Valerio looked at his watch. He had another five minutes before they expected him to follow. He guessed it would involve gambling of some sort. His father was an avid poker player and was known for his skill. He sighed. Even the thought of a night of mindless gambling wasn’t enough to calm the irritation brought by how badly he had handled things earlier.
She had thanked him for bedding her, as if he had been doing her a service. As though he had been trying to assuage his guilt by giving her orgasms as penance? His jaw tightened with anger at how little she must think of herself if she believed such utter nonsense. There was nothing charitable about his behaviour towards her.
If he’d been a better man, he would have kept his attraction under control. He wouldn’t have complicated their arrangement and risked the fragile friendship they had formed. He had played with fire and ignited a full-blown blaze. He should be thankful that she’d seen sense and ended things.
But even now being away from her felt wrong, somehow, even though he knew she wasn’t any safer with him by her side. He had left his two best security men with strict instructions to ensure she was completely secure. He had finalised all the necessary arrangements for the surprise he’d planned for her tomorrow. He’d wanted to see her face when she saw it, but it was probably better if he kept his distance until the ceremony. He wished they hadn’t had that argument...that his family hadn’t arrived and set off all alarm bells in his mind.
But above all, he realised a part of him missed her, needed her company, as if they had spent years of this fragile new intimacy together—not just a few days.
He frowned at the thought. He didn’t need her—he had always made sure he didn’t need anyone. He was Mr No Strings. They had just both been celibate for a long time, so it was only natural that it would add to the kind of explosive sexual chemistry they had... It was a recipe for this addictive feeling. But he was not going to become hooked. They’d had one amazing weekend of blowing off some steam and that was over.
Gritting his teeth, he closed his eyes and focused on the sound of the sea lapping against the stern to try to unwind the tension in his gut. Maybe having his family here planning this wedding had got under his skin? There was no other explanation for the crazy thoughts he had been entertaining since he’d left the villa.
He knew that someone like him could never have the kind of stable, normal lifestyle his father and brother enjoyed. It was utterly ridiculous. Did he actually think he could give a woman like Dani the life she deserved?
He had already resigned himself to being alone until he found out who was behind Duarte’s murder. He hadn’t thought further beyond that. It was hard enough just getting through each day with his rigid handle on his PTSD intact. He was broken. His body and mind had been damaged and scarred and, no matter how hard he tried, he would always have to bear the reminders of what had happened in Brazil—a catastrophic event that he had caused by being his usual impulsive, reckless self.
His head security guard appeared, snapping him out of his thoughts. ‘Mr Marchesi, there’s a man here to see you. Says it’s urgent.’
It was his private investigator from Rio, Juan, his face looking entirely the worse for wear and his clothes dishevelled.
‘You didn’t answer my calls, so I put a flight on your tab.’ He stepped forward, placing a tablet computer in his hands. ‘You can thank me later.’
The man sank down onto a nearby lounger as Valerio’s eyes scanned the file, seeing Angelus Fiero’s name. He felt anger begin to surge within him, expecting the worst. But the contents of the report were so far from what he’d expected that he found himself needing to sit down.
‘Get me Fiero on the phone—now.’ His voice was a dry rasp.
‘He’s currently in an operating theatre after sustaining a gunshot wound.’ Juan sat forward. ‘He’ll survive. He went after them himself, it seems. The politician who ordered the kidnapping is dead and all evidence of the blackmail material he’d been keeping about Duarte has been destroyed, thanks to Fiero’s clever manoeuvrings over the past few weeks. I believe the threat to Miss Avelar has been neutralised.’
Valerio felt the air leave his lungs. Angelus Fiero had been on their side all along. ‘How do we know there aren’t still others who are waiting to take over? How do I know she isn’t still in danger?’
‘Fiero has used his intel to turn the tables on a few other corrupt individuals linked to the Brazilian government. He’s had the Avelar land and properties in Brazil made untouchable. They can only be used for charity, so they’re worthless to any other money-grabbing corrupt developers now. As is every other piece of her inheritance. She’s safe. I’m sure of it.’
Valerio nodded slowly, wondering why he didn’t feel a sense of elation at the news.
He thanked Juan, and instructed his security guard to ensure that the PI was paid handsomely for his efforts. Alone again, he debated heading straight over to the villa and telling Dani the news. Telling her everything. But it was late...and he didn’t want his mother to overhear their conversation.
Renata Marchesi was going to be upset enough at the cancellation of her dream island wedding ceremony. Because if there was no longer a threat, there was no longer any need for a wedding. He could tell his family what had happened—why he had been so secretive. Maybe one day they would all look back on this and laugh.
They would have made one another miserable anyway...he and Dani. But, then again, maybe they might have found some way to be happy in their arrangement...
He stood still for a long time in the dark, staring out at the inky black waves as he imagined what his life might have looked like if things had been different.
After a fitful night of sleep, alone in the bed that still smelled like Valerio, Dani barely registered the conversation at the breakfast table. It was dawn, and the whole house was buzzing with activity in preparation for the wedding. Renata and Nicole were talking about the details of the ceremony planned for that evening—a sunset wedding, followed by an intimate family dinner prepared by a world-famous chef who lived on the island.
