He broke off abruptly, his mouth hanging open in fear as Malachi stepped in front of him, his face blazing with white-hot anger.
‘The only one lying down will be you, Henry. In a hospital bed!’ His voice was like ice. ‘What the hell are you doing?’
Malachi drew a jagged breath. His body felt as if it was in free fall. Addie was staring at him, transfixed, but he couldn’t bring himself to meet her gaze. Instead, grabbing her hand, he pulled her behind him protectively and turned towards his father.
‘You couldn’t help yourself, could you?’ He shook his head, anger vying with pain, choking him, blistering his throat and mouth. ‘Only you’ve gone too far. This isn’t some stupid game. It’s twisted.’ Breathing out unsteadily, he took a step backwards. ‘We’re leaving. You have until three o’clock tomorrow to get out. But don’t expect me to pick up the tab. This one’s on you.’
Turning, he pulled Addie close, his heart jerking with relief as his arm curled around her soft body.
‘And don’t bother trying to contact me. There won’t be any point. As of this moment, I never want to hear from you again.’
* * *
Later, Addie would wonder how they made it to the airport. She had no memory of leaving the hotel or getting in the limo or onto the plane. Nothing had seemed to register on her brain except Malachi’s rage. She didn’t think she had ever seen anyone so angry. His fury had been like the burning cold of an ice storm.
Gazing across the plane’s lounge, to where he sat alone, she felt her stomach cramp. She didn’t really understand all that had happened at the party. All she knew was that since getting in the limo she hadn’t been able to reach him. That he hadn’t needed her and certainly hadn’t wanted her.
Slumped on a sofa, gripping a pack of cards in his hand, Malachi felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. He had gone to the hotel to stop the police getting involved and he should have left after seeing the manager. Only he hadn’t. He’d heard the music and the laughter and he’d been like a hunting dog following a scent. Only seeing Addie in the centre of that debauchery he’d immediately realised his mistake. Her shock, her horror, had been like a slap to the face. Yes, those guests had been happy to be there, and it had all been consensual, but it was so messed up. And then Henry had tried—
He gritted his teeth.
How could his father have done that? It had been obvious that Addie was with him. He shouldn’t have even had to tell them that she was off limits. And then, of course, when he had, it had only spurred them on.
But he didn’t care about them. Remembering Addie’s face when his father had held out his hand, he felt sick. What if he hadn’t been there? Anything could have happened. Imagining her fear, her confusion, he felt his chest tighten with a pure, savage rage.
Addie stood up. She felt tired—more than tired. She felt bruised by everything that had happened and too drained to fight for what Malachi clearly didn’t even want to discuss. But she wasn’t about to leave him alone. Slowly, she walked across the cabin.
‘Where are you going?’
His words stopped her in her tracks. Hearing the strain in his voice, she stared at him uncertainly. ‘I was going to get some water.’ She hesitated. ‘Would you like some? Or I could get you something stronger.’
‘Something stronger.’ His mouth twisted. ‘So I can drown my sorrows?’
His voice was soft but she felt it slice through her like a knife.
‘Maybe. Or we could talk—’
He shook his head. ‘You think talking can change this.’
His face was pale, the skin stretched taut over his cheekbones as he laughed—only it didn’t sound like a laugh. There was too much pain and anger there. And fear. But five weeks in a hospital bed had taught her to face fear; to resist anger, to overcome pain. And, lifting her chin, she nodded.
‘Yes. I do. But you don’t want to. You’d rather sit there and wallow—’
‘You know nothing about my life,’ he snarled.
Her pulse was pounding in her throat. Clenching her teeth, she glared at him. ‘Yes, I do. I know you jumped into a pool of sharks for a bet; I know you eat apples in the bath.’ Her gaze shifted from his face to his hand. ‘And I know you play cards when you feel tense or angry.’
He looked up at her silently and resentment surged through her. He was impossible and this was hopeless.
She turned to walk away.
‘Addie.’
