The Twelve-Month Marriage Deal

Chapter Three

VIDAL watched Elena’s face as she struggled to answer her father’s question. There had been times during their last two meetings when he had felt that he was in danger of bursting a blood vessel. Not only was she gorgeous to look at, but feisty too, and he loved that in a woman. Every hormone in his body jerked into life whenever they met and he wanted her with a desperation that was not good for his health.

Reina had been so different. Good-looking, yes, but he’d never felt for her what he was now feeling for Elena. He and Reina had not even slept together, although no one would ever have believed it. They had kept up the illusion of being very much in love.

‘Papá, of course it is good news. I was on the verge of telling Vidal that I would marry him when you telephoned.’ Elena turned, daring him to dispute it, fierce anger flaring in her eyes.

Vidal immediately smiled and pulled her to him, relieved that her father couldn’t see her expression. Golden daggers of light shot across the space between them, blinding him, telling him that although she had agreed to the union in principle she had no intention of sharing his bed.

How naïve she was. Did she really believe that he would settle for anything less? She didn’t know him very well if that was the case. It would be interesting persuading her to think differently. Even the thought of it sent a hot surge of desire through his loins. ‘You have done the right thing,’ he whispered in her ear. ‘I knew all along that you’d see sense.’

Her eyes flashed more arrows of fury, but when she turned back to her father they had gone.

‘Mi querida,’ he said, enfolding her in his arms, ‘you have made me so happy. Your mother, too, will be relieved. It will help her pull through this. She has been out of her mind with worry.’

‘No more,’ she told him quietly.

‘You are a good daughter.’

Elena nodded, though Vidal was well aware of the conflict raging inside her.

‘I am proud of you.’

‘I am proud of her too,’ Vidal said to her father, holding Elena against him. ‘I have to admit that she took some persuading. Which I perfectly understand since she has her own life in America. But loving daughter that she is she put her parents’ troubles first.’ With slow deliberation he lowered his head and touched his lips to hers.

Elena stiffened, though Vidal gave no indication that he was aware of it, giving a satisfactory smile instead as he lifted his head, quelling the urgent feelings that had shot like lightning through his limbs. It was going to be a fight, persuading this lady to change her attitude towards him.

At least the first hurdle was over. There would be many more, he was aware of that. He was also aware that his life, which had become rather routine and unexciting of late, was about to be turned upside down.

And how he was going to enjoy it!

It was not until they left the hospital and were on their way back to the bank to collect her car that Elena allowed herself to give full vent to her feelings. ‘Don’t think that because my mother’s health has forced me into agreeing to marry you that I’m happy about it.’

‘I never thought for one moment that you would be,’ came Vidal’s calm reply. ‘But I admire you for putting your parents first.’

‘I had little choice,’ she retorted.

‘It occurs to me, Elena, that neither of us had any choice. Not if we want to help save your parents’ bank.’

And was that really his concern? Elena wondered. Or was it the fact that he would be the one gaining? Another step towards total domination of the banking industry? ‘Maybe,’ she agreed. ‘Nevertheless there are a few ground rules I wish to make.’

One black eyebrow rose. ‘I hardly think you’re in a position to talk rules, Elena.’

She ignored his comment, fixing her stormy golden eyes onto his silver ones. Her heart struggled to beat its regular rhythm. It felt like a dead weight in her chest, desperately wanting to resume normality, but knowing that it couldn’t while her emotions ran so high.

Vidal’s brows slid up, his expression reminding her that whatever she said it would make no difference. Vidal would do what Vidal wanted to do.

She took a deep breath and spoke. ‘I need your assurance that this marriage will be in name only.’

‘Oh, no, Elena.’ It was instant denial, his steady eyes fixed firmly on hers. ‘How could I possibly marry a woman as beautiful as you and not take you to bed? What you are suggesting would be sheer torture.’

He had her over a barrel and he knew it. Elena sat in stunned silence for several long minutes. ‘I can’t believe you’re saying this. We hardly know each other. How can you—?’

‘Querida.’ His voice gentled and he slid an arm across her shoulders. ‘We have known each other most of our lives. We played together as children.’

‘No,’ she protested, ‘it was Fernan who was my friend, not you. You were too old for me. You looked down your nose at me.’

‘But I noticed you.’

‘And you used to tell me to run away. It’s what I feel like doing now.’ As far as she could possibly get. Back to America would be perfect.

‘But you won’t because of your mother’s health.’

There was a light of triumph in his eyes and Elena felt like taking a swipe at him.

‘Perhaps I should persuade you that it won’t be as hard as you evidently think?’ As he spoke, Vidal’s arm tightened, his eyes not wavering from hers.

Elena felt as though she had been turned to stone. She wanted to back away, but it was impossible; all she could do was watch in fatal fascination. Watch as his face got closer and closer, so close that she could see the pores in his skin. Study the intent in his beautiful grey eyes framed by his decadently thick lashes. Observe that his breathing got just that little bit faster. And his lips—his beautifully moulded lips—opening the merest fraction.

There was not a thing she could do but await her fate, while at the same time she ordered herself not to respond, not to let him see by the simplest of movements that pressure was building up inside her, threatening to spill over the second his mouth claimed hers.

Was it disappointment she felt when he didn’t kiss her straight away? When Vidal cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs stroking her expectant lips instead, his touch so gentle it was like the brush of a butterfly’s wing, and yet at the same time as deadly as snake’s venom?

Elena couldn’t keep her promise to herself. Her resolve flew out of the window, her lips parting freely, the tip of her tongue coming out to moisten her lips and encourage Vidal’s touch, her head rocking back on her shoulders. It was wrong, all wrong, but somehow she couldn’t help it.

Taking his cue from her, Vidal slowly lowered his head until his lips claimed hers. It was a defining moment and Elena now knew without a shadow of doubt that there was no way on this earth that she could live with him and not let him make love to her. For a reason she did not even try to fathom there had been an instant connection, one that she could not deny or refuse.

If she had to marry this man then why not make the most of it? It would be hell on earth if she didn’t. He was the sort of man no woman could resist.

Her fate was sealed.

‘I will, however, be prepared to wait until you are ready.’

Her eyes widened. As far as she was concerned it was an empty promise. Hadn’t he just seen how easily she responded to him? No way would Vidal wait. He was a hot-blooded male who needed a woman.

‘And—I’ll tie you to the marriage for one year only. At the end of it you’ll be free to walk away and carry on with your life as though it has never happened.’

Her eyebrows rose. ‘How very noble of you.’ And how easy he made it sound. One year wasn’t very long. On the other hand she couldn’t bear to think that she would be losing her freedom for twelve whole months. It sounded like for ever. In the normal run of things it would fly by, but married to Vidal, no matter that she found him gut-wrenchingly attractive, it would feel like a life sentence.

She was in an unenviable situation and wasn’t sure that she could cope. It wasn’t simply the fear of their impending marriage. There were other issues. Had anyone given any thought to her business? Who was going to look after that in her absence? Why would everyone think she could give it up just like that?

Except that she had a very capable assistant. Kate could run the business single-handed. She was making excuses here. There was no solid reason why she couldn’t marry Vidal.

Elena flew back to LA the next day, shocking Kate with the news that she was going to get married.

‘Can you look after the business for a while?’ she asked, not daring to tell her assistant yet that it would be for a whole year.

‘Can I?’ Kate’s face was radiant. ‘Take as much time off as you like. You know everything will be in safe hands. Oh, I’m going to love this. You’re sure you trust me?’