The Twelve-Month Marriage Deal (9 page)

He was not ready to raise children. That pleasure was reserved for when he met the woman of his dreams. Someone to love unconditionally and to spend the rest of his life with. Elena was—well, Elena was Elena. This was business with a little pleasure thrown in for good measure. A lot of pleasure, actually. But in a year’s time when she had fulfilled her commitment she would return to LA and he quite possibly would never see her again.

When he kissed her, though, when he sucked her nipples into his mouth, nibbling and torturing her, exulting in the little cries of pleasure she gave; when he explored the moistness between her legs, feeling her hunger, feeding it, rejoicing in her torment, in her passion, in the way she urged herself against him, Elena wasn’t just Elena. Elena was a woman who had the
power to satisfy him. Who held him in thrall. Who met his needs head-on with a hunger of her own. Who found equal delight in the passion they shared. Who was even getting beneath his skin in a way he had never expected. It was not going to be easy to let her go.

‘I want you, Elena.’ He heard his voice, deep and throaty, sounding nothing like his usual well-modulated tones, as though he were in heaven and hell at the same time. Heaven because he could feel himself floating in a sensual void that made no sense of normal, everyday feelings, a void where nothing mattered except satisfying the needs of his body. And hell because somewhere deep down in the recesses of his mind he hated himself for what he was doing. He had seen Elena as fair game in the beginning, but the more time they spent together, the more he began to respect her, the more he wished that he hadn’t started this thing.

He’d been prepared to do whatever it took to make her his. And now that he had, now that he’d got to know her, found out what sort of a woman she really was, he felt angry and disappointed in himself.

Vidal dashed his thoughts away. He didn’t want to go down that line, he didn’t want to listen to his conscience. Elena was here, beside him, beneath him, his for the taking—what was he waiting for?

He made love slowly and beautifully, bringing both Elena and himself to the edge many times before the final, excruciating, beautifully intense moment when neither of them knew what had hit them. When their worlds were rocked and they flew into orbit before catapulting back to earth where they lay together in a daze of breathless surrender.

Elena woke to find herself in Vidal’s arms, his fingers stroking her hair, his amazingly sexy silver eyes watchful on her face. ‘How long have I been asleep?’ she asked shyly. Vidal seemed different, gentler, kinder, as though she was no longer someone he had bought and intended to use, but someone he had learned to care for.

The thought stunned her—because hadn’t she started to feel the same way? Had their marriage turned a corner? She was certainly happier.

But she didn’t actually want him
caring
for her. Yes, she enjoyed sex with him—which was as well under the circumstances—but did she really want anything more? Vidal was not the sort of person she would ever wish to get seriously involved with.

He was a workaholic for one thing. She had already discovered how much time he spent at the office, leaving early and coming home late. She ultimately wanted children and when that happened she would want their father to be there for them.

These past three days when he hadn’t been here had given her an insight into what life would be like for the woman Vidal eventually chose to be his real wife. He would be an absentee father, she felt sure. Late nights at the bank, business trips abroad. No time at all for his wife and family. If he was questioned he would say he was doing it for them, when really he was doing it for himself. It was the lifestyle he had chosen and one she doubted he would welcome relinquishing.

She knew that he was a hard man who would stop at nothing to further his ambition. He had let her and her parents think that he was doing them a favour, but
in reality…She refused to let her thoughts go any further. What she must do, what was most important, was to make sure that she didn’t let herself get too carried away.

‘You’ve slept for no more than a few minutes,’ he said in answer to her question, his voice soft and gentle as he continued to play with her hair.

It felt as though she’d been asleep for ages. It felt comfortable in his arms and she did not want to move. Until he began kissing her again and fierce threads of arousal began to weave their way through her body.

Swiftly she rolled away. She needed another shower, though she was not going to tell him that because she was afraid he might join her—and then the whole sequence would start all over again.

There were times when she found it hard to believe that she was letting Vidal use her body like this, although there were others when she had no such qualms. Like now, it had felt so right. They had both hungered for fulfilment and she dared not let herself think about what it actually meant or where it might ultimately lead.

It could be to heartache if she let herself get too emotionally involved. She needed to be aware at all times of what she was getting herself into. It was still nothing more than a game to Vidal, even though she had detected a subtle change in him. A game in which he was coming out the winner.

Was she a fool? Maybe, but without this chemistry between them assuming the role of Vidal’s wife would have been a burden too hard to bear.

To her relief Vidal moved too. ‘I don’t know about
you, but all this exercise has made me hungry,’ he announced with a grin. ‘I’ll go and see what’s for lunch.’

They chose to eat out on the terrace with its amazing views over the city and surrounding area. It was a hot hazy day, the sort of day when the pool beckoned. Later, thought Elena.

