The Drakos Affair--2 Book Box Set by Lynne Graham
Author:Lynne Graham
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mills & Boon Special Release
Published: 2014-02-15T00:00:00+00:00
CHAPTER TWO
IT WAS after midnight. The bride and groom had stayed with their guests until late, then had then taken a motor launch out to Alexeiâs yacht, Sea Queen. But lights in Billieâs own little house were still twinkling brightly back on shore, Billie registered as she stood on the private deck beyond the incredible luxury of the stateroom suite. Hilary, at the very least, was still awake. Was Lauren still with her sister and behaving badly? Or was Nicky reacting poorly to his disrupted routine and preventing her aunt from getting the rest she needed? Billieâs arms felt horribly empty. Her heart ached at once again having to face the prospect of leaving her infant son.
Only for a week, though, Alexei had sworn. He was no big fan of honeymoons or indeed any enforced break from business, but he was also too astute not to recognise that to neglect any show of intimacy and togetherness after their wedding would attract the kind of comment that might embarrass his bride. And tomorrow Alexei would finally know everything there was to know about her, Billie reminded herself doggedly. The pretences, the lies would mercifully end there. There would be no more secrets. He would understand her attachment to Nicky, but how would he feel about suddenly and without any preparation at all becoming a father?
Billie shivered in the cool crisp late spring air. A light step sounded behind her and Alexei closed his arms round her from behind, drawing her back into the heat and shelter of his tall, muscular body. âThat was one very long day,â he sighed above her head. âHow the hell did my father manage to go through with marrying four times over?â
âI suppose the fact that he kept on trying to find the right wife says a lot about his optimistic outlook,â Billie remarked, her voice wavering as her bridegroom pressed his mouth sensually to the tender skin where her shoulder met her neck. She was not aware that it was a sensitive spot, but it sparked a surprising burst of heat low in her pelvis and she trembled, straining back against him in response.
Alexei laughed softly. âDonât be so naïve. He only married my mother because she was carrying me. He wanted a son and heir more than he ever wanted any womanââ
Cooler air brushed Billieâs spine while he unhooked the back of her gown with the lazy pace of a gourmet contemplating a six-course banquet. âYouâre so cynical!â she returned.
âThe marriage might have been a success on your terms, but even my mother knew that he would never have married her had she not conceived. She was a nobody from nowhereâ¦â
âLike me,â Billie could not resist commenting in receipt of that arrogant opinion.
âNo. Youâre a local girl with a clever brain and a colourful background,â Alexei teased, sliding his hands below the loosened bodice of her dress to find the firm thrusting softness of her breasts. âAnd now youâre my wife, my perfect wife, khriso mou.
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