Looking down, she saw he was touching her wrist, his fingers trembling against her skin.
‘Don’t go. Please.’
She stood, staring past him. ‘Why should I stay?’
He breathed out unsteadily. ‘You said you’d be there for me.’
She didn’t reply at first and then finally, after what felt like the longest moment, she sighed and sat down on the sofa.
He held out the deck of cards, his face strained, uncertain. ‘What would you like to play?’
She shook her head. ‘I’m not sure I can. My brain doesn’t seem to be working.’
Nodding slowly, he half smiled. ‘My parents have that effect on people.’
He let out a long, slow breath and his smile faded. She waited.
Finally, hesitantly, he reached out and took her hand, his face filled with angry bewilderment. ‘I find it hard.’
The words sounded as if they were being dragged from him.
Her chest squeezed tight. ‘What do you find hard?’
‘Choosing not to be like them.’ He ran a hand wearily over his face. ‘For years I had no choice. Even when I was little they’d drag me to parties and nightclubs.’ He paused and gave her another taut smile. ‘They didn’t see why having me around should stop them doing what they wanted. And if I was difficult, then they’d just leave me behind.’
‘Where?’ Addie felt her heart thump painfully hard.
He shrugged. ‘With their friends. And by “friends” I mean the people who found it hardest to say no to them.’ Glancing up, he caught sight of her face and his mouth twisted. ‘I don’t know what was worse. Worrying that they would never come back or knowing they would.’
She stared at him, feeling his pain, the fear of a little boy abandoned by his so-called parents, his dread of their return. ‘Why didn’t they get a nanny?’
‘They did. But they never stayed for more than a couple of weeks. It got better as I got older.’ His eyes met hers. ‘I got better at managing them.’
She swallowed. ‘Is that why you went back to Miami?’
He looked away. ‘Yes. They can charm their way out of most situations. But sometimes, like last night, when they’ve gone too far and someone’s threatening to call the police, I have to step in.’ Smiling dully, he shrugged. ‘It’s irritating, but it’s just easier and a lot less time-consuming if I sort it out.’
‘And why did you leave? Tonight.’
She held her breath, sensing it was one question too many, but finally he turned to face her and the bleakness in his eyes almost broke her.
‘I’d had enough,’ he said quietly. ‘Of their games. With them, it’s always a game. I just don’t want to play any more.’
He fell silent.
Not trusting herself to speak, Addie sat mute beside him. How could anyone survive that kind of damage? It was almost worse than what had happened to her. That had been an accident. This had been deliberate, sustained. But the outcome was the same: a shattered life, a damaged soul. And she knew exactly what it took to repair that damage. It needed acceptance and hope and patience.
And love.
Her eyes suddenly filled with tears and she closed them quickly, trying to stop them from falling, trying to block out the truth. Except she couldn’t. The truth was that she loved him—still, and so much.
And it was time for her to accept that fact.
She opened her eyes and concentrated on her breathing. But it was not the time to share it. Now she needed to keep her promise. To be there for Malachi. Without thinking
, she reached forward and slid her arms around him. After a moment’s hesitation his arms tightened around her. They held each other in silence, their hearts beating in time together, until finally Addie shifted free.
‘Come on. Let’s go to bed.’
Standing up, he glanced out of the plane’s window and frowned. A pale yellow line was already edging the dark sky. ‘I’m sorry, sweetheart, I don’t think we’re going to get much sleep. We’ll be landing in less than an hour.’
She smiled. ‘Who said anything about sleep?’
His eyes locked on to hers and for a moment, she stared at him, hypnotised by their fierce dark longing. And then he reached down and, scooping her into his arms, he began to carry her towards the staircase.
CHAPTER NINE
IT WAS LATE afternoon in Caracas. Staring out over the city from the balcony of Malachi’s suite, Addie let the straps of her camisole slip down over her shoulders to catch some sun.
Two hands slid around her waist. ‘Afternoon, sleepyhead.’
