The Billion-Dollar Marriage Contract (24 page)

When he finished with his story he saw Cassia dash away her tears with her hands. Then, she smiled at him and he felt as if a huge burden was lifted off his chest.

The doctors were right after all. Speaking about what happened in the past truly did help. Maybe the problem was that he never really opened up about everything. He chose the bits and pieces that he shared. And when he spoke, he always believed that people would look down on him with pity. He hated that.

Now, he felt
free
.

Before he could think further, he dipped his head lower and his lips met hers. She gasped as he deepened the kiss and he used that opportunity to dart his tongue inside and taste her.

It was
exquisite.

It was exactly how he remembered it ten years ago. Maybe even
better
.

Cassia’s first thought when Nikos kissed her was that she should punch him in the face but there was another part of her that wanted this. He kissed her just how she remembered in her dreams of their wedding night and it set her blood on fire.

She sighed against his lips and t
hrew her uninjured arm around his neck to pull him closer. She returned his kisses with a passion of her own as she ran her fingers through his hair. Nikos groaned and she truly became lost.

Nothing else existed but him and her and the pleasure they felt in each other’s arms.

Just like their wedding night ten years ago.

Cassia felt as if she was doused with another bucket of cold water when she remembered that night. She gave herself to him fully, asking for nothing in return. She just wanted to make memories with him that she could take with her when she left.

That night was perfect.

But the next morning, Nikos showed her his true colors. She then realized it was true what they said that the devil wore the face of an angel.

She pulled back and scrambled away from him.

“Cassia...?”

“We have to go. We still have to find somewhere we can cook the fish without being seen before the sun sets.”

She took the bucket and placed the fish inside. Without waiting for Nikos, she sprinted towards the opposite side of the stream.

Nikos pushed himself off the rock.

He also ran a hand through his hair in frustration. What was the matter with Cassia? One moment she was very sweet and tender and the next she was back to being a spitfire. He had her in his arms and was kissing the hell out of her one minute and the next she pushed him away and disappeared.

He shook his head and set off to follow her.

“Women. The day that men understand them is the day of the apocalypse,” he muttered to himself.

He also gave himself a mental shake but no matter what he did, he could not forget the events that recently transpired. Now, he was even more convinced that he wanted his wife back
. Her passion for him was still like it was ten years ago.

Maybe, no matter how small, she still felt
something
for him. She could deny it all she wanted but it was clearly there.

For the first time in a long time, he felt a spark of hope. Maybe Antonio was right and that he was not really living his life anymore. Now, he felt truly alive for he had a purpose. He’d win back his wife whatever it took.

He was ready to forget his biases in order for both of them to move on. Also, something happened in the past which wasn’t their fault and he would discover that.

This time, nothing else would come between the two of them.

Nikos sat quietly in the dark as he and Cassia ate their fish.

Earlier, they cooked the fish over the fire then took it back to the cabin to eat. Since that event by the stream, Cassia still hasn’t talked to him. When he tried to ask her a question, she simply replied with a yes or a no.

Even when he teased her, she ignored him. He found himself missing the easy camaraderie they shared these last few days.

“Cassia, if this is about what happened earlier...I’m sorry.”

She only grunted in reply and went back to eating her dinner.

“Cassi—“

“I don’t want to talk about it Nikos, okay? I’d also appreciate it if it won’t happen again.”

“Why?”

“You know why! Everything between us is over! I’ve moved on with my life and you’ve moved on with yours. We are getting a divorce! It’s best that we don’t complicate things further.”

“Cassia, you know how I feel about the divorce. I won’t allow it.”

“Well that’s just tough then.”

“We have to talk about this,” he implored.

“I don’t have anything more to say, Nikos.”

“I want another chance, Cassia. I know you wanted me ten years ago. I want that back.”

Cassia scoffed.

“Damned arrogant, aren’t you? Whatever I had for you ten years ago, you already killed it. Nothing’s left, Nikos. You don’t even deserve anything from me.”

“We already spoke about what happened in the past, Cassia. We could discuss it more and you’d know what happened was all a misunderstanding.”

