Right then she reached him and their eyes met for one long moment before they turned toward the female marriage celebrant.
The ceremony began, and through the huge window in front of them, they could see the sun shine on the spectacular backdrop of the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge suspended over vibrant blue water dotted with sails.
They exchanged traditional wedding vows, and Alex felt a twinge of guilt when he promised to cherish her until death do us part. He would have liked to change the vows to to have and to hold for as long as they both stayed married. Only he didnt want to think about divorce on their wedding day.
Then suddenly their marriage was a fact and he was told he could kiss the bride.
With pleasure.
Soft pink colored Olivias cheeks as he leaned toward her. Seeing her eyes drop to his mouth sent something powerful flaring inside him. He placed his lips against hers for a long moment that wasnt wholly for the benefit of their guests.
Tonight there would be no audience
Soon they stood on the steps of the Opera House, where it seemed the worlds media wanted to take their picture.
Not that he minded, usually. Hed grown up in the Australian spotlight, but this was different. One part of him felt a wedding day should be private, yet another part was gratified hed done the right thing in using this avenue to highlight Valentes Woman.
Can we have a photograph of you and Olivia looking deep into each others eyes?
He glanced at Olivia with a sideways smile. Can we do that?
She gave a tight smile. Yes, I think we can, she said, but only he could see her eyes were guarded as he turned to stare into them.
Youre doing fine, he murmured, noticing the flecks of different shades of blue that sparkled in her eyes.
She winced a little. This is hard work.
Just pretend you love me, he drawled, attempting to put her at ease.
A genuine smile tilted the corners of her mouth. It would be easier if I didnt hate you so much.
He chuckled and cameras snapped all around them, and he realized being joined in holy matrimony with Olivia was going to be more than interesting. She was a challenge. And he liked challenges.
Can we have a picture of you both with the brides mother?
Alex felt Olivia stiffen beside him and that reminded him of last nights dinner. Shed seemed edgy around Felicia, as though she expected her mother to take center stage all the time.
And of course the star had done exactly that, he remembered with mild amusement. The older woman was elegant and charming, and he could easily see where Olivia got those same qualities from.
Yet he sensed Felicia had an emotional fragility about her that Olivia didnt. Perhaps thats what made Felicia such a good actress, he mused, as she came forward and smiled at the cameras like the pro she was.
Felicia, how does it feel to be the mother of the bride? one of the journalists called out.
Old, she said with a pout.
Everyone chuckled. Youre not so old, Felicia, the journalist said.
Felicia sent him a stunning movie-star smile. Darling, I love you. She winked. Come and see me after the reception.
Ill hold you to that, the reporter quipped with a huge grin.
Felicia chuckled, stepping between Olivia and Alex and linking her arms through theirs. Lets smile for the cameras, darlings.
A few minutes later, they were still snapping pictures. Alex looked across at Olivia and could see how much of a strain it was becoming. He felt the same. On the other hand, Felicia seemed as though she would go on forever, cornering the attention and loving it all. Its what she did best.
He stepped away from the women. Right, thats enough, he all but growled. They still had a reception to get through.
Felicia darted a look at him and seemed to realize the moment was over. She turned back to the cameras and clapped her hands. Right, fellas. Thats a wrap. This is my daughters day and I want to go play mother of the bride.
Alex looked beyond the words and realized something. He had no doubt Felicia loved her daughter, but he had to wonder if Felicia didnt love Felicia just that little bit more. He suddenly had a new appreciation of what it must be like to live with a superstar.
And he had a new appreciation of Olivia as her own person. For Olivia to get out from under her mothers shadow, to make a name for herself as shed done, showed her depth of character. Hed chosen well in his bride.
Hell, and hed just gotten married!
His sacrifice had been worth it.
Then he looked at his new wife and all at once it didnt seem like such a sacrifice. There would be benefits.
Very nice benefits.
Not the least of which would be making love to a flawless beauty who put up walls he now intended to pull down.
