Chapter Ten

Rania woke on top of Demetri. Again. It did seem that when she slept her body sought out what it wanted. Not that he complained. After a month of marriage their bodies at least were in rhythm. It was becoming hard to remember her life without Demetri. The restlessness that had plagued her for the past five years was gone. She’d found home in her husband’s arms. They flirted and teased and at the end of each day made love as though there was no tomorrow. One day there wouldn’t be. Until then…

She ran her hand down Demetri’s side. His morning erection pressed into her stomach. With her ear against his chest, she felt as much as heard his words when he spoke. “I believe you could sleep through the end of the world. My alarm went off ten minutes ago, but I haven’t been able to wake you.”

“You could’ve woken me the way you do most mornings.” With his hand between her thighs, bringing her to ecstasy.

“I didn’t think I had time to do a proper job. You know I hate leaving things undone.” It was true. He was a very thorough lover. “Now I’m late, so you’re going to have to shower with me to save time.”

She rolled off him and sat up. His gaze immediately went to her naked chest. Four weeks of seeing her breasts every chance he got and he was still fascinated with them. “I don’t see how that will save time.” Her naked body wet and soapy; his naked body wet and soapy. There was only one way the shower was going to end.

“Maybe not, but it will give me something to think about as I sit in traffic. I usually try to get to the office before it gets bad. Today I’ll be in the thick of it.”

“You could always work from home.” She stretched her arms above her head and then quickly dived off the bed as he reached for her. Giggling, she ran into the bathroom with him hot on her heels.

“I got absolutely nothing done the last two times I tried it.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say you got nothing done. You did me at least three times.”

He dragged her into the huge shower and turned on the water. The icy cold had her leaping into his arm. Seconds later she wasn’t cold at all, and it had nothing to do with the water temperature.

“So what do you plan to do today?” Demetri asked as she lounged on the bed twenty minutes later, watching him get dressed for work.

“I’m meeting your lawyer for lunch to go over the latest developments with my uncle. After which I plan to get a few groceries and then get ready for the soirée tonight. Are you going to come home and collect me or do you want me to meet you there?”

“I’ll have to call and let you know. I have a five o’clock meeting which I’m hoping won’t take long. If it does, I’ll change at the office and send a car for you.”

“We might actually make it on time if we leave from separate locations.”

He leaned over to kiss her goodbye. “We may be on time but I won’t be anywhere near as happy.”

Hours later, Rania wasn’t happy. Another month had passed and her uncle was still in prison with diminishing hope of his release. In fact, the renewed interest in his case had prompted the authorities to move him into solitary confinement. So she couldn’t even sneak a message to him via one of the other prisoners, let him know she loved him and was doing her best to get him free. The guards all appeared loyal to the current regime and were unlikely to accept a bribe to release him. And the government still refused to acknowledge they even had him incarcerated, as though political prisoners were a figment of the imagination. Amnesty International was involved but so far even with their clout they hadn’t been able to get any relevant information. Rania was beginning to believe that dropping from an airplane into the middle of the prison yard and getting herself put into solitary was the only way she was going to reach Uncle Fouad. She was pretty sure Demetri wouldn’t approve of that plan.

With a weary sigh, she got ready for the evening’s event. Demetri had texted her ten minutes ago to say he would have to meet her there. Something unexpected had come up and he wouldn’t make it home. She fingered the dresses in her wardrobe, finally settling on the provocative gown he had bought her when they went shopping together the first time. Although she’d told him she would never wear it, tonight it seemed the best option. Chances were once he saw her in it in public he’d whisk her home so fast she wouldn’t have to stand for hours listening to boring investors talk about their golf game. Honestly, did rich people have nothing better to do with their time than chase a little ball around a field?

The car arrived on time and an hour and a half later Rania swept into the ballroom of one of Heraklion’s finest hotels. A hush fell over the semi-crowded room and more than one pair of eyes lingered on her longer than was polite. Maybe it hadn’t been such a good idea to arrive in the revealing dress without Demetri at her side. Too late for that. She snagged a glass of champagne off a passing waiter and drifted over to the silent auction table.

