Page 58 of His UnBearable Touch

He answered with a kiss on her bare shoulder.

“Thank you.”

He trembled against her. “For?”

“For listening to me.” She snuggled back against his chest. “For giving me some space.”

“You are my mate, Allegra. I would do anything for you.”

Chapter Fourteen

Jane chuckled softly as the heavy stage door closed behind them. “Goodness, Allegra. There’s no shortage of handsome men when you’re around.”

Allegra’s laugh was easier than it had been for the last few days. “I’m glad to provide you with entertainment.”

“That,” the older woman giggled, “and plenty of eye-candy.”

Feeling her cheeks flaming with heat, Allegra’s shoulder shook with a new round of silent chuckles. “Any of them strike your fancy?” Allegra felt Jane step up beside her again and offer her arm. Taking it, they walked down the hallway.

“Any? Oh, sweetheart, I’m taken, but I’ll look my fill. Even if I was single it would be all just a blushing fantasy, but I sure do like to imagine what they look like under those tailored suits.”

Nodding, Allegra knew to expect the turn up ahead and then the short walk to the elevator. “I’ll leave that to you. There’s only one man’s suit that I want to get into.”

And it felt good to think about him.

After being with Jane for the last few days and focusing on her rehearsals and the upcoming concert, she was ready to go home.

Yes, home. Free of the anxieties driven by the secrets and the notes, her worries had melted away under the sway of her music. Somewhere between Bach and Debussy, Adagio and Vivace, she had finally risen above the fear in her heart and she’d found the clarity she’d been seeking.

And that clarity was Valerio. Her mate.

Reaching up her free hand she felt the healed mark under the shoulder of her dress. It wasn’t just a declaration or something as ephemeral as a ring, the mark she wore on her shoulder went all the way to her heart, her very soul.

A moment later, she realized that they’d stopped walking.

“Sorry, I was in my head again.”

“Well, if you’re thinking of your man, then it’s a lovely place to be.” Jane opened the door to her dressing room. “And when you’re actually with him after the show tonight, you be sure to thank him for the brunch he sent over to my apartment. I’ve never had such a lovely meal before.”

“You and me both,” Allegra sighed and leaned forward, reaching for the pianist. Jane returned the hug and continued down the hall to her own dressing room.

Allegra stepped inside and moved to the closet six paces away, sliding open the panel. Hanging inside was the gown that Natale had designed for her, a soft buttery silk patterned with a raised-texture that tickled under her fingertips. Natale had left her a message that they would meet her backstage after the concert, so she would have a chance to thank the designer in person. She would have a chance to thank them all in person.

The air conditioning system clicked on, ramping up as it always did before a show. During rehearsals the theater could get away with a bare minimum of air-conditioning, enough to keep the performers and their instruments cool and at the appropriate temperature, but when they were about to open the doors to ticket holders and patrons they needed to add extra power to the system to maintain the right temperatures with the hundreds of added bodies in the theater.

That meant that it was time to do make-up.

“My favorite time of the day.” The table was a few steps away and she sat down in the chair and slowly moved her hand over the surface of the table. She located her compact and her lipstick, blush, eyeliner and then the edge of an envelope.

The breath rushed out of her lungs as she picked it up from the table, fumbling it once before she managed to hold it between her fingers. Untucking the top flap of the envelope she pulled out the card inside.

Braille.

Allegra blew out a breath and felt a tremor roll through her body, fear spreading like ink in water, curling through her body. Touching her fingers to the raised letters she read the message.

See you tonight after the show

Mia Anima Gemella

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