The Twelve-Month Marriage Deal by Margaret Mayo Read Free Book Online Page B

‘I don’t blame Reina for running out on him—it’s a huge commitment. Be careful, Elena. Do not fall in love with him or you’ll have your heart broken.’
    ‘You need have no fear,’ she tossed back, her eyes flashing. ‘I’m giving him twelve months of my life and not a minute more. It’s the least I can do under the circumstances.’
    ‘Okay. But remember that if you should ever need a shoulder to cry on, I’m here.’
    On the eve of their wedding Vidal turned up at Elena’s house and placed a package into her hand.
    ‘What is this?’ she asked, recognising the wrapping from the same jeweller where he had purchased their rings.
    ‘A present for you, mi amor. ’
    Elena frowned. ‘But why?’
    ‘Because it needed to be done,’ he exclaimed impatiently. ‘What would people think if I didn’t shower you with gifts? Open it.’
    But Elena’s fingers were impossibly clumsy and in the end he pulled the wrapping off for her. The white satin box, fastened with gold cord, revealed an awesomely expensive diamond necklace. From the fine chain hung a pendant in the shape of two entwined circles each studded with flawless diamonds. And sitting beside it was a pair of matching earrings.
    ‘I can’t accept this,’ she said breathlessly. ‘Even though they are the most beautiful things I have ever seen.’
    ‘But you must,’ insisted Vidal. ‘A beautiful gift for a beautiful lady. The necklace will look sensational on your skin. Allow me to put it on so that you can see for yourself.’
    He positioned her in front of a mirror and Elena could see the concentration on his face as he fastened it around her throat. His fingers burned where they touched her skin, creating a whole host of unwanted emotions. It took all of her will power not to turn in his arms and kiss him. He looked so handsome, so utterly gorgeous, so incredibly sexy, that it was torture resisting him. Her whole body ached with a need so deep that it hurt.
    ‘There, don’t you agree?’ he asked gruffly when hehad finished and stepped back so that she could study herself.
    ‘It’s perfect,’ she said huskily. ‘But you shouldn’t have spent so much money when—’
    He silenced her with the touch of his lips to hers. Not a lover’s kiss, but the sort one would give a child, or a parent. Nevertheless it sent a million tiny shivers down her spine, and a further host of explosive sensations through every one of her veins.
    She shivered. ‘Thank you, Vidal.’ Her tone was so soft that she wasn’t sure he had heard—until he smiled and nodded.
    ‘The pleasure is all mine.’
    That night Elena lay in bed with her eyes closed, but she was as far away from falling asleep as she was from the moon. All she could see in front of her mind’s eye was Vidal. Tall, handsome, charismatic, a devastatingly magnetic man. A man who could melt her with one glance.
    But a man she did not love!
    The only spark between them was a sexual one. And that had been suppressed since their first condemning kiss. Painfully so on her part at times. But since she was the one who had declared they must wait…
    Without a doubt Vidal would insist on her sharing his bed tomorrow night. He had made that very clear. In fact, she was surprised that he had held off for so long. She had thought he would ignore her request, persuade her to think differently, and indeed there had been occasions when she had willed him to do so.
    But no, Vidal had remained true to his word.
    There were over two hundred guests expected, show-business stars, business acquaintances, family he hadn’t seen in years. Some had already arrived and she’d been showered with congratulations and questions. It had been particularly difficult fending off queries as to where her sister was, but somehow she had got through the day.
    All she had to do now was get through tomorrow.
    Her wedding dress was a dream in layers of organza and silk. Her mother helped her and the bridesmaids get ready and she had