The Twelve-Month Marriage Deal (3 page)

‘And you’re being unreasonable.’ Elena knew that she had to make one last desperate attempt to change his mind. Unfortunately he was a man like no other and it dismayed her when a shiver of awareness ran down her spine. She wanted to avert her eyes—except that it would give him an advantage. Instead she looked boldly into his face, refusing to analyse the feelings that were creeping like an illness through her body.

‘I would suggest that you look more closely at yourself, Elena,’ he said softly, his voice all the more dangerous because of its quietness. ‘I thought my offer was very reasonable.’

Elena shook her head angrily. ‘You really think that agreeing to marry a man I do not even like is a practical solution?’ What planet did he live on?

‘It is if you want to help your parents.’ His hard eyes
didn’t leave her face. ‘On the other hand why am I not surprised? You’ve done very little to help them so far.’

If the expanse of the table had not been between them Elena would have hit him. This was the third time he had insinuated that she didn’t care about them. Her eyes blazed like molten gold. ‘You know nothing, Vidal.’ And her whole body grew rigid with anger. ‘But I’ll tell you this—somehow I’ll find another way of getting them out of this mess, and it won’t be with your help. I can think of nothing worse than tying myself to a man like you.’

With that she spun on her heel and marched out of the room.

He did not try to stop her.

As she walked away, Elena heard the telephone ring and Vidal’s deep voice answering. The next second he called her name.

‘Elena!’ And then more urgently, ‘
Elena!
It is for you. It is your father.’

Elena felt her heart slam against her ribcage as she took the phone. There had to be something seriously amiss for him to be ringing her here. ‘
Papá,
what is wrong?’

‘It is your mother,’ he said. ‘She is not well. I did not want to disturb you at this crucial time, but—’

‘But what,
Papá?
What has happened to her?’

‘She is in hospital,
mi querida.
She collapsed shortly after you left. I am sorry to have to tell you this now, but I am very worried about her and I thought that you—’

‘You did right,’ she breathed, feeling her heart panic. ‘Are you with her?’

‘Sí.’

‘Then I will be there as soon as I can. Did they say what is the matter?’

‘Not yet. They are doing tests.’

Vidal had been listening to her conversation and as soon as she handed the phone back to him he insisted on taking her to the hospital himself.

‘I have my own car,’ she protested.

‘Maybe, but you are in no fit condition.’

Elena gave in reluctantly and sat quietly all the way to the hospital in the back of his chauffeur-driven limousine. Vidal held her hands tightly, trying to stem the trembling that would not stop. His hands were warm, but hers were icily cold. In fact, she felt cold all over.

‘My mother’s never ill,’ she said as they pulled to a halt and she jumped out.

‘I’m sure she’ll be all right.’ Vidal laced his arm protectively about her shoulders as she hurried along the hospital corridor and Elena did not even think about shrugging him away. She needed human contact; she needed every shred of comfort.

They met her father pacing one of the side rooms, unable to sit and wait for the news. There were tears in his eyes as he hugged Elena. ‘I’m sorry I fetched you out of your meeting.’

‘I’d have been cross if you hadn’t,’ she scolded with a faint smile. ‘Have you heard anything yet? What happened? She was all right earlier.’

Her father nodded. ‘I know, she was cooking dinner when she collapsed. I don’t know what’s wrong with her. How long are they going to be?’ He glanced at his watch for what Elena guessed was the hundredth time
in the last half an hour. ‘No one tells you anything in this place.’

‘I’ll go and find out,’ said Vidal firmly.

Elena was glad he was taking charge. Her father, usually a strong, capable man, looked broken. And so sad that she wanted to hold him in her arms and comfort him. But she knew that if she did they would both break down in tears and it wasn’t what was wanted. They needed to be strong.

Before Vidal even made a move a doctor came to see them. ‘Your wife’s comfortable,’ he said quietly to her father, ‘but unfortunately we have discovered a heart murmur, which we believe has been made worse by stress. She told me that she has been under some considerable strain recently, but mentioned that she hopes it is about to be resolved. If so there will hopefully be no recurrence. But you do need to look after her, Señor Valero. No more worries, you understand?’

