Blackmailed Bride, Inexperienced Wife

by Annie West

  Back home they’d barely made it to the bedroom before they’d turned to each other. The wild yearning hadn’t been his alone. Alissa had matched his passion with a desperation that stole his breath.

  Finally their frantic need had been assuaged and he’d lain with her in his arms, marvelling at the incredible sense of contentment filling his parched soul.

  Alissa was…special. She was…

  ‘Pardon?’ His musing ceased abruptly as he took in his sister-in-law’s words. ‘What did you say?’

  ‘I said Alissa can come to us when she moves back to Australia. Now we’re financially secure, thanks to you, she can holiday here before returning to Melbourne.’

  Dario’s brows furrowed. He spoke slowly, as if one wrong syllable might shatter something vital. ‘What makes you think she’s returning to Australia?’

  ‘It’s all right, Dario. You don’t need to pretend. Alissa explained the arrangement: six months then you go your separate ways. It won’t be long till the time’s up. I know she’s looking forward to picking up her old life…’

  Donna’s words faded to a background buzz as his mind whirred into top gear. Alissa had told her sister that? Had talked about relocating as soon as possible?

  Searing pain banded his torso, a fiery loop tightening till finally he remembered to breathe. His heart hammered against his ribs, pounding out a desperate protest.

  From the jumble of his emotions he identified the one that hollowed his bones.

  Fear.

  He was terrified by the idea of Alissa leaving. Of losing her.

  Dario put out an arm and caught the corner of his desk. Winded, disbelieving, he stared at the contracts stacked for his signature. He felt a powerful urge to swipe them off the table and into oblivion.

  How insignificant they seemed in the face of this brutal revelation. Suddenly the world shifted into focus, revealing a truth he’d never suspected.

  The momentary weakness passed and he straightened, sure of himself again. He was used to snap decisions and trusting his instinct. He was used to taking charge.

  He had no doubts about his course of action.

  ‘Things have changed, Donna. Alissa won’t be going to Australia except on visits. We’re staying married. Permanently.’

  Alissa stopped in the doorway of the study and clawed at the doorjamb for support. She couldn’t believe her ears…Dario soothing her sister with lies about them staying together. Dario saying that their marriage was permanent.

  Ecstatic hope burgeoned, only to be dashed by common sense. Whatever Dario’s motive it wasn’t that he loved her. Love wasn’t on Dario’s agenda. She’d discovered that last night when he’d torn out her heart with his story. The only love he felt was for the memory of his family. His only need his obsessive quest to restore the past. She ached for him and for herself, because she realised now it was impossible for them to stay together.

  Last night she’d loved him with a desperation born of knowing this must be the end of their intimacy. She’d promised to stay six months. But she couldn’t destroy herself by giving herself again to him, fuelling her love when he’d never return her feelings.

  Anguish scooped out the place where her heart had been. In his mind she’d always bear the stain of her grandfather’s role in his family’s ruin.

  She had to save herself while she had the strength.

  Quietly she stepped inside and snicked the door shut, determined to face him before her resolve wavered.

  Alissa marvelled at his arrogance as he spun Donna more lies. Anger sparked and she welcomed it. Anything was preferable to the helpless yearning that had tormented her since she’d woken in his empty bed.

  She crossed her arms over her chest and waited. He ended the call and turned to stare out the windows, his gaze fixed on the castello. Why wasn’t she surprised? It was all he really cared for. Old stones and dreams of past glory. Not the love of a real flesh-and-blood woman. He yearned for the past, for what he’d lost. And who could blame him?

  The knowledge pumped her blood faster. Her mouth twisted. She was jealous of a pile of rocks and mortar! The disturbing realisation lent her the strength she needed.

  ‘What do you think you’re doing, lying to my sister?’

  He spun round and Alissa had the momentary satisfaction of seeing shock stark on his handsome face. Then the shutters came down. He looked as warm and approachable as a marble statue.

  His aloofness stiffened her resolve. She could cope with that. It was the hidden Dario, real, vulnerable and hurting, who shattered her barriers with his tenderness and passion.

