by Marie Kelly
“They can’t force you to go through with this Grace…just say no…or leave. You could just leave home and do what YOU want to do”
She had given him another pained look.
“If I do that he will find me and force me back” Sighing wearily she had reminded him of the club that had allowed her to join without his consent, her father forcing them out of the facilities they needed to run.
“While I am of any use to him at all…he will find me and force me back…and with Alexos Manetas he thinks that he has struck pay-dirt. One sniff of dissent and I will not be allowed to leave the house until the wedding”
Daryle had given her a small snort before pausing, his voice becoming slower and thoughtful.
“Do you remember the job in the UK that I told you about?”
She had nodded her voice becoming soothing “Yeah…the one for a married partner…your dream job?”
Nodding he had looked at her, a smile coming to his lips “Seems that you and I have a similar problem. I need a wife” giving a small laugh “and we both know that isn’t going to happen…and you need some way to be of no value to your father”
Looking at him with a questioning frown on her face he had smiled “What if you married me? If we eloped, got married and moved to the UK?”
Grace had given him a playful smack. “Idiot” she had laughed, rising with a sigh, Daryle looking embarrassed as he had nodded back. “Yeah …. I guess” as he too had rose to give her a small peck on the cheek.
“OK…I will catch you tomorrow”
However, the following day she had not made her usual visit to the shelter, surprised instead with an unexpected phone call from Alexos. His sensual voice had once more sent tremors through her, tremors she did not understand.
“I was delighted to get your letter” Grace surprised at how quickly he had received it “I particularly liked the part you offered to show me around Italy”.
She gave a small nervous laugh “Well it only seems fair as you were so kind as to show me around your underwater paradise”
His throaty chuckle had made her smile, strange warmth filling her.
“Well as it happens I have a week free, and was wondering if I could take you up on your offer. Your father has offered to let me stay at your home, but I prefer to stay in a hotel…I like my own space, but wanted to spend some more time with you…give us a chance to get to know each other”
Grace had felt the lump in her throat, her voice suddenly so weak “I…it sounds great…I would really enjoy that”
“Your father and mother have given permission for you to join me on the coast in a couple of days also because there are several parties that I am expected to attend…it seems the ideal opportunity for us to be seen together”
She had gripped the phone in both shock and surprise. Her father was allowing her to go away for a few days unaccompanied, Grace finding herself speechless.
His concerned voice had rallied her as she had made some small comment of how good that would be, her mind in turmoil. She had never spent time away with anybody, let alone a man, and not just any man the playboy billionaire Alexos Manetas, the memory of his kiss once more sending electric jolts of awareness through her.
As she had replaced the phone, her father had returned to the room, having left to allow the two to talk, she looking at him with wide eyes. “You said it was OK for me to go away for a few days?”
Her father nodding
“On my own!”
His lips had curled contemptuously as he had nodded “We don’t want you losing him because he thinks that you are too young…time for you to grow up Grace. You will do whatever is expected of you to keep him interested…do I make myself clear?”
Grace had felt the colour leave her cheeks as she had stared disbelievingly at her father. Was he really ordering her to sleep with the man? As he had turned to leave the room she had felt sick to her very stomach, pushing down the tears that filled her eyes.
With Alexos due in two days time, her father’s household had become a hive of activity as the gardens had been manicured and all the rooms cleaned. She had been taken shopping, her father’s secretary once more helping her to purchase more suitable clothing, Grace embarrassed to see the lingerie the woman had insisted that she purchase. She had been upset when her mother had not been the one to accompany her, her father looking at the older woman with disdain, his cutting remarks not caring that she had heard
“Eloise is young and sexy. You will learn a lot from her”
Grace had always disliked the woman only a few years older than herself, sure that her father’s relationship with her was more than was being admitted to, once more wondering why her mother would put up with being treated that way. Her mother was still beautiful, only 20 years older than she with looks that were classically perfect, her petit frame inherited by Grace, anger filling her at her father’s put down, he cruel and overweight.
Finally the day had arrived, and exactly to the hour he had specified Alexos had arrived at the Leotta estate. Her father had fawned over the young handsome man, offering him anything that he wanted, Alexos smiling as his eyes had fallen onto Grace. With extreme charm he had shaken the older man’s hand and lifted her mother’s hand bestowing a small kiss on it.
“It is a pleasure to see you once more Mrs Leotta” his silky voice full of real warmth, as her mother had given a return smile. Finally he had turned to Grace, taking her hand too, his mouth resting longer than was necessary on her soft skin.
“Grace. So perfectly named” his small murmur, eyes that had danced with fun, she shyly smiling back.
“I…it is wonderful to see you again Alexos” she had offered softly as his dark eyes had once more held her own hazel ones, such sensations passing between the two before he had pulled back, Grace noticing that he had seemed almost as affected as she was.
