Michelle was supremely conscious of him, the light brush of his hand when they touched, the warmth of his smile.
Here, they were a thousand miles away from the Gold Coast, and Jeremy. Let’s not forget Saska, she added wryly.
There was no need to maintain any pretense. So why hadn’t Nikos abandoned the facade the moment they touched down in Sydney?
Because the sex is good? an inner voice taunted.
She should, she reflected, have insisted on separate suites. They could have each gone their separate ways for the entire weekend, then simply travelled to the airport together and caught the same flight to the Gold Coast.
So why didn’t you? a silent voice demanded.
The answer was simple...she wanted to be with him.
Oh great, she mentally derided. Not only was she conducting a silent conversation, she was answering herself, as well.
It was almost five when the cruise boat returned to the pier, and afterwards they wandered at leisure along the broadwalk at Darling Harbour, and sat in one of many sidewalk cafés with a cool drink.
‘Let’s eat here,’ Michelle suggested. The area projected a lively almost carnival ambience, and she loved the feel of a sea breeze on her face, the faint tang of salt in the air.
‘You don’t want to go back to the hotel, change, and dine a deux in some terribly sophisticated restaurant?’ Nikos queried.
He looked relaxed, although only a fool would fail to detect the harnessed energy exigent beneath the surface.
‘No,’ she declared solemnly.
They ate seafood, sharing a huge platter containing a mixture of king-size prawns, mussels, oysters, lobster and Queensland crustaceans cooked in a variety of different ways, accompanied by several sauces and a large bowl of salad greens.
Dusk began to fall, and the city buildings took on a subtle change, providing a delightful night tapestry of light, shadow and increasing darkness.
‘We could take in a movie, a show, visit the casino,’ Nikos suggested as they emerged from the restaurant
Michelle offered him a sparkling glance. ‘You mean, I get to choose?’
‘Last night was business,’ he drawled, and she bit back a laugh.
‘Not all of it.’
He took hold of her hand and linked his fingers between her own. ‘Behave.’
‘I shall,’ she said demurely. ‘Impeccably, for the next few hours. At the casino. Then,’ she added with wicked humour, ‘I plan to ravish you.’
‘Two hours?’
‘Uh-huh. It’s called anticipation.’
It was worth the wait, Nikos accorded a long time later as he gathered her close on the edge of sleep. She’d made love with generosity and a sense of delight in his pleasure. And fun, before the intensity of passion had swept them both to a place that was theirs alone.
His arm tightened over her slender back, and she made a protesting murmur as she burrowed her cheek more deeply against his chest.
He soothed her with a gentle drift of his fingers, and brushed his lips against her hair, listening, feeling, as her breathing steadied into a deep even pattern.
‘The Rocks,’ Michelle chose without question when Nikos queried over breakfast what she would like to do with the day. Their flight to the Gold Coast was scheduled for midafternoon.
‘Trendy cafés, shops, and—’
‘Ambience,’ she intercepted with a wicked smile.
They took a taxi, and spent a few pleasant hours wandering the promenade, examining the various market stalls, chose a café where they enjoyed a leisurely meal, then it was time to return to the hotel, collect their bags and head for the airport.
With each passing hour she felt an increasing degree of tension. And sadness the weekend was fast approaching a close.
‘Thank you,’ she said quietly as they waited for their bags to arrive on the carousel from the flight. ‘It was a lovely break away.’
Nikos glimpsed the subtle edge of apprehension apparent, and divined its cause. A muscle hardened along the edge of his jaw. Jeremy’s behaviour pattern was predictably unpredictable. His parents’ method of dealing with their son’s recurring problem, however, was not.
For the past week he’d deliberately scaled down his business commitments to an essential few, and chosen to work via the computer link-up in his apartment, instead of his company office overlooking the Southport Broadwater.
Nikos sighted their bags and lifted them off the carousel. Five minutes later he was easing the large BMW out from the security car park.