  ‘Come in, Alissa, and sit down. We need to talk.’

  ‘We sure do,’ she muttered as she paced across the room. ‘You’ve got a nerve, feeding her that story.’ Yet even as she lashed her anger her weaker self longed for him to pull her close and say it was true: he wanted them to remain man and wife because he loved her.

  She wanted it so badly she trembled.

  ‘Here.’ He gestured abruptly to the long lounge.

  The place where they’d first been intimate. Piercing bittersweet memories surfaced.

  ‘No, thank you.’ She halted before his desk, keeping a safe distance between them.

  Eyes the colour of winter rain meshed with hers. The dangerous undertow of desire tugged at her. She looked away. ‘Tell me,’ she demanded.

  ‘Your sister’s call pre-empted a discussion I’d planned to have with you.’ He sounded relaxed, as if he were discussing anything but their future. ‘I’ve been considering our marriage…’

  ‘And?’ Her heart hammered in her throat.

  ‘All things considered, it seems logical to make our arrangement permanent.’

  All things considered…Suddenly Alissa wished she’d taken his offer of a seat. Her legs were rubbery, her knees quaked. She braced her palms on his desk and breathed deep. ‘All what things?’

  He took a stride towards her then halted, jamming his hands deep in his pockets.

  ‘We got off to a rocky start.’ He ignored her stare of disbelief. ‘But we’ve settled into a good relationship. You like the life here. Sicily suits you.’ His gaze snared hers again and she read approval in their glittering depths. Heat corkscrewed in her stomach.

  ‘You’ve fitted in perfectly, coping with society events and local gatherings like the one yesterday. Fitting in with me. With my lifestyle. We’re good together.’ She waited, breathless for him to say the one thing that mattered, the one thing she needed to hear.

  He remained silent and something cracked inside her.

  Alissa licked her lips and discovered the rusty taste of blood where she’d bitten down too hard. Had she really expected him to make a declaration of love?

  She’d known from the first Dario wasn’t for her. Stupidly she’d let her emotions blind her to that. The surging pain that cramped her stomach and tore at her throat was testimony to the danger of false hope.

  Her feelings for him were so different now she knew the real Dario. But, though he knew her too, he still viewed her as nothing more than a convenience. Pain scored her heart. Had he any idea how he hurt her?

  ‘I fit your lifestyle.’ Her voice was a rasp of anguish. ‘You mean we’re good in bed.’

  Those broad shoulders lifted in a fluid shrug and his smile tugged at her belly as he leaned close over the desk. ‘That goes without saying, tesoro. The passion between us is out of this world.’

  His satisfied smirk reminded her that while she’d made love he’d had sex. Last night heaven and earth had moved and her soul had soared as she gave herself to the man she loved. But he’d simply craved oblivion after the wrenching memory of past grief. For him it had been a physical and mental catharsis, no more. She’d known it then and she knew it now. That didn’t make it easier to stomach.

  She’d given herself willingly. Her heart had ached for the vulnerable boy he’d been and the driven man he’d become. But now the pain was for her foolish dreams, the impossible yea
rning for a man who could never return her feelings. Staying with him to be used in that way would destroy her. She might even begin to hate him.

  ‘Was there anything else?’

  His eyes widened at her abrupt tone. ‘Of course.’

  His brows arrowed down as if he was puzzled by her lack of excitement. Dully she supposed women were usually more enthusiastic about Dario’s propositions. Her knees wobbled as she remembered how enthusiastic she’d been just hours ago. The ache of unshed tears filled her mouth.

  ‘I can give you everything, Alissa. Jewels, money, luxury holidays. You’ll never have to work again. You’ll never have to worry about anything. I’ll take care of you.’

  ‘Like a kept woman?’ He still thought she cared about those material things? How little he understood her. It wasn’t his wealth she craved. It was him: obstinate, gorgeous, passionate and challenging.

  ‘No! Like my wife.’ His tone made it clear this was the highest possible honour. ‘You want children. I’ve seen the way you are with the little ones. You’ll make a marvellous mother.’ His voice dropped an octave and a thrill of delight ripped through her. ‘I want to start a family, Alissa. Soon.’ His eyes darkened in promise. ‘If you agree we could start trying straight away. Today.’

