The Billionaire's Bodyguard Bride (18 page)

Lauren had dreaded the thought of the evening ahead, knowing she’d be forced to spend time with Milton and Melanie. When she boarded the Fullertons’ yacht a few hours later, though, she found it impossible not to get caught up in the excitement of the dinner cruise.

Rafe was attentive and solicitous, and he looked amazing in the tux he wore. “You’re the focus of every man on this ship, you know,” he whispered in her ear. “You’re stunning.”

“Funny, I was just thinking that you look pretty incredible yourself, Mr. Dimitriou. There isn’t a woman on board who wouldn’t give every jewel she owns to trade places with me.”

“Ah, but you’re the only woman I want. And as much as I love seeing you in this gorgeous gown, I’m going to enjoy ripping it off you later even more,” he told her, the sensual promise in his eyes making her shiver in anticipation.

They mingled, chatting with the Fullertons and the other guests, and Rafe kept their contact with Milton and Melanie to a minimum. When dinner was announced, Lauren was relieved to find the seating arrangement placed them close to the head of the table near their host and hostess. The Paynes sent icy glares their way, clearly not pleased with their spot at the far end of the table.

Lauren knew Melanie wouldn’t be content simply shooting visual daggers at her, so she wasn’t surprised when the woman blocked her exit out of the ladies’ room later that evening. “We have to stop meeting like this,” Lauren told her dryly.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Melanie snarled. “Dealing with you isn’t nearly as thrilling as rendezvousing with your husband. He paid me a little visit this afternoon that elevated my day from mundane to memorable. But then Rafe has a way of doing that. He’s rather addictive isn’t he?”

Lauren arched an eyebrow, shaking her head in disbelief. “What an active imagination you have, Melanie. I could almost believe your little fairy tale if it weren’t for the fact that my husband was with me all afternoon.”

“
All
afternoon. That’s funny, I distinctly recall him visiting my suite when Milton was out. You don’t really think Rafe was with Chuck earlier, do you? You can’t possibly be that naïve.”

While it was true that Rafe had told her earlier he was stepping out to see Chuck, he wouldn’t have had time to rendezvous with Melanie.
Would he?
Ignoring the tiny prickles of doubt creeping up and down her spine, Lauren met Melanie’s cold stare with a frigid gaze of her own.

“I know better,” Lauren retorted. “But since you’re obviously enjoying your little fantasy, I won’t spoil it for you. You really should get a grip on reality, though.”

Melanie’s palms curled into fists and her voice went up a notch. “You’re the one who needs a reality check if you believe you can hold on to a man like Rafe.”

“I’m not worried,” Lauren smiled. “Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a slice of tiramisu calling my name.”

Lauren moved to walk past Melanie, then swiveled sharply when the blonde lunged for her arm. Having anticipated the attack, Lauren blocked it with a swift countermove of her own that turned the tables on Melanie, leaving her gaping in surprise.

“Let go of me,” Melanie spat, trying to shake her arm free from Lauren’s firm grasp.

“You may want to think twice before you try something like that again,” Lauren warned, releasing the blonde’s arm. “I won’t let you off the hook so easily the next time. And just so we’re clear, Rafe may have been yours once, but he’s mine now. And I don’t share.”

Lauren brushed past a speechless Melanie and made her way back to the table. Seeing her approach, Rafe stood and pulled her chair out for her. “Is everything okay?” he whispered, noting the heightened color in her cheeks and the sparking embers of banked anger in her eyes.

She nodded and sent him a reassuring smile. “Fine,” she whispered. “Melanie followed me to the powder room to make another power play. I’ll fill you in later.”

Dessert was served, and once the last course of the meal was finished, Chuck clinked his fork against his wine glass to draw his guests’ attention.

“Grace and I would like to thank you all for joining us aboard the
Merry Day
, and for sharing our passion for
Gracious Living
. We’ve enjoyed getting to know you all a bit better this weekend. I’m looking forward to hearing more about your ideas for our publication as we continue our individual meetings tomorrow, but for the rest of the evening let’s put business aside and simply enjoy the cruise.”

His announcement was met with applause and cheers.

“If you’d like to adjourn to the upper deck,” he continued, “we’ve arranged for a small dance band to provide entertainment.”

A coffee bar had also been set out on the upper level, and Lauren and Rafe poured mugs of the aromatic beverage before taking their drinks to a quiet table to watch the dancers.

Later, when the band segued to a soft romantic ballad, Rafe held his hand out to her. “May I have this dance, Mrs. Dimitriou?”

“It would be my pleasure, Mr. Dimitriou.”

They joined the other couples on the dance floor, and Rafe pulled her close. It felt so right being in his arms, breathing in his intoxicating male scent and reveling in the play of his muscles under her fingertips.

“So what happened with Melanie earlier?” he asked.

“She cornered me with a story about your visiting her room for a quickie this afternoon,” Lauren replied. Watching his face to gauge his reaction, she breathed an inward sigh of relief. She hadn’t really believed Melanie’s spiel, but the anger that flared in Rafe’s eyes at her pronouncement was reassuring all the same.

“She’s playing a dangerous game,” he hissed through clenched teeth. “I think it’s time I reminded her of the rules. And just so you know, when I make a promise, I take it seriously. I told you there wouldn’t be anyone else for the duration of our arrangement, and there hasn’t been.”

“I believe you. And I’ve already enlightened her. I’m pretty sure she got the message.”

“I can’t believe you robbed me of the pleasure. You’ll have to think of some way to make it up to me.”

“Oh no. I believe it’s you who’ll need to find an appropriate way to reward me for my service above and beyond the call of duty.”

