The Kyriakos Virgin Bride (4 page)

Pandora couldn't think of a single thing to say in response to Zac's raw outburst. But she could feel. She could feel the rub of Zac's fingers as he loosed the tiny buttons, could feel the winnow of air against her naked skin as he peeled back the gown. She could hear the faint hum of the air-conditioning and his harsh breathing in the sudden silence of the vast bedroom.

“Okay, that's the weather taken care of. Any more small talk you fancy making?”

She stared blindly ahead, her body burning with arousal at the fierce onslaught of his erotic, highly charged words.

“Damn! I've shocked you, haven't I? Shocked you with the reality of my desires for you. Sometimes I forget how young and—”

“Zac—”

“—how innocent you are. All those years in a girls' boarding school, then helping your father, working in his business…I should be shot.” He'd stopped fiddling with the buttons. “I told myself I'd take it slow, told myself I'd—”

“Zac.”

This time he heard her and broke off.

Unable to see his face, she drew a deep breath. This was difficult, more difficult than she'd ever anticipated. “I wasn't always at school or with my father. I visited with friends—”

“Your father told me,” he interrupted. “Vacations with school friends, carefully vetted—that's hardly experience.”

“I'm not a total innocent.”

“What are you saying?” There was a fine shake of tension in the thighs clamped around her hips. She baulked. It was too late for this discussion, a discussion that she'd thought totally irrelevant in today's day and age. They were married, for goodness' sake. What difference would it make?

She put it all out of her mind and said throatily, “That I want you.”

He gave a growl. His hands were back on the dress, tugging, fevered with impatience. “Damn these buttons! Pandora, my wife, I want you, too—more than I can tell you.”

“So show me, don't tell me.”

“I thought you wanted small talk.” He gave a soft, husky laugh. “Perhaps we can talk about flesh…” He lifted more fabric from her back. “Or skin.” A finger slid into the indent of her spine, along the length of the shallow groove. “Shall I tell you how soft your skin is?”

An exquisite sensation rippled down…down…pooling in her abdomen, sliding lower. Pandora shuddered and flexed her toes, anything to slow the pleasure that threatened to consume her. “Talk's cheap,” she gurgled, struggling for air.

“So you want action?” And then his lips were
there
placing openmouthed kisses in the hollow of her spine. And his tongue…

Jeez, his tongue! She bit the back of her hand, determined not to let the moans escape. The maddening caresses eased. And she breathed again. The dress gave some more, his hands were working quickly now. Frenzied.

“At last.”

She felt the cool air on her exposed buttocks as he peeled the fabric away, heard his gasp.

“
What is this?
Is it meant to drive me out of my skull with desire?” His voice was hoarse, his Greek accent pronounced. “Because, I swear to you, it's succeeding.”

As his fingers hooked under the tiny bits of white Lycra that made up the minuscule thong she wore, the tremors started again. Stronger this time. Tremors that he must feel. She pictured what he saw: a Y made up of three laces of Lycra. Then there was the narrow triangle of delicate white lace in front that he couldn't see.

She struggled to find her voice. “That's the something new.”

“What?” He sounded shell-shocked.

“
Something old, something new.
Remember? The rhyme I told you about? I thought the dress could do double duty and pass as something old as well as something borrowed.”

“Forget the dress.”
He tugged it out from under her, dropping it on the floor. “I don't want to hear another word about that damned old piece of silk. It's taken up far too much of our time this evening already.” He stroked a long sweep down her back and whispered, “Your skin is living silk. Pandora, wife, you are amazing.”

She didn't—couldn't—answer. A blast of desire unlike anything she'd experienced in her life shook her. Then his hands were running over the naked globes of her bottom, a finger tracing the white thread of the thong that laced across the small of her back. And he was kissing the depression at the base of her back. That finger—oh, glory, that finger—traced the last bit of thong down between her legs. She bit down harder in case she started to scream.

The yearning ache between her legs caused her to shift restlessly…she wanted him to touch her
there.

“Is this what you want,
agapi?
”

His hand was under the whisper of white lace now, at the heart of her, his fingertips exploring the wet crease, touching the tight bud.

A moan broke from her.

She wriggled, opening her legs wider. Another stroke. She went rigid as sensation shafted through her.

“More?” he asked. And touched again.

She fought the ache…the desire…all the while craving—

“More,” she panted.

This time he barely touched her, just the lightest teasing brush of his fingertips, and a fierce heat swept that tiny bead of flesh. This time she screamed and came apart in his arms. Then she lay there breathless, spent, feeling as if a firestorm has swept over her and heard Zac's murmur full of dark delight in her ear.

“There's much, much more to come. And we have all night long.”

“I
t is done.”

Pandora tilted her head at the sound of Zac's beloved voice and paused in midstep on the balcony outside his study. She'd woken to find Zac gone, only a delicate long-stemmed white rose and a note on the pillow beside her. His writing was strong and slanted and told her that something had come up to which he needed to attend and he'd see her at breakfast in the sunroom downstairs.

