Augustus paused, just long enough for Rafael's spine to go rigid, for his pulse to jump, and for every terrible possibility to unfold in his head. Maybe he said too much. Maybe he sounded inexperienced. Maybe the alpha was politely recalculating his exit strategy.
Or worse… maybe Rafael had trusted too quickly. Delphine's schemes were one thing, but his own heart? That was dangerous. Augustus was older, confident, and powerful in that understated way that never announced itself. The type of man who could charm someone without using force or pheromones, but simply by intention.
Rafael felt something tighten in his chest.
'He's dangerous,' he thought suddenly. 'Not in the way Gregoris is, but in the way he makes me forget to defend myself.'
But then Augustus inhaled softly, lifted his gaze, and answered honestly, without hesitation.
"I like structure," Augustus said. "Order and efficiency, but I suppose that is the same as structure. I enjoy building things that last." He paused, voice gentling even more. "But I also like things I can't control. Conversations that surprise me. People who make me think differently."
His eyes held Rafael's for a beat that felt like hours. "And you… have already done that."
Rafael's breath hitched.
Augustus continued, leaning back but not breaking eye contact. "I like architecture. Music. Long drives at night. And I spend far too much time in industrial audits and market reports." His mouth twitched. "I won't blame you if that makes me sound unromantic."
"It doesn't," Rafael murmured before he could stop himself.
Augustus smiled, small but unmistakably pleased. "Good. Because I prefer honesty over performance. If we're starting something, whatever shape it takes, I would rather you tell me what you enjoy, what you dislike, what you need… than pretend to be perfect."
Rafael's grip on his teacup loosened, shoulders lowering slightly. "I'm not perfect."
"I'm aware," Augustus said gently, "and that's why I like this conversation."
Rafael blinked, startled into silence.
Augustus leaned forward, elbows resting lightly on his knees. "Rafael, you're thoughtful, intelligent, and clear-minded. You know yourself. That's rare."
Rafael shook his head, flustered. "No, I'm just… careful."
"That's another word for intentional," Augustus countered softly. "I prefer intentional."
The warmth in Rafael's cheeks deepened. "You're very… articulate."
"And you're very easy to read," Augustus said, amused. "In a good way."
Rafael's pulse stuttered. "Is it that obvious?"
"You think loudly," Augustus murmured.
Rafael nearly set his teacup down just to bury his face in his hands. "I hate that."
"I don't."
Rafael stared at him, unsure what to do with the sudden sincerity pressing into his ribs. Augustus felt… reliable. Like leaning toward him wouldn't end in a fall.
Still, he tried to pivot the conversation before he melted into the cushions. "So… you like systems and structure and architecture, but also chaos. And potentially… me?"
Augustus's smile turned warm enough to be illegal. "Potentially," he repeated softly. "But only if you want that."
Rafael swallowed. "I… don't dislike it."
"Good," Augustus said gently. "Then we keep going."
Rafael blinked slowly. "Keep going?"
"Yes," Augustus said. "Because now it's my turn to ask something."
Rafael tilted his head. "What?"
Augustus studied him with that quiet, grounding calm.
"What do you want out of this, Rafael? Not Delphine or society. I want to know your opinion."
And suddenly the room felt small, warm, and impossibly dangerous in all the right ways.
Rafael's fingers tightened once around his teacup before he set it aside, the warmth lingering on his palms. He drew in a slow, calming breath, one he usually took before walking into Gabriel's office with bad news.
"I don't know," he admitted quietly. "My mother… had an entire plan to get me here. But I don't want marriage yet." His gaze dropped to his knees, then lifted again, softer but firmer. "I don't want pressure. Or expectations I didn't agree to. Or a countdown to something I'm not ready for."
Augustus didn't interrupt.
Rafael continued, a little braver now that Augustus wasn't shoving him toward an answer. "I want room to breathe and privacy. And time to think without someone waiting for me to be… more than I am right now." He hesitated, choosing the next words with care. "I'm fine with trying. With getting to know you. Slowly. But only if it comes without someone hovering over us with a wedding contract."
A faint, honest smile pulled at Augustus's mouth. "I don't carry wedding contracts to first meetings."
Rafael huffed out the smallest breath of a laugh. "My mother has them in draft form at all times."
"Oh, I'm aware," Augustus murmured. "She sent my mother three versions."
Rafael's eyes widened. "Three?"
"Color-coded."
He almost choked. "Of course they were."
Augustus's eyes warmed again, amusement wrapped in something gentler. "But those are her plans, not mine. I'm not here to accelerate anything you don't want. I'm here because you interest me and because I'd like the chance to see where that interest goes."
Rafael's pulse fluttered, but not in the panicked way from earlier. More like something loosening inside him, cautiously hopeful.
"So," Augustus said, voice dipping just enough to make Rafael's stomach flip, "if what you want is time, space, and no pressure… then that's exactly what we'll do."
Rafael stared at him for a moment, almost suspicious. "You're very agreeable."
Augustus tilted his head. "Would you prefer difficulty?"
"…No," Rafael admitted.
"Then I'll stick with agreeable."