The Twelve-Month Marriage Deal

by Margaret Mayo

  Elena pulled herself out of Vidal’s arms and raced across the lawn, screaming her sister’s name.

  Chapter Ten

  THE sisters hugged and wept. It was an emotional moment for Elena, knowing that Reina was safe and well. She glanced across at Vidal and saw him staring at them, a harsh frown creasing his brow as he started to walk towards them.

  In an instant she led Reina into the house. They needed to talk without being disturbed.

  ‘We’ve all been so worried about you,’ she said. ‘Where have you been? Why did you run away and tell no one?’

  Reina pulled a wry face. ‘I needed space. I’ve been staying with a friend in London.’

  ‘I can’t believe this. Mamá’s not well, you know. She’s been in hospital. Did she tell you? Have you been to see them?’

  ‘Of course,’ answered Reina. ‘And they told me about the party, that’s why I’m here. But Mamá said nothing about being ill. What’s wrong with her? She doesn’t look poorly.’

  Reina had the same shaped face as Elena, but there the resemblance ended. She was good-looking, but she wasn’t beautiful, with brown eyes, a short nose and a wide mouth. Her hair was her crowning glory, long and thick and silky.

  ‘She’s been worried sick about the bank,’ answered Elena quietly. ‘And while she was in hospital they discovered a heart murmur. She needs to seriously look after herself. No more stress, the doctor said.’

  ‘Oh, my goodness,’ cried Reina, her hands going to her mouth. ‘I wish I had known—I wouldn’t have stayed away so long. I would never have done this to her. I’m home for good now, though, so I’ll be able to look after her. But tell me why you’ve married Vidal. I couldn’t believe it when Mamá told me. Have you both suddenly discovered that you’re in love?’

  ‘Love?’ questioned Elena sharply. ‘That’s the last thing I’d ever feel for him.’ It wasn’t easy denying the feelings that had begun to creep up on her. But they were so new, so secretive that she didn’t want to tell anyone about them, and most definitely not her beloved sister.

  ‘Then why did you marry him?’

  Elena raised her eyebrows. ‘Do you need to ask? You ran away from him, don’t forget. Someone had to step in and save the day. Didn’t Mamá and Papá tell you?’ She was beginning to feel a tiny bit confused by her sister’s apparent ignorance of events.

  ‘It’s why they sent for me,’ she went on before Reina could answer. ‘I was their last hope. I’m not blaming you for walking out, I understand why you did it, but it took a lot of guts, I assure you, and I shall be glad when it’s all over, but—’

  ‘Stop! I can’t believe what I am hearing,’ cut in Reina, her dark eyes narrowed and fierce all of a sudden. ‘You’re telling me that Vidal refused to go ahead with the merger unless you married him?’

  Elena nodded. ‘Wasn’t that what you were going to do?’

  ‘Yes, but—’

  ‘Didn’t you care that our parents might have lost their livelihood?’

  ‘But they wouldn’t have done.’

  Elena lifted her brows, giving her sister a piercing look. ‘How can you say that? The bank was in big trouble. Have you any idea of the impassioned plea they made? I was going to refuse, yes, but then Mamá was taken ill with the stress of it all so I really had no choice.’

  Reina’s eyes flashed darkly and angrily. ‘Vidal Marquez! I could kill that man.’

  Elena frowned. ‘I don’t understand. What are you talking about?’

  Her sister expelled her breath fiercely. ‘He accepted the fact that I didn’t want to commit to a loveless marriage. He appreciated my being honest. He said that he could understand it.’ Reina sucked in another breath and let it go again just as angrily. ‘And declared that he would go ahead with the merger regardless.’

  Elena felt her head begin to spin. This couldn’t be true. Vidal was a lot of things, but he surely wasn’t capable of such deceit? He wouldn’t have married her just because—because he wanted her body. Would he? She went hot all over at the very thought.

  ‘My guess is that Vidal went back to the original idea so that he could get you into his bed,’ concluded Reina bitterly. ‘The man’s a rat—he should be hanged.’