“I explained that ten years ago but you did not believe me. And talking about things doesn’t set them right, Nikos. It’s over between us.”

“You say that yet I know you still want me. Your lips say one thing but your body says another.”

Cassia laughed.

“Don’t mistake
lust
for something else.”

“Lust? Lust is two people scratching an itch, Cassia. But when I kiss you, you melt. You sigh against my lips just like you did ten years ago.”

“Don’t turn nothing into something, Nikos. It’s over between us. I have Hector now. I am happy with him. I’ve agreed to marry him that’s why I need a divorce from you.
Now.
”

Nikos’ patience ran out after hearing H
ector’s name together with the word marriage.

His blood pounded in his ears and his heart thundered in his chest. How dare she mention another man’s name? His blood heated and his entire body
roared with possessiveness. He’ll show her who she really belonged to.

She just had to forget about Petrides for he was
never
letting her go.

“Marriage is for life, Cassia.
No divorce
. I won’t let you go to Hector Petrides. You’re mine.”

He tugged her to his chest and then claimed her lips once more. But this was unlike any other kiss before. This one was a brand of possession, a stamp of ownership. It was fierce and demanding. He kissed her as though he was never letting go.

Nikos placed his hand on her nape and held her steady as he deepened the kiss. His other arm wrapped around her and brought her into contact with his hard body.

Cassia’s senses reeled at the onslaught. She knew she should be fighting this. She knew she should push him away. But even to save her life, she could not do it.

This felt so perfect that she just couldn’t let it end.

Deep in her subconscious, this was what she’s been dreaming of for ten years now.

As Nikos kissed her, she also realized what she thought was missing in her relationship with Hector.

Passion.Desire.

When Hector kissed her, it was nice but it didn’t set her body on fire for him the way Nikos’ kisses did. He made her melt with even just one glance the way Hector never did.

He backed her up against the wooden table and lifted her against it without breaking their kiss. He separated her legs and stepped between them. She moaned again when she felt the evidence of his desire against her.

Nikos unbuttoned the blouse she wore and slid it gently off her injured shoulder. Somehow, she also found herself lifting her hands to unbutton his shirt. She sighed with bliss and ran her palms down the hard ridges of his muscles.

Nikos flinched when she touched his scar.

He didn’t like anyone to see or touch it for it reminded him of the horrors he experienced. This was why, after he was kidnapped, he never let another woman get close. For over two years, his bed was empty. For more than two long years, he hadn’t felt another’s touch.

This was also why he was ravening for her.

Nikos took his time admiring the creamy swell of her skin that he uncovered. Before she had any chance to be self-conscious, he stepped closer again and covered it with his hands. She moaned against his lips and her grip on his arm tightened.

He removed her bra and placed his hand on the middle of her back. She arched her back against him to make herself more accessible for his mouth.
When his lips touched her heated skin, pleasure shot down her spine and pooled low in her belly. He moved to the other nipple and she moaned his name.

“You’re mine, Cassia,” he whispered against her ear after he gave one tentative lick.

She shivered in his arms but this time, it wasn’t from the cold.

Her head spun and she opened her lips to contradict his statement but what came out was only a breathless gasp for he slipped his hand inside the waistband of her jeans. Finally, he touched her where she craved him the most. She was so wet for him that he almost came right then and there.

He prayed for control.. He wanted to make this night last and he wanted to savor her. This wasn’t a dream. She was really here in the flesh and he wanted to make it special.

“Tell me you’re mine,” Nikos whispered as he kissed a path down her neck. “Tell me.”

Her only reply was a sharp intake of breath.

He unzipped her pants and drew them down her legs. Her underwear soon followed. He knelt by the table and parted her legs. Then, he used his fingers and his mouth to drive her wild and make her soar.

He knew she was nearly there and he lifted his head.

“Don’t stop. Nikos...” she pleaded.

“Tell me you’re mine,” he repeated.

She was silent for a long time. She merely closed her eyes and lay down on the table.

Telling him that she was his was like admitting what her greatest fear was: that she
never
really moved on. That somehow she still wanted him and that she still had feelings for him no matter how deeply buried they were inside of her. That she was just in denial all this time.