‘Thank you,’ he answered with a confirming nod. ‘I will take care of her.’

When the doctor left the room, Elena hugged her father, tears spilling from her eyes. ‘I had no idea
Mamá
had anything wrong with her. We must stop her from worrying so much.’

Her father looked from Elena to Vidal and back again. ‘You are the one with that power, my child. Is it good news?’

V
IDAL
watched Elena’s face as she struggled to answer her father’s question. There had been times during their last two meetings when he had felt that he was in danger of bursting a blood vessel. Not only was she gorgeous to look at, but feisty too, and he loved that in a woman. Every hormone in his body jerked into life whenever they met and he wanted her with a desperation that was not good for his health.

Reina had been so different. Good-looking, yes, but he’d never felt for her what he was now feeling for Elena. He and Reina had not even slept together, although no one would ever have believed it. They had kept up the illusion of being very much in love.

‘
Papá,
of course it is good news. I was on the verge of telling Vidal that I would marry him when you telephoned.’ Elena turned, daring him to dispute it, fierce anger flaring in her eyes.

Vidal immediately smiled and pulled her to him, relieved that her father couldn’t see her expression. Golden daggers of light shot across the space between them, blinding him, telling him that although she had
agreed to the union in principle she had no intention of sharing his bed.

How naïve she was. Did she really believe that he would settle for anything less? She didn’t know him very well if that was the case. It would be interesting persuading her to think differently. Even the thought of it sent a hot surge of desire through his loins. ‘You have done the right thing,’ he whispered in her ear. ‘I knew all along that you’d see sense.’

Her eyes flashed more arrows of fury, but when she turned back to her father they had gone.

‘Mi querida,’
he said, enfolding her in his arms, ‘you have made me so happy. Your mother, too, will be relieved. It will help her pull through this. She has been out of her mind with worry.’

‘No more,’ she told him quietly.

‘You are a good daughter.’

Elena nodded, though Vidal was well aware of the conflict raging inside her.

‘I am proud of you.’

‘I am proud of her too,’ Vidal said to her father, holding Elena against him. ‘I have to admit that she took some persuading. Which I perfectly understand since she has her own life in America. But loving daughter that she is she put her parents’ troubles first.’ With slow deliberation he lowered his head and touched his lips to hers.

Elena stiffened, though Vidal gave no indication that he was aware of it, giving a satisfactory smile instead as he lifted his head, quelling the urgent feelings that had shot like lightning through his limbs. It was going to be a fight, persuading this lady to change her attitude towards him.

At least the first hurdle was over. There would be many more, he was aware of that. He was also aware that his life, which had become rather routine and unexciting of late, was about to be turned upside down.

And how he was going to enjoy it!

It was not until they left the hospital and were on their way back to the bank to collect her car that Elena allowed herself to give full vent to her feelings. ‘Don’t think that because my mother’s health has forced me into agreeing to marry you that I’m happy about it.’

‘I never thought for one moment that you would be,’ came Vidal’s calm reply. ‘But I admire you for putting your parents first.’

‘I had little choice,’ she retorted.

‘It occurs to me, Elena, that neither of us had any choice. Not if we want to help save your parents’ bank.’

And was that really his concern? Elena wondered. Or was it the fact that he would be the one gaining? Another step towards total domination of the banking industry? ‘Maybe,’ she agreed. ‘Nevertheless there are a few ground rules I wish to make.’

One black eyebrow rose. ‘I hardly think you’re in a position to talk rules, Elena.’

She ignored his comment, fixing her stormy golden eyes onto his silver ones. Her heart struggled to beat its regular rhythm. It felt like a dead weight in her chest, desperately wanting to resume normality, but knowing that it couldn’t while her emotions ran so high.

Vidal’s brows slid up, his expression reminding her that whatever she said it would make no difference. Vidal would do what Vidal wanted to do.

She took a deep breath and spoke. ‘I need your assurance that this marriage will be in name only.’

‘Oh, no, Elena.’ It was instant denial, his steady eyes fixed firmly on hers. ‘How could I possibly marry a woman as beautiful as you and not take you to bed? What you are suggesting would be sheer torture.’

