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RELUCTANT WIFE 8
Last Updated:
2023-03-20 23:31:28
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YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) RELUCTANT WIFE 9
Alexis rushed to her, barking out orders for his secretary to get a doctor. Lifting Carrie easily, he carried her to his couch, and laid her softly against the pale cream leather of the settee. He studied her complexion, at the same time noticing just how frail she was. Gently he began brushing her hair back from her hot cheeks. He shook his head, scowling at his own thoughts.Quickly he found a cloth and a bowl of water. If nothing else he could keep her cool. As carefully as he could he wiped her face, her neck.Carrie felt the blessed coolness on her forehead. It pressed gently down her neck into the hollow of her throat, then back once more to her face.‘Carrie. Can you hear me, Carrie?’Weak blue eyes opened to see Alexis wetting the cloth once again.‘How do you feel?’Their eyes met. Carrie had been expecting to see triumph in his gaze, not this soul-searching concern.She swallowed uneasily, unable to cope with the look of compassion in his eyes. It was much easier when he was
Last Updated : 2023-03-20YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) RELUCTANT WIFE 10
He’d love to trace his tongue over the edges of her low-cut bra and nibble his way to her nipples, each in turn. He was no fool; he knew the sparks of lust had only to be ignited and he’d known that for a long time. Even in her teenage years she’d flirted withhim, her stunning eyes and body telling him one thing, her imruly mouth biting out another.He’d wanted her for a long time too, much too long, he laughed bitterly to himself. Instead of courting her in the proper way, he’d left it all too late. Time was running out. Now he was making all kinds of demands he knew he shouldn’t have to make. Yes, a child was needed, their child, but was forcing her hand like this the only way he could have her and a baby?She stretched her legs in sleep, then dropped her knee crookedly over the edge of the couch. Her position as she lay there, legs apart, made his blood boil. He was like a youngster wanting to rip her clothes off and let his passion awaken her.Alexis tore his gaze away, then pull
Last Updated : 2023-03-20YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) RELUCTANT WIFE 11
‘That’s not true!’ she defended herself. Whoever said loving someone was easy? Since their disagreement he had been intolerable.‘It’s common knowledge that my dear cousin likes a diversion when on the yacht. Could he have been trying out the merchandise?’ His look showered herwith disgust. ‘Maybe you’d like to try for the biggest fish of all. I doubt even he could resist some the things you have on offer. Horizontal gymnastics have nothing on your moves.’A loud clap echoed arotmd the outer office as Nina’s small hand contacted with Stephan’s face.‘Why you . . .!’‘What in hell’s happening here?’ demanded Alexis as he witnessed Stephan about to grab Nina. ‘I wouldn’t if I were you Stephan. Your private life should be dealt with outside this office.’Stephan reddened. ‘You know then. I suppose she’s told you all the fascinating details.’Nina’s face dropped. The hurt was obvious.‘That you’ve both been using my office as . . .’ He sighed heavily. ‘I think the whole of Athens knows.
