The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Part 6

As the two had joined the group the other three had been ready to leave. Grace had felt the embarra.s.sed silence as they had looked at each other, before Carol had given a wide innocent smile.

"Sleep well?"

The others struggled to hold back the laughter before Alexos had dropped his head looking up at her with a return smile "Well speaking for myself one of the best I have had recently - thanks Carol" wickedly turning to Grace who had laughed, nodding softly the air between the group instantly relaxing.

"The car is outside for you, but if you don't mind I will ensure Grace has something to eat before she joins you"

The three had all nodded throwing her understanding looks as they had moved out of the door. Alone once more she had given a groan.

"They are going to hound me for details", giving a lopsided grin "good job they break up for a month...they might have forgotten by the time we regroup"

Sighing softly as she had moved towards the dining room, throwing him a pained smile. "But I somehow doubt it"

Alexos had nodded a strange expression on his face "Before we eat can I talk to you?"

Grace stopping in surprise as he had moved towards the room she knew to be his study. Frowning softly she had followed him, curiosity filling her.

He had stepped all the way to his large ornate desk, turning and perching on the edge before pulling her into his arms, Grace standing between his legs, his hands loosely wrapped around her waist.

"Stay with me" his voice soft as his eyes had delved so deeply into hers. "Don't go. You have a month's break...stay with me"

Grace had flicked her eyes to his, uncertainty written on every part of her features, before she had again dropped her head, shaking it slowly "I can't...I really can't"

Lifting her chin with the hook of his finger he had pulled her head up, a note of pleading in his eyes "Please Grace...six years ago we lost each other, last night was our second chance...let's not lose that too"

He had seen the indecision within her, waiting silently as she had once more dropped her eyes, her mind wondering if perhaps there might be another option. "Last night...was wonderful...but I can't stay Alexos...I'm sorry...I..."

Grace had felt him stiffen and sigh; felt the change in him as he had firmly pushed her to arm's distance. She stopping talking as he had moved around his desk and taken a seat in the large leather chair, Grace surprised to see the difference within him, his features suddenly more controlled. Gone the lover of that morning now someone she had never met before, someone cold and aloof, uneasiness seeping deep within her. As she had stood nervously unsure what to do he had watched her, his look a.s.sessing before he had given another small sigh.

"I am sorry to hear that Grace" his hands reaching over to pull a small folder into his hands "When you phoned me six years ago...I was furious, I mean I was so angry Grace. I believed that you and your parents had set the whole thing up. I couldn't understand why...but I was d.a.m.n sure that I was going to make you all pay"

She had watched him a sensation of unease filling her still so surprised at the change in him.

"I discovered that your father's business was not doing quite as well as he pretended. He had to take out a hefty loan to tide him over some problems. A loan which I was able to acquire"

Dropping into the seat beside his desk her eyes had opened with disbelief.

"W...why?" she had muttered softly as his dark eyes had glowed so black and cold "Because I intended to punish them for your actions"

Gasping she had shaken her head "N...no my parents had nothing to do with what happened"

Alexos had watched her with a small sneer on his handsome mouth "I know that. When I had everything I needed, I went to visit them. Your father was furious, and your mother was grief-stricken. The poor woman could hardly stop from crying the whole time I was there"

Grace had groaned softly, her mind picturing her mother in tears, biting her lip, the pain filling her own eyes.

"Your father told me that he had disinherited you, and I knew then that I was not the only person you had duped" A contemptuous look on his face "Your poor parents were just as much victims of your selfishness as I was. I left without even informing them that I owned the debt...I decided that they had suffered enough"

Grace had stared up at him, pain on her lovely face "You b.a.s.t.a.r.d" she had managed, her voice hardly audible as she had held down the tears that threatened. Throwing the folder over to her side of the table, his voice had been cruel. "People in gla.s.s houses sweetheart..." silent as she had picked it up and flicked through the sheets that confirmed all he had said Grace looking warily at him.

"What do you want Alexos? Why are you showing me this?" For a second he had watched her, his hands clasped together against his mouth before sitting back in the chair.

"I am showing you this because I want you to stay"

Looking at him with a frown of surprise she had licked her lovely lips. "I appreciate that you didn't follow through with what you had planned...and I am sorry for what happened...and I know that after last night you might be thinking that..."

