Esperanza leaned in conspiratorially and gave Michelle’s dress strap a tug. “I told you these tetas were too good to waste.”
Michelle just smirked. “I never said they were going to waste.”
Esperanza cackled in response, then moved on to Gabe. She hugged him and made a lot of comments about how well he’d grown up, how big and strong he was, and how much he’d loved her arroz con pollo when he was a little boy.
Michelle let out a breath. Somehow, this whole thing was easier than she’d expected. And it made her sad. Because this was just for show, to keep Gabe’s gym plans secret from his dad. But it didn’t feel like acting. Everything about it felt natural.
Don’t get it twisted, girl, she scolded herself.This isn’t real.
But... wasn’t it?
For her, this was the realest relationship she’d ever had. She was opening up during sex, letting down her guard and accepting the vulnerability that went with it. She was talking about how she felt instead of relying on humor as a shield for her emotions.
And she knew this wasn’t just a fuck-and-run for Gabe either.
I need you, Mich.
Fuck, they had no business involving their families whentheydidn’t even have a handle on it.
“Has the birthday girl arrived yet?” Michelle asked her abuela.
Esperanza flicked her wrist, waving that away as if it were a ridiculous notion. “Ay no. Maybe in an hour. They’re having a hair emergency.”
The DJ switched to a Luis Fonsi song and Michelle perked up. “I love this song.”
Gabe gave her his hand. “Bueno, vamos a bailar.”
He led her to the dance floor, which was already full of people, many of whom Michelle was related to. But when Gabe put one strong, solid hand on her waist and pulled her close, everything else fell away. It was just the two of them and the music.
They eased into a sensual Dominican bachata with small sliding steps and swaying hips, adding double and triple steps to the footwork as the beat picked up. The height difference should’ve made it difficult, but Gabe was so light on his feet, so in control of his body, it was easy to surrender and let him lead her.
As the rhythm pulsed, Michelle flipped her hair and Gabe spun her out and back in. Holding her close against his hip, histhigh pressed between hers, their hips rocked together in time with the music, moving in perfect harmony. They threw in body rolls and hip rolls, having fun with it, but their eyes never left each other’s.
In short, they danced like they werenotsurrounded by her immediate family.
When the song ended and shifted into something by Taylor Swift, Michelle and Gabe came to a stop. She closed her eyes and pressed her forehead to his chest.
“I’m afraid to look,” she muttered, breathing hard and sweating a little.
Gabe rubbed her back comfortingly. “Why, because everyone is staring at us?”
“If they weren’t talking about us already, they are now.”
“Am I supposed to apologize?”
“You should.” She gave him a saucy grin. “Because you’ve ruined me for all other dance partners.”
A familiar voice called her name. “Michelle?”
Michelle squeezed her eyes shut. “Oh shit.”
Caught in the act. Michelle stepped away from Gabe’s side and squared her shoulders, preparing to face the music as her cousin Jasmine wiggled her way through the crowd, with Ava in hot pursuit.
Jasmine, a TV and movie actress, was stunningly beautiful, with thick dark hair and golden brown skin. At the moment, her famous face was fixed into a disapproving glower.
“You’re welcome for letting you finish the dance,” Jasmine told Michelle, barely sparing Gabe a look. “Hi, Gabe. Welcome back. Been a while.”
Michelle sucked in a breath. “Look, Jas—”
