Contract for Marriage

by Barbara Deleo

  Doctor Harlan had agreed that it was probably nothing more than heat and excitement, and she was feeling much better. “Everything’s good, thanks.”

  “Excuse me.”

  He leaned slightly across her to lift the bottle from the bucket. Suddenly drenched in the cool sea-breeze scent of him, she took a longer breath and pushed her back into the soft leather of the seat. She fixated on the back of his neck as he leaned down. The polished skin there seemed to call to the tips of her fingers to reach out and touch, to stroke.

  She tucked her hands firmly under her thighs as the car purred to life. “I’ve felt fine today,” she said. “I spent the afternoon making some calls to old friends in the publishing industry here—one to the publisher of CeeCee magazine.” She took a solidifying breath. “They want me to drop by tomorrow for an interview.”

  She watched his face for a reaction as he leaned back, ripped the foil casing off the top of the bottle and wrestled with the cork. The corner of his mouth quirked. “Ah, CeeCee magazine. You’d have spoken to—”

  “Don’t tell me. You own the magazine?”

  He laughed as the cork came out with an echoing pop, his smile flashing in the close confinement of the limousine. “No, not at all. I’ve worked with Julia Deans a number of times, and she’s very good at what she does. CeeCee would be a good choice if you wanted to keep on working. But you know it won’t be necessary when I’m supporting you and the baby.” He poured the fizzing liquid into one of the glasses and waited for her to hold out the other.

  “I’m not drinking alcohol, Christo.” She held her palm over the rim of the glass.

  “This has no alcohol but still has the features of finest champagne. It’s one of the new developments from our sparkling wine facility. Perfect for times like these.”

  He’d organized this especially for her? A smile touched her lips. “Thank you.”

  She clasped the cool glass a little tighter and set her gaze on his face. “I’d like to keep some independence and not rely on you for everything. My career has been a very important part of my life in the last decade, and I’d like to keep some options open.” She eyed the glass in her hand. “Wait a minute…” He slowly looked up at her from ebony lashes. “Why exactly are we drinking pretend champagne? Wasn’t tonight about me returning a favor?”

  He finished pouring, then placed the bottle in the bucket before turning back to her, his voice smooth and playfully sexy. “We’re celebrating.”

  “Celebrating?”

  His mouth lifted in a candid grin. “Your acceptance of my proposal.” He clinked his glass against hers, but she couldn’t look at him, couldn’t help the feeling of unease that washed through her.

  Was this relaxed, affable man the same person who’d stood so confident and resolute beside the pool three days ago? The man who’d said he’d stop at nothing to get her house? Warning bells sounded in Ruby’s ears, and she took a sip to steady herself and wash them away. What he’d said to her in the bar about their marriage being consummated flitted through her mind. When he’d first proposed marriage she’d been dumbfounded, outraged. But look at her now. Would it be just as easy to find herself in his bed? If he looked at her again the way he had when he’d first stated their marriage would be consummated—body strong and full of sinful promise—would she be able to refuse him a second time?

  As the fizzing liquid popped and tingled across her tongue she let her gaze drift to the beautiful vista beyond the car: Auckland at dusk, still bright with the heat of the day but pulsing with sub-tropical moisture. Staying on guard with Christo Mantazis was a priority. She would not let herself succumb to the charm she knew ran thick in his veins. Everything was moving so smoothly now, and it was precisely at a time like this that she must remember to remain focused. Losing herself to Christo’s sexual charms meant she would lose control of what this relationship was. And this time she had more than just herself to protect from the devastating effect of falling under Christo’s spell.

  Chapter Seven

  Christo couldn’t tear himself from the view in front of him. Ruby, her hips swaying slightly as she mounted the steps to the Grand Hotel, her neck long and graceful beneath the blond hair piled in a loose mess of curls. Persuading her to come tonight had been easier than he’d expected, and seeing her dressed like this, radiant and captivating, set his blood alight. And made him crave to see her lush body out of that dress.

