An Unexpected Proposal

Chapter 6

The night of the gala had arrived. The guests were dressed to the nines, the crème de la crème of European dignitaries, royalty, actors and other statesmen and stateswomen. Andreas was watching Abigail; he could tell she was nervous. The team had worked so hard to organise this event in such a short time and she had told him she wanted everything to go like clockwork. As did he.

The crowded ballroom had a view of the glorious Parthenon at Acropolis, the ancient building lit up the night sky like the magical temple it was in honour of the Goddess Athena. Abigail disappeared from his view as the consul general of Aldovia came over to speak to him. The man was one of the few decent people and Andreas liked him. His nation had one of the highest number of orphans on the continent and this charity would be sending money and supplies over there.

Person after person wanted to speak with him, and Andreas gave as much time as he could to all of them. After a long while, he looked up from his many conversations and searched for Abigail. He hadn't spent any time with her for the past few days, her time completely consumed with the organisation of the gala along with the rest of the team.

Men, and women especially, demanded his attention at these events, and he was always cordial, but after a while it did become a bit of a drag. On this night in particular though, his mind was not on the charity as it should be. It was on the Abigail who had aroused within him a need to connect with a woman on a deeper level; something he had wanted but never felt with anyone before.

He continued searching for Abigail. He wanted to see her. To hear her voice. To inhale her subtle scent.

Then she appeared. His eyes locked onto her as soon as she entered his line of vision and his body had such a strong reaction, humming to life and exhilaration at just the sight of her. She was wearing a peach-coloured gown that went all the way down to her ankles. It had a slit on one side that showed off her long, slender legs as she walked. Her hair was up in a stylish chignon, her beautiful neckline visible. She was the epitome of class and sophistication. She mingled with the guests effortlessly. He also noticed all the male heads turning towards her and it stirred in him his most primal and possessive emotions.

He watched her charm everyone who came her way, even the women, and knew he had not only made the right decision regarding the charity, but he had found a gem he wanted to make his. But her words the other night at the tavern still echoed in his head. Rich men looking for the next hot thing to toy with then discard. That description made his gut clench. Someone had done that to her. What kind of a fool would let a woman like Abigail go?

Andreas watched as Isaac Ibakol, the consul general of San Monervia, the small principality in north eastern Europe, hovered around Abigail relentlessly. Andreas didn't like it. His most primal instincts began to come to the fore. He didn't like the man at all. Not one bit. But when Andreas saw the man place his hands on Abigail, bringing them around her waist, and the horrified look on her face, well, it was just too much.

Without even excusing himself from the conversation he was in, Andreas shot across the throng of people and was by Abigail's side within seconds.

Abi wanted to cringe as Ibakol's hands came around her, the alcohol on his breath a clear sign he had already had too much. She jumped back, pushing his hands away, but he kept coming. All at once, someone else was there, someone stepped out in front of Ibakol.

Andreas.

He stood, facing the other man. She could only see his broad shoulders in the black tuxedo he wore. She couldn't quite hear what was being said because of the din around the ballroom, but as she leaned her head to the side for a second, she could see Ibakol's face and he looked like a terrified school boy. He turned and began slinking off into the crowd.

Abigail found herself releasing a relieved sigh. Andreas turned, his eyes were wild. She had never seen him like that. But as they fell on her, his eyes softened immediately. "Are you alright, Abigail?" he asked her, his deep accented voice like a soothing balm to her already frayed nerves.

"I'm ok. Thank you," she said, trying not to seem as rattled as she was.

Andreas came hear her and placed his hand on her elbow gently guiding her through to a door close to where they were standing. The warmth of his hand was reassuring and Abigail allowed herself to be comforted by it.

Andreas moved his hand from Abigail's elbow to her hand, closing his fingers over it. She allowed him to lead her outside onto a secluded area of the centre where there was a balcony with beautiful Greek columns and jasmine plants threaded through them. The scent was beautiful as it wafted through the air.

Andreas was still reeling from what he had seen, his mood had darkened but he had to move out of it. He was with Abigail now. He watched as her chest heaved when she inhaled the fresh air and the jasmine aroma, not being able to help the direction his eyes took. Her breasts were so full and luscious, his pulse increased just looking at her.

She released her hand from his, a move that felt like a stab to his heart, and walked to the edge of the balcony looking out over the city of Athens. She didn't look at him. Andreas walked over and stood next to her.

"I'm sorry about Ibakol," he said. "I've never liked the guy."

"Thank you for coming over," she said quietly.

Andreas turned to look at Abigail. He could see her profile, her small nose, her full lips. Were they trembling?

He moved closer to her but didn't touch her. "Abigail," he said gently. She lowered her head and shut her eyes tightly for a moment. Oh God, she was about to cry. In a flash he placed his hands around her and brought her towards his chest. She immediately fell into him, placing her head against him, her arms coming up around his waist.

Andreas pressed her close, tightening his grip around her. He placed his mouth on the top of her head and whispered, "It's ok, Abigail. I'm here." She breathed in and out deeply. He would allow her all the time she needed. "You don't have to go back out there. The others can handle it from here. And I'll deal with Ibakol later."

She released him a little but didn't move her body too far from his, her arms still around the sides of his waist. "I can't just leave now," she said, her eyes wide. "This is my responsibility."

Andreas shook his head, his hand coming up and cupping the side of her face. "It's a team job. You need to allow others to do something too," he said gently. "You are not solely responsible for everything."

Abigail lowered her eyes to his chest. "I hate men like that," she said almost in a whisper.

"As do I," Andreas replied.

"I had to dodge so many of them when I first started out, and even now."

The tightening in his chest was almost unbearable, that she had to endure such behaviour. He pulled her in close to him again, wanting her to know she was safe and secure with him. And she sighed. She sighed.

"Let's get out of here," he said.

"You too?" she said looking back up into his face questioningly.

"I've done my part. The gala is almost over now. Let me take you back to your suite."

How he wanted to take those precious lips and kiss her until she could think of nothing except how much he admired and respected her. But this was not the right time. She was vulnerable and upset.

He didn't miss the admiration and want in her eyes though as she regarded him. He would take this to the next level when the time was right. Everything was there between them. But would she ever give him her trust?