Her eyes pooled with tears, and every hair on her body stood on end as she looked around her at the setting that was so achingly familiar. She lifted agonized eyes to the craggy ranges, imagining the place where her father had painted Lucrezia’s face. A warm wind danced around Alex, calling her name, drawing her deeper and deeper into the painting's mystery.
‘You alright, missus?’ Rangi asked. ‘You seen a ghost?’
‘Yes…yes—I’m fine,’ she said absent-mindedly. It gave her an odd feeling to know that her father had stood on this very spot. That this was what had burned in his memory all those lonely years he’d spent in self-imposed exile.
More than anything she wanted to be alone. Alone with her father, with his memory, with his spirit. He felt so real to her—as though she could almost reach out and touch him. She decided that tomorrow she would return on her own and camp overnight so she could watch the sunset that he had painted and spend time with his memory. It was probably as near as she would ever get to the father she had never known and she wanted to feel his closeness.
Perhaps he might even give up some of the secrets which haunted the man she loved.
‘Better get a move on before the sun goes down,’ Jack said, insisting that they head back to the homestead. He frowned as he looked at the sky.
‘What’s up?’ said Rangi.
‘The boss’s chopper.’
‘But he’s not due back for two days?’ Alex said, as at last the helicopter broke through the low cloud.
‘Must be some kind of trouble,’ said Rangi.
‘Trouble like we’ll be in if the missus ain’t back safe and sound before the boss,’ Jack said.
Alex immediately urged Chardonnay into a gallop. Why was Vitali home two days early? What kind of trouble would cause him to return home to her? She didn’t know. She simply didn’t want to miss a second of being with her husband.
It was fortunate that they did turn back because they were still a fair ride away. The horse responded with enthusiastic urgency and they sped home.
She raced up to the big house, and handed her horse over to the boys to return to the stables. Her heart was galloping as she dashed along the deck to Bob’s office, expecting Vitali to be there. But only Bob and the book-keeper were in the room.
‘Vitali?’ she asked breathlessly. ‘What’s happened?’ Dread wormed through her gut.
‘Nothing’s happened—he’s come home early and gone to make himself handsome for you. Must be missing his new bride’ Bob teased with a wide grin.
‘Really?’ She beamed a happy smile.
‘Did you tell him about the shipment of Alpacas?’
‘Nope—didn’t want to spoil your surprise.’
‘Thanks,’ she said, then shot away to the kitchen. She wasn’t too sure that Vitali was sprucing himself up for her, but she could use the extra time to her advantage and make his home-coming extra special. Luckily Dara and the two girls were in the kitchen preparing vegetables for dinner.
‘Have we got any Bluff Oysters, Dara?’
‘Sure do. When they’re in season and Vitali's at home we get them flown in daily.’
‘And some of Vitali's favorite champagne?’
Dara nodded. ‘Yip. Cellar’s full.Always.’
‘Would you mind fetching the most expensive bottle he has. Something really, really exquisite.’
Dara whistled. ‘Me oh my. Looks like you’re in the mood for a celebration.’
‘I am, Dara.’ she beamed happily. ‘I am.’
Ten minutes later Alex carried a tray of oysters, champagne and crystal flutes to Vitali's room. The thought that he might have come home because he missed her put an extra lift in her step. Why else would he have come back early from his beloved muster? Whatever the reason she was going to make the most of his return and show him how sincerely his wife had missed him. And, of course she was bursting to share news of her project.
Strange, she thought, standing in the doorway to their room. She couldn’t hear running water. Perhaps he had already showered. Maybe he was getting dressed. She walked through to the walk-in wardrobe. The connecting door to her room was wide open. Vitali was standing at her writing-desk, studying one of the wedding photos. She stood still, watching his face.
She wanted to say “we look good together.”. Instead when at last she spoke she said, ‘They came out well, don’t you think?’
