Contract for Marriage (2 page)

Her mind raced. Although she felt for Stella—losing a close friend and her job at the same time—Ruby couldn’t possibly sell this house, her baby’s birthright. This estate had been in her father’s family for generations, and although it hadn’t housed a happy family in a very long time, she intended to change that. In the last few years something had been calling her. A yearning to put right the hurts of the past, to find the old self she’d fled from. Her mother’s unexpected death had been a cruel blow to her search, but Christo wasn’t going to stop that journey with his confident words and dollar bills.

The solution was simple. “I intend to keep the house, but Stella can stay of course. It’s so huge that there’s always plenty to do here. I’ll buy your half and everything can be settled.”

His look hardened and the confidence oozing from him funneled through her. “As I said, I don’t want your money. What I want is this house for my mother’s retirement. Not a house for her to keep working in. I’ll pay you three times its worth to see that happens. You can buy yourself a permanent place in New York and never feel tied to Auckland again.”

Ruby sat straighter, her shoulders tightening. He was telling her what to do and where to live now? “I won’t be selling my share, Christo. I grew up in this house, it’s part of my heritage, and even though I haven’t spent much time here recently, it’s more important to me than you understand. Your mother can stay here without working for as long as she wants. God knows she deserves it after being such a wonderful companion to my mother. Whether I spend most of my time in New York or here, Stella will always be welcome in this house.” Light relief danced through her chest as the idea blossomed. “Yes, I’d love to think of her here. It’ll be perfect for both of us.”
And my precious baby
, Ruby thought as she put a hand to her trembling lips. There was a time Stella Mantazis had been like a second mother to her, and now that her own mother was gone she couldn’t think of anyone more perfect to share her house—or her baby—with.

“Not good enough.” His stare held stark irritation. “Now’s the time for my mother to be taken care of and cherished, not put up as some sort of charity case lodger. She’ll live in this house as its owner, nothing less.”

The weight of his determination and the events of the last few weeks drilled into
h
er. Now was not the time to be having this discussion. “This house belongs to me and future generations of Flemings. It’s where I’m going to stay.” She stood.

“And where I’ll stay, also.”

Blood changed direction in her veins. “I beg your pardon?”

He moved from the chair and pushed himself to his full height, determination flaring across his features. “Your mother spoke of one condition in her will.”

Her lips dried but she forced the words out. “And what’s that?”

“The first person to leave forfeits their share.” He picked up a suitcase in each hand. “If you’re staying, Ruby, then you can bet I’m staying too.”

Chapter Two

Wet blonde hair hung like a heavy veil down Ruby’s back, her luscious curves hidden beneath the towel. The white bikini top cradled perfect breasts, but everything else was sheathed tight.

Lifting her chin, she spoke slowly, her voice hollow. “You are
not
staying here.”

Christo pulled his gaze to her shadowed face and focused on the tempting bow of her lips. “It’s not an ideal situation, granted,” he said. “But I’m sure you can appreciate that I’d be foolish to void my claim from the outset.”

The delicate skin on her cheeks paled. “You mean I can’t move out while this is sorted or I’ll have no claim either?”

“Exactly.”

She frowned and shook her head. It was unfortunate he had to do this now, only days after Antonia’s funeral, but he had no choice. Either he staked his claim or he’d lose this place, and he wouldn’t let that happen. He’d failed to show strength, to fight for his rights here once before. Never again.

He could’ve bought his mother her choice of a dozen houses, one or two even grander than the Fleming Estate, but this was where she was happy. And, as his mother wasn’t interested in his money, it was all he had to offer her.

Chemotherapy as a teenager had denied him the chance to provide her with a grandchild, and her unspoken sorrow that she would never be a grandmother fired his determination to provide her some happiness in her autumn years. It might only be bricks and mortar to him, but this house was where his mother belonged and where she’d be looked after for the rest of her life. Ruby didn’t really want the house. She’d settled in the States. This was an act to spite him, just as she’d refused to stand up for him all those years ago. Ruby’s parting shot then that she’d just been using him lent the final evidence for that. She’d been lying about the way she felt about him all along just to shock her father.

She wouldn’t dictate his family’s life again. Nobody would. Ever.

He picked up his luggage and nodded toward the house. “After you.”

Ruby stood rigid. “Can’t this wait until tomorrow? Until I’ve had a chance to speak to my mother’s lawyer?” She folded her arms, pushing her breasts higher so that the delicate silver links of her necklace disappeared into the dip she created. “Until I’ve spoken to
my
lawyer.”

“I’m not prepared to take the risk that my failure to move in tonight might jeopardize my claim. Are you?”

Her nostrils moved and as her chest rose, the necklace disappeared further. “No.”

Glancing around the vast grounds, he shrugged a shoulder. “At the very least, you won’t have to stay here on your own.”

A rush of air escaped her parted lips. “I’ve been living on my own in one of the busiest cities in the world. I can manage.” She shot him a look, but when he caught the flash in her fiery eyes, he only smiled. Indignant, she pulled the towel tighter and walked into the house as he followed.

