Filed to story: A Matter of Sin and Love Novel Read Free Online
Christian suppressed a wave of nausea at the notion of being so intimately linked with this man. Morrison had destroyed the one person Christian had ever loved. The only one who’d ever loved him. Morrison had destroyed countless others too and didn’t give a damn. But Christian did, and he’d make sure Morrison paid in full.
‘To the wedding,’ he murmured. ‘Soon, don’t you think?’
‘Definitely.’ Morrison nodded. ‘Though Elena might—’
‘I’m sure I can persuade her to an early date.’ The thought of persuading Elena made his blood hum. He was counting the hours till he saw her again. That was a first.
His host nodded. ‘I knew you’d be the man for her. A lovely girl, but she needs a firm hand.’
Was that how Morrison had managed his family? Christian’s investigators had concentrated on Morrison’s business activities, especially any nasty little financial secrets, not on his family. Sympathy flickered, even for party girl Felicity. But most of all for Elena. Elena, with the wary eyes, who didn’t believe she was beautiful.
‘Don’t worry. You can leave Elena to me.’
‘Good man.’ Morrison waved his whisky glass. ‘I suppose you’d prefer to marry in Melbourne so I suggest—’
‘No, I couldn’t do that. I know the bride’s family organises the wedding. You’ll want to give Elena a big society event.’ Christian smiled, genuine amusement surfacing at Morrison’s dismay. Obviously, in his scheming to snare Christian’s support, and money, he hadn’t reckoned with footing the bill for a lavish celebration.
‘That’s kind, Christian. But you’re a very private man. Elena will understand if you want to tie the knot quietly.’
Christian shook his head. ‘I wouldn’t dream of depriving her. The bigger the celebration the better. It will signal the beginning of our partnership.’ There, that made him smile. ‘Let’s make it the society event of the decade.’
Christian watched his host turn a pasty shade of green. ‘I realise it’s a huge task organising such an event at short notice so I’ll give you some assistance.’
‘That’s very good of you, Christian. I won’t say no.’
‘Good. I’ll lend you someone to help with the preparations. I know just the person. She’s got an eye for quality and understands we’ll want no expense spared.’ He put up his hand when Morrison would have interrupted. ‘Don’t thank me. It’s the least I can do.’
Morrison bit back a response, his expression for a moment ugly, though quickly masked.
‘Now, if you’ll just give me Elena’s mobile number? I forgot to get it earlier.’
Interestingly, for a man who thought his daughter so ‘special’, Morrison didn’t have the number programmed into his phone. He had to go inside to get it, leaving Christian to consider the outcome of tonight’s events.
Morrison was on the hook.
As for his absurd proposal that Christian marry his daughter…that was the bid of a desperate man.
But Christian would play along. It would be the icing on the cake to know his enemy had spent his last credit on a huge public wedding that would never take place. Not only would Morrison be ruined beyond redemption, the farce of the non-wedding would make him a social pariah.
Even if Christian had to come in quietly later and pay the bills so no suppliers were out of pocket, the expense would be worth it. Morrison would be in the gutter, ashamed and ostracised, bankrupt and unable to start again. He deserved far worse but it would do.
Only one thing niggled. When Morrison had first suggested marriage, Christian had had no qualms about agreeing. From what he’d learned, Felicity had a Teflon-coated heart. She’d thrive on the notoriety and the monetary compensation Christian would provide when the wedding was cancelled.
But Elena was different. He didn’t yet have her measure and that gave him pause. He never went into negotiations without knowing his opponent. Or in this case his partner.
His lips tilted in a satisfied smile. No, it didn’t matter if this once he winged it. He’d work out a way to compensate her. But he had no intention of walking away. Not merely because this dovetailed so nicely with his plans for revenge. But because he wanted Elena.
He intended to enjoy her, and their courtship, to the full.
‘’LO…?’ Elena DRAGGED the phone to her ear, burrowing deeper into her bed. It was far too early on a Saturday morning for anyone to call.
‘Not a morning person, Elena?’ The deep voice poured through the phone to ripple like soft suede over her bare skin. Instantly she was alert, her eyes popping open to survey the morning light sneaking around the edges of her bedroom curtains.
‘Who is this?’ Her voice sounded prim, almost schoolmarmish, but it was her best effort. She’d gone to sleep with the sound of Christian’s voice in her ears; she’d even dreamt of it when she eventually managed to snatch some sleep. It was unfair to be confronted with it now when she hadn’t had time to gather herself.
‘As if you don’t know, sweet Elena. Did I wake you?’ The words worked like a caress, drawing her skin taut, jerking her free of the last traces of sleep. That voice should be outlawed. It was too decadent, too delicious to be unleashed on an unsuspecting woman.
‘Yes. No!’ She rolled her eyes in frustration. ‘Who’s speaking?’
‘Forgotten your fiancé already?’ His voice plumbed new depths, curling heat right down inside her. ‘I can see I’ll have to try harder.’
‘Christian.’ No point pretending. ‘What do you want?’ She wouldn’t dignify that fiancé joke with a response.
‘I told you last night want I wanted.’
Her. That was what he’d said. And her body had gone into libido overdrive at the look in his sultry eyes.
‘But for now just tell me, are you still in bed?’
‘What if I am?’ Elena frowned. Why? Was he somewhere nearby? Had her father given him her address? Surely not. Christian Edwards wouldn’t venture into the working-class suburbs in search of her. Though, after what she’d learned about him on the Web when she got home, he wasn’t a stranger to poor neighbourhoods. She still found it hard to believe what she’d discovered.
‘Tell me what you’re wearing.’ The words raked her skin, drawing it tight over a belly that clenched needily.
Just at the sound of his voice?
Elena bit back a moan. This couldn’t be happening to her.
‘Tell me, Elena. Pyjamas?’ He paused. ‘A nightie?’ Another pause, longer this time. ‘Silk and lace?’
She firmed her lips, not letting herself rise to the bait.
‘Or do you sleep naked?’
The gasp escaped her lips before she could stop it. Weirdly, it felt as if, just by saying it, he must know.
And now he did. She’d given herself away with that intake of breath. She heard it in his voice. ‘Give me your address and I’ll be straight over.’
‘No!’ Her voice hit top register. Her heart was pounding as she heard his dark-chocolate chuckle against her ear.
She wanted to tell him she didn’t usually sleep naked. It had just been so hot last night and she couldn’t get comfortable, even after a cold shower. But she knew he’d put two and two together and realise it wasn’t the summer heat that had kept her from sleep, but thoughts of him. His ego was big enough already.