His laugh had stopped her soft words, her eyes looking back at him in confusion.

"No...last night as far as I am concerned was just an added extra, a very unexpected one...but most enjoyable" He leaning forward "Let me make myself clear Grace...I am not ASKING you to stay anymore, I'm just laying out what could happen if you DON'T stay".

Smiling once more as the colour had drained from her lovely features, his mouth had curled softly.

"Truth is I really don't give a d.a.m.n if you are with me because you want or don't want to be. My father is not well Grace, and his final wish is that he sees me settled. I expect you to remain here with me and play the part of the devoted fiancee".

Her look had become one of dumbfounded disbelief "Why...why me?"

Alexos' expression becoming firmer "Six years ago you used me Grace, and now it is my turn to use you. I need somebody who will not expect me to see an engagement through...a convenience if you like. If it gives my father some peace...then I want to give that to him"

She had once more stared at the folder, her eyebrows pulled tightly together "W...will I have my own room?" her question meeting with cruel laughter from him.

"This is not six years ago Grace...I'm not the idiot who promised to wait until we were married, and after last night and the way you reacted...do you really think that I will give up the opportunity for some more of that while you are here?...no you will not have your own room"

Throwing the folder back down onto the desk she had stood, her small body rigid with fury "Forget it Alexos. I am not a toy to be used for s.e.x or anything else. Find yourself some other little playmate to make happy families with".

Turning she had strode to the door, his whiplash voice halting her "If you leave Grace, then I will recall that debt and drive your father and mother into bankruptcy"

As she had wordlessly reached out for the door handle he had added in a slower voice. "Did I mention that your father used the family home as collateral for the loan?"

Dropping the handle she had spun around, real fear on her face "Why....why would you do that? You know that they have nothing to do with me, what is the point of punishing them?"

He had stood moving slowly over to join her "It was not my father's fault when you ditched me Grace, when you robbed him of the chance of grandchildren, but nevertheless he was one of those affected by your decision. So...I feel vindicated in using your parents to punish you also...the choice is yours"

Grace had felt so angry, her eyes daggers glaring back at him "I may have been a disappointment to your plans Alexos...but you had choices too. You could have found some other willing woman to be your much wanted brood mare....the fact that you didn't had nothing to do with me"

For several seconds the two had glared at each other, before Grace had once more reached for the handle, the fight seeming to leave her, her shoulders hunching in defeat.

"Fine. I will stay for the month...but no longer - I have work that needs done" her eyes full of hatred "But do not expect cooperation from me when we are alone", hearing the sound of his footsteps moving towards her as he had left the desk.

His victorious smile had caused her insides to cringe as she swallowed down the small lump, his hands pulling her around as his head had dropped to kiss her. Grace had stood stiffly, her mouth firmly closed not prepared to respond as he had once more moved her from him, the small laugh making her look up.

"Now...this was why I wanted to get you to stay of your own free will...would have been so much easier...and enjoyable" Grace feeling the shooting pain and hurt at the cold-bloodedness of his plan and how he had hoped to use her to meet his own agenda.

"You played me" she had bitten out, his eyes narrowing as he had nodded "Yes... Hurts doesn't it?"

Lifting her hand he had ran his thumb over her wedding ring, his eyes hard "You can start by losing this...don't want any awkward questions as to why you would be with me and still wearing another man's ring"

Pulling her hand from his, Grace had looked down at the small piece of jewellery that had been part of her for so long. Biting her lip she had pulled it from her finger, ignoring his outstretched hand as she had placed it securely into her shorts pocket making sure that it was zipped carefully inside.

Stepping back she had then wordlessly opened the door moving to the front entrance.

"I think I will skip breakfast, for some reason I don't think I could stomach food now" her hands clenching tightly as his laugh had reached her.

"Strange, I'm starving; seem to have worked up quite an appet.i.te. However, I'm sure that Yanis will be back from dropping off your friends if you wish to join them. I will see you tonight Cara"

Without turning around she had moved to the front door, pulling on every ounce of pride that she could muster, determined not to turn and wipe the smug self-satisfied smile from his face.

