Except he’d just seen her appalled expression as the reality of their situation sank in. Si. It wasn’t his dream deal either.
They’d get it annulled—just as soon as he’d sorted out the estate and care for Susan.
His phone suddenly vibrated. It was still on silent mode after the chapel. He picked it up. It was a message of congratulations. A moment later another message landed. And then more. An influx of congratulations and confusion and appalling curiosity filled his screen.
How?
He gritted his teeth and did a quick online search. Somehow their wedding video had just been uploaded and it was almost immediately trending.
He scooped up the print from the wedding chapel and quickly scanned the information on the back of its cardboard cover.
‘It seems I neglected to tick the box refusing my consent for the chapel to use our images for promotional purposes.’
His jaw ached from gritting his teeth so hard. How had he not done a better job of this? He’d been so distracted by her distress and his driving need to somehow make things better. Instead he might have made everything worse.
‘Pardon?’ Katie’s pallor had a greenish tinge to it now.
‘The chapel has just posted our wedding video online.’
‘What?’ She paled even more. ‘The video of us...of me...’ She trailed off, but he saw her glance down at her crumpled outfit.
Yes, it was hardly the most stunning bridal attire the world had ever seen, and the online trolls were ripping her to shreds already. Beauty and the Boring was one comment he wasn’t about to show her.
Instead he lifted the hotel phone and rapidly ordered coffee and carbs.
‘How can you possibly want to eat?’ she asked the second he hung up.
‘It’s exactly what we both need.’ Better that hunger than the other one currently tempting him.
His customary headache cure wasn’t on the cards today—no lazy sex between soft sheets, no finding relief in the surge of orgasm. Not happening. He’d crossed too many lines with Katie already.
He got out of bed and paced across the room to the window. At the touch of a button the curtains opened. He glared out through the window down to the vibrant avenue below and tried to get his brain to work.
‘You were going to back out of it, weren’t you?’ she said quietly.
He turned and watched certainty settle in her expression.
‘You weren’t going to go through with it until you found out about the engagement announcement.’
She looked so crushed he had to resist a completely foreign urge to go and give her a cuddle.
‘I thought you’d come to your senses once you got far enough away from them,’ he admitted. ‘That you’d realise getting married wasn’t necessary.’
‘You brought me all this way to give me time to come to my senses?’
‘It looked like it was going to take a while,’ he conceded.
‘But then Brian sprang that announcement on us.’
Alessandro hadn’t been able to come up with a decent alternative at the time. He’d been compelled into action by the fear in her eyes. They hadn’t even arranged a prenuptial agreement, or discussed the amount he was going to pump into the property, or how he’d recover that cost. Or anything.
She drew up her knees, covering herself with the sheet. ‘You think I’m pathetic, don’t you?’
‘I think you’re...’ He paused and tried to think how best to explain the confusing things he thought and felt about her. ‘You’re sweet. Perhaps a little...naive.’
She winced. ‘But you can’t say you’re going to do something and then go back on your word.’ Her temper flared. ‘That’s not fair. Especially something as important as this.’
‘But I did it.’ He gestured to the unfortunate photo on the table. ‘Now you’ve got a husband to protect you.’
She stared at him.
‘Well, wife?’ He eyed her grimly, barely holding back the anger that surged within him. ‘What’s next on the list?’
She shook her head slowly. ‘We can get it annulled, right? You didn’t really want this. We should just...figure out another way. I’m so sorry.’
He was taken aback by her unexpected stand—and the dignity in her apology.
‘Maybe that would make an even bigger scandal?’ she wondered aloud, looking almost hopeful. ‘I’ve run away to Vegas on a whim...created a crazy twenty-four-hour wedding scandal... Brian will hate it.’
Something contrary swirled in his gut. Truth be told, he no longer cared about what her foster father thought or wanted. He was suddenly angry with her for wanting to walk away already, when he’d moved heaven and earth to do what she’d wanted.
He didn’t want to rush into another set of actions that would make things even worse. Because it was impacting on him now.
‘I might have a certain reputation,’ he said coolly. ‘But that’s a step too far even for me. We’re not getting an annulment. We’ll stick with your original plan. Six months, minimum. Even that’s a little on the short side.’
‘But you didn’t even want six days...’ she argued, appalled. ‘Five was enough for you, wasn’t it? You didn’t even mean to use those—you were just stringing me along, patting me on the head and saying sure thing, sweetie—pacifying me like a child.’
She was angry? Well, so was he.
‘I don’t pacify anyone. I just say no. And I’m saying no to the annulment idea. You made this bed, dolcezza, you might as well get comfortable.’
Her eyes widened and her focus skimmed over his body again. Every muscle within him tensed. He shouldn’t be thinking about being back in bed with her. Last night she’d been vulnerable and scared...and so soft. He’d not wanted to leave her alone and distressed. He’d fallen asleep still clothed, waking only enough to shuck his shirt and trousers off before curling around her warm body again.
Now Alessandro stalked back to the bed and scooped up his phone. He needed to get on top of this. And to do that they needed to get away from the scene of their madness before any paparazzi turned up. He was no celebrity, but he had money, and celebrities used some of his properties.
