The CEO Takes a Wife / The Throw-Away Bride. Maxine Sullivan
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to see. All that mattered was his kiss. And the next.
He eventually pulled back, but she was unable to read his eyes. And that was the trouble with sunglasses. They hid his eyes as well as her own.
She cleared her throat. “Um…what was that for?”
“Someone’s taking pictures of us. I wanted to give him something worthwhile to report.”
Her heart thudded to a stop. “How nice.”
“I thought so,” he said, not seeming to notice her sarcasm as he picked up her hand in a possessive manner and began walking her along the shore, as though she was his girl and he was showing the world exactly that.
She hid her disappointment. “Are we still being followed?” she asked for something to say, trying to find her mental balance, pretending she didn’t care about being used for publicity purposes while on their honeymoon.
Then she winced inwardly. What was the matter with her? Their whole marriage was going to be one big publicity event. Could she really blame Alex for taking advantage of that right now?
“No, I can’t see him. Anyway, forget it for now. He’s going to take our picture whether we want him to or not.”
He was right and after another hundred yards she began to relax again. The sound of the water lapping against the shore and the feel of the breeze skimming her cheeks eased her concerns considerably. How could she not relax? This was a perfect setting; it would help even the most stressed person to unwind.
Just then the sun went behind a frothy white cloud, and for a few seconds the world was darkened then just as quickly thrown back into a shower of sunlight. Wanting to capture the scene in her mind, she stopped and whipped off her sunglasses to better appreciate the brighter sunshine and rich colors.
Her fingers itched. “Ooh, the light and colors are just marvelous. I’ll have to bring my sketchbook down here and capture it all in a design.”
He took off his own dark glasses, his gaze sweeping the beach in front of them, as if looking at it through her eyes. Then he looked at her. “I’d like to watch you design something.”
She blushed with pleasure. “I’ve had an idea for some time to put an Australian mark on an international design. This may be just what I’ve been looking for.”
“You’re quite a talent, aren’t you?” he said, his eyes full of admiration.
Her heart skipped a beat but she managed a short chuckle. “I haven’t designed it yet.”
“I have every confidence it will be a winner.”
She quickly placed her sunglasses back on to hide her eyes, not wanting him to see she was almost made shy by his praise. “Thank you,” she murmured.
Heavens, she was used to being held in high regard by the rich and powerful. She’d designed clothes for some of the most famous people in the world. Yet this man—her husband—made her self-conscious when he praised her talents?
Crazy.
He put his sunglasses on. “Are you ready to go back? I need to get some more work done, I’m afraid.”
She nodded. “Okay, but I think I’ll grab a sketchbook and come back down while you’re working.”
“No.”
She blinked at his unmistakable air of command. Was she hearing right? “Pardon?”
“I don’t want you coming down here by yourself. You could get harassed and I won’t be around to help.”
“The media are not out in force, Alex. There’s only the one guy who—” Suddenly she caught a movement out of the corner of her eye and she spun toward it. Just as quickly she twisted back toward Alex. “That’s not a reporter,” she hissed of the photographer a couple of yards away. “He’s only a kid.”
“He’s a teenager and now he’s just run off, no doubt looking to sell the photographs to the highest bidder.” Alex’s mouth flattened. “I meant what I said, Olivia. Don’t come down here by yourself.”
She lifted her chin. “You’re blowing things out of proportion.”
“Humor me.”
“I’d rather strangle you.”
He arched a brow but his lips quirked. “That’s a bit drastic, don’t you think?”
“Look, I’m not used to sitting around all day doing nothing.”
“Then it’s about time you did. We have a swimming pool up at the house. Why not laze around it for a couple of hours? And I’ll take you into town for dinner tonight.”
Her pulse leaped at the thought of dinner with him, despite herself. “I’m not a child to be rewarded for keeping out of your way while you’re working.” Her chin set stubbornly. “As a matter of fact I still have some work to do of my own,” she fibbed. “I wasn’t going to work on our honeymoon but…” she paused deliberately “…if you’re working then I may as well, too.”
He tensed, a muscle starting to tick in his jaw. “Sorry about that. My father has been easing off on the work lately and that’s put more pressure on me.”
“Oh.” Something about his words clutched at her heart. Perhaps it was the rough edge of emotion in his voice that made her soften toward him. “Alex, I understand.” She still didn’t like being told what to do, but she’d cut him a break this time.
He inclined his head, his mouth not as tight as before, his shoulders not as tense. “Good.”
Then he cupped her elbow and they walked back up the beach. Surprisingly their sandals were still where they’d left them, but she didn’t look at Alex nor did she say a word as they stepped into them and made their way up to the house.
Once there, he took off for the study, reading through a handful of phone messages, already forgetting that she even existed. Olivia watched him go, a silly sense of loneliness filling her. She was never lonely.
It must be because she felt suddenly tired, she decided, and went up to the bedroom to take a shower to wash off the sand.
When she came out, dressed in her silk bathrobe, the bed looked so very inviting. Perhaps if she lay down for just a few minutes…
She woke to find herself covered with a light blanket, the bedside clock showing midafternoon. Feeling guilty, she threw back the blanket, got dressed in white capri pants and a cherry-red top and hurried downstairs. Alex was still in the study, but he put his pen down when he saw her in the doorway.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep for so long. It was supposed to be a quick nap.”
“No need to apologize. You must have needed it.” His gaze traveled down her body, his eyes darkening at every lowering inch. “I was tempted to join you,” he murmured, his raspy voice sending a frisson of excitement racing through her.
She moistened her lips. “I thought Harriet might have covered me up.”
She hoped.
She prayed.
A faint smile curved the edges of his mouth. “No, it was me.”
She gave an inner gasp. Her bathrobe would have covered her, but the fabric was thin…
“By the way, Olivia, you don’t snore,” he said, his voice silky smooth.
She felt the flush of heat enter her cheeks. “That’s good to know.” It was time to get out of here. “Um, I missed lunch so I might go get a snack.” She half expected he’d want to join her.
But his eyes turned businesslike. “Don’t forget I’m taking you to dinner in town. Let’s make it seven.”
“I’ll be ready.”
He