The Billionaire's Runaway Bride (12 page)

Moving his hands to rest them on her belly, he had held her onto the bed as his tongue and mouth had carried on the seductive onslaught of her body, Grace wriggled and writhed uncontrollably under him unaware as she had moaned and gasped loudly, her hips moving with his mouth.

She had lost control. The only thing that mattered were the caresses of his tongue as it explored the heat of her, Grace not caring as she had begged him not to stop, her hands against his head. As all reason had seemed to leave her, light had danced before her eyes, her body starting to tense as he had moved sliding up her, Grace whimpering wanting to feel him on her.

“You smell of flowers still” he had whispered against her neck, his nostrils filled with the scent of her, as his mouth had claimed hers Grace tasting herself on his tongue the knowledge causing even more heat to pool between her legs as he had raised himself over her and with one sure thrust filled her with his entire length. Her head had flown back, her spine arching and with a cry of pure pleasure she had flown straight into orgasm her whole body exploding with wave upon wave of radiating mind-shattering pleasure.

As Grace had held him so tightly he had groaned, his head growing light with the feel of her around him, but as her muscles had spasmed and clenched he had pushed faster and harder into her. His breathing had become so ragged as she had cried out and quivered below him before all too soon his own body had tightened, his breathing changing as he too had climaxed releasing so deep within her, his whole being trembling with the intensity as darkness had momentarily rushed in to meet him Alexos collapsing over her, a dead weight in her arms.

Grace had lain confused yet so satisfied, a small sigh of contentment leaving her lips as her arms had held the large man, strangely enjoying the feel of him, surprised at the feeling of safety.

He had wanted to kiss her, to tell her things, things lovers did, his mouth closing as he had held back the words his mind trying to understand the intensity of his reaction to this woman, this still so inexperienced woman who should have been his wife, this woman who had used him and everybody else who had ever cared for her. Pushing himself onto his back he had looked over at her, the softness of their lovemaking still so visible in her eyes as he had pulled her into his arms holding her as their heartbeats had slowed, their breathing returned to normal.

Finally she had groaned looking up at him “H…how did I get here?” those big eyes holding his as he had smiled

“I carried you…you fell asleep at your desk” his reply as he had turned to his side, rising to lean on the heel of one hand smiling gently as he had looked down at her, her eyes closing as confusion had filled her.

She had wanted to yell at him, to accuse him of tricking her into sex, but had held her tongue. She had wanted it, wanted it so badly that it had hurt. She might hate this man, detest what he was doing, but it did not stop the desire for him, the way her body would come alive when he was close. To deny her attraction to him would have been the biggest lie of all and Grace was through with all the deception.

Opening her eyes once more she had let her hand rise to softly stroke his cheek surprise lighting his wonderful features.

“Thank you” she whispered raising her head to place a small kiss on his mouth before she had slid from him moving to the bathroom.

Alexos had watched her go, confusion filling him. What had she thanked him for, for carrying her to bed, for making love to her? With a small frown he had sought to understand why he even cared.

In the shower Grace had closed her eyes allowing the water to flow over her, allowing it to wash away his aroma, the feel of his body on hers. She wanted to be angry with him, to lash out and tell him to go to hell, never to touch her, a loud sigh leaving her lips. Six years ago she had used him. She had led him on and then ‘ditched’ him, and while her reasons had been at the time justifiable, she had not considered him, Grace realising that her interest in him over those years had been a manifestation of the guilt she felt towards him.

What he was doing was wrong, but she had behaved no better. Frowning softly she had wondered if his reasoning was really any worse than hers had been. She had been motivated not to lead the life her father had painted, wife, mother and as he had on many occasions hinted, expected to turn a blind eye to any and all of her future husband’s indiscretions, just as her mother had done. Closing her eyes she had allowed the truth of this to finally sink in. Her whole life she had been aware that her father had been less than faithful to her mother, his behaviour no doubt one of the main reasons that she had not wanted such a life for herself. Alexos was blackmailing her, but his motives were out of love, love for his father, something softening towards the man still in the bedroom. Would it be so bad to spend the month with him? She could manage the extra workload, and maybe in some small way make up for what had happened six years previously, a small smile flitting over her serene features.

Pulling the towel around her she had heard the sound of him moving into the bathroom, looking confused as she had given him a smile full of genuine warmth. Alexos had groaned softly at the way it would transform her beautiful face into one which shone with such an internal glow. Quickly entering the shower he had given a small laugh.

“Forgot to say…good morning” Surprised to hear her return laugh and ‘good morning’ back.

Brushing her teeth, he had showered before pulling one of the large fluffy towels around his waist, his broad shoulders and toned stomach still bare, surprised to see the flash of hunger in her eyes as she had looked at him before dropping her lids and turning away.

“So what are your plans?” he had asked conversationally, as she had given a small curl of her lips “Lots and lots and lots of work” Alexos giving a small nod

“You can’t put in the same hours as you did last night” his tone had been gentle Grace biting back the comment that it was his fault she was having to

“Well…we will just have to see…I might get faster”

Considering her thoughtfully he had looked as though he was about to say something before turning and picking up his toothbrush. Moving from the bathroom, she had pulled on clean shorts and a shirt Alexos quickly joining her.

Together the two had moved to the dining room for breakfast, Alexos surprised at the calmness of her. Gone was the anger of his blackmail, instead an almost resigned acceptance of her situation along with what appeared almost to be relief. He could not understand this woman, the realisation hitting him that he never could. This was a woman who swam towards sharks, the memory sending a smile to his features.

“What is so funny?” she had asked gently, he looking at her in surprise his dark eyes glinting playfully.