“Rania Ghalli, if I were to go blind tonight I wouldn’t complain that the last thing I saw was you in that dress.” A man spoke in Arabic, so close she could feel his breath on the back of her neck.

Rania whirled around. Her first instinct was to correct her name. When her eyes met the smiling face of the speaker, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on both cheeks instead.

“Mahmoud! What are you doing here?”

“I heard you got married, and I came to make sure the guy wasn’t a shit-head.”

“You’re here spying on me?”

“No, if I were spying you wouldn’t know I was here. This is just a social visit. I saw your husband’s name on the donor list and took a chance you’d attend.”

“Well, whatever your motive, I’m so happy to see you, especially tonight. I need your help.” She put her arms through his and dragged him out the open terrace door onto the patio overlooking the sea.

She had to talk to Mahmoud in private, and quickly, before Demetri arrived, because there was no way her husband would approve of her conspiring with an ex-lover.

…

Demetri stepped into the ballroom just in time to see his seductively dressed wife kiss another man before whisking him out a side door. He blinked. One month of marriage and Rania had moved on to another man. Rejected him. Or was this someone she’d known all along and she’d only hooked up with Demetri because he gave her the best shot at freeing her uncle? No wonder she hadn’t objected to meeting him here. It had given her time to see her lover before her husband showed up.

His stomach churned and his chest tightened. Of all the scenarios where he envisaged their relationship ending, it wasn’t a month after the wedding with his wife cheating on him.

“Demetri—” The voice of his most important investor didn’t even slow him as he strode toward the terrace where Rania had disappeared with the mysterious man.

His gaze swept the patio until he spotted her at the far end, in the dark. She had her hand on the man’s chest as she stood on tiptoe and whispered into his ear. It wasn’t until his mouth filled with the metallic taste of blood that Demetri realized he’d bitten the inside of his cheek so hard it was bleeding. His fists clenched and all he wanted to do was beat the other man into a pulp.

“Rania.” His voice was so harsh she jumped.

“Oh, Demetri.” She raced over to him and kissed him on the lips lightly. He didn’t return the embrace and forced his hands to stay off her body. He should never have bought that dress for her, or at least told her never to wear it in public. Even furious with her, his dick responded to her lushness.

Her cheeks were flushed. Guilt oozed from her pores. She grabbed his hand and drew him closer to her companion. “Let me introduce you to my friend, Mahmoud. We went to university together in Cairo. Now he’s in the Egyptian military.”

“He works for the government that considers you an enemy?” Even to his own ears he sounded like a pompous ass.

Rania laughed. Actually laughed. Although there was a nervousness in it he hadn’t heard from her before. Was she scared of Mahmoud? Or him? Demetri didn’t know whether he should protect her or walk away.

“Not everyone in the government considers me an enemy,” she said.

Mahmoud stepped forward. The man was built like a tank; a few centimeters taller than Demetri, he was a formidable opponent. Demetri wouldn’t step back.

“Mr. Christodoulou, may I offer my congratulations on capturing Rania. It’s something many men have tried and none succeeded. You must be very special.”

Demetri clenched his teeth together. He did not want to meet Rania’s ex-lover, provided he was an ex and not still waiting in the wings for this sham marriage to be over.

“As my wife tells me, I was simply in the right place at the right time. Are you here to try to take Rania back to Egypt?”

“No, I am here on other business and our meeting is coincidental. Egypt is not safe for her. Please, keep her away. I won’t be able to protect her if she comes home.”

“Protecting Rania is my job. But thank you for keeping her company while I was delayed.”

Demetri offered his hand, and Mahmoud shook it hard before disappearing into the night.

“Rania?”

“I know what you’re thinking, Demetri. Mahmoud and I were at university together. I haven’t seen him in years. And yes we dated briefly. Then he joined the army, and I left the country. End of story.”

