“Sounds like the divorce was amicable,” he mocked.
She couldn’t help herself. She had to smile, if only the tiniest one she could find.
Taking her by surprise, Alex was suddenly in front of her, putting his hand under her chin. She started to speak, but his mouth closed over hers, holding her there beneath him, taking without asking, as if it was his right.
And then his tongue dipped inside her mouth and did a sweep, exploring her, getting to know her, until she shuddered from a flood of sensation that shook her world.
He eased back, his eyes dark with a passion that didn’t surprise her at all. “There,” he murmured huskily. “At least that’s one thing we’ve got out of the way.”
She swallowed hard. “Um…I didn’t know it was in the way.”
He arched a mocking brow before leaving. They both knew she was lying, if even to herself.
Three
A lex watched Olivia walk toward him in her wedding gown. The white, off-the-shoulder, satin dress was slim and elegant, and it looked absolutely stunning on her. How had he not known she existed before this? he wondered, filled with a deep satisfaction that he’d found the woman he’d wanted for his temporary wife.
God, she was beautiful.
Beautiful and lovely and so very picture-perfect.
Surprisingly he’d missed her these last two weeks and had actually been pleased to see her when she’d arrived back in the country only forty-eight hours ago.
There’d been a hell of a lot to do with a high-profile wedding such as theirs, the time having gone fast, though not fast enough for his peace of mind. He’d wanted this marriage signed and sealed and he wanted Olivia Cannington in his bed. Just the thought of making her his sent the blood rushing through him.
Right then she reached him and their eyes met for one long moment before they turned toward the female marriage celebrant.
The ceremony began, and through the huge window in front of them, they could see the sun shine on the spectacular backdrop of the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge suspended over vibrant blue water dotted with sails.
They exchanged traditional wedding vows, and Alex felt a twinge of guilt when he promised “to cherish her until death do us part.” He would have liked to change the vows to “to have and to hold for as long as they both stayed married.” Only he didn’t want to think about divorce on their wedding day.
Then suddenly their marriage was a fact and he was told he could kiss the bride.
With pleasure.
Soft pink colored Olivia’s cheeks as he leaned toward her. Seeing her eyes drop to his mouth sent something powerful flaring inside him. He placed his lips against hers for a long moment that wasn’t wholly for the benefit of their guests.
Tonight there would be no audience….
Soon they stood on the steps of the Opera House, where it seemed the world’s media wanted to take their picture.
Not that he minded, usually. He’d grown up in the Australian spotlight, but this was different. One part of him felt a wedding day should be private, yet another part was gratified he’d done the right thing in using this avenue to highlight Valente’s Woman.
“Can we have a photograph of you and Olivia looking deep into each other’s eyes?”
He glanced at Olivia with a sideways smile. “Can we do that?”
She gave a tight smile. “Yes, I think we can,” she said, but only he could see her eyes were guarded as he turned to stare into them.
“You’re doing fine,” he murmured, noticing the flecks of different shades of blue that sparkled in her eyes.
She winced a little. “This is hard work.”
“Just pretend you love me,” he drawled, attempting to put her at ease.
A genuine smile tilted the corners of her mouth. “It would be easier if I didn’t hate you so much.”
He chuckled and cameras snapped all around them, and he realized being joined in holy matrimony with Olivia was going to be more than interesting. She was a challenge. And he liked challenges.
“Can we have a picture of you both with the bride’s mother?”
Alex felt Olivia stiffen beside him and that reminded him of last night’s dinner. She’d seemed edgy around Felicia, as though she expected her mother to take center stage all the time.
And of course “the star” had done exactly that, he remembered with mild amusement. The older woman was elegant and charming, and he could easily see where Olivia got those same qualities from.
Yet he sensed Felicia had an emotional fragility about her that Olivia didn’t. Perhaps that’s what made Felicia such a good actress, he mused, as she came forward and smiled at the cameras like the pro she was.
“Felicia, how does it feel to be the mother of the bride?” one of the journalists called out.
“Old,” she said with a pout.
Everyone chuckled. “You’re not so old, Felicia,” the journalist said.
Felicia sent him a stunning movie-star smile. “Darling, I love you.” She winked. “Come and see me after the reception.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” the reporter quipped with a huge grin.
Felicia chuckled, stepping between Olivia and Alex and linking her arms through theirs. “Let’s smile for the cameras, darlings.”
A few minutes later, they were still snapping pictures. Alex looked across at Olivia and could see how much of a strain it was becoming. He felt the same. On the other hand, Felicia seemed as though she would go on forever, cornering the attention and loving it all. It’s what she did best.
He stepped away from the women. “Right, that’s enough,” he all but growled. They still had a reception to get through.
Felicia darted a look at him and seemed to realize the moment was over. She turned back to the cameras and clapped her hands. “Right, fellas. That’s a wrap. This is my daughter’s day and I want to go play mother of the bride.”
Alex looked beyond the words and realized something. He had no doubt Felicia loved her daughter, but he had to wonder if Felicia didn’t love Felicia just that little bit more. He suddenly had a new appreciation of what it must be like to live with a superstar.
And he had a new appreciation of Olivia as her own person. For Olivia to get out from under her mother’s shadow, to make a name for herself as she’d done, showed her depth of character. He’d chosen well in his bride.
Hell, and he’d just gotten married!