Chapter 12: A Bargain's Price

Arabella's smile faltered, the joy draining from her face as the weight of the bargain crashed back into her thoughts. Before she could muster a retort, Rafael swooped down, claiming her mouth with a kiss that stole the very breath from her lungs.

His hand slid with practiced ease up her bare thigh, disappearing beneath the delicate hem of her skirt. The sudden warmth of his palm against her skin sent a sharp chill racing down her spine, a jolt that mingled shock with a betrayal of sensation.

The kiss deepened, his lips coaxing hers into submission even as her body twisted in protest. His hand crept higher, gathering the soft fabric of her skirt as if it obeyed his will. Arabella squirmed, her heart pounding a wild rhythm against her ribcage, but Rafael was unrelenting.

His other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against the solid, unyielding frame of his body. Her free hand pressed desperately against his bicep, but her strength was no match for his raw, consuming desire.

"Stop..." Her plea was muffled, her struggle clear, but Rafael's burning need clouded any chance for reason. His palm spread over the curve of her backside, a mischievous squeeze drawing a gasp from her lips—a sound that betrayed more than her words ever could.

And then, salvation came in the form of a dry, awkward cough.

"Ahem. Ahem!" Levi's voice broke through the tension, startling Arabella and Rafael alike.

Rafael froze, his lips hovering over hers, and his grip slackened. His head snapped toward the source of the interruption. There stood Levi, hands comically spread over his eyes yet peeking shamelessly through the cracks of his fingers.

"Really?" Levi asked, his tone a mixture of amusement and dismay. He waved a free hand like a flag of truce.

Rafael released Arabella and stepped back, irritation flickering across his face. Damn it. Just when it was getting good.

Arabella staggered backward, wiping her mouth in a gesture that was more for her pride than necessity. She turned to Levi, her cheeks aflame with embarrassment and mortification. The humiliation of being caught in such an intimate moment by her best friend twisted her insides. Her glare snapped to Rafael like a whip.

"Sicko!" she hissed, her voice dripping with venom. No man had ever dared touch her so boldly, so offensively. She hated him—loathed him. This was no suave negotiator or playful rogue. This was a pervert. A sicko. A maniac womanizer who thought the world bent to his will. Well, not her. Never her. No matter the bargain, she'd rather pack her bags and join her parents in Paris than surrender to him.

"Bella, Bella!" Levi called, stepping forward to snap her out of her spiraling rage. "Uh, girl..." His voice dropped to a whisper. "I can see your butt cheek from here."

With a quick yank, Levi tugged her skirt down, avoiding eye contact as he muttered under his breath. His gaze flicked to Rafael, who had the audacity to wink, making Levi fan himself with exaggerated drama. "Oh my God," Levi mumbled, his cheeks turning a shade pinker.

Arabella's mortification deepened. She grabbed Levi's arm and yanked him in front of her, using him as a makeshift shield. "Stand there!" she hissed, tugging at her skirt to straighten it.

Rafael chuckled softly, his dark eyes dancing with mischief as he leaned against the counter. "Baby," he drawled, his voice a slow, taunting melody. "I hope you're not thinking of running away from our deal."

"I—I didn't forget!" Arabella stammered, peeking out from behind Levi's shoulder. "But not today! Y-you haven't even gotten yourself checked yet!"

"I knew you'd say that." Rafael grinned, producing a folded piece of paper from his pocket and setting it on the counter with a flourish. "All taken care of."

Arabella's eyes darted to Levi, who wordlessly grabbed the document, scanning it with a frown. He looked up and nodded, confirming its legitimacy.

"Not today!" Arabella tried again, her voice pitching high in desperation. "I want to go home."

"Not without settling this ordeal first," Rafael said, his voice taking on a harder edge. His arms crossed over his chest, his expression leaving no room for negotiation.

Arabella ducked further behind Levi, whispering frantically. "What now?"

"Sign the contract," Rafael suggested, his tone deceptively light, "and then you can leave."

Levi turned, wide-eyed, his expression asking if she'd actually consider it. Arabella groaned, her frustration palpable.

"Fine! Contract it is!" she snapped, stepping out from behind Levi, her head held high, determined not to let Rafael see her unravel.

The kitchen was unnervingly silent, save for the faint rustle of paper as Rafael pulled a neatly typed contract from his suitcase and placed it on the round table with an air of smug confidence. His dark eyes glinted with triumph as he slid the document toward Arabella.

"Ah! Damn!" Levi muttered, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

Rafael smirked. "I sensed foul play, so I came prepared."

Arabella exchanged a look with Levi, who scooted his chair closer, his curiosity piqued. The two leaned in, their heads nearly touching as they scanned the page.

