The Twelve-Month Marriage Deal

by Margaret Mayo

  He growled something deep and unintelligible as his mouth began a fresh assault. At the same time her hips were ground against his and she could feel the full impact of his awakening. It was both scary and exciting at the same time.

  Vidal felt like shouting for help. Each time Elena moved she rubbed against the part of him that throbbed with need, increasing his hunger a hundredfold. He ached and burned with such fierce longing that he found it hard to keep control.

  Yet he knew that he must. He knew that if he took things too quickly he could easily scare her away. It had been hard enough these last few weeks; he had thought they would last for ever. And he wanted now to enjoy the delights of her body, but he wanted Elena to enjoy it too.

  When she once again wriggled explosively against him he couldn’t contain a groan from deep in his throat and without another thought he slid both arms beneath her and lifted her onto the bed. Her dress fell readily to the floor, leaving her wearing nothing but a dainty white thong. Her sensationally long bronzed limbs and her gently rounded breasts with their high nipples tempted him beyond reason.

  In a matter of seconds he discarded his own clothes, but it was not until he lay down beside her that he realised how fast his breathing had become.

  Her eyes had never left him. They shone like stars, hugely expressive, telling him that she wanted this as much as he did. He couldn’t believe his fortune that Elena had turned into such a stunning, beautiful, sexy young woman.

  He wanted to make love to her all night through.

  And the best thing about it, Elena was ready for him too.

  Never in her whole life had Elena wanted a man as much as she wanted Vidal now. It was as though the feelings she had suppressed during the last weeks had built into one big crescendo of hunger and need. She was ready for Vidal to make wonderful, magical, intensely exciting love. She was prepared to be swept along on a tide of passion. Let Vidal tease her into making heartracing, blood-pounding, mind-blowing sex.

  Her thong was discarded with the flick of a wrist, his knowing fingers torturing and teasing the secret heart of her until she felt that she was going out of her mind. When she could stand no more, when she felt that Vidal too was reaching a point of no return, he lowered himself over her.

  ‘This is all right for you?’ he asked huskily.

  Was it all right? What a stupid question. She wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t.

  And yet, even though she was under the impression that she wanted Vidal to make love to her more than anything else, the moment he tried to enter her she froze. It was an entirely involuntary reaction and she couldn’t believe that it was happening, and yet it was and there was nothing she could do about it.

  Her body was telling her that this was not the right thing to do. That having intercourse when she had married this man for reasons other than love was wrong. And yet how could it be when her hormones had been on high alert? When she had even assured Vidal that it was what she desired?

  She had let herself get carried away; her head had ruled her heart. But her heart had known best. If it hadn’t sent out warning signals, stopping her from taking that last step, she would have become Vidal’s in every way possible. It would have been the beginning of twelve months of perfect lovemaking.

  Vidal had everything. Looks, sex appeal, charm, magnetism, dynamism. You name it, he had it. Add to that a keen brain and a ferociously active mind, he was not a man who could be ignored under any circumstances. So why was her body denying herself him?

  She would like to bet that everyone at the bank stood to attention when he entered the room. And his female conquests? They would fall at his feet too. Just as she had done. And even though some totally unexpected part of her brain had suddenly held her back she somehow knew that it would be impossible to keep him at arm’s length for ever.

  ‘Elena, what is wrong?’ he asked concernedly, pulling back at once. ‘Did I hurt you?’

  ‘No, of course you didn’t. I—I don’t know. Vidal. I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself.’

  She was sorry for both Vidal and herself. Strangely her body still hungered to feel him inside her, to be so close that they became one, to feel his strength and his power, and to overflow with joy when they finally reached their climax.

  But it was not to be. Not tonight anyway. She felt tears trickle down her cheeks and was startled when Vidal swept them away with a gentle finger. ‘Perhaps I was asking too much, too soon. It has been a big day for you. I will wait—until you are ready, querida. We should try to get some sleep.’