  To have her fears confirmed sent an even deeper chill through Elena’s veins. She felt herself trembling all over.

  Immediately Reina wrapped her sister in her arms. ‘I’m sorry. I never dreamt this would happen. I saw you two together earlier and you looked very—intimate, happy even. Are you sharing his bed?’

  Elena nodded dismally.

  ‘Are you in love with him?’

  ‘No!’ It was an instant denial. ‘Haven’t I said that? I hate him. I hate everything he stands for. He’s a snake in man’s clothing. He’s slimy and sneaky and—I cannot believe he did this. Even our parents were kept in the dark. They had no idea that he was prepared to go through with the deal. It’s why they sent for me.’

  Another shudder racked her body. ‘To think that I gave up running my company to be here, to help our parents—and all for nothing! Why the hell did you run away, Reina, without telling them? Why didn’t you set them straight?’

  She couldn’t understand her sister. If Vidal had been okay with her reneging on their deal, why had she done a disappearing act? It didn’t make sense. Admittedly Reina wouldn’t have known the mess she’d left behind, she had thought it would all be hunky-dory, yet in reality it was anything but.

  Reina pulled a pained face. ‘I just assumed that Vidal would tell them. I never dreamt that he would go back on his word. Maybe he was going to, but they sent for you before he got round to it, and then he took a fancy to you. You’ve grown up, little sister, in a spectacular way.’

  Discovering that the only reason Vidal had married her was because he lusted after her body sent shock wave after shock wave through Elena’s entire system. That, and the fact that she had given in to him so easily, so completely, even imagining that she was falling in love with him, made her feel physically sick. The very thought of what she had done, what he had done, what she had got herself into, sent her mind reeling into space.

  Reina took Elena by the shoulders before speaking again. ‘Look, Elena, maybe there is another explanation for all this. Surely Vidal wouldn’t do such a thing. You looked happy before, dancing together, and he is gorgeous. You were within your rights to fall for him.’

  Elena smiled at her sister, but it was filled with bitterness. Oh, Vidal might appear a gentleman, but Reina’s revelation also put him into another category. A reprehensible deceiver. A man with no principles. So what was she to do about it? How could she carry on living with him knowing what he was like, what he had done? Vidal had touched every pulse in her body. He had made her his in every sense of the word.

  ‘He has the morals of a gutter snake,’ she snapped, fury stiffening her spine, causing her golden eyes to practically shoot sparks into the air. ‘And I shall delight in telling him so.’

  Vidal had charmed her into falling in love with him, but she had to discard those feelings now. He was not worthy of her love. He had tricked her in the worst way possible. How would she ever be able to trust him again?

  Besides, he didn’t have the same sort of feelings for her. He treated her well, he bought her expensive gifts, he was a fantastic lover, but behind it all was the hard businessman. He’d had an eye for a deal and she had been his stepping stone towards it.

  All thoughts that he’d been warming towards her fled. He wouldn’t hesitate to get rid of her when their contract ended—she knew that now. And he was going to be in for a very rude awakening if he thought she would stay the term. This was the end of the line as far as she was concerned.

  Vidal wondered how much longer they were going to be. Reina turning up like this had been a worst-case scenario. He had been on the verge of confessing to Elena that he was falling in love with her. The very words had been on his lips. He had been going to suggest that they start afresh and turn their marriage into
a real one.

  And now Reina had put in an appearance, and if she had told her sister the true state of affairs she would have ruined everything!

  He had never felt like this about any other woman. Elena made him feel totally different about himself. She had drawn out a side of him that he had never known existed. A softer side, a caring side. Instead of thinking only about his banking interests, he’d had this totally stunning woman to fill his mind.

  She not only fulfilled his physical needs, but his mental ones as well. She was stimulating company, they had had conversations on all manner of subjects, making him want to spend every second of his time with her.

  Yes, he had behaved despicably, but who could blame him? How else could he have got her into his bed? He was ashamed of that now, deeply ashamed. He had to talk to her, he had to convince her that he was genuinely sorry. There were other ways he could have gone about it. He could have pursued her without marrying her—even if he’d had to go to LA to do it. What had he been thinking?