Meanwhile the seafood paella was to die for. She loved shellfish of any sort and between them they ate every last shrimp, every piece of squid, every mussel. Vidal intensified her awareness of him by taking one prawn after another out of its shell and feeding them to her, slowly and deliberately, his eyes not leaving her mouth as he did so.

He had such an intense expression on his face, in his amazing silver eyes, that Elena felt a whole new whirlpool of desire. This was seduction of the worst kind. It was sheer torture. And he knew it.

Somewhere in the house she heard the phone ring. Merciful release! Vidal would be called away. She would be able to breathe again. It was amazing how the air always thickened when he was near her, when he taunted her with his presence.

But the call was not for Vidal. To her surprise the phone was brought out to her. It was Andres Francia, ready to discuss wedding plans.

‘This afternoon, yes, I’m free,’ she said, trying to ignore the fierce look Vidal aimed at her across the table. ‘I’ll see you in an hour, then.’

Vidal was furious with Elena. Hadn’t he given up the whole afternoon so that he could be with her? He could have gone to the bank, in fact, he needed to be there, but no, his need for Elena had been greater.

And now she was going to meet Andres! He wished that he had never mentioned the man’s name.

‘You’re going out?’ He was aware that his voice was harsh now, devoid of all the softness when he had fed pieces of food to her across the table. He had loved the way she moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue before opening them. The way her teeth gently took each morsel of food. The way her eyes hadn’t left his during the whole process.

It had been an erotic experience and he had been looking forward to spending even more time with her.

‘Actually, Andres is coming here,’ she announced with a slight lift of her fine brows. ‘That won’t be a problem, will it? I presumed you would be going to your office this afternoon?’

‘Of course.’ He hated the sharpness in his voice but he couldn’t help himself. Didn’t he always work? Did he ever take time off? It struck him now how much time he did actually spend working. On the other hand he’d never had anyone as tempting as Elena to take him away from it.

He pushed his chair back and stood up. ‘In fact, I should be leaving right now.’

A
NDRES
F
RANCIA
was of medium height and not particularly good-looking, but he had an air of authority about him that reminded Elena of Vidal. She could not understand why Vidal had reacted so fiercely when she had announced that Andres was coming to discuss his daughter’s wedding plans. The fact that Vidal had stormed away told her that he was displeased, but what was his reasoning when he was the one who had suggested she meet with Andres in the first place?

‘It will be something for you to do,’ he had said.

Now, when it was happening, he was annoyed. Anyone would think he had been prepared to spend the afternoon with her, when she knew perfectly well that he would have gone to the office. Did he ever take a halfday off? She did not think so.

‘I expected your wife and daughter to come along with you,’ she said once they were seated.

‘I have no wife,’ declared Andres, his thin lips pursing. ‘She walked out on me when Benita was three years old.’

‘I’m sorry. Will she be attending the wedding?’

Andres shrugged expressively, his hands spreading wide. ‘Who is to say?’

‘So you have full control. You and Benita. When will I meet her?’

‘That is why I am here. I have very different ideas from my daughter. It is her wedding, yes, but I am paying. I need you to spread diplomacy.’

In other words, thought Elena, he wanted her to stand in the middle and keep the peace. It happened. Lots of parents had different ideas from their children. It would be her job to suggest something they were both happy with.

Before they had even finished discussing ideas and venues Vidal returned. Elena couldn’t believe how quickly the time had flown until a glance at her watch showed her that only two hours had passed. So what was he doing back so early?

‘You are still here, Andres?’ His words were civil, but the tone behind them was not.

Andres seemed not to notice, but Elena most certainly did, and when the man had gone she looked furiously at Vidal. ‘What’s the matter, Vidal? You suggest I do this work and yet you act as though it is a crime. As though you do not approve of the time I spend with a prospective client.’

Her head was high, her eyes bright with challenge.

Vidal thought she had never looked more ravishingly beautiful. And yet he could not contain his irritation. He had watched them quietly for a few moments before making his presence known and they had seemed so cosy, sitting so close, talking so quietly, that fires had burned in front of his eyes.

What the hell is the matter with you? he had asked himself. You’re acting like a jealous lover and yet you know that is not the case. Elena means nothing to you. Nothing! You’re conducting an affair, that is all. You’d be as well to remember that.

‘I did not expect him to be here this long,’ he said now, endeavouring to keep his voice level. ‘Where is his daughter? Why wasn’t she here as well? It is her wedding after all.’

‘I shall be meeting her,’ said Elena calmly, and the very fact that she had not raised her voice frustrated him further.

‘Then make sure that you do,’ he answered. ‘I do not trust Andres.’ There, he had said it, he had said what was in his mind. And unfortunately Elena picked up on it.

