Since when had he started developing a conscience? This was a business deal like any other. Though how he was going to survive another night, let alone another year with her in his room was anyone’s guess.
Then, over Thea’s shoulder, he spied movement. He reached out to take her clenched hand in his. Her eyes widened and she tried to tug away.
‘We’re being watched by my staff,’ he said, and she stilled. He pasted what he hoped was a warm smile on his face. ‘Whilst they’re paid well to be discreet, I’d prefer to give them nothing to talk about.’
Christo rubbed his thumb over Thea’s knuckles, trying to appear affectionate and attentive. Her eyes dropped to where he stroked gently back and forth, and the barest flush tinted her cheeks. Such a beautiful colour on her golden skin. A glow kindled deep inside him.
‘All I was trying to say is that a man would do anything for the woman he truly loves.’ Her voice was a whisper, gentle as the breeze through the olive tree above them.
‘Where did you hear that?’
Thea’s hand relaxed, smooth and warm in his. Her skin was a marvel of liquid silk under his fingers. So soft... How would the rest of her feel?
‘Someone told me once,’ she said, ‘when counselling me to demand more from life.’
Those words pulled him back from his silent imaginings. He’d never had to compromise for anyone. Although what Thea said had a ring of truth to it. They were supposed to be an adoring couple. Their love would have the power to make them do irrational things. Like lifting her hand to his lips. Anna was still watching, after all. Anyhow, it was only a light touch over her perfect skin. Yet he couldn’t stop.
‘Wh-what are you doing?’
He closed his eyes for a moment. Savoured her exotic scent of honey and spice. ‘Pretending to love you properly,’ he murmured.
What if they made the physical aspects of this marriage real, for as long as they had each other? It would be some sort of solution to what promised to become a long stretch of sleepless nights.
Thea’s lips parted, all of her soft and languid. Her pupils were huge and dark. He could lean across the table and kiss her now. Start a seduction so complete the word no would leave her vocabulary for ever.
But his father’s words echoed in his mind. ‘I know you, son. Marry, and nature will take care of the rest.’
A chill ran through him. He was not that man.
He released her. Pulled away. Suffered the cold loss of her hand in his.
‘Ask me,’ Christo said.
Hector didn’t know him at all. He was stronger than his father and he’d prove it.
‘For what?’
Her voice was low and husky, scraping across his skin as surely as her fingernails would. So affecting he could almost feel the erotic sting. He craved it. Ignored it.
‘Your own room. No lies. No manipulation.’
She opened her mouth. Hesitated for a moment, as if asking for anything was foreign to her. ‘Christo, I’d like my own room.’
‘See? That wasn’t difficult.’
‘You haven’t given me an answer yet.’ A faint frown marred her brow. ‘What about this needing to appear like a real marriage?’
‘That requirement hasn’t changed.’ He knew of one solution, but part of him wanted her to give something herself. Then he’d consider it a small victory. ‘What can you offer me in return?’
Another flush of pink coloured her cheeks as Thea reached up to toy with the pendant hanging from a fine gold chain around her neck. ‘If I have my own room, I could come to yours for a little while each night, so your people won’t ask questions.’
And there it was. Not ideal, but he supposed compromise never was. At least he might get some unbroken sleep without Thea’s glorious temptation sprawled out before him each night, burning his blood.
‘You’ll stay for a long while,’ he said, sipping at his now cool coffee. ‘I’m supposed to be making insatiable love to a beautiful woman. That’s something I like to take my time with.’
She licked her lips. It hit him like a kick in the groin.
‘What will we really be doing?’ she asked.
He shrugged as Anna began another nervous approach to the table. ‘For all I care you can do a crossword.’
When Anna reached them, she gave a discreet cough. ‘Mr Callas, your mechanic’s here.’
‘Thank you. And, Anna? Mrs Callas and I have discussed her request. Please make up the spare room next to mine and move all her things in there. Today.’
He looked over at Thea, softened his gaze. Tried to muster an enamoured expression. He wasn’t sure whether it worked, so his words would have to suffice. ‘I’d do anything to ensure my bride’s happiness here.’
Thea flashed a smile in response, relieved and yet dazzling. It curled into him, flickered into life a beguiling warmth in his chest. Odd how this new agreement between them felt so enjoyable...
He stood, before the sensation ran away with him completely.
‘Tonight, koukla mou,’ he said, kissing her on the cheek, relishing her soft exhalation as he did.
And as he walked away he found himself counting the moments till he saw her again.
CHAPTER FIVE
THEA SAT ON the edge of her new bed, in her new room, hands tightly clenched. Concentrating on the cut of her fingernails into her palms.
Pretending to love. Pretending.
Her whole life was a pretence. Faking her role as a dutiful daughter, a happy bride.
The pain of it knotted inside her, tighter and tighter. She breathed slowly through the gnawing in her stomach. And yet for a fleeting moment she’d snatched a glimpse of another life. The touch of a man. Her husband. The soft press of his lips on her hand. The burn it had left. How, for a breathtaking second, she’d craved something more and her heart had filled with silly,
