Sexy Billionaires

by Carol Marinelli

  The love she felt might rest for a while, might even fade to bearable proportions, but it would never relent.

  The sun peeking out from behind a cloud did nothing to cheer her. What was the point of a silver lining when Zavier was gone? A bright glint in the grass caught her eye and with a start she realised it was the ring. Bending, she retrieved it, her eyes filling as she rubbed the soil from it. Painful memories were all she had now.

  ‘Tabitha.’

  She froze, the sound of his voice so utterly unexpected, she literally froze—which, Tabitha realised quickly, wasn’t the best look when one was half bent over.

  ‘Zavier.’ She straightened up, taking the opportunity to force a calming breath into her burning lungs. ‘I’m just off to the pawn shop. What do you reckon I’ll get?’

  ‘Tabitha, don’t.’

  She sniffed, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. Not the most elegant of moves, but she was past caring. ‘Of course it probably needs a good clean, but I’m sure I’ll get a few thousand. I’ve been digging for days trying to find it.’

  ‘Tabitha, can you stop talking for a moment and look at me?’

  ‘Why?’ she asked rudely.

  ‘Just look at me, please.’

  She couldn’t—couldn’t do that without breaking down. So instead she focused somewhere over his shoulder.

  ‘I know that you love me.’

  She didn’t respond.

  ‘I know that I love you.’

  Still she didn’t move.

  ‘Aren’t you going to say anything?’

  ‘What is there to say? I told you I loved you when your father had his heart attack. You told me that you loved me too then—oh, sorry, had loved me. But it didn’t stop you walking away.’

  ‘I was scared.’

  Slowly, achingly slowly, she lifted her eyes to him.

  ‘But why? How could you be scared of me when you’re so powerful…?’

  He put a finger to her lips, first to hush her but then the feel of her flesh under the nub of his index finger couldn’t pass without recognition. Tracing the outline of her mouth, he gazed at her, his eyes shining with wonder and love.

  ‘Tabitha, work doesn’t scare me—that’s why I’m good at it. I can look at a pile of figures and reports, scan a spreadsheet in ten seconds flat, and know instinctively what’s right. And do you know why I find it easy?’

  She shook her head, her curls moving as she did so, tinctured every shade of red as the emerging rays of the afternoon sun lit up her features.

  ‘It’s easy because it doesn’t matter—not to me, anyway. That’s why I’m so good at it. I can totally detach myself. I make a million or I lose a million; at the end of the day it’s only money. But love…’ He gave a low laugh, but there was a break in it. ‘You can read all the signs, think you’ve got it right, that this is the one—but what if you’re wrong? What then? I don’t give a damn about money, Tab, but getting it wrong, losing my heart, being hurt, being used—I couldn’t bear it. My head and my heart were telling me two different things.’

  She knew there was more, knew that he hadn’t finished talking. Suddenly they were back on the beach, gazing at the rising sun, taking a moment to regroup, lost in their own pregnant pause.

  ‘I had my life worked out, had everything sorted. I knew exactly what I wanted and a marriage like my parents’ wasn’t on the agenda. And then you came along, Tabitha, a fiery redhead with an attitude to match, rewriting my rule book as you went along. I almost convinced myself I was trying to protect Aiden and my family when the truth is the only person I was trying to protect was me.’

  ‘Protect from what?’ She needed to hear it, to be absolutely sure that she wasn’t imagining things, wasn’t getting ahead of herself and reading far too much into his words. She closed her eyes as she awaited his response.

  ‘From falling in love with you.’ He kissed her then—his lips finding hers easily, their mouths moving in heated unison, the need to seal his words transcending all else. And when, breathless, she pulled away, when the need to finally explain, to justify her actions overcame her ardour, he held her as she spoke, soothing her as he might a child reliving a nightmare.