‘Do you mind if I make a phone call?’ Michelle queried soon after they entered the penthouse.
‘Go ahead. I’ll be in the study for an hour.’
She rang her mother, put a call through to Emilio, then she retreated to the bedroom to unpack.
Michelle left early the next morning for the Gallery, and by midday she’d managed to catch up with most of the paperwork. Lunch was a sandwich washed down with mineral water and eaten at her desk.
Preliminary festive season parties were already under way, and tonight they were to join her parents and several of her father’s associates for dinner at the Sheraton.
It was after five when she entered Nikos’ penthouse, and after a quick shower she tended to her make-up, swept her hair into a smooth French pleat, then she donned a cobalt blue fitted dress with a sheer printed overlay, slid her feet into stiletto-heeled shoes, and collected her evening purse.
‘OK, let’s go.’
‘There’s something you should know before we leave.’
Her smile faltered slightly. ‘Bad news?’
‘Jeremy and his parents left the country early this morning. Their home is up for sale, and Emerson’s office is closed.’
‘Thank God,’ she breathed shakily, as surprise mingled with relief.
‘Rumour has it they intend settling in Majorca.’
It was over! She could hardly believe it No longer would she have to look over her shoulder, suspect every shadow, or be apprehensive each time the phone rang. She could resume a relatively carefree life, move back into her apartment...
Nikos caught each fleeting expression and successfully divined every one of them.
A weight sank low in her stomach as comprehension dawned. Nikos’ protection was no longer necessary. Which meant—what? Did she thank him, then walk out of his life? Would he let her?
‘The news has already leaked and speculation is rife,’ Nikos said quietly. ‘I wanted you to hear it from me, rather than an exaggerated version from someone else.’
‘Thank you.’
He could sense her tentative withdrawal, see the hidden uncertainty, and he wanted to shake her.
‘We’d better leave,’ Michelle said brightly. ‘Maman said six-thirty.’ It was almost that now.
It was a beautiful evening. Except she didn’t really see the azure blue of the sky as Nikos drove the short distance to the Sheraton hotel.
Michelle drew in a deep breath, then slowly released it as he slid from the car and consigned it to the concierge’s care for valet parking.
She’d have to go inside and act her socks off in an attempt to portray an air of conviviality.
It didn’t help to discover Saska was present in the company of one of her father’s business associates. Although it was hardly surprising given the associate had been a guest on the same night as Saska at her parents’ home the previous week.
Champagne on an empty stomach was not a wise move, and her appetite diminished despite the superb seafood buffet. While everyone else filled their plates and returned for more, all she could manage to eat was a few mouthfuls of salad and two prawns.
Michelle conversed with apparent attentiveness to the subject, but within minutes she retained only a hazy recollection of what had been said.
Her mind was consumed with Nikos as she reflected on every detail, each sequence of events that had brought and kept them together.
She reached out and absently fingered th
e stem of her champagne flute.
‘Mchelle?’
Oh Lord, she really would have to concentrate! She looked across the table and saw Saska’s bemused expression. ‘I’m sorry,’ she apologised ‘What did you say?’
‘I’m leaving for Sydney tomorrow to spend a few weeks with friends before flying home to Athens.’
Sydney, Athens? Saska was leaving the Gold Coast tomorrow? Her brain whirled. Did that mean Saska had given up any hope of turning Nikos’ affection into something stronger, more permanent?
‘I’m sure you’ll enjoy Sydney,’ she managed politely. ‘There are so many things to see and do there.’
‘I’m looking forward to it.’
Michelle. wasn’t sure how she managed to get through the rest of the evening. She even managed to pretend to eat, and followed mineral water with two cups of very strong coffee.
It was after eleven when Etienne settled the bill and brought the evening to a close. Some of the guests had taken advantage of valet parking, others had chosen to park in the underground car park. Consequently farewells and festive wishes were exchanged in the main lobby.