Last Updated : 2023-03-20YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) RELUCTANT WIFE 12
It was cooler now with the evening breeze co min g in from the sea stronger. She threw Alexis a shy look from beneath her lashes, a smile appearing on her full pink lips.‘Why the smile? Are you happy?’Her smile broadened. She was throbbing, her whole body was throbbing, she needed to take part in the act of love once more.‘I didn’t think your performance was entirely up to scratch. I could be happier.’ She heard Alexis’s indrawn breath as she dared herself to raise her cheeky face to his. For there was no mistake what message it would relay to the man at her side.He sat up on the rug, his strong forearms resting on his knees, his chin on his hands. He met that look. ‘Cheeky baggage, the doctor said you should rest.’ His eyes connecting with hers, he whispered, ‘You’re jesting, right?’‘Hell no.’ Carrie held her breath, hoping wildly that he would take the hidden challenge.He frowned, drew his breath slowly in again. Expanding his powerful chest he imfolded his arms, then dropped
Last Updated : 2023-03-21YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) RELUCTANT WIFE 13
Alexis was still watching her, that strange look on his face. ‘Didn’t I tell you, your clothes arrived about an hour ago. I came up, but you were asleep.’ He didn’t want to say, I couldn’t bear to wake you, you looked so peaceful, so I just watched you, and I imagined . . .She smiled. ‘In that case I’d like to walk around the national gardens, then maybe walk through the fleamarket. We can eat in the plaka. If that’s all to your liking.’Grabbing her chin, he frowned slightly. ‘You’re up to something. I know when you’re up to something, Carrie. You never agree without a fight.’Her smile broadened as she shook her head and locks of white gold hair cascaded around his fingers. ‘I’m just enjoying myself. I have to make the most of a . . .’‘A bad situation,’ he broke in, watching the colour of her eyes change with mood and thought.‘A promise,’ she replied softly. ‘Now if we are to stroll aroimd the gardens, we must go soon. I believe you 11 have to practise the art of wooing me amongs
Last Updated : 2023-03-21YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) RELUCTANT WIFE 14
Alexis’s voice came from the darkened doorway: ‘If it hadn’t been for us learning about your visit to New York, believe me, Carrie and I would be tucked up in bed. As it is. I’ve left her asleep on the yacht.’ He moved further into the room, his commanding, angry figure sending even Christina a few steps back. ‘And while she’s out of earshot maybe you’ll enlighten me about this marriage, and your possible operation, Petros.’ He pushed his fingers through his dark wet hair. The spray from the sea had been heavy, the sailing tougher than he had anticipated.Petros turned to Christina. ‘Get Alexis a drink. . .’‘Coffee will be just fine, Christina,’ Alexis cut in.Christina nodded and left the room quietly.Alexis turned to Petros. ‘It’s not that I want you dead, my friend, but you told me the doctors had given you five years at the most to live, and there was no suitable operation. Do I take it there is some miracle cure? Quite convenient, wouldn’t you say?’‘Alexis, please. I am visiti
Last Updated : 2023-03-21YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) RELUCTANT WIFE 15
‘Huh. I’m not sure anyone is coming, and to think we had to forego our night of romance yesterday evening,’ she complained, pouting just a touch, then adding, ‘But I’m glad you understood that we had to see Petros.’Alexis smiled and admitted, ‘Last night was not a good night for romance, after all. You’re looking tired and I think it’s time we took the doctor’s advice and let you rest. However, while we’re on the subject of romance maybe you’d enlighten me about Peter. Who is he and why do you have to phone him?’Carrie nodded her head and forced a smile; so, there was some kind of interest in Peter. If only he would try and care for her feelings, maybe she could give her love imconditionally. Love} Was that a word she would associate with Alexis? She looked across at him.‘I told you. Peter is someone I love. He won’t cause problems with this arrangement we have, but don’t expect me to stop loving him, because I can’t!’ There, let him think on that for a while.He held out his hand
Last Updated : 2023-03-21YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) RELUCTANT WIFE 16
Even though her hormones were raging through her body, screaming for fulfilment, she knew she mustn’t give in. If she did he would win this battle, and indeed, their own particular war. Licking her lips, she stood her groimd, ‘I don’t want to make love now.’‘Liar!’‘I’m not!’‘You want me to rip your clothes from you now. This minute!’ He moved nearer, a fraction away from her. Not touching her and yet drowning her in her need to have him take her here in the cabin. He circled her slowly, a whisper away and still not touching her.Her mind was screaming out, ‘I can’t,’ as he teased her senses merely by being there. Taimting her with the thought he could take her to heaven and back and the knowledge that reality would be so much better.‘Still no? You know damn well I wouldn’t even dream of forcing you,’ he whispered seductively against her neck. She shivered as he urged, ‘Give yourself to me.’‘I can’t,’ she moaned, closing her eyes so she didn’t have to look at him. This was a barba
