Page 98 of Dangerous Temptation
Good.
He took advantage of the opportunity and headed up to the podium. Behind him, he heard a hush come over the room. ‘Elena?’
Her head spun around and her hair swung forward over her shoulder. ‘Alex?’
For a moment, excitement lit her face. She looked young, fresh and full of life, but then she caught herself. She paled when she saw the packed room and her hand went to her stomach. ‘What are you doing here?’
The reaction made his jaw clench. He caught her by the elbow and pulled her behind the projection screen where they could have some privacy. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring them here.’
She shook her head. ‘They were here before you. Caroline Woodward is in the front row.’
Alex jerked in surprise. His fists clenched and he leaned back to look. Elena caught him before he could make a scene.
‘I’ll deal with her,’ she promised.
He let out a frustrated breath. None of this was going the way he’d planned. ‘I’m not here to upset you. I just wanted to wish you luck and give you this.’
He pulled a jewellery box out of his pocket. He’d had it for weeks.
She looked at the velvet-covered box, her eyes widening.
‘It’s a graduation present.’
Her shoulders relaxed, but she threw a look back at the academics who were still in view. Seeing that they were busy in a heated discussion about the overcrowding, she tilted her head at him. ‘Alex, you didn’t have to.’
‘Of course I did.’ He put the box in her hand. ‘Open it.’
Her hands shook as she opened the clamshell box and she let out a tiny gasp. Her gaze snapped up to his and back to the box. She pressed her fingers to her mouth.
He took out the necklace and undid the clasp. ‘You can wear it for luck.’
He moved around behind her. Her hair was gathered back in the gold clip. She held the dark curtain of it aside as he threaded the dainty gold loop through the latch at the back of her neck. She touched the necklace where it lay between her breasts. He’d had an artisan specially craft the black diamond pendant in the shape of a wolf’s paw.
‘It reminds me of Siren,’ she said.
‘I saw her the other day.’
‘Did you? How is she?’
‘Growing fast.’
She took a breath that shook her shoulders. He slid his hands down her arms, but stepped back. Maybe it hadn’t been a good idea to come. He was piling stress upon stress. ‘I’ll go.’
‘No, don’t. Please.’ She glanced towards the long table where the committee was lined up like a firing squad. Her hand fisted around the necklace. ‘I’m so nervous.’
‘Dr Walters will keep control of the room.’
‘Not about that.’
He stuffed his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching for her again. She’d gotten past the reporters easier than he had. They weren’t her concern; it was the presentation. ‘Don’t be. You’ve worked hard. You know your material.’
She looked at him with those big, scared doe eyes. ‘What if it’s not strong enough?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous.’
Behind them, someone cleared their throat. Looking over his shoulder, Alex saw Dr Walters. The man was pointing at his watch.
Elena’s breath caught and her voice tightened. ‘It’s time.’