The sight in front of him caused blood to pump harder through his body—her bottom swaying beneath the towel, the delicate dip of skin between her shoulder blades as she walked. Seeing her half naked after ten years caused an unexpectedly intense memory of making love to her in the past, until the result of that lovemaking had slammed into him. Losing focus when he was around Ruby Fleming caused chaos and destruction in his own life and the lives of the people he held dear. He’d always prioritize that memory over the first.

They reached the cavernous entrance hall and he turned to her. “When you’ve changed, we’ll talk.” Goose bumps traveled over her skin. “I presume you’re in an upstairs suite so I’ll take the rooms in the new extension.”

She chewed her lip. “Which new rooms?”

He tilted his head to see her face better. “Antonia had a new suite built. The decorating isn’t complete yet, but I believe it’s habitable. She wanted my mother to move in when her arthritis made it difficult to manage in the housekeeper’s apartment. You haven’t seen it?”

A shadow passed across Ruby’s face. He knew she hadn’t been back often, but the fact she hadn’t even discussed this with her mother surprised him. Maybe she’d told the truth when she’d said she knew nothing about the will. Antonia had obviously never revealed any of the secrets she’d kept from Ruby, not the least that she’d been blackmailed by Ruby’s father.

“No, I haven’t seen it. I only arrived in New Zealand the day before the funeral, and I couldn’t stay here because there was no one to let me in.” The satiny skin at her throat became tight with a swallow, and he considered how it might feel should he brush a finger there. “My first chance to arrange a locksmith was this afternoon,” she said. “If you know about new rooms then by all means go ahead.” She waved a hand toward the downstairs wing and began to climb the stairs. “I’m getting changed.”

He watched her go, appreciating the sway of her hips as she ascended, her bare feet reaching for each new step. After the lesson she’d taught him when they were young, he might know her for who and what she was, but there was no denying one thing—she still made his body burn.

When he’d deposited his luggage and showered, Christo headed to the wine cellar and chose a vintage Pinot Noir. It had been a long day, a few long days in a row, since he’d boarded his jet in Athens and flown virtually non-stop to arrive here.

His muscles sagged. If he didn’t relax before going to bed he’d never kick the jet lag, and the focus he needed for this transaction could be compromised. He’d missed the funeral, unfortunately. It would’ve been good to pay Antonia the respect she deserved, but at least he was here now to claim the house, as she would’ve wanted.

It wouldn’t take him long to persuade Ruby to part with her share. By all accounts, she had a hectic life in publishing in the States. She’d probably put up a little fight for old times’ sake, but she’d give in and see logic eventually. No reason why he couldn’t enjoy a little challenge on the way to achieving his goal—the way her eyes blazed in indignation each time his logic rattled her was mesmerizing.

He heard her footsteps on the stairs and removed another glass from the shelf in the kitchen.

“Glass of red?” He swung his gaze in her direction and tried to deflect the sucker punch that seized his insides when he saw her.

A turquoise dress, tight around her generous breasts, flowed out across her body, hardly hinting at her shape beneath. Her blonde hair curled loose and wild around her shoulders except for a strand tucked behind a perfect ear hung with a simple gold hoop. Standing straight on heels with her bag over her shoulder, her skin was honeyed bronze from her Italian mother, her irises sparkling cobalt blue from her father. She took his breath away.

Christo shook himself.

Focus
.

He didn’t do weak. Wouldn’t let this loss of attention, this slip in control when he was around Ruby, happen again. It was his untamed physical reaction to her that had clouded his judgment in the past and led to disaster for him and his mother. Ruby Fleming had been his Achilles heel, but he was a different man now. A man whose determination to win at all costs had been galvanized by her father’s humiliating decree, and Ruby’s bare-faced refusal to stand up for him. When she’d angrily followed him after her father’s allegations, she’d shouted at him, accusing him of using her to climb some social ladder
. “I was convenient for you?”
she’d cried. “
Well guess what? You were convenient for me too. I wanted to shock Dad, show him I wasn’t his little girl anymore. I think it worked, don’t you?”

Yes, it was weakness that had caused him to believe Ruby’s feelings for him were genuine. Trusting her had been his biggest mistake.

“I see you’ve made yourself at home.” Her chin nudged a fraction higher and her glossy lips parted. “Don’t get too comfortable. I’ve left a message for my lawyer in New York. As soon as she wakes I’m sure she’ll have something to say about your claims.”

He held up the glass and responded to her jibe with a slow smile. “This is what we’ve been drinking for Sunday lunches. It’s from one of my vineyards in Central Otago. Earthy.”

“Sunday lunches?” She rolled a lip between her teeth as her eyebrows rose. “Here?”

Relaxing against the marble counter, he nodded. “My mother was worried Antonia wasn’t eating enough so she cooked Greek lamb and potatoes every Sunday.”

“Oh.”

