The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Part 5

This time she had blushed from her toes right to her very roots, Alexos' eyes hardening as he had fixed her with an unreadable expression.

"Did Grace not explain our....relations.h.i.+p?" his voice smooth yet hard, the other three eyes moving to look at her as she had looked beseechingly back at him.

"I didn't see the point...it was so long ago Alexos...some things are best left there". The two had held the other's gaze for seconds, each one to Grace seeming like minutes before his lips had twitched softly, the smile not reaching his dark eyes as he had drawled softly.

"Perhaps you are right" relief filling Grace as she had given a long sigh. The others however, had seemed disappointed as quickly she had changed the conversation, her voice still shaking as she had asked after his father.

Alexos had given a small grimace, a sadness coming to his eyes "My father does not keep well, which is actually why I am here. He has a home on the mainland close by, and I am overseeing that it is ready for his visit".

With a small frown Grace had spoken gently "I am sorry to hear that, would it not be easier for him to come here?"

Alexos had shaken his head, his eyes holding hers softly "My father has never set foot on this island since my mother died...too many memories for him"

With a small groan Carol had dropped her hand onto his, her look full of understanding, Grace's eyes hardening as the other woman had touched him.

"That is terrible Alexos" Carol had breathed softly, a look of sympathy filling her pretty face. Biting down the need to pull the other woman's hand from his Grace had dropped her eyes, not seeing as he had watched her, a strange expression entering his.

After the meal they had all moved to a living room she had not seen before, more intimate, where he had put on music and asked about their research. Again Grace had moved as far from him as was possible aware as her actions had not escaped his watchful eyes.

For several hours the group had talked about their findings, Alexos genuinely interested as he had admitted to having a soft spot for the animals.

"We really appreciated your agreeing to take part in the research" Grace had offered, as he had fixed her with a harder look.

"You are most welcome Dr Dionis" his emphases on her name pointedly telling her beyond any doubt that had he known who she really was he would never have agreed.

As the time had reached ten, Grace had given a small smile rising sure that she would be able to feign tiredness with some semblance of believability. "Well Alexos, I would like to thank you for your generous hospitality" her eyes taking in the rest of the group.

"We really appreciate that we are not sitting in this" pointing to a window, as everybody had nodded in agreement as the storm had raged noisily outside.

Inclining his head with a small crooked smile he had told them they were welcome.

"We are up very early, being the last day...so I think that I will retire for the night, so I would like to say thank you as I am sure that we will be gone before you get up"

Alexos had given a small humorous chuckle "Why Grace...of course I will be up, what kind of a host would I be not to see my guests off?"

Giving him a harder look she had forced a smile onto her lips "Well in that case...I will see you tomorrow" before looking at the others "I will see you all at five" the group groaning but nodding in agreement.

Moving from the room, she had felt relief having made it through the night, retreating thankfully into her room.

Looking at the bath within the luxurious en-suite she had groaned softly, finally giving in to the temptation, running it deep and adding some of the expensive bubble bath. Smiling at the sight of the foaming bath she had sank into the warmth with a soft sigh of pure pleasure. It had been weeks since she had enjoyed such a luxury and after half an hour of soaking she had dried off, feeling contentment through to her very bones. Humming happily her long hair had then been dried, Grace using some of the many new brushes to style it, chuckling to herself at the desire to do this. Pulling on her fitted crop top and small bed shorts she had moved from the bathroom looking forward to sinking into the soft sheets, her mind remembering the last time she had stayed at the villa, smiling softly at the memory as it had resurfaced.

The slight movement in the corner of the room had made her jump in fright, her hands covering her mouth to hold back the scream at seeing the man sitting so relaxed in the armchair.

"Alexos!" his name falling from her lips as shock had thudded into every part of her.

"h.e.l.lo Grace" he drawled softly, his eyes watching her carefully "I thought you and I should have a talk"

Grace had wrapped her arms around herself, so aware that she wore so little, the crop top stopping above her navel her toned flat belly visible. With a voice which shook alarmingly she had tried to stand taller, to seem surer than she was.

"We have nothing to talk about Alexos...I appreciate your hospitality for my team" stopping as her eyes had narrowed "I locked that door...how did you get in here?"

Standing, he had moved closer, alarm bells ringing throughout her.

"I own this house Grace. I have keys for every room"

Raising her chin defiantly she had resolutely stood her ground "Please leave...as I said we have nothing to talk about and I have an early start"

Shaking his head he had continued to move towards her, Grace's bravado starting to slip as she had moved backwards away from him.

"I disagree. You didn't want to talk about things in front of your team...I understand that, but believe me we ARE going to talk"

His eyes were no longer gentle, no longer full of humour, but ice-cold full of hostility.

