The Andreou Marriage Arrangement (7 page)

Recovery was swift as she summoned a smile and turned towards the woman who'd stopped by to offer congratulations, only to have her heart sink.

Nicolette de Silva had a reputation for lacking tact. Even
the kindest amongst her coterie of friends admitted Nicolette didn't
think
before she opened her mouth.

‘Her brief liaison with that terrible man was a disaster,' Nicolette confided to Loukas. ‘But then, of course, you know about that?'

‘Naturally.' His voice was smooth as silk. Sufficiently so that most people would immediately cease pursuing the subject and move on.

‘There were rumours, some of them extreme.' Nicolette offered a conciliatory smile. ‘I believe Seth Armitage tried to sell his side of the story to the media, but nothing came of it, isn't that right, Alesha?'

Alesha's fingers clenched beneath the cover of the tablecloth, and she tensed as Loukas again took her hand in his and traced soothing fingers across the pulsing veins at her wrist.

Support? Whatever, it felt…pleasant, comforting.

A double whammy, she admitted silently as the action increased her pulse-beat and made her increasingly aware of him.

She tried to tell herself she was immune to gossip. Three years on she'd heard it all…first and second-hand. The inquisitive comments she chose not to concede or deny. The false expressions of sympathy. Each a quest for information she refused to give.

‘There's no point in rehashing old history,' she managed quietly. ‘Don't you agree?'

Nicolette looked momentarily distraught. ‘I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to upset you.'

The weird thing was she meant it.

‘Apology accepted.'

‘Please do enjoy the rest of the evening.'

‘We shall.'

‘Red will look stunning on you.'

‘Thank you.' Inherent poise enabled her to conduct a perfectly sincere conversation with one of the women sharing the table. ‘It's a gorgeous gown.'

‘Everyone bid. The fundraiser has proven to be an enormous success.'

‘Yes, it has.'

‘My condolences for the sad loss of your father. He was a wonderful man.'

It was easy to agree, and Alesha turned to offer Loukas a slow sweet smile. ‘Coffee, darling? The waiters are circling the tables as we speak.'

She was something else, Loukas perceived. Brave when it mattered, yet so hauntingly vulnerable on occasion.

Was he the only one who glimpsed what lay beneath the protective façade she'd created?

It was almost midnight when the evening came to an end, and guests began making their way into the foyer. Air-kisses were exchanged, invitations issued and the need for diary dates to be checked and acceptances confirmed.

The concierge ordered cars to be fetched with military precision, and Alesha experienced a sense of relief as the Aston Martin appeared at the hotel entrance.

Home…not exactly
home
, but the place she shared with Loukas seemed almost welcome. Even better was the prospect of shedding her clothes and slipping into bed to sleep.

If she could just erase the vivid images portrayed on screen during the evening. If she had been alone in her apartment, she would have watched a DVD and lost herself in a light comedy until sheer tiredness forced her into bed.

Except she was no longer alone.

There was a part of her that wanted to become lost in the seductive touch of a man. To be held close and feel the trail
of his lips as he explored her body. Experience the joy of intimacy without the fear of cruelty.

Not just any man…Loukas.

If she'd wanted an affair to expunge unwanted memories, she would have sought one by now.

Dammit, what was she waiting for?

Love?

Oh,
please
. The emotion only existed for such a brief period of time in the real world…didn't it?

The kind that changed lives and lasted a lifetime, one man for one woman, twin souls meant only for each other…that was a beautiful fantasy with little basis in reality.

Since when had she become so cynical?

A hollow laugh rose and died in her throat, for she could pinpoint the date, the time almost to the minute.

The car turned off the New South Head Road into Point Piper, and reached the magnificent set of gates guarding the entrance to Loukas' mansion.

A modem released the gates and simultaneously lit the curved driveway as he eased the Aston Martin towards the garage.

A sense of restlessness invaded her body as she ascended the stairs…a feeling she attempted to dismiss without much success on entering the master suite.

She became extremely conscious of Loukas' presence as he shed his jacket, then loosened his bow tie.

Smooth easy movements that were uncontrived as he moved to free the buttons on his dress shirt…and she focused on discarding her evening shoes, her jewellery.

