The women all joined in and trigger-fingered Cristina brought the song up on her phone in seconds.
Felipe felt the quick hitch of his pulse as Rebecca beamed and shushed her skirt even more.
‘I like it,’ said Felipe, with a quick wink at Rebecca, who now took a few careful steps, tottering on the heels like a newborn foal on stilts. Maria beamed at him.
‘I need lessons in walking in these,’ she said, taking a few more clumsy paces forward. Then her heel caught the rug and she went pitching forward.
Felipe caught her just in time, his hand splayed across her bare stomach as he set her upright.
‘You okay?’ he asked, reluctant to remove his hand from her soft skin. She looked up into his eyes and the world went still. It lasted a mere second before she straightened, regaining her balance.
‘I’m fine,’ she said. ‘I don’t need saving.’ He saw the familiar lift of her chin and her ingrained refusal to admit to any vulnerability. As always, she demonstrated that determined independence he knew so well. His heart hurt for her.
‘We all need saving sometimes,’ he said softly.
She looked up, her eyes sharp and bird-bright, and gave him a brittle smile.
‘What do you think?’ Back on her feet now, she twirled. The sassy red of the top suited her, as did the off-the-shoulder cut which emphasised the delicate lines of her collar bones and, despite the breadth of her shoulders, made her look a little more fragile.
‘Very sexy,’ he said. ‘What doyouthink?’
She flipped the skirt again and gave him a pleased smile. ‘I like it,’ she said. ‘It’s fun and way more daring that anything I’d choose.’
‘It would look even better with a pair of denim shorts. Your legs are wasted in that skirt.’
‘Ay!’ screeched Katerina. ‘He’s right! Damn. Yes, shorts.’ She dived back behind the screen and returned holding aloft a tiny pair of shorts.
‘They’re mine!’ said Cristina.
‘Well, of course. Mine won’t fit Rebecca!’ She slapped her own curvy behind. Cristina, with her stork legs and gawky arms, had a while yet to grow into womanhood.
Katerina hustled Rebecca back behind the screen.
‘And perhaps a pair of ballet flats,’ suggested Felipe.
Ana groaned.
‘What?’ he asked, holding out his hands in mock supplication.
‘Why do you always have to be right? That’s perfect.’
When Rebecca returned, her feet squashed into a pair of Katerina’s shoes which were at least a size too small, she looked sassy, sexy– and like herself. And those long legs were shown off to much better effect.
‘Now how do you feel?’ he asked.
She grinned at him. ‘Like a better version of me, although I’m not sure I could go out for dinner like this.’
‘Don’t you worry,’ said Cristina. ‘We’ve only just got started. Now go away, Felipe. You’re spoiling our fun!’
He bowed, catching his mother’s eye. She gave him an approving nod before he backed out of the room, giving Rebecca one last admiring look. She was glorious, and now he was worried that Will might think so too.
Chapter Twenty-One
Rebecca left the girls’ sitting room a few hours later, a little light-headed after she and Ana had downed another bottle of the Delancia, a Portuguese sparkling wine. Cristina and Katerina had insisted that she wear the denim shorts and red top to go and meet Will, who’d texted her to let her know he’d finished work and ask if she fancied a nightcap.
‘There you are,’ said Will. ‘I’ve ordered myself a red wine. What can I get for you?’
‘I think I’d better have a decaf coffee,’ she said with a laugh.
