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I watched her expression, wanting her to be pleased, which in itself wasn't extraordinary. The extraordinary part was how I wanted to please her just for the sake of pleasing her. No other motive.

I had caused her so much pain and confusion over these last few weeks. For once, I just wanted to see her smile.

She was so beautiful when she smiled.

I still remembered the first time she smiled at me in person.

That rainy day in Paris.

I had seen her smile in the surveillance photos, but it was nothing compared to experiencing firsthand the shy way she dipped her head low, her lips curved while she looked up at me through her thick lashes.

It made a man believe there was magic in the world.

Her head turned to take in the building and the marquee sign to the side of the entrance announcing the evening performance of Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi.

I actually held my breath waiting for it…

Her sapphire eyes danced with delight and she gifted me with a genuine smile. "Are you taking me to the opera?"

I leaned close to tuck a curl behind her ear, pausing to run my knuckles over the curve of her cheek. My hand lingered, just shy of possessive.

"I know you've always wanted to see an Italian opera."

Her smile faded as she turned her head away from me.

Fuck.

I was a goddamn ass.

How could I have forgotten? That fucking night. She'd run off before we'd even gotten to the opera.

Sabrina twirled the rose-gold Bvlgari band rings that she always wore around her fingers. A sign that she was upset.

I placed my hand over hers to stop her nervous twitching, deliberately trapping her smaller hand beneath mine. "This time will be different."

Your piece of shit father won't be here or that fucking nosy woman who thought it would be fine to blurt out twenty-year-old gossip about your mother in the middle of a fucking ball.

She cleared her throat, trying to pull her hand away, but I held firm. "On second thought, I'm not dressed for the opera anyway."

The crimson dress hugged every curve of her body as if it were painted on. The slit up the side revealing a tantalizing glimpse of thigh with each movement. The neckline plunged just low enough to make my mouth water.

"You're perfect. Every man inside will envy me, and every woman will wish they were you."

She shifted in her seat, moving closer to the passenger door, as far away from me as the close interior would allow.

Leaving the car parked directly in front, I turned off the ignition and exited. After crossing to her side, I opened her door and held my hand out.

She stared at my open palm then looked up at me, defiance and desire warring in her expression. "Really, Sebastian. It's fine. It was a nice gesture, but…"

"Sweetheart, I want you to trust me." I crowded her space, deliberately using my height to tower over her.

She broke eye contact and lowered her head, hiding behind a lustrous wave of hair. "That's a big ask, Sebastian."

I crouched down and leaned inside the open door, placing my hand under her chin and applying just enough pressure that she couldn't look away. "I'm aware, but I'm asking anyway."

Her eyes glimmered with unshed tears.

Fuck, she was such a sweet, delicate creature. My little bird.