Raffy's POV

"Oh, come on!" she hissed as she pulled away briskly, and then shot up to her feet. Frustrations filled in her sapphire eyes, causing me to burst into chuckles in sheer amusement.

I hastily rose up to my feet and laced our hands together.

"Let's go," I said, but she's already running, tugging me by the hand.

I let out a soft chuckle at her tenacity, trying to outrun a pouring rain.

Hand in hand, we ran towards the pavilion, since it's the closest. Well, not entirely.

She stops running after several meters, and I stopped, too. There's no point of running since we are already soaking wet after a couple of meters. Wet as a drowned rat.

I stared at her flushed cheeks, thoroughly enjoying this day of mishap. Actually, it was fun. I had fun. After several trials of perfecting that garlic pasta, almost burning my arm, I actually felt good. I felt satisfied, and the thought that she likes it, it made it all the more worthy of time.

I would definitely make her anytime she wants it.

"Oh, shit!" she exclaimed, panting. She inhaled and exhaled deeply, once, twice, trying to catch her breath. "My phone!" she exclaimed after her breathings went normal, causing me to frown at her. She's worried about the phone, but not her health.

I watched the flush leaving her cheeks, her naturally pink lips now turning blue or black causing me to feel worried about her getting colds.

"Don't worry about it. Someone should have taken care of it," I responded, and the frown on Iya's forehead eases. "Can you still run?" I asked, noting the exhaustion in her face, but we need to get back to the palace before she catches colds.

She shook her head. "We are already soaking wet," she responded stubbornly.

"I'm not worried about the rain, pumpkin. I'm concerned about you. I don't want you to catch colds!" I snapped unconsciously, and she stared at me with displeasure. When I realized my tone, I quickly apologize. "Sorry, pumpkin. I just don't want you to get sick. I'd rather get sick, not you," I murmured as I pulled her into my arms, feeling guilty at snapping at her.

Her warmth instantly welcomed me, warming me up from the harsh cold rain, and I held her like that for a while. I felt her nipples tightened against her clinging shirt. And her bra couldn't hide the treasure underneath it. The little attentive bud was very noticeable, and suddenly, I felt all my blood rushing through my veins like a liquid of fires, shooting down to my lower member, causing my sleeping friend to rise up in attention.

I pulled away quickly, trying to hide the bulging in between my crotch, but it was impossible since my jeans are already clinging onto my legs.

Holding her hand, we ran towards the pavilion. We were both laughing as we got inside, feeling a little relieved, but it only lasted for a second when we both turned and welcomed with the presence of my grandfather who was talking on the phone, and then my brother Luke, with Maria, and another guy. My brother's friend I believed. Tall, butter skinned man, unruly masses of thick, wavy hair cut in a short, messy hairstyle.

"William?" Natalia gasped in surprised. My hands automatically wrapped around her, shielding her from their eyes. Her clothes clung to her body, it leaves nothing to the imagination. My hands tightened around her when I realized that it was Morrison, the man who was pursuing her.

What the fuck is he doing here?

"What are you doing?" Natalia hissed softly at me, just enough for me to hear.

I didn't say a word. "Hand me your coat, Nikolai!" I grumbled, without looking at them.

"Here," came a deep voice from a man, and I snapped my eyes at him, and met with green/gray eyes. Holding up a midnight blue coat, I just stared at him with repressed anger, blatantly ignoring his kind offer. "Nickolai!" I grit out, and I felt my brother behind me. I can feel Nikolai's amused eyes staring at my back.

He stood next to us. "Hi, Iya!" he flirted, handing me his black coat, and I yanked the coat from him, and shot him a disparaging scowl.

"Back off!" I hissed coldly, and he seemed to enjoy my frustrations as he burst into chuckles, brushing off my temper.

I caught William clenching his jaw as he held his coat tightly, dropping his hand on his side, and then walked off towards the three. "Put this on," I demanded softly, and Natalia silently obliged, sighing softly. I buttoned the three buttons of the coat before stepping to her side.

Resting my hand on Natalia's lower back, I looked down at her, her eyes trained on Maria. Retracing my gaze to Maria's path, I found her staring at Natalia, too.

Maria was beautiful in her own way, chocolate brown hair tied in a bun, a few curls framing her small face. Her high cheekbone was a little rosy, small pointed nose, and naturally pink lips in between thin and thick twitched in somewhat amused smile.

Grandpa was just done talking, and he stashed his phone inside the breast pocket of his coat as he walked closer to Maria.

I gave Natalia a soft push, nudging her to get closer to them, and she silently stepped forward.

Grandpa smiled at soaking Natalia, then scowled at me. "Why on earth are you both out in the pouring rain?" he questioned, dragging his eyes back to Natalia, and the crease line on his forehead smoothened promptly, smiling down at her fondly. "Oh dear, you need to get dried up quick before you'll catch colds," he muttered worriedly, and soon he realized that Maria stood next to him and William. He quickly averted his attention to Maria. I avoided to looked at Morrison, I'm honestly alarmed with his presence.