"You left me to explain to my whole family and all the friends I introduced you to, that the woman I was going to marry had eloped, married some n.o.body and moved to the UK"

With a gasp her hands balled, she had leapt to Daryle's defence.

"He is not some n.o.body...he is the best man I have ever known"

With a raised eyebrow Alexos had stopped a frown coming to his handsome face. "And yet you are no longer married to this 'best man'" his tone full of contempt "What happened Grace did you get a better offer, ditch that poor man too?"

Glaring back she had bitten out "You don't understand" he had moved forward bridging the remaining distance between them.

"You are d.a.m.n right I don't understand" Grace feeling the way her heart was beating so fast in her chest, the alarm showing in her large eyes.

"You agreed to my, for a better word 'wooing' you. We and our families had an agreement and in that you agreed to effectively be my wife"

Looking up into his face she had once more felt the tremors of awareness, the strange flip-flopping within her stomach tinged with fear as he had glared down at her.

"I phoned you...I explained it to you, we had not officially made any announcement Alexos"

With a derisory laugh he had grabbed her by the upper arms.

"Everybody knew Grace, my father, your parents and my friends. I had finally met the woman I was going to marry...and then you eloped. You used me, you used everybody"

Shaking her head ferociously she had moaned softly "No...it wasn't like that" eyes full of panic. "Let me go" desperately trying to pull herself from him.

He however, had pulled her in harder, one hand moving around her waist pinning her to him as the other had held the back of her head, his fingers tangled in the silky hair. In a calmer, more controlled voice he had leant his head down to smell her hair.

"You still smell of flowers Grace" his tone suddenly sensual as she had tried to pull herself from him.

"Let me go Alexos...this is not funny" a quiver of panic on her voice. Pulling back to look down at her his mouth had been set, his eyes once more hard "You are right. There was nothing funny about it Grace. Nothing"

For a second she had stared back at him, her voice now raspy "What do you want Alexos?" Seeing as a small smile had spread across his handsome features.

"Well what I most wanted was a wife, a sweet innocent wife...but I guess that wasn't to be, so I suppose I can settle for the next best thing...the slightly used, second hand bride" Grace giving a small shocked moan, her eyes widening.

"Do you know what I most regretted Grace...the one thing I wished I had done differently?" his breath against her neck sending tremors throughout her as she had shaken her head not able to speak. "I regretted not taking you in that hotel...not being the first man to enjoy you...that was my biggest regret"

She had felt the pain fill her at this, knowing that all he had ever wanted was her body, that he had only ever seen her as a s.e.xual partner and a means to produce his children; sure that she had made the right choice all those years ago.

Whimpering softly she had tried to move her head to avoid his mouth as it had descended to hers, his hand holding her head to him as she had groaned. His kiss was hard, punis.h.i.+ng, his hands cruelly holding her prisoner against his strong hard body. She had fought him with everything in her, before losing the will to fight any more, her body stilling against him.

As she had leant in to him, his head had lifted slightly the anger in his eyes gone, something else filling the darkness before once more taking her mouth, this time so gentle, his tongue sliding within the softness of hers, caressing her, Grace shuddering as her whole body had exploded. Her arms had flown around his neck, Alexos groaning as he had raised her against him and lifted her from her feet, her whole body plastered against his.

Moving, he had kissed down her neck, grabbing the crop top before pulling it over her head with one easy motion Grace dropping her head to allow his tongue to continue its pa.s.sage down the long milky column of her throat. She had always felt this way, was totally unable to hold back from him as the yearning for this man had sent molten hot liquid to pool deep within her belly, her hands pulling at him with almost frantic need.

As he had fallen, his weight pinning her to the bed, his voice had been husky, the sound sending all new tremors throughout her.

"G.o.d I want you...I always have" Grace pulling at his s.h.i.+rt as she had nodded, her mouth had rained soft kisses against the side of his face.

"Yes oh yes" the voice begging him had seemed as though it had come from somebody else. Not the ordered prim scientist but a wanton woman desperate for satisfaction. Pulling his head back, his eyes had dropped to admire the large b.r.e.a.s.t.s, the nipples raised with excitement, a small growl of appreciation leaving him as his mouth had dropped to the first, her back arching as she had cried out fingers entwining in his hair. His tongue had lapped at the raised pink nipples as his teeth had nipped at her, Grace writhing uncontrollably under him as his thumb had rubbed the other, quivers of ecstasy coursing through her.

Taking her small hand in his he had held it to the straining bulge of him, a primitive heat of satisfaction filling her. Tugging at his belt, Alexos had moved to give her room, his own hands and mouth maintaining their a.s.sault on all of her senses, as with a small sound of victory she had freed the leather, pulling the b.u.t.ton quickly off and unzipping him, her small hand sliding into the heat within. As the back of her hand had brushed against the straining hardness, his musky scent had filled her nose, Alexos groaned his body jumping slightly at this smallest of touches, Grace feeling her head reel with the need for him.