Telling him would be admitting what she’s known but feared and kept a secret for ten years of her life...

“I’m yours,” she whispered in defeat.

He stood up, removed all his clothing. She felt him pressing against her.

“Tell me this is what you want.”

Nikos forced down his desire and wrestled with control. He had to make sure she wanted this too. He’d waited for this for ten years and he didn’t want her to have any regrets. It would be hard to pull away but he would do that for her if that was what she wanted.

“I want you...”

Without wasting another moment, he pushed inside her. This time, it was he who moaned her name. She heard him whisper endearments in Greek and she held on to him tightly.

“...like I’ve
always
wanted you.”

He started to move. His breathing deepened as pleasure assailed him. He cupped her jaw and forced her to look at him. He wanted to see her face as he made love to her. He saw her desire mirrored in his eyes and he knew she wanted him as badly as he wanted her.

She bucked her hips and heard his quick intake of breath. Once more, she opened her lips to his and the sensation of their tongues twining almost sent him to his knees. He pulled back to look at her and the way her features were twisted with pleasure would forever be in his memory.

She drew him back to her by wrapping her arms around him and moving her hips against his. He couldn’t take more of this wicked temptation and he succumbed to it. He moved against her faster and harder, and she
returned his passion equally.

He bent his head and flicked his tongue against her nipple. Then he sucked a
nd it was just too much. Cassia held on to him tightly as she shattered in his arms as while she moaned his name.

Her climax triggered his.

“Cassia!” he writhed against her as ecstasy consumed him.

Afterwards, he carried her carefully to the bed. He was much stronger now and he also made sure that he was careful of her shoulder and his broken wrist.

He didn’t give her time to think, for he didn’t want her to have any regrets. The moment that she was settled on the bed, he pulled her against his chest and laid her head on his arm. He placed one last sweet, lingering kiss against her swollen lips and pulled the covers over them.

“Sleep...” he whispered.

“What do you mean they escaped?!” Sebastian roared.

He was on a plane to Greece. He’d anticipated finally getting his revenge but now he was being told that the man he hated the most was gone.

“They knocked two guards out and ran. We did not find them right away because most of the men were busy down on the docks for the latest shipment and recruits.”

“They couldn’t have escaped on their own. There’s a traitor within us. Find him and make him pay.”

“Noted, boss.”

“Find Demakis and his wife. Now!”

November 23, 2013
A stream near Elise’s cabin
An unknown island in Greece

“God, I am the stupidest human being alive!” Cassia shouted.

She woke up today naked in Nikos’ arms. And she wasn’t even cold!

The moment she opened her eyes, the events of last night came crashing down. She carefully extracted herself from his arms, looked for pen and paper and left a note as to where she was going. Then, she ran all the way to the stream. She screamed and cried, kicked some rocks and cursed herself.

How could she sleep with Nikos Demakis?

Cassia laughed bitterly. Sleep wasn’t really the technical word.

Cassia smacked herself on the forehead. How could she let that happen? How could she sleep with the person who hurt her most? Hadn’t once been enough? Hadn’t she been hurt enough to last her a lifetime?

She cursed and stomped on the muddy ground. Then she cringed when she remembered telling Nikos that she was his.

“I’m yours, Nikos...”

“I want you like I’ve always wanted you.”

“I’m stupid! I’ve gone officially insane!” she laughed hysterically and kicked another rock down the stream.

She pulled at her hair and considered hitting her head on one of the trees if only that would make her forget.

But another part of her brain kept on telling her that last night was perfect.

She’d dreamt about making love with Nikos Demakis. In her dreams, they’d made love hundreds of times in a hundred different ways. But that was all they were:
dreams, her innermost fantasies
.

But last night, it was all real.

And it was
perfect
.

She couldn’t have dreamed a better scenario.

Still it was wrong though.

She just betrayed Hector after agreeing to marry him!

But technically, she didn’t betray Hector, for Nikos was really her husband. In fact, she was betraying Nikos with Hector.

Cassia gave another sarcastic laugh. Now, even her conscience was reasoning out with her and it was taking Nikos’ side!

No.
This insanity must end. There simply was no future for both of them. Everything that happened last night was a
mistake
; nothing more.