His head swung toward her, and for a moment there was a sharp question in his eyes, as if he had seen something in the photograph that made him wonder about her. About them. Then his gaze dropped to the tray she was still carrying and his mouth curved in amusement.
‘A woman bearing gifts spells danger.’
He wore a sumptuous thigh-length black silk robe which grazed his long, powerful legs. The robe was loosely tied, revealing a deep V of his bronzed bare chest, from which spirals of dark hair peeked. Freshly showered and shaved, he oozed masculine virility, and Alex caught her breath.
She glanced down at her riding boots and jeans and fiercely wished that she had thought to clean herself up after her long, dusty ride. She hadn’t even stopped to think about her appearance. And it was too late to dash back, put on the lippy and transform herself into a goddess.
But something about the way his eyes met hers when at last she lifted her gaze to his told her he would take her au natural.
She let the delectable thought linger between them. He said nothing about the wedding photos. Instead he just stared at her, undressing her with his eyes. She tilted her chin and drew a purposeful breath. She had to get his mind away from sex and back on the challenging track that would make their relationship sustainable.
‘You’re very photogenic.’ He said as Alex carried the tray over to the table beside the bed.
She put it down, and picked up the image he had been studying. ‘Thank you. So are you.’
‘Your mother will be convinced you love me.’
Perhaps I do.
His hands slid around Alex’s waist and pulled her back against him. ‘But we both know better,’ he murmured into her ear, moving his lips over it with teasing sensuality.
A delicious tingle of excitement spread through her. Perhaps Vitali really had come home because he couldn’t get enough of her. Eager to see some need in his eyes, she tried to turn around, but he tightened one muscular arm around her waist, pinning her back against his chest.
‘Stay right where you are my little seductress.’ The need for dominance over her graveled through his voice.
His free hand roved up over her breasts to the top button of her shirt. She felt the stirrings of his desire that no words could hide or diminish, and she knew there was no dominance. Nor did she feel in any way threatened by her body’s response to the exquisite caressing of her bared flesh as his hand explored her hardened nipples beneath her shirt.
She willingly surrendered to his need to hold and touch her with such erotic finesse. She did not fight the waves of pleasure that rippled through her in increasing strength, melting her bones so that it was only his support that kept her standing.
It was Vitali who could no longer bear not to take what she could give him. With a guttural cry, he swung her around and pressed her heated flesh to his, arching back at the sheer impact of the long-deferred intimacy.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Alex didn’t remember how they got to the bed. She recalled only that first sweet thrust of him inside her and the incredible storm of sensation that followed, holding him tightly when he finally collapsed on top of her. She remembered kissing each other in an ecstasy of feeling that had nothing to do with power games and never would.
And when eventually he spoke, Vitali made no mention of games or charades. He said, with a dry intonation, ‘Let’s have that glass of champagne now.’
‘Yes,’ she replied huskily. ‘Will you do the honors? If I pop the cork I might take out your eye.’
He gave that low, throaty laugh that hit the pit of her stomach
in a wave of tingles, and slowly untangled his limbs from hers. Alex rolled on to her back and watched with immense pleasure as he padded butt-naked around the bed.
He lifted the bottle from the tray on the bedside table and popped the cork with the finesse of a French sommelier, and filled two crystal flutes. Alex hitched herself up onto the pillow as he held out one of the glasses to her.
‘So, have you managed to get through the half million yet?’ he asked mockingly.
‘Not quite,’ Alex answered, and sipped her champagne with every appearance of blithe unconcern. ‘But I do have to discuss fencing with you.’
His broad brows furrowed. ‘Fencing?’ he asked skeptically, and proceeded to pick up an oyster still in its shell. He passed it to her, and held it up to let it slide into her mouth as she opened her lips. Then taking one for himself he sucked it into his mouth with what Alex could only sum up as a slow purposeful tease. ‘What do you want to cage, Alexi. Not me I hope.’
‘Alpacas.’
