An older Australian couple greeted them at the door to welcome them to Villa Valente and then Alex suggested she retire to the main suite where they would eat a late dinner.
I have a couple of calls to make first. Ill join you in about half an hour.
She nodded with relief, looking forward to having some time alone as she followed Harriet up the stairs. They had a minor discussion about the wedding, and the older woman, who seemed very nice, showed her around the deluxe suite, which included a small intimate table set for two in the corner.
There was a pale-blue silk gown and matching robe draped on the king-size bed. Is this from Alex? Olivia asked, carefully keeping her voice blank, not sure if she liked him buying her clothes. It smacked too much of proprietorship.
No. Its a wedding gift from Martin and me. Harriets face softened. I know youre a wonderful fashion designer, Mrs. Valente, but I thought you might like this as a personal gift from us. You dont have to wear it tonight if you dont want to.
Olivia relaxed with a smile. Its lovely, thank you. And yes, I will wear it tonight.
Its our pleasure. Harriet walked to the door. Let me know if you need anything else.
Olivia nodded, but as the door closed she looked down at the bridal lingerie that was even more glamorous than that shed planned on wearing for Alex, the outfit he would take off her slowly and seduc tively, or perhaps in a hurry. She trembled with fearnot of him physically hurting herbut of him physically knowing her body.
But, she reminded herself, shed marriedAlex today.
Shed made a promise to be his wife.
When she came out of the bathroom after showering, the man himself was standing near the table. Hed obviously showered in another bathroom then changed into gray trousers and a black polo shirt that made him look drop-dead handsome.
Heat flared in his eyes. I didnt think you could get more beautiful, he rasped. But you are.
Giving an inner moan at the way she dissolved at his words, she shrugged. Harriet and Martin bought it for me, she said quickly, not wanting him to think shed dressed like this totally for him. I couldnt not wear it.
He held her gaze a moment more. They have good taste.
She stepped forward, looking at the table. Speaking of taste, this all looks very delicious.
He waited until she was closer then held out a chair for her. Yes, it does. Nothing but the best for
A Valente? she quipped, taking a seat.
I was going to say for you, he murmured near her ear.
Oh. He was close behind her. She expected his hands to slide over her shoulders and she tensed, preparing for it, almost wanting it. But that was only because she wanted to get this out of the way, she told herself when he sat down opposite and passed her a glass of wine.
His glass clinked intimately against hers. To us.
She held his gaze, feeling herself flush. To us.
They both took a sip from their drinks, then Alex placed his glass on the table. Now, what would you like to try first? he drawled, a roguish glint entering his eyes.
She swallowed hard and tried to act sophisticated. Was he suggesting she try him?
Heavens, if he expected her to take the lead then he was in for a shock. There wasnt a woman alive who wouldnt like to make love to him, including herself, but tonight she couldnt quite bring herself to make the first move. She just wasnt sexually experienced enough to be blasé about all this.
She swallowed past her dry throat. The seafood salad looks nice.
He shot her a knowing look. Yes, was all he said, then gestured for them to start helping themselves.
After that they ate and made idle conversation about the house, the weather, the food. It wasnt a getting-to-know-you time but more a staving off of the inevitableat least, for Olivia.
And then Alex took a slip of paper out of his pocket and pushed it across the table toward her. Heres a check for the rest of the money. I want you to have it now and not after we make love.
His face was unreadable but something softened inside her, despite her pulse leaping all over the place. It was nice to know he was sensitive about her feelings.
Thank you, she whispered, leaving the check where it was for the moment. Shed paid half of his other generous check into her business account and half into her mothers account in LA. It had held both banks at bay until she could cash this latest check.
As for Alex, any man who put his family first had to have some sort of sensitivity about him, she admitted, liking that he was doing this for his brothers, just as she was doing this partly for her mother. They at least had this in common.
And that reminded her.
She tilted her head at him. Alex, I like your father. I think his hearts in the right place.
