CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER SEVEN
R AMON HAD MOUNTAINS of work to do, and he was not going to let a little thing like getting married disrupt his routine. He absolutely was not bothered that Elodie had been gone for more than three hours already. Yet he’d lost track of the number of times he’d gone to the suite’s media room to glance out the window overlooking the hotel entrance and now here he was wandering over to do it again. His concentration was blown and pushing him into feral territory. Which was not him. He did not abandon all responsibility just because he wanted sex . He was not his father.
Only this time as he looked out the window, he spotted her walking into the hotel. His entire body responded with a savage driving urge that almost overwhelmed him. He breathed deep and glanced wide, amused to see Piotr, masking a pained expression as he walked a step behind her, laden with bags. Was she making a stand with her purchases?
He sure as hell hoped so. He couldn’t wait to see the contents of them. He couldn’t wait to touch her. It wasn’t for the wedding that he was really holding off. It was to test his own self-control. He was determined that he wasn’t a lecherous, rampantly reckless man like his father. Turns out he was exactly that. And to make it worse, he was now so tightly wound he no longer cared about the fact.
The second she appeared in the hotel suite he moved towards her. ‘You must be exhausted.’
She might want to lie down—in which case he would join her. He utterly abandoned the idea of keeping his hands off her until after the wedding. The ceremony would happen regardless and was honestly irrelevant. He could and would have her. Now.
‘Not at all.’ Elodie evaded his approach with a swift step and a coolly proud gaze. ‘I have an appointment with a hairdresser and a beautician. Possibly a make-up artist.’
He stilled, locking in place in the middle of the lounge. Every muscle burned with the urge to touch her—to provoke her the way she provoked him by merely existing —let alone with the levelling look that accompanied her words.
‘You should cut your hair,’ he muttered huskily. ‘Tie it up at least.’
She froze and that levelling look of hers iced.
Ramon tried but couldn’t suppress his smile because he was sure she would do the opposite. She blinked a couple times and her mouth softened. He remained rock-still as she walked over until she stood right in front of him. Which yes, was another thing he’d desperately wanted. She rose on tiptoe, bringing her lips dangerously close to his ear. He went from rock-still to diamond-hard.
‘Is that your juvenile way of saying you like my hair long and loose?’ she murmured.
Of course she had him. ‘ You’re the one who likes things to mean the opposite of what’s true.’
Her eyes gleamed. ‘I’ll do my hair how I want.’
‘Great,’ he croaked in total capitulation. ‘Can’t wait.’
Because he’d weave his hands into her hair however she styled it—he was desperate to feel its silky length and wrap himself in her fire. Pleasure flashed in her eyes as with a tilt of her chin she shot him the smallest smile. Helplessly he watched her leave with a sway to her hips utterly designed to aggravate and arouse him even more.
He couldn’t stand to remain cooped up inside while she was out. He left the hotel, turned down a couple of streets, vaguely taking in the shop fronts. He didn’t shop in person. His assistants ensured the clothes he needed were in ready supply, knowing his preferred brands. His tailor made house calls for fittings. He never had need to purchase anything personal.
But one sign caught his eye, the window pulled him closer, and a quixotic impulse pushed him inside. He couldn’t recall being in a jewellery store. Had never bought anything for himself or anyone else. Such gestures were meaningless—his father had showered his mother with sparkling gifts and flowery attentions to hide his infidelity. She’d believed him, accepted them. Ramon had refused to treat dates with trinkets. But this deal with Elodie was different. It was a tease. He would get something to provoke her. Only then one item caught his eye and it wasn’t a provocation.
It was perfect.
Almost two hours later he stood by the window overlooking the sea and considered making the leap. He needed to cool off somehow. He’d been dressed and waiting for her to appear from her room for more than fifteen minutes. No one kept him waiting. Ever. Yet here he was, almost bursting out of his skin from the agony and irritation of waiting. He finally heard the door open and spun.
‘Oh, were you waiting? So sorry.’ Her voice was breathy as she sauntered towards him, head high, eyes glinting.