Olivia was glad when they moved back inside the Opera House to the waiting reception. Not that she had escaped the prying eyes. There were at least three hundred guests here today and the haste of their marriage had most of them looking at her and Alex with suspicion.
Was she or wasnt she?
It was a thought she tried to put to the side and not think about. It had been the same last night at a Valente family dinner in her honor. She couldnt help but note the question in everyones eyes.
Everyones except Cesare Valentes.
He knew why Alex was marrying her so hastily.
Surprisingly, Olivia hadnt expected to like Alexs father, but she did. And his stepmother, Isabel, was a doll. Both his parents hit it off really well with Felicia, and Isabel had even promised to keep an eye on Felicia until her mother returned to the States in a weeks time. Her mother was such a good actress that a week of being charming to people who were charmed by her shouldnt be so difficult.
As for herself, she hadnt realized how much of an actress she was until today. As she danced with Alex, she tried not to let everyone see how much he affected her. And he knew it, too. That confident, arrogant gleam in his eyes told her how much he knew it with every step they took.
You look beautiful in that wedding dress, he murmured, sending her heart pounding like a hammer.
Thank you.
Was it something you just threw together? he teased.
Her lips twitched. Actually I designed it for the daughter of a billionaire, but the wedding was called off at the last minute so I got to keep the dress.
I hope they paid you for it.
She glanced away then back again. Were still working on that The father was being obstructive, which no doubt accounted for his billions.
Alex frowned. Let me know if you need any help.
Olivia couldnt help it. She chuckled. What are you going to do? Set the dogs on him?
He grinned. I could rough him up a little for you.
She laughed again and his grin widened. Maybe it was from being whirled around the dance floor, but all at once she felt giddygiddy with the pleasure of looking at him. Seconds ticked by, and the gleam in his eyes told her he felt something, too.
The music ended, giving her the chance to move out of his arms. Soon they stood talking to his two brothers and Olivia tried to look calm.
Hows it feel to be an old married man now, Alex? Nick Valente teased, his lips curved in a confident smile that must be a family trait.
Alex slid his arm around Olivia, pulling her close to smile down at her. Can you blame me for wanting to tie the knot with this beauty?
She felt herself flush, but drew her gaze away from Alex and found both Nick and Matt considering her with piercing eyes.
No, Matt drawled. I cant say I blame you at all.
Olivia stared at all three men. Handsome was too tame a word for them. Yet it was more than just looks. It was an innate quality. They were men who knew who they were and what they wanted. Nothing would stop them.
She wondered if they suspected the sacrifice their older brother had made for them. Alex had told her they didnt know about his fathers demand, but she wasnt so sure they didnt suspect something. It was there in the way both men looked at her, as if they didnt trust any woman or her motives, and especially when that woman had hooked one of them in marriage.
Thankfully, Isabel came up to them with Cesare, sniffing back tears in an elegant manner. Cesare, I cant believe our eldest boy is now married.
Olivia knew that Isabel was Alexs stepmother, not his real mother, who had died when he was small, but by all accounts he considered Isabel his true mother.
Cesare glanced at Alex then away again. Izzie, hes a grown man, not a boy, he said, a hint of gruffness in his voice that made Olivia look at him and wonder if he regretted forcing his son into this marriage. A moment later she came up against a new, determined look in the older mans eyes that said his moment of regret had passed.
Oh, Cesare, Isabel lightly scolded. Im allowed to be sentimental today. Im the mother of the groom. She hugged Olivia. And I have a beautiful daughter now, too, she said, sending a warmth through Olivia that made her suddenly want to cry.
Pity I didnt see her first, Nick joked, giving Olivia a slow wink.
It wouldnt have mattered, Alex said, pulling her in even closer against his hip, his voice totally serious. She was mine from the moment I saw her.
She gasped, even as Nick stared at Alex and held his gaze. Then whatever he saw had the middle brother nodding in agreement. I believe youre right.
Olivias moment of warmth disappeared but before she could take them to task for their comment, Isabel said, Stop it, you two. Youre embarrassing Olivia.
But Olivia wasnt embarrassed.
She was angry.
