Maxine Sullivan - The CEO Takes a Wife / The Throw-Away Bride

The only reason he’d known why he was called Alexander and not the Italian form, Alessandro, was because Isabel had told him his own mother had insisted on it. Surprisingly, Cesare had kept that pattern when Nick and Matt were born. In some corner of Alex’s heart, he liked to think his father had done it out of respect for his first wife. On the other hand, perhaps that was just foolish thinking.

“What about your grandparents, Alex?” Olivia asked, drawing him from his thoughts. “They’re not still alive, are they? I didn’t see them at the wedding, but no one has mentioned them.”

“They died years ago after a long and happy marriage.” He gave a harsh laugh. “I can’t say the same for my father,” he said, thinking about his father’s three marriages.

She tilted her head. “But Cesare has been married to Isabel for a long time now. They seem very happy.”

He scowled. “They are,” he grudgingly admitted. “I guess I have to give him credit for that.”

She nodded. “It’s probably part of the reason he wanted to see you married.” Then she hesitated, as if she wasn’t sure whether to say something or not. “He cares for you, Alex. You may not be able to see it, but I can.”

“Perhaps.” He wondered what she’d think if he told her his father wanted him to have an heir, too. But why mention something that wasn’t necessary? In six months time Cesare would be on his way to retirement, if not before. He wouldn’t be able to dictate to any of his sons after that.

The arrival of the waiter to deliver their drinks gave Alex the chance to end the discussion, but as he watched Olivia smile her thanks at the young man, he felt a jolt inside his chest. If he had to have someone have his child, she would be the perfect choice.

He pushed that thought aside. “Now it’s your turn. Tell me about your ex-husband,” he said, watching her stiffen. He knew what the papers had said about the other man, but he wanted to hear Olivia’s version of it all.

She held his gaze. “I met Eric when I was just starting out as a designer. I was working in Paris and he was this really handsome, debonair Englishman. I’d never met anyone like him before.” A derisive sound emerged from her throat. “I don’t want to meet anyone like him again.”

“He cheated on you.” It was a statement, not a question.

Her expression clouded. “Yes. He thought I had a personal fortune because of my mother. When he discovered that she wasn’t supporting me as much as he thought, he dumped me for a woman who had more money.”

Anger rippled through Alex. “The bastard.”

She inclined her head. “Thanks. I know it sounds horrible, but by that stage I was glad to get rid of him.”

“No, what sounds horrible is him using you the way he did.”

“Thank you,” she whispered. She looked hesitant, then said, “He’s the main reason I have trouble trusting people these days.”

Alex knew that took a lot to admit. “Yet, as a stranger, you trusted me enough to marry me.”

Her tight expression relaxed into a smile. “Yeah, go figure.”

Something warmed inside him, but before he could savor the moment, their meal arrived. The food was superb and afterward they strolled along the promenade. He couldn’t wait to get her home and make love to her.

And when they finally made it to their bedroom and he pulled her into his arms, he felt her tremble from head to toe in a way that none of his other lovers ever had. It made him feel special, as though he was the only man on earth who could fulfill her needs.

And that affected him more than anything.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.