{"id":1908,"date":"2015-07-11T16:04:06","date_gmt":"2015-07-11T15:04:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abby-green.com\/abbygreen\/?post_type=portfolio&#038;p=265"},"modified":"2015-08-25T20:29:16","modified_gmt":"2015-08-25T19:29:16","slug":"bride-in-a-gilded-cage","status":"publish","type":"portfolio","link":"https:\/\/abby-green.com\/portfolio-item\/bride-in-a-gilded-cage\/","title":{"rendered":"Bride in a Gilded Cage"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id='av_section_1'  class='avia-section av-av_section-d18d8c2c81d10022ebd21ffa95322c35 main_color avia-section-default avia-no-shadow  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_section  avia-builder-el-first  avia-bg-style-scroll container_wrap fullsize'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><main  role=\"main\" itemprop=\"mainContentOfPage\"  class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-1908'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_two_fifth-352b07ef7d3bc99b2e9f92e7a9e06bdb\">\n.flex_column.av-av_two_fifth-352b07ef7d3bc99b2e9f92e7a9e06bdb{\n-webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n-moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class='flex_column av-av_two_fifth-352b07ef7d3bc99b2e9f92e7a9e06bdb av_two_fifth  avia-builder-el-1  el_before_av_one_fifth  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding '     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_heading-42d85e5d42d4a3afb03a73e989228051\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-av_heading-42d85e5d42d4a3afb03a73e989228051{\npadding-bottom:10px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-av_heading-42d85e5d42d4a3afb03a73e989228051 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-av_heading-42d85e5d42d4a3afb03a73e989228051 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-av_heading-42d85e5d42d4a3afb03a73e989228051 av-special-heading-h3 blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-2  el_before_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-first '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag'  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Description<\/h3><div class='av-subheading av-subheading_below'><p>Special News!<br \/>\nBRIDE IN A GILDED CAGE was nominated for a 2010 Pure Passion award!<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-35972167d9f102c5ddaec0c531c98b9e'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Forced to Wed! Isobel Miller and Rafael Romero have been promised to each other for years in marriage, as part of an agreement between their families.<\/p>\n<p>While Rafael has never had any intention of settling down, when he sees the beautiful woman that Isobel has become, he realizes that marriage might not be such a bad prospect after all.<\/p>\n<p>Isobel is caught, unable to get out of the ancient agreement without causing irreparable damage to her family. A legal contract says she must wed! But she is determined above all, to withstand Rafael\u2019s devastating charm and stay true to herself\u2026the only problem is that she hasn\u2019t counted on Rafael\u2019s slow and sensual wearing down of her defences\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<div  class='togglecontainer av-av_toggle_container-f0c39e76d1f074f51d6efd8dbfc052b2  avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_hr  toggle_close_all' >\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-av_toggle-cdac17ac7f6c06b0214f2df20e519e3e'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p data-fake-id='#toggle-id-1' class='toggler   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-1'>Review of BRIDE IN A GILDED CAGE<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-1' class='toggle_wrap  '  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>BRIDE IN A GILDED CAGE (4) by Abby Green: The last man Isobel Miller wants to marry is Rafael Romero. Unfortunately, her family and his arranged the match 10 years ago, and if she refuses to marry Rafael, her parents will be penniless. Duty turns to love, at least on Isobel\u2019s part, but she knows she cannot stay in a loveless marriage, especially after reading about her grandparents\u2019 epic romance. Can Rafael convince Isobel that he feels the same? The heroine\u2019s choice of profession \u2014 tango instructor \u2014 adds a sexy, fun twist to the \u201cforced marriage\u201d plot. Fans of the TV show Dancing With the Stars will love this one.