The Billionaire's Runaway Bride (13 page)

She had stared at him in stunned shock “Are you seriously asking me that?” her voice higher than she had expected her eyes staring at him in shock

“I don’t have the kind of lifestyle for a child…dragging it around the world…what kind of life would that be?”

His eyes had dropped to his drink, a thoughtful frown on his forehead as he had mulled over her words, before once more lifting them and smiling.

“I’m just messing with you. Protection not a problem, I’m sure I have some”

Grace giving a nervous tremulous return smile as he had once more reached for her hand leading her to the stairs to their room, pausing as he had looked down at her thoughtfully. “Although…considering we haven’t used any yet…have you thought about what might happen if you already were?”

Biting her lip she had fallen back on science “Statistically it is not probable” she had murmured, unease filling her that she was not a statistic.

For the next two weeks the group had all fallen into a routine working only half days at Alexos’ insistence. For the rest of the day he would take them diving or for tours around the island. Some days they had spent on the beach enjoying the antics of the monk seals, Grace surprised at the knowledge he had acquired about the animals.

At night the passion between the two had burned as bright as ever showing no signs of diminishing, only growing more intense as the two had learnt how to read the other, Alexos finding Grace a keen and eager pupil in bed, not shy or reserved when it came to trying new things. The weeks slipping by in a content blur.

All too soon the work had been completed and hugging the four students with promises to get back in touch when she returned, the two had bade farewell to them, Alexos again thrilling them as he had organised for a speedboat to take them all to the five star hotel he had paid for ,for their holiday. Smiling and shaking her head Grace had chuckled as they had disappeared out of sight

“Where were you when I was a student…could have used holidays like that” closing her eyes and biting her tongue as the memories had flooded back fidgeting nervously “I…I’m sorry…I didn’t mean…”

Alexos waving away the comment, but not before she had seen the strange look that had fleetingly crossed his handsome face, almost mournful. “Forget it”

Regarding her for a second he had taken her softly into his arms

“My father arrives tomorrow. We have been invited over for a couple of nights when he arrives and there is an expectation of a more formal dress code…and he had informed me that he is organising for a party to celebrate our engagement”

Groaning at the thought of a party, not enjoying the prospect of having the deception become so public she had frowned. Over the past two weeks things had gone so well between them that she had forgot about the arrangement that he had made her agree to, Grace nervously staring out to sea as her brows had knitted together.

“I…I don’t really have the right clothes….and …well I feel so strange lying to your father like this” an anxious look filling her face “Your father must have hated me after what happened…is this really such a good idea Alexos?”

Taking her hand he had given a small smile

“My father will love you. He hates women who are vain and …how did you once put it….airheads” his mouth twitching as she had laughed back remembering insulting the other four women during the weekend.

“Oh my God…I cannot believe you remember that!”

Stopping, he had pulled her back around, his eyes blazing into hers

“I remember everything about that weekend…and the one we spent alone” something in his eyes holding her there as he had bent down to kiss her so gently, before the moment was gone and he had once more taken her hand to move towards the jetty. With a small frown she had watched him pick up an overnight bag, her eyes widening with surprise.

“Are you going somewhere?” Alexos smiling “No…WE… are going somewhere”

You need clothes and a ring…so I figured we could make a night of it. Have dinner…catch a show…relax in a good hotel”.

The mention of the ring had seen the smile drop from her face, Alexos quickly pulling her back into his arms. “This is for my father Grace. I am asking you to do this for him”

Silently she had nodded against his chest feeling as he had dropped a small kiss on her head. The fact that he had not chosen to once more remind her that he held her parents to ransom had caused a small swelling of happiness to fill her, Grace so unsure why that was.

“Why didn’t we join the kids on the speedboat?” she had finally asked in surprise as he had grinned.

“Well because I thought we would take a quicker route” she looking confused as the sound of whirring blades had filled the air, Grace laughing happily “A helicopter!!” her shining eyes making him grin

“Oh yes…you go in style with me Cara”

She had enjoyed the short flight, landing on top of the magnificent hotel which came complete with a helipad on its roof for its many VIP visitors. As they had flown in, Alexos had pointed out his father’s estate, she staring wide-eyed at the size of it and the magnificent building which sat in its centre.

From the hotel where they had checked in, Grace shaking her head, a small light of fun filling her eyes as they had walked around the large opulent suite. Once more wondered she had wondered if this man had ever slummed it in his entire life. It had turned out that the suite was owned by the family, a closet full of his clothes confirming this, Grace rolling her eyes at him as they had been met by a limousine which had transported them to the designer section of the city.

Despite her insistence that she had little interest in shopping, Grace had enjoyed trying on the designer outfits, ones which she could never have afforded. Alexos had sat patiently admiring or scrunching up his nose as she had come out of the changing room, he laughing as she would play the fool often making model imitations as she had draped herself sensually over door frames or chairs. All of the clothes, bar a suit which he had asked her to keep on had been sent to the hotel. He too had purchased a more business-like suit which he had worn, Grace holding down the rush of desire at seeing him so formally dressed, Alexos looking as comfortable in a suit as he did in jeans or shorts.

After three hours, when she was flagging, he had taken her for food before leading her to an exclusive jeweller where they had been the only customers, the two offered drinks and snacks as tray upon tray of rings were produced. Grace had known that the ring meant nothing, that it was merely the ultimate accessory in his deception; however, she had found herself taking her time, trying on the many wonderful and exquisite pieces of jewellery.

As the sapphires were placed down, her eyes had flown to one in particular, a small gasp of admiration leaving her lovely lips as she had lifted it and placed it onto her finger. The cluster of diamond with the cornflower blue sapphire at its centre had sparkled as it sat so perfectly on her finger, Alexos smiling widely as he too had admired it. Biting her lip with excitement, she had nodded her head he looking at the jeweller and confirming their selection.