Her father had led the group onto the large terrace as Alexos had admired their home much to the pleasure of her father whose chest had swollen up with pride. Neither Grace nor her mother had commented on how his home was so much more impressive, Grace watching how easily he seemed to manage her father. After they had enjoyed homemade lemonade, her father offered their guest something stronger as he had shaken his head smiling over at Grace
“Thank you Sir, but my driving is bad enough as I am sure your daughter can confirm”
Grace’s lips had twitched gently as she had shaken her head “You are a wonderful driver” as he smiled warmly back at her.
After their drink Alexos had risen, the plan for that night being that he and Grace go on their first official date, he taking her out for dinner. Once in the car he had seemed to relax, she once more finding herself with the man who had taken her diving.
“I wanted to impress you, so thought I could take you for a meal and dancing” Grace smiling shyly at him.
“Sounds wonderful” sitting back as he had once more guided the car so easily through the Italian countryside and into the city. Pulling up at ‘The Paladia’ she had gasped, her large eyes alive with wonder.
“Oh my god, I have heard so much about this place” looking at him with a chuckle “but my father never let me come”.
Smiling he had inclined his head “Well I take that as a good sign that your father trusts me with his most precious possession”.
The look that had crossed her eyes as he had joked with her had confused him, his words making her look almost mournful, a nervous half smile crossing her lovely lips.
“Yes…sure”
Stepping from the car, he had moved quickly around to open her door, throwing the car keys to the valet as he had held out his hand for her, Grace shyly taking it as he had grinned back. As the two had moved into the club, the manager himself had rushed forward to meet the couple introducing himself to Alexos, who had shaken hands with the man complimenting his club much to the manager’s delight. Leading the pair to a booth close to the dance floor he had insisted on sending them a bottle of
champagne, Grace looking at him with wide eyes not used to drinking, knowing that he was driving. Leaning forward he had chuckled
“You don’t have to drink it all” Grace nodding, her look taking in the opulence of the club the music muted as the dinner service had proceeded. She like he had ordered the steak, Alexos pouring her a glass of the bubbly wine as he had taken water.
Grace had been nervous that she would have nothing to say to the Greek who was to be her husband, but he had chatted easily, she soon finding herself relaxing in his company. As the meal had arrived she had felt hungry enjoying the meal as he had smiled warmly at her.
“It is so nice to meet a woman whose idea of a meal is not a lettuce leaf” Grace chuckling
“I guess I’m lucky, I seem to be able to eat what I like” scrunching up her nose playfully “I’m sure I will pay for it in later years”
He had allowed his eyes to slide over her petit figure, a small sensual smile lighting his eyes “There are ways of ensuring that that doesn’t happen”
Grace dropping her eyes as she had flushed at his obvious reference to the pleasures of sex, Alexos chuckling softly “Again I embarrass you Cara”
She looking at him her father’s words in her ears “time to grow up” smiling more seductively back
“I am sure that I will adjust” his laugh making her smile in return.
As the meal had ended the music had began, and she had found herself taken to the dance floor, so aware of the way most of the women would cast their eyes over the Adonis that was Alexos, Grace not understanding the small prickle of pride at being the one he had chosen to hold, to pull into his arms and dance with all night.
Returning home she had grimaced seeing how late in the evening it was, her smile full of fun as she had chuckled “I have never had to sneak back into the house before” Alexos flicking a small return smile at her “It is only midnight…early yet” she shaking her head with a smile.
“Not for me” he once more realising how sheltered a life she had led.
Parking he had again opened her car door, taking her hand in his as they had walked to the door, Alexos lifting her hands to gently kiss them.
“I have to work tomorrow, so I will not be able to see you…however I will pick you up early on Wednesday…and we can head on down to the coast”
While her father had implied that she should sleep with Alexos, Grace had been so nervous, her eyes showing her discomfort as he had hooked her chin with his hand looking questioningly into her lovely face.
“What is wrong Grace? Please tell me”
Savaging her lip she had finally whispered softly “W…will I have my own room?” Alexos had looked back at her with surprise and shock.
“Of course…why would you think otherwise?” the relief in her face and body palpable as she had flushed.
“I…it was just my father…” A flash of anger filling him that she had been led to believe that his intentions were anything other than honourable. Looking deeply into those eyes, the flecks currently more brown than green he had dropped his mouth to lay a soft kiss on her tempting lips.
“I am more than willing to wait until we are married Grace…please do not think that I have any expectations, this week as far as I am concerned is for us to get to know each other. I will respect you in all ways”
A thankful smile had lit up the whole features of the woman beside him, once more sending tremors throughout Alexos, his mouth again seeking hers, this time with more passion, a soft groan leaving her as she had fallen gently against him. Deepening the kiss further his hands had slid around her slender waist pulling her harder to him, her arms moving tentatively around his neck, their tongues sliding sensually along the others’, a raw need for her filling him.
Moving her gently from him, his eyes had taken in how her own had seemed to struggle to open, her lips so red from their embrace. Giving a weak half-laugh he had stepped back from Grace, his own expression full of the desire to return to her arms.