<\/p>\n<p>Reviewed By: Rhomylly Forbes<\/p>\n<p>V<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<\/div><br \/>\n<div  class='hr av-av_hr-dcd2069817a0e3d34ae04cad8f3443c7 hr-default  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_toggle_container  el_before_av_button '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-button-wrap av-av_button-c92618446e5c68b64e558e8e19060c32-wrap avia-button-left  avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_hr '><a href='#excerpt'  class='avia-button av-av_button-c92618446e5c68b64e558e8e19060c32 avia-icon_select-yes-left-icon avia-size-medium avia-position-left avia-color-dark'  ><span class='avia_button_icon avia_button_icon_left' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue84f' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><span class='avia_iconbox_title' >Read an Excerpt<\/span><\/a><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_hr-f9c49c3d3336fc54a3f31ed109c785bd\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-av_hr-f9c49c3d3336fc54a3f31ed109c785bd{\nheight:30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-av_hr-f9c49c3d3336fc54a3f31ed109c785bd hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_button  el_before_av_social_share '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n<div  class='av-social-sharing-box av-av_social_share-091364a88cbf1bf8768d3d05e1fe0801 av-social-sharing-box-default  avia-builder-el-8  el_after_av_hr  avia-builder-el-last  av-social-sharing-box-fullwidth'><div class=\"av-share-box\"><h5 class='av-share-link-description av-no-toc '>Share this Book<\/h5><ul class=\"av-share-box-list noLightbox\"><li class='av-share-link av-social-link-facebook' ><a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook\" href='https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/abby-green.com\/portfolio-item\/bride-in-a-gilded-cage\/&#038;t=Bride%20in%20a%20Gilded%20Cage' 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data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_one_fifth-2a64de42b738552fe666ca889af77e28\">\n.flex_column.av-av_one_fifth-2a64de42b738552fe666ca889af77e28{\n-webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n-moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class='flex_column av-av_one_fifth-2a64de42b738552fe666ca889af77e28 av_one_fifth  avia-builder-el-9  el_after_av_two_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding '     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_image-e4ea6ff4da0cf386ac75184c35e6d3c6\">\n.avia-image-container.av-av_image-e4ea6ff4da0cf386ac75184c35e6d3c6 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-av_image-e4ea6ff4da0cf386ac75184c35e6d3c6 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-av_image-e4ea6ff4da0cf386ac75184c35e6d3c6 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-10  el_before_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-first '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-1844 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-1844 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/abby-green.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Bride-in-a-Gilded-Cage-UK.jpg\" alt='' title='Bride-in-a-Gilded-Cage-UK'  height=\"712\" width=\"450\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/abby-green.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Bride-in-a-Gilded-Cage-UK.jpg 450w, https:\/\/abby-green.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Bride-in-a-Gilded-Cage-UK-190x300.jpg 190w, https:\/\/abby-green.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Bride-in-a-Gilded-Cage-UK-446x705.jpg 446w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-35972167d9f102c5ddaec0c531c98b9e'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><strong>Mills &amp; Boon<\/strong><br \/>\nMay 21, 2010<br \/>\n<strong>ISBN<\/strong>: 0263878090<\/p>\n<p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_font_icon-baf2860773641380b64a034c6312173b\">\n.av_font_icon.av-av_font_icon-baf2860773641380b64a034c6312173b .av-icon-char{\nfont-size:40px;\nline-height:40px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<span  class='av_font_icon av-av_font_icon-baf2860773641380b64a034c6312173b avia_animate_when_visible av-icon-style- avia-icon-pos-left av-no-color avia-icon-animate'><a href='http:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/exec\/obidos\/ASIN\/0263878090\/agreen-21' target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class='av-icon-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue924' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/a><\/span> BUY NOW<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_one_fifth-60e65def2443d4fedd70f2f69834ac0f\">\n.flex_column.av-av_one_fifth-60e65def2443d4fedd70f2f69834ac0f{\n-webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n-moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class='flex_column av-av_one_fifth-60e65def2443d4fedd70f2f69834ac0f av_one_fifth  avia-builder-el-13  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding '     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_image-6ac82ab97a11e97c317a6f1f5518c10a\">\n.avia-image-container.av-av_image-6ac82ab97a11e97c317a6f1f5518c10a img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-av_image-6ac82ab97a11e97c317a6f1f5518c10a .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-av_image-6ac82ab97a11e97c317a6f1f5518c10a av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-14  el_before_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-first '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-1845 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-1845 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/abby-green.