Page 119 of Burn for You

Isla gigglesas Marina and I try to pull her out of her dress. All of us are swapping out of our long dresses into something a bit shorter for the reception. We help Isla into a short bridal dress that shows off her tan legs and her white stilettos.

“You look beautiful,” I say.

She grabs both of us by the hand. “Thank you both for making this such a special day.”

Marina points at the both of us. “No tears!” Even though she’s blinking away her own.

The door cracks open, and Marisol peeks her head in. “They’re ready for you, Isla.”

She links her hands with ours and leads us out, down the hallway and into the ballroom. Everyone cheers as we enter the room, and Caio’s face is of pure admiration when he sees his new wife walking up to him.

I smile as they begin their first dance on the dance floor, the two of them wrapped up in each other's arms, swaying to the music.

Strong arms wrap around my middle. “You look delectable.” Rafael’s voice is low in my ear. One of his hands drops to skim my thigh just below the hem of my dress. “When can I get you alone?”

I lean back into him. “That’s all I’m good for, is it? Do you not want to be seen in public with me?”

He chuckles. “Well now that I know you are a fan of public demonstrations, I don’t mind one bit, Whitley.”

I dig my elbow into his side, and he jerks, avoiding the assault. His hands grip my elbows, keeping them steady. “Dance with me.”

“What?”

He spins me around in his arms. “There is nothing that I want to do more than get you out on that dance floor with me andshow everyone that you’re mine.” My body hums in his arms. “If you think that I don’t want to show you off all day, every day, then you’re deluded.”

I tilt my head. “Rafael.”

“Dance with me.” He holds his hand out for me. “Please?”

The look on his face melts any of my resolve. I place my hand in his and he leads me out to the dance floor next to our friends.

I wrap my arms around his neck as his settle on my waist so naturally, like that’s exactly where they’re meant to be. When I gaze up at him, he’s looking down at me like he knows something I don’t.

“What?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Nothing.”

I smack his chest. “You can’t do that.What?”

He sighs. “You just…you act so harsh, so brazen, like nothing could ever hurt you, but I can see it.”

“See what?”

“I can see the little girl who wanted to know the feeling of a father’s love. I can see the girl who was never dragged out onto the dance floor in front of everyone. I can see the girl who thinks she’s not enough for a man to stick it out with her. I can see why you hardened yourself when you thought someone proved exactly that.”

My eyes roam the room around us, avoiding his gaze until he grabs my chin gently, urging me to look at him. “You don’t need to be hard with me.”

“Yes, I do,” I whisper.

He runs his knuckles along my cheekbone. “Why is that?”

I take a breath, collecting my thoughts.Why is that?Rafael raises his eyebrows in question.

“Because this isn’t serious for you,” I say.

He tilts his head. A knowing look on his face. “What about this entire situation has ever given you that impression?”

“You don’t do serious.” He narrows his eyes, waiting for me togive him some valid point.“You’ve probably missed out on so many potential hookups.”

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