‘We need the plane,’ he said as soon as Dominique answered. ‘Departing in two hours.’
‘Anything else I can arrange?’ Dominique asked.
Alessandro winced at the almost breathless curiosity Dominique was hiding. She’d clearly heard the news too. ‘I’ll message you with the destination and other details shortly.’
‘We’re leaving already?’ Katie frowned as he ended the call.
He felt a perverse need to provoke her. ‘Yes. We’re going on our honeymoon.’
‘Honeymoon?’ Colour flooded not just her face but her neck, and all the skin he could see...
Her wide-eyed gaze dipped to his bare chest again. He could almost feel it, like a caress on his skin, and he suddenly ached for the reality of her touch.
‘It’ll give us time and space to sort out the next six months,’ he snapped, bending to pick up his trousers and turning his back on her.
Going into any takeover, he needed all the ‘i’s dotted and the ‘t’s crossed. He’d get his team to work out all the options regarding the marriage, then he’d get Susan’s care sorted, acquire Brian’s debt and stockpile the ammunition to ensure his compliance. He started mentally drafting emails—anything to stop himself from thinking about getting back into bed and taking up the offer in her beautiful eyes.
‘But I need to get back to Susan—’
‘You asked for my help, Katie. Let me get on with it.’
‘But—’
‘Trust me to do my thing,’ he interrupted again roughly. ‘I’ll explain later.’
There was only one place to go. ‘Okay.’
At the chastened obedience in her voice he swung back to look
at her. She was watching him warily, and then she looked down. He hated it that she’d gone quiet on him.
‘I need a shower...’ She trailed off. Tension surged in the atmosphere.
She also needed clothes.
He struggled to breathe. ‘I’ll get some stuff sent up while you’re in there,’ he offered huskily.
She shot him an embarrassed look as she awkwardly got out of bed and smoothed down her crumpled skirt. ‘Thanks.’
He couldn’t help grabbing her arm as she passed him. The colour in her cheeks deepened as she looked up into his eyes. He needed to get to know her better—slice through this tension enough to get them to a point where they could coexist happily for a while.
But how did they stop the chemical reaction between them igniting?
Inner tension tightened his grip. ‘Just so you know, I’m not agreeing to extra-marital affairs. For either of us.’
He felt her tiny shiver, but she held his gaze with that determined one of her own.
‘Fine. But just so you know, I’m not agreeing to anything intimate. This is a marriage on paper only.’
Really?
He smiled. The electricity flowing through his veins chased away his headache.
Alessandro was all for making the most of his opportunities—and his acquisitions. And he was going to have so much fun teasing her. Because there was no way she could deny their chemistry any more than he could.
‘Fine.’ He echoed her with soft sarcasm. ‘Of course you’re welcome to change your mind any time. I won’t hold it against you if you do.’
Because he’d held her in his arms already, and he’d kissed her, heard her moans. And, if he so wanted, he’d have her mind changed in minutes.
CHAPTER FIVE
KATIE HAD DISCOVERED an appalling appreciation of Alessandro’s obscene wealth. Being whisked through airport security with privacy and speed like some VIP had been jaw-dropping, and there was a lot to be said for the luxury of a private jet. As the plane now levelled out after take-off she sank deeper into the plush leather seat. The speed of it all was good. The sooner they got back to White Oaks the better.
‘Go and lie down in comfort.’ Alessandro tore his attention away from his tablet to send her a searching look. ‘You’re barely able to keep your eyes open. We’ll be in the air for a few hours yet—plenty of time for you to get a decent rest.’
She couldn’t. It was only now that she had a moment to think that she realised she’d forgotten the most important thing.
‘I should have phoned Susan,’ she muttered. ‘She’ll be so worried. I never go this long without contact.’
She was shocked at how selfish she’d been. Alessandro had moved so quickly she’d simply been swept along on the tide of his dynamism. But that wasn’t good enough.
‘There’s already been contact,’ he replied easily.
‘Pardon?’ She stared at him.
‘My team,’ he explained. ‘The lawyers have already made contact with Brian while you were in the shower.’
‘Your first contact was through lawyers?’ In a split second her nerves had tensed to total strain.
‘It’s fine.’ He smiled, but his expression seemed more wicked than reassuring. ‘They’ve made Brian an offer he can’t refuse. Don’t worry. White Oaks is safe.’
Don’t worry? Her heart pounded. ‘What about Susan?’
‘We’re engaging nurse companions. She’ll have round-the-clock assistance. Something she should have had for months already.’
At that simply spoken truth the sickening heat of shame swept over her. She’d always tried her best for her foster mother, but now her inadequate efforts made her shrink.
‘Brian’s accepted that?’ He’d never liked people in the house. Had always insisted she and Susan could cope on their own.
‘He either accepts my terms or we make him bankrupt. But even if he chooses that option White Oaks and Susan will be cared for.’
Katie blinked rapidly. ‘Just like that?’