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Bride-in-a-Gilded-Cage-US.jpg\" alt='' title='Bride-in-a-Gilded-Cage-US'  height=\"712\" width=\"450\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/abby-green.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Bride-in-a-Gilded-Cage-US.jpg 450w, https:\/\/abby-green.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Bride-in-a-Gilded-Cage-US-190x300.jpg 190w, https:\/\/abby-green.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Bride-in-a-Gilded-Cage-US-446x705.jpg 446w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-35972167d9f102c5ddaec0c531c98b9e'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><strong>Harlequin Presents<\/strong><br \/>\nOctober 1, 2010<br \/>\n<strong>ISBN<\/strong>: 0373129483<\/p>\n<p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_font_icon-d1f89dfde2a551b930c828756dfe6712\">\n.av_font_icon.av-av_font_icon-d1f89dfde2a551b930c828756dfe6712 .av-icon-char{\nfont-size:40px;\nline-height:40px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<span  class='av_font_icon av-av_font_icon-d1f89dfde2a551b930c828756dfe6712 avia_animate_when_visible av-icon-style- avia-icon-pos-left av-no-color avia-icon-animate'><a href='http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/exec\/obidos\/ASIN\/0373129483\/agreen-20' target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class='av-icon-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue924' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/a><\/span> BUY NOW<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_one_fifth-60e65def2443d4fedd70f2f69834ac0f\">\n.flex_column.av-av_one_fifth-60e65def2443d4fedd70f2f69834ac0f{\n-webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n-moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class='flex_column av-av_one_fifth-60e65def2443d4fedd70f2f69834ac0f av_one_fifth  avia-builder-el-17  el_after_av_one_fifth  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding '     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_image-0bfe6b27c0017ad0d3434dbed89f22b7\">\n.avia-image-container.av-av_image-0bfe6b27c0017ad0d3434dbed89f22b7 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-av_image-0bfe6b27c0017ad0d3434dbed89f22b7 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-av_image-0bfe6b27c0017ad0d3434dbed89f22b7 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-18  el_before_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-first '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-1876 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-1876 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/abby-green.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/The-Brides1.jpg\" alt='' title='The-Brides'  height=\"712\" width=\"450\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/abby-green.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/The-Brides1.jpg 450w, https:\/\/abby-green.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/The-Brides1-190x300.jpg 190w, https:\/\/abby-green.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/The-Brides1-446x705.jpg 446w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-35972167d9f102c5ddaec0c531c98b9e'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><strong>Also contained in the Anthology<\/strong><br \/>\nWeddings: The Brides<br \/>\nApril 2013<\/p>\n<p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_font_icon-6804ea342bb898eae61746c58cbd1d36\">\n.av_font_icon.av-av_font_icon-6804ea342bb898eae61746c58cbd1d36 .av-icon-char{\nfont-size:40px;\nline-height:40px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<span  class='av_font_icon av-av_font_icon-6804ea342bb898eae61746c58cbd1d36 avia_animate_when_visible av-icon-style- avia-icon-pos-left av-no-color avia-icon-animate'><a href='http:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Weddings-Brides-Awakening-Special-Releases-ebook\/dp\/B00BQGGZRO\/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1439551544&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=Weddings+The+Brides+Abby+Green' target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class='av-icon-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue924' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/a><\/span> BUY NOW<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/main><!