She'd risen, placed the rose in a glass of water and picked the discarded wedding dress off the carpet and hung it up carefully. A quick shower to freshen up, and she'd pulled the first thing that came to hand—a filmy sundress with splashes of colour that clung in all the right places—out of the large walk-in cupboard where her clothes had been hung. Leaving her long hair loose, she sprayed a dash of fragrance behind her ears and came to find Zac, still dazed and glowing from the incredible lovemaking of the night before.

Her groom was not in the sunroom, so she skipped through the open doors onto the balcony where they'd kissed last night, wondering what people—his family, his friends, his colleagues—had made of their sudden disappearance from the reception.

Oh, jeez. She shut her eyes. They hadn't even stuck around long enough to cut the cake. Soon she'd have to face the knowing stares of Zac's family at lunch. She shuddered at the discomfiting idea.

The sound of voices halted her embarrassing thoughts. From where she lurked on the balcony she could see two men through the French doors—Zac and another man with his back to her. It was the other man who'd spoken. As he turned and raised a fluted glass, she recognised Dimitri, Zac's cousin. His best man. His best friend. And also his lawyer.

Dimitri had prepared the complex prenuptial contracts and been present when she and Zac had signed them three days ago. Initially she'd pushed aside her instinctive objection that legalities weren't necessary between her and Zac. But she'd known that Zac was a hardheaded businessman, known her father would expect them. A law firm in London which her father used had vetted them for her and suggested only minor changes.

She hadn't needed a prenuptial contract to feel secure. Zac's love had done that.

Embarrassed, she hesitated outside, uncertain what to do next. The last thing in the world she wanted was to walk into that room and meet Dimitri's gaze. Not after she and Zac had departed so hurriedly last night. She wavered. She longed to wish Zac a good morning, kiss him and let him see the love and joy that bubbled inside her.

Through the crack in the curtains Zac looked utterly gorgeous. She stole another look as he clinked his glass with his cousin.

“I thought I'd never find her, Dimitri,” Pandora heard him say. “My wedding is definitely cause to celebrate.”

“
Vre,
you have been lucky. And so beautiful, too, you lucky dog.”

Pandora grinned. Men! Love was not enough, beauty was always important. But she was touched at the relief in Zac's voice as he'd said
I thought I'd never find her.
His relief in finding someone to love.

She felt the same about him.

Yesterday he'd told her he thought she was perfect. Well, she disagreed.
He
was perfect. She was the luckiest—

“It is done—finally. Now there is no going back.” Something about the tone of Zac's voice interrupted her musings and stopped her from rushing headlong into the room. She paid close attention. “No one knows better than you that this prophecy has been the bane of my life.”

“I know, cousin. But it's tradition. A tradition that haunts the Kyriakos heir.”

She listened harder, intrigued. What prophecy? What tradition?
What on earth were they talking about?

Dimitri was still speaking. He'd crossed the room, his back to the glass doors. Pandora strained her ears to hear what he was saying. “It's the twenty-first century—you would've thought that the family, the public, would be prepared to let it go.”

“They can't.” Zac gave a harsh sigh. “And neither can I. The risks are too high.”

“You mean, the likelihood of Kyriakos Shipping's share prices dipping are too high, don't you?”

“That, too.”

Pandora cocked her head. What was all this about haunting and share prices? For an instant she considered pushing the door open, striding in and demanding an explanation. But something held her back. Something that filled her stomach with cold dread.

For a moment she considered turning, walking away, pretending she'd never heard whatever this conversation concerned. It scared her. Made her stomach cramp and apprehension swarm around inside her head like a clutch of bewildered bees.

Yes, she should pretend. She could retreat, then stamp her way back down the corridor, make an entrance that they would hear. She could look Dimitri straight in the eye and pretend that she and Zac hadn't rushed off to consummate their wedding vows with indecent haste. She could pretend that she'd never heard a thing about the prophecy that haunted Zac.
And then what?

She'd never find out….

How could she ask later? How could she just drop it into conversation?
Oh, by the way, Zac, tell me about the prophecy. You know—the one that you thought would never be fulfilled?

She'd married a man whose deepest secrets she didn't know.

No.

She wanted—needed—to hear more. Even if it was not all good. After all, Zac loved her. She had nothing to fear. He'd married her very publicly. Made the love he felt for her clear to the world. The apprehension started to recede.

She was being silly letting the men's lowered voices build a terror of conspiracy within her.

When the footsteps came closer, Pandora shrank away from the door, panicking for an instant at what she would do if they found her standing out here, eavesdropping. Then she forced herself to get a grip. For goodness' sake, there was nothing ominous about what they were discussing.

If only this stupid, ridiculous chill in the pit of her stomach would go—

“To find a virgin, a beautiful virgin…my God, cousin, the odds were against you. But I envy you this morning.”

A virgin? What did Dimitri mean
a virgin? They were talking about her.

Then it hit her between the eyes. Jeez, she'd been so blind. This was the reason Zac had married her. Not because he loved her. Because he needed a virgin bride.

“That's my wife you're talking about, Dimitri. Be careful.” The warning growl in Zac's tone did nothing to assuage the bile burning at the back of Pandora's throat.

She'd heard enough. No way could she walk in there and confront Zac and his cousin. Not about something as intimate as her virginity.