Cassia was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard men’s voices and footsteps. Her heart raced and she immediately hid herself behind one of the large rocks. She waited for them to pass, and as quietly as she could, she ran back to the cabin.

Nikos woke up with a smile on his face.

Last night was
perfect
.

It was better than his dreams, better than any other night he spent with a woman before. He opened his eyes and frowned when Cassia was nowhere to be seen. It would’ve been better if he woke up with her in his arms and maybe he could’ve made love to her again this morning.

Her place in the bed was still warm. He saw a note beside the bed. She wrote that she just went to the stream.

He sent a silent prayer willing her to be safe.

Now, back to business.

He looked outside and noticed that the sun was already high in the sky. It was noon! He overslept again. Why was it that when he was with Cassia, he didn’t have those nightmares? Why could he sleep like a baby when she was near?

He sighed and went to the table. He was distracted when he recalled what happened last night at that particular table. But then he forced himself to concentrate.

The solar panels had been fixed yesterday and he hoped that the satellite phone would be charging by now. He checked the wires and saw that they were fine. Joy surged through him when he saw that it was already charging!

“Come on, open please,” he muttered as he punched in some buttons. When the screen lit up, he wanted to jump up and down with joy.

He immediately dialed Alex’s number.

“Alex, it’s me—“

“Nikos?!” Alex exclaimed.

“Yes. It’s me—“

“Where the hell are you?!”

“I don’t really know the name of the island. I was mostly unconscious when we were here. Ask Antonio. Elise will know. I’m on the same island where we were first kidnapped.”

“I’ll assemble my team and we’ll be there as soon as possible. Are you and Cassia alright?”

“Yes, we are. Just minor injuries.”

“Good! I will also send medics. Your yacht was found in the middle of the ocean after the bodyguards I sent with you were able to radio for help to the mainland. Antonio and I have been going crazy ever since. I flew here as soon as I heard.”

Nikos heard Alex cursing.

“I’ve locked on to the signal of this phone. We’re coming for you as soon as we can. Stay off the beach or the docks, that’s the first place they’ll look. Stay hidden and we’ll come find you.”

“Alright.”

Suddenly there were two beeps. The line was cut for the phone went dead. Nikos stared at it and tried to turn it on again but the battery was drained. Well, their fate was all in Alex’s hands now.

“Nikos!” the door flew open and Cassia ran to him.

“What happened? Are you all right?”

“Yes. But we have to go! I saw men by the stream and they are coming this way. We have to leave!”

He was immediately spurred into action. He grabbed their blankets along with the medical supplies. Then he grabbed her hand and they exited the cabin through the back door. They ran as silently as they could deeper into the woods.

“Where are we going?” Cassia asked him after they walked for several hours.

“We just have to find a place to hide. The solar panels were fixed and the phone was charged. While you were out, I got through to Alex. He’s coming for us.”

“That’s great! When do you think will they arrive?”

“Maybe in a couple of hours.”

“So we just have to sit and wait?”

“Yes. Preferably in a safe location,” Nikos answered with a grin and her heart jumped.

They continued their search for a safe place. The sun nearly set when they found a small cave near the mountain
. Nikos spread one of the blankets on the damp ground. They sat together and wrapped the other blanket around both of them.

He noticed that instead of curling against him, Cassia leaned against the wall. He gritted his teeth, for he was sure what was running through her mind: regrets over what happened last night.

“Talk to me, Cassia.”

“We’ve been over this before. When you kissed me by the stream I already told you that we
couldn’t be together. But I know that it takes two to tango so it’s a huge fault of mine too.”

Nikos cupped her jaw and forced her to look at him.

“You just admitted that you’re mine, Cassia. I won’t let you go. Whatever we had in the past, we’ll sort it out and start anew.”

“You think it’s that easy? And how can you say that we are going to sort through all of our issues when you won’t believe a word I say?”

“I’m willing to listen now. We’ve been married for ten years, Cassia. But we’ve barely begun this marriage. Give us another shot.”

“You were the one who ruined it!”

“I am not arguing with you about whose fault it is, alright? It’s not important. What’s important is that both of us move on.”

