Daniel’s gathering to celebrate the women’s victory in town was far from lowkey. The big house was packed with people, mostly women and a few men accompanied by their wives, while Aurora danced or served food with an annoyed expression on her face. You didn’t dare get close to anything or anyone, just in case, you valued your peace too much to risk making her angry and starting a scene.

Daniel’s eyes scanned the crowd, searching for you as he approached calmly, intent on dragging you to dance. He held a beer in his hand, and you had to admit, he looked way too good in that shirt. But his brilliant little proposal earlier had left you pissed off, I mean, really? A public proposal in a town this small? Not a chance, people wouldn’t leave you alone, thinking you were his wife.

His arms wrapped around your hips without warning, pulling you hard against his chest, trapping you in his hold. When you tried to pull away, he spun you around in a fake dance move, only to draw you even closer. You were so close that his breath brushed against your shoulder every time you turned your head to keep his face away from yours.

“What’s wrong? Still mad about earlier? Come on, let it go already. Don’t ruin your day over it, yeah?” he said casually, still dancing with you even though you wanted nothing more than to walk away, but you couldn’t, his arms tightened around your waist as the banda music blared in the background. “It was just a proposal, relax.”

You growled under your breath, shaking your head as he grinned wide, clearly pleased by your reaction. He loved getting under your skin, sure, but seeing how your body responded to his stubbornness was something else entirely.

“Don’t be mad,” he said, moving more forcefully now, swaying you with the beat like you were nothing more than a doll in his arms. His eyes roamed all over your face, like he was memorising every mole, every freckle, every mark. “Now that we’re alone, I want you to know the proposal still stands. What do you say? No pressure.”

Despite his careless tone, he was hoping, praying, really, that your answer would be a yes. He couldn’t go a second without touching you, without seeking you out in a crowded room, without worrying about you, couldn’t you see it? He was dying for you.