All the time she was acutely aware of him…the faint thud as he removed his shoes; the almost undetectable slide of a zip fastening and the soft slither of material as he freed trousers.

The image of his tall, near-naked frame was hauntingly
vivid. Hell, she had no problem visualizing the impressive breadth of his shoulders, the superb musculature tapering to a sculptured waist and lean hips.

Would there ever be a time when she could feel sufficiently confident to seduce him? Boldly explore and tease until he groaned beneath her touch?

To have him reach for her in the night and gift him the freedom of her body…to exult in untold pleasure?

She drew in a ragged breath, then released it slowly. Oh, for heaven's sake…
stop
.

Get rid of the dress, gather up your sleepwear, escape to your en suite, remove make-up, brush teeth, fix hair into a ponytail…then go to bed.

She did all that and re-entered the bedroom to find Loukas stretched comfortably beneath the covers, arms crossed pillowing his head.

‘Goodnight.' Her voice sounded slightly strangled even to her own ears as she slid between the sheets and he doused the lights.

‘Sleep well.'

As if that were going to happen any time soon.

Perhaps if she lay perfectly still and conjured only pleasant thoughts…

Except nothing helped, and her thoughts assumed a kaleidoscopic mix that subdued the colours and brought Seth's image into stark black and white focus.

Go away.
A silent entreaty, harsh only in her mind, had no effect whatsoever.

There was a need to remain awake, for at least then she retained a measure of control. If she slid into sleep all control would be lost and his image would emerge to haunt her as it had too frequently in the past.

She needed to win…she
had
to.

Yet slipping from her bed and joining Loukas in his took more courage than she possessed, for what if he mistook her for a former flame…or, worse, he rejected her?

So much for that plan.

Afterwards Alesha had no memory of when her subconscious led unerringly into the familiar nightmare. She only knew she was fighting to escape…crying out as she shielded her face from the stinging slaps, the harsh bite of cruel hands pinning her down, the sound of her name on his lips.

Then she came sharply awake to a room flooded with light…a room different from the one she'd occupied in her mind, and the man leaning close to her wasn't Seth.

It took one brief horrifying moment to shake free of the starkly intrusive images, and she was barely conscious of the concern evident in the dark eyes of the man watching the range of fleeting emotions chase her expressive features before she gained the control to mask them.

Loukas lifted a hand, saw her eyes flare with sudden fear, and swallowed the curse that rose to his lips as he smoothed a wayward lock of hair behind her ear, then let his hand trail along her jaw to cup her chin and press a thumb to her quivering mouth.

There seemed no past, only the present, and words fell from her lips without conscious thought. ‘Please…'

She looked stricken as the realization of what she said sank in, and she lifted her hands in a defensive gesture as he dispensed with them and drew her close.

His skin was warm against her cheek, and she felt a hand cradle her head as the other slid low over the back of her waist.

It felt good…
he
felt good, and she breathed in the scent of him, the faint traces of soap, cologne and the muskiness of man.

His hand brushed a path over her spine, rested briefly at
her nape, then slid slowly down in a slow soothing pattern that did much to settle her ragged breathing.

She didn't want to move, and she instinctively lifted her arms to link her hands together at the back of his neck.

He grazed his lips over her cheek, nuzzled her ear, then eased his mouth down to savour the curve at the base of her neck…and sensed the breath hitch in her throat.

A hand shifted to her waist and gently slipped beneath the sleep top to skim the warm skin as he traced a path to her breast, cupped it, then brushed the tender peak until it swelled to his touch.

With care, he deepened the kiss, tasting, exploring the inner texture, the sensitive tissues as he encouraged her response. Her body jerked as he took her lower lip into his mouth and bit down gently, and she moved restlessly in his arms, seeking more,
wanting
so much more.

With care he eased the cotton top high, and when she didn't resist he removed it completely.

‘Beautiful,' Loukas said gently as he shaped each breast, then soothed their softness before lowering his head to caress one tender peak as it hardened into a swollen bead that begged to be suckled.

Her body arched against his own, and she cried out as he took the peak into his mouth and used the edge of his teeth to heighten her pleasure.

There was satisfaction as her hands began their own discovery, shaping his shoulders, sliding slowly down the bunched muscles to his forearms, before moving to his ribs, where, once there, she trailed light fingers over his chest, toyed with the tight buds, then slipped to frame his waist.

