Читать книгу The CEO Takes a Wife / The Throw-Away Bride - Maxine Sullivan - Страница 14

Olivia stood and watched Alex turn and walk along the sand. His words had been steely and totally no-nonsense—the tough CEO coming to the fore. The hard-hitting man was such a part of him. A woman would be incredibly lucky to have him love her. To be so fiercely protected by him. And he would be fiercely protective. She knew that instinctively.

He turned back to her. “Coming?”

His words jarred her from her thoughts and she fell into step beside him. She didn’t want to think about Alex and another woman, so she changed the subject to try to break any tension between them. “Do you come here often?”

A moment crept by before he glanced at her from behind his sunglasses. “I usually make it for Christmas with the family. It’s good to get away from the city and the December heat.”

She nodded. “Sounds wonderful.” Oh, how she remembered those long, hot summer Christmases. Her mother had always come home to spend the holidays with her and Nanna and they’d had a great time as a family. Then Nanna had died and the last few years she and Felicia had spent Christmas in LA, and nothing had been quite the same. She supposed that was all a part of growing older.

“You’ll get to find out yourself this year, Olivia. Christmas is only a couple of months away.”

His words startled her. “But I usually spend Christmas with my mother.”

“We’ll invite her here then.” It was more an order than a suggestion.

“But—”

“It would look odd if you take off for the States and leave your new husband here during the festive season,” he pointed out.

“You could always come to LA,” she said, not even sure she wanted him there, though she knew it would seem strange without him. Good Lord, and she’d only been married a day.

“No.” His voice was firm, his chin stubborn. “My parents will be here and my two brothers. I won’t break family tradition.”

Something in his tone roused her curiosity. This man was deeper than she’d first thought. And much more family-oriented than he let on. No wonder his father had been able to blackmail his son into getting married.

Marriage to a man like this would have been a dream come true for her if it had been a real marriage. A permanent marriage. She sighed. It was just as well it wasn’t a real marriage because then he’d want a real family with her and—

Suddenly he stopped, put his hand on her arm and spun her toward him. She was in his arms before she knew it, his lips against hers, taking her by surprise with a kiss that made her forget they were on a beach for all to see. All that mattered was his kiss. And the next.

He eventually pulled back, but she was unable to read his eyes. And that was the trouble with sunglasses. They hid his eyes as well as her own.

She cleared her throat. “Um…what was that for?”

“Someone’s taking pictures of us. I wanted to give him something worthwhile to report.”

Her heart thudded to a stop. “How nice.”

“I thought so,” he said, not seeming to notice her sarcasm as he picked up her hand in a possessive manner and began walking her along the shore, as though she was his girl and he was showing the world exactly that.

She hid her disappointment. “Are we still being followed?” she asked for something to say, trying to find her mental balance, pretending she didn’t care about being used for publicity purposes while on their honeymoon.

Then she winced inwardly. What was the matter with her? Their whole marriage was going to be one big publicity event. Could she really blame Alex for taking advantage of that right now?

“No, I can’t see him. Anyway, forget it for now. He’s going to take our picture whether we want him to or not.”

He was right and after another hundred yards she began to relax again. The sound of the water lapping against the shore and the feel of the breeze skimming her cheeks eased her concerns considerably. How could she not relax? This was a perfect setting; it would help even the most stressed person to unwind.

Just then the sun went behind a frothy white cloud, and for a few seconds the world was darkened then just as quickly thrown back into a shower of sunlight. Wanting to capture the scene in her mind, she stopped and whipped off her sunglasses to better appreciate the brighter sunshine and rich colors.

Her fingers itched. “Ooh, the light and colors are just marvelous. I’ll have to bring my sketchbook down here and capture it all in a design.”

He took off his own dark glasses, his gaze sweeping the beach in front of them, as if looking at it through her eyes. Then he looked at her. “I’d like to watch you design something.”

She blushed with pleasure. “I’ve had an idea for some time to put an Australian mark on an international design. This may be just what I’ve been looking for.”