Reaching the rest of the group, she had refused to talk about what had happened the previous evening, although when she had informed them that she had planned to stay on, Carol had pulled her in for a big hug.

"Oh my G.o.d Grace....go for it. He is gorgeous" her eyes shining "and you might not be telling....but I could totally tell that there was some history between the two of you" Grace bending her head to check some equipment refusing to say more. The day had gone past quickly, quicker than she wanted, knowing only too well what would be waiting for her when the rest of the group finally set sail back to the mainland. She had helped to pack everything up, ensuring that much of the research was put to the side for her to evaluate before the next leg of the project. While the others would be enjoying a much deserved rest, she had known that most of her month would be taken up with collating the figures and trying to finalise the Libya leg of the research. While the Libyans had initially agreed to the project, the government had revoked the agreement and Grace was desperately trying to salvage the original deal, spending a considerable amount of time phoning different officials in the government.

Finally however, the sun had once more sunk into the sea, the group all enjoying one last sunset on the beautiful island before hugging Grace, all smiling warmly at her, Carol giving her a big wink as she had told her to take some time to relax. Giving her friend a small smile she had nodded "At least ten minutes each day" she had quipped as the others had laughed. As they had rowed out to the boat for the last time she had waited on the beach, sinking down onto the sand her head falling onto her pulled up knees until the boat had sailed out of sight.

"I thought you might like a lift"

His voice behind her had made Grace jump, her body rigid as stiffly she had risen to her legs her voice stilted "Thank you. I have some equipment that I need to bring"

Frowning softly he had looked at the computer and mountain of paper work "What is all this?" his eyes flint hard, his voice accusing "You have a month's holiday Grace...don't think you can use this to hide away from me"

Stopping in her tracks she had rounded on him "Why do you think I said no to you Alexos? G.o.d I was so stupid, part of me really wanted to stay...I was even prepared..."

Biting back the words, not prepared to admit to him that she had considered coming back after the project, she had paused, calming herself as her look had been scathing, a self-deprecating light coming to her eyes.

"But thanks for helping me see what an idiot I was. My team have the month off, I don't...and the month is needed because all the research we have done so far needs to be collated...and guess who gets to do that...me".

She had ignored the strange expression which had crossed his handsome features as she had moved pa.s.sed him picking up the computer and trying to lift the two large boxes full of paper, Alexos moving to pluck them from her with an ease that had mocked her attempts.

"What will you need?" his voice had been gentler as he had placed the boxes in the small trunk of the sports car. "I can set up a small office with computer access, printers phones...anything else you need"

Flicking him a surprised look, she had moved into the pa.s.senger side, nodding, managing a stilted "thank you" before she had looked away. As he had gunned the car, moving quickly back to the villa, she had found herself once more experiencing the same exhilaration as she had the first time he had driven her along the same stretch of road.

Entering his home, he had led her into a smaller living room asking if it would be suitable for her purposes, Grace skimming the room with appreciation seeing the long desk within the generously proportioned room.

"Tomorrow I will have fax machines, printers and anything else you might need installed" Grace silently nodding her head as he had written down information with regards to gaining access to the WIFI as a guest. With a stilted thank you she had turned to face him hearing his small laugh.

"That must have hurt you" Grace gritting her teeth before nodding "It would have been a lot easier in my own office, and given the circ.u.mstances ..." before she had moved over to the desk itself. Frowning softly he had watched as she had pulled out some paper "Don't you think that we should eat first?"

Grace had shaken her head. I am really still not that hungry, perhaps a sandwich later, not even looking at him. With a frustrated sigh he had moved around, placing his hand under her elbow before bodily walking her to the dining room, Grace gasping in surprise and indignation, spluttering out her demand for him to let her go, Alexos ignoring each and every one.

"No...you have eaten nothing all day, and you WILL eat with me"

Glaring up at him she had given a small noise of anger, struggling unsuccessfully to pull herself free as with little gentleness he had deposited her onto the seat closest to his, his eyes daring her to move. Sitting back with arms crossed she had glowered at him "You have no idea how much work I have to do, and thanks to you it is three times as much"

Smiling, his mouth curving as though humouring a small child he had rang the small bell for the meal to be served "What difference does it make where you collate your information? You will have everything you need...so stop being so dramatic Grace and eat your dinner. The last thing I need is a drama queen on hunger strike because of her hurt feelings"

Grace had glared at him, although could feel her stomach rumble as the aroma from the food had reached her nostrils, the realisation that she had indeed ate nothing the whole day hitting her.

