Bound By Lies - Rafe Cameron

Chapter 27

Rafe's POV

It's been two days since we got back from the cabin. And now I was leaning against the doorframe, watching Teresa examine herself in the mirror. She was fussing with the hem of her dress, smoothing out the fabric with those delicate hands that drove me crazy. The dress she'd picked out for tonight was stunning—deep red, hugging every curve, every line of her hourglass figure. It looked like it was made for her.

Too good.

Almost too good.

I felt a twinge of something sharp twist in my chest as I took in the way the dress dipped low at the front, the way it clung to her hips, accentuating the soft flare of her waist. The sight of her like this, so effortlessly beautiful, made my chest tighten with a mix of pride and possessiveness.

"You're really gonna wear that?" I asked, my voice coming out rougher than I'd intended.

She glanced at me through the mirror, raising an eyebrow, a small, teasing smile tugging at her lips. "Why? Does it look bad?"

I shook my head, swallowing hard. "No. It looks... amazing." And that was the problem. She looked too good. Too beautiful. Too perfect. Too tempting.

She turned around slowly, her gaze locking onto mine, and I had to remind myself to breathe. The dress was even more revealing from the front, the neckline dipping dangerously low, exposing just enough to make my blood simmer.

"Then what's the problem?" she asked softly, her voice laced with a hint of challenge.

I took a step forward, my eyes trailing over her slowly, taking in the way the fabric hugged her curves, the way it shimmered in the soft light. "It's a bit... revealing, don't you think?"

She tilted her head slightly, her smile widening. "So?"

My jaw clenched, a small growl rumbling in my chest. I loved it when she got like this—so confident, so sure of herself. But it also drove me fucking crazy. The thought of every guy at the party looking at her like this, their eyes lingering on her like she was something to be devoured... it made me want to put my fist through a wall.

"So," I muttered, taking another step closer, my gaze locking onto hers, "I guess it's a good thing I can fight."

She laughed softly, shaking her head as she stepped closer to me, her fingers trailing down the front of my shirt. "You're not going to start anything tonight, are you?" she teased, her voice light, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes.

I forced a grin, shrugging one shoulder casually. "No promises, baby."

She rolled her eyes, but I could see the way her gaze softened, the way her lips curved into that little smile that always made my heart skip a beat.

"Fine," she murmured, rising up on her toes to press a soft kiss to my cheek.  

I caught her wrist gently as she turned to grab her bag, pulling her back to me. She looked up at me, surprise flickering in her eyes as I leaned down, brushing my lips over hers. The kiss was soft, slow, a promise wrapped in a whisper.

"I mean it, Teresa," I murmured against her lips. "You look incredible. But if anyone so much as thinks about touching you tonight..."

She sighed softly, her fingers tangling in the front of my shirt as she looked up at me, her expression softening. "Rafe, I'm not going anywhere. You don't have to worry."

But I did. I always did. Because she had no idea how crazy she made me, how desperate I was to keep her close, to keep her safe. She had no idea what I'd do to protect her.