“Is it?” He wanted desperately to believe she’d just been catching up with an old friend, but he couldn’t allow his desire to blind him to his wife’s real nature. He knew Rania was an accomplished actress, skilled at manipulating people. The way she’d so successfully handled his family was proof. The lies she’d told about their first meeting had even made him question when they’d first met.

“Yes. There’s history but no present and definitely no future. Introduce me to your investors, azizy. Then take me home and make love to me until the only name I can remember is yours.”

She took his hand and led him back into the ballroom. They circled the floor several times and Rania chatted and charmed his investors. By the time three hours had passed people he didn’t even know were approaching him hoping to meet his wife. From a business perspective, the evening was a roaring success. Personally, he wished he’d never come and seen Rania with Mahmoud. At least the other man had left after ten minutes. He hadn’t once seen Rania look for him.

“Can we leave yet?” she whispered in his ear when they were alone for a few seconds. Her warm breath feathered down his neck making his collar seem too tight.

“Absolutely.”

Even as they made their way to the door, a dozen people stopped him. Several wanted to know when he was opening his next resort and could they get in early. Bob Richardson, one of his principal investors, stopped them with a hand on Demetri’s arm. “What about the exclusive resort you mentioned once on an unknown island. You still going ahead with that?”

Rania stiffened beside him. “It’s under consideration. However, I understand there are several environmental factors that need to be addressed. I’ll keep you informed, Bob. Now, if you’ll excuse us, my wife is tired and wishes to go home.”

The smile in Bob’s eyes said he knew exactly why they wanted to leave and that a bed may be involved but it wouldn’t be for sleeping. “Of course. Congratulations, on your recent marriage, by the way. I hope this doesn’t mean you’ll be slowing down.”

“On the contrary. With Rania at my side anything is possible,” Demetri said.

Bob laughed and patted him on the back before returning to the group he’d originally been conversing with.

“If there are more people you need to speak with…” Rania gazed up at him. The banked desire in her eyes made his mouth go dry. Would he ever have enough of this woman?

“Another time. I have more pressing needs at the moment.” He pulled her closer so she could feel his meaning.

Her delicious laugh flowed over him, heating him further. Where to take her was the question. He’d expected it to be a late night so he’d had the yacht brought around to Heraklion harbor. He’d discovered though, during their recent sail around some of the islands, that sound traveled through the boat and across the water. And he preferred Rania’s screams as she climaxed to be exclusive to his ears. There was always a hotel, but without a change of clothes he didn’t figure she’d be too happy walking out in her seductive dress in the full light of day. Or they could drive the hour and a half back home. But that was an hour and a half he’d rather spend buried to the hilt inside his wife.

Then there was the consideration of Rania’s friend, Mahmoud. He’d prefer to get her as far away from the man, enemy or not, as possible. Home it was. Time to put a damper on his desire and drive like a man desperate for his woman.

As soon as they were out of the city, he sped up. His Mercedes SL AMG hugged the curves as they whizzed past olive groves and small farms. With no streetlights he had to concentrate on the dark road. Yet it was the woman next to him and not the thrill of the drive that made his pulse quicken.

“What’s your hurry, azizy?” she asked, her voice full of laughter.

“That dress looks uncomfortable. I’m sure you’re anxious to get out of it.”

“It’s not too bad, but you’ll be pleased to know there are no buttons. In fact, if I release this zipper under my arm, it slips right off my shoulders. See?”

He glanced over at her and nearly drove off the road. Rania had taken off the top of her dress. The lights of an oncoming car shone on her naked breasts. He got the car under control and dared to look at her again. She was shimmying out of the rest of the gown. “Rania, are you trying to get us killed?”

“No, I’m trying to get you to pull over somewhere and relieve this ache between my thighs. Don’t you know how sexy you are in that tux? It’s taken every bit of my self-control not to do you in the middle of the dance floor and scandalize your business acquaintances.”

A gravel road appeared on his right and he wrenched the steering wheel toward it. He wrestled with the car as the tires tried to find grip on the loose surface. Without daring to glance over again, he pulled into a small track in an olive grove and stopped the car as Rania tossed her dress and underpants into the back. She sat next to him, wearing high heels, a seatbelt and a smile that could melt metal.