At the lost look on her face he paused, but if she was to understand her mother’s will she needed to know the reality about the people she left behind. “Antonia invited me along one Sunday shortly after your father died and it became a tradition for the three of us. There’s plenty more where this came from.” He cleared his throat and lounged further against the counter. “You’re going out?”

She tilted her chin a fraction. “Yes.”

“Where?” He took a mouthful of wine and let the liquid warm on his tongue.

Her jaw moved side to side before she spoke, and her fingers curled around the strap of her bag. “My uncle’s restaurant.”

“Ah, Lorenzo has a great reputation in town.
Felice
is a fine establishment.”

Her voice was thin as her cheeks blanched. “You know my uncle? He didn’t get on with my father so he never came to the house when we were young….” When he didn’t reply she paused. “He insisted that he cook for me tonight and I don’t have the stomach for staying in.”

Holding his gaze, he lowered his voice. “You realize that if you go out alone now you’ll forfeit your claim on the house.”

Her mouth parted and the tip of her tongue dampened her lips. “I’ll only be an hour or two. It’s important. It’s family.”

Passing her the glass of wine, he spoke smoothly. “The conditions of the will dictate that the person remaining here wins the house outright. Technically, I’ll be here, and you will have left, possibly for good. If we’re both out, no problem. Both in, no problem. But if you choose to go out on your own tonight, you’ve left. And I’ll have sent your luggage after you.” He shrugged. “You won’t have a claim.”

A soft sound left Ruby’s lips. “Surely such a ridiculous rule would be thrown out in court.”

“Possibly.” He watched a rose blush sweep up her neck. “But I’d be prepared to fight through those courts. Appeal if I had to. I’m sure you wouldn’t want your hard-earned money squandered over something so easily avoided.”

Ruby shook her head and blond ringlets brushed her skin. “Why? Why would Mum make that a requirement?”

He leaned harder against the counter and trained his gaze on the bloom of her cheeks. “Your mother couldn’t give me the house outright, Ruby. She wanted you to benefit financially from its sale, but she wanted to ensure I had first option over it for my mother. You’d made it clear you had no desire to return to New Zealand, and she didn’t want to see the house slip into the hands of strangers.”

She swung her gaze to his face and something kicked in his chest. She looked lost and vulnerable, and part of him wanted to help her understand what had obviously come as an enormous shock. “Having this condition means you have to stay and see this through. Negotiate. We both do.”

Ruby shook her head again, her tone distant as she pushed the wine glass back toward him, untouched. “Thank you, but I’m sure it’ll all be cleared up after I speak to my lawyer in the morning. In the meantime, you can go and we can simply say you were here all night. No one needs to know.”

He slung a hand in his pants pocket. He’d have to trust her for that to work, something he was unwilling to do. She’d used him once. Never again.

It might seem harsh to push her on this first night, but he couldn’t let the opportunity go when he’d come so close to getting what he must have. “Ruby, you’re forgetting that I need this property. I won’t gamble on half-baked ideas or lies. I’ll do what it takes to win. And that means sleeping under this roof, starting tonight.”

She pulled her shoulders back. “This house has been passed down my father’s line and should’ve come to his only child. I’ll appeal. Surely I can appeal and have you thrown out.”

He scraped a hand across his chin, and the pink smudge on her cheeks deepened. “Ah, yes, have me thrown out. I suppose you could. But that’s what got us here in the first place, isn’t it?”

Did she remember the night his father had caught them making love? Did she ever wonder what it was like for him to be banished from his home? The sense of failure he would
never
let himself experience again?

Cancer had been a tough battle for a teenager, as was living a life without a father, but what Ruby had done to him, the way she’d failed to stand by him when her father had ordered him out, then claimed that making love to him had all been an act to shock, had been the greatest lesson of his life. Only the strong survive. He’d never let himself be anything but strong or successful since.

Dismay swept across her face at mention of their past before she hurriedly glanced at her wrist, and color returned to her bleached cheeks. Christo dipped to hear her words. “My uncle’s expecting me.”

He leaned back and took another mouthful of wine, swirled it in his mouth, and swallowed. “Go to him, of course. It’s important you’re with family now. But I can’t let you lose so easily. It wouldn’t be fair.” He paused as he watched her face change. “I’ll come with you so neither of us wins this round.” He threw her a lazy smile. “I’m hungry anyway.”

Her eyes flashed. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Something dislodged in his chest. This wasn’t pleasant, wasn’t fun. Of all people, he didn’t like having to ask Ruby Fleming for something. That she thought he was enjoying it cut deep. She obviously knew nothing of his heart and mind. And why would she, when every one of her whispered words back then had been as empty as her heart the day he left?

She swung her bag over her shoulder, then met his gaze and swallowed slowly. “If there’s no other way, then you’ll need to come with me. But this crazy arrangement will be sorted out tomorrow and then we’ll both be free. Whatever she meant, I’m certain Mum didn’t intend for me to be imprisoned here.”