She ducked her head and wheeled around, walking faster and faster until she broke into a run.

 

The third door Pandora rattled was unlocked and opened into a bedroom. Pandora rushed in, pulled the door shut behind her and locked it before leaning her aching forehead against the hard door.

What was she to do?

“Can I help?”

The sweet voice came from behind her. Pandora straightened and spun around. The too-thin brunette in an ice-blue dress watching her with a questioning smile was a total stranger. Then the smile faltered and lines of concern etched into the other woman's forehead.

“Is everything all right?”

Pandora nodded jerkily. She wasn't ready to reveal what she'd learned to anyone, especially not a stranger. “I'm fine. Really.”

Really, I'm not.

My world has just crashed down around my ears.

But she couldn't say that—she had a facade to maintain. A position as Zac Kyriakos's virgin bride. “I'm sorry…I've intruded,” she said instead, and grimaced.

The brunette flapped a hand. “Don't worry about it. I'm Katerina—but most people call me Katy.”

Katerina…
Katy.

Pandora stared into familiar green eyes, warmer for sure but still the same hue. “You're Zac's sister.”

“Yes. And you're Zac's wife.” The bright smile was back. “You're beautiful. My brother has fabulous taste. And I know he's never going to forgive me for missing the wedding—” Katy's smile wavered “—but I hope you will. I've been dying to meet you. I only arrived in Athens this morning.”

“Of course I'll forgive you.” Pandora noticed the faint dimple beside the woman's mouth—just like Zac's. “And I'm sure Zac will, too.”

“Maybe.” The dimple deepened. “You're lucky, Pandora. I tell you, he's the best brother in the entire world. I hope we'll be friends.”

Pandora instantly liked this warm woman. “Of course we'll be friends.”

“Great!” Katy extracted a tube of lipstick from a small sequined bag, popped off the lid and ran it over her lips. “That's better.” She eyed her reflection in the mirror. “My husband never understands why us women always want to look perfect all the time.” She threw Pandora a wicked, laughing look. “He insists on kissing it all off.”

“Is he here?” Pandora glanced around but saw nothing to evidence masculine occupation. Zac had said that Katy's husband was a difficult man to be married to. Had he not wanted Katy to attend Zac's wedding? Greek families were so close that would certainly add tension.

“I wish he was.” Katy sounded wistful.

Was the problem between Katy and her husband? Or did the real source of tension lie between her brother and her husband? Pandora couldn't help wondering if Katy was caught between two dominant Greek men—the juicy bone between two alpha dogs. Katy clearly adored her brother and it was obvious she missed her absent husband.

Katy was fortunate. She was loved. For a moment Pandora felt envy blossom inside her, green and ugly. She thrust the unwelcome emotion away and ruthlessly suppressed a pang of self-pity.

“I'll call you in a week or so, we can meet for lunch,” Katy was saying.

Pandora nodded. Her heart lifted. The lost feeling started to recede. “That will be lovely.”

Katy patted her hand. “You looked so unhappy when you came in—don't let anyone spoil what you and my brother have.”

Instantly reality came crashing back. What did they have? At worst, a sham of a marriage based on a pack of lies. At best, it was an illusion built on her naive assumption that Zac loved her.

What good would running do? She needed to find Zac. To get to the bottom of what she'd heard. To find out whether he'd married her because he loved her or because he needed a convenient virgin bride.

“No,” Pandora said slowly. “I won't let anyone spoil what we have.” But she couldn't help thinking it had been spoiled…ruined…already. By Zac's Academy Award-deserving deception.

 

The study was empty. Pandora found Zac in the elegant sitting room, reclining in the leather armchair positioned under the Chagall painting she'd admired when she'd first seen this room. With one knee crossed over the other, Zac perused the morning paper. Her heart started to thump.

“I need to talk to you.”

He glanced up and a lazy, intimate smile softened his strong features. “Good morning, wife.”

“Is it? A good morning?” She raised her brows and gave him a pointed little smile.

His mouth curved wider until white teeth flashed irresistibly against his tanned olive skin. Masculine satisfaction gleamed in his eyes. “You tell me.”

“I'm not so sure.”

“You're not sure? Come here, I'll show you. Last night…” His voice trailed away as he leaned over and caught her behind the knees and swept her onto his lap. “Last night didn't convince you? I'll have to do something about that.”

In his arms, Pandora turned to marshmallow. The sexy, suggestive timbre of his voice in her ear, the hard-muscled chest pressing against her side were almost enough to convince her to abandon the answers she sought. Almost.

“You are so beautiful.” He pressed a kiss against her cheek and hugged her closer. “A good-morning kiss will have to do for now. We don't have enough time to make it to the bedroom, not with my family due to arrive any minute for lunch. Come closer, let me adore you with my lips, let me—”

“Stop it, Zac!” She turned her head away just before his lips landed on her mouth. “There's no need for such reverence.”

He stilled. “What do you mean?”

She sat straight, no easy feat given that she sprawled across his lap, her colourful sundress bunched around his legs. “I know, Zac.”

His eyes suddenly wary, he asked. “What do you know?”

Gauging his response, she peered at him from behind her fringe. “I know
everything.
”