  Although he wouldn’t make an announcement tonight—he liked his private life private and would keep their engagement quiet for as long as he could—there was something supremely satisfying about attending this function with the woman who’d soon be his wife. He took the steps two at a time until he was beside her and placed his hand on her waist to guide her through the revolving doors. The instant his skin made contact with the fabric slipping over her middle, he couldn’t help but visualize the curve of her body beneath, how smooth and creamy that hidden skin must be.

  For a minute he imagined pulling that fabric from her body, caressing the skin at that waist with his lips until she begged for more. Of course he would make love to her soon enough. It was ridiculous to think a husband and wife would choose to stay celibate as she’d insisted they would, but that was a journey he’d make at her pace. It was vital that Ruby wasn’t scared off before the marriage contract had been signed. But he’d be ready for any signals she gave him. Maybe he’d consider convincing her, if the situation warranted.

  “We’ll mix and mingle tonight. A quick appearance.” He murmured at her ear as her scent, fresh as honeysuckle, enveloped him.

  “You said it was for a reading charity?” A smile touched her glossy mouth. “What a lovely cause. We’d talked about a reading program at the magazine but hadn’t taken it further.”

  They walked into the huge foyer as the last of a line of people entered the main doors, Ruby’s long legs, even in killer heels, easily kept up with his stride. Moving his hand from her waist to her elbow, he tried to steer her toward a side door. No need to make a dramatic entrance—the tabloids would be sniffing out their arrangement soon enough, and he needed to ensure Ruby wasn’t caught up in anything public until the ink was dry on the license. He could still sense some hesitation in her and intended to eradicate that as soon as possible.

  “We’ll take this side entrance so we’re not held up.” He was trying to usher her sideways, but she wasn’t moving.

  Her voice was a breathy laugh, her eyes wide and sparkling—deep-sea blue and gold—and his heart swelled at the vision. “Look at the fabulous entranceway!” He followed her gaze to a line of book character cutouts. “They’re huge! There’s Tigger, and Harry Potter, and is that Kapai the Kiwi?”

  They were only feet away from the looming door, and he maneuvered himself in front of her. If they went through those doors all hell would break loose. Usually at these things the press was allowed in for the first few minutes only. If they could avoid the inevitable frenzy a public entrance would make, he’d be happier.

  “We’ll take the side entrance to avoid the crush.” He glanced around. Just the two of them left. He pointed to the other door in the distance. “This way, where it’s not so crowded.”

  Silk shushed against her limbs as she moved toward him, her face glowing. “I want to see which other characters there are. Oh, look, there’s Mrs. Wishy-Washy! I’d completely forgotten about her. I used to read books about her until the pages nearly fell out. And Geronimo Stilton. And they’ve all got little quotes written above. Let’s read them.”

  She drew closer to one of the characters and began following the trail into the main hall. Chandeliers overhead threw sparkles onto the ground and highlights into her hair. Her face glowed, and Christo growled under his breath. There was no stopping Ruby Fleming when she had an idea in her head. Her curiosity, her enthusiasm, and her bald stubbornness—they were equally attractive.

  “Be prepared for some interest from the press as we walk in,” he said.

  “Th
e press?” She was reading the speech bubble coming from a giant hedgehog and hardly seemed to hear him.

  Straightening his lapels, he drew alongside her, his earlier resolve to avoid a flashy entrance evaporated. He was being overly cautious. What did it matter if they came through the main entrance? As soon as he was spotted, there would be some sort of announcement, and then they’d have to pose for photo opportunities. If she was so determined to do things her way, then she’d need to deal with the consequences. As his wife, she’d be thrust into the midst of publicity hounds constantly.

  Nearing the ballroom doors, a tide of chatter and flirty swing music rushed toward them. Christo leaned in closer and touched her elbow. The sweet scent of lavender shampoo and Ruby got caught with his words, and he stayed where he was and pulled in another breath. “There might be some excitement when we come in. Just smile for the photographers.”

