The Twelve-Month Marriage Deal (10 page)

She felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise when he gently touched her arms and dropped a kiss on her nape. It was a fact of life that these feelings would never go away. She wished that she could keep him at arm’s length, but it was impossible. The chemistry between them was overwhelming.

‘I didn’t hear you coming,’ she said, turning to look into his face.

‘You look beautiful,
mi querida.
And I have something for you.’

Elena frowned. ‘But you’ve already given me my
birthday present.’ One that she had never expected and was outrageously expensive.

‘A car.’ He dismissed it as of no consequence.

But to Elena it had been the ultimate gift. A stunning sports car with cream leather seats. Her mouth had dropped open when he had taken her to see it. ‘I cannot accept this,’ she said immediately.

‘Why not?’ he asked gruffly.

‘It’s not right, not when our marriage isn’t permanent.’

His eyes had narrowed at her reminder, but he had refrained from commenting, insisting instead that she keep it for the duration, saying that she needed some sort of transport. How he could say that when he had a garage full of cars, any of which were at her disposal, she did not know.

And now he was giving her something else! None of it made sense. What was he trying to tell her? She took the white leather box, knowing by the familiar gold logo that it was more jewellery. Determined that she was going to give it back to him, she opened the lid.

And gasped.

It was a string of very fine gold chains, each one held together with a series of tiny pearls. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. It would actually go perfectly with her red dress, which had a plunging neckline and a straight calf-length skirt, split down one side to reveal an almost indecent length of leg.

She had chosen red because Vidal had once said that it was his favourite colour and some imp inside her had wanted her to be at her most tempting tonight. ‘Oh, Vidal, it’s beautiful,’ she cried. ‘I love it. Thank you so
much. How do you always know what I like? Put it on for me, please.’

‘It is my pleasure,’ he said gruffly, but before taking the necklace out of its box he placed it down and pulled Elena into his arms. Tilting her chin, looking deeply into her golden eyes, he lowered his head and kissed her, a kiss that threatened her sanity and told her again that she was dangerously close to being in love with him.

Vidal’s hormones were playing havoc. Elena looked so incredible this evening. She had a glow to her that had been missing on their wedding day, even though she had tried her very best.

The glow of a woman in love!

The realisation caused his heart to pound unevenly in his chest, sending a flurry of panic through his veins. How could this have happened? How could he have been so blind? All he’d wanted was to possess her, have his fill of her, and then let her go on her way again.

He was in a danger zone here because, and he hated to admit this even to himself, he too was in that risky situation of feeling more for Elena than he had ever anticipated.

For tonight though he would push all such thoughts out of his mind. This was Elena’s day. She had been so excited. It had never dawned on him in the beginning how selfish he was being. He’d wanted her body and little else. Now he was forced to admit that he had been seriously self-indulgent.

And it had backfired.

Splendidly.

After tonight he would need to take a serious look at himself and decide where his future lay.

Elena’s parents weren’t coming. Her mother didn’t feel up to it and her father refused to leave her, but she had invited relatives and some friends from before she went to America. It was good to see her so alive and so happy.

He kissed her deeply and satisfyingly. ‘If it wasn’t so close to party time I’d take you to bed,’ he growled. ‘You taste delicious and you look more stunning than ever. Red suits you. You should wear it more often.’

‘I dress to please,’ she said softly.

With a further groan he pulled her even harder against him, feeling the thrust of her breasts against his chest; he even fancied he could feel her nipples, taut and exciting, trying to penetrate the thin cotton of his shirt, to tangle with his chest hairs—to drive him insane!

‘Don’t say things like that,’ he growled, ‘or there’ll be no party, only our own private one. Very private.’ He kissed her again, his tongue playing games with hers, his heart thudding against his ribcage. He slid his hands lower to cup and squeeze her fantastic bottom, luxuriating in the way she wriggled against him, and, finding the slit in her skirt, he slid his fingers inside the edge of her panties.

What a convenient dress this was. Personally he loved it, but he went cold at the thought of what her other male guests might think. And then he forgot about them when his searching fingers found the hot and wet core of her, so ready for him that it took every ounce of his not inconsiderable will power to pull his hand away. If he hadn’t the dress would have gone, everything would have been forgotten except his need of her.

‘Later,’ he promised gruffly.

Every cell in his body was on high alert. He knew that he would never be able to take his eyes off her. All he could think about was ripping off the red dress and sinking himself into her welcoming heat.

‘Would you fasten my necklace, please?’

Vidal suddenly realised that Elena had taken it out of the box and was holding it against her throat.