Last Updated : 2023-03-21
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YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 23
‘G’day Kerrien, my darling girl, had a nice time?’ She was nodding and smiling encouragingly but Kerrien could say nothing. ‘Lovely day, thank you. It’s good of you to feed me again,’ she added. “Come on in. Make yourself at home,” she urged. ‘Must use the bathroom, if I may,’ Kerrien asked. Brett shoved his mother out of the room and Kerrien could hear the whispered voices rising and falling. ‘For heaven’s sake boy, do I get the champagne out or not?'*I don’t know Mum, she hasn’t given me an answer yet.” Kerrien listened in growing discomfort. She was beginning to feel coerced, trapped. If she said yes, it was going to be for all the wrong reasons. If she said no, she might just be acting foolishly out of some misplaced sense of romanticism. She went slowly back to the family room, where Brett was waiting for her. ‘Do I get my answer yet?’ he asked. The blue eyes were shuttered and she could read nothing from them. “Yes Brett, yes I will marry you.’ She wondered why she didn
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 22
Sleep was impossible and Kerrien paced her room for much of the night. Ashton was evidently going through some personal crisis which seemed to exclude both herself and the children. What was he talking about with her and Brett? News? Excited? He could only think that they were getting engaged. She wondered where he had got that idea. It was the very last thing she would have wanted him to think, when all the time she desperately wanted jum. She also wished that his future with Martine was less certain. Double wedding indeed! Ashton said little the next morning before rushing off to work. She caught him staring at her a couple of times, as if looking for some clue in her face. If he believed something special had recently happened to her, he did not voice his thoughts. ‘I won’t be home for lunch and don’t wait dinner for me tonight. I may be out. Have you decided when you’re going out at the weekend?’ he asked. ‘Saturday, if that’s OK,’ she replied. ‘I'll organize things before I go
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 21
‘I haven’t felt this way about anyone before,’ Brett said. She drew a quick gulp of air and her reeling senses came back to earth. ‘And you’ve had plenty to choose from, I suppose.’ The harsh words hit him like a slap across the face. “I’ve never tried to pretend anything different,” he defended, a hurt expression in his eyes. “Look, you may be innocent or try to give the impression of being innocent but I know a true response when I feel it. Yes, OK, call it experience. Tell me, do you intend going through your entire life celibate and end up a sour spinster?’ ‘I think I'd better go,’ she said, bristling at his accusation. ‘Kerrien, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it. I want you Kerrien, on whatever terms you insist on making. Think about it. I can offer you everything you’ve always wanted.’ His face looked almost child-like in its pleading, like Ben or Jodie begging for just a few minutes longer, before going to bed. She almost smiled at the thought. They may want to stay up longer, Br
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 20
‘I thought you had something vital to tell me,’ Ashton said at lunch. ‘Something that couldn’t wait a moment longer.’ ‘Perhaps I’ve got things in perspective a little better,’ Kerrien replied, twisting her fingers together in her anxiety. ‘What I have to talk about is important but something has come up that I must deal with and quickly. I have to see Brett and the sooner the better.’ He stared at her, peering into her eyes as if he could read something in them, as if he could somehow see into her mind to know what she was thinking. She was an enigma to him. One minute bursting with some news she needed to discuss urgently with him and the next, planning an evening out with her boy-friend. He had no doubt as to the reason for her sudden need to meet Brett. She had to give him an answer to the vital question and having made her decision, she obviously couldn’t wait to tell him. ‘Look, I know it isn’t really my evening off but things have been hectic lately and I am still owed some t
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 19