Once again Ramon couldn’t stop the smile spreading across his face. ‘You really do like playing games.’
She was pure party girl in a backless, short, scarlet, sexy as hell, form-fitting dress. Her hair was left long and loose and the urge to run his hands through it was going to destroy him.
‘I’m not the only game-player here.’ Her gaze swept down his sleek tuxedo.
‘You suit red,’ he muttered.
‘My father said I should never wear it.’
‘Is that why you wore little else for a while?’ He moved closer as her eyes flashed. ‘In all those pictures in those clubs,’ he said, explaining how he’d seen them. ‘You don’t like being told what you can and cannot do.’
‘Maybe I got a little sick of it,’ she said quietly.
‘If he dictated what you were allowed to wear then I don’t blame you for rebelling.’
She turned her head slightly away from him.
‘It was more than what you could wear, huh?’ Her father really was the controlling type.
She nodded and glanced back. ‘I think I’ll be overly reactive now when people try to issue instructions.’
‘No, you?’ He’d chuckle if he weren’t so strung out. ‘So, are you wearing red for our wedding?’
Her lashes fluttered, suddenly coy. ‘I thought we were keeping such details secret.’
Anticipation pulled every muscle tight. But she backed away, held up her phone and snapped a selfie with the view of the ocean in the background.
‘You’re updating your social media profile?’ he mocked.
‘Sending a proof-of-life picture to my friends,’ she replied primly. ‘I go silent for more than twenty-four hours and there’ll be an international incident.’
‘They’ll launch a divorced wives rescue mission?’
‘Exactly.’
‘You don’t want me in the picture?’ He prowled closer.
‘And give up our element of surprise?’ She shook her head. ‘No way .’
Right. He stilled—he was the one surprised. He’d got so caught up in baiting her he’d forgotten the reason why they were getting married at all.
Elodie wasn’t hungry enough to do the divine dinner justice. She didn’t need the fuel—she was running on something else—something she couldn’t quite handle.
‘I have something for you.’ He put a small square box on the table once the waiting staff had removed their plates.
She wasn’t just out of her depth and struggling to stay afloat. She was sunk in concrete.
‘Aren’t you going to open it?’
‘Not if it’s what I think it is.’
‘We’re getting married, Elodie. You do need the trimmings.’
‘ Trimmings? Am I some celebratory dinner to be served up on a table?’
His grin was wolfish and she snatched up the box in annoyance at her own ability to make appalling double-entendres .
‘Don’t panic,’ he said a few moments later as she stared at the ring in stunned silence. ‘It’s artificially grown in a lab. Machine-made. Not worth anywhere as much as you’re thinking.’
‘So it’s as fake as this marriage is going to be?’ She tried to match his droll tone. ‘All that glitters is most definitely not gold.’
‘Such a pity, isn’t it?’ he muttered wickedly.
Elodie had seen a fair amount of costume jewellery because they used it in the escape rooms all the time and Bethan could turn pound shop items into trinkets that looked like they were worth millions. But this looked an absolute treasure—full throttle dramatic. So she had the feeling this ruby wasn’t lab grown and nor were the diamonds surrounding it. She lifted her gaze, all faux insouciance. ‘Yes. It’s disappointing that it won’t be worth much when I sell it in a few months.’
‘You won’t sell it,’ Ramon purred. ‘You’re a magpie. You like collecting shiny, worthless things—’
‘To feed my shiny worthless soul?’ She managed to slide the ring onto her finger despite her cold sweat, and lifted her hand to see the stones catch the light. ‘Careful, you’ll increase my appetite for more trinkets. I might demand actually valuable ones, then you’ll be in trouble.’
He just laughed.
She couldn’t take her eyes off the ring. It was a statement piece. Definitely unusual and one of a kind. Panic subsumed her. ‘It’s not a family heirloom, is it?’ She looked up at him. ‘Not your mother’s or anything inappropriate like that?’
He actually recoiled. ‘Why on earth would you think it was my mother’s ?’