His breath caught as she leaned in and placed her lips over one tight bud…and drew it between her teeth, only to release
it and trail a path to his navel, explored a little, and sighed when he pulled her down onto the bed and took her mouth with his own.

Frankly sensual, he plundered at will, hungry, almost demanding as she matched him in a primitive oral dance where she became lost…totally lost in the magic he evoked.

There was no sense of time or place…only the man, and she whimpered in protest as he began easing back, softening his touch until his mouth drifted gently over her own, then he lifted his head and regarded her carefully.

Alesha had no coherent thought as her emotions went into meltdown.

Dear God, what had just happened here?

She couldn't tear her eyes away from his, almost as if she were held captive by the smouldering heat…the intense passion, unrestrained and primitive in that instant. And the control, leashed, but easily broken by a careless word or gesture on her part.

‘Your call.'

H
E COULD
come so close, yet stop if she asked him to?

How could he do that? Ohmigod…how could
she
?

‘Please.' The word whispered from Alesha's lips, a fragile sound barely lucid in the stillness of the night.

His eyes were dark…so dark, she became lost in their depths as he brushed a thumb-pad gently over her lower lip.

‘Do you know what you're asking?'

She did, on some subliminal level. Yet she couldn't stop, for it was as if she were being driven by an inner force that left her powerless.

‘Yes.' As proof she sought his mouth with her own, and held on as he took possession in a kiss that made her forget everything except his touch, the hunger…and the innate knowledge she didn't want him to stop.

With care he eased off her sleep trousers, taking his time as he trailed gentle fingers over the surface of her skin, then he cupped one ankle and lowered his head down to brush his lips over the delicate arch.

Slow, he wanted slow and easy, building the tension, stoking the passion until he filled her sensual world.

It became a voyage of discovery, learning what caused her
breath to hitch, the pleasurable sigh as he explored her breasts, savoured the sensitive curve at the edge of her neck…the way her body arched when he palmed the highly sensitive place between her thighs.

He felt the faint sting of her nails as her fingers bit into his shoulders, and he reciprocated with a teasing bite to the soft underside of one breast.

Naked, he saw her eyes widen as her hand brushed his arousal, and he glimpsed her brief panic, then it was gone as he took possession of her mouth in an erotic kiss that brought a purr of pleasure.

It was then he trailed his mouth in a slow caress down her throat, felt the slight vibration as he lingered there before he began grazing a sensual tasting towards her navel, circled his tongue round the diamond pin, then traced an evocative path to the intimate folds guarding her sensitive clitoris.

He felt her tense, then utter a faint sob as he bestowed the most intimate kiss of all, taking infinite care as her tension built, urging her high until she reached the brink…then he held as she fell.

And glimpsed the tears well in her eyes, the soundless movement of her lips as she struggled to find the words, and he trailed gentle fingers over each cheek, dispensing the warm moisture.

It was more, so much more than she believed it possible to experience, and she cradled his face and urged it towards her own as she sought his mouth in a kiss so expressive there was no need for words.

She felt mesmerized by the darkness in his eyes, the passion clearly evident as he moved over her, and she managed a strangled plea to turn off the light. Only to have him shake his head.

How could she explain that in the darkness she hadn't had to witness the hatred of the man who'd only married her for material gain? A man who had used sex as a punishment.

‘Loukas—'

‘Open your eyes,' he chided gently. ‘I want you to see me, only me, and know who and what I am, and the pleasure I can give you.'

‘Please. I—'

‘Trust me,
agape mou
.' His mouth closed on her own as he positioned his length and eased in, careful to ensure she could accommodate him before filling her completely.

At first he didn't move, almost as if he sensed she needed to absorb his possession, and her eyes widened as he shifted his weight and began to withdraw, only to increase the pace as her vaginal muscles caught his rhythm and matched it, until he took her high…so high she could only cling to him and experience the ride.

She felt alive. Acutely sensitive to every nerve in her body. This…
this
was how it was meant to be.

Not just sex…something so much more.

Body, mind, and spirit coalesced into one entity to provide a sensual magic.

Electrifying, primitive, exquisite.

She wanted to thank him, except she couldn't find the words for what she wanted to say.

