Australia: Gorgeous Grooms: The Andreou Marriage Arrangement / His Prisoner in Paradise / Wedding Night with a Stranger. HELEN BIANCHIN
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This is so much better than a boiled egg and salad.’
‘No girls’ night out?’
‘The male stripper called in sick.’ Her response was slick, and she was almost sure she caught a faint gleam of humour apparent in his dark eyes.
‘No replacement available?’
‘Unfortunately.’
His presence unsettled her. There was something about him … a dangerous sexual chemistry combined with a primitive earthy quality that promised much.
It filled her with a curious tension, combining reluctant anticipation with a sense of trepidation.
Which seemed crazy. She didn’t even like him.
Or was that due to an emotional shutdown … hers? A case of ‘if you don’t think about it, it won’t happen’.
Some chance.
She should leave.
With that thought in mind, she gathered her jacket, her laptop and briefcase. ‘You have work to do.’
He stood up. ‘I’ll see you down to the car.’
‘That’s not necessary.’
He merely slanted an eyebrow and indicated she precede him. ‘I consider it is.’
She was tempted to argue. Instead she summoned a sweet smile. ‘How …’ she paused, then added with delicate intent ‘… kind.’
Her eyes widened as he trailed light fingers down her cheek in an unexpected gesture that stole the breath from her throat.
‘Get some sleep.’ Then he dropped his hand, and she stood still for a few heart-stopping seconds before brushing past him.
Thankfully the lift doors opened the instant she pressed the call-button, and she moved in ahead of him, then stood in silence as the cubicle transported them swiftly down to basement level.
It took only minutes to reach her car, and she released the locking mechanism, slid behind the wheel, engaged the ignition and drove towards the ramp leading to street level without a backwards glance.
Traffic in the inner city had eased from its peak-hour exodus, and she reached her apartment with a sense of relief.
A hot shower, attired in sleepwear, a cup of tea plus a couple of painkillers in hand, she curled up in a comfortable chair to watch TV for an hour or two before she retired for the night.
On the edge of sleep came the intrusive knowledge that tomorrow she would marry Loukas.
Share his home, his bed, eventually.
How long would he allow her solitary occupation in a bed next to his own? A few nights … a week?
Did it matter?
She told herself she didn’t care. Sex was just … sex. In the dark of night she could simply close her eyes and wait for the act to be over.
How difficult could it be?
CHAPTER FOUR
TWO wedding days three years apart, Alesha mused as she put the finishing touches to her make-up. Each so completely different they were at opposite ends of the spectrum!
Having done the full bridal thing with designer dress, four bridesmaids, flower girl, page boy, the church, several hundred guests, the tiered wedding cake and exclusive reception with her marriage to Seth, the prospect of a civil ceremony by a celebrant held in the grounds of the groom’s Point Piper home with Dimitri’s lawyer and Lacey as witnesses seemed a breeze by comparison.
So why was she a mass of nerves?
‘You look gorgeous.’ Lacey’s compliment was genuine, and should have acted as reassurance. Instead the nerves inside Alesha’s stomach twisted into a tighter ball.
‘Thanks.’
Lacey looked at the overnight bag resting at the end of the bed. ‘Is that all you’re taking with you?’
‘It’s enough for the weekend.’
‘Darling,’ Lacey chided. ‘You’re moving in with Loukas. Permanently. You need to pack.’
‘I’ll shift some of my stuff tomorrow.’
‘Hello?’ The admonishment held a degree of musing scepticism.
Arguing with Lacey was a losing battle as her friend flung open wardrobe doors, drawers, and quickly transferred a varied assortment of apparel into a suitcase.
‘Okay, we’re out of here.’
Second thoughts? She had a few! Primarily, relating to her sanity!
Yet as tempting as it would be to bail out, there was the overriding knowledge that she’d agreed to this marriage. What was more, she’d signed legal documentation confirming it.
So suck it up, Alesha chastised as she negotiated traffic and headed towards suburban Point Piper, with Lacey following close behind.
Loukas’ home was positioned behind a high wall and entered between stylish gates that opened onto a curved driveway leading to a double-storeyed mansion whose imposing entry was guarded by two massive ornamental-studded wooden doors.
She brought the BMW to a smooth halt behind a late-model four-wheel drive, and Lacey parked directly behind her.
No sooner had she cut the engine than both entry doors opened to reveal Loukas in the wide aperture.
His tall, broad-shouldered frame attired in an immaculate dark suit appeared slightly intimidating as he moved towards her.
There was little she could do to control the sudden fluttering inside her stomach as he held open the door for her to emerge.
‘Alesha.’ His close proximity, his dark watchful gaze merely accelerated her nervous tension, for soon, within the space of an hour or less, she’d enter into a legal union with this man … and her life would change.
Concern as to just how it would change affected her more than she imagined possible.
Would Loukas suddenly assume another identity within hours of the wedding … as Seth had?
The mere thought was enough to send an element of fear shivering the length of her spine, and the smile she summoned appeared over-bright and failed to reach her eyes.
Did he notice? She hoped not.
The faint sound of an engine caught her attention, and she turned slightly as a vehicle slid to a halt behind Lacey’s car.
‘The gang’s all here.’ She kept her voice light as Lacey joined them, followed closely by Dimitri’s lawyer.
Loukas ushered them into a spacious foyer whose floor featured beautiful marble tiling in a large circular star-burst design, above whose centre an exquisite crystal chandelier provided prisms of light.
Antique tables, exquisitely crafted chairs, wall sconces, paintings, graced an area whose focal point was a sweeping double marble staircase featuring ornate wrought-iron balustrades leading to an upper floor balcony that divided into two separate galleried wings showcased by matching ornate wrought-iron balustrades.
‘Come through to the lounge,’ Loukas directed with ease. ‘Everything is set up there.’
Alesha moved on autopilot, so acutely conscious of his presence at her side that she barely noticed the beautiful sofas and chairs, the amazingly high ceilings.
Instead she focused on the small table with its exquisite lace-edged linen cloth, the votive candle, a delicate spray of cream orchids, and a leather-bound Bible.
Introductions complete, the celebrant conferred with the lawyer, exchanged small talk, then she opted to begin the ceremony.
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