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Gabriel represented heat and pain. She couldn’t go there. Not when the time was approaching when they would file for divorce. Surely in a matter of days. Once that had happened, and she could maintain her distance from him, she would allow herself to breathe again. To feel the pain she knew she was avoiding.
But it was getting harder and harder. And tonight was worse than any other night.
It was as if he knew how tenuous her self-control was. At every opportunity he was touching her—her back, her arm—taking her hand, massaging her neck.
His touch was like a hot brand through her clothes. As if her body was conspiring with him to just melt and give in.
It would be so easy, whispered a little voice.
But she couldn’t. She knew Gabriel wanted her. It was in his eyes every time he looked at her. Or maybe that was just her desire projected onto him?
She was going crazy.
After the operation she’d thought she’d never feel again. Feel desire. Hope. Sensation. But the human body was a fickle traitor. Her body seemed disinclined to remember those painful days. It was as if normal operations had resumed in spite of Leonora’s emotional trauma.
‘Are you ready to go?’
Leonora blinked. As much as she dreaded Gabriel’s touch, because of what it did to her, she realised now that on some level she craved these fleeting moments for a few hours every week.
She moved out of his embrace and saw how his jaw tightened. ‘Yes, I’m ready to go.’
He put a hand on her elbow and led her out through the crowd. She could feel the tension in his body, reminding her of that night when she’d seen him and Lazaro together.
The function this evening had taken place in the same hotel where her engagement to Lazaro had almost been announced. She’d been so distracted that she only really noticed when they walked outside and there was a barrage of flashes and questions from the paparazzi.
‘Leonora! Gabriel! Over here!’
And then there was one voice which seemed to be elevated over all the rest.
‘Are you pregnant yet, Señora Torres?’
Gabriel bundled her into the car and Leonora was tight-lipped as he sat into the driver’s seat beside her. She was desperately trying to stem the hurt blooming inside her.
He was looking at her. She could feel his gaze on her. Concerned.
‘Are you okay? I’m sorry about that—they’re idiots.’
Leonora looked straight ahead. ‘Just drive. Please.’
Her tenuous hold on her emotions was breaking. Like taut wires finally snapping under the pressure.
Leonora wasn’t even aware of where they were going until Gabriel pulled into the underground car park of his city centre apartment. A sense of déjà vu slammed into her, further diminishing her sense of control. The memories here—
‘Why have we come here?’ she asked Gabriel.
He turned off the car engine and looked at her. ‘I have an early meeting in town in the morning. There’s a fully stocked closet here—it’s not a problem, is it?’
Leonora shook her head quickly, in case he might see something. ‘No, not at all.’
There was a touch of weariness in his tone, ‘There’s a spare bedroom here too, Leo. Don’t worry, I’m not trying to seduce you again.’
He got out.
For some reason his words felt like a slap in the face. Even though she’d been the one putting distance between them.
He opened her door and put out a hand. Leonora recalled that first night, when she’d been afraid to touch him. She’d been right to be afraid. And she was afraid again now. But she couldn’t avoid it.
She put her hand into his and let him help her out.