“You know, if this is all about the contract and about us having an heir...it’s
not
needed. Grant me the divorce and I’ll say I am to blame. I’ll say I took a lover so that everything will go to you. You’ll also gain control of the Andrade side of the company. You don’t need to sacrifice yourself
again
.”

“It’s not that. I want
you
. I want a family. I believe we can become happy together. I want to be with you, and I want you to be the mother of my children.”

Cassia’s heart melted at his words.

But she’d been on the receiving end of his sweet words before only for him to take it all back and replace it with bad memories the morning after.

“I can’t. I have Hector now.”

“If you really loved him, Cassia...you wouldn’t have responded to me the way you did last night. We can keep arguing about this and it will never end. I won’t let you go.”

Cassia sighed and turned away from him.

“Say whatever you want, Nikos. When we get off this island, we’ll return to our normal lives and you will know what all this is - it’s just a
mistake.
”

“Never,” he sighed before he pulled her in his arms and turned her to face him.

“I’m sure you will return to your mistresses and your crazy lifestyle the moment we are free of this island. How’s Marietta by the way? The woman you slept with after you came straight from our wedding bed.”

“I did not sleep with her that morning,” he responded in a flat tone.

Cassia whirled, “What?!”

“I didn’t. Believe it or not, during our marriage, however recent that may be, I was completely faithful to you.”

Cassia laughed.

“So you were just casually coming out of the shower in her suite and she was naked on the bed?”

“No. I went there to shower before my flight. I went there after I spoke with your grandfather. He told me several things. Basically, he told me that you didn’t want to be my wife and that you only wanted money and your freedom. He said you didn’t even want to live with me. I didn’t return to our suite because I was so angry at you so I decided to bathe in one of my friends’ suites. I saw her coming out of hers and she told me she was headed to breakfast. She granted me access to her room and I went there and bathed. I didn’t know that she came back on the bed naked. I found out the same time as you.”

“You lie,” Cassia spat.

“I have never lied to you, Cassia. You can ask Alex about it. He was the first one I asked to lend me the shower in his suite. He saw Marietta offer hers,” he answered in a sincere tone.

Cassia stilled as she processed what she just heard. Was Nikos telling her the truth? He really did not sleep with Marietta that morning?

“Why didn’t you correct me when I thought wrong? Why didn’t you throw her instead of asking her to stay? You chose her over me, Nikos!”

“I was wrong about that...I apologize...but I was so angry with you and your grandfather that day. I thought that you both lied to me and played me for a fool again. You dented my pride and I wanted to retaliate.”

“What exactly did my grandfather tell you that day?”

Nikos ran his fingers through his hair.

He tried to recall the conversation in his mind and then told her everything. He had this suspicion that it was all Costas’ fault. That old man manipulated everything. Maybe he also did it to his granddaughter’s marriage.

“He lied!” she shouted.

“I realize that after everything you told me.”

She frowned and clenched her fists.

“When I woke up, the first thing I did was to look for you. A maid told me you were in another suite so I went there to get you. I encountered my grandfather and he told me about you and your mistress. He told me I had to understand for men have needs and tend to stray...”  Her voice wobbled, betraying the emotion she tried to kept bottled. “He really set out to ruin us before our marriage even began.”

She was silent for a long time and he could almost see the gears in her mind turning.

“I think he wanted you to be the cause of our marriage falling apart. I think he wanted me to find you with Marietta and file for divorce. That leaves you nothing and he gains everything through me. I was his puppet then and he was the one who pulled my strings. Besides, if the merger fell apart because of you, your grandfather would have been devastated.”

Nikos’ jaw clenched.

She was right.

He felt a pang in his chest as it was now truly clear that what happened before was all a misunderstanding. It was all caused by a bitter old man who wanted to play God and wreak havoc with their lives.

He was ready to give their marriage a chance ten years ago. If Costas hadn’t ruined everything, their lives would be totally different now. Maybe they’d be happy. Maybe his Greek island would have been filled with laughter from their children; perhaps a boy who inherited his business acumen and a girl who had Cassia’s passion for art and her beauty.