  Alissa trembled at the temptation of his words. He had an unerring ability to find her weak spots. An image filled her mind of Dario on the beach with a little dark-haired tot. Their child.

  She sucked in a breath of dismay at how badly she craved the future he painted. Almost enough to forget he’d never love her. Or that he wasn’t interested in their children, his and hers. She saw it with a sickening clarity that wrenched her heart. He wanted babies to replace the family he’d lost. This was part of his plan to restore the Parisi clan.

  ‘Any woman could give you a baby, Dario. It doesn’t have to be me.’ Yet she wanted it to be her. Wanted it desperately.

  ‘It’s you I’m asking, Alissa. Doesn’t that mean anything?’ He strode round the desk so there was no barrier between them. This close she felt the inevitable desire to nestle in his arms and give him whatever he wanted.

  ‘It’s not enough.’ She forced the words through stiff lips. It was the hardest thing she’d ever said.

  ‘What?’ The single syllable boomed in her ears. He drew himself up to his full, imposing height and stared down his long, perfect, aristocratic nose at her. ‘What more do you want? I offer you my name, my honour. I promise you luxury, a life of comfort and ease. The children I know you want.’ He scowled.

  ‘Is there nothing else, Dario? No other reason to remain married?’

  He was silent so long Alissa couldn’t repress a rising bubble of hope. Was it possible he loved her? That he just couldn’t say the words? She remembered how he’d cut himself off from emotion, converting his loss and pain into a drive to succeed and an aloofness that set him apart from everyone. Could it be…?

  Slowly he nodded, his expression reluctant. She waited, rigid with expectation.

  ‘You must know I feel responsible.’ He paused, breathing heavily through flared nostrils. His gaze was brilliant, pinioning hers. ‘I misjudged you. I pressured you. I forced you to give me your virginity and—’

  ‘No!’ She stumbled back, a palm to her racing heart. She didn’t want to hear she should marry him because of some antiquated nonsense about him soiling her ‘innocence’. If his strongest feeling for her was guilt, what sort of marriage would it be? Her heart plummeted, her hopes splintered into fragments. ‘Don’t say any more.’

  He closed the gap between them. His scent, his heat, his presence undermined her resolve to remain aloof.

  ‘We’re good together,’ he purred in the bedroom voice that made her traitorous body tingle even now. ‘Admit it, Alissa. You want me as much as I want you.’

  He lifted a hand and she jerked back. ‘No!’ She summoned all the defiance she could muster and glared into his heavy-lidded eyes. ‘No,’ she said again more quietly. ‘I agreed to stay for six months, that’s all. I want my freedom when the time’s up.’

  Dario’s face was grim, taut skin over jutting bone. Slashing frown lines scarred his forehead and bracketed his mouth. Defiantly she met his eyes. She read doubt there and determination too. Dario wasn’t the sort to give up anything he wanted and right now he wanted her. The irony of it appalled her.

  ‘You’re lying,’ he murmured, eyes narrowing. ‘I know you want me. Your body tells me so.’ He wrapped an arm around her, hauled her close and claimed her mouth. His kiss was short and hard. It turned her world upside down and sent desire corkscrewing through her trembling body. Her knees were jelly, her breathing ragged as he pulled back and scrutinised her hot face.

  ‘You can’t hide the truth, Alissa. You’re mine.’

  For one crazy instant she revelled in his proprietorial mastery.

  She stumbled back till a wall blocked her escape. ‘We’re good in bed.’ Her voice cracked. ‘But I’m sure there’s no shortage of women who could satisfy you.’ She hid a wince at the idea of Dario with another woman.

  He was hers, a silent voice screamed. But Alissa had to stop fooling herself. He could never be hers. Not in the way that counted.

  ‘Once our divorce comes through you can take your pick of women. No doubt you’ll find one more suitable than me.’ Excruciating pain stabbed her chest as she said it.

