Page 121 of Boost

He looked surprised. “Okay?”

I shrugged and let go of his hand. “Yes, okay. I’m not going to question why when I already know. I respect that you like your privacy. That’s not easy to keep when in the public eye.”

“But you representing the foundation…”

“Is inconsequential right now. It’s in Tian’s capable hands, and I have another great account to pour my attention into.”

A whispered curse slipped from his mouth and he searched my expression as if seeing me for the first time. “I can’t think of anyone more selfless.”

“Stop it.” My cheeks began to heat—more so from the intensity of his stare than the compliment.

“It’s true.” Raf looked down his straight nose at me, and I smiled.

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

I leaned forward to meet him halfway for another sweet kiss.

“Raf?”

He hummed.

“Whatever happened to your sister? You’ve hardly mentioned her.”

Pain cut through his expression. She was obviously a sore subject.

“I don’t have much to do with her now, neither do our grandparents. Lucía breezes in and out of our lives like an unexpected storm. I’ve never been able to predict when she will next blow in. Or out for that matter.”

“Does she live close?”

Raf shrugged. “Honestly, don’t know. Last I heard, she was out in DC.”

I was sad for him, and disappointed that he missed out on so much with her. I wanted to press and encourage him to reach out, but that was coming from an only child perspective. I didn’t know what it was like to have a sibling, let alone one that was estranged. I let the subject draw to a close and adjusted to lie on the couch with my head resting on his thigh.

His eyes swam with love as he gazed down at me. Fingers idly ran through my hair while the other hand rested intimately low on my belly.

“I haveyounow,” he said, tone soft with affection. “And that alone fills the cracks I thought never could be filled.”

I lifted his hand from my stomach and kissed the pads of his fingers.

My love affair with the tattooed, street racing King had redefined how I viewed the world, and loved for that matter. I was allowed to be happy, and Rafael just happened to be the man who opened the door to that universe. One where it was safe to speak my mind, and to love recklessly knowing that it will be echoed back at me with intensified potency.

“I love you,” I murmured while studying the intricate black ink proudly displayed along his forearm.

“And I you.”

I looked up from under my lashes and locked down a smile at the sight of his smirk.

“Say it,” I challenged.

He played coy. “Say what?”

“That you love me.”

A chuckle vibrated within his belly, close to my ear. “Demanding little Queen, aren’t you?”

“Only when I want something.”

“Sit up,” he commanded.

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