  She turned her face to him, eyes growing wider as they stepped into the ballroom, and the glittering crowd before them parted. The band stilled, and for an instant there was silence. Suddenly, like cannon-fire, applause broke out, thundering around them and rising louder as it went on. Flash after flash went off, but Christo couldn’t turn from the paleness of Ruby’s face, the way her mouth dropped open as she turned to him, desperate for understanding.

  “Christo?”

  He swore under his breath. He’d avoided telling her this event carried his name. It seemed to offer another complication among their negotiations. But seeing her now, like a rabbit caught in headlights, he wondered about his judgment in not telling her exactly what to expect.

  “Ruby—” Primal instincts of protection roared through his body and clashed with the small sense of satisfaction that right now she was seeing the real Christo Mantazis—the man she’d written off all those years ago. The man who had pushed himself to number one through strength and self-belief. He tightened his jaw. It was Ruby’s lack of belief in him, her refusal to fight for him all those years ago, that had seared the scar that still sat raw on his heart. So why did every part of him want to protect her now?

  “The Mantazis Foundation?” she breathed. She stared at words in flourishing script on an enormous banner above their heads. “This is your charity? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Like leaves in the wind, people came at them from left and right, and before he could answer they were pulled along in a flurry of conversation. He managed to lift a glass of juice from a passing waiter and place it carefully in Ruby’s shaking hand. She downed half the liquid in one swallow. When the moment presented itself, he turned his back on the guests milling around them and guided her into a corner.

  “Why the secret?” she whispered, her gaze sweeping around them before moving back to his face.

  He nodded to the mayor, who lifted an eyebrow and turned away. He kept his voice low so only she could hear him. “It wasn’t a secret. I told you I had a function to attend and that you’d need to accompany me. With the negotiations over the last day, we haven’t had a chance to discuss the finer details.” He looked over her head. People were hanging back, shooting him questioning looks, but he didn’t care. Ruby’s attention was fully focused on him, and he wanted it to stay that way. “There will be many functions such as these that you’ll be expected to attend as my wife.”

  She bowed her head then lifted her lashes. Gone was the dark shock he’d seen earlier; now it was replaced by a look he couldn’t name—perhaps approval for what he’d just told her. The expression moved from her face to his body in warming waves. “I’m surprised.” Her mouth opened a fraction and he couldn’t pull his gaze from the inviting gloss of her lips.

  He let his hand remain a second longer on her arm before he stepped back. She was impressed by what she saw? It shouldn’t matter, but the fact he could surprise her, set that spark off in her eyes from something he was so proud of, made him want to do it again. “Surprised that someone as heartless and self-serving as me would run a charity for underprivileged children?”

  “No.” Her forehead pleated as she tapped the glass on the soft skin of her cheek. “It’s…well. Yes, I suppose I am surprised. You said you were an entrepreneur. I didn’t imagine you’d have this as part of your life. Did you choose this charity because you’d be helping children?”

  He tilted his head to relieve the constriction of his tie. “It’s one of my many charities.” Again he experienced the sense of satisfaction that she didn’t know him at all, but it was joined by the anticipation of showing her even more about himself. “Will you be comfortable, accompanying me to these sorts of events? People will know you’re my wife soon enough, and then invitations will include you.”

  A flush of color crossed her face. “I don’t know. It’s not something I factored in. Everything’s happened so quickly that I haven’t had a chance to think about our day-to-day life. Tell me more about the charity.”

  The set of each muscle in her face relaxed and he reclaimed the step he’d yielded, breathing in her sweet scent, his palm pulsing with the memory of where he’d touched her earlier. “Even though I was the child of an immigrant, I never felt underprivileged. Your family gave my mother a home, a livelihood. But I was always aware that there were other children like me who weren’t so lucky. Now that I have the means, I like to do what I can for others. This was the first charity I established.”

