Filed to story: A Matter of Sin and Love Novel Read Free Online
Christian’s hand fell. He wanted that again. Elena happy. Elena with him. He needed it.
Revenge on Morrison had turned to ashes in his mouth when he’d lost her. Morrison was bankrupt, his reputation in tatters, and the police were investigating him, not for his role in people trafficking, but for fraud. But instead of completing Christian, his quest for justice and retribution made him realise how empty he was without her.
Yet he hesitated.
He didn’t know if this gift was a sign she’d forgiven him or a farewell. Maybe she couldn’t bear to see it and remember she’d been with him when she found it.
Nerves swarmed in his belly and his shoulders hunched tight.
Eyes on Elena’s gift, he reached for the phone.
‘Don’t fidget or you’ll spoil this make-up.’ Fuzz tsked but didn’t really sound annoyed. Elena had never seen her so happy.
Even tonight, before the lavish party to celebrate the opening of the tropical resort, Fuzz was relaxed, sure everything would work out. She wore a permanent smile and, for the first time, seemed utterly content. There were lots of reasons for that—having a purpose and an outlet for her creative talent, getting away from their father’s influence. But, most of all, Elena put the change down to love.
She swallowed as her throat tightened. She was not jealous of her sister’s happiness.
‘I don’t see why I need make-up. Or a new dress.’ She fingered the dusky pink chiffon, delicate as fairy wings, fluttering around her legs as her sister fussed over Elena’s hair and make-up.
‘Because it’s time to party.’ Fuzz stood back, surveying her handiwork. ‘I want you to look gorgeous.’
Elena snorted. ‘Fat chance.’ The closest she’d come to that had been in the ill-fated wedding dress. Instantly she clamped her mind shut against the memory.
That was over. It was time to move on. She couldn’t hate Christian for bringing down her father. She’d tried for years to love George Morrison but had never been able to. The news of his criminal past had been the final straw and she’d severed all ties. Bankrupt and bereft of friends, he’d slunk away from Sydney, she didn’t know or care where.
As for Christian—he’d shattered her silly illusion that he really cared for her. She’d been just a convenient tool. She had no business pining for the man who’d taken advantage of her so ruthlessly. Surely she had more self-respect than that, even if she could understand his determination to ruin her father.
‘Stop frowning! You’ll scare the guests. There, that’s better. No one can hold a candle to you when you smile.’
Elena looked up into the exquisitely delicate features of her sister and shook her head.
‘It’s true, Elena. You’re the only person who doesn’t realise it.’ Fuzz reached for something. ‘Here. One final thing to make the outfit complete. It sits high on your arm, not around your wrist.’ She pressed a tissue-wrapped parcel into Elena’s hand then swung away. ‘Matthew will be wondering where I am. See you soon.’
Elena unwrapped the paper and stared, agog, at the object in her hand. The light caught its facets, making it shine brilliantly. Elena’s breath stopped. It couldn’t be.
Of course it couldn’t. It had to be a copy. The real piece, made by a world-renowned jeweller almost a century ago, featured platinum set with pink diamonds and onyx, and was forth a fortune. It had featured recently in an international sale catalogue.
Her insides squeezed as she thought of Christian and the fun they’d had poring over such catalogues.
Forcing her mind away from Christian, she pushed the bangle over her wrist and onto her upper arm. It fitted snugly.
Turning, she surveyed herself in the mirror. She looked different. Fuzz had hidden the shadows around her eyes from too many sleepless nights and the flash of the costume jewellery made her eyes sparkle. Her dress was sophisticated but subtle and feminine. She wished Christian could see her like this. Elegant. Happy. Getting on with her life.
For a second her lips threatened to crumple. Then she stiffened her shoulders and turned towards the door. She had a party to attend. Who knew, she might even meet some fascinating people who’d take her mind off what she’d lost.
She was halfway from her cabin to the main resort, following a path curving between lush palms, when a deep voice made her falter.
‘Hello, Elena.’
Shock slammed into her. ‘Christian?’
He stepped out of the shadows looking darkly charismatic and compelling. Her heart sprinted and she had to drag in a sustaining breath. Christian Edwards in a dinner jacket looked too good to be true.
‘What are you doing here?’
‘I was invited.’
‘Invited? I didn’t…’ She frowned. No wonder Fuzz had raced off rather than waiting for her. When she got her hands on her sister—
‘You look wonderful, corazón.’