Now you need to double your effort, Raffy. A whisper at the back of my head.

Indeed, if I want to win her attention.

"Natalia dear, I want you to meet Maria Rosario De La Riva, my dear friend Mario Alvar De La Riva's only daughter, and this guy here is William Morrison, Maria's cousin," grandpa introduced enthusiastically.

I gaze down at Natalia, and her smile broadened. "We know each other, grandpa," Iya responded happily, and grandpa gave her a bit of a surprised look. Iya extended her hand at Maria. "My pleasure to meet you, Maria," she said, giving Maria a warm smile. Maria's lips broke into a full blown smile as she took her hand and the two shakes hands briefly.

"William, this is my grandson, Rafael Benedict Valiente, eighteenth Duke of Pushkin." Grandpa shifted his gaze between us, and I reluctantly meet Morrison's green eyes. "And this is William Morrison, the CEO of the Morrison Engineering and Infrastructure firm based in New York."

Tamping down my rising temper, I forced all my muscles to relax. I extend my hand casually, attempting to be a friendly host. "I didn't know Maria had a cousin," I commented dryly, and he snorted, or is it just me.

"Iya," Luke stood next to Natalia, and I involuntarily pulled her closer to me, possessively, like someone will yank her away from me. The changing of expressions in grandpa's face and Luke didn't escape my eyes, as I narrowed my eyes at Luke.

Natalia pulled off from my possessive hold, and she tilted her head up a little, giving me an incredulous stare. I involuntarily release her, against my will as grandpa's words rang in my head.

"Please her, not upsetting her."

"I'm sorry," I mumbled, barely a whisper as I let go of her completely, and she gaped at me for a fleeting second, then she smiled sweetly. I missed the shocked in my grandpa's face and Luke as I fought with the possessive beast within me.

Please her, not upset her. I kept chanting the word in my head.

I watched as Luke pulled her into his arms, and it's the hardest thing I've ever done. Shoving my hands in my jean's pockets, I tried to divert my attention by greeting Maria.

"Welcome back to Markovich's palace," I said, as I forced a smile, lips twitching into a somewhat benign smile. Maria grinned sweetly as she narrowed our gap, opening her arms, she pulled me in for a brief hug.

I welcomed her hug briefly. "Thank you!" she muttered appreciatively and then she pulled away. Just then I noticed my brother standing tall next to her. I frowned as I watched his face. That playful grin that was playing on the corner of his lips was gone. He was now looming over her, with that predatory gaze, like he wanted to possess her. It reminded me of how I felt every time I looked at Natalia.

Nikolai is acting out of his character, and it dawned on me that he was different with her.

Well, my brother seemed to find his match. I can't be mistaken. He cared about the girl. That's gotta be the reason why he's out of his usual self.

Dragging my eyes to Natalia, my jaws tightened instantly. Morrison is next to her as the two comfortably conversing, with grandpa across them. I left Nikolai and Maria who appeared to be having a war through their eyes.

I stood behind Natalia, noting the disappointment that instantly marred Morrison's face. I encircled my hand around her waist and pulled her gently against my wet chest. Just then I felt the harsh cold seeping through my skin. The warmth of Natalia's back instantly enveloped me. "I'm sorry to interrupt you, gentlemen," I interjected glibly. "Natalia needs to get change before she gets sick," I explained briefly, noting the torrential rains had stopped moment ago.

"Of course!" grandpa answered shortly. "We may all head back to the palace before the rain decided to resume its visit." He chuckled and headed first towards the door. Morrison caught up with him as soon as he's out the door, and we followed them. Nikolai and Maria were trailing behind us in silence.

I drew Natalia closer to me, wanting to feel more of her warmth, I leaned in and placed a kiss on the top of her head. She looked up and met my eyes. She gave me a broad smile, her eyes were bright and full of life. I smiled down at her. "Are you cold?" I asked, and she shook her head. "A little bit, but bearable." She smiled reassuringly. "You will walk me to my room, right?" her eyes filled with hope.

And she doesn't have to ask it, I intend to. Besides, I ached to resumed what we left off, interrupted by that uncalled rain.

"Yes, pumpkin. Besides, we still have unfinished business," grinning at her knowingly, she giggled as she nodded. She slowed down, then pulled herself away from my hold. I frowned at her, silently groaning in disappointment as her warmth abandoned me.

She grinned mischievously. She curled her fingers around my wrist, her fingers barely met, then tugged me forward, leading me towards the palace at a fast pace.

We passed grandpa and Morrison, not missing that curious look grandpa sent us.

"We need to get change pretty soon. It's getting cold," Natalia explained to no one particular without stopping, and I chuckled as I let her led me to the back entrance door.

....

Natalia's POV

When we reached my room, I'm already panting. My legs are shaking and felt a little burning from walking too fast, rather running. I was giggling as we both stood in front of my door. "Should you go change first?" I asked Raffy when I realized he'll get colds too if he won't changed his wet clothes, well, damped clothes. It seemed that his clothes had dried up a little.

