Free Greek's Marriage Bargain by Lilly LaRue

appearance and refastened his buttons.
    “Yes,” Leah managed to rasp. It was definitely for the best that things had gone no farther.
    “I don’t want to make love to you for the first time on a hard table.”
    She dragged in a deep breath as he opened the door.
    “We should be back to the harbor soon,” said Nikos after a glance at his watch. “I’d best return you to polite company or risk ravishing you here.”
    Leah managed a shaky smile. “Yes.” She didn’t recoil when he put his arm around her waist, drawing her close. Sanity was rapidly returning, and she knew she couldn’t go to bed with Nikos, but still lacked the coherence to tell him. As they rejoined the party, she almost turned to him, but couldn’t. It made sense to tell him she hadn’t changed her mind about sex, despite what had just occurred, but it felt too nice to have his arm around her to say anything right then. Feeling cowardly, but reveling in his touch, she snuggled against him, allowing herself a few more minutes in his arms.

Chapter Five
     
    The cruise ended within the hour, returning to the harbor. The limousine awaited, and Leah summoned her courage as they slipped inside. A glance forward confirmed the privacy screen was in place. She licked her lips, searching for the best way to word her thoughts.
    Nikos wasn’t helping matters. He pushed the windblown hair off her neck to nibble on her skin. Leah pulled away, but he followed. Her thoughts tried to fracture again, but she marshaled them. “Nikos, stop.”
    He lifted his head. “I’m sorry to paw at you like a horny teenager,” he said with self-deprecating humor. “I suppose I can wait a few more minutes, for the sake of decorum.”
    Leah scooted over slightly, putting some distance between them. “I’m sorry.”
    “Why?” he asked with a frown.
    “I’ve given you the wrong idea.” She shook her head. “I shouldn’t have let things get so far.”
    His expression turned wary. “Do you regret what happened?”
    She cocked her head, finally shaking it. “No. I should, but I don’t.” With a deep breath, she added, “But it can’t happen again.”
    He cursed. “Why not, Leah? Who would it hurt? You’re my wife. It is perfectly normal to make love to you.”
    She swallowed. “There is no normal for us, Nikos. Everything is an illusion.”
    Nikos exhaled sharply. “No.”
    “Yes,” she insisted. “We’re married, but only for a few more months. We both know getting physical will only complicate things.”
    He grasped her hand, pressing it high against his thigh. “It is no illusion how much I want you.”
    She tugged free of his hold. Leah met his eyes, admitting to both of them what she had been denying for so long. “I want you too, Nikos, but I’m not going to give in to that urge. I have to think of the long-term consequences. As much as I want you to make love to me, I can’t let it happen.”
    With a long sigh, Nikos raked a hand through his hair. “I could change your mind.”
    Leah nodded. “You probably could, but it wouldn’t change anything. You know I’m right.”
    He sighed again. “Right now, agape mou , all I know is I will not sleep well tonight from frustration.”
    She smiled tentatively. “I know the feeling.”
     
    Nikos watched the door to the nursery close behind Leah. It required every ounce of will power not to follow her and finish what they had started. His body ached for her, and he knew she was in a similar state. Leah had admitted he could change her mind. It was tempting, but he held back.
    He cursed himself, hating that he was respecting her decision, though it was the right thing to do. Nikos didn’t believe lovemaking would complicate things, because he wanted to keep her as his wife, but it was right to honor her choice. He would do so, for now, and reluctantly. Nikos could give her a few more days to sort out her confusion and realize she was denying them both needlessly. With a rueful chuckle, Nikos admitted