“You’re quite a talent, aren’t you?” he said, his eyes full of admiration.

Her heart skipped a beat but she managed a short chuckle. “I haven’t designed it yet.”

“I have every confidence it will be a winner.”

She quickly placed her sunglasses back on to hide her eyes, not wanting him to see she was almost made shy by his praise. “Thank you,” she murmured.

Heavens, she was used to being held in high regard by the rich and powerful. She’d designed clothes for some of the most famous people in the world. Yet this man—her husband—made her self-conscious when he praised her talents?

Crazy.

He put his sunglasses on. “Are you ready to go back? I need to get some more work done, I’m afraid.”

She nodded. “Okay, but I think I’ll grab a sketchbook and come back down while you’re working.”

“No.”

She blinked at his unmistakable air of command. Was she hearing right? “Pardon?”

“I don’t want you coming down here by yourself. You could get harassed and I won’t be around to help.”

“The media are not out in force, Alex. There’s only the one guy who—” Suddenly she caught a movement out of the corner of her eye and she spun toward it. Just as quickly she twisted back toward Alex. “That’s not a reporter,” she hissed of the photographer a couple of yards away. “He’s only a kid.”

“He’s a teenager and now he’s just run off, no doubt looking to sell the photographs to the highest bidder.” Alex’s mouth flattened. “I meant what I said, Olivia. Don’t come down here by yourself.”

She lifted her chin. “You’re blowing things out of proportion.”

“Humor me.”

“I’d rather strangle you.”

He arched a brow but his lips quirked. “That’s a bit drastic, don’t you think?”

“Look, I’m not used to sitting around all day doing nothing.”

“Then it’s about time you did. We have a swimming pool up at the house. Why not laze around it for a couple of hours? And I’ll take you into town for dinner tonight.”

Her pulse leaped at the thought of dinner with him, despite herself. “I’m not a child to be rewarded for keeping out of your way while you’re working.” Her chin set stubbornly. “As a matter of fact I still have some work to do of my own,” she fibbed. “I wasn’t going to work on our honeymoon but…” she paused deliberately “…if you’re working then I may as well, too.”

He tensed, a muscle starting to tick in his jaw. “Sorry about that. My father has been easing off on the work lately and that’s put more pressure on me.”

“Oh.” Something about his words clutched at her heart. Perhaps it was the rough edge of emotion in his voice that made her soften toward him. “Alex, I understand.” She still didn’t like being told what to do, but she’d cut him a break this time.

He inclined his head, his mouth not as tight as before, his shoulders not as tense. “Good.”

Then he cupped her elbow and they walked back up the beach. Surprisingly their sandals were still where they’d left them, but she didn’t look at Alex nor did she say a word as they stepped into them and made their way up to the house.

Once there, he took off for the study, reading through a handful of phone messages, already forgetting that she even existed. Olivia watched him go, a silly sense of loneliness filling her. She was never lonely.

It must be because she felt suddenly tired, she decided, and went up to the bedroom to take a shower to wash off the sand.

When she came out, dressed in her silk bathrobe, the bed looked so very inviting. Perhaps if she lay down for just a few minutes…

She woke to find herself covered with a light blanket, the bedside clock showing midafternoon. Feeling guilty, she threw back the blanket, got dressed in white capri pants and a cherry-red top and hurried downstairs. Alex was still in the study, but he put his pen down when he saw her in the doorway.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep for so long. It was supposed to be a quick nap.”

“No need to apologize. You must have needed it.” His gaze traveled down her body, his eyes darkening at every lowering inch. “I was tempted to join you,” he murmured, his raspy voice sending a frisson of excitement racing through her.

She moistened her lips. “I thought Harriet might have covered me up.”

She hoped.

She prayed.

A faint smile curved the edges of his mouth. “No, it was me.”

She gave an inner gasp. Her bathrobe would have covered her, but the fabric was thin…

“By the way, Olivia, you don’t snore,” he said, his voice silky smooth.