"I'm getting naked anyway," he whispered as he leaned in, his lips inching closer to mine.

My whole body suddenly got so excited, and my eyes automatically closed as I welcomed his lips. His kiss started chastely, and as I responded, it gradually becoming aggressive, drugging me. I felt his hands around me, drawing me closer to him, and slip his invasive tongue between my lips, and explored the insides of my mouth.

I clung onto him for dear life, my legs already felt numb. He ran his hands along the plane of my back, lower and lower, then grope my ass, and hoisted me up abruptly. I let out a squeal, my hands around his neck tightened automatically, with my legs flew around his waist. Without breaking our kiss, he opened the door and closed it using his foot. He laid me gently on my bed, and he lay on top of me.

"God, your lips is sweeter than sugar." He breathed against my mouth and then graze his tongue over my lips, leaving me tingly and aching. "It's like a drug, and I can't get enough of it." He whispered gutturally, and then he buried his face in the crook of my neck, tracing patterns of wet kisses on my neck. Heat pooled in between my thighs, and I unconsciously squeezed my legs tighter.

He trailed his kisses up, and ran it around my earlobe, and nibbled it lightly. Tingles erupted throughout my body, like little electric balls, shooting in my every nerve endings. My lower region was pulsing agonizingly, and I ached to have some more.

"Please," I begged, not really knowing what am I pleading for.

"Tell me what do you want, pumpkin." He breathed against my neck, and his hot ticklish breath only amplified that aching need under my belly.

"Give me some more, Raffy. I want more," I cupped his face and then kissed him with all my might. He responded in the same fervor, hot and drugging. His tongue more than aggressive, it's consuming me, demanding, and rolled around my tongue like he owned it, massaging every wall, sweeping here and there, and soft moans escaped my lips.

We have kissed before, but it's nothing like this. This kisses he's giving me is possessing, drugging, and I don't want it to end. I'm already lost, addicted, to even think of the right thing.

Raffy's firm tongue parried with mine, like a true warrior, demanding for control, and once in a while, he'll catch my tongue and sucked it, making my whole body aching some more, the need in my core intensified.

My hands slipped under his shirt, and I explored his back, that was made with muscles. I love the feeling of his skin against my palm, it felt smooth but hard. I pulled his top up, and he automatically lifted his hands up, and helped me eased his shirt off of him. He got off me, and held me undress, throwing the damp clothes on the floor impatiently. He sucked in his breath as he stared at my almost naked body, only my thin lace bra, and matching thong that was left. I felt all my blood rushed up to my cheeks, and my hands automatically flew to my bra, but he swiftly stopped me. "No. It's beautiful, babe." He whispered gravelly, and his cool blue eyes were now the darkest blue I've ever seen. Darker than mine.

He quickly lay back on top of me. He was still wearing his wet jeans, and I groaned.

I want to see his naked form. "Take your jeans off. I want to see you," biting my bottom lip, I met his dark, hooded eyes. "naked." I swallowed hard, his eyes turn even darker if that's possible. His breathing became harsher, matching mine.

He got off me and quickly work on his fly, yanking his fly off, and then tugged it down, and impatiently stepped out of it. Damn, that was the sexiest move I've ever seen. Every move, his muscles flexes, and I can't wait to touch him.

When he stood upright, my eyes glued onto his bulging crotch. "Don't you think he needs to get freed? It looks tight." I mumbled mindlessly with my eyes trained on the big bulged in between his thighs. My eyes are itching to see how big it is. Damn, I want to see it.

"Pumpkin?" Raffy's voice is raspy, uncertain.

Dragging my eyes back to his, he is staring at me intently, breathing heavily, and slowly without taking his hot, dark, and intense gaze, he lowered his gray boxers down, then stepped out of it. I tore my eyes off his hard gaze, noting that flaring in his stubborn nose, and my gaze traveled down to his ripped six-pack abs, it so hard to miss, and I ached to lick each deep indent. Lowering my eyes further, I met with his hard c0ck. I gasped softly, swallowing that lump that seemed to block my throat, and stared at the beautiful thing. Thick and long, and the tip is glistening with moist, stood proudly like a proud soldier, saluting at me.

"Satisfied?" Raffy murmured as he crawled on top of me with that hungry look in his eyes.

"Very," I drawled, licking the bottom of my lips, and he grinned salaciously.

"Do you know how much I want you, pumpkin?" he asked in a deep, gravelly tone.

His face is already inches away, I could smell his intoxicating breath. It's driving me wild. My heart is pounding so loud against my breastbone. Anticipation is heightening.

"Do you also know how much I want more from you?" I asked breathily, staring up at his hungry eyes that were filled with lust and need.

"I'm giving you all that you need, babe. All of it," he drawled huskily, then he captured my lips in a drugging kiss.

..............

A/N: Mature contents will be followed.