Page 10 of His UnBearable Touch

“I think one of the others might have.”

Allegra nodded. “Maybe.” She quieted as the reality of her situation settled over her. “This is all,” her hands waved around a little as she struggled to find the right words, “kind of surreal.” The more she thought about it that way, the more it made sense. “I think you were amazing this afternoon,” she explained to him, “I don’t want to think about what would have happened if you hadn’t been there-” sensations rushed back through her body, fear, panic. She slammed the door closed on those thoughts and stood, using the time to steady her nerves. “It was sweet of you to invite me,” she began, “but, I’m sure you don’t need me interrupting dinner with your family.”

“I wouldn’t ask if it was an interruption, Allegra.” He stepped closer to her. “You feel it, don’t you? This connection between us?”

She wanted to deny it, but she couldn’t, not when her heart told her she would only be denying the truth.

“It feels,” she began to speak and then took a breath, “it does feel like something out of a dream.”

“Nothing wrong with a dream, is there?”

She drew in a breath, steadying herself. “Not when you’re used to a nightmare.”

“Allegra,” she felt his hand touch her arm, “what happened?”

She cleared her throat once… and then again. “Please, I shouldn’t have said anything.” His hand mirrored his tender touch on her other arm. “I don’t want to think about that. Not now.”

She heard his hesitation, felt the gentle reassurance of his presence.

“Then, come, Allegra. Come and meet my family.”

She squeezed her eyes closed, as if it made any difference besides the comfort it gave her. A barrier of sorts that was only in her head, but no less effective. “It’s a big step.”

“Big step, how?”

Allegra swept the tip of her tongue over her bottom lip and blew out a breath. “It’s part of that nightmare,” she explained, “I’m not used to doing much outside of rehearsal and then back to my apartment. A few stores here and there if it isn’t delivered. Before agreeing to play with the orchestra I hadn’t done much of anything in my life besides prepare to be ‘outside’ again.” She shook her head. “I know… it probably sounds crazy-”

“It sounds like you’re a survivor, Allegra. You’re taking back your life, waking up from your nightmare. And now, I’m here-”

“I’ve been alone for so long,” the admission hurt, “I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

She felt his lips brush against her cheek before trailing across her lips.

“You’re not alone, Stellina. You have me, you have my family, you’re one of us.”

Allegra blinked back the tears that threatened to fall and brushed her lips against his.

“And I’ll be here for you.”

* * *

He felt a slight hesitation in Allegra as the front door closed behind them. Valerio used the hand he’d placed on her lower back to curve around her side and stepped closer to her.

She’d been overwhelmed in the subway earlier, but most people would assume that Carducci’s would be a cake walk compared to that. Valerio knew that wasn’t true.

Everything at Carducci’s was larger than life. The food, the furniture, flavors… but also the personalities.

And with personalities came volume.

Even in the entryway, which held the vintage allure of an upscale Italian restaurant from the heyday of Hollywood’s glamour, everything was overdone… over the top.

Valerio kept his hand on Allegra’s lower back, smoothing his thumb back and forth to keep her calm, but to reassure him that she was actually there beside him.

The host walked up from the dining room, his impeccable suit gracing his aging form. “Your party is already here, Mr. Orsino.” He extended a greeting and pressed a kiss to each of Valerio’s cheeks. “It’s so good to see you again.”

“Paulie, we were here a few nights ago.”

“True, but we love having you and your family here at Carducci’s. And you brought a guest with you.” Paulie’s tone spoke volumes. Before Salvatore had found Natale, Paulie had fancied himself a bit of a matchmaker… at least with his daughters and nieces. It had been quite a relief when he’d realized that the only reason they came to Carducci’s was the food.

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