What it did to his heart was beyond repairing.

What the hell has come over me? She’d worried about losing her heart to Demetri. Who knew her mind would go first? She’d had three glasses of champagne, but she wasn’t drunk. At least not on alcohol. Yet here she was naked in the front seat of Demetri’s car, demanding he take her immediately. Her skin tingled and she couldn’t manage a lungful of air. For God’s sake she was panting like a dog on a hot day.

“You haven’t thought this through, have you?” Demetri said against her lips. He’d unclipped his seatbelt and hers but there was still the damn console between them. Her reply was cut off as he caressed her breasts and took her mouth in a torrid kiss.

He released her lips and trailed love bites down her neck while his other hand slid down to her core. She was so ready for him if he touched her, she’d come in a heartbeat. Where was the fun in that?

“Outside,” she managed to say.

“What?”

“Outside. Now.” She pulled away and opened her car door and got out. Her hair was still in an elaborate up-do, so she didn’t even have that to cover her for warmth. She wiggled her toes in her four-inch heels and tried to appear like this was another regular episode in the life of an unstable woman.

“Rania, you’re going to get us arrested.” Despite his protest he was at her side in an instant. She glanced around. The area was pitch black, illuminated only by a faint moon and a million stars. You couldn’t even see the main road from where they were. Grabbing his belt she pulled him against her. The cool metal of the car was a shock to her back. A breeze rippled over her naked skin heightening her nerve endings.

Demetri had taken off his suit jacket and bowtie before he drove. She undid his pants and slipped her hand into his briefs. He was as ready as she was. “Well, if we might get arrested, maybe I should practice the pose.” Spinning around she spread her legs hip width apart and put her hands on the roof of the low-slung car, bending over so her breasts dangled down like low-hanging fruit. “Frisk me.”

“Rania.” Her name came from so deep inside him she felt the rumble against her naked back. He ran his hands up and down her body, tugging gently on her nipples before he freed himself from his pants and plunged inside her. She braced herself against the car as his thrusts increased in tempo, biting back a scream as she came hard. Demetri climaxed seconds later. The air was cold on her sweat-slicked skin, but she didn’t care.

Too soon he slipped out and her knees buckled. She would have fallen to the ground if his arm hadn’t come around her waist. They both froze as the sound of tires on the gravel road reached them. Demetri’s brain engaged before hers and he quickly pulled up his pants and refastened them before opening the car door and ushering her inside.

He raced around to the other side and slipped into the car. The other vehicle passed without stopping and Demetri released a huge breath. “Are you okay?” he asked. She was covered in goose bumps and shivered in the aftermath of their frantic intercourse.

“Better than okay. You can drive us home now.” Her intense need for this man scared her. How would she cope when it was over?

“That’s it? Thanks, carry on?”

“What do you want? Payment?”

The interior light in the car went out, but not before she caught a glimpse of the anger in his eyes. “Don’t ever do that again,” he said through clenched teeth.

“What, take my clothes off in the car? I’m sorry, I thought you’d enjoy it. How stupid of me not to remember you don’t like to lose control.”

“Don’t ever demean what we share and try to give it some monetary value.” His voice was raw. “Get dressed. I’m going to make sure there’s nothing unseen to hit when I turn around. Last thing I need tonight is a damaged car.”

He flung himself out of the car and slammed the door behind him. While she reclaimed her dress from the backseat she saw him use the light of his phone to scan the ground for debris. Putting the dress back on in the close confines of the car wasn’t as easy as getting out of it. For good measure, she pulled Demetri’s suit jacket around her shoulders. She was cold now, but it was more from within than an external discomfort.

Demetri returned to the driver’s seat and after a quick check to make sure she had her seatbelt fastened, he carefully turned the car around in the narrow lane and returned to the highway. The drive back to the house was done in complete silence.

Had she just pushed her husband too far?