-- close content main element --><\/div><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_section-a39f1395b9c26d6fce19cea65cb3b34b\">\n.avia-section.av-av_section-a39f1395b9c26d6fce19cea65cb3b34b{\nbackground-color:#f6f6f6;\nbackground-image:unset;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div id='excerpt'  class='avia-section av-av_section-a39f1395b9c26d6fce19cea65cb3b34b main_color avia-section-large avia-no-shadow  avia-builder-el-21  el_after_av_section  avia-builder-el-last  avia-bg-style-scroll container_wrap fullsize'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-1908'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" 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el_before_av_one_fifth  excerpt flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding '     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_hr-a68ad2dea2f1b44df97ff973cba5613c\">\n#top .hr.av-av_hr-a68ad2dea2f1b44df97ff973cba5613c{\nmargin-top:30px;\nmargin-bottom:30px;\n}\n.hr.av-av_hr-a68ad2dea2f1b44df97ff973cba5613c .hr-inner{\nwidth:50px;\nmax-width:45%;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-av_hr-a68ad2dea2f1b44df97ff973cba5613c hr-custom  avia-builder-el-24  el_before_av_heading  avia-builder-el-first  hr-center hr-icon-yes'><span class='hr-inner inner-border-av-border-thin'><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><span class='av-seperator-icon' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue84e' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><span class='hr-inner inner-border-av-border-thin'><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_heading-d5d7157291e6ee981d233603f060c18d\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-av_heading-d5d7157291e6ee981d233603f060c18d{\npadding-bottom:10px;\nfont-size:42px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-av_heading-d5d7157291e6ee981d233603f060c18d .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-av_heading-d5d7157291e6ee981d233603f060c18d .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:42px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-av_heading-d5d7157291e6ee981d233603f060c18d .av-subheading{\nfont-size:22px;\n}\n\n@media only screen and (min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px){ \n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-av_heading-d5d7157291e6ee981d233603f060c18d .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 479px){ \n#top #wrap_all .av-special-heading.av-av_heading-d5d7157291e6ee981d233603f060c18d .av-special-heading-tag{\nfont-size:0.8em;\n}\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-av_heading-d5d7157291e6ee981d233603f060c18d av-special-heading-h3 blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-25  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_textblock  av-inherit-size'><div class='av-subheading av-subheading_above'><p>Excerpt from<\/p>\n<\/div><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag'  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Bride in a Gilded Cage<\/h3><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-35972167d9f102c5ddaec0c531c98b9e'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>A short while later, changed for the charity function, Isobel had herself rigidly in control. She was aware of Rafael flicking her glances in the back seat of the car and each one fell like a hot caress on her bared and too sensitive skin. They were on their way to a charity dinner where Bob and his wife were Rafael\u2019s guests.<\/p>\n<p>She wore a strapless cocktail dress, fitted and to the knee and her legs were primly together, slanted to the side, as far away from Rafael as possible. She was still reeling from the revelation of finding out exactly what Rafael had been working on and how wrong she\u2019d been. It made her feel now as if a layer of protective skin had been ripped away, leaving her exposed and vulnerable. <i>Too<\/i>exposed and vulnerable to face the prospect of sleeping with Rafael that night.<\/p>\n<p>She cast him a quick surreptitious glance, he was looking ahead, coolly remote and Isobel shivered. She couldn\u2019t hide any longer.<\/p>\n<p>After a short journey they pulled up outside one of Beunos Aires\u2019 oldest and grandest hotels. Isobel\u2019s door was opened by a liveried doorman and she stepped out to be greeted by Rafael taking her hand in a firm grip. Quashing the urge to pull away she gritted her teeth against the shooting sensations up her arm and let him lead her into the thronged and glittering function room.<\/p>\n<p>Hundreds of dinner tables were set around a dance floor which was currently occupied by tables showing off the charity lots. After dinner and when the lots had been auctioned off, Rafael having spent a ludicrous amount of money, the staff started clearing the dance floor.<\/p>\n<p>Despite herself, Isobel\u2019s distaste for this superficial social scene rose up again. Rafael leant close, and it took all her restraint not to move back, his evocative scent teasing her nostrils mercilessly.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018What is wrong with you? You look like you\u2019ve swallowed a lemon.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Isobel tightened her jaw. \u2018I just find it hard to sit here and watch the elite throwing their money around when the charities in question probably get a bare percentage, just for the privilege of having their name mentioned in such exalted circles.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Rafael\u2019s voice was deep and close, lightly mocking, \u2018You\u2019re too quick to judge again.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Isobel burned to be reminded of how quick and absolute her judgment had been.