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It took a long while for the tears to stop In the early months, when she had still been raw from Kaz’s death, with Benji still so tiny, so bereaved, they had coht, but it had been a long, long time since she had cried—and never with anyone to comfort her

At last there were no more tears Rafaello slipped his arm around her shoulder and led her into his rooentleness in his voice she’d never heard before He lowered her down to an armchair beside the empty fireplace and hunkered down beside her He took her hands

‘Forgive norance’ His mouth twisted wryly ‘As I have done before about you’ He paused ato say—that Benji is a fortunate child to have such devotion from you’

‘He is my son’ It was a cry from her heart

Rafaello pressed her hands ‘He is your son,’ he confirmed ‘And your love for him shines like a beacon in the dark You have taken him into your heart, and he is there for ever now’

He raised her hands to his lips So that sounded a sweet, clear note He stood up, taking her with hi her hands

And then, in the diht, he kissed her

It was a light kiss, as soft as silk, but when he kissed her again, holding her hands against his chest so that she could feel the warh the palms of her hand and the fine material of his shirt, his embrace deepened

‘I desire you very ht?’

Her eyes were deep and dark

‘Rafaello—I…there is so you should know—’

He smiled ‘You have more secrets?’ he chided ‘Tell me all!’

She felt herself colour slightly ‘A ry—’

He shook his head ‘My anger was at the thought of your irresponsibility in conceiving a child who could not naed, ‘as for promiscuity itself—well, I have known many women—perhaps I should not have, but…’ he met her eyes with a rueful look ‘…it came easily to me Do not think me too conceited, but a man with money is always attractive’