The words on the paper sent a bolt of outrage through Arabella's chest:

I, Arabella Blake, willingly agree to sleep with Rafael Montgomery two nights a week for the rest of my life. During these designated times, I shall not object to any of his wishes, nor shall I take any other lover. Should I violate these terms, Rafael Montgomery is entitled to pursue any action he deems necessary.

Arabella's head shot up, her face flushed with anger. "Hey! We agreed for six months, not the rest of my life! Are you insane?"

Rafael leaned back in his chair, exuding calm amusement. "Baby, I'm sorry. Must've been a typo." He reached for the paper, crossing out the offending line with a flourish and scribbling six months in its place. Sliding it back to her, his smile was infuriatingly smooth.

Arabella snatched the paper but didn't let her guard down. "Give me your pen," she demanded, her tone clipped.

Rafael obliged, raising a curious eyebrow as she scrawled her own revision. When she returned the document, his brows furrowed as he read:

If Rafael Montgomery takes another lover during this agreement, the contract between him and Arabella Blake is null and void.

He looked up, their eyes locking in a silent battle. The pause stretched long enough for Levi to begin fidgeting nervously beside her.

Finally, Rafael broke the tension with a chuckle. "Alright," he said, his tone low and amused. "You've got a deal."

He signed his name with a flourish and handed the paper back to Arabella. She hesitated, her pen hovering over the dotted line, doubt flickering in her eyes. Levi gave her a subtle nudge, murmuring, "You've got this."

Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself and signed beside his name.

The moment her pen left the paper, Rafael shot out of his chair like a spring, shouting, "Yes! Yes!" He began an impromptu victory dance, spinning and laughing like a man possessed. Arabella and Levi exchanged wide-eyed glances, silently agreeing on their next move.

As Rafael lost himself in his celebration, the two friends crept toward the door. Step by step, they edged closer, holding their breaths, the contract now a weight in Arabella's bag.

But just as Levi's hand grazed the doorknob, Rafael's triumphant voice rang out behind them. "Baby! Where are you going?"

Arabella spun around, pulling Levi as a shield between her and Rafael. "You said after I signed, I could leave!" she shot back defensively.

Rafael tilted his head, his expression shifting from amused to calculating. "Baby, you didn't ask me which days of the week."

Arabella groaned, already regretting her signature. "Fine! What days?"

"Every weekend," Rafael replied smoothly, folding his arms over his chest.

"Ugh, fine," she snapped, already planning her escape.

But Rafael wasn't done. "Baby, also—"

Before he could finish, Arabella and Levi bolted, throwing the door open and disappearing down the hall like fugitives.

Rafael remained by the table, staring at the open door, his smirk fading into something more thoughtful. There was something about her, this girl who refused to bend. Any other woman would've melted under his charm by now, but Arabella? She resisted, even defied him.

He couldn't help but smile to himself, his fingers grazing the edge of the contract. "Saturday," he murmured, his voice filled with promise. "Just two days away."

***

Arabella's bedroom was a flurry of half-filled suitcases and scattered belongings. Levi had practically buried himself in her closet, tossing items over his shoulder as he rummaged for something he deemed suitable for the journey.

"Ah, girl, you're going to need a sweater," Levi declared, his voice muffled as he pulled a chunky knit from the back of the wardrobe.

"Just grab anything. I'll buy more clothes in Paris," Arabella replied from her vanity, her hands deftly scooping up her collection of creams and makeup, each one a vital piece of armor.

Levi emerged from the closet with a dubious expression, holding up a faded cardigan. "How long are we even staying there?"

"I don't know," Arabella sighed, tucking the last of her products into a travel bag. "But once I'm there, I'm telling my dad everything. He'll know what to do."

Levi flopped onto the bed dramatically, the cardigan draped over his chest like a trophy. "What I'd give to have your life! Being chased by a hot guy who's obsessed with your kiwi—so romantic!"

"Shut up, Levi." Arabella rolled her eyes, though her cheeks tinged pink. "He might be good-looking, but he's sick in the head!"

Levi perked up, smirking like a cat who'd just caught the canary. "Ah, girl. You just admitted he's good-looking!"

Arabella froze mid-motion, then huffed. "I mean...whatever. Just know I hate him."

Levi wasn't letting this go. "You stayed with him in his one-room condo for two days, and nothing sparked? Did he try to...you know, take advantage?"

Arabella's hands slammed down on the vanity. "Yes! Several attempts! That perverted maniac even yanked the towel off my chest!"

Levi gasped theatrically, sitting upright like he'd just been hit with divine revelation. "Girl! That means he's seen your kiwi! No wonder he was so fired up yesterday. If I hadn't been in the room, he probably would've taken you on the kitchen table!"

"Levi!" Arabella grabbed a throw pillow and hurled it at him.

Unfazed, Levi caught it and leaned back against the headboard, his grin wicked. "I wonder what his banana looks like..."

