The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride(22)
Feeling the need for calm she had moved over closer to where one of the monk seals had lain basking so contentedly on a rock. Grace pulled out her sketch book as she had started to draw the gentle creature, feeling as the tension had slowly left her body.
Gunning his car back to the villa, Alexos Manetas had felt the sickening feeling of hatred at the woman on the beach. For years he had fought to put the whole incident behind him, her public rejection of him the most humiliating thing that had happened to him his whole life. His father had been so supportive, not demanding that he continue with the parties each month as he had laid more and more responsibility for the company on his son’s shoulders, quickly the two finding how skilled Alexos was when it came to business.
Slamming the front door he had moved to his office barking to the housekeeper that the guests he had planned on inviting that evening would not be joining them. Sitting at his desk, his eyes had closed once more seeing Grace.#p#分页标题#e#
When he had received the request from Dr G Dionis to carry out research of the seals, he had no idea who she was, nor even that it was a she. He had been only too happy to give his permission knowing what important work it would be, wondering at the time if he should offer more support. With a contemptuous curl of his lip he had sworn, glaring at the blank computer screen, his brow scowling once more at the thought of the woman from the beach. Six years ago it had taken all his strength to hold back from her, not to take her to bed as every part of him had burned to do. He had thought her an innocent, but she was a deceiver, already in love with another man yet it would have taken very little for her to have slept with him. His mouth set, he had known he had regretted not enjoying her, knowing if he had he would have felt less taken in by her lies.
Running his hand across his lip he had been surprised at how little she had changed. Less gawky, her limbs more rounded and soft he realised, feeling the unexpected pang of desire as a soft shiver had shuddered through him. Her eyes were still the same wonderful large windows to her soul, that day full of fear and discomfort, her angelic face even flushing slightly. Sitting back more thoughtfully Alexos Manetas had contemplated the team and the woman who led them. Perhaps there was time for payback his eyes hardening, she certainly deserved it.
As the sun had slowly sank into the crystal waters the team had packed up their equipment for the night. Still casting worried looks in her direction they had started to laugh and joke about that day’s findings, all enjoying the many tales of the vivacious animals, so playful under water. If they noticed that she was not her usual bubbly self, they discreetly avoided saying anything, filling her silences with laughter.
About to push the small boat from the beach to row to the boat anchored just off shore, the sound of the man’s voice had halted them. Grace had closed her eyes softly, not ready for another show down with the angry man of that afternoon. Straightening and turning she had waited for him to join the small group, his features polite and almost friendly as he had once more greeted Carol, his eyes lingering on Grace before thrusting out his hand to the two men.
“Forgive me for this afternoon…there are some things in life you never anticipate”
His voice had sent a small tremor down her spine, Grace once more surprised at her reaction to this man.
“I had come to invite you to the villa for dinner, but given the hour and latest news, I hoped that you might prefer tomorrow”
With a small frown Grace had asked “What news?”
Alexos turning his eyes on her
“There is a storm due tomorrow, meant to be a bad one, which is due to kick in at about three. So I wondered if you would all like to spend the night at my villa. I am sure that it will be far more pleasant than sitting it out on the open water”
The sounds of appreciation from the others had made her bite back the refusal, knowing it would seem churlish at his very generous offer, Grace seeing the gleam in his eye, knowing that he knew she had wanted nothing more than to turn him down.
“T…That is very kind of you Mr Manetas” she had managed, the forced smile plastered on her face as his lips had twitched softly, his sensual voice almost a whisper.
“Since when did we become so formal Grace?” the others looking at each other with knowing smiles.
Gritting her teeth she had held his look
“Then that is very kind of you Alexos” a smile crossing his handsome features, instantly softening his look.
“Much better” his dark eyes dancing as he had bid his farewells, turning once more and disappearing into the darkness of the night. Closing her eyes with pain she had jumped into the boat, aware as the others had rowed beside her in silence. Only as they had finally said their goodnights and the two women were once more alone had Carol spun around, her face bursting with excitement.