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“You’re bringing attention our way, Ivan.” It comes out breathy and not the uninterested I’d been hoping to go for. Too much has happened, and my defenses are down—my anger at bay.
“You’ve always taken my breath away, Sirenita.” That’s his response. No hesitation and I narrow my eyes a bit, feigning annoyance to mask my anxiousness. This, his attitude and need to be close, is everything I’ve ever wanted, yet he’s never given it to me before.
Why now?
Why after I heard him say that to Mirabel?
Is he trying to control me again? Straightening my back, I exhale deeply. “What’s this? What are you hoping to accomplish by—”
“All I want is a dance, bebe. Just one.”
“You’re confusing me, Ivan. I want to hate you so much...” Trailing off, I try to step back and bump into my seat. For a second, I teeter on my heels, but then strong fingers curl around my wrist and with a gentle tug, I’m against his chest.
After the pictures, he’d removed his jacket and dress shirt, donning instead an off-white guayabera similar to his brother's tailored fit to be destructive for my ovaries. I’m sure this request came from his mother, a woman I’m currently cursing in my head as my hand lands on his pec and Ivan gives the muscle there a flex.
Bastard.
That cocky grin also tells me he knows what he’s doing. “Come on, bebe. I won’t bite tonight.”
“That’s a lie, and we both know it.”
“Guilty when given the chance.” The younger De Leon’s imposing figure blocks any attempt of escape, not letting me move an inch while wrapping the other arm around my waist. “But I swear, all I want is to dance right now. I’ll behave.”
“What do you want? You’re confusing me.”
“To forget the world and my duty for one night.”
“Okay.” There’s gratitude in his expression before he walks me to the edge of the dance floor where the lighting is dim. Not close enough to join the others, but our bodies are only a few inches apart and his soft exhales skim over my temple. This is just a dance. No need to make a big deal out of it. “This will either be a blessing or a curse.”
“What was that?”
“Nothing.” Thank God he didn’t hear me; I’ve made myself a fool for this man enough times in the past. Moreover, I’m not looking for a repeat even if love makes you do stupid things, and there’s no doubt in my heart that this is one of those times.
Ivan turns me twice and then pulls me closer. Not an inch of space separates us now.
My heart races and goose bumps rise across my skin. My core clenches violently.
I let him talk me into walking with him as my partner, stood by his side in every photo, and now I’m swaying to a slow song the band is playing. We’re almost chest to chest, though my heels still don’t make me tall enough, but being nestled like this feels right.
His strong arm is wrapped around me, and his scent lulls me into a cocoon of affection and safety I never want to leave. And yet, something is off.
It bothers me. This large elephant that’s overtaken the room, yet neither of us calls out.
“Ivan, I can’t do this anymore.”
“I know.”
9
“IVAN, I can’t do this anymore.”
“I know.” Lowering my mouth to her forehead, I place three quick kisses there and then pull back. Every muscle in my body is tense, yet my arm around her is gentle, keeping her close these last few moments like the precious treasure she is. “Do you remember the time back in high school when I asked you to skip class and go kayaking with me?”
Her expression is perplexed, yet she nods. There’s even a small curl on her lips. “You’ve always been weird and asked for more of me than you should.”
“You were scared of the mangroves and thought a gator was hiding beneath us.”
Sirenita smacks my shoulder hard but doesn’t miss a step. “And you laughed at me and asked me to trust you.”