"Fine" she had bitten out, her tone huffy as she had began eating.

"So...how was your last day...did you manage to get all the research finished?" His tone had been calm - friendly almost, Grace spearing some of the food wanting to ignore him. However, as the silence had stretched out as he had patiently waited for her answer; her manners so long drilled into her by her mother had taken over.

"Yes. Thank you"

He had nodded before asking more specific questions, Grace slowly relaxing as she had answered, her love for the subject finally seeing her start to talk animatedly about the work being done, and some of the unusual findings that had already been discovered. Alexos had seemed genuinely interested, no doubt contributing to her opening up to him.

"Why did you say I had increased your workload three fold?" His question had caught her unaware as she had frowned softly.

"Because I had two research a.s.sistants booked to validate the information on the sheets with data entered in the field... now I have to do it myself"

"I see" he had mused softly, his expression thoughtful.

The mention of the work waiting for her had made Grace sigh, sipping the last of her coffee as she had pushed her seat from the table "My compliments to the chef, the meal was as usual excellent, but I really do have to get on with some work"

Alexos had stood with her, inclining his head "Of course...I would not like to stand in the way of science"

Grace not sure if he was being sarcastic as she had moved back into the study a.s.signed to her. For the rest of the night she had prepared schedules, sighing heavily at the amount of time she would need to spend each day to meet her deadline, once more cursing Alexos. At one in the morning he had appeared, his eyes scanning the room seeing just how much she had organised, Grace sitting silently as she had compared sheets with her computer, her lovely face bobbing between the two.

"Bed!" His voice had made her jump, a scowl on her face "I'm not ready for bed...I need to finish up here or I will lose everything" her eyes showing desperation at the thought, her look stopping him from demanding that she join him.

"Don't be too late" his voice softer as she had given a small sigh of relief, nodding as her eyes had once more returned to the screen, the beating of her heart starting to once more slow down relieved that he had not insisted on her accompanying him, not prepared to admit how that thought had kept returning to her all evening, the implications making her feel sick. While she was determined not to succ.u.mb to his demands in bed, just the memory of how he had touched her had sent electric signals through her body, not sure if when he did touch her that she would be able to so easily push him away.

At three in the morning, Alexos had moved back down to her study, anger filling him at the way she seemed so determined to stay away from him. Entering her study he had paused, Grace slumped over the desk fast asleep. With a sigh he had known that she had slept little the previous evening and had worked all day in the burning sunshine, guilt filling him as he had cursed softly under his breath not having insisted that she did not start her work until the following day. Walking around picking up project plans which she had created, he had frowned, seeing the amount of time that had been allocated for each day of the month. With a small thoughtful expression he had moved over to where Grace lay so deep in sleep, flicking a small piece of hair from her lovely cheek, the urge to kiss her skin rising strongly within him. Gently he had lifted her into his arms, as she hardly even stirred, her head dropping peacefully against his shoulder. Moving back to his room he had laid her inside the covers which he had earlier pushed from himself, not fully understanding why he seemed so unable to sleep.

As he had pulled off her shoes and shorts she had hardly even moved Alexos smiling at the determination in her lovely face, even when asleep, once more running his eyes down her perfect body fighting the rush of desire that had flashed through him. Covering her, he had stripped before sliding in beside her, sleep taking him almost immediately.

Grace was dreaming, the sun caressing her body, its warmth moving along her spine, a small satisfied sigh leaving her lips. Turning she had allowed her hands to fall over her head the sun morphing into the sensual touch of fingers, fingers which were rubbing the hardened nub of her straining nipples morphing once more to a flicking wetness her whole body responding to the erotic signals flowing throughout her. The small masculine groan had woken her, her eyes flying open as her soft mouth had gasped in shock. There was no sun, no caressing nourishing warmth, only Alexos, Alexos the enemy.