He had her over a barrel and he knew it. Elena sat in stunned silence for several long minutes. ‘I can’t believe you’re saying this. We hardly know each other. How can you—?’

‘Querida.’
His voice gentled and he slid an arm across her shoulders. ‘We have known each other most of our lives. We played together as children.’

‘No,’ she protested, ‘it was Fernan who was my friend, not you. You were too old for me. You looked down your nose at me.’

‘But I noticed you.’

‘And you used to tell me to run away. It’s what I feel like doing now.’ As far as she could possibly get. Back to America would be perfect.

‘But you won’t because of your mother’s health.’

There was a light of triumph in his eyes and Elena felt like taking a swipe at him.

‘Perhaps I should persuade you that it won’t be as hard as you evidently think?’ As he spoke, Vidal’s arm tightened, his eyes not wavering from hers.

Elena felt as though she had been turned to stone. She wanted to back away, but it was impossible; all she could do was watch in fatal fascination. Watch as his face got closer and closer, so close that she could see the pores in his skin. Study the intent in his beautiful grey eyes framed by his decadently thick lashes.
Observe that his breathing got just that little bit faster. And his lips—his beautifully moulded lips—opening the merest fraction.

There was not a thing she could do but await her fate, while at the same time she ordered herself not to respond, not to let him see by the simplest of movements that pressure was building up inside her, threatening to spill over the second his mouth claimed hers.

Was it disappointment she felt when he didn’t kiss her straight away? When Vidal cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs stroking her expectant lips instead, his touch so gentle it was like the brush of a butterfly’s wing, and yet at the same time as deadly as snake’s venom?

Elena couldn’t keep her promise to herself. Her resolve flew out of the window, her lips parting freely, the tip of her tongue coming out to moisten her lips and encourage Vidal’s touch, her head rocking back on her shoulders. It was wrong, all wrong, but somehow she couldn’t help it.

Taking his cue from her, Vidal slowly lowered his head until his lips claimed hers. It was a defining moment and Elena now knew without a shadow of doubt that there was no way on this earth that she could live with him and not let him make love to her. For a reason she did not even try to fathom there had been an instant connection, one that she could not deny or refuse.

If she had to marry this man then why not make the most of it? It would be hell on earth if she didn’t. He was the sort of man no woman could resist.

Her fate was sealed.

‘I will, however, be prepared to wait until you are ready.’

Her eyes widened. As far as she was concerned it was an empty promise. Hadn’t he just seen how easily she responded to him? No way would Vidal wait. He was a hot-blooded male who needed a woman.

‘And—I’ll tie you to the marriage for one year only. At the end of it you’ll be free to walk away and carry on with your life as though it has never happened.’

Her eyebrows rose. ‘How very noble of you.’ And how easy he made it sound. One year wasn’t very long. On the other hand she couldn’t bear to think that she would be losing her freedom for twelve whole months. It sounded like for ever. In the normal run of things it would fly by, but married to Vidal, no matter that she found him gut-wrenchingly attractive, it would feel like a life sentence.

She was in an unenviable situation and wasn’t sure that she could cope. It wasn’t simply the fear of their impending marriage. There were other issues. Had anyone given any thought to her business? Who was going to look after that in her absence? Why would everyone think she could give it up just like that?

Except that she had a very capable assistant. Kate could run the business single-handed. She was making excuses here. There was no solid reason why she couldn’t marry Vidal.

Elena flew back to LA the next day, shocking Kate with the news that she was going to get married.

‘Can you look after the business for a while?’ she asked, not daring to tell her assistant yet that it would be for a whole year.

‘Can I?’ Kate’s face was radiant. ‘Take as much time off as you like. You know everything will be in safe hands. Oh, I’m going to love this. You’re sure you trust me?’

‘Completely.’

‘Was it love at first sight? Oh, my God, it’s so romantic. Did you ever envisage planning your own wedding?’

Elena shook her head. ‘I was never going to get married. Believe me, it’s as much a shock to me as it is to you.’