‘Well, when did you have the chance to buy it? When did? Oh! ’ She broke off, suddenly feeling a fool. ‘Piotr has exquisite taste. Please thank him for choosing so well.’
The strangest expression crossed Ramon’s face—a quixotic blend of admiration and indignation. ‘You vexatious wretch.’
‘Forgive me if I don’t believe for a second that you took time out of your precious work schedule to choose something so unimportant.’ Elodie smiled.
He drank almost the entire glass of ice-cold water in one go before sucking in a breath. ‘I’m going to make you pay for that.’
‘I can hardly wait.’ She faked cool but her breathlessness betrayed her.
Had he chosen it? She looked at it again, still doubting his word on its artificial origins. But her clueless question made her realise she didn’t know anywhere near enough about him. She had no idea where his parents were, let alone what they would think of their son marrying a complete stranger. He hadn’t mentioned them at all. ‘What will she think of this?’
‘Who?’ he frowned.
‘Your mother. What’s she going to think of your sudden marriage?’
He froze. Then rallied. ‘Both my parents are dead. They won’t think anything.’
‘Sorry.’ She felt terrible but at the same time it was hardly her fault—the man had more walls than a Renaissance hedge maze. ‘I didn’t know—’
‘And you don’t really need to.’
‘I disagree,’ she said flatly. She’d never been as argumentative with anyone in her life. ‘But if we’re to have everyone believe this marriage is real—for the duration—then I am going to need to, aren’t I? I don’t even know how old you are, let alone when your birthday is. I’ll put my foot in it from the start.’
‘Did you not read the marriage forms?’ he replied coolly. ‘I’m twenty-nine. Scorpio. My father died when I was eighteen. My mother when I was twenty-five. I’m their only child. I took over the family business when my father died and have done very little else. I live for my work.’
And he didn’t want to share anything more. Okay, she got it—even if it sounded somewhat sad. ‘I’m twenty-four. Also a Scorpio. That’s all we need to know, right?’
To her relief his smile returned.
Elodie barely slept. Ramon had kept his distance completely after dinner. He’d quietly accompanied her back to the suite and immediately disappeared into his own room. Probably to do more work. She’d been absurdly disappointed. She’d thought she’d read hunger for her in his eyes before dinner but he’d backed off completely. Was this not going to be an affair—if he was that hot for her, why the delay?
Early the next morning she got out of bed and drew back the curtains. It was a stunning day and there were too many hours to fill before the ceremony. She had to move. In the lounge Ramon was nowhere to be seen. He was probably unnecessarily observing those wedding traditions—ridiculous given this wasn’t a real wedding.
She went back to her bedroom and dressed in jeans and tee. When she went back out into the lounge she found Piotr waiting. His prescience was uncanny.
‘I’d like to go for a walk, is that allowed?’
‘I will accompany you discreetly.’
She rolled her eyes. ‘You don’t need to walk three feet behind.’
But Piotr obviously had his orders as she ambled through the town. Around her people were going about their business, tourists were taking photos, students in groups, office workers hurried to grab coffees—it was all so normal. What she and Ramon were doing really was ridiculous—who got married mid-afternoon on a Thursday ?
She wandered along the shady side of a street she’d not ventured down yesterday in the great dress hunt, and paused by a jewellery store. She couldn’t resist entering—drawn to a large glass case on the rear wall. Just the one piece was displayed. She put her hand to her chest as she stared at it. Four strands of what looked like diamonds sat flat on the back of the neck, while at the front they were woven into an intricate diamond knot—further embellished with yet more gleaming stones. If they actually were diamonds this one necklace would probably cost about the same as a large-sized house. Sure enough, there was no obvious price tag—which meant it would be astronomical and there was no way she could ever wear anything like it.
‘You like this necklace, senora ?’
Startled, Elodie turned as the jeweller approached. She saw his sweeping glance take her in—lingering on the fingers she’d spread just below her collarbones. He’d seen the ruby ring. She dropped her hand. No doubt the man would instantly recognise it as ‘artificial’. Sure enough, his demeanour subtly changed. But to her surprise he went from merely polite, to pure sycophant.