‘Of course.’ He took the ends, but his fingers shook so much that it was over a minute before he finally managed to clip the ends together. He was too aware of the warmth of her skin against his fingers, the drifting fragrance of her perfume. This was going to be a night never to be forgotten, he was certain of that.

The gold looked striking against her smooth skin and she was right, it was exactly what the dress needed. He kissed her again, gently this time, merely touching his lips to hers. ‘Time to go,
mi amor,
if you want to be ready to meet your guests.’

Elena found herself being invited to dance by one man after another. Her feet hardly touched the ground and she saw Vidal watching her even while he was dancing with someone else.

But then it was his turn. ‘I cannot keep away from you any longer,’ he murmured, sliding his arms around her, nibbling her neck and her ear lobe. ‘I am jealous of every man who comes near you.’

Where their bodies touched fire ignited. When his lips claimed hers she felt drunk with happiness. There was no doubt about it—she was in love with him. She did not even stop to think what the consequences would be. She was deliriously happy and wanted this moment to last for ever.

She had thought that nothing could make her happier until she caught sight of a latecomer. Someone she had not invited. The gatecrasher wore a black cocktail dress, her eyes made up so that they looked enormous, her lips a slash of red, her long black hair gracing her shoulders in seductive waves.

Elena pulled herself out of Vidal’s arms and raced across the lawn, screaming her sister’s name.

T
HE
sisters hugged and wept. It was an emotional moment for Elena, knowing that Reina was safe and well. She glanced across at Vidal and saw him staring at them, a harsh frown creasing his brow as he started to walk towards them.

In an instant she led Reina into the house. They needed to talk without being disturbed.

‘We’ve all been so worried about you,’ she said. ‘Where have you been? Why did you run away and tell no one?’

Reina pulled a wry face. ‘I needed space. I’ve been staying with a friend in London.’

‘I can’t believe this.
Mamá
’s not well, you know. She’s been in hospital. Did she tell you? Have you been to see them?’

‘Of course,’ answered Reina. ‘And they told me about the party, that’s why I’m here. But
Mamá
said nothing about being ill. What’s wrong with her? She doesn’t look poorly.’

Reina had the same shaped face as Elena, but there the resemblance ended. She was good-looking, but she
wasn’t beautiful, with brown eyes, a short nose and a wide mouth. Her hair was her crowning glory, long and thick and silky.

‘She’s been worried sick about the bank,’ answered Elena quietly. ‘And while she was in hospital they discovered a heart murmur. She needs to seriously look after herself. No more stress, the doctor said.’

‘Oh, my goodness,’ cried Reina, her hands going to her mouth. ‘I wish I had known—I wouldn’t have stayed away so long. I would never have done this to her. I’m home for good now, though, so I’ll be able to look after her. But tell me why you’ve married Vidal. I couldn’t believe it when
Mamá
told me. Have you both suddenly discovered that you’re in love?’

‘Love?’ questioned Elena sharply. ‘That’s the last thing I’d ever feel for him.’ It wasn’t easy denying the feelings that had begun to creep up on her. But they were so new, so secretive that she didn’t want to tell anyone about them, and most definitely not her beloved sister.

‘Then why did you marry him?’

Elena raised her eyebrows. ‘Do you need to ask? You ran away from him, don’t forget. Someone had to step in and save the day. Didn’t
Mamá
and
Papá
tell you?’ She was beginning to feel a tiny bit confused by her sister’s apparent ignorance of events.

‘It’s why they sent for me,’ she went on before Reina could answer. ‘I was their last hope. I’m not blaming you for walking out, I understand why you did it, but it took a lot of guts, I assure you, and I shall be glad when it’s all over, but—’

‘Stop! I can’t believe what I am hearing,’ cut in Reina, her dark eyes narrowed and fierce all of a sudden.
‘You’re telling me that Vidal refused to go ahead with the merger unless you married him?’

Elena nodded. ‘Wasn’t that what you were going to do?’

‘Yes, but—’

‘Didn’t you care that our parents might have lost their livelihood?’

‘But they wouldn’t have done.’

Elena lifted her brows, giving her sister a piercing look. ‘How can you say that? The bank was in big trouble. Have you any idea of the impassioned plea they made? I was going to refuse, yes, but then
Mamá
was taken ill with the stress of it all so I really had no choice.’

Reina’s eyes flashed darkly and angrily. ‘Vidal Marquez! I could kill that man.’

Elena frowned. ‘I don’t understand. What are you talking about?’

Her sister expelled her breath fiercely. ‘He accepted the fact that I didn’t want to commit to a loveless marriage. He appreciated my being honest. He said that he could understand it.’ Reina sucked in another breath and let it go again just as angrily. ‘And declared that he would go ahead with the merger regardless.’