Allowing her fingers to wrap around the shaft, inexperienced fingers had slid along him, a growl now leaving him as his own hand had moved under her bed shorts, pus.h.i.+ng legs apart as his fingers had slid against the heat of her. Grace had gasped loudly as the sensations had swamped her, his fingers caressing the wet heat of her so unaware as she had whimpered and wriggled under him before his mouth had once more returned to take hers, whispering against her mouth.

"G.o.d Grace... I want you so much" she moaning softly, encouraging him as he had pulled back a wide smile on his handsome face. Pulling the shorts down her legs as he rose, he had paused, his eyes travelling down her body, his look full of heat and appreciation as Grace had lain still for his scrutiny. Her head had screamed to move, to push him away, instinctively knowing that he would go, but her body had buzzed with the need to have him back, watching under half-closed lids as he had pulled his clothes off.

Standing watching her, she had finally seen him naked, her eyes opening with fear seeing the size of him while her whole body yearned for his return. Moving back alongside, his mouth had again sought hers, his fingers gently seeking out the centre of her ensuring that she was ready, a small sound of satisfaction leaving his lips as she had been so hot and wet for him.

"I need you" his voice had been strained, hoa.r.s.e as he had positioned himself between her open legs, Grace nodding and pulling at his head wanting him back. Running his arm around her small waist and pulling her hips up he had pushed into her, slowly reverently feeling as her muscles had stretched to accommodate him. Pausing she could feel the sweat break out on his shoulder as he had taken his time, her fingers curling around his arm at the extreme pleasure filling her, groaning as she had wanted more. With another growl he had slid deeper, too deep Grace crying out as the small membrane within had torn, the flash of pain making her eyes fly open, her hands pus.h.i.+ng at him wanting him to stop.

Pausing once more she had heard him call her name, his voice full of confusion and need before his mouth had once more taken hers silencing her. As he had continued pus.h.i.+ng, his body had moved in small gentle rocking motions as she had stiffened the shock of pain receding as his body had caressed her own, until once more she had relaxed, the sensations again so wonderful her arms moving around him, pulling him to her.

With great patience he had slid further into her tight body, fighting the urge to release so deep, his breath coming out in short pants until his whole length filled her small body. Shuddering and stilling for a few seconds he had kissed her mouth, that wonderful mouth which trembled to his touch before once more moving, his body rhythmically thrusting over her, hearing the groans and sighs as she had lost control, her fingers pulling at him, hips rising up to meet him.

Grace was out of her mind. She had never imagined that it could be so intense, his body now moving faster and deeper within her, the motion causing her whole being to come alive in a manner which was so new, so wonderful. With a loud gasp she had felt the waves rising, her whole being building to what she did not know, until the waves had reached a crescendo, breaking over her as heat had radiated from her very core, running down every part of her as she had climaxed below him, crying his name, carried along on the most wonderful sensations.

As she had exploded below him, Alexos had grunted allowing himself to push harder into her small body, feeling the last remnants of control he had held so tightly onto disappear as her muscles had spasmed against him spilling deep within her as he had joined her cries, his breathing as ragged as hers.

Finally the tremors had faded and Alexos had collapsed heavily over Grace, she wrapping her arms around his shoulders as the strangest contentment had filled her to her very core. When he had finally found the strength, he had raised himself to look down at her. Both still fought so hard to bring their breathing under control, his eyes so full of questions before with a tortured moan he had rolled from her, his arm moving to cover his eyes.

Lying still she had not known what to do, what to say, the silence between them stretching out, until he had rolled onto his side leaning on one arm to look down on her, anger deep within his eyes that she could not understand.

"You were a virgin?"

Grace feeling the flush rush to her cheeks, her eyes closing softly with shame before warily looking back at him, nodding softly "How is that possible? You were married. Five years married!"

Savaging her lips she had s.h.i.+vered, moving under the sheets, her eyes averted from his wonderful body as he laid so naked over the bed those wonderful dark eyes looking at her with confusion.

"I...I...we never consummated the marriage" she had whispered seeing surprise on his wonderful face.

"You eloped to be with the man you loved....those were your exact words to me six years ago"

Grace had looked back in shock that he would remember the exact wording.

"How would two people so in love not consummate a marriage? I would have struggled not to consummate our marriage before the end of the reception"

Blus.h.i.+ng once more she had felt the tears start to fill her large eyes, her lips starting to tremble "I...I had my reasons Alexos...I swear I never meant to upset you or your family"

She had seen the anger on his face as he had pushed himself to the edge of the bed, his head falling to his hands as fingers had sc.r.a.ped through his hair with rapid movements, his back rigid. Grace had felt the need to put out her hand and trace her finger down the long length of it shocked at the sudden desire to lean into him and run her tongue down the valley of his spine, this thought shocking her with its intensity. Instead she had pulled her legs up to her chest, arms moving around as her hair had fallen around her small frame.

