I Want To Be Yours (16 page)

Upon hearing their exchange, Nico’s mother smiled and asked Mari for more details about her pregnancy. A discussion ensued that had each woman reminiscing and laughingly recounting her first child’s birth.

Nico approached stealthily, suddenly wanting to reclaim his bride. He didn’t understand his need to keep Mari close, but he refused to question it.

“Did you curse Nico every time the pain came from the contractions?” Nico’s sister Sarah asked jokingly as she noted her brother looming in the background.

“No, I was too busy crying for him. I was pitiful!” Mari laughed. “Besides, there was no point. The nurses who attended me were convinced that I was a loose woman who got what she deserved. Every time I exclaimed in pain they reminded me that I was paying for Eve’s sins, because I had committed one myself.”

Nico paled. A tumultuous feeling of anger and remorse jarred him. This was
his
woman and
his
daughter. He should have been there. Because of his stubbornness and distrust, he hadn’t protected them as he should have. There was no one to blame but himself. He wanted to lash out at someone in retribution for Mari’s abysmal treatment.

“Which hospital was this? Who were the nurses?” Nico asked angrily.

Mari laughed nervously. “Nico, there is no need to be angry. It all worked out fine and that happened a long time ago.”

“That may be so, but they will pay for hurting you. If you don’t tell me, I can find out the relevant information without your assistance. The longer it takes to get the information, the angrier I’m more likely to get,” Nico promised darkly.

“Nico, they may have been mean biddies, but they took good care of Alex and me. If they weren’t so hard on me, I could have very easily let depression set in. I was overly emotional and needed that kick of bitter reality to help me to be stronger and more determined.”

Nico ignored her attempts to pacify him.

His mother raised one dark eyebrow and gazed at him sternly. “There’s no need to get your knickers in a twist. Just make sure you’re there for the next pregnancy and there’ll be no issue. Now, don’t you think it’s time you fed us?”

Nico regarded her, debating whether to pursue further. But he knew from prior experience it was pointless arguing with his mother.

The wedding dinner proceeded smoothly, with the adults seated at a large, rectangular table that easily accommodated them all, and the children who occupied a table nearby were treated to a variety of favorites like pizza, chicken nuggets, French fries, hot dogs, and miniature desserts. They only complained when told to eat their vegetables first. The atmosphere was festive and everyone enjoyed the lavish array of entrees and wines provided directly from the Darian cellars. There were no speeches, except for a few spontaneous toasts aimed more at teasing the newly married couple.

***

The Caribbean night air was sweetly perfumed with whiffs of jasmine and frangipani. The humid stillness was made pleasant by the constant, gentle ocean breeze from the nearby beach. The heat also lessened as the orange, setting sun slowly disappeared below the horizon. The guests savored the tropical ambience, made the more extraordinary by the surrounding natural palms, hibiscus, fruiting native sea grape trees, and bougainvillea trees.

Deserts, consisting of a variety of island specialties, were served, and Nico pulled her from her chair and into his arms to begin dancing on the terrace. He held her close, oblivious to the audience around them, and her futile attempts to put some distance between them. The other adults joined them, but Mari barely noticed. She concentrated on maintaining her equilibrium as the hard planes of his body heightened her awareness of him. She fought hard to still the clamoring of her escalating desire.

It was obvious, a few dances later, that the long flight from England and the excitement from the day had taken its toll on the children. They were practically asleep at the table. The children were collected by their respective parents, with Sarah herding Alex to sleep along with her children.

Mari kissed her daughter and promised to collect her the next morning.

“Oh, there is no hurry,” Sarah laughingly teased. “You may have other uses for the morning than worrying about this little tyke. Enjoy a lay in. Breakfast will be a long, drawn-out affair and the children will love an early splash in these beautiful, clear waters.”

“The flight is scheduled to leave early tomorrow evening, so everyone who wants to return to London then should have a late lunch. Dinner will be served on the flight back. The jet will be sent back next week for those of you who are staying for the week,” Nico advised everyone. “Mari and I thank you for coming and participating in our day. Enjoy the facilities and we will see you tomorrow at lunch.”

“Are you ready to go, Mrs. Darian?” Nico gazed at Mari inquiringly and clasped both of her hands in his.

