Australia: Gorgeous Grooms: The Andreou Marriage Arrangement / His Prisoner in Paradise / Wedding Night with a Stranger. HELEN BIANCHIN
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wearing a new perfume.’
‘It’s soap,’ she managed in a slightly strangled voice, and felt his mouth curve into a smile. ‘Gardenia,’ she added and gasped as he lifted his head and took possession of her mouth.
Magic, sheer magic, she registered dimly as she threaded her fingers through his hair and leant into the kiss, gifting as well as taking, absorbing everything he chose to give … and more.
It wasn’t enough. She needed him, all of him, naked, skin on skin, his body fused with hers in a primitive mating, uniquely and exclusively theirs in a way there could never be another for either of them.
Was that love?
Lust, certainly. But surely love was a different entity, involving trust and fidelity.
And she couldn’t love him … could she? Hadn’t she sworn never to let another man get beneath her skin and steal her heart?
Yet Loukas was there, a constant in her thoughts, her mind. He managed to make her feel different, almost special. Was it merely a practised act in order to lull her into a false sense of security?
Sadly, she didn’t know … and there was a part of her that didn’t want to know. For to discover it was all a charade would hurt her more than she imagined possible.
And that, she recognized, was an admission in itself.
With effort, she eased back from him a little, aware he didn’t attempt to dissuade her.
‘You should go shower and change,’ Alesha managed quietly. ‘Or we’ll be late for dinner.’
He touched a finger to her slightly swollen mouth. ‘And that would never do, hmm?’
‘I’m sure Hera has gone to considerable effort.’
Without a further word she crossed into her dressing-room, shed the robe, selected fresh underwear, and chose tailored trousers and a fashionable blouse … reappearing into the bedroom to find it empty and the sound of the shower running in Loukas’ en suite.
Dinner was a pleasant meal, during which conversation didn’t lag … although afterwards Alesha retained little memory of what they’d actually discussed.
Loukas excused himself on the pretext of work, while she used her laptop to catch up with emails and respond to one of Lacey’s that had landed in her inbox that morning.
It was late when she retired to bed, and even later when Loukas joined her. For a moment she lay perfectly still, unsure whether he’d reach for her or not … and when he curved her close in against him she wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or peeved when his breathing slowed and acquired the steadiness denoting sleep.
The following few days were filled with shopping, and it came as a relief when the Andreou women conceded contented satisfaction in having achieved their objective.
Alesha had to admit they showed excellent taste in fashion, and she couldn’t fault their suggested choices.
‘Now you can relax,’ Lexi confided as Cristos delivered them to Voula late Friday afternoon.
You think? Alesha posed silently.
With the charity fundraiser the following evening, the reaffirmation of marriage vows and party planned for Tuesday, relaxing wasn’t a state she’d reach any time soon.
Daria, as Loukas had predicted, had mellowed considerably during the past few days, and it was possible to catch a glimpse of the woman beneath the severe exterior.
Angelina proved to be the quintessential mother, who had learnt to accept her son and daughter as adults in an adult world, and gained the wisdom to step aside from the strict parental role and respect them as equals. An admirable quality that Alesha found endearing.
Lexi’s engaging personality made her easy to like, so too did her determination to strike out on her own.
‘Loukas is Andreou. My talent lies with fashionable jewellery, specifically design. I have a studio in the Pláka, and a small degree of success. This year has brought exposure, and I will soon need to take on another staff member.’
‘So when do I get to see some of your designs?’ Alesha asked as they shared coffee in the lounge after a dinner Angelina had insisted she share when Loukas had called to say he would be dining with associates and not due home until late.
‘I’ll give you the link to my website, and we’ll fit in a time for Cristos to bring you to the studio before you return with Loukas to Sydney. Sound good?’
‘I’ll look forward to it.’
It was almost eleven when Cristos delivered her home, and her cellphone beeped as she headed upstairs.
‘Another hour, agape mou,’ Loukas relayed in his slightly accented drawl.
‘I’ll probably be asleep.’
‘In which case I’ll wake you.’
The mere thought of being woken by him sent delight slithering down the length of her spine. ‘If you must.’
His soft chuckle almost undid her.
Alesha undressed and headed into the shower, set the water dial to hot and let the heat soothe away the stress of the day as she lathered her body with the gardenia-scented soap … and attempted to convince herself the choice had nothing to do with Loukas.
Caught up in reflective introspection, she attempted to analyze when her emotions had begun to change from reluctantly accepting the marriage … to wanting it to work, to be real.
To love, and be loved in return? Was that too much to ask for?
Yet love couldn’t be bought. It was built on emotion, and deserved the utmost care.
In a moment of self-indulgence she let her mind wander to the years ahead … children Loukas would lift high in the air and laugh with in their tender years, be fiercely protective of as they grew, and encourage to achieve in all areas of their lives.
Wishful thinking didn’t mean it would happen, and with fresh resolve she closed the water, caught up a towel and dried off before donning sleep pants and a singlet top.
On the verge of sleep she heard the faint click as Loukas closed the bedroom door, the soft rustle of clothing being discarded, followed by the sound of the shower.
Long minutes later he slid beneath the covers and reached for her, turning her easily in his arms as she caught his head and brought his mouth down to her own in a hungry kiss that stirred his senses to fever pitch.
This … this was what he’d consciously anticipated as he’d wined and dined three associates while negotiating a deal. One that had taken skilled strategy and patience to achieve.
Now he wanted to bury himself in the sweet sorcery of a woman’s body. Not any woman … this woman.
To pleasure her until he sensed the soft purr in her throat as she arched her body against his own. The faint moan of capitulation as he nuzzled the sensitive hollow at the curve of her neck. Her reaction to his touch, the intimacy they shared … and the joy of mutual orgasm.
On the edge of sleep he gathered her close, soothed her when she stirred and held her through the night.
Alesha dressed with care, aware the silk chiffon gown with its ruched bodice in deep sapphire hugged her slender curves and highlighted the texture of her skin. The diagonally cut skirt flowed gently to rest at her ankles, and her heeled pumps and evening clutch were a perfect match.
Jewellery was restricted to a diamond pendant, ear-studs and matching bracelet.
She ensured her make-up was understated with emphasis on her eyes, a touch of bronzing powder and a soft neutral lipstick and gloss.
‘Beautiful,’ Loukas complimented as she prepared to precede him from the room, and she threw