  ‘I didn’t do it for the money—or maybe I did. I sort of convinced myself that was why I was doing it.’ Her words were as jumbled as her thoughts. ‘I think I knew I loved you right from the start. Aiden certainly did. But I knew it was impossible, that love wasn’t part of the deal. I tried to tell you about the gambling…’

  ‘I knew.’ His words stopped the tirade of her confession. ‘I knew way before you told me that you didn’t have a problem; I just didn’t want to hear it.’ It was Zavier who was trembling now, Zavier laying it all on the line with everything to lose, Zavier searching her eyes for a reaction. ‘For a gambling addict you’ve got an amazingly good credit rating.’

  ‘You checked up on me?’ Her lips were white now, her mind whirring as she relived the past weeks under this entirely different slant.

  He nodded slowly; it was way too late for lies now.

  ‘So you knew all along?’ His admission had truly shocked Tabitha. Just when she’d thought he couldn’t surprise her, that there was nothing left to reveal, again he had floored her. ‘That night in the casino…’ Her eyes darted down, then back to his, needing, demanding answers.

  ‘My suspicions were confirmed then. You didn’t even know how to take your free spin, Tabitha,’ he pointed out. ‘It was almost funny….’

  Almost.

  ‘But you were so angry on the beach when I told you—furious…’

  ‘Because I didn’t want you to say it,’ he explained, his only defence the love that blazed from his eyes. ‘I didn’t want it to be over before we’d even started, and I knew that once you’d told me the truth the only decent thing I could do was offer you a chance to get out.’

  ‘But you didn’t?’

  ‘I couldn’t.’

  The raw honesty of his answer moved her, and the bemusement faded from her eyes.

  ‘Can’t you see, Tabitha, I couldn’t risk losing you? I was just trying to buy some time.’

  ‘Time’s what we’ve wasted,’ Tabitha said gently, her anger evaporating as she gazed at the man she adored, finally allowing the enormity of his love to softly wrap around her, to soothe and comfort her broken, aching heart. ‘What are you doing?’ She giggled through her tears as he knelt down in the mud swamp that was her garden. ‘The neighbours will see.’

  ‘Good.’ He laughed, enjoying the sound of her laughter, her girlish embarrassment. The sparkle was back in her eyes now. ‘You’re not the only one who enjoys an audience, you know. This time we’re going to do things the right way.’ His voice was suddenly serious, love blazing from his eyes as he knelt before her and with shaking hands offered her the ring—her ruby ring. ‘Tabitha Reece, will you marry me?’

  Tabitha took the ring and slipped it on her finger, back to where it belonged, to where it always would be.

  ‘Say something,’ he urged.

  ‘Why? I’ve already said yes to you,’ Tabitha pointed out. ‘Six weeks, two days and fifteen hours ago.’

  ‘But that was only temporary,’ Zavier said, doubt, angst creeping into his voice.

  ‘No, Zavier,’ Tabitha said softly. ‘When I said yes I meant it. It was always for ever.’

  EPILOGUE

  ‘IT’S embarrassing,’ Aiden insisted, bouncing baby Darcy on his knee. ‘Isn’t it, sweetheart? Seeing your nanny and grandad carrying on like a couple of teenagers at your christening?’ He peered more closely at his nephew’s face. ‘Tab, why’s he going all red? Purple now—and what’s that terrible smell?’

  Grinning, Tabitha relieved him of her son. ‘Well, I think it’s lovely. It might have taken forty years and a heart attack, but seeing Marjory and Jeremy so devoted to each other is a real tonic. There’s nothing embarrassing about it. Anyway, if you don’t want to be late for your date you’d better push off. I’m going to ch
ange Darcy. Thanks for his wonderful present, Aiden, you shouldn’t have.’

  ‘Of course I should have, and tell him to hang on to it. That painting will be worth a fortune in a few years. Actually, Zavier—’ Aiden lowered his voice ‘—I was hoping for a word before I go.’

  Zavier rolled his eyes. ‘How much this time?’

  ‘It’s all right for you,’ Aiden said defensively. ‘Dad’s going to live for ever, at this rate, and maybe my paintings are taking off, but compared to you it’s peanuts. Anyway, Luigi’s got expensive tastes—I can hardly take him to the local burger bar. Have you seen the price of champagne these days?’