  ‘You don’t mean that.’ There was arrogant certainty in his face. What did she have to do to make him release her?

  ‘I’ve never been more serious in my life. Staying here would…’ Her voice wobbled and she stopped, trying to shore up her defences. She swung round, pretending to stare out the window so he couldn’t see the tears brimming.

  ‘You know I never wanted to come here, Dario. You know I didn’t want marriage. I was manoeuvred into it. Now you think it’s convenient to stay married and you’re trying to force me again, telling Donna I’m staying. But I’m not a pawn on a chess board. I’m a woman with thoughts and feelings of my own. I make my own decisions.’

  ‘You believe I’m manipulating you?’

  ‘Aren’t you? It feels like it.’ Her voice was dull. Pain blunted the sharp edge of her indignation. She wanted to hide somewhere and grieve in peace.

  ‘You believe I’m trying to control you. Like your grandfather did.’ His voice seemed to come from a distance. ‘That’s what you’re saying. That I’m like him.’

  Miserably she shook her head. Dario and Gianfranco were poles apart. Dario was an honourable, caring man, though proud and blind to love. He stood head and shoulders above scum like her grandfather.

  ‘I just—’

  ‘Stop.’ The single word cracked like a gunshot, jerking her to a halt. ‘Don’t say any more. You’ve made your feelings abundantly clear.’ His voice was as cold and haughty as on the day so long ago when he’d hijacked her wedding. She cringed inside, grateful she couldn’t see his face.

  ‘I won’t detain you. You can consider our arrangement at an end.’ Stupidly she held her breath as if that might stop the pain that lanced her chest. ‘There will be a car waiting as soon as you’re ready to leave and a ticket on the first flight out.’

  Silence. Thick, accusing silence. Then the sound of the door opening and closing as he exited the room.

  He’d taken her at her word and left her alone.

  It was over.

  Alissa drew a raw breath as tears slid down her cheeks and her knees crumpled. She huddled on the floor as grief engulfed her.

  She had her freedom.

  It was a hollow victory.

  Half an hour later she sat on the wide back seat of the limousine as it purred along the coast road.

  Through a glaze of tears she saw the forbidding outline of Castello Parisi on the next headland. It mocked her. It would be here, a permanent part of Dario’s life long after he’d forgotten her.

  The past had triumphed. She’d met her match in a crumbling pile of ancient masonry.

&nbs
p; It was only after they’d passed it that Alissa’s numbed brain began to function. Shock clawed her as she realised what Dario had done. He’d sent her away before they’d been married six months. They couldn’t inherit the castello.

  He’d deprived himself of his one chance to acquire the prize he’d worked all his life to win.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  DARIO stood on the beach, hands jammed in his pockets, staring at the restless sea. It reminded him of Alissa, the way her eyes danced with pleasure, her quicksilver quality, the energy she brought to everyday living. The passion she’d bestowed on him.

  His chest constricted at the idea of never seeing her again. Never holding her or watching her eyes light with passion. Never sharing those silent moments when the world faded and there were just the two of them, connected by a force so strong it defied everything he’d ever known.

  He’d fooled himself into hoping she felt it too, the well-spring of emotion and need that drew him to her. It had been a false hope.

  A tide of despair swamped him.

  She’d broken the seals on emotions he’d buried a lifetime ago. Emotions he’d forgotten and new feelings he’d never before experienced.

  If he hadn’t met Alissa he’d still be that remote, diffident man, isolated by pride and lack of emotion.

  She’d left him raw and wounded, horrified by the man she’d revealed. Her absolute refusal to countenance a permanent relationship forced him to take stock of who he was. It wasn’t a pretty sight.

  He’d treated her like a whore, demanding she sleep with him for payment. He’d stolen her virginity then not had the decency to release her. He’d used her to sate his lust, regardless of her own needs. He hadn’t stopped to find out what she wanted, had just assumed what they had was as good for her as it was for him.

  He’d learned nothing. In the end he’d been so desperate to keep her he’d tried to bulldoze her into staying. Manipulate her into agreeing. She, who’d fought most of her life against her domineering grandfather.