Her heart started to pound as Malachi kissed her shoulder, his lips drifting languidly down over her throat.
‘You were sleeping so deeply I thought I was going to have to wake you with a kiss,’ he murmured.
The hands round her waist were beginning to drift too, slipping under the silk camisole, circling and caressing the bare skin of her belly, then reaching up to stroke her breasts, caressing her nipples until she was shaking with desire.
Unable to stop herself, she moaned softly and she felt his body stiffen, his fingers stilling.
‘You did that earlier,’ she said hoarsely. ‘That’s why I was so tired.’
His hands were moving again, sliding slowly over skin.
‘In that case I think you should lie down right now,’ he said, and, gently he dragged her back into the suite and onto the huge bed.
Later, feeling warm and dazed, she lay beside him, watching him devour the brunch that had been delivered. As he pushed the last forkful of eggs Benedict into his mouth, she gave him a mischievous smile and started clapping.
Draining his coffee cup, he grinned, eyes gleaming. ‘I was hungry. And you want me to keep my strength up, don’t you?’
Remembering their feverish lovemaking, she felt a melting heat ripple out from somewhere deep inside. Yes, she did. Only ‘want’ seemed too feeble a word to describe how fiercely she craved him.
‘I’ll try to be less demanding tonight,’ she said lightly. ‘Shouldn’t you be getting ready?’
Rolling onto her side, she watched him get dressed. His pale grey shirt was still unbuttoned to the waist and she stared hungrily at the smooth, flat muscles of his stomach. Even half dressed, and with his hair still damp from the shower, there was a glamour to him that set him apart from other people, turned heads. It wasn’t just his looks. It was something to do with that air of detachment, of being alone in a crowd.
Thinking back to his parents’ party, she felt a rush of protectiveness. It was no wonder he had chosen to stay alone, or that he found it so difficult to let people get close to him. But he was changing. Look at how he had opened up to her last night. It might not have been his whole life story, but it had been a brief glimpse into what had made him the man he was. And it was the first time he had ever even hinted that he might need her. And surely with need came love?
She glanced up, her heart aching. She longed to tell him that she loved him but she knew it was too soon. She had barely come to terms with how she felt. If she sprung her feelings on Malachi it would be disastrous. Like trying to put a head collar on a wild mustang. She needed to follow her own advice and be patient. But there was nothing to stop her from showing she cared.
Trying to keep her face as casual as possible, she sat up, pulling the sheet over her breasts. ‘How are you feeling?’
Stepping away from the wardrobe, he turned to face her, frowning. ‘Fine. A little tired.’ The corners of his mouth curled upwards.
She smiled back at him, then hesitated. ‘I actually meant how are you feeling about last night?’
He was still smiling, but the smile was set and still. After a moment he shrugged. ‘That’s fine too.’
Turning away, he reached into the wardrobe and she stared at his back uncertainly. Was that it? Last night he had seemed so desperate, so tormented. But it was clear that as far as he was concerned the conversation was over.
‘Which one?’ He held out two ties for inspection. ‘Or do you not like either of them?’
Pushing aside her thoughts, she looked up at him and frowned. ‘What’s it for again?’
He held her gaze. ‘It’s a meeting with the mayor and the council members.’
‘The blue one, then.’
‘I like the red one.’
‘Then wear the red one.’ Stretching out her legs on top of the sheet, she smiled up at him innocently, her eyes dancing. ‘If you don’t mind looking like a gigolo.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘A gigolo?’
She bit her lip. ‘Maybe you could wear some of those nice stacked shoes we saw in that shop.
His eyes had narrowed and he was moving slowly towards the bed like a predatory animal. ‘Anything else?’
‘A manbag?’ She gave a shriek of laughter as he grabbed hold of her leg and pulled her down the bed towards him, pinning her arms above her head.
‘A manbag...’ he repeated slowly, his eyes roving over her naked body. ‘I’m not sure if I really see myself with one of those. But you might be right about the tie. In fact, I think you might look better wearing it.’