Within minutes of emerging from the main entrance the concierge had organised Nikos’ car, and Michelle sat in silence during the short drive.
The penthouse had been a haven, now it seemed as if she was viewing it for the last time. Dammit, she daren’t submit to the ache of silent tears.
She was breaking up, fragmenting into countless pieces. Tomorrow... Dear heaven, she didn’t want to think about tomorrow.
Nikos lifted a hand and tilted her chin, then held fast her nape as he angled his mouth over hers in a kiss that tore at the very depths of her soul.
It became a bewitching seduction of all her senses, magical, mesmeric, and infinitely flagrant as he led her deeper and deeper into a well of passion.
There was something almost wild about their lovemaking, a pagan coupling filled with raw desire and primitive heat.
Afterwards Michelle lay quietly in Nikos’ arms, listening to his heart as it beat in unison with her own.
Then when she was sure he slept, she carefully eased herself free and slid from the bed.
She moved quietly into the kitchen, found a glass, filled it with water, then drank it down in the hope it would lessen the caffeine content of the coffee.
For the life of her she couldn’t return to that large bed and pretend to sleep. Without thought she crossed to the lounge and moved the drape a little so she could see the night sky and the ocean.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
‘PENNY for them?’
Michelle turned her head at the sound of that drawling voice, and her stomach did a backward flip as he linked his arms around her waist and pulled her back against him.
‘It’s all worked out well,’ she managed evenly. ‘The Bateson-Burrows have relocated, and—’
‘Saska has reevaluated her options, and accepted I’m not one of them,’ Nikos drawled as he rested his chin on top of her head.
So where does that leave us?
Fool, she accorded silently. Where do you think it leaves you? You’ll go back to your own apartment. Nikos will remain in his—until he returns to Athens, or settles in France, or any other European city where he has a base.
Sure, he might promise to call, and maybe he will, once or twice. He’ll simply take up with any one of several beautiful females, and continue with his life. While you fall into a thousand pieces.
The mere thought of him with another woman made her feel physically ill.
‘I should thank you,’ Michelle said quietly. ‘For everything you’ve done to help protect me from Jeremy.’
The night sky held a sprinkle of stars, pinpricks of light against dark velvet, and less than a kilometre distant the marina stood highlighted beneath a series of neon arcs.
If I tried really hard, she thought dully, I could count some of the stars. Perhaps I should wish on one of them. Although wishes rarely came true, and belonged to the fable of fairy tales.
‘I consider myself thanked.’
Did she detect a slight edge of mockery in his voice? Dear God, of course she had thanked him. With her body, from the depths of her soul, every time they’d made love.
She was almost willing to swear that their lovemaking had meant something more to him than just a frequent series of wonderfully orgasmic sexual experiences.
Women faked it. But were men capable of faking that ultimate shuddering release?
Nikos possessed control...but he’d lost it on more than one occasion in her arms, just as she’d threshed helplessly in his against an erotic tide so tumultuous she was swept way out of her depth. Only to be brought back to the safety of his embrace.
‘I’ll pack and move into my apartment in the morning.’
Was that her voice? It sounded so low, so impossibly husky, it could have belonged to someone else.
‘No.’
Michelle’s heart stopped, then accelerated to a rapid beat ‘What do you mean—no?’
His hands moved up to her shoulders. ‘Do you want to leave?’
Dear heaven, how could he ask such a question?
She was incapable of movement, and he slowly turned her to face him.
‘Michelle?’
‘I—how—’ Oh hell, she was incapable of putting two coherent words together. ‘What are you suggesting?’ she managed at last.
‘I want you to come with me when I fly out to New York.’
Want, not need, she noted dully.
Did she have any idea how transparent she was? Eyes so clear he glimpsed his reflected image in their depths. A pulse hammered at her temple, and was joined by another at the base of her throat.
