‘I needed to see you.’
Alice lifted her hand to her opal choker, fingers closing around it like a talisman.
‘We’ve said everything, Adoni. Let’s leave it to the lawyers.’ Her eyes shimmered, over-bright, and he wanted to reach out and pull her close, assure her everything would be okay. Except the curl of raw terror in his gut was proof everything was far from okay.
‘No lawyers.’
‘Sorry?’ Her grasp on the necklace tightened.
‘What’s between us...’ For the life of him Adoni couldn’t prevent his gaze dropping to her flat stomach. ‘It’s not a matter for lawyers.’
If he’d thought that might convince her to listen, he was doomed to disappointment. Her pale face froze and her beautiful mouth tightened.
‘I’m sorry, Adoni.’ Her voice sounded stretched tight. ‘I can’t do this. Not here, not now.’ A jerky movement indicated her mother’s art on the walls. ‘This is already...difficult.’
He stepped closer. ‘I can imagine it is. But wonderful too. To see so much of your mother’s work in one place must be gratifying.’
Slate-blue eyes caught his, widening as if she were surprised at his understanding.
‘Your mother was very talented. Like you.’
Instantly Alice shook her head. ‘There’s no comparison. I’m just—’
‘An incredibly gifted artist.’ He could resist no longer. Adoni reached out and touched her bare arm, his fingertips tingling at the contact. She stilled, her breath locking in her lungs just like his. The touch became a caress, light as a windblown leaf, and he felt her shiver.
But she didn’t pull away.
His fingers encircled her arm, gently capturing her.
‘You’re right,’ he murmured, inhaling the aroma of sweet blossom and femininity that was Alice’s signature scent. ‘This isn’t the place.’
He pulled gently, inviting her into the exhibition’s final room. ‘There’s something I want you to see.Please.’
Adoni’s tension eased, just a little, when she moved with him. They turned a corner, into a dimly lit space where lights illuminated the sole painting in the room. An exquisite portrait in oils of a mother and child.
Alice froze. He heard the hiss of her breath.
‘How?’ She swallowed hard. ‘Felix didn’t mention this!’ She took a step closer, eyes on the painting, and Adoni released his hold.
‘It was a late inclusion.’ Adoni didn’t spare the painting a glance. All his attention was on Alice and the stark emotion in her taut frame. Had he done the right thing? ‘I hoped you’d like seeing it again—’
‘Youarranged this?’ She swung round and met his stare, her eyes shocked.
Hell! It was meant to be a pleasant surprise.
‘I’ve been negotiating for weeks to buy it. I was going to give it to you—’ he paused, not wanting to say the words, but knowing he must ‘—when you agreed to stay with me.’
Alice blinked and, to his horror, tears glistened in her eyes. Furiously she blinked them back. ‘That was a very kind gesture.’
Kind? He wasn’t kind. He’d wanted to make her as happy as he’d known he’d be when she agreed to be his.
Except it hadn’t worked out that way, had it?
‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.’
* * *
Alice stared up into Adoni’s strong face, noting the meticulously shaved jaw, the tautness in those proud features and the flicker of unease in his eyes. She’d never sensed such vulnerability in him. She didn’t know what to make of it.