Marriage Of Convenience: The Andreou Marriage Arrangement / The Replacement Wife. HELEN BIANCHIN

hot shower, attired in sleepwear, a cup of tea plus a couple of painkillers in hand, she curled up in a comfortable chair to watch TV for an hour or two before she retired for the night.

      On the edge of sleep came the intrusive knowledge that tomorrow she would marry Loukas.

      Share his home, his bed, eventually.

      How long would he allow her solitary occupation in a bed next to his own? A few nights…a week?

      Did it matter?

      She told herself she didn’t care. Sex was just…sex. In the dark of night she could simply close her eyes and wait for the act to be over.

      How difficult could it be?

       Chapter Four

      TWO wedding days three years apart, Alesha mused as she put the finishing touches to her make-up. Each so completely different they were at opposite ends of the spectrum!

      Having done the full bridal thing with designer dress, four bridesmaids, flower girl, page boy, the church, several hundred guests, the tiered wedding cake and exclusive reception with her marriage to Seth, the prospect of a civil ceremony by a celebrant held in the grounds of the groom’s Point Piper home with Dimitri’s lawyer and Lacey as witnesses seemed a breeze by comparison.

      So why was she a mass of nerves?

      ‘You look gorgeous.’ Lacey’s compliment was genuine, and should have acted as reassurance. Instead the nerves inside Alesha’s stomach twisted into a tighter ball.

      ‘Thanks.’

      Lacey looked at the overnight bag resting at the end of the bed. ‘Is that all you’re taking with you?’

      ‘It’s enough for the weekend.’

      ‘Darling,’ Lacey chided. ‘You’re moving in with Loukas. Permanently. You need to pack.’

      ‘I’ll shift some of my stuff tomorrow.’

      ‘Hello?’ The admonishment held a degree of musing scepticism.

      Arguing with Lacey was a losing battle as her friend flung open wardrobe doors, drawers, and quickly transferred a varied assortment of apparel into a suitcase.

      ‘Okay, we’re out of here.’

      Second thoughts? She had a few! Primarily, relating to her sanity!

      Yet as tempting as it would be to bail out, there was the overriding knowledge that she’d agreed to this marriage. What was more, she’d signed legal documentation confirming it.

      So suck it up, Alesha chastised as she negotiated traffic and headed towards suburban Point Piper, with Lacey following close behind.

      Loukas’ home was positioned behind a high wall and entered between stylish gates that opened onto a curved driveway leading to a double-storeyed mansion whose imposing entry was guarded by two massive ornamental-studded wooden doors.

      She brought the BMW to a smooth halt behind a late-model four-wheel drive, and Lacey parked directly behind her.

      No sooner had she cut the engine than both entry doors opened to reveal Loukas in the wide aperture.

      His tall, broad-shouldered frame attired in an immaculate dark suit appeared slightly intimidating as he moved towards her.

      There was little she could do to control the sudden fluttering inside her stomach as he held open the door for her to emerge.

      ‘Alesha.’ His close proximity, his dark watchful gaze merely accelerated her nervous tension, for soon, within the space of an hour or less, she’d enter into a legal union with this man…and her life would change.

      Concern as to just how it would change affected her more than she imagined possible.

      Would Loukas suddenly assume another identity within hours of the wedding…as Seth had?

      The mere thought was enough to send an element of fear shivering the length of her spine, and the smile she summoned appeared over-bright and failed to reach her eyes.

      Did he notice? She hoped not.

      The faint sound of an engine caught her attention, and she turned slightly as a vehicle slid to a halt behind Lacey’s car.

      ‘The gang’s all here.’ She kept her voice light as Lacey joined them, followed closely by Dimitri’s lawyer.

      Loukas ushered them into a spacious foyer whose floor featured beautiful marble tiling in a large circular star-burst design, above whose centre an exquisite crystal chandelier provided prisms of light.

      Antique tables, exquisitely crafted chairs, wall sconces, paintings, graced an area whose focal point was a sweeping double marble staircase featuring ornate wrought-iron balustrades leading to an upper floor balcony that divided into two separate galleried wings showcased by matching ornate wrought-iron balustrades.

      ‘Come through to the lounge,’ Loukas directed with ease. ‘Everything is set up there.’

      Alesha moved on autopilot, so acutely conscious of his presence at her side that she barely noticed the beautiful sofas and chairs, the amazingly high ceilings.

      Instead she focused on the small table with its exquisite lace-edged linen cloth, the votive candle, a delicate spray of cream orchids, and a leather-bound Bible.

      Introductions complete, the celebrant conferred with the lawyer, exchanged small talk, then she opted to begin the ceremony.

      You can do this.

      As an affirmation, it didn’t begin to scratch the surface!

      Almost as if he knew, Loukas captured her hand and held it loosely within his own.

      To prevent her sudden need to escape? It was a moot point!

      Alesha heard the solemn beautifully spoken words, and on some level she took them in, and managed to recite the vows that united her with Loukas in matrimony…aware his vows held a calm solemnity that was lacking in her own.

      He slid a wide diamond-studded ring onto her finger, surprised her by lifting her hand and brushing the ring with his lips, before offering a ring for her to slip onto his finger.

      He was prepared to wear a wedding ring?

      Her fingers shook a little as she slid it on, and his hand covered hers as he used a little pressure to slide it home.

      ‘It gives me great pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife.’ The celebrant bestowed the gathered foursome a pleasant smile. ‘And introduce Alesha and Loukas Andreou.’ Loukas lifted both hands and cradled Alesha’s head, then he covered her mouth with his own in a fleeting sensual caress.

      Oh, my. There had to be some explanation for the slow curl of sensation unfurling deep within her. Almost as if her body was at variance with the dictates of her mind.

      How could she even begin to think what it would be like to have him invite a more intimate touch, to feel his hands on her body, his lips tasting an evocative trail, teasing, encouraging her response.

      The question had to be could he succeed? When she’d left Seth she’d locked the door to her emotional heart and thrown away the key. And vowed never to allow another man to get close.

      Alesha became conscious of Lacey’s laughter as she was enveloped in a hug; the voiced congratulations from the lawyer, the celebrant; Loukas’ hand resting against the back of her waist before he released her to open the champagne cooling in an ice bucket.

      Smile, a silent voice prompted. You’re supposed to be happy. The future of Karsouli is secure, and your future is safe…if safe could be attributed to the man whose ring she now wore.

      So