Criminal ~ Britney Spears

Tasha sighed as she pulled her robe on, the empty bed making her feel more neglected than ever before. It had been nearly a year since her and Rafe had gotten together, and things for the most part were beautiful. He was a true gentleman, and in the bedroom he was a lion that couldn't be tamed — not that she minded that at all; no, she quite enjoyed having Rafe dominate her at every moment they were alone.

No, the only problem she had was she felt like he was holding back from her as of recent. Rafe had been having hushed phone calls in his office more frequently, and when she would ask him what he was up to, he'd simply brush it off as work related business. Tasha didn't like to pry, as to not put any extra strain between them, but it was getting to a point where Rafe was leaving her at home while he would go on so called business ventures.

"Remind me again why I have to stay here while you go half way across the country?"

She was standing in his office, hands on her hips and eyes narrowed as her gaze burned into him. Rafe raised his eyes, chuckling when he saw her frustrated form. He stood, folding some papers before tucking them away. He stepped over to her, placing his hands on either side of her arms. "Sweetheart—"

"Don't sweetheart me, Rafe Adler." Tasha pulled away from his grasp, keeping her gaze to the floor. She only called him by his last name if she was truly upset with him, or wanted to tease him. Unfortunately for the both of them, it was the former.

Rafe sighed, his shoulders tensing before releasing as he rested a hand on her shoulder. "I'll be gone less than twenty four hours. I'll be back before you know it."

Tasha didn't seem convinced as she refused to fall for his charm. Rafe began to caress the back of her neck while his other hand went to her waist, pulling her into a tight embrace. His warm body practically melted into hers, a content sigh falling from his lips before he pressed them to her cheek. "I don't want to go, sweetheart, but it's business that needs to get done. C'mon," Rafe pressed his lips just below her ear as his hands trailed to her hips, his fingers caressing softly. "When I get back, I promise I'll make up my absence to you."

Tasha melted into his tight embrace, sighing as she felt her resolve fade away. She nodded quietly, pulling back to give him a soft kiss on the lips. Rafe smiled, kissing her back gently. "I'll be back before you know it."

•••

Tasha drummed her fingers against her leg anxiously as she waited for Rafe to text her back. It had been over a day since he had gotten back to her, and she felt her stomach sink the longer he was away. Did he have a mistress? Was that why he had become so secretive? There was a time Rafe refused to leave Tasha alone for a day, but now he didn't seem to care.

Tasha glanced to her phone as it dinged, a message popping onto the screen.

'I'm sorry, sweetheart. I've been busy. There's been a change of plans but I'll be home no later than tomorrow.'

Tasha felt like breaking down before her emotions crumbled, leaving her feeling almost numb as she typed her empty reply.

'K.'

Her phone dinged once more right after her message sent but she didn't bother to look, instead tossing her phone onto the couch. She wandered around the large mansion for a while before she made her way back to the lounge room, where her phone continued to ding on the dark cushions. Another sigh left her lips as she picked it up, the screen reading 'Text Message from Rafe😘' multiple times, meaning he had texted her more than once in the few hours she had stepped away.

The next morning she found herself going through his office, determined to find answers to his sudden secrecy. He left his computer logged in, and she went through his emails but found nothing out of the ordinary. She sighed, then remembered the stack of papers he locked away in his desk drawer. She pulled a bobby pin out of her pocket, something she always had on her in case of emergencies. She jimmied the lock, smiling in triumph when the drawer popped open.

Grabbing the folder of papers Rafe refused to show her, she made her way out of his office before opening the folder and going through each and every page.

"Holy shit."

•••

"Tasha? I'm home!" Rafe called into the house as he hung up his jacket, finding it odd that she didn't come to greet him as she normally did. He had been worried about her since she wouldn't text him back or answer any phone calls. "Sweetheart?"

His steps echoed through the hall as he searched for his lover, a feeling of relief washing over him when he saw her silhouette in his office. He stepped inside, raising his eyebrows when she didn't turn to acknowledge him. Maybe she didn't hear me?

"There you are! I was wondering where you were hiding." His voice was softer than usual as his gaze followed her every move. She held a glass in her hand, her shoulders tensing after he spoke. "Why didn't you text me back yesterday?"

"My phone died." She lied plainly, her voice sounding distant as she pressed the disgusting liquid to her lips before pouring it down her throat.

"I was worried..." Rafe slowly made his way over to her, his arms wrapping around her waist from behind, his lips pressing delicate kisses to her shoulders while his hands pressed her body back against his own. "I missed you, sweetheart."

"Did you?" Tasha didn't relax from his touch, and instead pulled from his grasp. Rafe stood there baffled as she stalked past him and into the main living room.

"Tasha, I don't understand." He spoke as he followed after her. "What's gotten into you?"

"Me?!" Tasha exclaimed, turning to glare at him.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong? Talk to me." Rafe pleaded as soft as he could muster, eyes holding confusion.

"Tell me the truth, Rafe. What the hell type of business did you go on?"

There was a silence as Rafe thought of a reply. "Tasha, I—"

She scoffed, shaking her head as she turned her back to him, grabbing the files that were scattered across the desk before tossing them at the floor in front of him. "How long have been lying to me?!"

"Tasha—"

"Just stop!" She shook her head. "Why would you keep this from me?! A prison?! Really, Rafe?! That's your big plan?!"

"Just let me explain—"

"You know, I thought that maybe you were seeing someone." She laughed, anger flowing through her veins.

"I would never do that." Rafe replied, shaking his head. "I was trying to protect you—"

"Protect me! By what?! Lying to me?! Keeping me in the dark while you and Sam plan some suicide mission?!"

"Jesus, Tash. It's not a suicide mission!"

"How could you keep this from me?!" She asked, her eyes searching his for any answers.

"I didn't tell you because I knew you'd react like this." Rafe sighed, rubbing his jaw.

"Of course I would!" Tasha cried, shaking her head in disbelief. "I have watched practically everyone I love die and I won't watch you die, Rafe, and certainly not for some stupid treasure we aren't even certain exists!"

Rafe was silenced by her words, slowly soaking them in as he took a small step towards her, his eyes glued to hers. "You... you love me?"

Tasha was taken aback from her admission, but she nodded, her eyes gazing into his with nothing but love and the fear of losing him, her anger quickly dissolving. "Of course I love you, Rafe! I just can't believe you'd lie to me—"

Rafe crossed the short distance between them within moments, crashing his lips onto hers as his hands held her face tight in his grasp. "I love you. I love you." Rafe repeated the words with each kiss he bestowed upon her soft lips. "I've always loved you, Tasha."

Tasha rested her hand against his chest, smiling up at him. "Don't lie to me ever again, Rafe."

"I won't. I'm sorry, Tasha." Rafe kissed her again, his fingers gracefully tracing circles down her sides. He pulled back to look into her eyes, a joyous smile on his lips that she had never seen before. "I love you."

She smiled, leaning up to press her lips to his. "I love you too, Rafe."

•••