As they had once more dressed for dinner, this time Grace wearing a power-blue dress, the colour complementing her hair and eyes so well, she had told herself, one more night…just one more night. The other girls had mainly ignored her, seeing each other as bigger threats for the billionaire’s attention, this sitting well with Grace who had little interest in being dragged along by the shallow women, most slightly older than her - all most definitely more experienced than her.
Again it had been a pleasant night, with a different group of people and she had found it passing quickly and pleasantly. As far as she could see, none of the women seemed to be a forerunner for his attention, their mothers glaring at their daughters with frustration. All had danced with him, Grace aware as they had pushed themselves against him, her mouth straightening with how pathetic it all seemed.
She had known that she would be expected to dance with him at some point, and when he had led her to the floor she had once more placed her arm primly against his shoulder, noting the small smile that had arisen to his lips.
“You smell of flowers Grace Leotta” his words had taken her by surprise as she looked up at him, her eyes wide before a wicked smile had lit her face. “Much better than seaweed”
His rumble of laughter had made her bite her lip to suppress her own. He had pulled her in harder, Grace able to feel his heartbeat against her hand, remembering the way he had kissed her, the memory sending an instant jolt of awareness through her.
“So what are your plans?” he had asked softly, as again she had looked up, his face interested as she had shrugged.
“I would love to become a marine biologist” the words were out before she could stop them, seeing the smile on his face.
“I think you would be good at that…at least from what I have seen…a woman who chases sharks instead of running from them” Grace had felt the warmth fill her smile before she had once more looked down, a small sigh leaving her.
“However, my father seems to think that I would be better married” groaning inward she could again not believe that she had said that out loud, as he had nodded, his voice suddenly thoughtful
“That would not be so bad surely?” his words questioning as she had held down the small groan. She had been invited there as one of the ‘potentials’ the hypocrisy of saying ‘no’ making her hold back the response that had risen to her lips. Instead she had given a small embarrassed half-laugh before shaking her head.
“No…I guess not” aware as he had grown silent, feeling the heat from his splayed hand on her bare back. For the rest of the dance the two had remained silent, swaying softly to the rhythm of the music.
Breaking apart he had lifted her hand to his mouth, his sensual lips grazing her small fingers, before he had led her back to her chair before once more returning to the all-too-willing arms of the other women, their pouting mouths telling how much they had missed him.
The next morning all of the guests had gathered in the hallway after lunch. The women and their mothers all expressing their deepest desire for his hospitality to be returned. Grace had allowed her mother to make the almost expected offer, hovering behind her as Alexos had flicked a small smile in her direction as though he fully understood her position.
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As each car had arrived to take the women to the waiting boat that would carry them back to the mainland Alexos himself had led each group of women to their car. She could see the disappointment as their names were called, each hoping to be the last. However, this dubious honour had fallen on Grace and her mother and as the car had arrived he had moved to an arrangement of flowers and pulling a rose from it, offered it to her.
“A flower for a flower Miss Leotta” before adding in a more hushed tone so her mother could not hear
“I am all out of seaweed”
Grace unable to stop the small chuckle that had left her lips had accepted the stem from his fingers with a shy thank you. Finally they were in the car and once more Grace was relieved that the weekend was over, although confused with the way her mind kept returning to the image of Alexos Manetas.
Chapter Two
For a week she had had to endure the disapproving looks of her father as he had heard of the weekend.
“The man took you away for the morning and you were not able to hold his attention?”
His contempt had stung as Grace had been so unsure of what she was supposed to have done. Her mother had tried to appease him, but his dislike of his daughter had ensured that he saw only the worst in her.
After several days, as things had once more settled down she had again sought him out, nervously standing beside his desk as she had waited for him to look up from his paperwork. With a scowl he had regarded her.