The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride(39)

“I do like your attitude Miss Leotta” his mouth taking hers in a deep wonderful kiss, her thought to correct him as to her name instantly lost in the heat of it.





Chapter Five


The following day Grace had sat nervously beside Alexos as he had wound the large powerful car along the perfectly manicured driveway leading up to the magnificent villa. She nervously fiddled with the ring that had been delivered to their hotel that morning. She had been surprised as Alexos had taken her hand, gently placing the ring on her finger, a strange smile on his handsome face as he had leant down to place such a gentle kiss on her mouth.

“Thank you for this” he had said softly, Grace giving a small return one, not wanting to sully the moment with reminders of his blackmail.

Now however, she had felt sick. When she had called off the engagement nearly six years ago, it had been from a distance, she so far away from any of the fallout that might have affected those around him and his family. Now she was to be made to come face to face with her actions, to have to see the contempt of what she had done in the eyes of a sick man. His hand covering hers had made her jump as he had flashed her a small grin.

“Relax Cara, or you may be the first woman in history to rub down a diamond”

With a wan smile she had given a long sigh, trying to calm herself. She could get through this, she had got through so much worse, the haunting memory of her mother’s tears as she had begged her to return all those years ago filling her mind.

As the pair had moved from the car, the large stately door had been opened and a tall handsome elderly man had moved from within. Grace had been struck with how thin he had seemed, walking with the aid of a stick, his whole persona dignified and exuding an air of regal elegance.

Alexos had moved forward, hugging the man, the two talking in Greek before he had moved back to grab her hand and pull her forward.

“Papa, I would like for you to meet Grace Leotta ” Grace once more hearing him address her as though she still bore her maiden name. The older man had turned his proud features to regard her solemnly before a smile had lit his still-handsome face.

“It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Leotta” he had said lifting her hand to gently kiss her fingers, a small look of fun lighting his eyes as he had added “Finally”

Grace finding herself blush at the obvious reference, feeling as Alexos had moved in to pull her against him.

“It is a pleasure to meet you too Mr Manetas” she had replied softly, he raising his hand, a large grin filling his face.

“You will call me Nikoli and I shall call you Grace” Grace giving a small nod and smile, feeling relief fill her that the meeting had gone so much smoother than she had ever thought possible, surprised at how forgiving he had been.

Weaving his fingers into hers Alexos had given her a small wink, Grace not aware as her body had relaxed slightly. Leading the way Nikoli had been charming and interested in her work, impressed to find out the scope of the research she was involved with. He had called his housekeeper to show the two to their rooms, Grace noticing how busy the staff seemed to be. As the two had been placed into separate rooms, she had raised an eyebrow, Alexos not commenting as she would have thought he might.

Bending down conspiratorially he had chuckled.

“Looks like I may have to sneak into your room tonight” Grace holding down the small return laugh touched at his willingness to follow expected protocol. Left alone to unpack, she had turned to face him.

“Why are you calling me Leotta?”

Alexos looking down at her thoughtfully for a few seconds before answering

“You may have married and obtained a piece of paper that said you were another man’s wife Grace, but you never consummated that marriage”#p#分页标题#e#

Frowning softly she had looked at him questioningly

“I WAS married Alexos” He shaking his head softly.

“No. I still do not understand what you were Grace…but you were not married, and holding on to his name does not change that fact. As far as I am concerned you are still Grace Leotta, the woman who swam towards sharks”

Biting her lip she had given a long sigh. It seemed futile to argue, Grace not exactly sure what she was arguing for as she had allowed him to lead her back down the stairs to the outside terrace where drinks and snacks had been laid out, his father already waiting for them.

Sipping the refreshing homemade lemonade she had enjoyed listening as the two men had laughed and joked together, a small stab of sadness filling her that she had never been as close to her own father.

“I was so delighted to hear that the two of you had found each other again”