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Rafael had stopped listening. His attention, his whole being was focused on the figure framed in the double doors of the ballroom.
Her black silky hair was caught up in a high, elaborate bun that made her sleek neck seem longer. And her dress, a simple but classy white gown threaded with gold sequined lines, followed her curves in a loving caress that made his mouth dry.
The vision of her, so stunning, so held together while he was falling apart inside, made his fingers tighten over the banister railing.
He watched Sasha approach and hug her. Her smile made his breath catch and, once again, Rafael felt a bolt of dismay at the thought of what he’d thrown away.
A waiter offered her a glass of champagne. She was about to take a sip when her gaze rose and collided with his.
The force of emotion that shot through him galvanised his frozen feet. He was moving along the balcony and the stairs before he’d taken a full breath.
Sasha saw him approach, gave him a stern don’t-mess-this-up-or-I’ll-castrate-you look and melted away into the crowd. Raven made no move to walk away, and he wasn’t sure whether he was relieved or disturbed because her face gave nothing away.
No pleasure. No censure. Just a careful social mask that made his heart twist.
‘You’re late.’ Ah, brava, Rafa. Brava.
‘My flight out of London was delayed due to fog. I explained to Sasha. She’s forgiven me.’
The not-so-subtle barb found its mark. I’m not here for you.
He wanted to touch, wanted to feel the warmth of her skin so badly, he had to swallow several times before he could speak.
‘I need to talk to you.’
Her eyes widened. ‘Why? I thought you said all you had to say in Mexico.’
He tried for a careless shrug. ‘Perhaps I have a few more things to say.’
She glanced away and gave her still-full glass to a passing waiter. ‘I don’t want to hear it. We were never friends, not really. And you fired me from being your physio. That leaves us nothing in common.’
‘I’m seeing a therapist,’ he blurted out.
Shocked eyes returned to his. ‘You are?’
His smile felt false and painful. ‘Yes, I figured I must be the only high-profile figure without the requisite head-shrinker as an accessory. Now I’m a fully fledged, card-carrying whack-job. But I still want to talk to you.’
She pressed lightly glossed lips together and shook her head. ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea.’
Feeling the ground rock under him, he reached out and captured her wrist. ‘You were right.’
Her breath caught. ‘About what?’ she whispered.
He started to answer but a burst of laughter from nearby guests stopped him. ‘Not here.’ He pulled her towards the doors and breathed in relief when she didn’t resist. The lift ride up to his VIP suite was made in silence. After shutting the door, he threw his key card on a nearby table and shrugged off his tuxedo jacket.
‘You were right about everything.’
She turned from the window overlooking the stunning marina. Her gaze slid over him, a hasty assessment which nevertheless made the blood thrum in his veins.
‘Even I can’t take responsibility for everything.’
‘According to my shrink, I’m suffering from a combination of survivor’s guilt and PTSD. Together, they make for one sexy but volatile cocktail of emotions.’
She licked her lips then curved them into a quick smile. An impersonal smile. She started to move towards the door. ‘Well, I’m happy that you’re getting some help. If that’s all, I’ll return downstairs. I don’t wish to be rude to Sasha—’
‘I also spoke to my father.’
She froze. He took advantage of her hesitation and stalked after her. Catching her around the waist, he pulled her body into his. She gave the tiniest gasp but didn’t fight to get away.
Rafael took that as a good sign. ‘I finally flew to León and spoke to my father.’ He gave her the gist of their family meeting.
‘Why are you telling me all this, Rafael?’ she whispered.
He pulled her closer until he felt the sweet curve of her bottom against his groin. For a quick second, he lost himself in her scent, breathed her in and let her warm his frozen soul. The past three weeks had shown him there was an even worse hell than the one he’d previously inhabited. Because in that one he’d lost Raven.
Hell without Raven was a whole new reality. One he was desperate to escape.
‘You made me face up to my flaws, to seek help before I hurt anyone else.’ He couldn’t stop himself from brushing his lips against her nape.
Her delicate shudder gave him hope but her next words dashed them completely. ‘So you wanted to thank me? I accept your gratitude. Let me go, please.’