  “It’s very admirable,” she said, and then her eyes sparked again. “It’s something I’d love to be involved in. If that was appropriate. More than just as your wife. Perhaps in a hands-on role.”

  He dropped his voice further and laid his fingers on the soft skin of her arm. This was all panning out beautifully. “With your publishing background and your father’s contacts you’d be an asset to the foundation. I’ll put some structures in place for you.” Pain flitted across her face at the mention of her father. She was starting to believe the truth he’d told her in the last few days—about her father’s deception to both her and her mother.

  With one thumb, he stroked her delicate wrist and the blush on her cheeks vanished. For an exquisite moment she held his gaze, her ocean-blue irises shimmering before she lifted the glass to her lips again. “I don’t want you overtired.” He touched her arm once more. “We’ll stay an hour or two and then I’ll take you home.”

  Three city councilors joined them and he was forced to step away from her, but all the while he watched her movements as she mingled with the crowd. Only when he saw her engaged in conversation with a group of businesswomen did he relax and work through the motions of meeting and greeting on his own.

  Half an hour later he stood at the podium, and silence descended. A rainbow of black and white suits and sparkling gowns colored the room before him as he began his customary speech of welcome and thanks, but tonight he kept being drawn back to one woman.

  The glint of the crystals in her ears and the way she stroked her throat, head on one side as if she was really listening to him, made Ruby stand out like the morning star. For the way his body tightened, he might’ve been standing inches from her rather than having yards of distance that caused his speech to quicken, his list of thank-yous to shorten. The need to be back within touching distance was a powerful force that tonight he didn’t intend to resist. For the briefest second he considered announcing their engagement—it would be preferable to have the jump on the tabloids—but he wouldn’t risk Ruby backing out now in fright. He needed to show her how good life could be with him.

  The Master of Ceremonies took over, and Christo automatically sought Ruby again to see if she was clapping as loudly as everyone else. She wasn’t. She was deep in conversation, and a twinge of disappointment settled in his chest. When the applause stopped and she still didn’t look up, he shook the feeling away and focused on the crowd.

  While the MC explained that dinner would soon be served, Christo strode from the stage and found Ruby. As people moved to the ballroom, he extracted her from her little group.

  “It’s time
to go.”

  She remained a step away from him so he closed the gap and took her arm as she whispered, “I’ve been talking to Tracey, one of your directors, and asking her how I can help out.”

  He was glad for her interest, yet an overwhelming urge to get away from here, to be alone with her again, took over. “The auction’s about to start and I want to put in a silent bid or two. The organizers only expected me to stay a short time. They need to get on with the serious business of raising money.”

  Lowering her voice, she spoke while her gaze fixed on his. “Do we need to leave now? I’m enjoying myself.”

  “I can’t stay here, Ruby. The focus needs to be on raising money now, not my presence.”

  She turned to the women on her left and said good-bye.

  “Did you learn a lot about the charity?” He took her hand and moved through the crowd.

  Cheeks smudged pink, she spoke in a guarded whisper. “A little. The women I spoke to mostly wanted to talk about you. They were intrigued that we’d arrived together.”

  “Were they now?” He held her closer and allowed the length of his body to soak in her warmth. “Did you tell them I was about to make you my wife?”

  She smiled. “No, they were very discreet, but I could tell they wanted to ask more about where I fit in.”

  “They’ll know soon enough.”

  She stopped walking and turned to him, a chandelier overhead throwing sparkles across her shoulders. “Not before I’ve had a chance to tell my family. We’ve told your mother, but I’ll talk to my uncles before anyone else tells them.”

  He nodded. “Of course, but as we’ve done with my mother, you’ll lead them to understand that the marriage is legitimate.”

  She brushed her fingers across her lips and frowned. “I won’t lie to my family, Christo. There’s been enough deceit in the Fleming family.”

  “They’ll all benefit from having you and the baby in New Zealand.” Slinging a hand into his pocket, he continued. “So everyone’s a winner.”