed until you were pressed down into the sofa. You looked up at Rafi, more than just enthralled. He leaned in to continue and from down the hall you heard the buzzer of the washing machine.

“Let me go get that.” Rafi tried to move, but you held him there. “Hey, let go,” he chuckled.

“If you put them in the dryer though, that means I have to leave.” You dug your fingers into his shirt.

“Do you want to leave?”

You shook your head.

Rafi scooped you up from the sofa and carried you down that hall, but he went into another room. The room was dark and slightly cold, but the bed he laid you on was soft and completely saturated in his scent.

Rafi’s head went under the sweater and you squeaked. His warm mouth and tusks traveled up your body. His hands wrapped around your waist he started to tickle.

“Why?” You yelped. His kisses and tickling fingers had you shuddering with laughter. Your back arched as he pressed closer, growling and nipping at you between laughs. You sputtered and wheezed, grasping your hands over your mouth as you tried to stop laughing.

Rafi popped his head out from under the shirt, grinning as you caught your breath. He kissed you and you wrapped your arms around him.

“Feel better?” He chuckled.

“I want to slap you.” You kissed him.

Rafi wriggled off the sleep shorts you wore, which didn’t take much effort. “I’m going to touch you more, alright?” His fingers squeezed up your thigh. “Just gently though.”

“Okay,” you panted.

“Let me just put your clothes in the dryer.” He pulled away from you so fast it felt like an out of body experience.

“You’re awful!” You yell after him. You’re left flustered and sputtering on the bed, rolling around as you couldn’t believe how easily he played you.

You decide to strike back. You remove the sweater and lay naked upon his bed. You reach down, touching yourself and discovering just how wet Rafi has made you. You moaned as you rubbed your fingers in. You grasped your breast and squeezed.

When Rafi returned he stood in the doorway, eyes fixated and mouth hung open. He kept his eyes on your hands, watching what they were doing while he slowly unbuttoned his shirt.

You sat up and caught your breath, watching as Rafi stripped naked. His cock sprung out and you watched it bob against his belly. The two of you went still and quiet and then he lunged. Rafi jumped onto the bed, throwing the blankets and pillows up as he tickled and kissed you all over. You laughed and squirmed but were finally pinned onto the bed. Rafi’s chest pressed into your back. His arm went under your belly and pulled up your hips.

His long hair then draped over one side of your face as he breathed into your ear. “I’m going to make you come,” he growled.

You saw stars in your eyes and you nodded.

“You want me to?” He chuckled.

You nodded again and moaned.

“Say it.”

“Make me come, Rafi,” you mewled.

Rafi adjusted himself and you felt his cock slide up against your thigh. He held you close against his chest, breathing softly against your ear as he placed him inside you.

“Rafi, fuck-” You moaned into the pillow.

He chuckled into your ear. “I know. You feel so good.”

You throw your head back, moaning for him as he goes deeper inside. You weren’t expecting it to get this heated.

“Good girl,” Rafi whispered. “I’ll be so good to you.” He thrust inside you, stilling there before slowly, by slowly he pulls out. He presses back in again, moaning against your shoulder. He took his time, feeling every inch of you before he started moving in earnest. He was biding his time, studying how you reacted.

He turned you around, laying you onto your back. You gazed up at him and his cascade of hair. His body was glistening, as were his eyes.

“What are you doing now?” You tried to sound coy.

“Now I’ll make you come,” he growled again. He was back inside you and his hands angled up your hips. He focused on your eyes, snarling under his breath as nothing else in the world mattered. He leaned in, kissing you as he thrust inside.

“I love these thighs,” he snarled into our ear. “This body…fuck.”

You whimpered, barely able to focus on anything. He was almost too good at this. He made it seem so simple, but why was it so good?

“Good girl,” he breathed into your ear. “Making me feel so good like this.”

You gasped for breath but it wasn’t enough. The end was building.

“That’s it. Feel it.” His hips went faster. “Come for me.”

For some reason, his command worked. You tightened up all over, arching from the bed as that orgasm flowed through you. He stayed still, watching you as you shuddered. Rafi moved again, slow and steady. He breathed in, leaning down to kiss you as you felt a flutter to his hips. The sound of the dryer went off and you giggled.

“What is it?” Rafi asked.

“I’m a bit shocked with myself.”

Rafi nuzzled to your cheek and kissed. “Give me a few minutes. You can shock yourself again.”

You kissed him and stroked away his hair. “Can you?”

“Now that I have you for the night, I plan to do as much as I can to make you want to stick around. I’ve got you, now I have to earn you.”

“Oh wow,” your heart lurched.

The night went by like a dream and when you woke it was because Rafi had lurched up in bed. “Oh fuck! The book club!”

You looked at the clock to see it was just passed noon. “My clothes!”

Rafi turned and looked at you, knocked from his panic for the briefest moment. He grinned from ear and ear and came back to bed, kissing you.

“Rafi, what about-” You were silenced. Right now, he was telling you that you were more important. Even if you did have to rush to set up for book club, this was worth it.