‘Brian’s not stupid. He’ll agree.’ Alessandro said with arrogant certainty. ‘Especially if he loves her.’
His bitter edge made her look at him. Was he so cynical he didn’t believe in love? Why? She blinked again. Would he ever love anyone enough to sacrifice everything for them?
Inwardly she rejected the idea. He was so self-sufficient and self-assured he’d never need to sacrifice everything. He’d simply figure out a bunch of alternative solutions. He was too capable. And she felt too useless.
She watched as he went back to his work, typing on the tablet’s keyboard like a demon. Astute and agile in his dealings, he was a fast mover—snapping up acquisitions with speed before other buyers even spotted the opportunity. Now he was ferociously dealing with the disaster she’d created, and his ruthless, uncompromising streak was exposed as he coolly exerted his authority over Brian.
His kind of confidence was something she doubted she’d ever have. All her life she’d been insecure—always worrying that she’d displease Brian to the point where he’d refuse to house her any more. She’d tried hard to curb her inclination to fight back, working instead to pacify him—staying out of sight, not raising her voice, not being an inconvenience or an embarrassment.
She’d done that for herself, but also because the emotional strain on Susan had been almost as bad. When Brian was in a good mood he was generous and gregarious, showering her foster mother with love and affection... And in those occasional moments Katie had finally felt safe. But those moments had been short, and always broken by periods of glowering moods, snapped commands and veiled threats.
She was to remember her place—where she’d come from—and she should always be grateful.
Now she’d irrevocably altered their relationship by brutally defying his crazy ‘marry Carl Westin’ request. She was finally away from Brian’s control.
But Alessandro was doing everything. She’d gone from one powerful man to another...and that truth sat uncomfortably within her.
Making it worse was her infatuation. There was no other word for the way she’d looked at Alessandro at their wedding—in a way that everyone who saw that video would see...
There was only one thing she could do. She needed to step up, take the responsibility onto her own shoulders somehow. For now that meant falling back on her old survival skills—staying out of sight, staying quiet—while she built her strength and came up with her own plan.
So she did as he’d suggested and retreated to the safety of the sleeping quarters, where she couldn’t stare at him like some starstruck teen with a crush.
On the bed, she pulled up one of the soft blankets to cover her legs. The comfy jeans and cute Las Vegas tee that he’d magicked up for her from that hotel’s gift shop were great, but she was cold.
As she lay down her mind whirled through replays of the previous night—Alessandro’s decisiveness and speed. Her own relief. And then those moments when she’d woken this morning, to find him in bed with her, so full of his amusement at her embarrassment...
She listened to the rhythm of his fingers stabbing at the keyboard over the hum of the plane’s engine. And in that dusky dream space between waking and sleeping she let herself remember the warm comfort of his embrace and finally relaxed...
‘Katie?’
She felt the mattress suddenly depress and swiftly sat up.
‘I managed to spend a whole night in your bed without ravishing you.’ Sardonic amusement flashed in his eyes as he shifted to sit more comfortably on the side of the bed. ‘You don’t need to be afraid of me.’
‘I’m not afraid of you,’ she argued instantly.
‘You’re afraid of yourself, then.’ That gleam in his gaze intensified.
She rolled her eyes, despite her suddenly sprinting heart. ‘Are you ever serious?’
‘All t
he time.’
Something within her tingled—caution. For all his playboy flirtation she felt he was telling the truth. That compelled her to deflect the conversation away from the personal. ‘How long have we been flying?’
‘We’ve less than an hour to go.’
‘Oh, good.’ She’d slept through most of the flight.
‘You think?’
An edgy expression tightened his features. She shifted an inch further away. He noticed, huffing out a breath before he rubbed at his forehead.
‘There really wasn’t any other guy you wanted to run away with?’ he suddenly asked softly. ‘You didn’t have some boyfriend back in the village who Brian tried to chase off?’
Her mouth dried at the intrusiveness of the question. Wordlessly, slowly, she shook her head.
‘What about those students who picked the fruit at the end of summer? There were always lots of those.’ He waited, a frown growing in his gaze. ‘You didn’t flirt with any of them over the years?’
She knew he’d enjoyed those students—but she hadn’t. She’d been far too shy, and far too aware of risking the wrath of her foster father or disappointing her too-gentle foster mother. Besides, none of them had ever so much as looked at her.
The one time she’d put on some lipstick a school friend had given her, Brian had seen it.
‘You look cheap.’
His belittling comment hadn’t just been unkind, he’d laughed as he’d said it. In one breath he’d killed Katie’s desire to try and attract someone. So she’d repressed her youthful yearning for attention, refused to acknowledge her own secret needs. Because he’d confirmed what she’d known already—she couldn’t get it right. She wasn’t enough as she was. She’d probably never be enough.
Alessandro was still watching her closely, more serious than she’d ever seen him. ‘You’ve had no boyfriends at all, Katie?’
She shook her head yet again.
‘Not ever?’ His voice tightened. ‘So you’ve not—?’
‘No.’ She forestalled any further highly embarrassing questions angrily. ‘No boyfriends. No kissing. No sex. No nothing.’
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