  Admittedly, good had come out of their arrangement—she had developed feelings for him too. He had seen it in her eyes, in the way her body responded. She gave herself to him freely and willingly now, sometimes even being the instigator. Surely she wouldn’t behave like that unless she was falling in love with him too?

  How much longer were they going to be? The waiting was driving him insane. They were pulling him to pieces, he knew that without a doubt. He could not wait any longer. It was time to intervene.

  He found them upstairs in Elena’s own private sitting room. When he pushed open the door two pairs of accusing eyes stared at him. The atmosphere was so thick he could have cut it with a knife.

  Reina stood up, her back ramrod straight, flaring her brown eyes. ‘You’re the lowest of the low, Vidal Marquez. To think I once thought you were a man of integrity. How could you do this to my sister?’

  Vidal drew in a short, sharp breath. How could he indeed? But this was between him and Elena, not Reina. ‘I’d be grateful if you’d leave us alone,’ he said, trying his hardest to keep his voice soft and even. It was difficult when he was facing what had to be the most crucial conversation of his life.

  Reina turned her head. ‘Do you want me to stay, Elena?’

  Elena shook her head, her eyes devoid of all feeling. ‘No. I’ll deal with this.’

  Reluctantly Reina left, giving Vidal another accusatory glare as she walked past him.

  When they were alone, when the door had closed, Vidal moved slowly towards Elena, his eyes sad and full of self-reproach.

  Contrastingly Elena’s eyes sparked into life and she jumped to her feet. ‘Don’t even try to make excuses. In fact, I never want to see you again. I want you to go and tell our guests that the party is over. Or would you like me to do it? I could tell them a few home truths at the same time.’

  Vidal felt an acute pain in the region of his heart. He had done this to her. He deserved her anger, but he could not walk away from this relationship without trying to repair the damage. ‘Elena, you’re hurt and distraught, I understand that, but—’

  ‘You bet I’m hurt,’ she cried. ‘I’ve never felt so humiliated in my whole life. I never want to see you again, Vidal. I want nothing to do with you. First thing in the morning I’m out of here. Now go, get rid of all those people out there.’

  Infierno, she looked beautiful, her eyes burning with passion, her cheeks flaming. She stood proud and tall, her red dress a symbol of her anger, of the rage that filled her with such fire. He desperately wanted to hold her in his arms, to kiss her better as one might a child. He wanted to say sorry over and over again.

  But he could see that she was determined he leave, and although he would prefer to stay and sort things out between them, try to convince her that he wasn’t all bad, that he would spend the rest of his life making it up to her, he knew that it would be wise to give her some time on her own.

  Perhaps in a few hours she would feel differently. She would realise that although his motives hadn’t been exactly altruistic, there was no denying that their feelings for each other were now very real.

  Reluctantly he left the room, explaining to their guests that Elena wasn’t feeling well. Nevertheless it was almost an hour before the last one left, before the caterers took away the food that no one had yet touched, before the band packed up their instruments.

  Elena had changed out of her red dress into a pair of trousers and a T-shirt by the time Vidal found her again. She was furiously, furiously angry. He had caused her the ultimate humiliation. And she had fallen for it. That was the worst part. She had listened to his plans, seen no other way of helping her parents—and yet all the time he had wanted only her body.

  She felt violated, stupid, embarrassed.

  ‘What are you doing?’ he asked, looking at her open suitcase.

  ‘What does it look like I’m doing?’ she retorted, turning around to glare at him. ‘I’m moving out.’ There was no way on this earth that she could sleep with him, stay with him, pretend with him. Not any more. It was over, finished. She never wanted to see him again as long as she lived.

  ‘I won’t let you do that. We can sort this out. We need to talk. I want to explain.’

  Vidal closed the gap between them, standing so close that she could smell the cologne he had splashed on earlier. It had always kicked her hormones into life, it was as much an intrinsic part of Vidal as any physical element of him. But tonight it did nothing. She felt as though she were made of stone. She had no heart, she had no feelings—nothing except anger.