The shock lasted until she returned to Spain and Vidal turned up at the house saying he had come to take her out to dinner. Her heart went into overdrive. Her mother, out of hospital by this time, was flustered, her father grateful, but Elena couldn’t even look at him. This was the man she was going to marry, this was the man she was going to live and sleep with for the next year. Was it any wonder her heart felt as though it were trying to escape from her ribcage?

Vidal himself showed no sign of hysteria. In fact, his composure was admirable. ‘You’ll excuse me if I take Elena away from you,’ he said to her parents. ‘We have a wedding to plan.’

Elena hated the nonchalant way he said it.
A wedding to plan.
He made it sound as ordinary as if he had said they were going out to dinner. Except that her mother’s eyes shone. ‘Of course, Vidal. Of course. And thank you. Thank you very much.’

Once in his limousine, sharing the back seat, there was no escape.

‘Look at me, Elena.’

Up until that point she had rigidly refused to meet his
eyes. It was enough feeling his presence, feeling a sense of shock that the attraction she’d tried to tell herself she had imagined was still there, still very real. She had thought about him constantly all the time she’d been in LA. The image of the strong lines of his face, those dangerously attractive eyes, would not go away. They had penetrated her dreams as well as her daytime thoughts.

Reluctantly she turned her head and instantly wished that she hadn’t when she met the silver intensity of his gaze. And once their eyes met she couldn’t look away. There was something in their depths that electrified her soul. He did not even have to speak to make her feel like this. Simply looking at him, feeling the magnetic power in those amazing eyes, stealing a glance at his beautifully moulded mouth, wondering what it would be like to feel those lips against hers in a deeply passionate kiss—not the sort he had given her earlier—was enough to warn her that she needed to be careful.

Very careful.

These were dangerous feelings. This marriage wasn’t going to be for real. She mustn’t let herself get carried away and lose all sense of direction. It was for one year. Twelve months. Three hundred and sixty five days. That was all.

If she wasn’t sitting right next to him and her mind was working properly she could have divided it into hours and minutes, seconds even. And afterwards it would end. She and Vidal would go their different ways. The job would be done.

The job! How had she got herself into this? How was she going to go through with it?

‘What are you thinking?’

‘That I must be crazy,’ she answered without thinking.

‘If you’re crazy then I’ve never seen a more beautiful crazy woman.’ During the few days that he’d been away Vidal hadn’t been able to get Elena out of his mind. She had danced before his eyes night and day. The meetings he’d attended had held his attention for a few hours at a time, but once they were over the amazing Elena had been back in his thoughts.

He couldn’t wait to make her his bride and take her to bed. He actually wanted to make love to her this very minute, but he knew that if he took things too quickly she might very well back out of the whole thing.

She smelled gorgeous. He didn’t know what the perfume was called, probably Aphrodisiac. If it wasn’t it should be. He hadn’t felt like this since—since when? The truth was he had never felt like this in his whole life.

Elena had an inner beauty, an untouched air about her, and he desperately wanted to find out what made her tick. It was the biggest wonder in the world that some other guy hadn’t snapped her up. Would she be hot in bed? Experienced? Or a total novice? His groin ached at the very thought. So many questions, so much he needed to discover about her. But where to begin? How to make her feel at ease?

At this moment she looked as though she wanted to be anywhere but here. Her incredible eyes were shaded by long silky lashes, her full and tempting lips pressed tightly together. He was not used to women backing away from him.

‘Are you scared of me, Elena?’ It wasn’t what he’d
wanted to say, but the words had slipped out before he could stop them.

With a toss of her head her thick black fringe fell over one eye, making her look coquettish, though he knew that that was the last thing she would want. Coquettishness was not Elena’s style.

‘Is that what you think? Actually, I was wondering why we need to talk. Our families can arrange the wedding. There’s nothing that you and I need to do. Just turn up,’ she added bitterly.

‘Not so, Elena.’ He felt a flash of anger at her apparent indifference. ‘You need to choose your wedding dress, your bridesmaids, and we should shop together for rings. Then there’s the guest list—we should have a say in that. There’s a whole host of stuff to do. I’ll happily leave some of the organising to our parents, but there’s still plenty for us if we’re to make this marriage look genuine.’

‘But it isn’t genuine,’ she retorted with another flash of her spectacular eyes.