Revelations of His Runaway Bride

‘Never kneel for me, Thea.’

Kneel for him? She’d worship him.

‘You’re worth more than you know.’

He hesitated, a look of something like uncertainty on his face. It was striking in a man she’d once thought was certain of everything.

‘I’m not—’

‘Shh...’

Thea placed a finger on his lips and stopped him. She wrapped her arms around his neck. He dragged her close and plundered her mouth. Drove her back till she hit the balustrade. His hand went to her left breast, teasing the nipple until it pinched and hardened through the soft fabric of her clothes.

She’d have him here. Now. Out under the stars. She didn’t care who could see. She’d never get enough of this man.

He groaned her name. Hitched up the back of her dress and smoothed his large, warm palms over her bare buttocks. Slid a hand between her legs and stroked her.

‘Wet. Perfect. Ready for me.’

‘Always. Please.’

Thea gripped the front of his shirt, crushing the smooth white fabric. If he didn’t do something soon she’d combust.

She fumbled with the front of his belt, trying to undo it.

‘Protection...’ he said.

‘No time. Don’t care.’

He took a step back and stilled her hands. ‘We do have time. You should care.’

He couldn’t do this to her again. She wanted to feel him naked against her. Hear him groan and shout her name as he found release, lost control, all because of her.

She stifled a sob. ‘I need to be yours.’

Christo bundled her into his arms and whispered fiercely in her ear. ‘We’ll go to my suite, and I will use protection.’ His thumbs grazed her nipples and she shivered. ‘Then I am going to bend you over and take you so deeply you won’t remember where you end and I begin. And you will never doubt that tonight you’re mine.’

This wasn’t going to plan, but she didn’t care. Christo didn’t believe her words, so she’d show it with her body. In bed, she’d prove how worthy he was.

He took her hand. They began walking towards the house. At the French doors leading inside he looked down at her tenderly. ‘Should I carry you?’

Carry her over the threshold? The meaning loomed large.

Yes.

But before she could answer Sergei rounded the corner with Anna. They stopped.

Christo glared at the interruption. ‘What?’

Anna looked at her toes. Sergei merely stared straight ahead. When he spoke, his voice was impassive.

‘Mr Callas. It’s your father.’

* * *

If time could stand still, he’d have chosen hours ago. Out on the terrace with Thea’s arms around his neck, her eyes burning into him. The words ‘You’re worth more than you know...’ on her lips.

But time had stopped here. In a darkened room, with an old man.