‘You’re jealous!’ she claimed with a sudden smile, a smile that lit up her whole face, that released his male hormones, that made him want to pull her hard against him and kiss her senseless.

‘Yes, I am,’ he agreed. How could he say otherwise when his body had hardened and he wanted her shamelessly? ‘You are my girl, my woman. No other man shall have you.’

It was the strangest feeling. He had never in his life felt jealousy, never felt this searing emotion that had made him want to throw Andres out of his house. Seeing them sitting so close together, leaning so intimately towards each other, had been like a physical pain. As if someone had stabbed a knife into his heart.

Dios!
What did it mean? Not that he was falling in love with Elena, surely? That wasn’t possible. All he’d
ever wanted was her body. She wasn’t his wife in the true sense of the word. So why the hell was she bringing out this alien side to his character?

‘No other man will,’ she assured him, her golden eyes steady on his. ‘At least not until we go our separate ways.’

Elena knew that she ought not to have tagged on these last words—except that they were a safety net against her own feelings. She watched the flicker in Vidal’s eyes, saw the way his nostrils dilated, the way his mouth firmed. It all happened in a second, she could almost have imagined it. But she knew that she hadn’t.

He was saying that he owned her! Body and soul. For the duration of their contract. And woe betide any other man who looked at her during that time.

But to be actually jealous of Andres, that was a different matter. Unless he was changing his mind about her? Could it be that he was beginning to feel something too? Was she getting beneath his skin? Elena dared not let her thoughts go any further. It was too improbable.

And yet…

How did she feel about him? He was a damned good lover, that went without saying, and there were times when she had actually felt they were a real husband and wife. But always she had scoffed at her own fantasy. Vidal was in it for what he could get out of it, and she’d do as well to remember that—even if her feelings towards him were changing.

A proper marriage would never work. Their lifestyles were far removed. Vidal would suffocate her. He would want to bend her to his will, and that was not the sort of partner she wanted.

‘That is obviously what I meant,’ he declared gruffly. ‘Now come here and let me kiss you.’

And stupidly she did. She couldn’t help herself. As soon as his lips touched hers she forgot her fears, she forgot everything, letting herself drift into a state of heightened passion. And in bed that night heaven and earth moved again, making Elena wonder whether any other man would ever arouse her in this same seriously magical way. Was it possible? Or was Vidal the only man for her?

Vidal was late getting home. As usual he had got caught up in a business meeting, but now he couldn’t wait to see Elena, to feel the warmth of her in his arms, to taste her exciting kisses, to make spectacular and satisfying love.

There had been a sudden shift in their relationship recently and he felt sad when he thought about it coming to an end. He had even, stupidly, wondered if she would ever agree to make their marriage real.

Which led to the question, was he in love with her? The answer was a resounding no. At least he didn’t think so. He had actually never been in love so what did he know about such things? He was very aware that Elena had begun to get beneath his skin as no one else ever had, and the thought of losing her at the end of the year made his heart feel heavy. He had even hated seeing her talking to Andres. He had known they were talking weddings, Andres’s daughter’s wedding, for heaven’s sake, but even so he had felt the green eye of jealousy streak into his veins.

Tonight he intended to make it up to her—again. In his mind’s eye he could see her standing naked and proud
in front of him. She had a fantastic figure. High, firm breasts that taunted him beyond belief when her nipples grew taut, beckoning him as the sun did to the flowers.

She was slender without being thin, with softly curved hips and a flat stomach. In the apex of her thighs dark hair curled and hid from his eyes the sensitive heart of her. The part he had made his own. He sprang to life at the very thought of touching her there, making her wriggle and pretend indifference until ultimately she lifted herself up to accommodate him.

Oh, Elena, he groaned. If only you knew what you do to me.

She was waiting for him when he entered the house, wearing a white dress that he had not seen before. It was incredibly short and skimmed her curves, and looked as though it had cost a fortune—which it probably had, even though there was very little of it! He smiled wryly as he recalled his credit-card bill the other day.

But hell, it was worth it. He’d have spent it a hundred times over to see her looking so seductively tempting. If he wasn’t mistaken she was wearing nothing beneath. There was no giveaway line of a bra or panties, or even a thong.

He stood for a long moment just looking at her, feeling his heart race and his testosterone levels rise so high that he thought he might burst and they would explode all over the place, letting Elena know exactly how much she taunted him.

But he would be no good to her then, so he restrained his feelings, smiling instead. ‘You look good enough to eat.’

‘And I expect you’re worn out,’ she said softly.
‘You’ve had a long day. Marita has dinner ready so why don’t you go and shower and I’ll see you back down here?’