The oyster he just downed nearly came splurging out of his mouth. ‘Alpacas?’ His green eyes flared in disbelief.
‘Fifty of the world’s finest.’ She replied enjoying his reaction. ‘They cost me– us—a lot of money.’ she corrected. ‘But let me assure you that as my financial partner in this venture you can be assured not only do I intend to return your investment within 3 years, but to double the return.’
She proceeded to tell him exactly what Alpaca’s she had purchased and what she intended to do with them. ‘I have full capital and financial projections—but now’s not the time to be looking at Excel and Power Point,’ she said, trailing a finger down his chest. ‘Work-life balance is an important part of business success, don’t you agree, my love?’
The disbelief and mockery quickly neutralized. Calculations and speculation grew in their place, and when Alex had finished informing him of the length and breadth of her venture into Alpaca breeding, Vitali stared at her for a long time before speaking.
‘You…are one hell of an opponent, mia cara. You’re going to ride me all the way, aren’t you?’
‘Yes, I am,’ she said, placing her glass down and straddling him. ‘With pleasure.’
His mouth twisted in dry irony. ‘I think I’m going to enjoy the return on this investment.’
‘And I’m taking this land on. Just like you. Not against you. As far as I’m concerned, your business is my business. And if there’s any way of making our dealing better, I’m willing to do it. Do you have a problem with that?’ Alex demanded.
It was a very deliberate challenge, and on it hung the future of their relationship. If he refused to accept her interest, there could only be the most bitter conflict ahead.
For what seemed like an eternity the green eyes searched hers with fierce intensity. ‘This is a long-term project you’ve embarked on, Alexi,’ he stated, without any inflection at all.
‘Don’t you think I’m aware of that? I intend to see our partnership through—Alpaca or no Alpacas. But obviously, I’d prefer your cooperation,’ she said just as flatly.
He nodded slowly, as if feeling his way with great care. ‘I would prefer, in future, that you don’t make any more decisions without my knowledge.’ His tone was stern, yet his eyes betrayed his struggle. Was he struggling to admit that he respected her, admired her—loved her? Despite himself?
A knot twisted in Alex’s gut. She couldn’t be sure. But control was not something she was not used to sharing or ceding. But with Vitali it was a lesson she was willing finally to learn.
Perhaps they would teach each other how to share control and care for each others’ mutual interests in business and in life.
And importantly—to trust.
‘I would prefer, in future, to be accorded the same respect.’ She said, summoning a counter statement.
His mouth twitched in dry appreciation and Alex knew she had won a significant victory.
‘Are we looking towards a long future, Mrs Rossi?’
Her lips curved in quiet triumph. ‘Yes, I do believe we are, Mr Rossi.’
‘Tangoing with you grows ever more stimulating, but don’t let it go to your head, Alex. Because I’ll keep my head, no matter what surprises you flash at me,’ he warned her mockingly. He brought his arms around her neck and pulled her toward him. For the first time she sensed he was happy to relinquish control. The thought made her smile. He loves me, even if he’s too proud, too stubborn, too afraid to admit the truth.
‘I’d hate you to lose your head, Vitali.’ Alex said, kissing him. Even their earlier kisses hadn’t prepared her for the sheer need that welled within her as Vitali made love to her mouth with his.
‘I do so enjoy the taste of your lips, the smell of your skin, the feel of your hair—and I adore looking at your beautiful face.’ she said breathlessly.
For the first time, he gave a full-throated laugh. His eyes danced at her in pure joy as he lifted her arms above her head and moved his body over hers with slow, sensual deliberation.
‘What else do you enjoy, Alexi? Tell me, you wanton seductress, mia tentatrice.’
‘Everything about you,’ she teased. She wanted to tell him that what she wanted most was for him to tell her that he loved her, not just with his body, but with his heart. Maybe he would always guard that vulnerable part of him closely.
But at least she was no longer a wife in status only. He had accepted her as his partner, and importantly, as his equal. That was more than enough to forge a solid and lasting future. Wasn’t it?