She felt the flush of heat enter her cheeks. “That’s good to know.” It was time to get out of here. “Um, I missed lunch so I might go get a snack.” She half expected he’d want to join her.

But his eyes turned businesslike. “Don’t forget I’m taking you to dinner in town. Let’s make it seven.”

“I’ll be ready.”

He nodded and picked up his pen. “You’d better go get something to eat.”

Before she’d even stepped away to head toward the kitchen, Olivia heard the preoccupation in his voice and knew it wasn’t with her.

She sighed as that strange sense of loneliness filled her again, but she quickly pushed it aside. She had too much time on her hands right now, that’s all. It wasn’t that she was feeling like a neglected bride.

Not at all.

Alex sat back in his chair after Olivia left and tried to focus on his work again, but she unsettled him and he wasn’t sure he liked being unsettled. Never before had he ever let a woman distract him from his work. He was usually able to keep the two things separate. He liked it that way.

Of course, he’d never been married before.

Never had a woman living with him.

Never had a woman on his family turf.

The family’s Christmases had always been here at Villa Valente with his parents and his two brothers and sometimes various relatives, but neither he nor his brothers had brought their girlfriends here. None of them would ever give a woman that false sense of power over them.

Yet having Olivia here now wasn’t about giving her the wrong impression. Olivia already knew the score. This year they would be together, and next year they wouldn’t be, and that was the way they both liked it.

And the way they both wanted it.

It had to be that way.

For now he’d enjoy the benefits of having a beautiful woman in his life—and in his bed. Making love to Olivia last night for the first time had been amazing. She’d been married before so he hadn’t expected to be her teacher, yet there had been an innocence about her, as though he was the first lover to give her more than he took.

And in the giving he’d been given back far more than he’d ever expected. She’d turned into a more than willing pupil. He hadn’t been joking when he’d said she’d been a dream to make love to.

And this afternoon when she’d been sleeping…if he hadn’t known she was so exhausted he’d have woken her up with a kiss to that gorgeous mouth of hers. And then he’d have kissed her all over before making her his again.

Hell, just thinking about it sent the blood pounding to his groin but he told himself that waiting would make it all the sweeter. Later this evening he would wine and dine her, then make love to her over and over.

But that was easier said than done when he saw her later coming down the stairs dressed in a short brandy-colored dress that showed off her gorgeous curves and long slim legs. Its off-the-shoulder design highlighted a tanned collarbone that deserved to be kissed.

She was exquisite.

He wished now that he’d stayed in their bedroom and watched her dress, smoothing silk stockings up along her legs. Of course if he’d stayed they’d still be in the bedroom.

In bed.

And he’d be inside her.

“I’m going to make love to you later,” he said huskily as she approached him. “You know that, don’t you?”

A becoming flush stained her cheeks. “So you’re not sick of me yet?” she joked.

He frowned. Where had that come from? Her ex?

“No way, sweetheart,” he growled, then put his hand under her chin and gave her a hard kiss, more than satisfied by the hint of pleasure he saw in her eyes when he pulled back. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.” He cupped her elbow and led her out to one of his father’s Mercedes. If they didn’t go to dinner soon, they’d never get there.

Fifteen minutes later, they were sitting in an intimate corner of the best restaurant in town and Alex was studying the blond beauty in front of him. He could have been sitting amongst the Miss World contestants and none of them would hold a candle to Olivia.

Her eyelids flickered. “Stop staring, Alex,” she said in a throaty voice.

“Why?”

She shot him a wry look. “Okay, let’s change the subject. Tell me about your Italian background.”

“Why?”

Her gorgeous lips curved upward. “Because I’ve just realized I’ve never asked you before. I mean, I know what I’ve read in the papers and that you’reAustralian-born, but that’s about all I know about you.”

He leaned back in his chair, pleased she was interested enough to ask. “What do you want to know?”

“Can you speak Italian, for one thing? You never do.”

