The Andreou Marriage Arrangement (4 page)

‘Yum?'
she queried with quizzical amusement.

‘Uh-huh.'

A wicked smile widened her lips. ‘I think you need food. Plus, I owe you, big time. Let's do dinner…my treat.'

Lacey laughed with delight.
‘Where?'

‘Your choice.'

‘Reckless. Definitely reckless.' Lacey allowed a few seconds' deliberation. ‘Italian. There's this little restaurant that serves divine pasta to die for. It's the other side of town.'

Alesha rose to her feet and paid the tab. ‘Let's go.'

It became a wonderfully relaxing few hours as they enjoyed fine food, a glass of wine, reminisced and laughed.

True friendship was something to be treasured, and Alesha entered her apartment at evening's end with a lighter heart.

The familiar nightmare came out of nowhere in the early pre-dawn hours, vivid, almost
live
in its intensity, and she woke breathing hard, her body soaked with sweat.

She reached for the bedside lamp and the room glowed with light.

Dear God.

She lifted a hand to her face, almost expecting in that instant to feel the heat, the swelling, the
pain
. Except her cheeks were cool, and for several long moments she worked at slowing her breathing, her rapidly beating pulse.

A silent voice prompted…
You're fine.

In the here and
now
…and alone.

With one smooth movement she cast aside the covers and padded out to the kitchen, brewed tea, then she subsided into a comfortable chair and channel-surfed until she found a comedy and didn't move until the dawn gradually lightened the sky from indigo to pearl grey.

Then she hit the shower and dressed. Breakfast was yoghurt and fruit with a reviving shot of caffeine, before she fixed her make-up, gathered her laptop, bag, keys, and drove into the city.

Focus, concentrate on the day, Alesha urged as she rode the lift to the high floor housing Karsouli.

As days went, this one soon became a doozy, with her PA calling in sick, the replacement hesitant to take any initiative, minor delays resulting therefrom, and a laptop that decided to crash at a crucial moment. Fortunately the auto-save function ensured only a small amount of data was lost, but it took time to get the system up and running again…time that became increasingly scarce as the day progressed.

Consequently she skipped lunch, alternated coffee with bottled water, and made do with a banana mid-afternoon.

Running on empty was not advisable, and coupled with loss of sleep it tipped her into headache territory with increasing intensity.

At five she was tempted to give up, except another hour—two, tops—and she'd put the day's work to bed. Given international time-zones, the data would be accessible, and any delay minimal.

She was almost done when her cellphone buzzed, and she automatically picked up…something she rarely did without first checking caller ID.

‘Alesha.'

There was no mistaking that deep, faintly accented voice. ‘Hi.' As a greeting, it was sadly lacking.

‘I'm on my way up.'

So he was back…and
here
. He'd said he'd call, but she hadn't counted on seeing him. Nor did she expect the slow curling sensation to begin deep within.

She wasn't alone in the building… There would be others staying back catching up on work, the cleaning staff.

Minutes later he was there, his tall frame filling the aperture, and unbidden her pulse kicked into a faster beat as he moved into her office.

‘Working late?'

His voice was deceptively mild, his eyes faintly hooded as he took in her pale features, the dark circles beneath her eyes. She looked beat, almost fragile, and at a guess she was harbouring a headache.

Alesha deliberately focused her attention on the computer screen. ‘And you're here…why?'

‘I need to collect a file which hasn't been uploaded into the computer system.'

A mark against Dimitri's recently reassigned PA?

Her father had expected efficiency…but not to the level demanded beneath Loukas' direction.

‘Tough day?'

Like you wouldn't believe. ‘I'm almost done.'

‘Good. You can share Chinese with me.'

She lifted her head and saw the paper sack he placed on her desk. ‘You brought food?' Her stomach did a slow roll in anticipatory pleasure.

‘I missed lunch.' And opted out of an in-flight meal that failed to provide sufficient sustenance to fuel a minimum four hours' work. Following an intense few days of meetings, staff reorganization, and ironing out several kinks in the Karsouli infrastructure.

He thrived on brokering high-powered deals, but Karsouli was personal. Aware of the need for a different approach from the
slash and burn
techniques for which he'd gained a formidable reputation.

The necessity to input a few hours' work didn't faze him. What he hadn't expected to see when he entered the office building's underground parking area was Alesha's silver BMW stationary in its parking bay.

Loukas heard her faint sigh as she hit
save
and closed down. With deft movements he snapped open the various containers and handed her a set of chopsticks.

‘Eat.'

She did, with evident enjoyment. ‘Thanks. This is so much better than a boiled egg and salad.'

