‘While it’s still a little early, I can hazard a guess as to the sex of the babies if either of you wish to know?’
‘They are healthy. That’s all that matters,’ Joao said.
But Saffie shook her head. ‘I want to know, please. I can’t stand the suspense.’
The doctor smiled. ‘There’s a strong likelihood that you’re expecting twin boys.’
Joao inhaled sharply, his face tightening with raw, unfettered emotion before the mask slid back into place. His hand rose to hover beside her. After a moment he swallowed and dropped it back down.
And just like that, wild hope turned to dust.
She kept her gaze firmly fixed on the doctor for the remainder of the examination, and breathed with strained relief when it was over.
As Joao escorted him out, the sound of rotor blades filled the air.
Lavinia’s arrival forestalled any private interaction with Joao, a fact Saffie wasn’t sure whether to be pleased or further agonised about.
The older woman, bright-eyed and raring to go, promptly demanded an extensive tour of the estate.
In the custom-made air-conditioned buggy, Saffie caught Lavinia’s subtle questions, probing Joao’s values and intentions.
As she listened to him field them with a dextrous mix of charm and intellect, Saffie also realised one thing.
While Joao might be locked in battle with his father and was bitter about his upbringing, it hadn’t diminished the part of him that selflessly provided for those in need or gave back to people who served him. He could have easily become selfish and close-minded over his start
in life. But he’d done the opposite. He’d provided jobs to a staggering amount of Brazilians, invested in organic, self-sustaining ventures that were the envy of most organisations, and there was the unabashed pride in his heritage that throbbed in his voice when he spoke of his country.
She’d known he was a man of integrity from her first professional interaction with him.
And as their helicopter came in to land in the middle of the football stadium that held one hundred and twenty thousand screaming soccer fans chanting Joao’s name, Saffie knew there was no point talking herself out of the inevitable because it’d already happened.
She was in love with Joao Oliviera.
The earth-shaking admission both terrified and thrilled her. She placed a balled fist against her heart, as if it would stop its reckless pounding.
‘What’s wrong?’ The question was sharp.
Startled, she realised that even while he’d greeted his players, introduced them to a goggle-eyed Lavinia, and acknowledged the crowd, he’d kept an eye on her.
She hurriedly composed her features. ‘Nothing. The crowd’s a little overwhelming, that’s all.’
He nodded tersely. ‘Then we will retire to somewhere more private. Come.’
He held out his arm to her, his gaze enigmatic as he watched her. She was reminded of their conversation and his promise that he wouldn’t touch her, and her heart skipped a beat. But the moment she took his arm, he held out the other to Lavinia, disavowing her of the notion that it was anything other than simple courtesy, and led them off the red carpet laid out especially for him on the field.
The immense owner’s box granting unfettered access to the field was decked with twenty-five sumptuous luxury leather seats, while on the tables vintage champagne, oysters, caviar and other glorious canapés teased every appetite.
After introductions were made to the mayor and several dignitaries, Saffie left Joao to further dazzle Lavinia and took a seat as the countdown to kick-off began.
But even removed from the power gathering, she couldn’t stop her gaze from devouring Joao’s stunning male beauty, from wondering when it’d happened.
At what exact moment had her heart decided to risk everything by falling in love with her boss?
What did it matter?
It was done. Her heart belonged to him.
The only problem was, did he want it? Now or ever? Or was that promise of distance just the beginning of a chasm she might not be able to breach?