“I’m sure I’ll think of something,” he whispered in her ear.

A little shiver of awareness chased down her spine at the sensual promise in his words.

All and all it was a perfect night, and Lauren and Rafe expressed their appreciation to Chuck and Grace when they returned to dock.

They were making their way back to the main house when Rafe stopped along the way. “You know, the evening doesn’t have to end just yet. There’s a path that leads down to the beach if you’d like to walk a little longer.”

The moon illuminated the grounds, and the sky brimmed with stars. Lauren placed her hand in his. “That sounds lovely. How do you think things are going with Chuck and the bidding?”

“I think he’s pleased with what I’ve put on the table. A big part of his motivation for organizing this getaway was so he could get to know the people bidding for his magazine. Although I’d gladly pay top dollar for the magazine, Chuck isn’t interested in netting the highest price. He’s already made his fortune a hundred times over. His concern is ensuring that he leaves his legacy in the most capable hands possible. The new owner has to retain the values
Gracious Living
has come to stand for. I think Chuck is confident I can , and I have you to thank for that.”

“Me?”

“Yes. That shouldn’t come as a surprise. You said yourself you were a terrific actress. Chuck is impressed with your enthusiasm and resourcefulness, and he sees us as a committed couple who embody the spirit and values of
Gracious Living
. He thinks we’re perfectly suited to each other. Two halves that make a whole.”

“He said that?”

Rafe nodded.

A pang of wistfulness shot through Lauren. If only it were true. “What is Chuck Fullerton going to think when he hears we’ve divorced after this year is up? Don’t you feel bad deceiving him in this way?”

Rafe wasn’t prepared for the way his gut twisted when Lauren mentioned divorce. A ridiculous reaction, when dissolving their marriage had been his plan from the start.

“Of course I hate deceiving him,” he barked, immediately regretting the harshness with which the reply left his lips. “I never wanted to stoop to such unsavory tactics. If there was another way, I’d opt for it in a second. Chuck will be disappointed to learn we’ve separated, I’m sure, but he’ll be even more disappointed if Payne gets a hold of his baby. Milton would destroy
Gracious Living
.”

“Milton is so different from you. Ever since I met him, I couldn’t help but wonder what drew you to him in the first place.”

“He wasn’t always the man he is today. There was a time when we were as close as brothers. When my father and I decided to add a US publishing division to Dimitriou Enterprises, I invited Milton to join me in the venture. I offered him a full partnership. I thought he was the perfect choice.”

“But he wasn’t.”

“No. Before long I began to see a subtle shift in his attitude. He’d show up hours late and leave early. Many days he wouldn’t show up at all. He was aggressive and rude with our staff, and when I’d take him to task for it, he’d just brush it off.

“I began hearing rumors he’d sexually harassed some of our female managers. The women were afraid they’d lose their jobs if they came forward, but eventually his behavior got so bad some of them decided to speak up. When I confronted him, he admitted what he’d done. He wasn’t remorseful.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. He’s a hard man.”

“And a thief. Not long after the harassment issue, my head accountant came to me and indicated he suspected Milton was embezzling. I didn’t want to believe it, although I knew, deep down, it was true. I fired Milton, but I didn’t prosecute. I regret that, now. I think I let him off the hook because I’d put him up on a pedestal and I was afraid that if he could fall, so could I.”

“That’s not true. You’re not like him at all.”

Rafe shook his head. “I’m not so sure.”

“Well I am. You’re caring, committed, honest, and trustworthy. All the things Milton isn’t.”

“I don’t know how you can say that after I forced you into this arrangement.”

“You didn’t force me. I chose to accept your business proposal.”

“I’m very glad you did.” He reached out to her, brushing his fingers down her face in a tender caress, his hungry gaze setting on her mouth. “I don’t think I’ve properly expressed my gratitude.”

The beach was deserted, the dunes shadowed in darkness. “No, you haven’t,” she murmured against his mouth. Skimming her fingers down the front of his dress shirt, she made short work of undoing the buttons and removing his tie. Her body shuddered as passion ignited. “Why don’t you show me how appreciative you are?”

Making his hands useful too, Rafe impatiently bunched up the hem of her dress, baring her thighs.

She wore only a garter belt and stockings under the figure-hugging gown. A bolt of lust shot through him at the sight. “We never would have made it onto the yacht tonight if I’d know this is what you were wearing under this dress,” he told her, his voice thick with desire. “You’re full of surprises.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet. How about less talk, more action, Mr. Dimitriou?”

Cupping the back of her head, he melded his mouth to hers in an evocative kiss that clearly could only end one way. His tongue dueled with hers until she squirmed with impatient desperation, seeking more. Only then did he give his hands free rein, allowing them to slip between her thighs.

He growled when he found her hot and wet for him. Pausing for only a second to don protection, he pressed her up against the stone seawall. Control shattered, he sank into her in one hard, hungry thrust.

Lauren met him eagerly, matching him stroke for stroke and encouraging him to a harder, faster pace until they crested together.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered afterwards. “I lost my head. I didn’t mean to take you like an animal.”

“Don’t you dare apologize. That was amazing.”

“You’re the one who is amazing. How about letting me express my appreciation again? This time with a bit more finesse.”

Lauren touched a finger to her chin, pretending to ponder his suggestion. “If you insist.”

“Oh, I most certainly do. Let’s take this inside, shall we?”

Scooping her up in his arms, he carried her up the path to the main house. Back in their suite, he wasted no time divesting her of her gown.

“Slow and easy this time,” he promised. And he delivered on his vow.