‘Would you like to try it on?’ He opened the cabinet and lifted out the glittering piece before she could say no.
‘Just...briefly,’ she agreed weakly.
Moments later she gazed at her reflection, her resolve weakening. Maybe she would amp up her gold-digger facade? Only it wasn’t that. Honestly? She loved the cool weight and drama of it. She’d never thought she’d go for something so intense or so couture but it would contrast beautifully with the light simplicity of the dress she’d chosen. But there was no way she would spend that amount of Ramon’s money.
The jeweller regarded her speculatively. ‘It is sublime on you.’
‘Yes, but I can’t...’ She made the man remove the necklace.
Piotr materialised beside her. ‘Do you need assistance, Ms Wallace?’
‘I don’t think so.’ She smiled at him ruefully. ‘I could never buy it.’
Piotr studied her impassively. ‘What if you could borrow it? With your permission I will inquire.’
‘Um—’
Piotr turned and addressed the jeweller in staccato bursts of rapid Spanish that she didn’t understand a word of. After some time he turned back to her. ‘I will supply a borrow bond and return it immediately after the ceremony. We’ll take it with us now.’
‘Really?’ She was stunned.
The jeweller put the necklace into a velvet-lined travel case that Piotr slid into his jacket pocket in return for a swipe of one of those cards.
Five minutes later she couldn’t resist a quiet plea to the taciturn bodyguard. ‘We don’t have to tell Ramon we’ve borrowed it, do we?’
She wanted to let her temporary husband think she’d spent a stupid amount of his money—just a tiny tease. She swore she almost caught a smile from Piotr.
‘My instructions are to assist you any way necessary, Ms Wallace. You can trust that I will take care of your best interests.’
She did trust him, actually. He was a marvel.
Back at the hotel the hairdresser and make-up artist were waiting. Two hours later she stared at her reflection. A veil the hairdresser had produced added a touch more ‘bridal’, the necklace delivered a wallop of luxury, while the sky-high heels would give her a chance to look Ramon directly in the eyes.
But really all this was for her . Last time it had been everything someone else wanted. But this was all for herself and she was going to indulge in the fantasy of it because it sure as hell was never, ever happening again.
Piotr arrived and actually smiled as he offered her his arm like the big brother she’d never had.
The hotel had a stunning private deck that was built right over the stunning blue sea. Enormous white sails screened them from the sun overhead and Elodie breathed in deeply as she walked towards her groom. On her first wedding day she’d been anxious and awkward and scared of screwing up. This was vastly different. It wasn’t meant to be momentous—she could relax—but the flutters in her belly begged to differ.
Ramon was waiting for her beneath a fresh floral arch and was indeed wearing white. His linen suit, perfect for the blazing mid-afternoon heat, accentuated his tanned skin and the vivid blue of his eyes. Excitement trammelled through her at the sight of him. She desperately, dangerously , wanted him.
This was simply a deal . There shouldn’t be any emotion, hell, he mightn’t even particularly like her and she didn’t want to let herself think that he could because it would tempt her to like him back. He was far too easy to like already. Yet suddenly it was impossible not to smile.
Ramon couldn’t speak. She looked immaculate. This was simply another of her costumes except he couldn’t quite believe it. With a helpless shrug he fell into the fantasy. Her dress had the thinnest of straps and skimmed her slim figure—the pale pink accentuated her stunning hair and was so very pretty. The veil was short and didn’t cover her face, which he appreciated because her eyes were shining. She looked so damned fresh and sincere . He saw her shaky breath as she took her place beside him. She was either a supremely talented actress or she really was nervous. He reached out and took her hand. Tightened his grip when he felt her tremble. They were in this together. Just for a little while.
He repeated the promises, deeply satisfied as she echoed them, laughed when she struggled to put the wedding band on him.
