Читать книгу Mediterranean Mavericks: Greeks - Кейт Хьюит - Страница 39

Three months later

STAVROS HAD NO idea that three months could feel like an eternity. Theos, he must have been insane to set the rule he had because touching Leah and kissing Leah without taking her had been an exercise in torture.

But in the same breath, he was also extremely glad that they had waited. Because Leah was worth every smile, every ache, every moment he had spent thrashing in his bed because he missed her with a bone-deep hunger.

On a beautiful October evening, he waited with his breath hovering in his throat while a hundred guests looked on.

Giannis’s mansion and grounds had been decorated lavishly and he stood under an archway in the garden. Lilies in beautiful arrangements spread their fragrance while the sky glittered a brilliant blue.

Most of the guests had come to see his beautiful bride, the new designer that had shaken the fashion world with her designs—models she had worked with the past couple of months, half the population from his estate, workers from her factory, all because of Leah’s generosity of spirit, her kindness, the depth of her commitment and loyalty.

And finally today, the magnificent woman was going to be his in a bond born out of love and laughter and joy. His heart ached as he remembered how much Calista would have loved to see Leah and him like this…

And there she was, on Dmitri’s arm, walking toward him with sure steps.

His heart threatened to jump out of his chest when he saw her.

She had told him she was going to wear her own creation—the first wedding gown she had ever designed.

She looked utterly fragile and so beautiful that he stared hungrily, desire fisting tight in his gut.

Her long hair was combed away in a stylish ponytail, pearl earrings that had been a gift from Giannis at her ears, and the dress she wore was a demure creation in lace and sheer silk that didn’t bare an ounce of flesh.

The modern, no-frill design hugged her slender body, leaving her arms bare, highlighting the long line of her thighs and legs.

Had she made the outfit more modest because of him? Did she think he wouldn’t like it if it was one of her outrageously sexy, insubstantial creations?

Had he made her doubt his love again?

But one look into her gorgeous, shining eyes and all his doubts perished like so much dust.

They shone with such happiness that he felt a tightness in his chest relent.

They had spent the last three months touring for fabrics, laughing, and teasing each other, learning each other and falling in love all over again, and breathlessly waiting for this day.

He felt his entire world sway and tilt at the love he saw in those eyes, at the way her luscious mouth trembled.

She kissed Dmitri’s cheek and he handed her over to him.

Gripping her fingers with his, he pulled her closer, the scent of her hitting him right in the solar plexus. “I love you, Leah,” he whispered in her ear, without waiting for the priest to begin.

Her breath caught, she ran shaking fingers over his cheek as if she needed to check that he was all there.

“I can’t wait for tonight,” she finally whispered, and pulled back, a wicked twinkle in her eyes.

It was only later that Stavros finally noticed the back of Leah’s dress. Specifically when the photographer had asked her to turn around and smile over her back.

Her gaze holding his, she turned slowly, a coy smile curving her mouth.

Heat pounded his blood, desire hitting him like a tsunami.

Her back was bare, dipping precariously low to the curve of her buttocks, except for a row of white buttons drawing a tempting line down her spine, holding the sheer illusion panel together…

Just the sight of that smooth, bare skin sent heat searing across his own.

He could love her for years to come but his wife would always surprise him, he realized with a smile.

Joining her, he ran his fingers up her spine, a fever overtaking his muscles.

“Ready for your wedding night, yineka mou?” he asked, pressing a kiss to her jaw.

She trembled and turned into his arms. “Do you like the dress?”

He nodded, and picked her up. A hundred cheers went up around them as he walked toward the entrance to Giannis’s house. “I love it. But I apologize in advance.”

Her hands tightened around his nape. “For what?”

“For ripping those delicate buttons. That’s the only way to get it off you, isn’t it?”

Her smile reached into the depths of his heart. He carried her over the threshold and took her mouth in a hungry kiss. “Now you’re mine forever and forever.”

“And you are mine,” she whispered, before claiming his mouth again.