Page 97 of Forbidden Deception

Another falls on my cheek.

“Rafael?”

“Hmm?”

“Would you dance with me?” I lean back and look him in the eyes.

The air between us thickens. It stretches taut until I am sure that one word from me will destroy this safe haven we have.

Breathing feels difficult.

Looking at him feels torturous.

“When have we never? Without music?”

I nod. I still do not have the strength for words. If we put music on, I will not be able to handle myself or walk away today.

Rafael lifts my hand. I drop my bag and lift the other to his shoulder.

Forcing my cheeks to lift, I take a deep breath and start to guide him. He follows.

Our eyes never stray, they never waver, nor do they ever tremble.

“Did you come here because you fancied a dance with me?” Rafael asks, humour lacing his voice. The hair I love is growing damp; one strand after the other falls onto his forehead, slicked to his skin.

“What? I need a reason to visit you?” My strained smile catches his attention, so I look away.

Rafael speeds up and pulls me out and twirls me back in. My cheeks lift higher into a wider smile.

The wet pavement below us allows us to move swiftly around his driveway.

“Of course not. It’s why I love your personality. You know what you want, and you aren’t afraid to step back when you need to.”

Please don’t remind me why you chose me.

“It’s why I am dancing with you in the rain, with no music. It’s crazy what I’m willing to do for you,” he whispers, his eyesso clear, emotions and love and adoration spilling easily out of them.

I faintly catch his security detail surrounding us, the twenty guards emerging from their assigned spots. I bet they are confused as to why their strict boss is dancing with his girlfriend in the rain without music.

“And I love how soft you are under that tough exterior. I love your love for your family, your care, your emotions that show so clearly through your face,” I whisper.

The rain gets heavier, but we continue, like we have all the time in the world.

Truth is, we don’t.

We only have these few minutes together.

Rivals collide. They don’t unite.

And finding love and a future with my brother’s rival is insanity.

“Rafael, what would you do if someone tried to take me away from you?”

He frowns down at me, stopping mid dance. “That’s not a question. I wouldn’t let them. You are far too precious to me to ever let out of my sight. Not only will I destroy them, they will crash and burn. I will make sure their ashes alone won’t get a place near you.” He steps closer to me, his words shredding my already weak heart.

And what if I was the one who walked away to keep you safe?

“Forget I said anything. I am too stuck in my mind these days.” I laugh, then gasp when another flash of lightning cracks the sky. Thunder peals, loud enough to shake the windows. The rain turns torrential.

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