‘For what?’
‘For trying to keep them away from me.’
His nostrils flared a touch. He didn’t answer, simply stared at her as if trying to peer into her mind.
She gazed back, drinking him in, the heat inside her—so constant when with him—bubbling beneath her…
And then he dipped his head and covered her mouth with his, holding it there, not moving, just breathing into her, warm champagne-scented air filling her senses until he gently slid his mouth across her cheek and brushed his lips against her ear. ‘Soon, agapi mou, I will do more than just kiss you.’
Her insides melted. Her heart racing at a gallop, she was about to grab his hand and beg him to whisk her away to somewhere private when Zayed joined them, announcing his presence by slapping Christian hard on the back.
‘Come on, newlyweds, it is time for the Kalamatianos,’ he said, referring to the traditional wedding dance adored by all Greeks. Over his shoulder, Mikolaj and Tanya grinned and waved, already tapping their feet in anticipation.
She was so glad she’d gone behind his back and invited them. It hadn’t sat well with her, knowing he would have no one from his childhood there. Knowing Christian was happy she had done so lightened her further.
It made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside, thinking they had gone behind each other’s back to bring someone important to their big day.
Soon she was on her feet with Christian in the centre of the dance floor, each holding an end of a scarf that had been thrust at them. With traditional Greek music playing, Zayed and Stefan chivvied everyone up to form a circle around them, the guests linking hands and, following Mikolaj and the other Greek guests’ example, swirling around them like a circling snake, shouts of, ‘Opa!’ ringing out.
Alessandra had the time of her life. When the Kalamatianos was over, everyone, including the bride and groom, stayed on the dance floor. They danced together, slow songs, fast songs, their hands entwined, their eyes only for each other.
She wanted the wedding and all the good feelings it evoked in her to last forever, to hold on to this moment for as long as she could. Contrarily, she wanted it to end now, wanted the sensuous promise ringing from Christian’s eyes to become reality.
Soon…
Soon it would be time to retire to his suite and begin their newly married life in a manner that sent heat surging through her just to think about it.
Christian opened the door of the suite and, keeping hold of Alessandra’s hand, closed it behind them.
‘Someone’s been busy,’ he observed, burrowing his face into the nape of her neck. At long last, he was free to touch her and taste her and do all the things he’d wanted to do for so long the ache in his groin had become a permanent part of him.
His suite—their suite, now all of Alessandra’s possessions had been moved in while their celebrations had been going on—had been decorated. Flowers were artfully arranged in vases, rose petals had been scattered over the bed and a bottle of champagne sat in an ice bucket next to two champagne flutes.
‘Clichéd but very romantic,’ she said, twisting round to face him.
All the dancing had left her cheeks flushed and her eyes alive with pleasure.
He wanted those eyes glowing with pleasure for a different reason.
Gripping her hip, he pulled her to him and snaked his arm around her waist.
He gazed down into those striking eyes and those moreish lips. His to taste.
She was his to taste.
As he bent his head to claim her mouth, she darted gracefully out of his clasp, laughing softly. ‘Not yet.’
‘You’re making me wait?’ he said, his words coming out with an animalistic growl.
‘I’m going to freshen up. Remember, anticipation makes fulfilment taste all the sweeter.’ She sashayed to one of the bathrooms, flashed him a smile full of promise and locked the door behind her.
Alessandra applied a touch more lipstick then tightened the sash of her silk white robe.
Who needed alcohol?
Desire pulsed through her, making her pulses race uncontrollably.
She hadn’t expected that a ring on her finger and a signed piece of paper could make her feel so different but it did.
Christian was the only man she’d ever truly wanted.
She remembered the first time she’d met him, when she’d been twelve and Rocco had brought the Brat Pack to Lake Como for a break. How young and naïve she’d been, still believing in love and romance. She’d taken one look at Adonis and her heart had skipped into her mouth.
He’d hardly noticed her existence.
Looking back with the benefit of hindsight on her ill-fated tryst with Javier, she could see it was the flattery she’d responded to, not him. She’d swallowed all his lies because she’d been flattered a man, not an immature boy, was showing an interest in her.
With Christian, it was the man himself she responded to.
She dabbed some perfume behind her ear and onto her wrists and left the privacy of the bathroom. It was time to see her husband as his wife.
WHEN ALESSANDRA EMERGED from the bathroom and closed the door softly behind her, the only sound Christian could hear was his own heartbeat. Drumming. Thundering in his ears.
He’d stripped naked, shedding his clothes in front of the mirror, staring closely at his reflection.
He didn’t know what it could be but he felt different.
He looked the same. The desire he felt for his beautiful bride still burned deep inside him.
But something had changed.
Now he sat in the huge bed, leant back against the headboard, the bed sheets draped across his lap, a dim light glowing. And she was here with him, her dress removed, only a white robe covering her beautiful figure.
Slowly she stepped to him until she reached his side.
‘Take your robe off.’ He could hear the thickness in the timbre of his voice.
Her hands trembled, but a knowing smile pulled at her lips. She tugged at the sash of her robe and parted it, letting it drop to the floor.
Christian couldn’t have torn his gaze away if he’d wanted to.