  ‘You’re supposed to be on the wagon,’ Zavier said sharply.

  ‘I am, but that doesn’t mean Luigi has to be.’

  ‘If he cares about you,’ Zavier started, in a voice that could only denote a lecture, ‘he won’t mind where you take him. And stop rolling your eyes, you two. I’m right on this.’

  ‘I hardly think a man who had to buy his bride should be lecturing me,’ Aiden teased, and Zavier actually blushed. ‘You’ve still never told me how much you had to offer to sway this divine creature.’

  Laughing, Tabitha left them to it. After changing Darcy’s nappy she pulled on his blue Babygro, admiring his little fat legs as he kicked happily in the air. He really was the most delightful baby, and of course that had nothing to do with his having two of the most biased parents. Gently placing him in his crib, Tabitha stood watching as he rolled onto his stomach, his fat bottom sticking up in the air as he searched for his thumb.

  ‘Is he asleep?’ Zavier asked as he crept in behind her.

  ‘He’s gone straight onto his stomach. Maybe I should turn him.’

  ‘He’ll only roll straight back.’ Seeing her tense, Zavier grinned. ‘Here.’ She watched as his strong hand gently rolled the sleeping baby onto his back, never failing to marvel at how gentle and patient he was with his son. ‘He’s exhausted. It’s been a great day.’

  ‘Fantastic,’ Tabitha agreed, nestling against his chest as they admired their sleeping baby. ‘Your dad was so proud, and did you see the smile on my grandmother’s face?’

  ‘She’s looking really happy. Bruce must be good for her—at least she’s not gambling now. Mind you, they play a mean game of snap; I’ve never seen such concentration! I doubt Mum will pull the cards out next time they come for dinner. Anyway, enough about everyone else—there’s something for you downstairs.’

  ‘But we opened all the presents,’ Tabitha said as she walked behind him. ‘What’s this?’

  ‘It’s for you. Open it.’ His voice had gone strangely thick, and he couldn’t quite meet her eyes as she snapped open the large velvet box he handed her.

  ‘Oh, Zavier, it’s stunning.’ It was, too—a delicate neck chain, littered with rubies all different sizes. ‘There must be hundreds here.’

  ‘Forty,’ Zavier said gruffly. ‘One for each year of marriage. It’s the one my grandfather had made for my grandmother for their fortieth anniversary.’

  ‘Shouldn’t you be doing this in thirty-nine years?’ She watched the tiniest frown on his face. ‘I’ll still be around, Zavier. I’m not going anywhere; this is for keeps.’

  ‘I know.’ The frown vanished and his eyes lifted to hers. ‘I guess I just want to keep hearing it—anyway, it seems a shame to have something so beautiful locked away when you could be wearing it.’

  He fastened it tenderly around her neck and followed her to the large mirror over the fireplace.

  ‘I can’t believe I nearly let you go.’

  ‘Don’t.’ Leaning against him, she closed her eyes, chasing away the nightmare of what could have been.

  A world without Zavier.

  ‘Can I ask you something?”

  ‘Ask away,’ he mumbled, only half listening as he pulled back the wild red curls, exposing the hollow of her shoulder on which he rained tiny kisses.

  ‘Why don’t you sell the business? Your parents are fine, I’ve got my dance school and Aiden’s got his little gallery; what about taking the time to chase your dreams now?’

  ‘What dreams?’ He was working his way along her collarbone, peeling back the thin strap of her dress with his teeth as his fingers worked their magic on her yielding breasts.

  ‘Your dreams.’ Tabitha forced her mind onto the one-sided conversation, determined to see it through. ‘The ones you spoke about the night we got engaged.’

  ‘I don’t remember much talking. In fact all I can remember is this.’ His hand was creeping down now, her dress slithering over her softly rounded bottom.

