The Wedding Deal (5 page)

As she had pulled up to the huge and gorgeous home, she had been impressed with the beauty of the building and the wonderful gardens it sat in. With a smile, she had been glad that he had not come up to her small but cozy flat, suddenly feeling very nervous at the opulence around her. With a frown the realisation of the deal she had made suddenly hitting her, as for the first time she realised that as the wife of a man like Alexis Demitri she would be expected to fulfil a certain role, behave in a certain way. Groaning softly, she wondered where that would leave her plans for her dance studio, and the independence she had treasured her whole life. Looking around she finally understood that she had agreed to be just another prop in this man’s life, and Tessa could feel the tears coming to her eyes, angrily dashing them away. She would have given up everything for Andrew she had told herself, for the family who had been there for her as she had grown up. They had shielded her when her mother died, and now she could finally repay them for all their love and support, and with head held proudly high she had moved to the large column-covered door and rang the bell.

The sound had been loud, causing her to jump, testing her newfound bravado, but soon the door had been opened, a handsome Alexis standing before her.

“Hello Tess” he had said a warm smile on his face, as with a twinkle in his eye he had looked deliberately at his watch.

“You are only half an hour late…………I was sure you would have made me wait the full hour”

Unable to hold back the small laugh she had realised that he had completely understood why she had arrived late for their appointment. That he had known that she had mutinously refused to follow his commands, determined to make him see that she was not to be bossed around.

“The traffic was clearer than I expected” she had replied haughtily trying to regain her composure as he had stood aside to invite her in.

The inside of the building was no less impressive than the outside. Marble floors and a winding double staircase added to the magnificence of the foyer, along with the large chandelier which dominated the central area throwing light around the whole area, illuminating it softly. With a wry smile, she had thought how his home made her grandfather’s seem almost shabby in comparison.

“You have a lovely home” she had said finally turning to look at the man stood silently allowing her to drink in the house and its contents.

“Well it will be your home soon too” he had smiled, seeing how Tessa had reddened slightly, her voice suddenly nervous.

“Y..yes I suppose so” her eyes flitting away from him.

Alexis took in the woman before him. Many had stood where she was now, many eyes had lit up at the thought of living in such a place, but Tessa was different. She seemed uncomfortable, and nervous of all the wealth around her.

“Come” he had finally said breaking the silence between them.

“As promised dinner will be ready soon”, and he had strode towards a room at the far end of the wonderful foyer as Tessa had followed him, her heels making small clip clopping noises on the marble floor.

“I hope dinner isn’t ruined” she had said behind him, suddenly feeling the need to talk. As he had held open the door for her, she had seen his mouth curl into an amused smile.

“As I said……I had expected you to make me wait the full hour…….so you are actually a little early”

Tessa had suddenly felt like a petulant child being humoured, and a flicker of anger had filled her beautiful eyes.

“Then I guess you should have just listened to the time I gave you…..I did tell you I would not be finished until 9”

Her anger growing as he had smiled again.

“Well I guess communication is one of the things we will have to work on” his eyes twinkling as she passed by him. Looking around Tessa had found herself in the dining room, looking at the large rich mahogany table, seeing the way the crystal chandelier sparkled over the centre. At one end of the table she could see the table set for two, as he had moved, sitting at the head after pulling the chair out for her to sit beside him.

Suddenly alone, seated and with nothing else to focus her attention on she had looked over nervously at the man beside her, who seemed relaxed and calm compared to her. She could feel as her insides fluttered nervously, unaware of how her fingers had tugged at each other, the reality of the situation suddenly hitting her hard. Alexis’s hand covering both hers has caused her to jump slightly, feeling as he had held them tightly as she had tried to pull them free.

“I am glad you changed your mind” he spoke, that warm velvety sensual tone of his sliding once more down her spine, as she had fought not to show how he affected her, feeling his warm breath whispering over her small hand.

“I think we both know that this is a purely business deal” she had managed marmishly, her tone hiding the disquiet her body felt.

“You get what you want…and I get what I want”

As he had laughed softly, her eyes had flown to meet his, seeing as he had nodded gently.