“My grandparents came out from Italy after the war and they taught me when I was growing up, but I prefer to speak Australian.” He’d loved his grandparents but they were gone now and he had no interest in speaking Italian with his father.

“And your father?” she said, honing in like a dentist’s drill on a sore tooth. “He speaks fluent Italian, doesn’t he? Was he born in Italy?”

Alex’s brows drew together. “I thought this was about me, not my father.”

She cooled a little. “I’m only trying to understand the man I married.”

“Don’t,” he snapped, then grimaced at the withdrawal on her face. He sighed. “Look, my father was twelve when he came here. Eventually he made his millions and later married my mother when he was around thirty. She was Australian and she died when I was little. That’s it.”

Her eyes softened and filled with sympathy. “I’m sorry.”

His stomach knotted. “Yeah, so am I.”

The only vague memory he had of his mother was of sitting on her knee. He also had a couple of old photographs. She’d been raised by an elderly aunt so he hadn’t even been able to ask her family about her. Cesare Valente certainly hadn’t wanted to talk about her.

The only reason he’d known why he was called Alexander and not the Italian form, Alessandro, was because Isabel had told him his own mother had insisted on it. Surprisingly, Cesare had kept that pattern when Nick and Matt were born. In some corner of Alex’s heart, he liked to think his father had done it out of respect for his first wife. On the other hand, perhaps that was just foolish thinking.

“What about your grandparents, Alex?” Olivia asked, drawing him from his thoughts. “They’re not still alive, are they? I didn’t see them at the wedding, but no one has mentioned them.”

“They died years ago after a long and happy marriage.” He gave a harsh laugh. “I can’t say the same for my father,” he said, thinking about his father’s three marriages.

She tilted her head. “But Cesare has been married to Isabel for a long time now. They seem very happy.”

He scowled. “They are,” he grudgingly admitted. “I guess I have to give him credit for that.”

She nodded. “It’s probably part of the reason he wanted to see you married.” Then she hesitated, as if she wasn’t sure whether to say something or not. “He cares for you, Alex. You may not be able to see it, but I can.”

“Perhaps.” He wondered what she’d think if he told her his father wanted him to have an heir, too. But why mention something that wasn’t necessary? In six months time Cesare would be on his way to retirement, if not before. He wouldn’t be able to dictate to any of his sons after that.

The arrival of the waiter to deliver their drinks gave Alex the chance to end the discussion, but as he watched Olivia smile her thanks at the young man, he felt a jolt inside his chest. If he had to have someone have his child, she would be the perfect choice.

He pushed that thought aside. “Now it’s your turn. Tell me about your ex-husband,” he said, watching her stiffen. He knew what the papers had said about the other man, but he wanted to hear Olivia’s version of it all.

She held his gaze. “I met Eric when I was just starting out as a designer. I was working in Paris and he was this really handsome, debonair Englishman. I’d never met anyone like him before.” A derisive sound emerged from her throat. “I don’t want to meet anyone like him again.”

“He cheated on you.” It was a statement, not a question.

Her expression clouded. “Yes. He thought I had a personal fortune because of my mother. When he discovered that she wasn’t supporting me as much as he thought, he dumped me for a woman who had more money.”

Anger rippled through Alex. “The bastard.”

She inclined her head. “Thanks. I know it sounds horrible, but by that stage I was glad to get rid of him.”

“No, what sounds horrible is him using you the way he did.”

“Thank you,” she whispered. She looked hesitant, then said, “He’s the main reason I have trouble trusting people these days.”

Alex knew that took a lot to admit. “Yet, as a stranger, you trusted me enough to marry me.”

Her tight expression relaxed into a smile. “Yeah, go figure.”

Something warmed inside him, but before he could savor the moment, their meal arrived. The food was superb and afterward they strolled along the promenade. He couldn’t wait to get her home and make love to her.

And when they finally made it to their bedroom and he pulled her into his arms, he felt her tremble from head to toe in a way that none of his other lovers ever had. It made him feel special, as though he was the only man on earth who could fulfill her needs.

And that affected him more than anything.