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018It\u2019s all a game just like everything else. The people you see here are the most powerful in the country. To a large extent you\u2019re right in your assessment. But you\u2019re discounting what goes on in tandem with this; for instance, the fact that I\u2019ve donated a disgustingly large amount of money to the cancer charity which is chaired by the Marquesa Consuela Valderosa who is holding court on the table over there, means that she will now feel compelled, in the nicest possible way of course, to lend her illustrious name and support to a much less monied charity of my own choice. It\u2019s all about getting what you want from people. You just have to know how to play the game Isobel.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Isobel looked at him speechlessly, his eyes were dark and hypnotic and she had the strong suspicion he was talking about the games he had accused her of playing with him. She felt hot inside.<\/p>\n<p>Just then Rita leant across the table and said excitedly to Isobel and Rafael, \u2018They\u2019re playing that tango music from <i>Scent of a Woman<\/i>, would you two dance for us\u2026please?\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Isobel looked at Rafael helplessly, her belly quivering as she remembered how he\u2019d strode across the room earlier and taken her face in his hands. He hadn\u2019t even kissed her but when he\u2019d turned and walked away she\u2019d been trembling all over. She turned to Rita and started to say, \u2018I\u2019m sorry but I don\u2019t know if \u2014\u2018<\/p>\n<p>Isobel felt her hand being taken and she was being urged up to meet Rafael who was looking down at her with a glint in his eye. \u2018Of course we\u2019d love to dance a tango, wouldn\u2019t we <i>carino<\/i>.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Isobel hissed at Rafael as he led her to the dance floor where a few couples were trying unsuccessfully to emulate the famous movie scene, \u2018My dress is too tight, I won\u2019t be able to dance properly.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Rafael just swept a look down and bent, all Isobel heard was a faint ripping sound and when he led her forward again she gasped when she felt a breeze and looked down to see that Rafael had effortlessly ripped her dress to mid-thigh.<\/p>\n<p>He brought her to the middle of the dance floor and she looked up at him, \u2018What on earth do you think\u2014 \u2018<\/p>\n<p>But her words were cut off when Rafael expertly pulled her into his arms in a quick staccato move, forcing her weight forward and into him. His embrace was close and tight, their chests all but welded together as he started to move.<\/p>\n<p>Isobel\u2019s feet followed naturally and instinctively but already this tango was not like the first time they\u2019d danced in Paris. There was a simmering sensuality about this one and it was worlds away from the kind of tangoes their grandparents would have danced.<\/p>\n<p>Isobel could feel the rip in her dress give way even more as Rafael led her in a dizzying series of steps. She had to close her eyes when she could see that other dancers were stepping back to give them space, and watch.<\/p>\n<p>Isobel felt the slide of Rafael\u2019s leg between hers, forcing her leg up into a high kick known as a bolero. Her heartrate went out of control. Then he displaced her weight and she had to lean into him even more.<\/p>\n<p>When he twisted so that she had to hook her leg under his, she could feel the tension in his powerful thigh muscle against the back of her leg. Her eyes opened with a mute plea for him to stop this sensual torture. His dark gaze glittered down at her, green and golden flecks standing out making her throat dry. His intent was written all over his face; tonight he was going to make her his.<\/p>\n<p>For a heart stopping moment Isobel thought he was going to kiss her, an instant fine layer of sweat seemed to spring up over her skin, but then Rafael broke the intense eye contact and kept dancing, pulling Isobel close again. She felt utterly exposed; the tango had become a display of Rafael\u2019s sensual domination over her and with every move, it felt like he knew more and more just how badly she hungered for him. Along with everyone else watching.<\/p>\n<p>Her fear of intimacy with this man and what it might reveal to him, and worse to<i>her<\/i> about her feelings for him, was hanging by a mere thread now.<\/p>\n<p>Finally the last chords of the achingly melancholic music died away and Isobel was breathing so hard she felt faint. She was also in a classic supplicant tango pose, bent back and looking up into Rafael\u2019s face. People were starting to clap but it was the triumphant look in his eyes that did it, Isobel acted completely on instinct and ripped her hand from his and slapped him across his face.<\/p>\n<p>Instantly a silence fell, the clapping stopped. Isobel stood awkwardly and attempted to walk off the floor, aghast at her reaction and what she\u2019d done but her wrist was caught and she was effectively twirled back into Rafael\u2019s hard body.