“Well I had better go…or I will forget everything I just said there” Grace giving a return smile as she had turned and opened the door, waving gently to him as the door had once more closed.
Muttering softly in Greek he had again moved to his car, groaning at the way she made him feel. This innocent, so young, beautiful, smart and funny, the combination an enticing cocktail which he longed to drink from.
Two days later Grace had found herself at the coast gasping in amazement as they had entered the exclusive hotel. She had known the cost of a simple room for the night was beyond most, however she could only imagine how much the two suites were costing him, once more so aware of how rich and powerful Alexos Manetas was. Driving down from her home he had told her that they would be attending a gala charity ball that evening and spending the following day on a friend’s boat, Grace lighting up as he had added that he had arranged for the two of them to dive at a beautiful spot.
She had been glad of the cocktail dress that she had brought, knowing that the red suited her so well seeing the fire that had leapt into his eyes as he had knocked on her room door to collect her that evening. She in turn stood open mouthed trying not to stare at just how handsome he looked. He wore a black tuxedo, his height and build filling the expensive suit so well, Grace once more so aware of the way her young body had jumped with excitement, swallowing down the small groan of desire.
He had admired her, his dark eyes moving so slowly down her, missing nothing of her perfection.
“You look stunning Cara ” a soft murmur of appreciation as he had offered his elbow, Grace taking it with a wonderful smile, her whole face lighting up as she had looked up into his face.
The gala had been one full of celebrities, the well known film star Kurt Carr hosting the event in aid of his charity, the event raising a considerable amount of money Grace could tell. They had been seated near an actress and comic she had been more than just a little familiar with, Grace surprised to find that she had very quickly overcome her awe of them chatting happily with the couple.
As the dancing had began, she had found herself asked onto the floor by many of the other guests, Alexos giving a small curve of his sensual mouth seeing the way so many men had cast their looks in her direction, knowing that Grace would be completely unaware of the admiring glances. As they had moved around the room, Alexos’ hand had curved gently around her waist, he had introduced her to his friends and acquaintances, all liking the young woman who had listened so attentively and talked with a maturity that belied her youth.
Turning to meet one couple, Grace had felt the way his arm had seemed to tense on her, she looking with surprise at the couple before them. He was handsome if not a little aloof, his wife introduced to her as Angelica Fleur, stunningly beautiful. With long glossy black hair and piercing blue eyes she had stood nearly a head taller than Grace, her eyes holding a strange icy quality as they had rested on her.
Walking away she had looked up at him, seeing the way his lips were pressed together so tightly.
“Who is she?” her gentle voice had caused him to frown, flicking a quick look back at the couple before giving a half smile back down at her.
“Just an old friend”
Grace smiling “Is that billionaire code for ex-girlfriend?”
Smiling widely he had dropped a small kiss on the end of her nose. “You are more worldly wise than you let on Miss Leotta”
His tone had discouraged any more questions as he had introduced her to more of his friends.
While the meeting had been so short, for some reason the way the two had reacted to the other had stayed with her for the rest of the evening, Grace not sure why the other woman had made her feel so uncomfortable.
Grace had enjoyed the rest of the evening, the party not ending until after two in the morning, Alexos leading her to her room, this time only lifting her hand to kiss it as he had wished her a good night, she surprised at how disappointed she had felt, falling asleep that night with thoughts of
the handsome Greek filling her dreams.
While they had had a late night, it did not stop the two getting up early, Grace chuckling as they had boarded the cruiser that had been leant to him by his friends, she laughing telling him that her friends only ever leant her pens as he had laughed back telling her that she needed new friends.
The dive site had not been far from where they had moored the cruiser. The size of the ship bigger than any she had previously been on, its six suites and crew’s quarters for the four crew members who had managed the ship so ably. A rib boat had taken them the rest of the way Grace once more not realising how she shone with the anticipation of the upcoming dive.
In the water the two had seemed to almost naturally fall in behind the other, giving each other just enough space, the waters not quite as clear as it had been in Greece, but Grace enjoying every moment. As the hour long dive had come to an end, the two had returned to the ship, both talking animatedly about what they had seen.
For the rest of the day they had enjoyed cruising along the coastline, both relaxing in the sun as she had laughed “This is so decadent” Alexos returning her smile.
“Well, given the fact that I am pulling 12 to 14 hour shifts … I feel that this is just what the doctor ordered”.
Peering at him through her sunglasses, he had indeed looked more relaxed, knowing that even during one of the days he had taken as a holiday he had spent working, Grace had realised that perhaps he was not as much of a playboy as she had initially thought.
As the sun had started to sink the ship had once more moved back to dock. Taking her hand, this small act seeming so natural now, his face had been full of fun.
“OK…We can go back to the hotel and change into evening wear and attend another party….or….we could blow it off and find a nice place down by the water”
Looking up at him she had scrunched up her nose, eyes shining with laughter “Oh I think that another party would be …bad”
Alexos giving her an approving smile “I applaud your decision”