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‘We haven’t talked about your racing.’
His settled his long frame next to hers, his eyes serious. ‘I think I need to concentrate on getting myself mentally in shape before I get behind the wheel. I’ve turned down a seat for this season.’
Knowing what it must have taken for him to turn down what he loved doing, her heart swelled. ‘You take care of the mental aspect. I’ll make sure your body is whipped into shape in time for next year’s season.’
He grinned and tugged her close. ‘I’d expect no less from my take-no-prisoners future wife.’
Her breath stalled. ‘Is that a proposal, Rafael?’
‘It’s whatever you want it to be. If you don’t think I’ll make a good enough husband, you can take me as your sex slave. Or your boy toy. Or your f—’
She stopped him with a kiss before he finished. His incorrigible laugh promised retribution. And, for the life of her, Raven couldn’t think of a better way to be punished.
‘Sasha is going to hate me for disappearing from her gala,’ she said an hour later.
‘No, she’s not. I begged her to send you the invitation. We both agreed I owe her big.’
She mock glared at him. ‘You’re right, you haven’t changed one little bit.’
He laughed, a rich sound that made her soul sing. When he stared deep into her eyes her heart turned over. ‘I have something to show you.’
Curious, she watched him reach into his drawer and pull out a sheaf of papers.
‘You finished it?’
‘Yes,’ he answered. There was no laughter in his voice, no shameless lust monster lurking behind the stunning blue eyes.
There was only a careful, almost painfully hopeful expectancy.
She took the papers from him. Seeing the one word title, her heart caught—Mamá.
‘I knew it. I knew Ana and Carlos were your parents.’
Two hours later, she looked up, tears streaming down her face. He’d sat with her back tucked against his front, in watchful silence while she read, all the while knowing he’d been reading his words alongside her.
The sheen of tears in his eyes rocked her soul.
‘It’s beautiful, Rafael.’
‘Gracias. I hope, wherever she is, she forgives me for what I did.’
‘She’s your mother. That’s what mothers do. And I promise to remind you of that whenever the nightmares threaten.’
The look in his eyes made hers fill all over again. ‘Mi corazon. I don’t deserve you.’
Her smile was watery. ‘No, you don’t. But I’ll let you have me anyway.’
EPILOGUE
‘SO WHAT DO I get for winning the bet?’ Raven asked as they stood in another luxurious room, surrounded by well-heeled guests, the very best vintage champagne and excellent food.
‘What more could you possibly want, mi amor? You have my slavish adoration by day and my hot body by night.’
‘Yes, but do you know how draining it’s been to reassure you every day for the last three months that your book will be a smashing success? That more than one person will turn up at this launch?’
Rafael mock frowned. ‘Have I been that needy?’
‘Yes, you have, but don’t think I wasn’t fooled by what that neediness got you. You owe me big.’
‘I seem to owe everyone big. Okay, how about...’ He whispered a very hot, very dirty suggestion of payment. She was still blushing several minutes later when they both heard the whine of an electric wheelchair.
Rafael’s father stopped beside them. An electronic copy of Rafael’s book had been programmed into a tablet on his wheelchair, and the front page showed a picture of Rafael’s mother, her face creased in a stunning smile as she laughed into the camera.
Rafael told her he’d taken that picture the year before she died.
‘Carlos, please tell your son to stop worrying about his book. He thinks one of us has been bribing the critics to give it rave reviews.’
Carlos smiled and glanced at his son. Then he started to speak to him in Spanish. Slowly, Rafael’s smile disappeared until his face was transformed into a look of intense love and gratitude. With a shaky hand, he touched his father’s shoulder, then bent forward and kissed both his cheeks.
‘Gracias, Papá.’ His voice was rough as he straightened.
Carlos nodded, his own eyes holding a sheen of tears as he rolled his chair away.
‘What did he say?’
‘He’s proud of me. And my mother would be too if she were here.’
As hard as she blinked, the tears welled. ‘Damn it, you de Cervantes men sure know how to ruin a girl’s make up.’
He caught her around the waist and pulled her close into his hard body.