…

Demetri slammed the car into park in the garage and rested his forehead on the steering wheel. He’d let Rania off at the front door, opening it for her and leading her inside before he put the car away. He needed a moment to gather his scattered wits.

Rania had taken his well-ordered, planned-out life and ripped it to shreds. She pulled him apart with every glance, every laugh, every sigh. He’d had his share of lovers over the years. Not one had ever made him lose control so completely that he’d taken her in seconds on the side of the road like a barbarian. It’d been exhilarating and astonishing and so goddamned intense even now his body trembled at the memory. And then Rania had cheapened the whole thing by mentioning money.

Did their intimacy mean nothing to her? Because it sure as hell turned him inside out. Maybe it was just physical to her. Maybe she didn’t feel the connection he experienced every time he touched her. Maybe he imagined the look in her eyes that said she needed him as much as he needed her. Not want, need.

He shut the engine off, closed the garage door, and entered the house through the basement. All the lights were off. Had Rania gone to bed? Which bed? They hadn’t slept apart since they’d been married.

After checking all the lower doors were locked, Demetri climbed the cement stairs to the main floor. The cool, silvery moonlight lit the room from outside. He was struck by how stark and sterile the room was. It was like an institution or a clinic, not a home. The shack in Gavdos that Rania had decorated had more warmth and appeal than this place. Tomorrow they’d shop for some rugs to warm the place up, and maybe discuss color, anything but fuchsia.

“I’m sorry.” Rania’s voice came to him through the dark, startling him from his decorating ideas.

“For what?”

She stood against the patio doors, staring out into the dark night.

“For making you lose control. I know you don’t enjoy that.”

He strode over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist from the back. Dropping a kiss on the back of her neck, he inhaled deeply of her perfume. She leaned back into him and warmth swept through his body. “I’ll let you in on a little secret,” he whispered into her ear. “I haven’t been in full control since you walked into my shower on the boat. I’m starting to get used to it.”

He trailed kisses from her ear down to the collar of his suit jacket, which she still wore. Rania turned in his arms and rested her cheek against his chest. The jacket fell to the floor. “You should stop fighting it and just let go and embrace the chaos.”

“You know I can’t do that, not on a regular basis, anyway. And you’re wrong. I don’t regret tonight. It was raw and powerful and incredible. I’ll never be able to drive that road again without a hard-on.”

“Glad I could make a boring drive more interesting. Take me to bed, azizy. Make love to me your way, all calm and controlled.”

He swung her into his arms and strode toward the bedroom. “I’m going to make you eat those words.”

Her laugh slid down his spine like warm honey. He’d show her that fast and frantic had its place, but so did slow and sensual.

Later, Rania lay on top of him, her body covered in sweat, her hair plastered to her back. “That was amazing. Chalk one up for control.”

“This is why we make a great partnership. I’m enjoying this marriage, agape mou. Maybe it doesn’t have to be temporary…” He held his breath as he waited for her response. The more he’d thought about it, the more he wanted to forget their agreed upon end date and make more permanent plans. Maybe even make babies.

Rania raised her head from his chest and stared into his eyes. “Spectacular sex is not enough to base a marriage on. For it to last through the tough times, there has to be love and commitment.”

He swallowed. Commitment he could do. That was a matter of control—making a promise to someone and sticking to it, no matter the cost. Love was another issue. Love meant giving over your heart, your soul, to another person, hoping they’d care for it. Making yourself vulnerable to a world of rejection and pain. Love meant losing control completely, forever. He wasn’t sure he could do that. He had to clear his throat before he could speak. “We don’t have to decide now. Let’s revisit in six months and see where we are then.”

He could tell his answer disappointed Rania. She blinked several times and lowered her head to his chest again. “Do you think my uncle will still be alive in six months?”

“Rania, if your uncle is not out of prison in six weeks, I personally will go to Egypt and secure his release.”

She raised her head again and searched his face. “If my uncle is free and you buy your land, what is there to keep us together?”

“This?” he ran his hand down her body and felt her quiver. She was always ready for more, no matter how often they satisfied each other.

“It’s not enough, azizy. You’ll see.”