She suddenly felt perched on the edge of a cliff and her breathing became shallow with the uncertainty of what was to come. She was no longer a virgin, but a feeling of ineptness assailed her. Nico had known so many beautiful women. How could she possibly please him?

Why was she worried about that anyway? To make love with Nico tonight would be tantamount to her endorsing his treatment of her, of his caveman approach, dragging her to the altar, or else, coupled with his arrogant statement that she’d beg him for it. Mari stiffened in remembered indignation.

“Come. Everyone is waiting for us to leave so that they can seek their beds or enjoy the rest of the night in town,” Nico whispered close to her ear.

They took their leave amidst a chorus of goodbyes, hugs, and kisses.

As Nico approached the doorway leading inside the mansion, he swung Mari high in his arms and carried her over the threshold, up the long staircase, and into their suite.

“Why did you do that?” Mari asked breathlessly.

“It’s a time-honored tradition. It’s a part of the script. We have performed many of them today. It seemed fitting to perform this as well,” Nico drawled.

“Oh.” His cold confession was as if he’d punched her in the gut. “I’m sorry. I’d forgotten that today was all make-believe, not real, of no significance to you.”

“That’s not what I said, dammit!”

“But it
is
what you meant! As we no longer have an audience to observe us or appreciate our performance, and this marriage is not the traditional kind, there is no need to keep up the charade.” Mari was mortified that she had bought into the happily-ever-after the day had promised.

“It’s just as well, then, that there’re no more traditions for us to perform. After all, I have already deflowered the virgin, so you can rest easy,” Nico sardonically informed her.

“You bastard!” She strode angrily to her bedroom door.

Nico blocked her escape by placing his big body in front of her. Mari quickly put some distance between them.

“What the hell is going on with you? You seemed to have enjoyed the day. You were smiling and joking with everyone, posing and glowing for the cameras, and giving me such provocative looks. What is this really about?” Nico gave her an inquiring stare, his gaze piercing with volatile emotions.

“Yes, I enjoyed the day, and I’m grateful for you making it so. But that doesn’t change the fact that you manipulated and coerced me into this. And as you just reminded me, this is not the marriage that everyone out there seems to think it is. I temporarily believed in the façade. That’s on me. But I’m finally awake again. I’m going to my room and you can go do whatever the hell you want to do.” Mari trembled in agitation.

“You may lie to yourself all you like, but you’ll never convince me that you don’t want me. Neither of us can control what’s between us. We have felt it since we first met on that plane, all those years ago, and our desire for each other hasn’t abated since. In fact, it has only grown. We’re married,
tesoro
. There’s no need to hide what we want.” His eyes smoldered with obvious need. The heat from his body came at her in tsunami waves as he crowded her.

“Whatever. I’m so done with this. Just let me pass.” Her voice was husky with emotion.

He gave a sharp, humorless bark of laughter. “You amaze me. Again with the games! You’re trying to make me angry enough to just take you, right? Then you can console yourself that I coerced you into responding, that you didn’t want this as much as I did.” Nico narrowed his eyes and purposefully closed the distance between them.

“I will never sleep with you again, you arrogant, insufferable bastard.” Her furious declaration was, unfortunately, unconvincing to her own ears. She moistened her suddenly dry lips as she gazed into his mesmerizing eyes. Mari was reminded of how graceful and darkly beautiful he looked, of how he’d taken her breath away every time she saw him. His subtle cologne surrounded her and filled her senses. She averted her eyes with difficulty, trying to shut away the provocative image and not wanting to give away the effect he was having on her. Yes, she wanted him, but she wouldn’t give into it. She must not give into it.

“I assure you that when you come to our bed, there’ll be very little sleep involved. Your beautiful, erotic display on my plane two nights ago suggests I won’t have to wait very long for you to give both of us what we want. I have thought of little else, and my body has been painfully aroused since.” Nico moved closer to her, until their bodies were mere inches apart and their warm breaths mingled.