“I was just remembering you swimming towards the shark…I thought I was going to have to drag a fainted woman back to the ship…and instead you wanted to get closer”

She had laughed nodding, the memory returning of the wonderful dive they had taken that day, her eyes suddenly more serious “I had a great time that day”

The two had continued eating in silence, a comfortable one before he had lifted his head “I have to go to the mainland later on…will you be OK?”

Surprised at his concern she had nodded her head, a small lift of the ends of her mouth as she had given a rueful smile “I will be busy…do not worry about me”

Soon the two had gone their separate ways, both moving to their relative offices, Grace surprised to find that all the equipment promised the previous day had already been installed in her office, smiling widely at the top of the range equipment.

For the rest of the day she had lost herself deep in thought sorting out the workload and continuing from the previous day. When he had moved into the room she had been engrossed in work barely noticing as he had said goodbye, managing only a weak smile, Alexos frowning at the sandwich that had remained untouched from the lunch he had sent into her.

By eight that evening she was exhausted and had closed down the computer, scowling at her schedule with the realisation that she had not covered as much as she had expected to that day.

Moving into the dining room, she had given a thankful smile as the housekeeper had insisted on preparing some dinner for her, Grace feeling ravenous as she had demolished a large plate of the delicious pasta.

Satisfied and feeling better, she had anguished over returning back to work, groaning knowing that she had to keep on top of the workload. The door opening and the sound of loud voices laughing and joking had caused her to frown softly, curiosity making her move out to the entrance to see who had arrived.

Stopping, Grace had stared in shock, not believing what she was seeing as the four faces had all turned to look at her.

“Professor Dionis “ as one they had all cried, Grace looking at Alexos in dumbfound amazement, quickly smiling as the others had ran to hug her, she laughing back happily.

“W…where…how?” all four chuckling as they had looked over at Alexos, his face breaking out into a large smile seeing the wonder in her eyes.

“I felt bad about all the extra work I had put on you…so I called Carol who told me the names of your research assistants…and they told me that you had originally asked for four…so…”

One of the girls, Pippa had continued, her young face alive with wonder at what had happened

“Mr Manetas phoned and asked if we would be prepared to come over, all expenses paid and do the research work with you…and he is going to provide us with a two week paid holiday on the mainland when we are finished”

Grace had smiled seeing the way the four had hopped excitedly around. It was not often that students were given such an offer, her lips twitching as she had grinned, her eyes full of fun as she had flicked a thankful look at Alexos.

“Well in that case…be prepared to be worked like dogs”. The others nodding happily “Anything you say professor”

Alexos had called his housekeeper to show the new guests their rooms before moving back into the dining room with her.

“Why did you do that?” she had asked softly, her face full of questions as sitting down he had poured himself a coffee

“I wanted you fresh, not so tired each night I had to carry you to bed. So I figured that if I had given you three times the workload…then having four assistants would mean that you were finished faster and would be able to spend more quality time exploring and with me and my father”

He had been surprised to see the tears gathering in her eyes as she had coughed, turning around to hide them from him “Yes…well, I guess that was kind of you” Alexos feeling warmth filling him at her reaction.

More food had quickly appeared in the dining room as the others had rejoined them, all in awe at their surroundings, Grace’s mouth falling as she had discovered that he had sent his own personal plane to collect the group, all excited to have flown in such luxury.

Soon the conversation had moved to the work to be done, Alexos impressed with how organised she was and also with the reverence with which the students had treated her. She was one of the youngest visiting professors that had ever taught in the university, but he could tell that she was well respected and liked by the reaction of the group. Watching her he had once more admired Grace Leotta. Six years ago she had told him that her dream was to become a marine biologist, and she had followed her dream and succeeded, now doing work of such value.

An hour later the students had retired to their beds, all having been up early to get ready for the trip. Wishing them a good rest she had accepted Alexos’ offer of a night cap smiling up at him as she had chuckled “Sure…looks like I may have some free time after all”

Sitting on one of the couches he had poured them both a red wine, Grace allowing him to pull her in against him as they had sipped the expensive drink, soft music playing in the background as he had allowed the flames from the fire to be the only light in the room.

“Why did you never consummate your marriage?” His soft question had caught Grace by surprise as she had stiffened.

“I…I would rather not talk about it Alexos” looking pleadingly up at him. She did not want to get into the whole need for her to escape, bringing up her deception with him yet again. For once she had felt as though things between them seemed so right, knowing that bringing up her elopement would only ruin the mood between them.

Sitting she had turned to look at him, a note of concern on her face. He however, had not dropped the subject

“Given the way that you reacted to me…I do not think that the problem is on your side…” Grace lifting her finger to his mouth before leaning forward and kissing him softly.

“Please Alexos…let’s not ruin things”

His eyes had held hers for several moments before he sighed softly, nodding

“OK” plucking the wine from her fingers and depositing it on a nearby table before pulling her in harder against him

“I will settle for an early night instead” his deep throaty laugh sending small shivers through her. Rising he had held out his hand for her, Grace taking it and standing with him. Frowning, she had paused. He had looked at her questioningly as she had pushed her long hair from her face.

“Alexos…you know that…” her voice full of embarrassment “You know that I never slept with anybody else” a smile filling his face as he had pulled her into the crook of his arms, dropping his head to kiss the curve of her throat

“Mmmmmm…..yes I figured that”, Grace groaning softly as once more the fires had stoked so deep within her.

“Protection” the word had fallen from her lips as she had felt her head becoming fuzzy with the need for him. Sensing his body stiffening she had pushed away from him, her hands primly straightening her shirt.

“W…we haven’t been using protection…and I am not on the pill” stopping to look up at him “I don’t want to find myself stupidly pregnant like some teenager because we didn’t use protection”

Alexos had turned from her, his back rigid as he had once more lifted his nearly full glass of wine, taking a drink before once more turning to her “Would that be so bad Grace?”