‘I wasn’t prepared,’ she muttered as the celebrant turned to deal with the paperwork. ‘I didn’t realise you’d wear one.’
‘It’s a symbol of my taken status,’ he said, and winked.
‘You could just adjust your social media settings. It would’ve been cheaper.’
‘But money is no object.’ His attention lingered on the diamond collar she wore around her neck. The irony of it being rope-like wasn’t lost on him.
She flushed almost self-consciously and touched the knot at the base of her throat. ‘I thought I’d better up the sparkle, like the greedy little magpie I am.’
‘The ruby ring was not enough for you?’ he murmured.
‘I need to look sufficiently worthy for you. Plus, I can sell them both later and make bank.’
‘Enterprising.’ Ramon decided then and there that he would have her naked in his bed wearing nothing but that collar tonight. It would satisfy him immensely. And yes, he might even have to tie her there. This was only a short-term pretence so he would indulge in it while he could.
Before the celebrant could say the words he kissed her. She melted right against him but it wasn’t nearly enough.
He’d bring forward the flight plan. He quietly moved to speak with Piotr, listened as his man explained a few salient points. Smiled. After giving Piotr a couple extra instructions he moved back to Elodie and used the photographer as pretext to pull her close again. He couldn’t resist stealing another kiss. Then he gripped her hand tightly in his and walked her out of the hotel to the waiting car.
‘Where are we going?’ She looked more nervous now than she had just before the ceremony. ‘Somewhere for more photos?’
‘No.’ He quelled his amusement. ‘We’re going to the airport.’
‘The airport? Now?’ Her voice went pitchy. ‘We’re not staying in Gibraltar?’
‘You’re disappointed?’ He leaned closer, curious to see how she’d play this.
‘I haven’t even been to the beach.’
‘I’ll take you to another beach sometime. One that’s more private. Indulge your craving for a naked roll in the waves there.’
Her mouth opened. Closed. She took a breath. ‘We’re not even stopping to get changed?’
‘The flight isn’t that long.’
‘But—’
‘We need to get back to break up your sister’s engagement, remember?’ he said smoothly. ‘There’s no time to lose.’
Her tension mounted. He almost felt sorry for her, except she’d teased him one time too many today—just by existing—and he really wanted to call her bluff.
‘We can’t leave yet.’ She glanced around as they arrived at the airport. ‘I need Piotr to run an errand.’
‘He’s busy tending to my errands. He’ll meet us here shortly.’
‘Well, I need to run one.’
‘Can’t it wait until we get back to London?’ He guided her towards the plane. ‘Come on, we need to get moving.’
‘We can’t.’ She stopped dead on the tarmac and gripped his arm desperately. ‘I’ll get arrested.’
He stared down at her, feigning confusion. ‘What? Why?’
‘Because it’s on loan.’ She paled.
‘Sorry?’
‘The necklace. I can’t leave Gibraltar wearing it. I promised to have it returned the moment the ceremony was over.’
Ramon couldn’t hold back his amusement a second longer. ‘You mean you didn’t buy it?’
‘Of course not!’ she snapped. ‘I would never spend so much on anything. Not my money. And definitely not yours !’
He stared down at her, his smile fading as he absorbed her genuine agitation—not so much from the fear of taking the diamonds from the country but that he would really think she would spend so much of his money. And she hadn’t spent any at all, had she? Piotr had informed him that Elodie had very determinedly paid for her dress, shoes and accessories all herself.
‘Well, I did,’ he muttered roughly.
‘What?’ She breathed hectically.
‘I bought it,’ he growled. ‘It suits you.’
Her eyes widened. ‘Piotr said I could trust him.’
She’d been honest about the necklace and deeply concerned not to deceive the retailer. Or him. Which pleased him an odd amount. Her sweet panic compelled him to admit the truth.
‘You can,’ Ramon said, as he pulled her onto the plane. ‘He didn’t tell me it was on loan until after the ceremony. He was forced to when I asked him to get ready to leave sooner than I’d originally said. So I sent him to pay for it.’
