He didn’t want to pressurise her, but...
I want her to say yes.
Watching her, he was glad he was wearing sunglasses, for it gave him the opportunity to study her without her being aware of it. He was even more sure of what he wanted. He hadn’t seen her yet in leisurewear, and now that he was it was every bit as rewarding as seeing her in more formal daywear and evening wear.
The short, above-the-knee sundress in a swirling pattern of yellow and blue, its halter neck exposing her graceful shoulders, looked good on her. More than good. Her hair was not upswept this morning, but pulled back into a simple ponytail, and the long, lush sweep of it curved over her bare shoulder. She was wearing make-up, but minimal—just mascara, a trace of eyeliner and lip gloss. She looked fresh, natural...and breathtakingly lovely.
His mind went back to the way she’d looked that first day—with dirt smeared on her face and hollows under her eyes, fatigue in every line of her body.
Never again—never!
She hadn’t answered him and he stilled, watching her. He could see the expressions moving in her eyes, her lips pressing together as if she were nerving herself to speak. He saw her swallow.
‘Do you still want to go ahead?’ she asked. Her voice was low—diffident, even.
‘If you’re asking if I’ve changed my mind, the answer is no,’ Xandros said firmly. He paused, then said what he thought she needed to hear right now, softening his voice, seeking to reassure her. ‘It will work out. I promise you. You won’t regret it. I’ll make sure of that.’
He gave a wry, quirking smile, wondering off-hand how many other women of his acquaintance would have been so hesitant about accepting an invitation to marry him...
Then he sobered. Yes, well...Rosalie’s half-sister hadn’t been that keen, had she?
Even thinking about Ariadne made him feel all over again that underlying sense of relief he’d experienced when he’d read her text. His eyes rested now on her half-sister. He wondered how he could ever have truly imagined himself capable of marrying Ariadne...
She was beautiful, yes, but never—not once—had he felt that low purring desire go through him the way it was doing now, yet again, as he sat eating brunch with Rosalie.
She was who he desired... And if she said yes now—as he hoped beyond hope she was about to do—then his desire would be richly fulfilled...
He let his gaze continue to rest on her, waiting to see what she would say. ‘Do you need more time?’ he asked, searching her face.
She gave a quick shake of her head. ‘No—no, that wouldn’t help. I...I’ve thought it all through. I can’t really think more than I’ve thought already.’
Was there a slight flush to her cheeks as she spoke? A momentary dip in her gaze? His eyes stayed on her. He was waiting for her next words. Urging her to say them, and for them to be the ones he wanted to hear.
‘So?’ he prompted.
He felt the world was holding its breath. He was holding his breath. He saw her swallow again, inhale. Lift her chin. Look right at him. Give him a quick, decisive nod.
‘Let’s do it!’ she said.
The words rushed from her, as if she might suddenly change her mind. But he would give her no chance to do so—none.
He reached for her hand, took it in his. Held it fast. ‘Good call,’ he said.
Satisfaction rushed through him, his mood soaring. And why should it not? He was getting what he wanted—everything he wanted! She was his. Life had never seemed better, nor the bright sun brighter.
He couldn’t wait to make her his wife...
* * *
‘Do you like it?’ Xandros’s voice was enquiring.
Rosalie stared at the ring on her finger, glittering with diamonds.
Was this real? Had she really said yes to the idea Alexandros Lakaris had put to her less than twenty-four hours ago?
Should I have taken more time to give him my answer?
But she’d thought it through, and through, and through. Either she said yes or she went back to her grim, bleak, poverty-stricken life in the East End of London. And she couldn’t face that—not now! Not when she’d had a glimpse of escape from it, a taste of what luxury felt like. It might be venal to look at it like that, but that was easy to say if you were rich...