Elena felt her head begin to spin. This couldn’t be true. Vidal was a lot of things, but he surely wasn’t capable of such deceit? He wouldn’t have married her just because—because he wanted her body. Would he? She went hot all over at the very thought.

‘My guess is that Vidal went back to the original idea so that he could get you into his bed,’ concluded Reina bitterly. ‘The man’s a rat—he should be hanged.’

To have her fears confirmed sent an even deeper chill through Elena’s veins. She felt herself trembling all over.

Immediately Reina wrapped her sister in her arms. ‘I’m sorry. I never dreamt this would happen. I saw you two together earlier and you looked very—intimate, happy even. Are you sharing his bed?’

Elena nodded dismally.

‘Are you in love with him?’

‘No!’ It was an instant denial. ‘Haven’t I said that? I hate him. I hate everything he stands for. He’s a snake in man’s clothing. He’s slimy and sneaky and—I cannot believe he did this. Even our parents were kept in the dark. They had no idea that he was prepared to go through with the deal. It’s why they sent for me.’

Another shudder racked her body. ‘To think that I gave up running my company to be here, to help our parents—and all for nothing! Why the hell did you run away, Reina, without telling them? Why didn’t you set them straight?’

She couldn’t understand her sister. If Vidal had been okay with her reneging on their deal, why had she done a disappearing act? It didn’t make sense. Admittedly Reina wouldn’t have known the mess she’d left behind, she had thought it would all be hunky-dory, yet in reality it was anything but.

Reina pulled a pained face. ‘I just assumed that Vidal would tell them. I never dreamt that he would go back on his word. Maybe he was going to, but they sent for you before he got round to it, and then he took a fancy to you. You’ve grown up, little sister, in a spectacular way.’

Discovering that the only reason Vidal had married
her was because he lusted after her body sent shock wave after shock wave through Elena’s entire system. That, and the fact that she had given in to him so easily, so completely, even imagining that she was falling in love with him, made her feel physically sick. The very thought of what she had done, what
he
had done, what she had got herself into, sent her mind reeling into space.

Reina took Elena by the shoulders before speaking again. ‘Look, Elena, maybe there is another explanation for all this. Surely Vidal wouldn’t do such a thing. You looked happy before, dancing together, and he is gorgeous. You were within your rights to fall for him.’

Elena smiled at her sister, but it was filled with bitterness. Oh, Vidal might appear a gentleman, but Reina’s revelation also put him into another category. A reprehensible deceiver. A man with no principles. So what was she to do about it? How could she carry on living with him knowing what he was like, what he had done? Vidal had touched every pulse in her body. He had made her his in every sense of the word.

‘He has the morals of a gutter snake,’ she snapped, fury stiffening her spine, causing her golden eyes to practically shoot sparks into the air. ‘And I shall delight in telling him so.’

Vidal had charmed her into falling in love with him, but she had to discard those feelings now. He was not worthy of her love. He had tricked her in the worst way possible. How would she ever be able to trust him again?

Besides, he didn’t have the same sort of feelings for her. He treated her well, he bought her expensive gifts, he was a fantastic lover, but behind it all was the hard
businessman. He’d had an eye for a deal and she had been his stepping stone towards it.

All thoughts that he’d been warming towards her fled. He wouldn’t hesitate to get rid of her when their contract ended—she knew that now. And he was going to be in for a very rude awakening if he thought she would stay the term. This was the end of the line as far as she was concerned.

Vidal wondered how much longer they were going to be. Reina turning up like this had been a worst-case scenario. He had been on the verge of confessing to Elena that he was falling in love with her. The very words had been on his lips. He had been going to suggest that they start afresh and turn their marriage into a real one.

And now Reina had put in an appearance, and if she had told her sister the true state of affairs she would have ruined everything!

He had never felt like this about any other woman. Elena made him feel totally different about himself. She had drawn out a side of him that he had never known existed. A softer side, a caring side. Instead of thinking only about his banking interests, he’d had this totally stunning woman to fill his mind.

She not only fulfilled his physical needs, but his mental ones as well. She was stimulating company, they had had conversations on all manner of subjects, making him want to spend every second of his time with her.

Yes, he had behaved despicably, but who could blame him? How else could he have got her into his bed? He was ashamed of that now, deeply ashamed. He
had to talk to her, he had to convince her that he was genuinely sorry. There were other ways he could have gone about it. He could have pursued her without marrying her—even if he’d had to go to LA to do it. What had he been thinking?