Now that she felt more secure she could even start thinking of having a baby, a child, a family. Alex was sure that Vitali would heartily approve. Hadn’t he told her that night of their strange proposal? “We will marry and you will have my child.”
Surely he still wanted that—after all, what was a kingdom without heirs? She had only to look at the way he was with the children on the Station to know that. He might never allow himself to admit he loved her, but Alex had no doubt he would openly confess his love for their children. She pressed her palm against the flatness of her stomach and felt it flutter.
What if she was pregnant already?
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
The honking horn of the Land Rover that woke Alexandra the next morning. She and Vitali had slept in her room far too ensconced with each other to think of setting the alarm. She heard him mutter something under his breath, then a possessive arm arched over her breasts and swept her back against his chest. He nudged her onto her back and peppered delicate sensual kisses down her neck as his fingers encircled her nipples.
It was more than half an hour later that Alex remembered the beeping horn. The tempestuous blazing intensity of their lovemaking obliterated the noise from her mind.
Vitali lay half sprawled across her naked body in relaxed abandonment, devoid of any cares whatsoever. She tried to remonstrate with him as her fingers teased across his chest. He had the most amazing upper body. As for the lower half…she ran her hand down the fine hair that snaked from his chest to his loins.
His stomach contracted under her feathering touch.
‘Your driver has been waiting a long time, my groom.’ she said, continuing her descent.
‘I haven’t slept in for…I don’t know how many years. I feel so relaxed. I guess I must have been tired.’ he said with a slight trace of guilt.
‘The benefits of being the boss,’ she whispered as she kissed his neck. ‘Along with the other benefits’ she said, reminding him of their lovemaking last night.
‘Tongues will be wagging,’ he grinned, ‘there won’t be a person on the station who doesn’t know what I’ve been up to.’
He showed no remorse and Alex couldn’t suppress a merry little giggle, which Vitali clearly found provocative, because he found the energy to silence it, cupping his mouth over hers and planting a lingering kiss on her lips. Hence the driver was forced to wait longer.
Only after Vitali left did Alex finally stir herself to rise
. The muster wouldn’t be finished for two days. It was unlikely that Vitali would break his work schedule again. She could return to the place her father had painted, stay overnight and return before Vitali was back. She found herself breathing fast.
There was nothing she wanted to do more than to be alone in that special place her father had found so inspiring. Not only was the setting intrinsically beautiful but, even though she had only experienced it briefly, she had felt something deeply spiritual.
Alex had never thought of herself as a spiritual person but a powerful feeling deep within, convinced her that if she sat silently, for long enough, beneath the crimson Rātā tree her father had painted, the secret of the painting may be revealed.
The only challenge would be convincing Bob and Dara to let her go alone.
‘I’ve travelled though India, Mexico, Jordan and Egypt and a whole bunch of places on my own. I know how to look after myself,’ she told them. ‘I’ve even trekked through the Sahara on a camel.’
Bob sat impassively, his arms folded over his chest. ‘Your husband would never forgive us if we let you go wandering off on your own. Especially overnight.’
‘Bob’s right,’ said Dara. The high country isn’t some benevolent tropical destination scattered with tourists and travel agents, and people who will cater to them. It can turn on you, quick as a wild bull—just like Vitali will turn on us if anything happens to you.’
‘Nothing will go wrong.’ Alex insisted. Then sensing they would not be swayed she added, ‘Rangi and Jack can come. They’ll look after me.’
After getting Rangi to pinpoint on the Station map exactly where they were headed, all objections were promptly dropped.
Alex and the boys set off on their horses after lunch, giving themselves plenty of time to reach their destination before sunset. A pack-horse loaded down with what Alex thought was an unnecessary amount of camping gear trailed after them.
The Italian Billionaire’s Scandalous Marriage: An Italian Billionaire Romance (Italian Billionaire Christmas Brides Book 2) Page 18