As soon as the intermission is announced, I guide her toward the bar, and I notice that she's not as tense as before. She's not automatically rejecting my touch, so I decide to get myself into her good graces again.
"I see you're enjoying the show," I say, the corners of my mouth curling upward.
"Oh, yes! It's wonderful. I have no words," she exclaims, and she starts discussing the plot of the opera, our previous interaction seemingly forgotten.
I play along, all too happy to see such joy on her face.
"Here," I say, offering her a glass of champagne.
Her brows draw together as she regards the glass.
"I've never had alcohol before," she says, but she makes no move to refuse it.
"Try it, but slowly."
She brings the flute to her lips, sipping some of the bubbly drink.
"My God!" Her eyes widen, a sound of pure pleasure escaping her. Forgetting my advice, she empties the glass and holds it out to me for more.
"Easy, little tigress."
"Please?" She flutters her eyelashes at me, and I almost groan.
Now, how can I refuse that?
I order another flute of champagne, and just like the other one, she empties it in one go.
"No more," I say, shaking my head when I see her expression.
"But…"
I tug on her elbow, guiding her back to the box.
The third act starts, and I expect Allegra to go back to ignoring me in favor of the opera. But even though her eyes are focused on the play, her body seems to inch closer to mine.
Her palm is suddenly on my thigh, and going by the way it moves around, she's definitely copping a feel.
"Allegra?" I ask, and a small giggle escapes her.
I raise her chin, and her eyes are completely glazed over.
"Allegra, are you drunk?" A droll smile spreads across her face.
Her hands reach out to grab on to my shirt, bringing her face close to mine.
"You…" she slurs, a crease appearing between her brows as she tries to find her words. "You say I'm yours, but… why can't you be mine too?" She squints at me, and one finger pokes me in the chest. "Not fair," she continues to grumble.
I'm trying but failing not to smile, the display entirely too adorable. But drunk Allegra goes one step further. Her face contorts in pain as she bites down on her tongue. She winces, revealing blood-stained teeth.
"Hey, are you okay?" I ask, concerned by her behavior.
"You..." She points at me, her eyes trying to focus. "You're mine," she says before grabbing my face with both hands and sloppily licking my cheek in the shape of the letter A.
Shocked, I can't even move.
I did not expect that!
"Now we're even," she says, a satisfied expression on her face, blood still around her lips.
