The Billionaire's Runaway Bride (11 page)

“Fine. I will stay for the month…but no longer - I have work that needs done” her eyes full of hatred “But do not expect cooperation from me when we are alone”, hearing the sound of his footsteps moving towards her as he had left the desk.

His victorious smile had caused her insides to cringe as she swallowed down the small lump, his hands pulling her around as his head had dropped to kiss her. Grace had stood stiffly, her mouth firmly closed not prepared to respond as he had once more moved her from him, the small laugh making her look up.

“Now…this was why I wanted to get you to stay of your own free will…would have been so much easier…and enjoyable” Grace feeling the shooting pain and hurt at the cold-bloodedness of his plan and how he had hoped to use her to meet his own agenda.

“You played me” she had bitten out, his eyes narrowing as he had nodded “Yes… Hurts doesn’t it?”

Lifting her hand he had ran his thumb over her wedding ring, his eyes hard “You can start by losing this…don’t want any awkward questions as to why you would be with me and still wearing another man’s ring”

Pulling her hand from his, Grace had looked down at the small piece of jewellery that had been part of her for so long. Biting her lip she had pulled it from her finger, ignoring his outstretched hand as she had placed it securely into her shorts pocket making sure that it was zipped carefully inside.

Stepping back she had then wordlessly opened the door moving to the front entrance.

“I think I will skip breakfast, for some reason I don’t think I could stomach food now” her hands clenching tightly as his laugh had reached her.

“Strange, I’m starving; seem to have worked up quite an appetite. However, I’m sure that Yanis will be back from dropping off your friends if you wish to join them. I will see you tonight Cara”

Without turning around she had moved to the front door, pulling on every ounce of pride that she could muster, determined not to turn and wipe the smug self-satisfied smile from his face.

Reaching the rest of the group, she had refused to talk about what had happened the previous evening, although when she had informed them that she had planned to stay on, Carol had pulled her in for a big hug.

“Oh my God Grace….go for it. He is gorgeous” her eyes shining “and you might not be telling….but I could totally tell that there was some history between the two of you” Grace bending her head to check some equipment refusing to say more. The day had gone past quickly, quicker than she wanted, knowing only too well what would be waiting for her when the rest of the group finally set sail back to the mainland. She had helped to pack everything up, ensuring that much of the research was put to the side for her to evaluate before the next leg of the project. While the others would be enjoying a much deserved rest, she had known that most of her month would be taken up with collating the figures and trying to finalise the Libya leg of the research. While the Libyans had initially agreed to the project, the government had revoked the agreement and Grace was desperately trying to salvage the original deal, spending a considerable amount of time phoning different officials in the government.

Finally however, the sun had once more sunk into the sea, the group all enjoying one last sunset on the beautiful island before hugging Grace, all smiling warmly at her, Carol giving her a big wink as she had told her to take some time to relax. Giving her friend a small smile she had nodded

“At least ten minutes each day” she had quipped as the others had laughed. As they had rowed out to the boat for the last time she had waited on the beach, sinking down onto the sand her head falling onto her pulled up knees until the boat had sailed out of sight.

“I thought you might like a lift”

His voice behind her had made Grace jump, her body rigid as stiffly she had risen to her legs her voice stilted “Thank you. I have some equipment that I need to bring”

Frowning softly he had looked at the computer and mountain of paper work “What is all this?” his eyes flint hard, his voice accusing “You have a month’s holiday Grace…don’t think you can use this to hide away from me”

Stopping in her tracks she had rounded on him “Why do you think I said no to you Alexos? God I was so stupid, part of me really wanted to stay…I was even prepared…”

Biting back the words, not prepared to admit to him that she had considered coming back after the project, she had paused, calming herself as her look had been scathing, a self-deprecating light coming to her eyes.

“But thanks for helping me see what an idiot I was. My team have the month off, I don’t…and the month is needed because all the research we have done so far needs to be collated…and guess who gets to do that…me”.

She had ignored the strange expression which had crossed his handsome features as she had moved passed him picking up the computer and trying to lift the two large boxes full of paper, Alexos moving to pluck them from her with an ease that had mocked her attempts.

“What will you need?” his voice had been gentler as he had placed the boxes in the small trunk of the sports car. “I can set up a small office with computer access, printers phones…anything else you need”

Flicking him a surprised look, she had moved into the passenger side, nodding, managing a stilted “thank you” before she had looked away. As he had gunned the car, moving quickly back to the villa, she had found herself once more experiencing the same exhilaration as she had the first time he had driven her along the same stretch of road.

Entering his home, he had led her into a smaller living room asking if it would be suitable for her purposes, Grace skimming the room with appreciation seeing the long desk within the generously proportioned room.

“Tomorrow I will have fax machines, printers and anything else you might need installed” Grace silently nodding her head as he had written down information with regards to gaining access to the WIFI as a guest. With a stilted thank you she had turned to face him hearing his small laugh.

“That must have hurt you” Grace gritting her teeth before nodding “It would have been a lot easier in my own office, and given the circumstances …” before she had moved over to the desk itself. Frowning softly he had watched as she had pulled out some paper “Don’t you think that we should eat first?”

Grace had shaken her head. I am really still not that hungry, perhaps a sandwich later, not even looking at him. With a frustrated sigh he had moved around, placing his hand under her elbow before bodily walking her to the dining room, Grace gasping in surprise and indignation, spluttering out her demand for him to let her go, Alexos ignoring each and every one.

