Mediterranean Mavericks: Greeks. Кейт Хьюит

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СКАЧАТЬ to press her ear to Rocco’s mouth. It was a gesture that reminded him of his dinner with Alessandra, the way she’d leaned into him to hear him speak over the noise of the restaurant; the way her sultry scent had played under his nose…

      From the corner of his eye he could see her chatting to the official photographer, the photographer probably getting tips from her. Alessandra Mondelli was one of the most famous fashion photographers in the world, a remarkable achievement, considering she was still only twenty-five. She’d made it all on her own. Just as he’d made his name on his own.

      Stefan repeated himself; he’d been talking about the charitable foundation they and their friends had formed some years back.

      Italian Rocco Mondelli, Sicilian Stefan Bianco, desert Prince Zayed Al Afzal and he had all taken a keen interest in running and raising money for their charity. They were the so-called Columbia Four, although he couldn’t recall which of them had dubbed them so. Whoever had come up with it, it had stuck. They’d met during their first week at Columbia University and, as incredible as it was to look back on, the bond they’d formed had been instant. That bond had grown and a good few years later, when it had become obvious all four were heading towards the Forbes World’s Billionaires List, they’d formed the charity. Christian was extremely proud of their charity, founded to ensure disadvantaged kids could get the education they deserved but were unable to afford. It felt good for them to be doing something together that didn’t involve drinking and bedding as many beautiful women as they could.

      They all believed the bond between them to be unbreakable.

      But even the strongest steel could be destroyed.

      He answered with what he hoped sounded like intelligence but, in truth, what came out of his mouth sounded so unintelligible he could be speaking Martian.

      Luckily Stefan’s attention was diverted by the band striking up their first song.

      The bride and groom glided onto the dance floor to loud applause.

      Christian’s eyes drifted to his right, back to Alessandra. She was looking straight at him, a trapped expression in her eyes.

      His chest tightened.

      A powerful slap to his shoulder broke the spell.

      ‘Time to get yourself on the dance floor,’ Zayed said, sitting on the empty seat to Christian’s left.

      Theos. He had to dance with her. Olivia, the bride, had ordered it. The best man and chief bridesmaid…

      Alessandra met him halfway, her obvious apprehension mirroring what raced inside him.

      It would help if the band were playing one of the usual upbeat tunes that had made them one of the most famous groups in the world rather than the cover of a romantic ballad they were currently warbling.

      Gritting his teeth, he walked by her side to the dance floor and took her into his arms.

      His heart jolted at the first touch, a dozen memories playing in his mind. Her scent. Her taste…

      The back of her dress was low, leaving him no option but to touch her silky skin. It was either that or hold on to her bottom. His hand lay rigid against her bare back, hardly touching her.

      Yet, no matter the physical distance he tried to impose between himself and her slender form, his senses filled with Alessandra, her sultry scent playing tricks on him as they moved over the dance floor in a manner more akin to a pair of robots than a couple who’d had a wild night of sex just six weeks before. The stirring that had begun when he’d watched her walk up the aisle and had simmered since took on new life, an ache forming in his groin that he willed away with increasing frustration.

      Think of Rocco, he ordered himself, staring at his loved-up friend who was locked in the arms of his equally loved-up wife. Rocco caught his eye and nodded briefly before leaning down to kiss his bride.

      That one action felt like a knife in Christian’s guts.

      What would his friend say if he knew his best man had taken his sister’s virginity?

      The all-consuming desire he’d felt that night still dwelled in his blood. One night was all he usually needed, all he wanted. Once a woman had been enjoyed, there were no more mysteries to discover, no need for a repeat.

      His skin felt as if it were dancing its own tune, his body out of kilter with what his head demanded.

      He followed the words of the song they were dancing to, counting down the time to when the obligatory dance would be over. From the stiffness in Alessandra’s stance, she was counting down the time too.

      When the song finally came to an end and he made to pull away, she tilted her head to look at him, her doe-like eyes staring at him. Theos, she was so beautiful, those striking eyes set above a snub nose framed by slanting cheekbones. Her delicious plump lips parted. ‘Christian, I…’

      Whatever she was going to say was cut short when Zayed tapped her on the shoulder and threw Christian a conspiratorial wink. ‘I do believe it’s my turn to dance with the beautiful lady,’ he said in a voice loud enough for Rocco to hear.

      The groom turned his head towards the raised voice, his eyes narrowing before he broke into a wide grin.

      It clearly didn’t cross his mind that any of his friends would dream of doing anything with the sister he was so protective of.

      Sickened with himself, Christian stepped back and forced a smile, mock-bowing. ‘She’s all yours.’

      He waited for Alessandra to make a good-natured but cutting retort about not being anyone’s property, but her eyes were stark on his face, a fleeting look of panic flashing over her which she quickly covered. But not quickly enough.

      The ballroom of Villa Mondelli had enough waiting staff not to let any guest go thirsty for longer than thirty seconds but Christian wanted to get away from the hubbub of the mingling guests and headed to the bar.

      After a shot of bourbon, he turned his head to see her now dancing with Stefan. She looked happy to be dancing with him, he thought, taken aback at the strength of his bitterness.

      It was only natural she’d been stiff and awkward in Christian’s arms. A one-night stand hadn’t been on either of their minds when they’d set out that evening.

      He’d been her first lover.

      That, more than anything, was the thing that refused to dislodge from his mind.

      The woman who’d been vilified by the press for an affair with a married man when she’d been a teenager had been a virgin. He’d always suspected there had been more to the story than had been written but the truth had come as a cataclysmic shock.

      Whatever the truth, it was none of his business. Alessandra was none of his business. She couldn’t be.

      He took another shot to clear the bile crawling up his throat and watched Stefan place a hand to her waist. The bile almost choked him to see her laugh at something his friend said in her ear.

      Zayed appeared at his side. ‘Hiding yourself away, buddy?’

      ‘Just taking a few moments.’

      Stefan СКАЧАТЬ