The moment she was able to, she slipped away and wandered out onto the deck, staring at the glorious sunrise as it kissed pink and orange along the waves and wondering how on earth she had managed to get herself into such a mess. It was her wedding day and she was utterly miserable. If she’d been the brave, fearless type, she would have just run away. She almost smiled, imagining herself commandeering Valerio’s boat and sailing towards the horizon.
Heels tapped across the deck towards her and she inhaled, turning and preparing herself to tell even more lies to this wonderful family who had made her feel so accepted.
But it wasn’t Renata or Nicole who stood in front of her.
‘Jeez, this place is locked up tighter than a prison.’ Hermione smirked. ‘I had to show my ID and video-call your fiancé just to get his goons to let me past the gates.’
Dani’s mind had barely recognised her best friend’s smiling face before she launched herself full force into Hermione’s arms. It was as though all the pressures of the day had been released, and she did nothing but hold her tight for a long time.
When they finally separated, she took a step back and lightly punched Hermione in the bicep.
‘Hey, is that how you thank me for blowing off a job with royalty to come and be your maid of honour?’
‘I wasn’t planning to have an elaborate wedding at all until you intervened!’ Dani said under her breath. ‘His family aren’t supposed to know anything about what’s really going on here.’
‘By that you mean the fact that you’re having hot sex with your soon-to-be husband?’ Hermione said dryly. ‘That’s utterly scandalous, Dani. How will they ever recover?’
Dani suddenly regretted the instant messages she’d been firing back and forth with her best friend. ‘Be serious. It’s not a real marriage—none of this is
real—and it’s only going to hurt them once they find out it’s all lies.’
‘Is it all lies, though?’ Hermione asked softly. ‘Because the look on your face in that picture you sent me of you two out on the boat... It’s the first time I’ve seen you look happy in a long time. Does he make you happy?’
Dani swallowed hard, turning around to hide the sudden flood of wetness to her eyes. Yes, he made her happy. He made her feel stronger than she’d thought she was capable of being. He made her feel beautiful and powerful and utterly devastated all in the space of one day. He made her feel far too much for it not to be utterly catastrophic to her soul once he eventually walked away. Because he didn’t feel anything for her other than a fleeting physical attraction and a responsibility to keep her safe.
‘Dani...’ Hermione spoke softly, laying a hand on her shoulder. ‘Did I mess up here? I just thought of the wedding you lost out on before, and the awfulness of the past few years, and I wanted something beautiful for you.’
Silence fell between them. Then Dani exhaled a slow, shaking breath and turned to press her face into her friend’s shoulder. ‘Thank you. I’m really glad you’re here now.’
They were interrupted by the arrival of Renata and Nicole, holding champagne glasses. Sharing a pointed look with Hermione, she joined their toast to a beautiful wedding and a happy marriage to follow.
‘I’m sorry now that I didn’t buy a proper dress.’ Dani frowned, realising for the first time that the simple beige linen dress she’d packed was really not going to be appropriate any longer. She watched as the three women exchanged a look of pure mischief, and then Hermione leaned towards Dani’s future mother-in-law and whispered in her ear.
‘I asked these ladies to wait until I got here to surprise you,’ Hermione said, and smiled, pulling her by the hand towards the house.
Dani followed Hermione upstairs to the master bedroom—Valerio’s bedroom. At some point it had been filled with boxes of flowers and small bags bearing designer labels. Hanging on the frame of the four-poster bed was a large white garment bag.
Dani felt time stop as Hermione slid the zip downwards and revealed the most spectacular blush-coloured gown she had ever set eyes on. It was the dress Dani had pointed out to her friend at a fashion week over a year ago, when she had confessed that her ex had influenced the choice of her first traditional white wedding gown, which she’d had to embarrassingly return when he jilted her.
Hermione had been outraged, but had never brought up the conversation again. Clearly she had not forgotten.
In a blur, Dani was undressed and zipped into the gown, awed at how it fitted perfectly to her body like a second skin and flowed in all the right places.
‘You remembered... How did you get this?’ she breathed slowly, her hands stroking the material with awe. It was the same one. There was no doubting it. Even down to the hand-sewn rose-shaped gathering on the bodice.
‘Your fiancé called my office yesterday, the moment he realised the wedding was going to be more than a simple affair. He asked me to choose the perfect dress as a wedding gift—and to bring myself, of course.’ Hermione moved beside her, tipping her face up and wiping away a small errant tear that had slipped out. ‘This is a real wedding, Dani. You both just haven’t realised it yet.’
Dani thought of Valerio’s thoughtfulness in helping her tackle her fear of the ocean. The way he’d held her as he told her how beautiful she was. The way he’d looked into her eyes as they made love. The sense of overwhelming rightness between them.
Now she was being told that he had gone so far as to make sure she had her best friend here, to obtain her dream dress... It was more than anyone had ever done for her before... It was too much.
She was overcome with the need to know what it all meant. What they meant to one another.
