Chapter 31: Under The Stars

Rafe stays by my side for the rest of the night. He's always touching me, sometimes in small ways - a light brush of his finger down my arm, or a quick sweep of my hair behind my ear - and sometimes in more possessive ways. He likes to keep his hand on my lower back, his fingers spread and his palm pressed firmly against my spine, and I find I like that, too. More than once I find myself wishing I was wearing the same dress I had on the other night, where my back was almost completely exposed, so I could feel his skin right against mine.

No one comments on our sudden intimacy - not even Rafe's parents - though I catch Ashlyn watching me carefully all night. I notice a few curious glances from Orlando, too, but he doesn't say anything to me. At one point, when I sneak away to actually use the bathroom, I return to find Orlando and Rafe deep in conversation, but Orlando walks away before I return to Rafe's side.

I want to hear more stories about Rafe's childhood from his family. But Ra