‘You don’t have to tell me—’
‘I want to. You need to know what you’re marrying.’ His gaze was wary. ‘I’m not exactly experienced when it comes to relationships, but I know you are so I’m relying on you to teach me what I need to know.’
Lindsay gazed at him, tears blurring her vision. ‘You really think you love me?’
‘I know I love you.’ He gave a wry smile. ‘And if you knew how much I’d changed over the past two weeks, you wouldn’t even question me. Twice I’ve suggested to prospective clients that they try counselling and just this morning—’ He broke off and Lindsay looked at him quizzically.
‘What happened this morning?’
Alessio’s face hardened. ‘He had two little girls,’ he muttered, ‘and I couldn’t stop thinking of you and Ruby.’
‘You didn’t take the case?’
He hesitated. ‘We’re going to act for the wife.’
Lindsay gave a soft gasp and then laughed. ‘You’re kidding?’
‘I want to make sure those two little girls suffer as little as possible. You see what you’ve done to me?’ A gleam in his eyes, Alessio dragged her back into his arms. ‘I’m going to be a magnet for every gold-digger in the Western hemisphere.’
‘Just as long as they’re only interested in your professional skills,’ Lindsay murmured, standing on tiptoe and pressing her mouth against his. ‘I’m proud of you. And I do love you. Very, very much.’
‘Just keep saying it.’ Alessio hugged her tightly. ‘And now I need to give the press something to photograph.’ He took her left hand and slipped an enormous diamond solitaire onto her finger.
‘Oh, Alessio—’ tears blurred her vision ‘—it’s beautiful.’ But the most beautiful thing was the fact that he loved her. ‘I can’t believe this is happening.’
‘Well, it is. And now stop crying or the press will think I’ve been doing unspeakable things to you. Are you ready to face the world?’
Still staring at the ring, Lindsay gave a weak laugh. ‘Every woman with a pulse is going to want to know how I persuaded you to marry me.’
‘Well, they’re just going to have to work it out for themselves,’ Alessio drawled, leading her towards the door. ‘From now on I’m not sharing you with anyone.’
As they walked out onto the pavement flashbulbs exploded in their faces and a voice called out, ‘Hey, Lindsay, you’re wearing a ring! Care to tell everyone your secret?’
Turning to face the bank of cameras, Lindsay smiled. She couldn’t stop smiling. ‘You’d better listen carefully because this is the last piece of relationship advice I’m ever going to give.’ Almost bursting with happiness, she clutched Alessio’s hand and smiled up at him, her eyes misting. But when she spoke, the words were intended for him. ‘The secret,’ she said softly, ‘was love.’
* * * * *
Her one bright memory in a lifetime of shadows…
Stefan Ziakas might be her father’s most hated business rival, but he’s the only man who has ever made Selene Antaxos feel beautiful. So, needing to make a new life for herself, Selene apprehensively turns to Stefan for help.
Except the dark-hearted tycoon is nothing like the white knight she remembers. Seduced, bedded and betrayed in a matter of days, Selene realizes it’s not always better the devil you know. She’s sold her soul—and her heart—to the enemy!
“You’re asking me to come as your date?”
“That’s right.”
The excitement was sharper than when Stefan had said he’d lend her the money. A date. A party. With this man. Selene had never done anything like that in her life.
She couldn’t possibly say yes even though she wanted to more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life.
On the other hand, why not?
For virtually the first time in her life, she was free to make her own decision about something. Feeling liberated, she opened her mouth. “I don’t have anything to wear.”
“That’s easily solved.”
“Would we drink champagne?”