‘No girls' night out?'

‘The male stripper called in sick.' Her response was slick,
and she was almost sure she caught a faint gleam of humour apparent in his dark eyes.

‘No replacement available?'

‘Unfortunately.'

His presence unsettled her. There was something about him…a dangerous sexual chemistry combined with a primitive earthy quality that promised much.

It filled her with a curious tension, combining reluctant anticipation with a sense of trepidation.

Which seemed crazy. She didn't even
like
him.

Or was that due to an emotional shutdown…hers? A case of ‘if you don't think about it, it won't happen'.

Some chance.

She should leave.

With that thought in mind, she gathered her jacket, her laptop and briefcase. ‘You have work to do.'

He stood up. ‘I'll see you down to the car.'

‘That's not necessary.'

He merely slanted an eyebrow and indicated she precede him. ‘I consider it is.'

She was tempted to argue. Instead she summoned a sweet smile. ‘How…' she paused, then added with delicate intent ‘…kind.'

Her eyes widened as he trailed light fingers down her cheek in an unexpected gesture that stole the breath from her throat.

‘Get some sleep.' Then he dropped his hand, and she stood still for a few heart-stopping seconds before brushing past him.

Thankfully the lift doors opened the instant she pressed the call-button, and she moved in ahead of him, then stood in silence as the cubicle transported them swiftly down to basement level.

It took only minutes to reach her car, and she released the locking mechanism, slid behind the wheel, engaged the
ignition and drove towards the ramp leading to street level without a backwards glance.

Traffic in the inner city had eased from its peak-hour exodus, and she reached her apartment with a sense of relief.

A hot shower, attired in sleepwear, a cup of tea plus a couple of painkillers in hand, she curled up in a comfortable chair to watch TV for an hour or two before she retired for the night.

On the edge of sleep came the intrusive knowledge that tomorrow she would marry Loukas.

Share his home, his bed, eventually.

How long would he allow her solitary occupation in a bed next to his own? A few nights…a week?

Did it matter?

She told herself she didn't care. Sex was just…sex. In the dark of night she could simply close her eyes and wait for the act to be over.

How difficult could it be?

T
WO
wedding days three years apart, Alesha mused as she put the finishing touches to her make-up. Each so completely different they were at opposite ends of the spectrum!

Having
done
the full bridal thing with designer dress, four bridesmaids, flower girl, page boy, the church, several hundred guests, the tiered wedding cake and exclusive reception with her marriage to Seth, the prospect of a civil ceremony by a celebrant held in the grounds of the groom's Point Piper home with Dimitri's lawyer and Lacey as witnesses seemed a breeze by comparison.

So why was she a mass of nerves?

‘You look gorgeous.' Lacey's compliment was genuine, and should have acted as reassurance. Instead the nerves inside Alesha's stomach twisted into a tighter ball.

‘Thanks.'

Lacey looked at the overnight bag resting at the end of the bed. ‘Is that all you're taking with you?'

‘It's enough for the weekend.'

‘Darling,' Lacey chided. ‘You're
moving
in with Loukas. Permanently. You need to
pack
.'

‘I'll shift some of my stuff tomorrow.'

‘Hello?'
The admonishment held a degree of musing scepticism.

Arguing with Lacey was a losing battle as her friend flung open wardrobe doors, drawers, and quickly transferred a varied assortment of apparel into a suitcase.

‘Okay, we're out of here.'

Second thoughts? She had a few! Primarily, relating to her sanity!

Yet as tempting as it would be to bail out, there was the overriding knowledge that she'd
agreed
to this marriage. What was more, she'd signed legal documentation confirming it.

So
suck it up
, Alesha chastised as she negotiated traffic and headed towards suburban Point Piper, with Lacey following close behind.

Loukas' home was positioned behind a high wall and entered between stylish gates that opened onto a curved driveway leading to a double-storeyed mansion whose imposing entry was guarded by two massive ornamental-studded wooden doors.

She brought the BMW to a smooth halt behind a late-model four-wheel drive, and Lacey parked directly behind her.

No sooner had she cut the engine than both entry doors opened to reveal Loukas in the wide aperture.

His tall, broad-shouldered frame attired in an immaculate dark suit appeared slightly intimidating as he moved towards her.

There was little she could do to control the sudden fluttering inside her stomach as he held open the door for her to emerge.

‘Alesha.' His close proximity, his dark watchful gaze merely accelerated her nervous tension, for soon, within the space of an hour or less, she'd enter into a legal union with this man…and her life would change.

Concern as to just
how
it would change affected her more than she imagined possible.

Would Loukas suddenly assume another identity within hours of the wedding…as Seth had?