‘Don’t.’ She put out her hand to ward off his words. She didn’t want those lilting Spanish endearments that turned her mind to mush and her knees to water.
Instantly the half smile curving his mouth disappeared. Tension replaced it.
‘Why are you here?’ She crossed her arms over her chest, holding in her galloping heart and the pain that welled there. Her fingers clamped on the new bangle, solid and cool against her overheated flesh.
‘To talk. I needed to see you.’ His deep voice wrapped around her like an embrace and she found herself leaning forward. With an effort she straightened.
‘Why?’ It was all she could manage. Excitement vied with nerves.
‘Why did you send me the table?’ he countered.
That was Christian. Straight to the point.
She swallowed. At the time it had seemed right. Yet now she was too scared to tell the truth. ‘I knew you’d like it.’ His gaze bored into her as if reading everything she couldn’t say. ‘And I’ve got a small flat. There wasn’t room for it.’
‘It’s only a small table.’
She shrugged.
‘Or was it because it evoked too many memories?’
‘How did you—?’ She clamped her lips shut. He didn’t need to know she couldn’t look at the table without remembering the fun they’d had together, their shared passion, the way he’d gently teased her then pleased her and always made her feel special. Until that last day when he’d shattered her illusions with the truth.
He stepped back, his eyes clouding. ‘I see. It reminded you of unhappy things. Of the mistakes I made.’
Mistakes? Since when did Christian admit to mistakes? Everything he did fitted in his grand plan. Even being with her.
‘Yet you accepted my gift.’ He nodded to the bangle on her upper arm.
Elena started. ‘Your gift?’
‘Your sister didn’t tell you?’
Elena shook her head, her gaze going to the beautiful jewellery that even in this dim light managed to sparkle.
‘I thought it was a copy. I had no idea!’ She made to yank the armband off.
‘Don’t!’ he barked. ‘Leave it.’ He drew himself up to his full height and she felt tension radiate off him, making her skin prickle. ‘Think of it as a parting gift. An apology for the way I duped you. It was reprehensible of me.’ He turned away, but the sight of him leaving broke her resolve.
‘Wait! You can’t just go like that.’ Her fingers itched to reach for him but she forced her hands to her sides.
‘Why not? You don’t want me here.’ There was something in his voice she couldn’t identify. His profile was stony, his jaw tight, yet his words made her wonder.
Was she brave enough to find out?
‘Christian.’ She stepped closer, her breathing almost non-existent, her stomach churning. ‘Tell me the truth. Why did you come?’
He tilted his head back, looking up at the darkening sky as if seeking guidance. When he swung his face towards her he’d lost that masked look. His expression was passionately alive, eyes gleaming and mouth twisted with pain.
Elena stared, shocked.
‘To see you.’
‘To apologise?’ Christian took duty seriously. He’d used her and knew she deserved an apology. Stupidly her heart shrank at the idea of her being no more than a duty to be ticked off his list.
‘That too. I should be on my knees grovelling, shouldn’t I?’
‘That too?’ What else could there be? Her eyes grew rounder as he paced close, filling her vision.
‘I came because I had to know how you feel about me.’ He stopped and cleared his throat. His nostrils dilated as he dragged in a deep breath and it struck her he looked almost nervous. She must be projecting her own feelings.
‘Everything is different without you. I can’t—’ He rubbed has hand across the back of his neck in a gesture of unease she’d seen him use only once before.
The butterflies in her belly became seagulls, whirling and swooping.
‘What can’t you do, Christian?’ She clasped her hands tight together, barely noticing them tremble.
‘I can’t settle. I can’t work.’ With one more stride he was before her, taking her hands in his. They felt big and warm and tantalisingly familiar. An ache started up in the back of her throat and Elena told herself not to be foolish, but she couldn’t help it. Hope was a tiny flame deep inside.
‘I want you back, Elena. I need you.’ He planted her palm on his chest, his own hand covering it, pressing it down so she felt the quickened thud of his heart.
‘I know you’ve no reason to want me after I destroyed your father and lied to you. I know you’re going to send me away.’ He paused and she saw his Adam’s apple bob above his suave bow tie. ‘But I had to be absolutely certain because I love you. And if there’s one thing I know it’s that love, true love, is a rare and precious thing. It shouldn’t be ignored.’