Rafe tilts his head to one side as something akin to frustration crosses his features before he brings a hand up between us to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear. His hand cups my cheek as the intensity in his deep brown eyes makes my heart hammer in my chest.
“It means ‘little star,’ Elodie.”
“Why?” The single word escapes my lips on a whisper.
He smooths his fingertips along my hair, his eyes leaving mine to follow the movement. “Well…for one…your hair shines like starlight.”
Stomach fluttering, my mouth draws up in a bright smile. “Stellina…” His gaze deepens even further. “I think that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
His other hand comes up to cup my face with his warm palms as his eyes flicker back and forth between mine. “Cosa succede quando esprimi un desiderio una stella?”
My forehead creases, knowing I’ve heard those words spoken before, but completely at a loss as to when, or by whom.
The dull sound of passing pedestrians feels muted in my ears as we stand toe to toe, eyes locked for a long beat until I physically jump when a cyclist rings his bell as he passes. I step back almost guiltily, my eyes watching Rafe’s hands drop back to his sides before I blow out a breath.
“Are you flexing a new routine, Handsome, or is this how you roll every day?”
He chuckles as I spin in the direction of my hotel, realizing quickly that I need to put distance between us.
Come tomorrow, this will all be a memory. I shake my head harshly, dispelling the fear that threatens to rise as Rafe catches up to me. “May I walk with you then?”
Not trusting my voice, I nod once, keeping my eyes on my feet as we walk in companionable silence, eventually veering away from the promenade and farther along the darkened lake in the direction of my hotel,Vista Lago.
The sound of the lake lapping at the shoreline is soothing as our steps match evenly, and I glance to the side to find Rafe’s eyes on me. I open my mouth to speak when a drop of water slashes the tip of my nose, followed rapidly by another on my cheek until, within the space of two breaths, we are standing amid a torrential downpour.
Rafe grips my hand, pulling me after him. “Quick, Elodie. This way.”
His jacket slips from my shoulders as we race alongside one another until the lights belonging toVista Lagocome into view. Rafe veers toward it, pulling me after him as we rush up the steps onto the veranda that wraps around the front of the building.
“Wow!” Rafe laughs as I tug my hair over one shoulder, wringing it between my hands. “That came out of nowhere.”
He pushes his rain-slick black locks back from his dripping face with a smile that can only be described as panty-melting, and my pulse kicks up a beat in response.
“It shouldn’t last more than a couple of minutes.”
I smooth my dress along my ribs, grimacing slightly when the wet material sticks to my skin. “I’mliterallysoaked to the bone.”
“You can say that again!” Rafe snorts, glancing down his torso as he runs his palms along his pectorals before raising his eyes to mine with a self-deprecatory grin.
It’s then I realize his white collarless shirt has turned see-through, allowing me to catch a glimpse of several tattoos onhis chest and biceps. Mindlessly, my feet step forward until I’m close enough to place the flat of both my palms on his taunt muscles.
“Do they all have meaning?”
“Si.” The single word fans across my cheek in a murmur as I examine the elaborate ink as best I can.
I trail the index finger of my right hand along the markings, brushing my fingers over the ornate silver cross hanging around his neck. My eyes slowly lift to meet his dark gaze as water trails down his face, streaking through his immaculately groomed facial hair.
His jaw tics ever-so slightly when our eyes meet, unwavering in contact. I inhale shakily, my world feeling as though it’s being spun clear upside down as he utterly devastates me with the intent in his gaze before he cups my cheek softly.
Without thinking, I nuzzle against his warm palm as he dusts his thumb across my cheekbone.
“You are sobeautifulit hurts.” He exhales on a sigh, my eyes closing as I soak up the surprisingly easy intimacy flowing between us.
Hearing the fervency in his voice, I blow out a breath, knowing these moments are nothing more than a stolen lie even as I commit this feeling to memory.
My heartbeat roars in my ears as the rain hammers the earth beyond the veranda covering us, and my eyes slowly open to find Rafe’s face is closer than before. His slightly accelerated breaths fan across my cheek as he watches me through hooded lids.
My breath catches in my throat, my heart riots in my chest, and I want nothing more than to lean closer to press my lips to his, when suddenly the moment is ripped apart by the sound of my cell ringing from inside the bag draped across my body.
