The Knight's Mysterious Maid-Chapter 449: First to crack (2)

"Adding wood to the fireplace. You said that it was cold in here," Rafael answered, playing oblivious to what Annalise meant. He knew she was questioning why he was without a shirt, but she would have to be more specific to get a better answer out of him.

"I mean your shirt, Rafael. Why did you take it off? Are you trying to seduce me so I would lose our earlier bet?" Annalise asked, approaching him with folded arms. "It will not work."

"Then you can look away and go back to putting out the food. While it is cold for you, it is a bit hot for me. You’ve worked for me before to know that once I am settled in, I take off my shirt to be comfortable. Should I put it back on so you-"

"No," Annalise stopped him. She would not give him the satisfaction of thinking he was getting the best of her just from having his shirt off.

Annalise had forgotten all about her joke to keep their hands off each other. Of course, Rafael had not forgotten and was already teasing her. He was a cruel man, but unfortunately for him, she was not going to lose.

Annalise placed the last of the food on the table along with the drinks Rafael had gathered from where he proposed to her. She noted that none of them had alcohol, but she had tasted a few to know that they were fine without.

"We don’t drink alcohol, but should we have a few bottles for our future guests? Like my friends and should the duke or your other friends come here. I wouldn’t mind drinking juice while they indulge themselves in what they like," Annalise said, knowing she wouldn’t feel left out of the fun. freёnovelkiss.com

"You can drink if you want. I know you stay away from alcohol because of me. I won’t feel angered by the sight of you drinking. I’ll be sober to take care of you," Rafael said as he carefully placed the wood to burn.

"I do enjoy the taste from time to time, but I don’t want you to be left out. It is not that good for me to have you being the only one not drinking. There are a few drinks here that are not strong enough to get us drunk. I will go around the market to buy a few and other things we will need. Rafael, which one of us will cook?" Annalise asked because it dawned on her that there was no one here to help them.

Annalise had helped her parents when they cooked, but if she had to do it alone, her food was bound to have a different flavour. Then there was Rafael who had all his cooks.

Annalise had roasted meat over a fire when she travelled and it satisfied her, but she couldn’t do that for Rafael. She panicked as she thought about how it wouldn’t do for Lydia.

"I can cook-"

"You can?!" Annalise exclaimed, astonished by this revelation. "Since when?"

Rafael looked away from the small fire he created to Annalise who was a bit dramatic with her reaction. "Since I tried to get away from my mother’s cooking when I was younger. I am not the greatest as I fell back into making quick meals when I travelled that was without much taste, but I can learn again."

"Right, you weren’t always pampered. I will also need to learn more because you won’t be here to cook for Lydia and me. I can’t always go to my mother for dinner. Why does it feel like I am suddenly getting older? Do you think if I take the ring off I will feel young again?" Annalise asked jokingly.

So many responsibilities were being thrown at her. New things that never crossed her mind.

"You can take it off and put it back in the box if you want," Rafael said, joining Annalise at the table with a candle he lit using the fire from the fireplace.

"No," Annalise said, wiggling her fingers. "I will keep it on a little longer."

Now that Rafael stood closer to her, Annalise’s attention went from her ring to his bare chest in front of her. It was unfair because he knew that his body was her weakness. Of all days, why was it today that his body looked more fit?

She would love nothing more than to reach out her hand and run it down his chest but she could not. She would not!

Annalise shook her head and looked away from Rafael. This was a great challenge. but it would not get the best of her. He could not beat her twice in one day. She refused to let it happen.

Annalise silently plotted what she could do to match Rafael’s dirty little trick. She could take off her clothes, but it would be like she was stealing his idea. She couldn’t have that.

"Is there running water and a place for us to wash up? I might need to do a quick wash with water after falling on the grass," Annalise said as innocently as she could.

Rafael picked up one of the apples and bit into it. "When you fell on the ground, you were wearing armour. I can check your hair for grass. My mother would tell you that it’s a bit late to be washing your hair."

Annalise frowned. Of course, he would find a way to ruin her plans. "I’ve always washed my hair this late or later and I am still alive. If you don’t mind, please take out any grass that you see," she said, turning around to back him.

"Are you failing to think of how to seduce me?" Rafael asked, amused by her failed attempts. She was like the sirens he heard men speak of. If he allowed her to get anywhere near water to strip, she would lure him in and he would certainly lose.

"I would never fail to seduce you, Rafael. I remember your face from when I told you that if I wanted you, I could have you. I seduced you with my words then. I wonder," Annalise said, looking over her shoulder at Rafael. "What kind of dream did you have that night?" She questioned, smiling as she knew just how to trap him.

It helped that she did not have to face him completely.

"You already liked me then. Hearing that I could have you must have brought about many dreams that I knew must not have been right for an employer to have. Care to share it with me now? I won’t judge you. You are awfully quiet," Annalise said, chuckling as it was entertaining how their roles had changed. "Shall I tell you about one of my dreams?"

"Annalise-"

"What? It’s not fair when you are the one bothered. We are going to be married so we should be honest with each other. If you tell me what you thought about that night, I might just be kind to help you live out the fantasy. Oh," she let out a squeaking noise after being surprised by Rafael pulling her back to be touching his bare chest.