“Indeed….. but I am still glad you changed your mind” he had repeated, the sound of the door being opened causing him to drop her hand, as the housekeeper had moved noisily into the area, pushing a trolley before her.

As she had come level with the pair, Tessa could feel her stomach jump hungrily at the tempting aromas which suddenly filled the air, smiling warmly at the woman looking politely at her.

“Wow, that smells delicious” she had been unable to stop herself saying, seeing as a smile had lit the woman’s face.

“Thank you mademoiselle” she has responded as she had spoken softly to Alexis in Greek before he had returned to English.

“Tessa, I would like for you to meet Mrs Lowe, my housekeeper” adding with a twinkle in his eye “and sometimes good cook”

Seeing as the older woman had flashed him a motherly warning look.

“pfft………..he does not know good food” she had returned good humouredly, smiling at Tessa, who had laughed before extending her hand.

“It is lovely to meet you” she had offered seeing the surprise on the woman’s face, as she had shaken hands with the young woman.

“And I do appreciate good food…………and that smells wonderful”

With that Alexis had taken plates from the housekeeper, and also the bottle of wine from the trolley, before she had bid the two bonne appetite and left.

Looking at the salmon on a bed of rice Tessa had smiled at Alexis

“You really should not have gone to any bother on my part……….I really could have grabbed a sandwich” Seeing as he had looked disapprovingly.

“I bet that you haven’t eaten anything all day………..too busy with your production” knowing that he was right as she had tried to stifle the laugh.

As he had uncorked the wine and made to put some in her glass Tessa had quickly stopped him, her hand covering the glass.

“No….please…….I’m driving”

With a small shrug he had said nonchalantly.

“Stay over, we have plenty of rooms………makes more sense anyway and we should celebrate our engagement”

Scowling slightly Tessa had shaken her head.

“No thank you……..I like my own home”, seeing as he had half filled his own glass with the blood red liquid, his tone suddenly less playful and more serious.

“I want this wedding to be believable Tessa………..so understand this, you will be moving into my home if not tonight then tomorrow. It makes more sense, as we will be able to organise the wedding, and it will allow you to become accustomed to my friends and your new home”

Playing gently with the salmon on the plate, she had tried hard to stop her hands shaking, both with nerves and anger.

“I still have a month’s rent on my flat………..and I…” she had blurted out, as he had cut over her.

“Money is not an issue…….I will ensure that all your bills are paid and all your belongings are brought here”

Finally giving up with the fork she had dropped it on the plate, wiping her brow nervously.

“Why the rush Alexis…” seeing as he had looked at her in surprise.

“Did you grandfather not tell you…………I expect the wedding to take place within the next 2 weeks”

Shock had thudded into Tessa, her whole body feeling so cold and warm all at the same time.

“Two….weeks” she had stuttered in disbelief, her eyes wide with shock.

“But………that is so soon”

Alexis had looked at the woman before him, so beautiful, so shocked, and had frowned softly.

“I am sorry Tessa, I was under the assumption you knew the plans”

Seeing as she had shaken her head.

“No…No……he never specified a time scale, I just assumed we would …….”

Her eyes had looked ahead, almost panic in them before her head had bowed in submission.

“I can’t move in tonight…………or tomorrow” she had spoken so softly, continuing as his mouth had opened to argue with her, her large eyes holding within them an almost pleading light.

“Please just give me some time to get used to this idea….I need some time”

Alexis had considered the woman before him, not seeing the defiance as was so obvious by her earlier lateness, but fear, fear of what she was getting into, and instinctively he knew not to push her any further.

“OK, Tess you will move in two days time” feeling a strange warmth at the look of relief and thanks she had thrown him.

“I … I just need time” she had repeated before once more picking up her fork.