Turning, he had swallowed the lump in his throat, the desire to pull her back in to him strong as he had stood moving away from the small woman curled up so vulnerably on the bed. He had thought so many bad things about this woman over the years, only to discover that she was the same inexperienced shy innocent from all those years ago, confusion and guilt filling him.

Bending down he had retrieved his clothes from where they had been discarded on the floor, pulling on each piece of clothing in silence. With a last look at her he had moved back to the door, pulling it open and pausing.

"Get some sleep" his voice distant, so matter of fact before silently closing the door.

Grace had felt empty, the pain of loss flowing over her as she had rolled onto her side, sobs racking her small body. She could not understand her own reaction, so unable to hold back the flood. He had made love to her, opened something so deep within then turned his back and walked away, the sense of loss filling her.

Moving from the room, Alexos had leant in against the opposite wall, his head raised heavenward with conflicting emotions tearing through him. How the h.e.l.l was it possible? She had been married to the man she loved, used him by pretending to be an innocent, and yet she still had been. Hitting his head gently against the hardness, his body had felt the way their lovemaking had affected him. It had been even more intense than he could ever have imagined it, the memory of seeing her lying naked once more sending tremors through him. Standing taller he had caught the sound from her room. Was she crying? Leaning in against the door, the unmistakable sound had torn at him as he had against all better judgement slid back into the room.

Hands pulling her around had made her jump, as she had been held to his chest enveloped by his strong arms, not having heard the door open again. His chin had brushed her head as sobbing she had clung to him, her face against his shoulder the sound of pain m.u.f.fled against him, feeling the soft groan from him.

"Don't cry Grace, please don't" his voice full of sadness as she had broken her heart against him, gulping in lungfuls of air, the sobs so violent, until the loud sounds had eventually been replaced by small snuffles. Pulling her back to look down into her tear-stained face, he had cupped her cheeks in his hands, his thumbs so tenderly wiping the tears from her cheeks, Grace only able to stare back at him.

Raising her head to him, she had brought her lips to his, his kiss so gentle before his tongue had moved to lick the tears from one cheek then the other before trailing down so sensually to her parted lips, his kiss full of fire and a barely held back pa.s.sion.

This time as they had made love they had taken their time. Alexos exploring her body with his hands and mouth, no words needing to be spoken as the two had held the other close. When they had once more come together, the climax had been every bit as earth-shattering as the first, both staring in wonder at the other before she had curled up in the crook of his arm, with such a sweet and serene smile on her lovely face Grace had fallen asleep. Gently kissing the top of her head Alexos had listened as her breathing had deepened, his eyes solemn as so many thoughts had ran through his tired mind, before he too had succ.u.mbed to the pull of sleep, deep peaceful sleep.

Knocking the door gently Carol had frowned, biting her lip pensively as she had once more checked her watch. At ten past five, it was not like Grace to be late. Taking a deep breath she had knocked louder, this time trying the door. Finding it open she had moved into the room, a large smile on her face "Wakey wakey..."

The rest of the line lost as she had given a small shriek. The two in the bed waking with a start, Grace's eyes flying open confused as to what was going on, the memories flooding back in glorious Technicolor as she had felt Alexos move beside her.

"I...I'm so sorry" the embarra.s.sed voice of Carol had repeated over and over as she had turned about to flee from the room.

"Wait" the snapshot voice of Alexos had frozen her as he had reached over and lifted the telephone on her side of the bed, leaning over Grace who had held back a groan. Closing her eyes in complete mortification Grace had pulled the sheet up to her neck not sure what to say to her friend and workmate. Speaking quickly and decisively in Greek he had replaced the receiver before giving Carol, who was looking expectantly over at him a wide smile.

"My housekeeper is under instructions to make a huge breakfast for you all, and my grounds man is prepared to help you set up your equipment for the morning. Please Carol, Grace and I will join you in about an hour"

With eyes that had flicked to her Carol had said nothing, merely nodding before moving at speed from the room, so glad to be anywhere but there.

Moaning, Grace had slapped her forehead.

"G.o.ddddd. I didn't get a chance to set my watch last night" her accusing look aimed at Alexos, who had grinned back at her, Grace feeling the now all too familiar tightening of awareness of her body around this man. Leaning down he had kissed her, the determination to get up right away deserting her as she had fallen back against the bed, arms moving around his neck, the two once more losing themselves in the other.

As the two had moved into the shower together, Grace had given him a schoolmarm look as he had pulled her in harder against him, her bottom against the rising hardness of him. Chuckling she had moved from him grabbing the soap and was.h.i.+ng herself as he had too, and so the two were ready moving together back down the stairs, Grace feeling nervous.

Chapter Four.