The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride(46)

As he had again snuck out of her room, Grace had blown him a kiss, her whole face lighting up with radiant happiness, Alexos holding his breath at the need to return to her arms that had filled him. Curling up, pulling the pillow which still retained the scent of him to her, her mind played over his words ‘the men in our family only fall in love once’ wondering if he had meant anything by the comment, daring to hope that he had meant her.

With a small frown it had hit her that at no point even when they had been talking about marriage had he ever proclaimed any real affection for her, especially love, Grace frowning softly. She had been expected to be his wife, mother of his children and convenient companion at formal occasions, at no time had he ever proclaimed love. Gasping, her eyes had flown open with shock. If it wasn’t her he had been in love with then who was it, jealousy ripping through her, the memory of Angelica Fleur and her coincidental appearance suddenly seeming not so coincidental.

Six years ago he had wanted a wife, was that because the woman he loved was already married and it was easier to carry on a clandestine affair if he too was married? Now he had made it clear that he was only looking for someone to play his fiancée, was that because the woman he wanted to really marry was still not free, going through what he had called a ‘nasty divorce’? Groaning, this had caused her pain deep within, the thought tearing her apart.

The following morning she had discovered that Alexos had been called to an important meeting leaving Grace to spend the day with Nikoli, the two getting on so well as he had opened up to her, talking about the old days, Grace listening silently as he had talked. As they had sat together over lunch she had flicked a wary look at him.

“I appreciate that you have never said anything about what happened six years ago”, seeing the way the older man’s mouth had quirked, his look becoming a little harder

“I will admit Grace that when Alexos informed me that the two of you were once more together…I was surprised…especially with how hard he took the breakup in the first place”

Fidgeting slightly she had looked back in surprise

“I…I never meant to hurt him”

Nikoli Manetas silently watched her for a second before he had given a smile “Well, do not do it again Miss Leotta” an understanding falling between the two.

Alexos had arrived back at the estate late, everybody else having gone to bed several hours previously. Grace had heard his car park and had waited patiently for him to knock at her door. However, as the minutes had slipped past she had savaged her lips before slipping out of the room and knocking on his.

As the door had opened he had looked tired, a smile lighting his sensual lips.

“Mmmmmmm….you are a definite sight for sore eyes, pulling her into his arms for a kiss”

Grinning she had looked up at him with eyes full of fire

“Well it seemed wrong you getting all the sneaking around fun” his laugh rumbling against her mouth. Peeling her gently from him he had given a sorrowful look down at her

“I’m sorry Grace…I am washed out. Is it OK if we just sleep tonight?” Grace stepping back giving an awkward half-smile as she had felt so foolish, nervously touching her hair.

“S…sure…not a problem.I’m sleepy anyway” Alexos giving her a smile. As she had made to turn she had caught a whiff of perfume, and leaning in she had given him a small kiss on the cheek, her nose catching the unmistakable aroma of another woman’s fragrance, the pain of what it meant hitting her harder than she would have ever thought possible. She recognised the scent, the image of Angelica Fleur filling her mind as she had stiffly left the room, once more returning to her own.

She had not slept that night, staring unseeingly into the darkness. What a fool she had been. So he was still seeing her, the woman he loved, bitterness twisting her insides into a tight knot. Well she knew now and in another week she would be out of his life. The guilt she had felt for the past six years left her with the realisation that she had been right, right to leave him. He truly was like her father, a womaniser and deceiver.

As the hazy half-light of dawn had broken the darkness she had finally given up on sleep, showering and dressing before sneaking out of the villa. Walking to one area she had been shown the previous day, she had sat on the cool grass. The hillside had opened up to reveal the beauty of the land below, as Grace allowed the serenity of the scenery to wash over her in wave upon wave of soothing calm. She had not known how long she sat there, her mind blank as she had watched the way the sun had brought the colour back to the land.