Kerrien sipped a cup of hot chocolate in the cafeteria, her hands wrapped round the comforting mug. She hoped that Kate and her friend didn’t have the same idea. Kerrien had no prejudices about people’s right to choose their sexual partners but somehow, Kate’s whole attitude to life suddenly seemed to have become clearer. All these nasty, sometimes spiteful . remarks were probably made because Kate didn’t know how to cope with the cards that life had dealt her. She did genuinely seem fond of the children but perhaps felt that Ashton would be less than understanding if he knew that his sister loved another woman. It took some getting used to but Kerrien was convinced that she was not mistaken. The way the two women had looked at and spoken to each other showed quite clearly that they shared a deep relationship. It may also explain why Kate was so resentful of Kerrien. Her easy going manner with people was something of a contrast with Kate’s own more restrained nature. She wondered if
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 18
“So what do you say Kerrien? Will you stay with us, for as long as you can?’ His deep, soft eyes were pleading with her. She felt again that urge to wrap her arms round him and hug him better but she knew that any physical contact with him would spell disaster to her own strength of purpose. ‘Think of the children,’ he added, knowing this was his trurmp card. She genuinely loved them and would never let them suffer. Besides, it would mean that she would still be around in his life and that meant a great deal more than he cared to admit. ‘I need to think about it. I’ll stay for a while, certainly. At least until you have made whatever arrangements you plan to make. Don’t worry.’ Her heart was near breaking as she spoke. She desperately wanted to be gone once Martine was living here. She couldn’t bear to see the other woman doing all the things she wanted to be doing, having the exclusive love of the wonderful man she herself loved so much. If he should ever find out how she felt, she
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 17
Once Ashton had left for work, Kerrien decided that she simply couldn’t face another evening staying at home. She dialled Brett’s number and swallowing her stubborn pride, asked if he was free that evening. She was taking a slight risk that she wouldn’t have to babysit but as she hadn’t taken any time off for ages, it was not unreasonable to expect a free evening. His response was very positive. If he had made other plans, it was not obvious. He suggested a movie and then a meal out. It sounded exactly what she needed to take her mind off things here. When Kate eventually turned up, sometime after eleven, Kerrien had started the lunch preparations. She made some coffee for them both. Kate seemed edgy and moody. Things were evidently not going as well as she would have liked. But, she obviously controlled her wandering thoughts and agreed to mind the children for the evening, if Ashton was out. The woman seemed subdued and uncommunicative, so Kerrien left her alone and went to play wi
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 16
The next few days were difficult. Kate bad only one topic of conversation — the wedding — and seemed totally unaware of the discomfort of those around her. The children were silent and withdrawn, reminiscent of the time when Kerrien had first arrived in Australia. Kerrien herself was thoroughly sick of hearing about the fabulous designer wedding dress Martine was planning, and whether Ben should be dressed in green or cream velvet. Either was equally revolting, or so Kerrien thought and she instinctively knew that Ben would agree! 'I think you should start looking around for another job,” Kate suggested brightly one morning. 'I see. Your idea or Ashton’s?’ Kerrien asked. ‘It must be obvious even to you that this situation can’t go on. Once they’re married, I expect they will be starting a new family and Martine is sure to want someone of her own choice, to look after the new baby as well as Ashton’s two. Besides, Ben will be at school and you surely wouldn’t want to be hanging arou
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 15
It was nearly lunch-time when Kerrien returned from her trip to drop Brett home. A quick hallo to Margaret and a coffee before she had left, made her later than she intended. She’d then taken a couple of wrong turnings, her mind pre-occupied. The journey took longer and longer, it seemed. There was strange feeling of unreality about everything, as if she was in the middle some sort of dream that would end when she awoke. The house was quiet and Ashton’s car was missing from its usual place. He must have gone to work, even though she’d thought he wasn’t on duty this weekend. Perhaps he had gone out — to be with his fiancée she thought miserably. She had to keep experimenting with the words, so that she would get used to it. How could he want to marry someone who was so negative towards those two lovely children? It was obvious to anyone with half a mind, that Martine couldn’t care less about them. It was equally clear that the children also felt the same way about their father’s fiancé