Instead she lifted a shaky hand and placed it against his cheek, then brushed his mouth with her own.

She expected him to withdraw, and she gasped as he caught her close and rolled onto his back, taking her with him.

A slow smile curved his lips as he eased her into a sitting position astride him, and he took in her pink cheeks, the gleaming brown eyes dreamy with lingering passion. The
softly parted mouth swollen from his kisses, the tousled hair framing her face.

His hands clasped her waist, and he used each thumb to trace a light pattern over her stomach…and felt her quiver beneath his touch.

This is the aftermath? Alesha mused as she felt him swell inside her. A spiral of sensation curled deep within and rose through her body…sensuous, consuming,
witching
.

His eyes held hers, and she was unable to look away as he began to move, taking her with him as she held on and joined him in a ride that held her spellbound with intense pulsating pleasure.

It was almost more than she could bear, and he drew her trembling body close and pressed his lips to her temple.

He murmured words she didn't quite catch as he nestled her head into the curve of his shoulder, and she lay there, too emotionally spent to move.

 

She must have slept, for she became aware of a warm body close to her own and the drift of fingers trailing a light path over the slender curve of her waist.

Her eyes flew open, and for one agonizing second her body tensed…then she recognized the bed, the room, the man who held her.

She lay perfectly still as memory of the night filled her mind, and she swallowed the sudden lump that rose in her throat.

‘Look at me,' Loukas commanded gently, and when she did he captured her chin, giving her little option but to hold his dark gaze.

Her mouth quivered, and he brushed the pad of his thumb over its sensitive fullness.

‘What do you want from me?'

‘Whatever you choose to give.'

It wasn't the answer she expected. ‘Last night—'

‘Was beautiful,' he completed, and saw the soft pink colour her cheeks.

It had been all about her…her pleasure, her orgasm. What would he say if she told him it was her first?

A sudden thought swept her eyes wide. Ohmigod…he couldn't know, surely? She'd been blind with ecstasy, totally out of herself. Had she cried? Please, dear heaven, she didn't scream?

Was this where they conducted a post-coital report?

Should she thank him?

For what?

A miraculous melting of her frozen emotions?

Like one sexual encounter would do it?

Staying here quiescent was madness. He'd take it as an invitation for
more
, and, besides, daylight filtered through the shutters.

His hand slid to her stomach…her
bare
stomach. A touch that made her aware she wore nothing beneath the bedcovers, and she shifted as he traced her ribcage, only to pause as he encountered a small hard lump on one rib, followed by another.

Alesha uttered a distressed sound as Loukas discovered the scar lesion beneath her breast, the legacy of a vicious bite.

‘Don't.' Except she was too late to prevent Loukas from peeling back the bedcovers, and any move she made to escape from the bed was easily stalled.

‘Are these
it
?' Loukas demanded in a dangerously soft voice. ‘Or are there more?'

More. Cracked ribs, long healed.

Her eyes met his, hardening to obsidian shards. Anger rose from the deep well in which she'd buried it. She drew in a shuddering breath. ‘Let me go.'

And let her escape to curl into a foetal ball alone? ‘No.'

Only her father knew she'd summoned a lawyer from a hospital bed and filed for divorce. And paid Seth to get out of her life so she could rebuild her own.

‘You want me to admit I was a blind fool and should have listened to my parents' caution?' She was like a runaway train, unable to stop. ‘That I should have realized much sooner that it was the Karsouli wealth he wanted…not me, and that the entire engagement and lead-up to the marriage had simply been an act?'

Loukas wrapped his arms around her slender form and drew her in against him, sheltering her even as anger against the man who'd hurt her consumed him. To think of her as the victim of one man's uncontrollable rage almost undid him.

A shiver shook her slender frame as she felt his muscles tense. ‘Please.' She couldn't remain where she was, naked and vulnerable.

‘Stay,' he said gently.

What of her own emotions? He'd awakened something inside her she hadn't known existed. Feelings that tugged her heartstrings and made her think of the impossible.

And that would never do.

She'd given her heart once, only to have that love blow up in her face. There was no way she'd risk gifting her heart again.

