Page 46 of Rafael

He’d groped back. Her breast still tingled from where he’d cupped it beneath her shirt.

Why the hell was he pulling away?

She reached out and touched his back.

Rafael froze, the spoon hovering over the bowl of soup.

Anger bubbled up inside Gisele. “Why am I getting insanely mixed signals from you? Have I done something that you don’t like?”

He shook his head. “Just the opposite,” he murmured.

“You like it when I touch you?” She ran her hand down his back. “But you won’t turn and look me in the eye. I don’t get it.” Gisele stomped her foot. “Rafael, talk to me!”

Rafael spun to face Gisele.

Her eyes flashed fire, and her cheeks were a pretty flushed pink. She was so beautifulthathe had to clench his fists to keep from pulling her into his arms.

“Did you and Shelby talk?” he asked.

Her eyes narrowed. “Yes. That’s what friends do when they have dinner together.”

“Did my name come into the conversation?” He captured her gaze with his and held it.

Gisele was first to look away. “Yes.”

“She’s right, you know,” he said softly.

Her gaze swung back to his. “Right about what?”

“You shouldn’t get involved with me,” he said, Valentin’s words still stinging. “I’m not right for you.”

Gisele’s eyes widened. “Is that what she told you?”

“Not directly,” he admitted. “Through an elected representative of so-called teammates.”

Gisele clapped a hand over her mouth. “Seriously? Are all our friends ganging up on us to keep us apart?” She pulled her phone out of her skirt pocket. “I have a few things to say to them about that.”

Rafael covered her hand before she could call anyone. “They’re doing it out of love. They’re worried about you.”

“I can make up my own mind. I don’t need well-intentioned do-gooders telling me who I can or can’t have sex with.”

His lip slid up in a grin and then turned downward. “The thing is, you should listen to your friend. I’m not the kind of guy who’s looking for a happily-ever-after. I will never marry, settle down in a little house and have a handful of children.” He turned back to the bowl of soup, opened the microwave and placed it inside. “I’m not boyfriend, fiancé orhusband material. If that’s what you’re looking for, run the other way.” He poked buttons on the control panel with more force than was necessary, holding his breath.

He fully expected Gisele to leave. A part of him hoped she would. It would be easier if she did. Another part of him wanted her to stay, get naked and make love with him until the sun came up and the gossips spread word through the little town that they’d spent the night together.

He stared at the bowl on the microwave turntable as it went around and around, like his thoughts. Should he pursue Gisele? Or should he do what half of Bayou Mambaloa wanted him to do and steer clear? “What do you want?” he asked, his voice raspy as he pushed words past his constricted vocal cords.

“I want people to quit making my decision for me. I want to have the choice of who I’m with without interference from well-meaning busybodies.”

A hand settled on his back; light fingers stroked from his shoulder down to his waist.

Fire spread from where she touched, burning through every cell in Rafael’s body. He tensed, ready to spin and take her into his arms.

“They might be right,” Gisele said softly. “It might be a mistake for us to be together. You might decide to walk away at any moment. But what I want right now...” Gisele paused.

Rafael held his breath, waiting for her next word, praying it was the one he wanted to hear.

Gisele leaned into him, pressing her breasts to his back, her arms circling his waist. “I want?—”

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