  Elena couldn’t believe he was being so understanding. He had been almost at the point of no return. What must he have thought? Why wasn’t he angry? Not that she wanted him to be, but his understanding puzzled her and in fact made her feel even worse.

  She lay carefully on the edge of the bed, so far away from him that she was in danger of falling off. The trouble was she was so aware of him that it was sheer hell lying there stiff and silent—and naked! And she felt incredibly guilty for what she had done.

  She could come up with no plausible explanation for the way her body had reacted. It didn’t make sense because, even now, just thinking about him lying only inches away from her sent a flurry of sensation through her most intimate parts. Dare she ask him to try again? Or would it be another disaster? She curled up into the foetal position, afraid now, afraid that it might happen every time. Afraid that he might lose patience with her and tell her that the deal was off.

  And what would her parents do then? How would the news affect her mother? It didn’t bear thinking about.

  At least Vidal was being understanding—for now! But how long would it last?

  She jumped out of bed, unable to lie there any longer, pulled on the cream silk negligee that she had bought especially for tonight, and walked round to his side of the bed.

  ‘I really am sorry, Vidal, for letting you down.’

  ‘Elena, you don’t need to keep apologising.’ He sat up, his legs over the edge, totally unconcerned by his nakedness.

  Elena knew that she must keep her eyes on his face, but it was difficult when his magnificent bronzed chest with its fine covering of silky, dark hairs simply begged to be touched.

  It wasn’t only his chest that was bare, but every part of him. Only once did her eyes drop lower. She couldn’t stop them. It was a quick glance and back again but it set off a fresh burning desire between her legs and she had to ask herself the question. What had stopped her earlier?

  Amazingly Vidal was still ready for her. It was what he wanted, what she wanted too—in her mind!

  ‘I’ll try not to let it happen again,’ she said softly.

  Vidal closed his eyes. Just what had happened here he wasn’t sure. One moment Elena had been eager to make love, she had felt amazing in his arms, her body soft and willing, her perfume teasing his nostrils. Everything about the moment had been right. And then suddenly she had closed down.

  Was it simply that she had been trying too hard to please him, then when it came to the point of no return she couldn’t go through with it? Was what he was asking of her too enormous?

  He cringed inside. Infierno, what sort of a man was he? He had never forced a woman into anything against her will. It went against every instinct. So why had he felt compelled to take Elena now? Was he crazy or what? Was he going out of his mind—seduced by a pretty face and a lithesome body? What was happening to him? Didn’t he have any ethics left?

  ‘Do not apologise, Elena,’ he said gruffly, looking up into her troubled face. ‘It was my fault. In my arrogance I demanded that you share my bed and my body. I should have given you time to adjust. It was tactless of me.’

  Elena’s pretty eyes widened, her eyelids fluttering delicately, two spots of high colour in her cheeks. ‘I—I didn’t think you’d take it like this. I thought—’

  Vidal put a firm finger over her lips. ‘Time is not of the essence. I can be patient.’ He was actually feeling something akin to guilt her
e. And he was not used to feeling guilty. He didn’t like the feeling. Nevertheless he was aware that he had caused Elena some distress and this didn’t sit well on his shoulders.

  If only she weren’t so excitingly sexy. She had looked fantastic today and his body hungered and ached for her, so much so that it was like a physical pain. She still looked stunning even without make-up, even with the trace of tears down her face, even without all her wedding finery. Her dress had been a sensation, but he preferred her without it.

  What he really wanted to do was snatch off her negligee and kiss away her tears and play beautiful games with her for the rest of the night. He wanted to tease and arouse her so completely that her body wouldn’t back down again. He wanted her moulded to him, he wanted to be beside her and inside her. Even thinking about it caused an erection that he knew Elena could see.

  Except that she wasn’t looking at that particular part of his anatomy. She was looking him straight in the eye. She had beautifully expressive eyes, which at this moment were shadowed and sad, but when they had been kissing and touching and exploring each other’s bodies, when she had revealed how gloriously, sensationally sexy she could be, they had turned into golden orbs. She had wanted him as much as he had wanted her.