In a split second Alexs jaw hardened. Youve known him five minutes and you figured that out, did you?
Oh damn. She regretted saying anything now. Their moment of bonding had disappeared.
Sometimes you dont need to know a person long to know what theyre like, she pointed out coolly. You certainly made up your mind about me quickly enough.
A heartbeat passed, then his hard mouth visibly relaxed and the sexy look in his eyes told her seduction was now on his mind. Yes, I did, didnt I? Without warning, he reached across and lifted her hand in his, tugging her gently to her feet.
The breath stalled in her throat. Oh heavens. What had she started? Alex, I
And thats because I know when something feels right, he cut across her, pulling her the few steps toward him around the table, making her tremble, his intention obvious.
Alex
And you feel right to me, Olivia Valente, he murmured, pulling her onto his lap, his intense gaze holding hers still, just like his warm hand was holding her waist still. Very, very right.
She licked her lips. Alex, can we please
Yes, we can, he muttered, and lowered his head.
Chapter Four
Alexs mouth covered hers and the room grew silent as he held her, absorbing the texture of her soft skin against his own. Hed only kissed her twice before, so he wanted to stay like this for a while and appreciate every inch of her mouth.
He did for several heartbeats.
But soon he couldnt ignore his need to explore farther. He needed to delve into her luscious mouth, then uncover her bit by bit. He wanted to know the excitement, feel the intensity, learn the mystery of her body.
And he wanted it now.
He parted her lips with his own, and her sweet breath slid straight into him. He groaned and took a moment to savor it, before letting his tongue do a silent sweep.
He moved his mouth over hers slowly. And then she started to kiss him back, learning his taste, feeling his excitement as pleasure surged through him.
When he finally began to ease away, he scraped his teeth lightly across her bottom lip. Third times the charm, he murmured, noting the way her pupils had dilated.
When he finally began to ease away, he scraped his teeth lightly across her bottom lip. Third times the charm, he murmured, noting the way her pupils had dilated.
She blinked. Umthird time?
This is our third kiss. He bent his head again. And this he needed more is our fourth.
He kissed her deeply again before drawing back to place kisses along her smooth jawline. His lips brushed against her earlobe and he lingered there, breathing in the light floral scent of her hair.
After taking his fill, he leaned back and ran a finger along the underside of her chin. Then he followed the column of her throat to where her quickened pulse drummed at its base, down to the first dainty button of her blue robe resting on her cleavage.
His libido climbed.
Undo it for me, he commanded.
She gasped, her blue eyes widening. The button?
Yes. He only had one hand free, the other was holding her by the waist. Then undo the rest of them.
Her eyes were hesitant beneath her long eyelashes, but after a moment she lifted her hands and began to do as he asked. The silk parted as button after button broke free, leaving behind the blue silk gown made to capture a mans attention.
It did.
And there was nothing pure about the thoughts running through his mind. You dazzle me, he rasped, seeing the outline of two dark nipples peeking through the shiny material.
He felt her quiver as his thumb ran over the tip of one bud. He did it again, then held the nipple between his finger and thumb, squeezing lightly. Her quiver turned to a shudder.
Relishing the feel of her coming alive under his hands, he bent his head to that breast and began sucking through the material, flicking her with his tongue.
She gave a whimper and her head arced back against his shoulder. One of her arms came around his neck and she held on to him, burying her face in his nape and breathing deeply. Just as quickly, she pulled back, as if caught doing something she shouldnt.
He felt heat explode inside him. Do that again, he muttered against her breast.
She froze for a split second, hesitated before she did it again, making him groan. They stayed like that for a short time, then finally he lifted his head and she moved her face back.
He looked into her eyes. A man could lose himself in you and never want to be found, he rasped.
Her eyes darkened. Oh, Alex.
His gaze slowly slid down her body to where the material pooled at the apex of her thighs. He looked up. You dont like me saying that?