“No…you have eaten nothing all day, and you WILL eat with me”

Glaring up at him she had given a small noise of anger, struggling unsuccessfully to pull herself free as with little gentleness he had deposited her onto the seat closest to his, his eyes daring her to move. Sitting back with arms crossed she had glowered at him “You have no idea how much work I have to do, and thanks to you it is three times as much”

Smiling, his mouth curving as though humouring a small child he had rang the small bell for the meal to be served

“What difference does it make where you collate your information? You will have everything you need…so stop being so dramatic Grace and eat your dinner. The last thing I need is a drama queen on hunger strike because of her hurt feelings”

Grace had glared at him, although could feel her stomach rumble as the aroma from the food had reached her nostrils, the realisation that she had indeed ate nothing the whole day hitting her.

“Fine” she had bitten out, her tone huffy as she had began eating.

“So…how was your last day…did you manage to get all the research finished?” His tone had been calm - friendly almost, Grace spearing some of the food wanting to ignore him. However, as the silence had stretched out as he had patiently waited for her answer; her manners so long drilled into her by her mother had taken over.

“Yes. Thank you”

He had nodded before asking more specific questions, Grace slowly relaxing as she had answered, her love for the subject finally seeing her start to talk animatedly about the work being done, and some of the unusual findings that had already been discovered. Alexos had seemed genuinely interested, no doubt contributing to her opening up to him.

“Why did you say I had increased your workload three fold?” His question had caught her unaware as she had frowned softly.

“Because I had two research assistants booked to validate the information on the sheets with data entered in the field… now I have to do it myself”

“I see” he had mused softly, his expression thoughtful.

The mention of the work waiting for her had made Grace sigh, sipping the last of her coffee as she had pushed her seat from the table “My compliments to the chef, the meal was as usual excellent, but I really do have to get on with some work”

Alexos had stood with her, inclining his head “Of course…I would not like to stand in the way of science”

Grace not sure if he was being sarcastic as she had moved back into the study assigned to her. For the rest of the night she had prepared schedules, sighing heavily at the amount of time she would need to spend each day to meet her deadline, once more cursing Alexos. At one in the morning he had appeared, his eyes scanning the room seeing just how much she had organised, Grace sitting silently as she had compared sheets with her computer, her lovely face bobbing between the two.

“Bed!” His voice had made her jump, a scowl on her face “I’m not ready for bed…I need to finish up here or I will lose everything” her eyes showing desperation at the thought, her look stopping him from demanding that she join him.

“Don’t be too late” his voice softer as she had given a small sigh of relief, nodding as her eyes had once more returned to the screen, the beating of her heart starting to once more slow down relieved that he had not insisted on her accompanying him, not prepared to admit how that thought had kept returning to her all evening, the implications making her feel sick. While she was determined not to succumb to his demands in bed, just the memory of how he had touched her had sent electric signals through her body, not sure if when he did touch her that she would be able to so easily push him away.

At three in the morning, Alexos had moved back down to her study, anger filling him at the way she seemed so determined to stay away from him. Entering her study he had paused, Grace slumped over the desk fast asleep. With a sigh he had known that she had slept little the previous evening and had worked all day in the burning sunshine, guilt filling him as he had cursed softly under his breath not having insisted that she did not start her work until the following day. Walking around picking up project plans which she had created, he had frowned, seeing the amount of time that had been allocated for each day of the month. With a small thoughtful expression he had moved over to where Grace lay so deep in sleep, flicking a small piece of hair from her lovely cheek, the urge to kiss her skin rising strongly within him. Gently he had lifted her into his arms, as she hardly even stirred, her head dropping peacefully against his shoulder. Moving back to his room he had laid her inside the covers which he had earlier pushed from himself, not fully understanding why he seemed so unable to sleep.

As he had pulled off her shoes and shorts she had hardly even moved Alexos smiling at the determination in her lovely face, even when asleep, once more running his eyes down her perfect body fighting the rush of desire that had flashed through him. Covering her, he had stripped before sliding in beside her, sleep taking him almost immediately.

Grace was dreaming, the sun caressing her body, its warmth moving along her spine, a small satisfied sigh leaving her lips. Turning she had allowed her hands to fall over her head the sun morphing into the sensual touch of fingers, fingers which were rubbing the hardened nub of her straining nipples morphing once more to a flicking wetness her whole body responding to the erotic signals flowing throughout her. The small masculine groan had woken her, her eyes flying open as her soft mouth had gasped in shock. There was no sun, no caressing nourishing warmth, only Alexos, Alexos the enemy.

He had leant over her, his eyes still full of the burning fire deep within the embers of their darkness, now watching her. Confusion coupled with a smouldering need filled her lovely features as she had blinked, the two locked on the other. Gulping softly she had known she should push him away, this man who was blackmailing her, ensure that he stay at arm’s length, but even as she had thought this her eyes had dropped to his mouth, that mouth so capable of bringing pleasure to every part of her. As though that one action was permission he had dropped his head to her mouth, his so gently caressing hers until she was kissing him back the kiss deepening until the passion had once more engulfed them, its flames licking at them both with the need to have and be had.

Alexos had kissed down her cheek, his tongue tantalizing her skin as he had whispered soft words she could not understand, yet were driving her over the edge, his hands caressing her body as that mouth had dropped lower. Lapping and nipping the engorged nipples she had felt that she would explode with the sensations flying through her, the heat in her belly pooling there like molten lava, Grace writhing so sensually under his ministrations. Groaning, her hands had flown to his head fingers raking through the thickness as he had moved down to her belly, panting as he had rained small kisses to the apex of her thighs.

As he had moved between her legs, his hands had pushed her legs apart, allowing them to fall over his shoulders, Grace not sure what he was doing until his mouth had slid between the inside of her thigh, her eyes flying open with both shock and intense pleasure her mouth panting out the words to stop him

“P…Please Alexos…n…no”

A small chuckle from him the only answer as his fingers had slid along the wetness of her, a satisfied sound leaving his lips before that tongue had joined them, its flicking action causing her to gasp out loud as her hips had bucked against him.