  ‘The night we first got engaged, you said you had dreams…’

  ‘Oh, that night.’ In one easy motion he scooped her up, carrying her across the hall to the bedroom door, which he kicked impatiently open. ‘You talk too much.’

  ‘I’m serious, Zavier. I need to know if your dreams…’

  ‘Chased, caught and fulfilled. Does that answer your question?’

  ‘Honestly?’

  Laying her on the bed, he slid down the last tiny remnant of her clothing before adding softly, ‘Beyond my wildest expectations…’

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-7720-9

  THE BILLIONAIRE’S CONTRACT BRIDE

  First North American Publication 2004.

  Copyright © 2003 by Carol Marinelli.

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

  This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

  ® and TM are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.

  Visit us at www.eHarlequin.com

  Welcome to the December 2008 collection of Harlequin Presents!

  This month, be sure to read Lynne Graham’s The Greek Tycoon’s Disobedient Bride, the first book in her exciting new trilogy, VIRGIN BRIDES, ARROGANT HUSBANDS. Plus, don’t miss the second installment of Sandra Marton’s THE SHEIKH TYCOONS series, The Sheikh’s Rebellious Mistress. Get whisked off into a world of glamour, luxury and passion in Abby Green’s The Mediterranean Billionaire’s Blackmail Bargain, in which innocent Alicia finds herself falling for hard-hearted Dante. Italian tycoon Luca O’Hagan will stop at nothing to make Alice his bride in Kim Lawrence’s The Italian’s Secretary Bride, and in Helen Brooks’s Ruthless Tycoon, Innocent Wife, virgin Marianne Carr will do anything to save her home, and ruthless Rafe Steed is on hand to help her. Things begin to heat up at the office for interior designer Merrow in Trish Wylie’s His Mistress, His Terms, when playboy Alex sets out to break all the rules. Independent Cally will have one night she’ll never forget with bad-boy billionaire Blake in Natalie Anderson’s Bought: One Night, One Marriage. And find out if Allie can thaw French doctor Remy de Brizat’s heart in Sara Craven’s Bride of Desire. Happy reading!

  We’d love to hear what you think about Presents. E-mail us at Presents@hmb.co.uk or join in the discussions at www.iheartpresents.com and www.sensationalromance.blogspot.com, where you’ll also find more information about books and authors!

  Bedded by…Blackmail forced to bed…then to wed?

  He’s got her firmly in his sights and she’s got only one chance of survival—surrender to his blackmail…and him…in his bed!

  Bedded by…Blackmail

&
nbsp; The big miniseries from Harlequin Presents®

  Dare you read it?

  Abby Green

  THE MEDITERRANEAN BILLIONAIRE’S BLACKMAIL BARGAIN

  All about the author…

  Abby Green

  ABBY GREEN deferred doing a social anthropology degree to work freelance as an assistant director in the Film and TV industry—which is a social study in itself! Since then it’s been early starts, long hours and mucky fields, ugly car parks and wet-weather gear—especially working in Ireland. She has no bona fide qualifications but could probably help negotiate a peace agreement between two warring countries after years of dealing with recalcitrant actors.

  She discovered a guide to writing romance one day, and decided to capitalize on her longtime love for Harlequin romances and attempt to follow in the footsteps of such authors as Kate Walker and Penny Jordan. She’s enjoying the excuse to be paid to sit inside, away from the elements. She lives in Dublin and hopes that you will enjoy her stories.

  You can e-mail her at abbygreen3@yahoo.co.uk.

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER ONE

  ‘I AM quite certain that if I had fathered a child I would be well aware of the fact, which, needless to say, would be none of your business, as you are a complete stranger. Now take your hand off me immediately.’

  Alicia Parker was still stunned into immobility by the sheer audacity of her actions, which had stopped this man in his tracks. She looked up into a face so savagely handsome that the breath left her body. All her poor muddled, overtired and over-wrought brain could formulate were impressions. Tall. Broad. Dark. Gorgeous. Sexy. Powerful. Sexy. Powerful.