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Allegra 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.’