She perched on the edge of a seat and didn’t look any more relieved. ‘How much did it cost?’ she asked.
‘I’ve no idea.’ He slumped into the seat opposite hers.
‘You don’t know how much it costs?’ She looked appalled.
‘Apparently nor do you,’ he said. ‘And honestly, I don’t care how much it costs.’
A flash of fury sharpened her eyes and her hands went to her neck.
‘Keep it on,’ he ordered sharply.
She froze, then lowered her hands.
Utterly goaded by her fierce glare he leaned forward. ‘I’m taking you to my bed the moment we land back in London. And in that bed I will take you wearing nothing but those diamonds, Elodie. I’ve been fantasising about that from the second I saw you in that dress today. Which also is delectable by the way. So don’t remove a thing, because I want to do it.’ He paused to release a stressed sigh. ‘Please.’
‘You’re going to...’ She breathed in with apparent difficulty.
‘Have you. Yes. My bed. Time. Space. Privacy. So we endure the flight back. It’s only three hours. Can you cope?’ He was furious with both her and his descent into monosyllabic sentences.
She flushed. Her gaze fixed on him. Struggling as much as he.
They remained silent while the attendant got the flight ready and Piotr returned. Remained silent as the plane taxied down the runway and took off. And the moment they levelled out, Ramon stood to remove his jacket.
‘Don’t take it off,’ Elodie ordered in a thin voice.
He stilled.
She lifted her chin and met his gaze squarely. ‘I want to do it. Don’t remove a thing.’
He sat back down. ‘You like making me sweat?’
‘I think it’s only fair.’
Ramon stared at her. Siren. Temptress. So bloody beautiful. And finally—for now— his . He watched her erratic breathing, the sheen on her skin, the way she squirmed in her seat as he stared. As for the undeniable evidence of her arousal gifted to him by the sharp peaks of her luscious breasts—his body was like a rock.
‘Let’s play something,’ he suggested tightly. Except the only games he could think of were highly inappropriate.
‘You’re not going to work?’ she muttered.
‘Currently not capable,’ he conceded through gritted teeth.
Another flush of desire stained her skin. She reached into the bag the attendant had delivered and pulled out a spiral-bound notebook. ‘Help me design a room I’m working on.’
He reached for a bottle of mineral water and took a moment to mentally calibrate. ‘What’s the theme?’
‘Honeymoon suite.’
‘Right.’ He half laughed. ‘Let me guess. Runaway bride?’
Her pout curved. ‘Intriguing, don’t you think? She’s desperate to escape.’
‘Boring. Flip it—why not a runaway groom?’
‘Would he be such a coward?’ She stared into his eyes.
Ramon had the feeling he should be running away right now. His want for her was insanely intense. ‘Why is it okay for her to run away?’ he pointed out tensely. ‘Why wouldn’t she stay and fight for her man?’
‘Maybe it’s not a marriage she actually wants.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Who generally has the power or control in a relationship? Statistics suggest it isn’t the bride. Sometimes the only way out is to escape. It’s quickest, easiest. Safest.’
‘Okay,’ he said softly, quelling the sharp ache in his ribs that her words engendered. ‘Talk me through what you have so far.’
He listened as she outlined the full ‘scenario’—the few props and tricks she’d already had—then began throwing outrageous suggestions at her because he needed to lighten the mood. She swiftly matched him. They debated the merits of virtual reality and of incorporating light projections into the room.
‘What if they have to evade noxious gas—you could have fun with dry ice. They’d have to put on masks. It would be fully immersive. People love wholly immersive.’
‘Do they?’ She laughed. ‘You’ll be suggesting dive tanks and flood rooms next.’
The hours literally flew by. By the time they landed, Elodie had scribbled several pages of notes while Ramon had laughed more than he had in the last decade. Which made him sober up the second he realised it.
‘You’re very creative, Ms Wallace,’ he said softly.
She wriggled her ring-clad fingers at him. ‘Not Ms anymore.’
No. She was his wilful wife, and he was damn well having his wedding night.