Yes. She swallowed. I do.
His palm slid downward, over her abdomen and her soft mound before resting between her legs. She gasped as he stroked her with his finger through the gown. You dont like me touching you? he teased huskily.
Yes her throat convulsed I do.
He had to feel her naked body. He had to see all her creamy smooth skin. He pushed to his feet, with her in his arms, and stood her in front of him. Then he eased the silky robe off her shoulders, letting it drop to the floor. The matching nightgown was next and he shuddered when he saw how perfect she was.
Their eyes locked.
Alex, she murmured, her eyes darkening, her cheeks coloring, though she made no attempt to cover herself.
Lifting her, he carried her to the bed. After laying her down he began stripping off his clothes.
Their eyes locked again before her gaze ran down his body and she gave a soft gasp. He knew if he didnt touch herdidnt taste herwasnt inside her soonhed explode.
He joined her on the bed and this time her mouth parted even before their lips touched. He gave a low sound of approval, and she answered his kiss, her hands coming up to cling to his shoulders. Willingly, he let her pull him closer, until his bare flesh was pressed against her soft skin, savoring the aching anticipation.
Breaking away, he heard her moan as he got to his knees and launched a trail of kisses over every inch of her body, marking her as his own. She was smooth all over, but never more velvety than between her thighs. He parted her with his tongue and loved her until she arched under him, her hands threading through his hair wildly until she trembled, then shook, then was hit by a shockwave that went on and on.
He reveled in her release but when her climax ebbed, he could wait no longer. He rose up over her and reached for a condom in the bedside drawer. There was no question on his part as to whether he would use one. And she didnt ask.
With precision, he rolled it on himself while she lay watching. He was aware of nothing around them. He was tuned in solely to her.
And she was glorious.
He entered her slowly, sensation heightening as he sank deep into her warmth. Her gasp reverberated around the room and he took a moment to let her get used to him.
And then he began to move, to thrust in and out to the rhythm of their bodies. But, before too long, the rhythm wasnt enough. Nothing was enough.
Until she clenched around him and like a flash of white heat he exploded with pleasure.
Olivia woke to find herself curled up against Alex. Her husband.
Her temporary husband, she reminded herself as her eyes flew open, knowing there was nothing temporary about the two of them right now. Her body seemed permanently attached to his, her mind now burned by memories of his lovemaking.
There was no escaping how Alex had made her feel last night. Hed been considerate, yet his need for her had surprised her. It had been so intense, so breathtaking.
It had taken a certain kind of man to do that, keeping it physical, but allowing her some sort of emotional connection that had nothing to do with love.
Her throat went dry. Why was she thinking about love just because she was in a mans arms? Love belonged to other couples. Love was not part of her agreement with Alex, she reminded herself, as she tried to ease away from him and slide out of bed.
Dont move, he murmured.
She froze.
He rolled to face her, and for a long moment his slate-gray eyes lingered on her face. Where do you think youre going? His voice thickened, the heat of his arousal filling the space between them.
She tried to think. Erits time to get up, she said, then immediately felt her cheeks warm.
His lips quirked with male humor. Are you asking me or telling me?
She resisted the urge to tease him back. Telling you.
He gave her a knowing look. You were fantastic, he said softly.
She blinked at him, her heart sinking. I was?
His gaze dropped to her naked breasts. Its been a while, hasnt it? he said in a husky tone.
She didnt answer. She couldnt. His words reminded her of Eric, whod thought nothing of praising her just to take the suspicion away from his affairs.
Dont be embarrassed because you dont sleep around, Alex continued, his palm sliding over her hip. I actually like that you dont.
Double standards, Alex?
His hand stilled, his gaze sharpened. Not at all. Ive never been one to sleep around. He must have seen the disbelief in her eyes because he stiffened. And I definitely wont sleep around on my wife.
An odd thrill raced through her, but she still couldnt let her anxiety go. Yes, but women must throw themselves at you all the time.