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Our lips finally meet in a tender, soft, silken kiss, igniting a fire within both of us that burns with a newfound intensity. My hands trace the contours of Tatiana's back, feeling the softness of her skin beneath my fingertips. She gasps against my lips, her breath mingling with mine as our tongues seek solace in one another.
"Tomorrow," she whispers, biting her lower lip through our kiss.
"Tomorrow," I whisper back, gathering her up into my arms and whisking her away to my bedroom.
As Tatiana descends the staircase the next evening, I can’t help but smile. Shimmering silver chiffon clings to her curves before flaring out dramatically at the hips into a full, sweeping skirt. Beaded pearls glitter down her sweetheart neckline, drawing the eye to her elegant collarbones.
The graceful line of her neck and shoulders is left exposed by the intricate braiding of her mahogany hair. I take her hand and brush my lips across her knuckles.
"Sembri assolutamente mozzafiato stasera," I murmur. – You look breathtaking tonight.
A hint of color rises in her cheeks. "Why thank you, kind sir," she replies, giving me a playful nudge on my shoulder. I pretend to stumble and fall back, and she does that shy laugh of hers, where she squeals through her barely open mouth and claps her hands at the fall of her waist, a delicate dove afraid to burst free in emotion.
I regained my balance and bow at my performance. She rolls her eyes and walks closer, taking me by the arm. "Come," she directs. "It’s time to leave."
But I hold her back. She turns, spinning into my arms. I place my arms on her shoulders and help her find her balance. Then, keeping her in place, I circle her until I stand behind her and place my arm around her collarbone.
She closes her eyes and tilts her head into her right shoulder. With a single finger, I trail her bare cleavage, the fine hair on her supple skin rising to my cold touch.
I pull out a handkerchief and tie her eyes closed. She gasps, reaching for it, but I take her hands and hold them behind her back, gently leading her to a mirror in the hallway.
"Something is missing, Songbird," I whisper.
"What?" she heaves breathlessly, her breasts rising and falling in a crescendo through the tight corset of her ball gown. I can't help but stare at them. I can't wait to get her out of this dress.
"Patience."
I pull out a velvet jewelry box. Nestled inside is an exquisite diamond necklace - a string of glittering stones that will complement the gown perfectly. "A little something to remember your big night," I say as I gently fasten it around her swan-like neck. I remove the blindfold.
She gasps softly as the diamonds come to rest against her collarbone, falling to the crevice between her breasts. She reaches up to brush her fingers over them reverently.
"It's stunning, Philippe. I couldn't possibly accept this."
"You must, Songbird. This was made for you," I place a feather-light kiss on her shoulder, inhaling her sweet floral scent.
She turns, those brilliant green eyes finding mine. Her lips curve into a radiant smile. "What did I ever do to deserve you?" she wonders aloud.
I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her close."Mi faccio la stessa domanda su di te ogni giorno,"– I ask myself the same thing about you every day – I murmur before capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. "Now come, we must go."
The sleek black limousine glides through the streets of Philadelphia, heading towards the grand Metropolitan Opera House. Beside me, Tatiana fidgets nervously with the diamond necklace glittering under the passing streetlights.
"It's going to be incredible tonight,cara mia," I say, giving her hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze. "Your voice is sublime. The moment you step on that stage, you will captivate every soul in the audience."
She offers me a small, anxious smile. "I hope you're right. I've been fearing this moment ever since..." she stops. "But now that it's finally here..." She trails off, her gaze distant.
She is overcome with emotion.
"Hey." I tilt her chin up gently so her eyes meet mine. "You were born for this. I have never heard someone sing with such heart and passion. You move people, Tatiana. That's a rare gift."
She lets out a shaky breath, then nods. "Thank you, Philippe. I don't know what I'd do without you."
The limo slows to a stop in front of the grand entrance, throngs of people filing inside dressed in evening attire. I step out and offer Tatiana my hand. "Ready, my songbird?"
She takes a deep breath, squares her shoulders, and accepts my hand. "Ready."
I escort her inside, past the glittering chandeliers and sweeping marble staircases. I accompany her to her dressing room backstage, wish her luck and return to take my seat alone in the private box overlooking the stage. I insisted on no company.
Nothing and no one must distract me from my Songbird tonight.
