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The big man seemed to deflate before Rafaels eyes, his

grief already bowing his shoulders. No. She just frowned in

that little way of hers, said she was saddened by my

inability to wish her well, and then returned to her packing.

Rafael could see that Sophias insistence on leaving had

wounded Turino more than he cared to admit, and Rafaels

inability to ease his mentors pain sent a flare of distress

through his veins. But what could he, a bastard and a

nobody, possibly do to help?

You will change hermind for me, wont you?

Rafaels stomach clenched at the thought of being close

enough to Sophia to try. I dont think

Please? Shell listen to you.

No, he blurted, a jolt of panic making the word come out

more harshly than hed intended. She wont. Not anymore.

Sophia had craved his company during the summers of her

childhood, when vacations at the vineyard had been the

highlight of her year. Shed listened with rapt attention while

trailing after him, his world such a marked contrast to the

London boarding schools she attended during the year.

Shed even listened to him after her mothers death,

when the adjustments of adolescence and grief had cast

Rafael in the role of friend, protector and confidant. And

hed allowed her friendship, knowing it kept Sophia from

interrupting her busy father with her woes. For years, theyd

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been inseparable.

Until things between them had irrevocably changed.

Until shed matured into a woman with ripe curves,

golden curls and an intoxicating blend of innocence and

sensuality that turned every male head in the valley. Until

hed called a halt to their proximity in order to keep his

forbidden longing for her hidden.

You have to try, Turino insisted, hauling Rafaels

thoughts back to the conversation at hand.

Though Rafael didnt ever verbalize his sense of

obligation to Turino, they both knew he would do anything

for him. Anything. But he couldnt risk revealing the way his

entire body was attuned to Sophias slightest movement,

how his wretched heart clubbed like a runaway horse

whenever she was near. As it was, when he caught so

much as a glimpse of her, he felt his tenuous control waver.

Weaken. She was far too fine for someone of his debased

origins, and he had to remind himself of that fact multiple

times each day. Countless times each night. You

overestimate the influence I have over her, sir.

No. Youre the one who underestimates it, Turino

snapped, moving forward to grip Rafaels forearm with his

thick fingers. Your opinion matters to her. You know it

does. That girl has worshipped you for years.

Torn between the conflicting desire to assist the man to

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