For the rest of the meal he had asked her questions about her preference for the wedding. Whether she wanted a religious venue or something more relaxed. Tessa had been sure, only that she did not want the traditional wedding, and when he had suggested marrying abroad as part of their honeymoon, she had agreed with relief, glad not to have to go through with the ceremony with her grandfather gloating the whole time. Listening to the plans she had felt herself move into an almost autopilot mode, as he had so calmly discussed arrangements to a day that she had thought would be the most wonderful day of her life. To a man she would love with all her heart, not this man whom she knew so little about, who was a complete stranger to her, whom she had promised to marry and bear his children. The sudden realisation of this had swamped her, as she had felt tears rising to her eyes, causing her to stand quickly from the table.

“I…I’m sorry…….I’m really tired…….I have a big day tomorrow” she had stuttered, moving blindly to the door, to be anywhere but near him.

“I should go”

As her hand had reached out for the handle, she had felt his on her shoulder, turning her around to face him. Seeing the small tear wind down her cheek he had groaned softly, pulling her unresisting into his arms

“Don’t cry Cara” he had whispered against her hair, the sound and feel of him causing strange fluttering within her.

“This will be a good marriage; I will be a good husband to you of that I promise”

As he had pulled back to look down into her soft lovely face his eyes had travelled down to her slightly quivering lips before his head had dropped to gently kiss the side of her eye. As his tongue had licked the small tear, the touch of him on her had caused her to sigh softly as her body exploded into small tremors. His mouth had continued to kiss down her face, his lips hardly touching her skin, each one a mere whisper, promising so much, until his mouth had finally found hers. As their lips had met, it was as if a fire had been ignited in each, as they had kissed the other with an intensity that left Tessa breathless and feeling disembodied, the only important thing, his kiss, the way his tongue flicked against hers, eliciting an equal response in her. She was hardly aware as one hand had wound its way around her waist pulling her tight into him, tight against the throbbing hardness of him, the other moving to hold her head to him. As his mouth had finally released hers, his teeth moving to gently nip her ear he had whispered.

“Stay, Tessa, let me make love to you……..we both want this”

As though drunk, his words had reached deep into her befuddled brain, the meaning of them like cold water, as she had gasped, pushing herself from him.

“No” she had cried out in despair, her eyes staring wildly at him. He had looked back at her, his breathing like hers ragged, his eyes still showing the passion that had so nearly consumed them both.

“I…I have to go, so much to do tomorrow” she had cried out, her hands wringing nervously before her, as she had pulled open the door and moved into the large foyer. Behind her she could hear his feet move out with her, as he had finally caught up with her at the door. When she had turned to once more look at him, he was once more calm, once more in complete control of himself, which was more than she was able to do, her hair still ruffled from his fingers, her eyes still large, lips still reddened.

As she had made to open the door, he had caught her hand in his, pulling it to his mouth, the feel of his lips on her skin once more making her react.

“Goodnight Tessa” he spoke gently.

“Drive carefully”, before he had reached to open the door to escort her to her car.

As they had reached her beaten up vehicle she had looked up nervously at him, her heart once more fluttering.

“Thank you for dinner Alexis…………and for being understanding” and with that she had slipped it.

The return journey home had been a quick one as she had chided herself for how she had reacted to this devastatingly handsome man. He was the enemy she reminded herself, he had made a deal with her grandfather to use her body for his own needs. He did not love her or care about her, but saw her as an investment opportunity. This man was no better than John, and yet she still felt the way her whole body ached, remembering how his kiss had set her on fire, the sensations so foreign to her. That night in bed, she had tossed and turned before falling into a deep sleep, the image of his eyes burning intently into hers.

The next day passed quickly. From the minute she had woken up she had been too busy to think about her situation. All morning and afternoon she had calmed nervous dancers, carried out rehearsal after rehearsal and ensured that mothers knew exactly what was expected of them, providing them with costume sheets and a place to ensure that their children could get changed. She had organised for food to be delivered to the venue for all of the children as a treat for all their hard work, and also to ensure that they were fed before the big event, and as was usual with Show nights, she had felt both nervous and exhilarated at the same time. Tessa loved the bustle of the whole event, and had many times laughed at the antics of the smallest children, the 5 to 6 year olds, the day’s hectic activity a welcome relief from the strange turn of events that had become her life.