  ‘What is there to explain?’ she demanded, her golden eyes flaring magnificently. ‘You forced me to marry you because you wanted my body. Have you any idea how humiliating that is? I feel sick every time I think about it. I—’

  ‘Elena, will you please listen?’

  He attempted to take her into his arms, but she stepped back. ‘To what? Another pack of lies? You disgust me, Vidal.’

  ‘Maybe I did desire you,’ he admittedly quietly. ‘You’re too utterly gorgeous for any man not to like what he sees. But that wasn’t the only reason I—’

  ‘Save the excuses,’ she spat. ‘I know what sort of a man you are. A scheming, manipulative, devious bastard. I hate you. I never want to see you again as long as I live.’ She turned her back on him, her shoulders hunched, not wanting him to see the tears in her eyes.

  It could have all been so beautiful. Tonight she really had thought that she was in love with him. He had made her feel special and it had promised to be a birthday to surpass all birthdays. It had done that all right! This was a birthday she would never forget. Not as long as she lived.

  She felt his hands on her shoulders, gentle, tentative, and they sent waves of anguish through her body. ‘Don’t touch me,’ she cried. ‘Get away from me.’ And she swung round to meet the sad silver of his eyes.

  ‘We need to talk,’ he said quietly, ‘properly talk, but we can’t do so until you’ve calmed down.’

  ‘You think I’ll ever recover from this?’ Elena found it hard to believe that he was still trying to talk her round. ‘No words will ever put the matter right. What is done is done. It cannot be undone. I’ll never forgive you. Not in a million years.’

  And it wasn’t only the fact that he had hurt and humiliated her, he had deceived her parents as well. How were they going to feel when they found out?

  They mustn’t. She must never tell them, it would break their hearts, it would send her mother into hospital again—and this time she might not recover. Oh, God, how had she let herself get into this mess? Vidal was a monster. Thinking only of himself, his own pleasure, his own needs.

  Every time she thought about the way she had given her body to him, willingly at times, lovingly even, she wanted to stab a knife into his heart.

  ‘Perhaps in the morning you might think differently. My motives were entirely—’

  ‘Dishonourable!’ Elena’s eyes met his head-on. ‘Don’t think you c
an talk your way out of this, Vidal.’ Her whole body was on fire; she wanted to flail her fists against his chest; she wanted to hurt him as he had hurt her. Except that no amount of physical violence would ever heal the hurt in her heart. It was doubtful it would ever go away. She had been a stupid, silly fool, taken in by a handsome face and carefully spoken words.

  ‘I think you should get some sleep,’ he said quietly. ‘Perhaps you’ll feel better in the morning. We can talk then.’

  She strode across to the door. ‘Perhaps you will sleep. Perhaps your conscience won’t affect you. If you have one, that is. I’ll use another room tonight, Vidal, and then tomorrow I’ll be gone. Out of your life. For ever.’

  She slammed the door behind her, half expecting it to be pulled open again, for him to follow, not knowing whether to be relieved or surprised when he didn’t. Both perhaps. She was most definitely surprised; she had expected him to stop her, to come after her, to make a further attempt to excuse his behaviour.

  Except that there were no excuses. What he had done was unpardonable.

  And her relief that he was giving her time to herself, that he wasn’t coming after her and forcing her to continue the conversation when she felt like drowning her sorrows in a bottle of something strong and intoxicating, knew no bounds. There was nothing else left for them to say. He had hurt her immeasurably, she felt used and defiled, and it would be a long, long time before she ever trusted another man. If ever!

  She pushed open one of the other bedroom doors and curled up on the bed fully dressed. She wouldn’t sleep—how could she when her mind was in turmoil? Tears spilled down her cheeks as she lay there sobbing silently. Never had she met a man whom she hated as much as she hated Vidal now.

  If her sister hadn’t turned up she would have given her heart to him. Thank goodness she hadn’t. Because once given she wouldn’t have been able to take it back. Once she had confessed her love he would never have let her go. It would have bound her to him as surely as if she were held in shackles.