Too late, she read the intent in his eyes. ‘No, Malachi—you can’t!’
‘Oh, but I can,’ he said softly, and the heat in his gaze would have stripped the clothes from her skin if she hadn’t already been naked.
With deliberate slowness he twisted the tie around her wrists and pulled it over the elaborate gilded bedstead, knotting it with one practised hand. Twisting, Addie tried to pull her hands free, but she simply managed to tighten her bonds.
‘There,’ he said softly, letting go of her wrists. ‘I knew it would look better on you.’
He stared down at her, eyes dark with passion and unwavering, and she felt a hot ache spread out over her skin.
‘You can’t leave me tied up here, Malachi,’ she said quickly, trying to push aside the thought that in all probability he could. ‘What about when the maids come to clean the suite?’
He smiled, a long, slow smile. ‘I’ll tell them to leave it until tomorrow.’
‘Malachi! Untie me.’
‘What will you give me if I do?’
‘You need to worry about what I’ll give if you don’t! Now, untie me!’ She stared up at him, torn between wanting to laugh and wanting to give him a black eye.
He grinned. ‘Is that right? I’m not sure you’re in any position to be issuing threats here, sweetheart.’ He sighed. ‘However, fortunately for you, life has taught me that there is one absolute unbreakable rule when it comes to staying in hotels.’
He tugged at the knot and she slipped her wrists free.
‘And that is, don’t do anything to upset the housekeeping staff.’
She punched him gently. ‘So letting me go has nothing to do with my persuasive charms, then?’
His eyes were still tinged with passion, but softer now. ‘Believe me, you’re very persuasive, sweetheart, but—’ Grimacing, he sat up and twitched the sheet over her naked body. ‘I have got to go to this meeting.’ Seeing her expression, he shook his head. ‘Don’t look at me like that. I’d love to get out of this but I can’t.’
His hand moved over the sheet, following the contours of her breasts and belly, and she felt her skin grow warm and tingling.
‘You can find out what that feels like later.’ Eyes glittering, he stood up. ‘I’ll even let you choose the tie.’
After he’d left, Addie spent a relaxing two hours in the hotel spa, having a facial and full-body massage. Malachi had left a message telling
her that he had arranged for Lupita, a personal stylist, to come to their suite, and she arrived promptly, with several rails of beautiful clothes, an array of shoes and a box of jewellery that came with an armed bodyguard.
It was exhausting, but enormous fun. Lupita not only seemed to have met everyone who was anyone in Caracas, she was also talented at her job, knowing exactly which outfits would make Addie look and feel good.
Finally having made her choice, all that remained was to get ready.
Smoothing foundation over her skin, she stared at her reflection critically.
It was lucky that people could only see what was on the outside. And she was a lot less nervous about meeting Malachi’s guests than she had been about finally coming face-to-face with his parents.
She applied mascara, blinked and reapplied it.
But being nervous had some advantages. At least it meant she could hardly think straight. Certainly not about what everyone would be saying about her tonight. It had been different at the masked party. Everyone there had been hiding who they were. But tonight there would be reporters and photographers, and Malachi would be looking to generate as much publicity as possible for the opening of his first casino in South America.
Her heart gave a jolt of hope. But what did that mean for her? She knew what she wanted it to mean. She wanted to forget the past—forget this stupid deal and be his wife again.
But it was so much more complicated than that.
Thankfully her hairdresser chose that moment to arrive, and she was able to push aside her troubling thoughts.
An hour later Addie breathed out in relief as the young woman styling her hair stepped back and smiled.
‘You look very beautiful, Ms Farrell.’
Turning her head from side to side, Addie stared into the mirror with pleasure. She had decided, on Lupita’s advice, to put her hair up in a French pleat. It was not something she had ever done before, preferring the simplicity of a ponytail for work or a low chignon for more dressy occasions. But now she was glad she had followed the stylist’s advice.
Claiming His Wedding Night Page 14