Admittedly, good had come out of their arrangement—she had developed feelings for him too. He had seen it in her eyes, in the way her body responded. She gave herself to him freely and willingly now, sometimes even being the instigator. Surely she wouldn’t behave like that unless she was falling in love with him too?

How much longer were they going to be? The waiting was driving him insane. They were pulling him to pieces, he knew that without a doubt. He could not wait any longer. It was time to intervene.

He found them upstairs in Elena’s own private sitting room. When he pushed open the door two pairs of accusing eyes stared at him. The atmosphere was so thick he could have cut it with a knife.

Reina stood up, her back ramrod straight, flaring her brown eyes. ‘You’re the lowest of the low, Vidal Marquez. To think I once thought you were a man of integrity. How could you do this to my sister?’

Vidal drew in a short, sharp breath. How could he indeed? But this was between him and Elena, not Reina. ‘I’d be grateful if you’d leave us alone,’ he said, trying his hardest to keep his voice soft and even. It was difficult when he was facing what had to be the most crucial conversation of his life.

Reina turned her head. ‘Do you want me to stay, Elena?’

Elena shook her head, her eyes devoid of all feeling. ‘No. I’ll deal with this.’

Reluctantly Reina left, giving Vidal another accusatory glare as she walked past him.

When they were alone, when the door had closed, Vidal moved slowly towards Elena, his eyes sad and full of self-reproach.

Contrastingly Elena’s eyes sparked into life and she jumped to her feet. ‘Don’t even try to make excuses. In fact, I never want to see you again. I want you to go and tell our guests that the party is over. Or would you like me to do it? I could tell them a few home truths at the same time.’

Vidal felt an acute pain in the region of his heart. He had done this to her. He deserved her anger, but he could not walk away from this relationship without trying to repair the damage. ‘Elena, you’re hurt and distraught, I understand that, but—’

‘You bet I’m hurt,’ she cried. ‘I’ve never felt so humiliated in my whole life. I never want to see you again, Vidal. I want nothing to do with you. First thing in the morning I’m out of here. Now go, get rid of all those people out there.’

Infierno,
she looked beautiful, her eyes burning with passion, her cheeks flaming. She stood proud and tall, her red dress a symbol of her anger, of the rage that filled her with such fire. He desperately wanted to hold her in his arms, to kiss her better as one might a child. He wanted to say sorry over and over again.

But he could see that she was determined he leave, and although he would prefer to stay and sort things out between them, try to convince her that he wasn’t all bad,
that he would spend the rest of his life making it up to her, he knew that it would be wise to give her some time on her own.

Perhaps in a few hours she would feel differently. She would realise that although his motives hadn’t been exactly altruistic, there was no denying that their feelings for each other were now very real.

Reluctantly he left the room, explaining to their guests that Elena wasn’t feeling well. Nevertheless it was almost an hour before the last one left, before the caterers took away the food that no one had yet touched, before the band packed up their instruments.

Elena had changed out of her red dress into a pair of trousers and a T-shirt by the time Vidal found her again. She was furiously, furiously angry. He had caused her the ultimate humiliation. And she had fallen for it. That was the worst part. She had listened to his plans, seen no other way of helping her parents—and yet all the time he had wanted only her body.

She felt violated, stupid, embarrassed.

‘What are you doing?’ he asked, looking at her open suitcase.

‘What does it look like I’m doing?’ she retorted, turning around to glare at him. ‘I’m moving out.’ There was no way on this earth that she could sleep with him, stay with him, pretend with him. Not any more. It was over, finished. She never wanted to see him again as long as she lived.

‘I won’t let you do that. We can sort this out. We need to talk. I want to explain.’

Vidal closed the gap between them, standing so close that she could smell the cologne he had splashed on
earlier. It had always kicked her hormones into life, it was as much an intrinsic part of Vidal as any physical element of him. But tonight it did nothing. She felt as though she were made of stone. She had no heart, she had no feelings—nothing except anger.

‘What is there to explain?’ she demanded, her golden eyes flaring magnificently. ‘You forced me to marry you because you wanted my body. Have you any idea how humiliating that is? I feel sick every time I think about it. I—’

‘Elena, will you please listen?’

He attempted to take her into his arms, but she stepped back. ‘To what? Another pack of lies? You disgust me, Vidal.’

‘Maybe I did desire you,’ he admittedly quietly. ‘You’re too utterly gorgeous for any man not to like what he sees. But that wasn’t the only reason I—’

‘Save the excuses,’ she spat. ‘I know what sort of a man you are. A scheming, manipulative, devious bastard. I hate you. I never want to see you again as long as I live.’ She turned her back on him, her shoulders hunched, not wanting him to see the tears in her eyes.