He had leant over her, his eyes still full of the burning fire deep within the embers of their darkness, now watching her. Confusion coupled with a smouldering need filled her lovely features as she had blinked, the two locked on the other. Gulping softly she had known she should push him away, this man who was blackmailing her, ensure that he stay at arm's length, but even as she had thought this her eyes had dropped to his mouth, that mouth so capable of bringing pleasure to every part of her. As though that one action was permission he had dropped his head to her mouth, his so gently caressing hers until she was kissing him back the kiss deepening until the pa.s.sion had once more engulfed them, its flames licking at them both with the need to have and be had.

Alexos had kissed down her cheek, his tongue tantalizing her skin as he had whispered soft words she could not understand, yet were driving her over the edge, his hands caressing her body as that mouth had dropped lower. Lapping and nipping the engorged nipples she had felt that she would explode with the sensations flying through her, the heat in her belly pooling there like molten lava, Grace writhing so sensually under his ministrations. Groaning, her hands had flown to his head fingers raking through the thickness as he had moved down to her belly, panting as he had rained small kisses to the apex of her thighs.

As he had moved between her legs, his hands had pushed her legs apart, allowing them to fall over his shoulders, Grace not sure what he was doing until his mouth had slid between the inside of her thigh, her eyes flying open with both shock and intense pleasure her mouth panting out the words to stop him "P...Please Alexos...n...no"

A small chuckle from him the only answer as his fingers had slid along the wetness of her, a satisfied sound leaving his lips before that tongue had joined them, its flicking action causing her to gasp out loud as her hips had bucked against him.

Moving his hands to rest them on her belly, he had held her onto the bed as his tongue and mouth had carried on the seductive onslaught of her body, Grace wriggled and writhed uncontrollably under him unaware as she had moaned and gasped loudly, her hips moving with his mouth.

She had lost control. The only thing that mattered were the caresses of his tongue as it explored the heat of her, Grace not caring as she had begged him not to stop, her hands against his head. As all reason had seemed to leave her, light had danced before her eyes, her body starting to tense as he had moved sliding up her, Grace whimpering wanting to feel him on her.

"You smell of flowers still" he had whispered against her neck, his nostrils filled with the scent of her, as his mouth had claimed hers Grace tasting herself on his tongue the knowledge causing even more heat to pool between her legs as he had raised himself over her and with one sure thrust filled her with his entire length. Her head had flown back, her spine arching and with a cry of pure pleasure she had flown straight into o.r.g.a.s.m her whole body exploding with wave upon wave of radiating mind-shattering pleasure.

As Grace had held him so tightly he had groaned, his head growing light with the feel of her around him, but as her muscles had spasmed and clenched he had pushed faster and harder into her. His breathing had become so ragged as she had cried out and quivered below him before all too soon his own body had tightened, his breathing changing as he too had climaxed releasing so deep within her, his whole being trembling with the intensity as darkness had momentarily rushed in to meet him Alexos collapsing over her, a dead weight in her arms.

Grace had lain confused yet so satisfied, a small sigh of contentment leaving her lips as her arms had held the large man, strangely enjoying the feel of him, surprised at the feeling of safety.

He had wanted to kiss her, to tell her things, things lovers did, his mouth closing as he had held back the words his mind trying to understand the intensity of his reaction to this woman, this still so inexperienced woman who should have been his wife, this woman who had used him and everybody else who had ever cared for her. Pushing himself onto his back he had looked over at her, the softness of their lovemaking still so visible in her eyes as he had pulled her into his arms holding her as their heartbeats had slowed, their breathing returned to normal.

Finally she had groaned looking up at him "H...how did I get here?" those big eyes holding his as he had smiled "I carried you...you fell asleep at your desk" his reply as he had turned to his side, rising to lean on the heel of one hand smiling gently as he had looked down at her, her eyes closing as confusion had filled her.

She had wanted to yell at him, to accuse him of tricking her into s.e.x, but had held her tongue. She had wanted it, wanted it so badly that it had hurt. She might hate this man, detest what he was doing, but it did not stop the desire for him, the way her body would come alive when he was close. To deny her attraction to him would have been the biggest lie of all and Grace was through with all the deception.