Page 75 of Burn for You

“I am so not fine!” I squeal as I lose my balance, my body suddenly tumbling sideways.

Hands grasp my waist, setting me upright. “Careful, March. Can’t have you hurting yourself before you even get on the ice.”

Rafael’s voice skates down my spine, leaving my body shivering, and not because we are currently standing in an ice rink.

I’ve been trying my best to avoid Rafael all night, just like I have been for the last few weeks. I refuse to talk about that phone call, about the night at the cabin, and I know that'sexactlywhat he’s going to want to talk to me about. I catch him looking at me constantly, his dark eyes leaving me feeling like I’ve always got a shadow following me.

And this right now is the first time in weeks that shadow has been so close to me that his smell invades my senses, intoxicating me even more than I already am.

The part of my brain that is drowning in a concoction of spirits wants to lean back into his touch, but the knowledge that Heath is standing a few feet away from us makes me take a wobbly step forward instead. Leaving Rafael behind me.

I ease the blade of my skate onto the ice, feeling it slip away from me as soon as I try to move even an inch. I squeal in worry and Heath skates toward me with a chuckle, his breath puffing out clouds into the cold air with every exhale.

“Alright, come on, clumsy klutz. I’ve got you.” He reaches out his hands and I grip onto them like they’re my lifeline. Because they are.

As Heath skates backwards—how he is doing that I havenoidea—he drags me forwards with him, and I take a moment to look around us.

The rink is closed, meaning the main lights are out, but twinkle lights are hung in rows above us, bringing a warm glow to the space. Leaving us in the only spot of light for miles. Little bugs swarm underneath the lights. If I was sober, I would probably be searching through the offices for a fly swatter, but right now, I just pretend that they’re little snowflakes floating around the air. It feels magical, like everything in Ruby Cove.

Isla’s laugh catches my attention, and my eyes dart to where she and Caio are skating, arms wrapped around each other as they circle the enormous Christmas tree that stands in the middle of the ice rink. Marina’s tired giggle has me looking back towards where she is sitting with Leo, trying to tie up her skates. “They’re too big.”

“No, they’re not,” he says. “I just need to tighten the laces; would you stop wriggling for one second?”

I snort as I watch the two of them struggle. Marina was right—this feels like the perfect way to end the night.

The rink is set up in the middle of the park, but right now, itfeels like I'm in the middle of a Hallmark movie. Everything in Ruby Cove is enchanting, even if it's temporary.

“You good? Can I take my hands away?” Heath’s voice brings me back to the moment.

“Uh, no way.” I tighten my grip on his hands. “You're here for the night, bucko.”

He shakes his head, rolling his eyes. “Then tell me this—what’s up with you and Raf?”

My eyes shoot to where my feet are skidding along the ice. “I don’t know what you mean.”

I can feel his knowing look through the top of my head. “Oh really? So you have no idea why he’s sitting over there looking like he’s having the worst night of his life when his best friend just got engaged?”

I can’t help it. I look over my shoulder to see Rafael just as Heath described. He looks miserable, and he’s looking straight at me, those dark eyes searching mine.

I whip my head back in Heath's direction but all I get from him is raised eyebrows.

“We had a moment.” I say, not knowing how much I want to say. I haven't told anyone about the cabin, or the next night.

His brows raise even further. “Okay, multiple moments. I don’t know, living with him was…intense.”

“Intense, huh?” I just tip my head, not quite knowing how to elaborate on that. “Just be careful,” he says, squeezing my hand. “And don’t mess him around.”

Now it’s my turn to raise my eyebrows.

“Just because I care about you doesn’t mean I don't care about him too. He’s lost a lot of people.”

I just nod silently, looking back down at my feet, because that’s the exact reason I'm staying away. I’m not the kind of girl that can give someone everything they want, and as I've gotten to know him, I’ve realized Rafael isn't someone that I want to hurt with false hope.

“What about you?” I say, looking up to meet his gaze again. “You’ve never told me if there’s a special lady in your life.” I wiggle my shoulders.

“That’s because there’s not.”

“Do you want there to be? I can’t imagine there's no interest there. You tick a lot of boxes, you know? Hot, Australian hunk with the biggest heart known to man.”

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