‘You could join me,’ he suggested, hearing the hunger in his voice.

‘When I’ve dressed myself up especially for you?’ she asked softly. ‘I don’t think so. I’ll see you in a few minutes, Vidal.’ And with that she turned and sashayed out of the room.

It was as though she was trying to convince him all over again that he had been mistaken when he’d thought Andres was coming on to her. He sang as he showered and in honour of Elena dressing up for him he pulled on a new pair of cream linen trousers and a black shirt.

Satisfied that he looked as good as she did, Vidal rejoined her downstairs. Dinner was, as usual, being served on the terrace and he found Elena out there.

‘So what have you been doing with yourself today?’ he asked. ‘And before you answer that, may I be permitted to say how gorgeous you look?’

‘You’ve already told me,’ she said softly.

‘And is it a crime to tell you again?’

‘You can tell me as many times as you like,’ she answered. ‘A girl always likes compliments. I haven’t been doing very much actually. I’m waiting to hear from Andres’s daughter so that I can begin thinking about her wedding. They’re at complete loggerheads about it. But really I’ve had a very quiet day.’

Vidal did not want to talk about Andres, or his daughter or wedding plans. He wanted to talk about Elena and this sexy new image she was portraying
tonight. If he hadn’t known better he would have said she was hiding a secret.

Perhaps it
was
Andres? He blanched as the thought suddenly hit him. Perhaps she had spoken to him again today. Perhaps this was what had put a lift to her step, the smile on her lips.
Dios!
He’d kill the man, he surely would.

Nevertheless he managed to keep a tight rein on his feelings.

‘How was
your
day?’ she asked him now. ‘You looked tired when you came home.’

‘All of my days are tiring,’ he answered. ‘But when I have someone like you to come home to it makes it all worthwhile.’

‘I won’t be here for ever,’ Elena reminded him.

Vidal chose not to bite, smiling instead. ‘Which makes it all the more important to enjoy what time we do have together.’

Their first course was put in front of them—slices of melon with smoked ham, and as she forked each delicious piece into her mouth Elena was conscious of Vidal watching her. She had the feeling that he would have liked to feed her each piece himself.

Chicken and prawns followed, a delicious dish with onions, tomatoes and garlic, but Elena could not finish it all. ‘Did you know,’ she asked, putting down her knife and fork, challenging one of the long dark looks he kept giving her, ‘that it’s my birthday next week?’

Instantly his face changed. Surprise and a smile followed. ‘No, I did not. Why have you never told me?’

‘Because it would look like I was angling for a present.’

‘But of course you must have one,’ he cut in at once. ‘Do you want to tell me what you would like, or do you prefer surprises?’ He lifted his glass and took a sip of his wine, looking at her speculatively over the rim. ‘We must do something to celebrate. How about a party?’

‘Oh, Vidal, I’d love that,’ she exclaimed. It was exactly what she had been thinking herself. She needed something to relieve the tedium of days spent alone. She had dressed carefully tonight, psyching herself up to ask him, and now there was no need. ‘Organising it will give me something to do. I’ve been—’

He silenced her with a soft finger across her lips, smiling tenderly at her enthusiasm. ‘Make whatever plans you like, invite whomever you like—except Andres, of course,’ he added on a warning note and much to Elena’s amusement.

Elena enjoyed making the arrangements. It made her feel as though she belonged, more settled into her marriage. She had never expected to feel this comfortable or so at ease. She had fought against her feelings for Vidal and yet as each day passed she felt that she was getting closer to him. She was even beginning to feel that their marriage might work, something that would have filled her with shock and horror a few weeks ago.

Vidal had changed; he was far more loving towards her. She didn’t feel any more when they made love that it was simply because he hungered for her body. She sensed a closeness, a respect even.

She invited a mixture of her own family and friends and some of Vidal’s family as well.

‘You’re looking much happier these days,’ he said over dinner one evening.

‘Am I?’

‘More content.’

‘That’s because I have something to do,’ she said. ‘I’ve always been used to a busy life. You have no idea what it’s been like sitting doing nothing.’ Waiting for him to return so that they could make love! The time they spent in bed was the highlight of her day, Vidal managing to turn her into someone she hardly recognised.

Never had she envisaged that she could behave so wantonly, so freely, often initiating their lovemaking herself. They became one when they were making love, each finely attuned to the other’s needs. She was falling in love with him without a doubt. And she even wondered whether Vidal was falling in love with her too. Was it possible? How would she ever know?

The night of her party arrived. Fairy lights adorned the gardens, the caterers had arrived, the band had set up in the pavilion, a floor had been laid for dancing and Elena was in her dressing room getting ready when Vidal moved in quietly behind her.