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“One more thing, I will have ten thousand transferred into your account…….we can’t have you looking like some kind of hobo”
His eyes had looked her up and down with no attempt to disguise his contempt.
“You will make sure that you get the right kind of clothing for your new role, both in and out of the bedroom Tessa, and to make sure you do I am sending Marcie’s designer over to you in a couple of days”
Tessa had gritted her teeth, the mention of her cousin Marcie Jones, making her hackles rise. Only a few years older than her, Marcie was as cold and ruthless as her grandfather, her simpering and pouting annoying Tessa.
“Well that might not be such a good idea John” she had bit back.
“After all he didn’t seem impressed with the way she looked at your party”
With no more words Tessa had left the library. Moving out to enter her beat up old car, the shock of what had just happened still filling her. She had been wrong about Alexis Demitri; he was no different than her grandfather. When he had not got what he wanted, he had made a despicable deal with a despicable man.
As she had finally gotten home to her small apartment, Tessa had rushed to the phone, relieved to hear Andrew’s voice as he picked up the phone. As she had told him that she had managed to secure the money, he had sounded so relieved and thankful at the same time and she could hear how he was holding back the tears, as he thanked her over and over again, promising to return every penny.
Tessa had put down the phone, her heart filling with warmth that she had managed to help Andrew, despite knowing what a price she was to being made to pay. Fishing out the paper given to her by her grandfather, Tessa had frowned softly. So he was expecting her to be at his beck and call, why not she had thought, he had effectively bought and paid for her. However, Tessa was not about to change her life for him, and picking up the phone once more she had dialled the number on the note hearing as it had rang before being quickly answered.
“Alexis Demitri” she had heard, that wonderful voice of his inexplicably sending a small pulse of electricity through her, and with anger at herself she had gripped the phone harder.
“Hello Alexis” she had managed, as she had heard his voice grow softer.
“Tessa, it is good to hear from you….very good”
Pausing for a second, she had put on as business tone a voice as she could.
“I was just phoning about tomorrow morning……I’m afraid I won’t be able to make breakfast” she had managed, hearing a small edge come to his voice.
“Oh…….and why is that may I ask?”
Clearing her throat, suddenly feeling like a small child she had answered.
“I have practice all day tomorrow…….the show is only two days away”
Hearing as he had laughed softly.
“Of course it is………I am sorry, I should have realised…….Well that is settled then……you will come to my house after practice and I will make sure that you are fed”
“No….no honestly, I would really rather just go home, I probably won’t finish till 9 “
She had stammered, once more hearing how he had chuckled.
“Tessa, we have a lot to talk about…………so either you come to my house………..or I will come to yours”
He had laughed again hearing her angry sigh.
“Fine……..what is the address?” she had asked, not even hiding her annoyance, as he had given her the details.
“I will see you about eight” he had finished, ending the call before she could complain.
Chapter Four
The following evening Tessa had found herself driving up to one of the largest driveways she had ever seen. She had felt a little intimidated, having to be buzzed into the estate through the large imposing gates. Giving a small smile, she had thought that he seemed even more ostentatious than her grandfather, finding herself more and more comparing the Greek to the hateful man she had spent her early childhood with.
As she had pulled up to the huge and gorgeous home, she had been impressed with the beauty of the building and the wonderful gardens it sat in. With a smile, she had been glad that he had not come up to her small but cozy flat, suddenly feeling very nervous at the opulence around her. With a frown the realisation of the deal she had made suddenly hitting her, as for the first time she realised that as the wife of a man like Alexis Demitri she would be expected to fulfil a certain role, behave in a certain way. Groaning softly, she wondered where that would leave her plans for her dance studio, and the independence she had treasured her whole life. Looking around she finally understood that she had agreed to be just another prop in this man’s life, and Tessa could feel the tears coming to her eyes, angrily dashing them away. She would have given up everything for Andrew she had told herself, for the family who had been there for her as she had grown up. They had shielded her when her mother died, and now she could finally repay them for all their love and support, and with head held proudly high she had moved to the large column-covered door and rang the bell.
The sound had been loud, causing her to jump, testing her newfound bravado, but soon the door had been opened, a handsome Alexis standing before her.
“Hello Tess” he had said a warm smile on his face, as with a twinkle in his eye he had looked deliberately at his watch.
“You are only half an hour late…………I was sure you would have made me wait the full hour”
Unable to hold back the small laugh she had realised that he had completely understood why she had arrived late for their appointment. That he had known that she had mutinously refused to follow his commands, determined to make him see that she was not to be bossed around.
“The traffic was clearer than I expected” she had replied haughtily trying to regain her composure as he had stood aside to invite her in.
The inside of the building was no less impressive than the outside. Marble floors and a winding double staircase added to the magnificence of the foyer, along with the large chandelier which dominated the central area throwing light around the whole area, illuminating it softly. With a wry smile, she had thought how his home made her grandfather’s seem almost shabby in comparison.
“You have a lovely home” she had said finally turning to look at the man stood silently allowing her to drink in the house and its contents.
“Well it will be your home soon too” he had smiled, seeing how Tessa had reddened slightly, her voice suddenly nervous.
“Y..yes I suppose so” her eyes flitting away from him.
Alexis took in the woman before him. Many had stood where she was now, many eyes had lit up at the thought of living in such a place, but Tessa was different. She seemed uncomfortable, and nervous of all the wealth around her.
“Come” he had finally said breaking the silence between them.
“As promised dinner will be ready soon”, and he had strode towards a room at the far end of the wonderful foyer as Tessa had followed him, her heels making small clip clopping noises on the marble floor.
“I hope dinner isn’t ruined” she had said behind him, suddenly feeling the need to talk. As he had held open the door for her, she had seen his mouth curl into an amused smile.
“As I said……I had expected you to make me wait the full hour…….so you are actually a little early”
Tessa had suddenly felt like a petulant child being humoured, and a flicker of anger had filled her beautiful eyes.
“Then I guess you should have just listened to the time I gave you…..I did tell you I would not be finished until 9”
Her anger growing as he had smiled again.
“Well I guess communication is one of the things we will have to work on” his eyes twinkling as she passed by him. Looking around Tessa had found herself in the dining room, looking at the large rich mahogany table, seeing the way the crystal chandelier sparkled over the centre. At one end of the table she could see the table set for two, as he had moved, sitting at the head after pulling the chair out for her to sit beside him.
Suddenly alone, seated and with nothing else to focus her attention on she had looked over nervously at the man beside her, who seemed relaxed and calm compared to her. She could feel as her insides fluttered nervously, unaware of how her fingers had tugged at each other, the reality of the situation suddenly hitting her hard. Alexis’s hand covering both hers has caused her to jump slightly, feeling as he had held them tightly as she had tried to pull them free.
“I am glad you changed your mind” he spoke, that warm velvety sensual tone of his sliding once more down her spine, as she had fought not to show how he affected her, feeling his warm breath whispering over her small hand.
“I think we both know that this is a purely business deal” she had managed marmishly, her tone hiding the disquiet her body felt.
“You get what you want…and I get what I want”