The mere thought was enough to send an element of fear shivering the length of her spine, and the smile she summoned appeared over-bright and failed to reach her eyes.

Did he notice? She hoped not.

The faint sound of an engine caught her attention, and she turned slightly as a vehicle slid to a halt behind Lacey's car.

‘The gang's all here.' She kept her voice light as Lacey joined them, followed closely by Dimitri's lawyer.

Loukas ushered them into a spacious foyer whose floor featured beautiful marble tiling in a large circular star-burst design, above whose centre an exquisite crystal chandelier provided prisms of light.

Antique tables, exquisitely crafted chairs, wall sconces, paintings, graced an area whose focal point was a sweeping double marble staircase featuring ornate wrought-iron balustrades leading to an upper floor balcony that divided into two separate galleried wings showcased by matching ornate wrought-iron balustrades.

‘Come through to the lounge,' Loukas directed with ease. ‘Everything is set up there.'

Alesha moved on autopilot, so acutely conscious of his presence at her side that she barely noticed the beautiful sofas and chairs, the amazingly high ceilings.

Instead she focused on the small table with its exquisite lace-edged linen cloth, the votive candle, a delicate spray of cream orchids, and a leather-bound Bible.

Introductions complete, the celebrant conferred with the lawyer, exchanged small talk, then she opted to begin the ceremony.

You can do this.

As an affirmation, it didn't begin to scratch the surface!

Almost as if he knew, Loukas captured her hand and held it loosely within his own.

To prevent her sudden need to escape? It was a moot point!

Alesha heard the solemn beautifully spoken words, and on some level she took them in, and managed to recite the vows that united her with Loukas in matrimony…aware his vows held a calm solemnity that was lacking in her own.

He slid a wide diamond-studded ring onto her finger, surprised her by lifting her hand and brushing the ring with his lips, before offering a ring for her to slip onto his finger.

He was prepared to wear a wedding ring?

Her fingers shook a little as she slid it on, and his hand covered hers as he used a little pressure to slide it home.

‘It gives me great pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife.' The celebrant bestowed the gathered foursome a pleasant smile. ‘And introduce Alesha and Loukas Andreou.' Loukas lifted both hands and cradled Alesha's head, then he covered her mouth with his own in a fleeting sensual caress.

Oh, my. There had to be some explanation for the slow curl of sensation unfurling deep within her. Almost as if her body was at variance with the dictates of her mind.

How could she even begin to think what it would be like to have him invite a more intimate touch, to feel his hands on her body, his lips tasting an evocative trail, teasing, encouraging her response.

The question had to be
could
he succeed? When she'd left Seth she'd locked the door to her emotional heart and thrown away the key. And vowed never to allow another man to get close.

Alesha became conscious of Lacey's laughter as she was enveloped in a hug; the voiced congratulations from the lawyer, the celebrant; Loukas' hand resting against the back
of her waist before he released her to open the champagne cooling in an ice bucket.

Smile
, a silent voice prompted. You're supposed to be happy. The future of Karsouli is secure, and your future is safe…if
safe
could be attributed to the man whose ring she now wore.

So play the game expected of you.
Pretend.
Haven't the past few years provided plenty of practice?

Consequently she accepted a flute of champagne, smiled at the toast Lacey proposed to happiness and a blessed future, and managed to nibble a proffered canapé from a silver platter presented by Loukas' housekeeper, Eloise.

The celebrant took her leave, and conversation flowed with ease for a while until the lawyer indicated a pressing engagement and Lacey followed suit as she pressed a light kiss to Alesha's cheek before turning to Loukas.

‘Take good care of her.'

‘I intend to do so.'

Together they moved through the foyer to the main entrance where Loukas opened the door.

‘Drive carefully.'

‘Always.'

There was the sound of heels tapping along the driveway, the beep of a security remote, followed by the solid clunk of a car door closing and the purr of an engine as Lacey drove away.

Alesha watched as the car eased down the driveway, saw the accented red of brake lights as Lacey slowed at the gates, then the car disappeared from sight.

She was extremely conscious of the man who stood at her side, his easy movements as he closed both doors and activated the security system.

The house…
mansion
, she corrected, seemed incredibly large, not to mention an unknown entity, for, although she
assumed the bedroom suites were situated upstairs, she had no idea precisely which wing contained the master suite.

Loukas indicated the curved staircase. ‘Eloise will have transferred your bag upstairs.'

‘Is this the part where you give me a guided tour?'

‘You'd prefer to explore on your own?'

She crossed to the staircase and began ascending the wide marble stairs, aware he joined her. ‘I might get lost.'