It was bad enough knowing shed walked into this marriage with her eyes open, but making her sound as if she was something to be tossed back and forth between the brothers didnt make her feel exactly civil toward them.
As if Isabel knew, she clicked her tongue and slipped her arm through Olivias, drawing her away from Alex. Come on, sweetie. Lets go see your mother. Shell be missing you.
Olivia gladly let herself be taken away, but a few steps on, Isabel squeezed her arm. Take no notice of them, Olivia. Theyre fine men who get a bit carried away with their own self-importance at times. She laughed lightly. Their fathers the same.
Olivia found herself smiling back. It was good to know Isabel understood. This Valente woman knew how to keep her man in line.
Then she realized she was one of the Valente women now. Would she be able to keep Alex in line? Unlikely. Shed probably go mad in the attempt.
Hours later Olivia had changed out of her wedding finery into a soft-pink suit. Alex had also changed out of his tuxedo into dark trousers and a sports jacket. Then they said their goodbyes, hopped in a limousine and headed for the airport, where a private jet would fly them up along the coast far north of Sydney to the Valente holiday home near Ballina.
So, Alex said, once they were in the air and comfortable on the luxurious leather chairs opposite each other. You enjoyed our wedding?
She gave a polite smile. The venue was perfect. Thank you.
You were wrong about not being able to act. You did well.
Her smile widened with self-derision. Perhaps I should become an actress after all?
His face closed up, his jaw clenching. After our marriage is over. Not before.
Im not sure your brothers were fooled.
Even if they suspected something, I wont be telling. Tension suddenly filled the air. I suggest you stay away from them as much as possible.
If theyd been a normal married couple shed think he was a little jealous of her spending time with his brothers. As it was, it sounded as if he was just being possessive of her. She was his now.
Her lips tightened. I dont plan on spending any more time with your brothers than necessary.
Good.
Their gazes held for a brief moment before she turned to look out the window. All at once she felt tired. The last thing she remembered was how exhausted she felt by everything.
She woke to find Alex leaning forward, his warm hand clasping her knee, gently shaking her awake. Were almost there, he murmured, his eyes a dark smoky gray, his touch a caress that radiated upward along her thigh.
Quickly she pretended he wasnt having an effect on her, but that was like pretending he didnt exist. He did exist, and so did his touch. And knowing hed been watching her sleep
She shifted and he dropped his hand. I hope I wasnt sleeping with my mouth open, she said, trying to keep things light.
He leaned back in his chair with a masculine smile that smoldered with awareness. Ill let you know tomorrow if you snore, he drawled, his gaze dropping to the white camisole she wore beneath her jacket.
She could feel her nipples tighten and her cheeks heat up. Ive been told I dont. There!
His smile disappeared. His eyes flicked out the planes window then back. Well be landing soon. Do you want to freshen up? Theres bound to be a photographer or two at the airport. He sounded detached now.
She groaned inwardly, not wanting to be on show anymore today. Didnt they get enough pictures at the wedding?
He shrugged.
She gave a nod of acceptance then stood, unnecessarily smoothing her skirt. Id better go make myself presentable.
Youre more than presentable, he said, a throaty quality to his voice that made her want to break into a run.
Make that a sprint, she decided, ignoring Alexs gaze down the length of her back as she calmly made her way to the bathroom. Once inside she collapsed back against the door. Whoever said love made the world go round hadnt got it right. It was more sexual attraction that did that.
The sunset was beautiful as they departed the jet, but Olivia barely had time to notice as they walked through some camera flashes to another waiting limousine. She usually wasnt unnerved by the media, but right now she was. At the wedding it had been different.
Less personal.
Now she suddenly felt off-balance anddare she think itout of her depth with everything. It was bad enough that Alex probably guessed how she was feeling, but she didnt want the world to know it, too.
Twenty minutes later they drove along a winding road to a floodlit mansion. Set in a lush sub-tropical garden, the two-story house had wide verandas surrounding both top and bottom levels. Palms swayed in the light breeze off the crystal waters and tapped against the louvered-glass windows that covered most of the house.