Arabella's mortified shriek filled the room. "Shut up!"

"Seriously, though," Levi pressed, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "You never saw it?"

"Never." Arabella folded her arms over her chest, glaring. "But his ex-girlfriend blurted out six inches the other day."

Levi's jaw dropped, and he clutched his chest like he'd just heard the juiciest gossip in history. "Girl! That's one inch longer than the average American man!"

"Levi!" Arabella hissed, her blush deepening.

Levi waved a hand dismissively, settling into full lecture mode. "Did you know a global survey found 70% of American women can't achieve orgasm? American men are just inconsiderate corn dogs who only care about their own pleasure!" He slammed the suitcase shut with a bit too much force, visibly shaken by his own rant.

Arabella buried her face in her hands, torn between laughter and mortification. "Aren't you supposed to be gay?"

Levi struck a pose, flipping an imaginary strand of hair. "I prefer to be called a woman trapped in a man's body. And, let's be real, men are disgusting. But..." He trailed off, his eyes gleaming. "Handsome men are to die for."

His grin turned wistful, and Arabella didn't need to guess who was occupying his thoughts. "Oh my God, Levi. Stop thinking about Rafael!"

"Who, me? Never!" Levi giggled.

Arabella grabbed another pillow, ready to lob it at him. "Stop reminding me of—"

"His banana?" Levi interrupted innocently, batting his eyelashes.

"Shut up! Shut up!" Arabella hurled the pillow with all her might, her frustration reaching its peak.

Levi dodged with a laugh, clutching his sides as he doubled over. "Girl! No need to get physical!"

"Then stop bringing it up!"

He smirked, unrepentant. "Fine, fine. But just so you know—"

"Levi!"

"—Saturday is only two days away," he teased, winking.

Arabella groaned, flopping onto the bed with a loud ugh. The thought of Rafael, and what awaited her if she didn't escape, loomed large in her mind. She hated him, despised him, and—though she'd never admit it—feared the strange way he unsettled her.

Arabella and Levi spent the evening bickering like siblings, their arguments punctuated with laughter, groans, and the occasional pillow hurled across the room. By the time exhaustion claimed them, they were too drained to dwell on their impending escape.

The next morning, the atmosphere was electric with nerves as they loaded their luggage into the car. Arabella double-checked every lock on the doors, her paranoia in overdrive. Rafael's face haunted her mind, but she pushed the thought aside.

At precisely 7:00 AM, they arrived at the airport. The departure board confirmed their flight left in two hours. It felt both too soon and not soon enough.

After checking in their bags, they found themselves at the gate. Arabella sank into one of the uncomfortable seats, flipping through a glossy fashion magazine to calm her nerves. Beside her, Levi sat cross-legged, carefully applying eyeliner as if the fate of their escape depended on the perfect wing.

"Girl," Levi said, tilting his head to examine his reflection in a compact mirror. "You think he'll follow us here?"

Arabella didn't look up from her magazine. "Impossible. Unless you told him."

Levi gasped, clutching his chest as if wounded. "Of course not! Come on now. It's obvious you find him repulsive. Wouldn't that give him a clue you might run away on the very day you're supposed to see him?"

Arabella's lips tightened. She flipped the page a bit too forcefully. "It doesn't matter. We're about to board in an hour."

Levi pouted, dabbing at his lips with gloss. "I'm overthinking, right? Let's just pray he doesn't show up—"

"HEY! ARABELLA!"

The voice rang out, unmistakable and commanding, slicing through the hum of the terminal like a blade. Arabella froze, her magazine slipping from her hands and falling into her lap.

Levi blinked, his hand paused mid-swipe. "No. Way."

Arabella slowly turned, dread pooling in her stomach. And there he was, Rafael Montgomery, standing just a few feet away, looking as smug and infuriatingly handsome as ever. His dark eyes locked onto hers with predatory precision, and his stride was purposeful, each step closer eroding her hopes of escape.

Levi whispered urgently, "Girl, we've got to run!"

The moment Arabella darted off in the opposite direction, Levi froze in sheer disbelief. One second she was beside him, the next, a blur of defiance sprinting through the terminal. He watched as she disappeared into the chaos of travelers, leaving him standing as the lone sentinel in Rafael's path.

His heart sank when Rafael stopped directly in front of him. Levi trembled, his nerves unraveling at the devilish glare fixed on him.

"Where is Arabella?" Rafael's voice was low, but the edge in it cut sharper than any shout.

Levi stammered, his teeth chattering like castanets. "Sh-sh-she went to the l-lady's room."

Rafael's eyes narrowed, suspicion rolling off him in waves. Levi slapped a hand over his own mouth, terrified he'd said too much—or not enough. With a sharp exhale, Rafael turned on his heel and stalked away, scanning the crowded terminal for any sign of his runaway quarry.