Secret Heir (Dynasty #1)(45)

I open my mouth to say something, but nothing comes out because in that moment, I have no words.

“Are you ready to try again?” Raph asks then.

This time, there isn’t a shred of hesitation in me, not a shred of doubt left. As if by just those words, he was able to change something inside me that I’m certain will never be the same.

I nod silently and take a deep breath. I follow his instructions as he guides me through the first few moments again.

Nothing happens at first. I search for the connection, but this time, I hold onto it, getting past the initial apprehension. The connection comes to life inside me, like an almost visible chord, drawing me to the water.

I don’t realize what’s happening until Raph’s hand grabs mine, and he’s dragging me up the beach, away from the shore. We’re not fast enough though, as an impossibly large wave comes towering over us before crashing down.

My scream is drowned out by the waves, and the only thing stopping me from being swept out to sea, is Raph’s arms around me, pulling me away from the water.

As the waves retreat, I find myself pressed up against Raph’s muscled body, his very wet, muscled body.

His t-shirt and sweats are soaked through, as are my hoodie and leggings.

I can’t stop the laugh that bubbles up my throat and Raph is laughing along with me. So, we stand there laughing like a pair of lunatics, although I almost just drowned us both.

“God, Jaz—next time, try not to aim for yourself—or me for that matter,” Raph says, once the laughter subsides.

There’s an awkward moment, when we both realize that we’re still holding onto each other and neither one of us seems about to let go. Every inch of his body is solid muscle and the feeling of his hard body pressed up against the softest parts of me feels too good. I desperately try to smother the raging hormones rising inside me, but it’s difficult when Raph’s impossibly blue eyes are burning like twin flames as they look into mine.

I pull back first, aware that my face is on fire.

“I think we should get back,” I say after a moment.

Raph hesitates, but nods after a moment.

“Okay,” he replies, his voice sounding gruff.

Baron, Keller and Lance are sitting around the kitchen island, in the middle of having breakfast, when we walk through the front door.

Conversation stops as they notice two things—one, that I’m laughing at some lame joke that Raph’s just made, like we’re old friends instead of enemies, and two, that we’re completely soaked.

“And where the hell have you two been?” Keller asks, still eying our soaked through clothes.

“Training,” Raph replies evenly, walking towards the kitchen island and swiping a piece of toast from the pile that Lance is buttering.

“Training?” Keller repeats. “Care to elaborate?”

I’m still standing by the door, unsure of whether to follow Raph to the kitchen or go directly to my room to change. Raph and I may have called a truce, but I have no idea where I stand with the rest of the Dynasty heirs. Although, of course, I know that they take his lead.

Raph makes the decision for me.

“Come here and get some breakfast in you, Jaz. I’ve been listening to your stomach grumbling all morning.”

I roll my eyes. He’s right though, I didn’t have time to eat before we left the house at 5:00 a.m.

“I’ve been helping Jaz catch up with elements training,” Raph says in reply to Keller’s earlier question.

All three of them look at Raph as if he’s just announced that he’s renouncing his throne, and running away to join the circus.

“Right,” Lance says slowly.

“So … is this a new thing now?” Keller adds, quirking an eyebrow.

I admire Raph’s unruffled demeanor because I sure as hell feel awkward under their scrutiny.

“Yeah, sure,” he replies with a shrug, draping an arm around my shoulders casually.

“We’re like best friends now.”

I choke on my next breath and Baron grins at my reaction.

“Er—I think that’s taking it a bit too far,” I say, stepping away from Raph’s grasp. His arm drops to his side and I think I might be imagining it, but I catch a glimpse of disappointment in his eyes.

“Raph’s just offered to help me out and I’ve accepted,” I add, as I walk round to the only empty stool which is on the opposite side of the island.

It also happens to be next to Baron, and I don’t miss the look in Raph’s eyes as he watches Baron pass a piece of toast to me.

“Except, aren’t you two meant to hate each other?” Lance says.

“Is that what it was?” Raph says innocently, although I’m confused by his choice of words. Baron doesn’t seem to be, though. Neither does Keller.

“Yeah, I distinctly remember that Jazmine here blew up your car,” Lance replies with a smirk.

Baron and Keller snigger at that. Raph shoots them a filthy look.

“Well I guess that explains where you two have been sneaking off to every morning,” Baron says with a shrug.

“Layla is going to lose her shit when she finds out,” Keller mutters. I stiffen at the mention of the girl’s name, but Raph just waves the comment off dismissively.

“Anyway, if you need any help—I don’t mind teaching you a thing or two about winter and ice,” Keller adds after a moment. She catches the look of surprise on my face.