LITMIR.BIZ

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tried to smile but she felt so nervous and exposed that she wasn’t sure she managed it. Rafael looked almost unbearably sexy in a midnight-black tuxedo, the snowy white shirt offsetting his olive skin, his hair brushed back from his forehead, his eyes glittering like polished bronze, everything about him radiating that restless energy that had drawn her to him nearly five months ago.

      ‘Is it too much?’ she asked with an uncertain laugh. ‘The dress, I mean?’ Her hands fluttered at her sides and she lifted her chin, trying for pride. She’d chosen this dress. She’d wear it no matter what Rafael thought...and yet she wished he’d smile or say something. He was practically scowling.

      ‘You look...’ Rafael stopped, his voice hoarse. Allegra waited, her heart fluttering like a trapped bird in her chest. ‘Magnificent.’

      A smile unfurled like a flower across her face, and then she was beaming. She couldn’t help it. A distant voice in her head was telling her not to be so obvious, not to let Rafael affect her. Why should she care what he thought? Why should she want to please or impress him? She shouldn’t. She most certainly shouldn’t.

      And yet as Rafael grinned back that voice was silenced. Tonight she was a beautiful woman, and he was a handsome man, and they were going to hear the most wonderful music together. Allegra wanted to let herself enjoy it without trying to stay safe or sensible. She wanted to forget that she didn’t trust him, wasn’t even sure she liked him, and that the future was entirely uncertain. Tonight she wanted to leave all that behind and enter into the magic. And so she would.

      * * *

      Rafael had never seen Allegra look so beautiful. She was more than merely beautiful—she was incandescent, breathtaking. The ice-blue of her gown flowed like cool water over her perfect curves, the faint bump of her belly making a deep, protective urge rise within Rafael like a primal howl of possession. She was his. No matter what the results of the amniocentesis were, no matter what the future held. His to protect, to provide for, to possess. His.

      Then he saw the sapphire pendant at her throat and it slammed into him yet again who her father was, who his was, and all the hard history that lay between them...dark, difficult history Allegra didn’t know about, but which marked every moment of Rafael’s life. History that reminded him that letting someone into your life, even just a little, was a terrifying responsibility as well as a formidable risk.

      A faint frown marred Allegra’s brow and Rafael banished the memory, the realisation, the fear. Those were not for tonight, when all he wanted to do was enjoy the evening...and Allegra. He stretched out his hand and she took it, slender fingers sliding between his. She squeezed his hand, and it felt like a promise, an agreement. Tonight was for them, for magic.

      Wordlessly he led her downstairs to the waiting limo.

      The evening felt expectant, although for what Rafael couldn’t say. Despite their near-kiss over a week ago, he didn’t actually expect anything physical to happen between them. He didn’t want it, not if he forced himself to think rationally. If he let his libido lead the way, he’d peel that slippery dress from her creamy skin and have her in the back of this limo.

      Yet far more unsettling than his desire for her was his desire to please her. He’d found himself arranging small treats and pleasures for her all week, simply to see her reaction. He told himself it was part of his duty, his responsibility to take care of her. The feeling inside him, as if his heart was a balloon floating higher and higher, was just a fringe benefit.

      In any case, he wasn’t going to start feeling things for Allegra Wells. After losing everyone he cared about, he was hardly going to let someone else get under his skin. Into his heart. No matter what happened with their child.

      The Lincoln Center was glowing with lights as the limo pulled in front of the concert hall where the Philharmonic was playing. Rafael saw more than one man steal a speculative or even lascivious look at Allegra as she moved through the crowd, a stunning goddess with her red-gold curls tumbling artfully onto her bare, creamy shoulders.

      She turned to glance back at him, grey eyes sparkling like silver stars. ‘This is amazing, Rafael. Thank you.’

      Every time she said his name he felt an arrow of satisfaction pierce him sweetly. He told himself it didn’t matter.

      They took their seats, Allegra excitedly perusing her programme like a child on her first trip to the circus.

      Her enthusiasm made Rafael smile as he leaned forward to ask her, ‘Haven’t you been to concerts before?’

      She wrinkled her nose. ‘Oh, dear. Is my newbie status showing?’

      ‘It’s charming,’ Rafael replied, ‘but I would have thought, as a seasoned New Yorker, as well as a music-lover, this would be old hat to you.’

      She shook her head, curls bouncing. ‘No, not really. Not at all. I’ve been to concerts, but they’ve been free ones in churches and things like that. I’ve never heard the Philharmonic play live.’

      ‘Never?’ He was surprised.

      She gave him a laughing look. ‘Not everyone’s a millionaire.’

      Billionaire, actually, but he wasn’t going to debate the point. He sat back in his seat, legs stretched out in front of him. ‘Your father had plenty of money.’ Not that he remotely wanted to talk about her father.

      ‘My father did,’ Allegra agreed quietly, some of the sparkle gone from her eyes, ‘but we didn’t. My mother didn’t get anything from the divorce.’

      Rafael frowned. ‘She must have had some financial settlement.’

      ‘Nope, not a penny.’ Allegra shrugged. ‘I don’t know why.’

      ‘She didn’t sue for alimony?’ It didn’t make any sense.

      ‘I was only twelve, I didn’t ask. And I haven’t asked since then because, to be honest, it just gets her going. She’s always been bitter about it. All I know is my father managed to arrange things so we were left with nothing.’

      Rafael supposed he shouldn’t be shocked; he knew how heartless Mancini had been. But he was surprised, on Allegra’s behalf. Why did she still care about him when he’d treated her so badly? ‘So how did you survive?’

      ‘My mother sold some jewellery to start, and she also had various boyfriends who helped.’ Allegra made a face. ‘That sounds awful, doesn’t it? But my mother was used to living in a certain style, and it still makes her furious that she can’t.’

      ‘And what about you? Does it make you furious?’

      Allegra shrugged, her gaze sliding away as her fingers touched the sapphire nestled at her throat as if it was a talisman. ‘I don’t care so much about things. And I’ve supported myself since I was eighteen.’

      ‘Eighteen.’ Another surprise. ‘Did you go to university?’ He realised that, despite having spent the last week and a half in her company, he didn’t know that much about her or her life. Not that he’d actually spent much time with her. He’d intentionally stayed away, not wanting to complicate matters. Not wanting to get close. Now, however, he realised he wanted to know more about her... even if it unwise.

      ‘No, I didn’t.’ Allegra pursed her lips, her gaze shadowed. ‘I decided it wasn’t for me.’

      Rafael felt sure there was something she wasn’t saying, but he had no idea what it was. ‘What about you?’ she asked. ‘Did you go to university?’

      ‘No, I went to work when I was sixteen.’ He felt his chest go tight, his jaw hard, just because of the memories. His fist bunched on his thigh and he forced himself to relax. ‘We needed the money.’

      ‘Then we have something in common.’ Allegra gazed at him in sorrowful compassion, and Rafael knew she was keeping herself from asking about their fathers on purpose. Neither of them wanted to prise open that Pandora’s box right now.

      ‘Yes, I suppose

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