Page 3 of His UnBearable Touch
Allegra didn't know what to say, or even if she should say anything. Her father's voice echoed in her head, telling her she'd likely gone, ‘from the frying pan into the fryer.’
The supportive arm tucked her into the man’s side. She felt him tremble against her, but couldn't determine if it was fear or rage that coursed through him.
“Are you hurt?”
She leaned into the hand that touched her cheek. “N- no,” she licked her lips in a nervous gesture, “just scared.” She took a breath. “Thankful.”
Allegra reached into her pocket.
“You don't need your phone,” he told her, “I'll take you anywhere you want to go.”
He stepped away until she could only feel his hand on her shoulder. A moment later she felt him press something into her hand.
“My cane.” Shifting the grip in her hand she gave the floor an explorative tap and nodded. It was in working condition. “Thank you.” A shuffle of sound drew her attention and she leaned into the gentleman. “Is he still there?” She couldn’t help the wavering tone of her voice.
“He’s gone.” She heard a moment of disappointment in his tone at first, and then a hint of savage satisfaction. “I’ll hunt him down later.”
She shivered. “I don’t want to be near him ever again.”
Suddenly, she was wrapped securely in his arms. She felt the strength of his gentle embrace, his size didn’t frighten her, it felt like a shield instead. She drew in a breath and smelled a hint of sandalwood mixed with other subtle scents that drew her closer.
Allegra felt his breath tickle the edge of her ear and the shivers going through her body were pleasant instead of fearful as they had been a few moments before. “He’ll never get near you again.” She heard the earnest tone of his voice and felt a warm rush through her body. “I won’t let him,” she felt a gentle kiss of sensation on her cheek, the soft scratch of a trimmed beard, “I need you to know that.”
She shook her head, struggling to understand the instant rapport she felt with him. “I,” she swallowed the knot in her throat and lifted her free hand between them, setting it on his chest, “I believe you, but I don’t know why.” A line pinched between her brows, as she tilted her head back, wishing she could see his face. “You’re holding me and I’m not afraid of you.” She heard the wonder in her own voice and felt a warm blush flood her cheeks. “I just don’t understand.”
He leaned toward her, the scent of sandalwood strengthening with his movement, the caress of his warm breath against her cheek.
“You know me, somewhere deep down inside, and I know you.”
“You,” her words tripped over her thoughts, “you know me?”
“Stellina,” she heard the depth of emotion in his voice and she let it wash over her with a sense of wonder, “I’ve always known you were somewhere in the world. That I’ve found you underground makes me feel a bit like Orpheus.”
The mention of the tragic hero in Greek mythology gave her a secret thrill. She’d had a connection to his story from the time she’d been plunged into her own dark hell. “The only difference,” she found a new strength as she spoke, “is that you have no fear that I’ll look back when you lead me out of here. I couldn’t see a thing no matter how hard I tried, so the gesture would be a complete waste.”
She heard a soft chuff of laughter and leaned closer trying to decipher the odd scratch of sound. Allegra felt him take hold of her free hand and set it on his arm. The fine wool under her hand invited her hand to explore, but she held back, touching the tip of her cane to the ground before her feet.
“But your name,” she hesitated to ask, feeling like she might break the spell he’d wound around her, “isn’t Orpheus, is it?”
Allegra couldn’t see his face, but she imagined that there was a smile on his lips.
“Valerio,” he offered the name and she found herself repeating it in her head. “Valerio Orsino. And you?”
It was only fair, she decided, he’d saved her from danger. The least she could do was give him her name in exchange. Before she spoke, she felt his fingers trace over the back of her hand, lightly rolling the silver chain bracelet that encircled her wrist. “Allegra Rossetti, and I’d like to thank you for helping me.”
He lifted the chain from her skin and she felt it trace the tender skin on the inside of her wrist like a caress. “I couldn’t let him hurt you,” he replied, “I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again.”
As they began to move she didn’t feel the tight press of people around her, didn’t feel jostling elbows or hear muttered curses. If she didn’t know better, she’d think that people on the subway platform were stepping aside to give them a wide berth as they walked through the station. Perhaps they sensed the wild strength in Valerio like she did.
They mounted the stairs together, while Valerio guided her with gentle touches and soft words. She noted the tenderness in his manners and felt his strength beneath her hand. He said he wouldn’t let anyone hurt her and the hopeless romantic in her believed him.
He’d called her his star, but maybe he just might be the same for her. He just might be the light in her darkness after all these years.
Chapter Two
She was walking again, but this time with Valerio’s arm under her hand, her cane held in the other. She hesitantly extended the cane out before her, worried that somehow she’d trip someone or anger them with her confused fumblings.
The noise continued around them, but it didn’t push into her like before. Her experience now was unhurried and gave her a chance to absorb the environment. “So, this is what it’s like.”