<\/p>\n<p>Before she could react everything had disappeared as his mouth crashed down on hers and the entire world seemed to explode inside her head. His mouth was hard and hot, the slide of his tongue too erotically seductive for her to fight. Angrily she matched him, aggressively stroking his tongue with hers, teeth nipping and biting at his lower lip. In that moment she truly hated him for reducing her to this tumult of feelings.<\/p>\n<p>Her whole body was arched into his as if she wanted to fuse with him there and then, it felt like she was finally boiling over to a place of no return, all restraint being washed away in an overwhelming tide of need. And then Rafael pulled away and stepped back, albeit still holding Isobel\u2019s hand. Stunned, exposed and very shaken, Isobel could only follow on wobbly legs as they walked off the dance floor. To her abject relief, other people had started to dance again.<\/p>\n<p>Isobel was aware of Rafael issuing a curt instruction to someone and then they were out in the lobby and emerging into the cool night where his car was already waiting. In the back of the car, Isobel was still feeling crazily out of control.<\/p>\n<p>She blurted out heatedly, \u2018I\u2019m not going to apologise for that, it could have been a perfectly normal dance but you\u2026you turned it into something positively indecent.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Isobel shot him a glance to see his face stark, he ran a hand through his hair. She felt the waves of tension crackle off him.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018The only thing indecent about that dance was the intensity of sexual frustration. I was no more capable of keeping that dance clean that you were of not twining your seductive body around mine like a purring cat.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Isobel flushed as she recalled how it had felt to feel the slide of his thigh between her legs. The clich\u00e9 of tango being the vertical expression of a horizontal act really wasn\u2019t such a clich\u00e9. The truth was, the dance had been exhilarating.<\/p>\n<p>But right now one of her hands was holding the ripped sides of her dress together, in a futile attempt at some sort of modesty, when it felt as if she\u2019d just been made love to in front of an entire audience.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Need I remind you,\u2019 she hissed now desperately trying to claw back some dignity, \u2018That you were the one who ripped my dress like some kind of cave man.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>They were at the house. Rafael said nothing and just got out, and before Isobel could scramble out herself, Rafael was there. With a squeal Isobel saw Rafael duck low and then she was out of the car and over his shoulder in a fireman\u2019s lift. She clamped her mouth shut, knowing that it would be futile to say a word, and the sensation of Rafael\u2019s powerful shoulder under her body was rendering her speechless anyway.<\/p>\n<p>He climbed the stairs with ruthless intent in every step, and then walked all the way to his bedroom door, opened it and stepped inside and then kicked it shut with a foot.<\/p>\n<p>Suddenly Isobel was back on her feet and breathing harshly. A wild excitement mixed with fear sang in her blood. She knew she was powerless now, in the face of this overwhelming desire. She had no defences left. Rafael had chipped and picked away at them remorselessly. It made her blurt out unthinkingly, \u2018Don\u2019t come near me, you\u2019re a Neanderthal.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Tension and coiled energy bounced off Rafael in angry waves. A muscle twitched in his jaw, his eyes were black. Mere feet separated them but Isobel fancied in that moment that she could feel his heart beating, thundering like hers. She wanted him to close the distance, haul her into his arms and silence the cacophony of voices in her head and in her heart.<\/p>\n<p>But then, as if a switch had been flicked the tension disappeared. Rafael stepped back to the door. Isobel felt her whole body move slightly as if they were joined by an invisible thread.<\/p>\n<p>Rafael\u2019s face was carved from stone. Unreadable and harsh. And then in a low blistering voice he just said, \u2018Damn you Isobel.\u2019 And then he turned and walked out the door.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_one_fifth-2a64de42b738552fe666ca889af77e28\">\n.flex_column.av-av_one_fifth-2a64de42b738552fe666ca889af77e28{\n-webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n-moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class='flex_column av-av_one_fifth-2a64de42b738552fe666ca889af77e28 av_one_fifth  avia-builder-el-27  el_after_av_three_fifth  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding '     ><\/div>\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Click to Learn More<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1845,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","tags":[21],"portfolio_entries":[23],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.5 - 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