Page 127 of Love Unwritten

I pretend to be consumed by whatever doodles I drew beside a few half-finished song lyrics. “Not much.”

He folds his arms against his chest. “Working on the song?”

“Trying to.” I shut my notebook and look up at him. Water drips down his face and hair before trickling across his tanned torso, but I don’t let my eyes linger there for long.

No matter how much they want to.

“How’s it going?” He looks at the cover of my notebook, completely unaware of the lyrics hidden between the pages inspired by him.

I tuck it under my leg just in case. “Why does it matter?”

His eyes narrow. “I’m being polite.”

“No need to try so hard on my behalf.”

His lips press together. “Are you still upset with me about last night?”

Yes, but I’d rather die than listen to him bring up that subject again. “Nope. Just struggling with Cole’s song.”

Shit. I did not mean to admit that.

A frown line appears between his brows. “So you two are working together now?”

My heart beats harder in my chest. “Yes, but it won’t get in the way of my current job, so don’t worry.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about.” A dark look passes over him.

I know provoking him is a terrible idea, but after the way he pushed me away last night, I want to get under his skin like he does mine. To leave a permanent mark like the one he left on me.

Using his jealousy against Cole is petty, immature, and a strategy I’ve never employed before, but screw it.

I throw my hair over my shoulder and flash a smile. “Yeah. Cole’s been so great and supportive with the whole lawyer thing. He even went out of his way to set up a meeting for me.”

Rafael’s left eye twitches. “I wasn’t aware you needed to speak to a lawyer.”

“I know.”

“I could have helped.”

“Yeah, but Cole offered. Can you imagine someone being that nice without wanting something in return?”

“Oh, I’m sure he wants something,” he mutters under his breath.

“What was that?” I bat my lashes.

“He wants you.”

“Huh. That could be fun, plus, who knows? Maybe he’s the one.”

“You deserve better than a guy like him.” His sour expression makes me want to smile.

Rafael Lopez is jealous of another man because of me. My heart does a little squeeze at the idea because being the cause of his jealousy for once makes me downright giddy.

Based on the tension in his face and shoulders, Rafael most likely hates himself for it, which only makes the realization that much sweeter. He may not want to feel this way, but he can’t help it.

Rafael is good at hiding his true feelings behind a mask, and I desperately want to tear it off, even if it gets me in trouble.

“Keep talking like that, and I may start to think you’re jealous.”

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