Go, an inner voice urged. Enjoy the now, and don’t worry what will happen next month, next year. Just...hop on the merry-go-round and enjoy the ride for as long as it lasts.
But what happens when the music winds down and the merry-go-round slows to a stop? Would the break be any easier then, than it is now? Worse, she knew. Much, much worse.
Yet life itself came with no guarantees. If she walked away now, she’d never know what the future might hold.
It was no contest. There could be only one answer.
‘Yes,’ Michelle said simply.
Nikos covered her mouth with his own in a kiss so incredibly gentle, she wanted to cry.
‘There’s one more thing.’
He pressed his thumb over her lower lip. ‘Marry me, agape mou.’
Her eyes widened measurably, and for an instant her whole body stilled, then she became conscious of the loud hammering of her heart and the need to breathe.
‘Yes.’
His smile almost undid her. ‘No qualifications?’
Michelle shook her head, not trusting herself to speak.
‘How do you feel about a Celebrant marrying us in the gardens of your parents’ home two weeks from this Saturday?’
She did swift mental calculations. ‘Two days before Christmas?’ Dear heaven. ‘My mother will freak.’
He stroked the rapidly beating pulse at the base of her throat. ‘No, she won’t.’
Two weeks. ‘Nikos—’
‘I love you,’ he said gently. ‘Everything about you. The way you smile, your laughter, the sound of your voice. The contented sigh you breathe when you reach for me in the night.’ His mouth settled briefly on hers. ‘I need you to share my life, all the days, the nights. Forever.’
Michelle closed her eyes in an attempt to still the sudden rush of tears. ‘I knew you were trouble the first moment I set eyes on you,’ she stated shakily.
‘An arrogant Greek who took control and turned your life upside down, hmm?’
Stifled laughter choked in her throat. ‘Something like that.’ Her eyes gleamed with remembered amusement. ‘You were always there, in my face.’ Her expression sobered momentarily. ‘Thank God.’
‘Fate, pedhaki mou.’ He cupped her face and smoothed away the soft trickle of tears
with each thumb. ‘It put us both in the same place at the same time.’
Yes, but it had been more than that, she acknowledged silently.
Much more.
‘You never did intend this arrangement to be temporary, did you?’
He dropped a soft kiss onto the tip of her nose.
‘No.’
‘When did you decide?’
‘I walked into the Bateson-Burrows’ home that first evening, took one look at you, and knew I wanted to be in your life.’
‘Why?’
He smiled, a self-deprecatory gesture that was endearing in a man of his calibre. ‘Instinct. Then Fate dealt me a wild card.’
‘Which you didn’t hesitate to use,’ she acknowledged musingly.
‘Do you blame me?’
Michelle lifted her arms and linked her hands at his nape, then she drew his head down to hers. ‘I love you,’ she said with quiet sincerely. ‘I always will. For as long as I live.’
‘Come back to bed.’
She couldn’t resist teasing him a little. ‘To sleep?’
‘Eventually.’ He kissed her with hungry possession. ‘After which we’ll rise and face the first of several hectic days.’
Nikos had been right, Michelle mused as she kissed her mother, then hugged Etienne.
Each day had proven to be more hectic than the last. Yet superb organisation had achieved the impossible by bringing everything together to make their wedding day perfect.
There had been tears and laughter as the Celebrant pronounced them man and wife, and Nikos kissed the bride.
Photographs, the cutting of the cake, and an informal reception had completed the afternoon.
Now it was time to leave in the elegant stretch Cadillac hired to transport them to a Brisbane hotel where they’d stay prior to catching an international flight early the next morning.
‘We made it,’ Michelle said jubilantly as the driver eased the long vehicle away from Sovereign Islands towards the arterial road leading to the Pacific Highway. From there, it was a forty-five-minute drive to Brisbane city.
Nikos took hold of her hand and raised it to his lips. ‘Did you think we wouldn’t, agape mou?’
The Helen Bianchin Collection Page 123