featuring ornate wrought-iron balustrades leading to an upper floor balcony that divided into two separate galleried wings showcased by matching ornate wrought-iron balustrades.
‘Come through to the lounge,’ Loukas directed with ease. ‘Everything is set up there.’
Alesha moved on autopilot, so acutely conscious of his presence at her side that she barely noticed the beautiful sofas and chairs, the amazingly high ceilings.
Instead she focused on the small table with its exquisite lace-edged linen cloth, the votive candle, a delicate spray of cream orchids, and a leather-bound Bible.
Introductions complete, the celebrant conferred with the lawyer, exchanged small talk, then she opted to begin the ceremony.
You can do this.
As an affirmation, it didn’t begin to scratch the surface!
Almost as if he knew, Loukas captured her hand and held it loosely within his own.
To prevent her sudden need to escape? It was a moot point!
Alesha heard the solemn beautifully spoken words, and on some level she took them in, and managed to recite the vows that united her with Loukas in matrimony … aware his vows held a calm solemnity that was lacking in her own.
He slid a wide diamond-studded ring onto her finger, surprised her by lifting her hand and brushing the ring with his lips, before offering a ring for her to slip onto his finger.
He was prepared to wear a wedding ring?
Her fingers shook a little as she slid it on, and his hand covered hers as he used a little pressure to slide it home.
‘It gives me great pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife.’ The celebrant bestowed the gathered foursome a pleasant smile. ‘And introduce Alesha and Loukas Andreou.’ Loukas lifted both hands and cradled Alesha’s head, then he covered her mouth with his own in a fleeting sensual caress.
Oh, my. There had to be some explanation for the slow curl of sensation unfurling deep within her. Almost as if her body was at variance with the dictates of her mind.
How could she even begin to think what it would be like to have him invite a more intimate touch, to feel his hands on her body, his lips tasting an evocative trail, teasing, encouraging her response.
The question had to be could he succeed? When she’d left Seth she’d locked the door to her emotional heart and thrown away the key. And vowed never to allow another man to get close.
Alesha became conscious of Lacey’s laughter as she was enveloped in a hug; the voiced congratulations from the lawyer, the celebrant; Loukas’ hand resting against the back of her waist before he released her to open the champagne cooling in an ice bucket.
Smile, a silent voice prompted. You’re supposed to be happy. The future of Karsouli is secure, and your future is safe … if safe could be attributed to the man whose ring she now wore.
So play the game expected of you. Pretend. Haven’t the past few years provided plenty of practice?
Consequently she accepted a flute of champagne, smiled at the toast Lacey proposed to happiness and a blessed future, and managed to nibble a proffered canapé from a silver platter presented by Loukas’ housekeeper, Eloise.
The celebrant took her leave, and conversation flowed with ease for a while until the lawyer indicated a pressing engagement and Lacey followed suit as she pressed a light kiss to Alesha’s cheek before turning to Loukas.
‘Take good care of her.’
‘I intend to do so.’
Together they moved through the foyer to the main entrance where Loukas opened the door.
‘Drive carefully.’
‘Always.’
There was the sound of heels tapping along the driveway, the beep of a security remote, followed by the solid clunk of a car door closing and the purr of an engine as Lacey drove away.
Alesha watched as the car eased down the driveway, saw the accented red of brake lights as Lacey slowed at the gates, then the car disappeared from sight.
She was extremely conscious of the man who stood at her side, his easy movements as he closed both doors and activated the security system.
The house … mansion, she corrected, seemed incredibly large, not to mention an unknown entity, for, although she assumed the bedroom suites were situated upstairs, she had no idea precisely which wing contained the master suite.
Loukas indicated the curved staircase. ‘Eloise will have transferred your bag upstairs.’
‘Is this the part where you give me a guided tour?’
‘You’d prefer to explore on your own?’
She crossed to the staircase and began ascending the wide marble stairs, aware he joined her. ‘I might get lost.’
‘It’s quite simple. Personal suites and home office situated to the left, guest suites to the right. Ground floor, formal and informal lounge and dining rooms, media, home theatre, kitchen, utilities. Lower floor, gym, entertainment room, indoor pool. Outdoor pool. Self-contained flat for staff over detached garages.’
They reached the gallery and turned to the left. ‘It’s a large home for one man.’ An observation that incurred his steady appraisal.
‘A man who has very recently acquired a wife,’ he reminded silkily.
Loukas opened a set of double-panelled doors to reveal a spacious master bedroom, containing two king-size beds.
So he’d kept his word.
She told herself she should be relieved … and she was. Except sharing the same room implied a certain intimacy with which she felt distinctly uncomfortable. There were two separate en suites, two dressing rooms and a recessed alcove furnished with two comfortable chairs and standard lamps.
It was, she had to admit, incredible. Luxurious, with spectacular views over the harbour to the cityscape. Magic at nightfall when the city was lit up and varied coloured neon flashed with advertisements atop many of the inner-city buildings.
He shrugged out of suit jacket, dispensed with his tie and loosened the top button of his shirt.
For a moment she caught her breath at his intention, and he glimpsed the fleeting apprehension evident before it was quickly masked.
‘You might want to change into something less formal.’
She reminded him of a skittish foal in an unfamiliar environment … one who had experienced fear, possibly damage, with every reason to mistrust.
‘Eloise has unpacked your bag.’ Loukas indicated the dressing room she would use. ‘Tomorrow we’ll shift the remainder of your belongings.’
‘I can manage on my own.’
‘You won’t need to.’
So give up the independent streak, accept two pairs of hands are better than one, and some masculine strength for the bag-carrying is a good thing.
Slipping into something more comfortable depended on what items of clothing Lacey packed, and she crossed into her allocated dressing room to check the meagre assortment.
Jeans didn’t cut it, but tailored trousers with a cotton top would do.
Minutes later she emerged to find Loukas standing close to the wide expanse of glass taking in the panoramic scene.
The white shirt accentuated the impressive breadth of his shoulders, and his shirt cuffs had been folded back to rest midway up his forearms, lending a casual air.
Deceptive, she knew, for he could move with the silent stealth of a primitive cat and reduce an adversary to speechlessness with a few sententious words.
She