  Now it looked as though he would have to be patient, very patient.

  Elena sighed. Vidal was making her feel uncomfortable. This was a side to him that she hadn’t been aware of. He was actually being nice and, although she appreciated the fact that he hadn’t forced her into making love, she knew that it still wouldn’t do to trust him completely.

  He was too virile a man to go without his pleasure, nor was she sure that she would be able to resist him the next time. Her inability to go on had probably been a psychological block, caused by the trauma of the day.

  Amazingly, even now she felt like flinging herself back into his arms, declaring that she was ready—but knew that it would be far too embarrassing if the same thing happened again.

  On the other hand she could not see Vidal accepting twelve whole months of nothingness, despite what he had said.

  Actually she ought to be thanking Vidal, not backing off. If he hadn’t agreed to marry her and take over their bank then her mother would be in a far worse condition. She had clearly worried herself sick over the last few months. And now that a heart murmur had been discovered they must all pull together and see that she had no more serious concerns. If only her parents had said something before. Not that she personally could have saved the bank, but she might have been able to do something.

  Instead of putting herself into the hands of Vidal Marquez!

  ‘I am grateful to you, Vidal,’ she conceded reluctantly. ‘Without your help my mother might not—’ Tears filled her eyes and she dashed them away angrily. ‘My mother could be a lot worse. I never knew how bad things had got and how worried both she and my father were.’

  Vidal felt sorry for Elena’s mother too, very much so, and he knew that she didn’t need any more stress, but he didn’t want to talk about her now. On his wedding day! When he should be partaking in glorious sex. Where was the fairness in this world? The way he looked at it, making love would help take Elena’s mind off her mother. And it would certainly help him.

  Marrying her wasn’t having the result he had expected. From the instant he had set eyes on the newly grown-up and deliciously exciting Elena he had wanted her. He’d said that he was prepared to wait—but hell, he wasn’t made out for the waiting game. Especially when she’d responded so amazingly.

  He smiled slowly. ‘The pleasure will wait. I can be patient. Though I’m afraid that for tonight we’ll still have to share the same bed.’

  Elena knew very well that his smile wasn’t genuine. She also knew the impossibility of Vidal sharing a bed and doing nothing. But what choice had she? There was a sofa in the adjoining room, but it was overstuffed and not conducive to a good night’s sleep. Not that she expected to get any sleep—even in the bed. How could she with Vidal at her side? He was too magnetic, too potent, too everything.

  In the end she did slide into the bed, pulling her negligee tightly around her, conscious of Vidal’s still naked body only inches away. She lay a long time listening for his breathing to deepen, conscious of the heat of his body, conscious too of the uneven pulsing of her heart. This was the hardest thing she had ever done. But once he was asleep then she too closed her eyes and drifted into unconsciousness.

  Vidal could not believe that he had slept with a woman and not made love to her. Especially on his wedding night. What sort of a fool was he? Wasn’t he man enough to have persuaded her into letting down her defences? He didn’t blame her for what had happened, even though he couldn’t truly understand it, but perhaps he ought to have coaxed and teased her into submission. Why had he let her get away with it? This was like nothing he had ever done before.

  He’d woken just as dawn was breaking and stood a few moments looking down at Elena. In sleep her face was relaxed, the early-morning light touching her with an ethereal softness. She looked like an angel, her dark hair tousled as though she had spent the night tossing and turning, a faint smile on her lips. Maybe she was dreaming a beautiful dream. Maybe she was dreaming that he was making love to her!

  The thought caused everything inside him to tighten. Dios, how he wanted her!

  She had already given away the fact that he had the power to arouse her—beautifully. All that had stopped her letting him make love last night had been her conscience. What he needed to do now, if he wasn’t to spend the next year sleeping alone, was to persuade her that everything would be okay.