“Did you think I was immune?” His gruff inquiry made her close her eyes, trying to barricade her senses to his effect on her. “Your sassy lips begged to be kissed. Your curves were exquisitely spread before me, daring me to fuck you senseless. But dumb fuck that I am, I denied myself the pleasure of taking what was on offer, and suffered the most painful erection of my life. I want to sink into you so hard and fast, so deep, that we couldn’t tell where I began and you ended.” Nico whispered with dark promise. He held her stunned gaze with his daring her to deny their mutual desire.

She swallowed audibly, stubbornly trying to hold on to her anger, but she was already damp and pulsing with the truth of her need.

He suddenly grabbed her by the waist and spun her around. Mari gasped at the swiftness of his actions.

Nico quickly and impatiently ripped open the tiny rows of buttons that had been so meticulously fastened hours earlier by Lyn.

“What are you doing?” The violence of his action momentarily brought Mari out of her passion-drugged state. “Stop that!” She tried desperately to get away from him.

Nico held her securely with one massive hand, holding both of hers against her quivering stomach, while he diligently dealt with the remaining fasteners. As the dress slid down to her hips, Mari doubled her efforts to get away, swearing at him and straining against his brute strength.

Nico smacked her lightly on her bottom to quiet her. “Behave,” he admonished. “Isn’t this what you want, for me to help you make up your mind?” Nico unclasped her demi-bra. He freed her hands and used both of his to palm her breasts. He brought her back flush against his solid front, so that her bottom aligned with his throbbing shaft.

“Or is this what you want?” he whispered in her ear, gently kneading her breasts while plucking at the hardened nipples and kissing the scented skin of her neck and shoulder. Nico ruthlessly seduced and obliterated any resistance left in her body.

Mari was consumed with such blazing, insistent hunger, she eagerly, shamelessly responded. She writhed against him, mindlessly trying to get closer to his overwhelming masculinity.

“Answer me, dammit. Is this what you want?” Nico asked mercilessly.

“Yes,” Mari hissed. She was incapable of denying him.

Nico abruptly let her go and stood away from her. Mari stumbled as she desperately tried to clear her confused mind. Why had he stopped? She turned slowly, cautiously, not at all sure if her trembling limbs would embarrass her further. Incapable of speech, she gazed at Nico with muted inquiry.

“I’m through playing games with you. Be an adult and stop acting the Victorian virgin. You are my bloody wife! If you want me, come to me honestly and openly. I’ll be in the room on the other side of that door. I won’t touch you again unless you come
to
me
.” He purposefully stepped around her, went into his bedroom, and firmly closed the door behind him.

Mari bent her head in shame. How could her body so completely betray her? The ache in her stomach intensified. Its debilitating effect ricocheted throughout her body. Her resistance dwindled further and her disgust with her behavior knew no bounds.

But then she reminded herself of her resolve to have a relationship built on more than just the slaking of sexual need. While she loved him dearly, what he felt was lust, plain and simple, and that lust
would
die a swift, painful death. What then? How would she survive? What would become of their so-called marriage?

But he was right. Why was she still denying her desire for him, her need for him? Despite having accused him of forcing her to marry him, she knew that wasn’t true. She loved him and knew that her wanting, her desire for him, would never end. Why was she punishing herself like this? She’d married him because she wanted to—no force on earth would have kept her away from him once he’d asked her to be his wife.

Mari wearily went into her bedroom and divested herself of the torn wedding gown. She removed her makeup and took a long, leisurely hot shower. As she dressed for bed in her usual nightshirt, she suddenly came to a decision and went through her drawers to find the negligee Lyn had placed in her wardrobe. She quickly dressed in it before she changed her mind, and walked purposefully toward Nico’s bedroom.

Love was all about risks. How could she claim to love him without taking some risks? At the door, she waited and listened for any sign of activity. There were none. All was silent in the suite. She could only hear the rugged, harsh sound of her own breathing.

Mari opened the door and stepped into the dimly lit room. Nico lay in the middle of the king-sized bed, propped up against a number of pillows in naked, glorious splendor. Her gaze traveled from his muscled, massive chest to his flat, chiseled stomach, to the lean hips that blatantly displayed his astonishingly aroused stated, and to his trunk-like, steely thighs. He looked like a Viking warrior, imposing in strength and size, not at all like the executive he was. How could she have forgotten the power and primitive masculinity his naked body exuded?