‘It's quite simple. Personal suites and home office situated to the left, guest suites to the right. Ground floor, formal and informal lounge and dining rooms, media, home theatre, kitchen, utilities. Lower floor, gym, entertainment room, indoor pool. Outdoor pool. Self-contained flat for staff over detached garages.'

They reached the gallery and turned to the left. ‘It's a large home for one man.' An observation that incurred his steady appraisal.

‘A man who has very recently acquired a wife,' he reminded silkily.

Loukas opened a set of double-panelled doors to reveal a spacious master bedroom, containing two king-size beds.

So he'd kept his word.

She told herself she should be relieved…and she was. Except sharing the same room implied a certain intimacy with which she felt distinctly uncomfortable. There were two separate en suites, two dressing rooms and a recessed alcove furnished with two comfortable chairs and standard lamps.

It was, she had to admit, incredible. Luxurious, with spectacular views over the harbour to the cityscape. Magic at nightfall when the city was lit up and varied coloured neon flashed with advertisements atop many of the inner-city buildings.

He shrugged out of suit jacket, dispensed with his tie and loosened the top button of his shirt.

For a moment she caught her breath at his intention, and he glimpsed the fleeting apprehension evident before it was quickly masked.

‘You might want to change into something less formal.'

She reminded him of a skittish foal in an unfamiliar environment…one who had experienced fear, possibly damage, with every reason to mistrust.

‘Eloise has unpacked your bag.' Loukas indicated the dressing room she would use. ‘Tomorrow we'll shift the remainder of your belongings.'

‘I can manage on my own.'

‘You won't need to.'

So give up the independent streak, accept two pairs of hands are better than one, and some masculine strength for the bag-carrying is a
good
thing.

Slipping into something more comfortable depended on what items of clothing Lacey packed, and she crossed into her allocated dressing room to check the meagre assortment.

Jeans didn't cut it, but tailored trousers with a cotton top would do.

Minutes later she emerged to find Loukas standing close to the wide expanse of glass taking in the panoramic scene.

The white shirt accentuated the impressive breadth of his shoulders, and his shirt cuffs had been folded back to rest midway up his forearms, lending a casual air.

Deceptive, she knew, for he could move with the silent stealth of a primitive cat and reduce an adversary to speechlessness with a few sententious words.

She watched as he turned towards her, and the breath caught in her throat.

He was someone she'd known for a number of years, as the son of Dimitri's closest friend, a man whose company she'd shared with her parents' friends and business associates on a few occasions at various social events. Instinctively aware, even then, that when he played, he played to win…in business, and with women.

Through circumstance he'd won Karsouli…together with her as part of the package.

‘Shall we go eat?'

Food wasn't foremost on her mind, although she sipped excellent vintage wine, sampled succulent morsels from no less than three courses, while engaging in meaningless conversation.

The economic state of the nation and the world's foremost leaders made for interesting debate and carried the hour with relative ease. Something for which she was immensely grateful.

‘Do you still have regular contact with Lacey?'

Alesha wondered if Loukas' query related to genuine interest, or merely a shift to the more personal.

‘Regularly,' she answered lightly. ‘We share dinner each week, occasionally take in a movie. Go shopping together.'

‘I seem to recall you were a keen advocate of tennis. Do you still play?'

‘Not as often as I used to.' She took an appreciative sip of fine wine. ‘Do you still travel extensively?'

‘My father prefers to remain in Greece these days.' He affected a slight shrug. ‘Andreou has offices in London, Milan and New York, and I alternate between each of them while overseeing the main office in Athens.'

‘And now you've added Sydney to the equation.'

One eyebrow lifted in sardonic query. ‘That still bothers you?'

‘I have no alternative but to accept it.'

‘It's a little late to change your mind.'

‘How are your parents? Your sister Lexi?'

‘They're well. My mother is on various committees, which consume some of her time. Lexi designs handcrafted jewellery and has a studio in the Pláka.'

‘And your Aunt Daria?' It was a polite query and resulted in a musing smile.

‘She remains a force to be reckoned with.'

Plain-spoken to the point of bluntness, Alesha remembered as she recalled a visit to Athens with her parents several years ago when they'd spent time with Angelina and Constantine Andreou.

‘That appears to take care of family and friends,' Alesha managed lightly. ‘Should we move on to the more personal? The master breeding plan, perhaps? I trust you're aware the male sperm determine the sex of the child?' She spared him a pseudo-intelligent look. ‘I refuse to bear any blame if we produce only girls.'

Alesha glimpsed his faint smile. ‘Why, when their mother is a fine example of what women can achieve?'