The Forbidden Touch of Sanguardo

Safe in this bright new world, with Rafael at her side, the past seemed very far away.

When they got back to the little harbour and clambered ashore her legs felt like jelly. Rafael saw her wobble and caught her, his arm going around her waist. And once again Celeste felt his anchoring, felt his strength supporting her. She smiled up at him, her hair wind-tousled, fronding wildly out of the plait she’d woven it into to try and keep it tidy.

‘OK now?’ he said, and she nodded.

He let her go, turning to thank the helmsman. Then they climbed aboard the electric buggy to drive back up to the hotel.

‘A good experience?’ Rafael asked.

Celeste grinned, brushing back her unruly hair. ‘Wonderful! I’ll remember it all my life!’

He gazed, enthralled. Never yet had he seen her with so carefree an expression. He could not take his eyes from her. Only a smothered ‘Rafael!’ from her made him realise he was steering the buggy at the verge. He straightened it and concentrated on driving.

Back at the hotel, they headed for the pool. Diving into its cool depths was refreshing after the heat of the sun and the salty air at sea, and as Celeste surfaced it was to find Rafael beside her. His sable hair was slicked back off his face; strong, sinewed shoulders broke the surface. Effortlessly, he levered himself out of the pool in a single movement, then held down a hand to Celeste. She took it, feeling his strong fingers close around hers, and with similar effortless ease he lifted her clear. Then, refreshed, they settled back on their loungers.

A server cruised by and Celeste gratefully ordered iced water and coffee.

‘No tea?’ Rafael queried, echoing her order.

She gave a laugh and made a face. ‘This is the USA—they don’t do tea that’s drinkable by the English! I stick to coffee here!’

‘Have you travelled much in the States?’ he asked.

She dried her face and started to apply more sunblock after her swim.

‘Some,’ she said. ‘I’ve done a shoot at the Grand Canyon, which was breathtaking. And one in New Orleans—which is an amazing place. And then New England in the fall—also breathtaking. Plus, of course, I go to New York every year for the fashion shows.’

He nodded. ‘I have offices there, but I spend less time there now. I prefer to visit the West Coast when I can. It’s quicker to get back to Maragua from there.’ He glanced at her again. ‘Do you know California?’

Celeste shook her head. ‘We stopped over in SF on our way out here, but only at the airport.’

‘And what about Hawaii? Have you been here before?’

She gave another quick shake of her head. ‘No, this is the first time. And it’s as fabulous as its reputation says it is!’

Rafael smiled. ‘And does it tempt you to go further across the Pacific? Down to Australia, perhaps?’

It was a casually voiced question, asked in the same friendly conversational tone as before, but as he asked her it was as if a shutter came down over her face. Just as he’d seen happen before, in London, when he’d asked her about how she’d become interested in astronomy.

‘No,’ he heard her say. The single word was negating and final.

He frowned. What had made her close down like that? ‘You’d never care to go there?’ he probed carefully.

She looked away, unwilling to meet his eyes. ‘Not really,’ she answered, making her voice as indifferent as she could. Hurriedly she sought to change the subject. ‘Did you manage to get a place on the stargazing trip?’ she asked.

He had—he’d made it a priority, knowing how much Celeste was looking forward to it.

* * *

The expedition did not disappoint.

With no moon, and no light pollution, the night sky was blazing with stars.