The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride(15)

“I am more than willing to wait until we are married Grace…please do not think that I have any expectations, this week as far as I am concerned is for us to get to know each other. I will respect you in all ways”

A thankful smile had lit up the whole features of the woman beside him, once more sending tremors throughout Alexos, his mouth again seeking hers, this time with more passion, a soft groan leaving her as she had fallen gently against him. Deepening the kiss further his hands had slid around her slender waist pulling her harder to him, her arms moving tentatively around his neck, their tongues sliding sensually along the others’, a raw need for her filling him.

Moving her gently from him, his eyes had taken in how her own had seemed to struggle to open, her lips so red from their embrace. Giving a weak half-laugh he had stepped back from Grace, his own expression full of the desire to return to her arms.

“Well I had better go…or I will forget everything I just said there” Grace giving a return smile as she had turned and opened the door, waving gently to him as the door had once more closed.

Muttering softly in Greek he had again moved to his car, groaning at the way she made him feel. This innocent, so young, beautiful, smart and funny, the combination an enticing cocktail which he longed to drink from.

Two days later Grace had found herself at the coast gasping in amazement as they had entered the exclusive hotel. She had known the cost of a simple room for the night was beyond most, however she could only imagine how much the two suites were costing him, once more so aware of how rich and powerful Alexos Manetas was. Driving down from her home he had told her that they would be attending a gala charity ball that evening and spending the following day on a friend’s boat, Grace lighting up as he had added that he had arranged for the two of them to dive at a beautiful spot.

She had been glad of the cocktail dress that she had brought, knowing that the red suited her so well seeing the fire that had leapt into his eyes as he had knocked on her room door to collect her that evening. She in turn stood open mouthed trying not to stare at just how handsome he looked. He wore a black tuxedo, his height and build filling the expensive suit so well, Grace once more so aware of the way her young body had jumped with excitement, swallowing down the small groan of desire.

He had admired her, his dark eyes moving so slowly down her, missing nothing of her perfection.

“You look stunning Cara ” a soft murmur of appreciation as he had offered his elbow, Grace taking it with a wonderful smile, her whole face lighting up as she had looked up into his face.

The gala had been one full of celebrities, the well known film star Kurt Carr hosting the event in aid of his charity, the event raising a considerable amount of money Grace could tell. They had been seated near an actress and comic she had been more than just a little familiar with, Grace surprised to find that she had very quickly overcome her awe of them chatting happily with the couple.

As the dancing had began, she had found herself asked onto the floor by many of the other guests, Alexos giving a small curve of his sensual mouth seeing the way so many men had cast their looks in her direction, knowing that Grace would be completely unaware of the admiring glances. As they had moved around the room, Alexos’ hand had curved gently around her waist, he had introduced her to his friends and acquaintances, all liking the young woman who had listened so attentively and talked with a maturity that belied her youth.

Turning to meet one couple, Grace had felt the way his arm had seemed to tense on her, she looking with surprise at the couple before them. He was handsome if not a little aloof, his wife introduced to her as Angelica Fleur, stunningly beautiful. With long glossy black hair and piercing blue eyes she had stood nearly a head taller than Grace, her eyes holding a strange icy quality as they had rested on her.

Walking away she had looked up at him, seeing the way his lips were pressed together so tightly.

“Who is she?” her gentle voice had caused him to frown, flicking a quick look back at the couple before giving a half smile back down at her.

“Just an old friend”

Grace smiling “Is that billionaire code for ex-girlfriend?”

Smiling widely he had dropped a small kiss on the end of her nose. “You are more worldly wise than you let on Miss Leotta”

His tone had discouraged any more questions as he had introduced her to more of his friends.

While the meeting had been so short, for some reason the way the two had reacted to the other had stayed with her for the rest of the evening, Grace not sure why the other woman had made her feel so uncomfortable.