Yet it felt good to be held curved in against him. His warmth surrounded her, the beat of his heart solid and even against her back. His arms offered a protective haven, and on an early Sunday morning there was no need to rise, shine and prepare for a day in the city.

 

Alesha spent the morning at her apartment, checked with Reception for any mail, made a few phone calls, one of which
enlisted the continued services of her cleaning lady…another to Lacey suggesting they spend the afternoon at Darling Harbour.

The day was cool, the skies grey with the threat of showers, and she chose to don designer jeans, a tee shirt over which she pulled on a thigh-length knitted jacket, and she fixed a belt low on her hips. Knee-length boots completed the outfit.

By chance she found a convenient parking space not too far distant from where she'd arranged to meet Lacey, and after exchanging an affectionate hug they made for a nearby café and ordered lattes.

‘So,' Lacey began.
‘Tell.'

Alesha lifted an eyebrow. ‘As in?'

‘This is Lacey, best friend, confidante…remember? I have your happiness at heart.' The look she offered held thoughtful concern as she queried quietly, ‘Are you?'

Prevarication wouldn't work. Lacey would see through it in a second. ‘Happy? It's early days.'

‘Yes, I guess it is. So…moving right along?'

The benefit of friendship was being in tune, and they were, instinctively aware when to pause or pursue a subject.

‘Let's focus on you.' Alesha took an appreciative sip of her latte.

‘Too boring.'

‘Elucidate. Life, John, work?'

‘He wants the ring, house in the burbs, kids.'

‘And you don't?'

‘I've known him for ever. We fit together well. But I want more than just…contentment. Warm and fuzzy is fine twenty or more years down the track. But now?'

‘Try adding some excitement.'

‘Did that, and all I got was the
look
. You know the one…like have I suddenly flipped?'

‘I'm almost afraid to ask.'

Lacey leaned in close to confide, and a few minutes later Alesha didn't know whether to roll her eyes or laugh. ‘Subtle—not.'

Afterwards they wandered the various shops, boutiques and stalls, sharing company with an eclectic mix of people. Girls sporting boho chic, guys dressed from top to toe in black; a television personality with his wife and children; tourists. As well as the social set enjoying a late leisurely lunch in the restaurants overlooking the inner harbour.

Dusk was encroaching as Alesha headed towards Point Piper, and her pulse quickened to a faster beat as she garaged the car.

Loukas' black Aston Martin was parked in its customary bay, and she entered the foyer, then headed for the staircase.

There was a need to shower and change before dinner, and she walked into the master suite, only to pause at the sight of Loukas in the process of shedding his clothes.

Fluid muscles moved and flexed beneath smooth olive skin…superb musculature honed to a peak of physical fitness.

Heat unfurled deep inside her with the memory of what they'd shared during the night. How his mouth had devoured her…the touch of his hands, the movement of his body within her own. Oh, dear God, the sweet ecstasy he created within as he played her with unhurried grace, urging her high until she shattered in his arms.

There was a part of her that wanted to cross the room, lean in close and lift her mouth to his and seek the wickedly sensual slide of his tongue as it explored, tantalized…and possessed.

At that moment he turned, and dark eyes speared her own as a smile curved his generously moulded mouth.

‘How was your afternoon with Lacey?'

‘Great.' She consciously swallowed as he freed the zip fas
tening on his trousers and dispatched them. ‘We explored Darling Harbour.'

What was she
doing
standing here watching him undress like a fascinated voyeur?

An impertinent imp silently taunted,
Because he's well worth the look
.

Alesha turned away, suddenly cross with herself, and she tugged off her boots, freed the belt and discarded her woollen jacket.

She heard the faint buzz of an electric shaver and relaxed a little. If she moved quickly, she'd be able to shed her jeans and tee and reach her own en suite before Loukas finished shaving.

Minutes later she activated the shower, shed bra and briefs, then she stepped into the large marble-tiled cubicle, caught up soap and began sliding the scented tablet over her body.

Her skin felt sensitive,
alive
, in a way it never had before, and each movement of the soap brought a vivid reminder of his touch. If she closed her eyes, she could almost believe he was
there
.

To have her every waking thought filled with his image after one night in his bed was crazy. Yet try as she might she couldn't shake him from her mind.

A faint groan emerged from her throat minutes later as she closed the water dial and caught up a towel.