While she had waited for him to settle the bill she had talked to the assistant while having her finger sized, assured that the ring would be ready for her the next day.

Finally they had moved back to the hotel where he had informed her they were going to a nightclub to enjoy some dancing. With a chuckle she had looked wickedly back at him

“Now, will it just be us…or are am I going to have to share you with four other women?”

Alexos had chuckled, pulling her back into his arms his mouth sending small ripples of pleasure through her body

“Oh…you have me all to yourself” a return twinkle in his eyes “For now anyway”

His mouth moved up the column of her throat as she had shivered

“We have two hours, perhaps you would like a small…nap” innuendo in his voice as with a throaty laugh of her own she had allowed her hands to slide down inside his jacket

“I don’t know that there is going to be much sleeping done”

His lips now against hers

“I do like your attitude Miss Leotta” his mouth taking hers in a deep wonderful kiss, her thought to correct him as to her name instantly lost in the heat of it.

The following day Grace had sat nervously beside Alexos as he had wound the large powerful car along the perfectly manicured driveway leading up to the magnificent villa. She nervously fiddled with the ring that had been delivered to their hotel that morning. She had been surprised as Alexos had taken her hand, gently placing the ring on her finger, a strange smile on his handsome face as he had leant down to place such a gentle kiss on her mouth.

“Thank you for this” he had said softly, Grace giving a small return one, not wanting to sully the moment with reminders of his blackmail.

Now however, she had felt sick. When she had called off the engagement nearly six years ago, it had been from a distance, she so far away from any of the fallout that might have affected those around him and his family. Now she was to be made to come face to face with her actions, to have to see the contempt of what she had done in the eyes of a sick man. His hand covering hers had made her jump as he had flashed her a small grin.

“Relax Cara, or you may be the first woman in history to rub down a diamond”

With a wan smile she had given a long sigh, trying to calm herself. She could get through this, she had got through so much worse, the haunting memory of her mother’s tears as she had begged her to return all those years ago filling her mind.

As the pair had moved from the car, the large stately door had been opened and a tall handsome elderly man had moved from within. Grace had been struck with how thin he had seemed, walking with the aid of a stick, his whole persona dignified and exuding an air of regal elegance.

Alexos had moved forward, hugging the man, the two talking in Greek before he had moved back to grab her hand and pull her forward.

“Papa, I would like for you to meet Grace Leotta ” Grace once more hearing him address her as though she still bore her maiden name. The older man had turned his proud features to regard her solemnly before a smile had lit his still-handsome face.

“It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Leotta” he had said lifting her hand to gently kiss her fingers, a small look of fun lighting his eyes as he had added “Finally”

Grace finding herself blush at the obvious reference, feeling as Alexos had moved in to pull her against him.

“It is a pleasure to meet you too Mr Manetas” she had replied softly, he raising his hand, a large grin filling his face.

“You will call me Nikoli and I shall call you Grace” Grace giving a small nod and smile, feeling relief fill her that the meeting had gone so much smoother than she had ever thought possible, surprised at how forgiving he had been.

Weaving his fingers into hers Alexos had given her a small wink, Grace not aware as her body had relaxed slightly. Leading the way Nikoli had been charming and interested in her work, impressed to find out the scope of the research she was involved with. He had called his housekeeper to show the two to their rooms, Grace noticing how busy the staff seemed to be. As the two had been placed into separate rooms, she had raised an eyebrow, Alexos not commenting as she would have thought he might.

Bending down conspiratorially he had chuckled.

“Looks like I may have to sneak into your room tonight” Grace holding down the small return laugh touched at his willingness to follow expected protocol. Left alone to unpack, she had turned to face him.

“Why are you calling me Leotta?”

Alexos looking down at her thoughtfully for a few seconds before answering

“You may have married and obtained a piece of paper that said you were another man’s wife Grace, but you never consummated that marriage”

Frowning softly she had looked at him questioningly

“I WAS married Alexos” He shaking his head softly.

“No. I still do not understand what you were Grace…but you were not married, and holding on to his name does not change that fact. As far as I am concerned you are still Grace Leotta, the woman who swam towards sharks”

Biting her lip she had given a long sigh. It seemed futile to argue, Grace not exactly sure what she was arguing for as she had allowed him to lead her back down the stairs to the outside terrace where drinks and snacks had been laid out, his father already waiting for them.

Sipping the refreshing homemade lemonade she had enjoyed listening as the two men had laughed and joked together, a small stab of sadness filling her that she had never been as close to her own father.

“I was so delighted to hear that the two of you had found each other again”

Nikoli’s voice had pulled her from her reverie as Grace had looked up with a smile, her eyes flitting nervously to Alexos “Y…yes”

Sitting back the man had seemed content

“I have organised for a small party to celebrate your engagement” he had told them softly, Alexos flashing her an encouraging smile.

“Just a few friends, some family and of course your parents Grace”

The clatter of her dropping the knife she had lifted to cut some cake had made the two men look around

“M…m…my parents?” the only words she could manage, both men so aware of the pallor of her complexion as all colour had drained from her face, Nikoli leaning forward with concern.

“My dear girl, are you OK?” worry on his face as Alexos had stood taking her hand as he had pulled her to her feet

“I am afraid that I should have insisted that you lie down Grace” turning to his father “I fear that she was not well earlier but did not want to worry you”

With authority the older man had nodded softly

“Then you must lie down, it has taken me all this time to find myself a daughter-in-law….I want to make sure she stays well” giving her a paternal smile, Grace somehow managing a tremulous one herself as Alexos had led her back to her room.

As the door had closed, she had groaned with pain, her whole body starting to shake uncontrollably as she had collapsed on the bed