  But he would be patient, he would let her come to him in her own good time. Not that he wouldn’t try a little gentle persuasion. What fun would there be in being married otherwise?

  By the time he had showered and dressed Elena was awake. She looked at him shyly as she got out of bed and he wondered whether he was the first man she had ever slept with. It made him realise how little he knew about her. And he surprised himself by wanting to know more.

  He had thought, when he had agreed to their marriage, that it would simply be a case of them sharing a bed. It was the only direction his thoughts had gone. He had wanted her body and wasn’t interested in her for any other reason. But now, conversely, he wanted to find out every single thing about this woman who was giving up her life to help her parents.

  ‘Good morning, Elena. How are you feeling?’

  Her finely shaped brows shot up, as though she hadn’t expected such courtesy. She pulled her robe more tightly around her. ‘I’m well, thank you. I’d like a shower.’

  ‘Of course.’ His stomach muscles tightened. He wasn’t used to fully clothed women this early in a morning. Usually they were more ready to disrobe than cover up. And he certainly wasn’t used to someone who looked as though she would prefer to be anywhere but in the same room as him.

  ‘Meanwhile I’ll order breakfast,’ he said, aware that his tone was suddenly curt and despising himself for it. But how did she expect him to behave when he had spent the night next to her in bed?

  He wasn’t made of stone—though at this moment he wished that he were. And when Elena rejoined him a few minutes later, her damp hair clinging to her cheeks, her velvet-soft skin flushed, her wide golden eyes troubled, he wanted to take her into his arms and assure her that everything was going to be all right.

  Chapter Six

  ‘THIS is where you live?’ Elena queried, her beautiful eyes even wider than ever as Vidal drove through the electronically controlled gates of an impressively styled manor house.

  Her parents’ house was luxurious, and her own place in LA was pretty smart, but this—well, it surprised her by its size. It was twice the size of his father’s house, tucked into the Andalucian countryside, a huge square two-storey property with stables and outbuildings and even what looked like a separate cottage.

  Why would one man live in a place like this? she asked herself. Unless, of course,
he did a lot of entertaining—in which case it would certainly be good for his image.

  ‘And yours for the duration of our marriage.’

  Elena hadn’t realised that Vidal was watching the changing emotions on her face and when her eyes met his, when she heard the earthy growl in his voice, she felt a flood of something she would rather not think about.

  ‘Well—what do you think of it?’ Vidal’s voice penetrated her thoughts.

  ‘It’s bigger than I expected.’

  He nodded. ‘I like space. I like room to move around.’

  It certainly looked as though he had that. ‘Do you entertain a lot?’

  ‘Not frequently,’ he answered with a shrug, ‘but I do host the occasional party. We must have one while you’re here. You could organise it if you like.’

  Elena threw him a quick glance of protest. ‘Aren’t you running away with yourself? You’re making it sound like a proper marriage.’ And it would never be that, not ever. Not even if their bodies joined in some magnificent play of hunger and greed. Which they undoubtedly would. Living together, sleeping together, it would be impossible not to share each other’s bodies as well.

  ‘Why shouldn’t it be?’ His lips quirked and surprising humour lightened his eyes. ‘What’s the point of being married and not enjoying ourselves?’

  ‘I didn’t think enjoying ourselves was the point of the exercise.’ Elena heard the caustic note in her voice and winced inwardly. If she wasn’t careful she would make matters worse.

  ‘It’s not too late to back out,’ Vidal warned, his eyes swiftly losing their softness, turning into savage slits of silver. ‘Maybe that’s what you were trying to tell me last night?’

  Elena shuddered as she felt the waves of his hostility wash over her. Unfortunately she needed to hold the candle to the devil. For that was what he was—a devil!

  ‘I won’t do that. I have no wish to let my parents down. I’m here to help them, not make matters worse.’ She looked straight at him as she spoke, saw a mixture of impatience and arrogance cross his face.