‘I need to go to him.’ She turned to Hermione and saw her friend’s eyes light up with glee. ‘There’s no way I can marry him without laying everything out on the table, consequences be damned. I’m done with being afraid.’
‘I like this change in you.’ Hermione hugged her close. ‘And I hope that man knows how lucky he is.’
They both knew there was no way Renata would allow Dani to leave without asking a million questions and worrying, so Hermione offered to spin a story and cause a distraction while Dani slipped away.
She briefly considered the speedboat, and a dramatic exit, but she wasn’t quite that adventurous yet. So she walked up the driveway to the small hut that housed the two security guards and turned on her best smile, matched with her most authoritative tone. She didn’t have time for any of their safety protocol nonsense.
‘I need to see your boss. Right now.’
Valerio had just stepped out of the shower when he heard the door to the master cabin burst open. Like something from a dream, Dani walked into the bathroom, her eyes filled with blazing emotion.
‘You’re wearing the dress...’ His voice was somewhere between disbelief and wonder, and a part of him was cursing fate for throwing this vision at him when he had been preparing to go to her and call off their entire wedding. ‘Why are you here?’
‘I had a whole speech planned on the drive over...’ Her voice shook as she looked down and realised he only wore a towel. ‘Oh, God... I should go.’
Valerio gripped her wrist and pulled her back towards him. ‘Don’t.’
She moved closer to him, her eyes filled with a look that both terrified and delighted him. A look he had no right to see. She needed to know all the facts. She needed to know that she didn’t have to trust him or rely on him any longer. That she didn’t need him.
‘I need to talk to you before...’ She paused, one hand reaching out to lay against his bare chest. ‘Before we go ahead with this.’
‘I need to talk to you too.’ He inhaled deeply, glad that they were alone for this moment. That he could give her privacy, away from prying eyes and ears.
‘I lied,’ she said suddenly. ‘I don’t want things to end. The thought of not being with you again is unbearable.’
With disbelief and shock, he pulled her closer until they stood chest to chest. ‘I’ve hardly been able to stop thinking of this...of what you do to me. It’s like I have no control when it comes to you.’
‘Me too.’
Her voice was a husky whisper as she pressed herself to him, her eyes widening as she brushed against the hard ridge of his erection. The look of instant heat she gave him was enough to bring him close to the edge as his lips lowered to hers in a fury of urgent need and frustration.
The sound she made against his mouth was half surprise and half seductive whimper as she slowly melted against him. His hands cupped the delicious curve of her behind, grinding her against the unbearable hardness that ached to be inside her.
Dani felt the urgency in him like a rising tide as he walked her backwards until she was pressed against the cool tiled walls. His eyes glimmered with intent as he slowly raised the full skirt of her wedding dress up her thighs. The material was light, and easily folded around her waist. She worried for a split second about crushing the fabric, but then decided it would be fine.
He moved to touch her, to feel how slick and hot and ready she was for him. His eyes darkened to the colour of a raging storm.
Her white lace underwear refused to stay to one side, and he let out a low growl, tearing at one side and throwing the scrap of lace to the floor. She bit her lower lip, feeling a thrill go through her at such a primal display. His lips nuzzled against her neck, biting softly.
‘Dio... I need to be inside you right now.’
‘Yes...’ she breathed, feeling his hands grip the curve of one thigh and lift it so she was spread wide for him.
He dropped his towel and slid into her easily, her body singing out in sweet relief at being filled with such perfect hard heat. His thrusts were demanding, but hi
s rhythm was just what she needed—she needed to feel that warm tension building deep inside her.
Every hard stroke brought her higher, and she clamped a hand over her mouth as she fought not to moan. They were far enough away from anyone else on the yacht not to truly risk being caught, but the thrill of it only added to her arousal.
Without warning, he gripped her other thigh and lifted her against the wall for even deeper access. She stiffened and tried to stop him. He shut off her protests with his mouth, the urgency in his body telling her he was far from burdened by her size. He pulled at one strap of her dress with his teeth, freeing one dark nipple above the fabric and taking it greedily into his mouth.
With his head bent low she could clearly see the reflection of him taking her in the mirror on the opposite wall. He followed her gaze, his eyes wicked as sin as he quickened his pace, giving no mercy as he took her over and over until she cried out against her hand.
‘Just look at you,’ he growled, his eyes almost reverent. ‘Do you see how beautiful you are?’
She looked at the flush on her cheeks as she felt pleasure mounting, at the plump swollen flesh of her lips. She looked like a stranger.
She felt utterly weightless in his arms as she rode out her climax, feeling it crest and take her like a rush of electricity until her entire body shook. He was right there with her. A few hard thrusts and he came hard inside her, his head tilted back and eyes closed tight as though he were in pain.
After a moment he stepped back and grabbed a towel from the rack, wetting it and kneeling down to cleanse her. The movement was so caring she felt her throat clench. He didn’t meet her eyes, however, as he stood up and put himself to rights. Then he reached down to grab her torn underwear from the floor and stared at it with such ferocity that she inhaled a sharp breath.
The Vows He Must Keep (Mills & Boon Modern) (The Avelar Family Scandals, Book 1) Page 15
