Wedding Night With Her Enemy

‘Tempting, but alas, I’m a civilised man.’ He swept a hand behind him where he’d entered the room earlier. ‘See? No knuckle marks along the carpet.’

Her caustic look showed just how uncivilised she thought him. She swung away and put herself behind one of the sofas, as if she needed to barricade herself. ‘I suppose you’re only making me wait to ramp up the torture quotient.’

‘The sort of torture I have in mind will be mutually pleasurable.’

She shook her hair back behind her shoulders in a haughty manner. The silky swing of it always fascinated him. It was like the swish of a curtain. ‘I find it hard to understand how you could want to bed a woman who hates you. It seems a little kinky to me.’

‘You don’t hate me, Allegra. What you hate is how you can’t get your way with me. You need a strong man. Someone who will allow you to express that passionate nature you keep under wraps all the time. I’m that man.’

She gave one of her derisory laughs. ‘Hello? We’ve actually had a women’s movement during the last century. Didn’t you hear about that or were you too busy clubbing mammoths and dragging them back to your cave?’

Draco’s groin tightened at her witty come-back. She always gave as good as she got, which was another reason he thought her perfect wife material. He didn’t want a doormat. He didn’t want someone who didn’t have the spirit to spar with him.

He wanted her.

It was as simple as that. Since he’d seen her in London he had lost interest in other women. He had found the dating scene increasingly boring and predictable. But every encounter, every conversation, with Allegra was full of surprises. She stimulated him physically and intellectually.

He reached into his top pocket and handed her the ring box he’d brought with him. ‘That reminds me—I have something for you. If it doesn’t fit, I’ll have it adjusted.’

She took the box and cautiously opened it, as if whatever was in there might leap out and bite. But then she let out a breath and picked up the diamond solitaire with almost worshipful fingers. ‘It’s beautiful.’ She looked up at him, her blue eyes showing a hint of uncertainty he found strangely touching. ‘It looks frightfully expensive...’

Draco shrugged. ‘It’s just a ring. I threw a dart at the counter. This was the one it hit.’

She slipped the ring over her knuckle. ‘It fits.’

‘Must be an omen.’

Her gaze flicked to his. ‘I’ll give it back when we divorce.’

Draco didn’t want her thinking there was any hint of romance in his choice of a ring. He’d done that once and it had been the worst mistake of his life. ‘Keep it. I’m not sure any future bride of mine would want to wear a second-hand ring.’

She opened and closed her mouth, as if she couldn’t find what to say. Then she looked down at the ring winking on her hand. It was a moment before she looked up at him again. ‘How can I be sure you won’t play around while we’re married? You’ve played around all your adult life. Men like you get bored with one lover.’

Right now, Draco couldn’t imagine ever being bored by her, but it didn’t mean he would propose anything long-term. Long-term was for the in love, and that hardly described him in this case. He wasn’t going to go down that path ever again. In lust? Yes. Big time. ‘When I get bored, I’ll let you know. We can end the marriage before anyone gets hurt.’

‘Perhaps I’ll get bored first,’ Allegra said. ‘Women have the right to choose their own husband, not have one thrust upon them. If I wanted to choose one, then you’d be the last man I’d consider. The very last.’

Draco smiled at the insult and moved across to the door. ‘We’d better let your father know the happy news. But, let me remind you, apart from your father no one—and I mean no one—must know this isn’t a love match. I’m not interested in the press attention it would receive otherwise.’

* * *

Later, Allegra didn’t know how she got through the rest of the evening, with Draco and her father chatting away over dinner like two good mates who’d just nailed a successful business deal. Damn it. She was the business deal. How could this be happening? Married to her worst enemy! And it was happening so quickly. Her phone hadn’t stopped buzzing with incoming messages because Draco had taken the liberty of announcing their engagement on social media. Every platform of social media. Grr. It annoyed her because she’d been left looking like an idiot for not saying anything to her friends and colleagues about her ‘secret relationship’ with Greece’s most eligible bachelor.

But when her secretary and best friend Emily Seymour texted, WTF? Is this a joke? Allegra couldn’t quite bring herself to lie to her.

No joke but it’s not what you think. Will explain later. Can’t talk now.

Emily’s text came back.

Can’t wait! Knew you had a thing for him since that guy was a no-show. He’s so HOT!!!’

She’d followed the word ‘hot’ with an emoticon of flames burning.

Allegra texted back.

MOC. No sex.

Emily sent an emoticon of a person laughing and holding their sides.

Allegra rolled her eyes and typed back.

I mean it!

She put away her phone before she was subjected to any more teasing. She wasn’t sure how Emily had picked up on her attraction to Draco. But then, Emily was a bit of a romantic. What signals had Allegra given off? Or was she protesting too much?

‘Well, I think I’ll leave you two to chat while I head off to bed,’ Allegra’s father said, rising from the table. He paused by Allegra’s chair and placed a hand on her shoulder. ‘I know you’ll be happy with Draco. He’s exactly what you need.’

There were a hundred retorts she wanted to throw back but in the end she stayed silent. Her father gave her shoulder a quick pat, as if he were patting a dog he didn’t quite trust, before he left the room and quietly closed the door behind him.