When he lay beside her it was not only a joining of bodies but also a joining of senses. They were each hotly aroused, each hungry for the pleasure that lay ahead.
His hands and mouth explored and tormented every inch. ‘You’re incredible,’ he muttered as she heaved and wriggled beneath his touch.
She was fast losing any semblance of self-control, touching him now, stroking and kissing his nipples, his chest; doing to him what he was doing to her. Bodies melded, bodies overheated, bodies grew desperate with need.
He took her hand, urged her to hold him, to feel for herself what she was doing to him. Her touch was almost his undoing. He moved himself over her. She spread her legs instinctively, obligingly. ‘Are you sure?’ he asked hoarsely. ‘There’ll be no going back once I—’
‘I’m sure, Andreas,’ she groaned. ‘Take me. Now! Make me yours.’
She felt him hesitate and knew that she had once again spoken without thinking. Make me yours. She would never be his. Not in the true sense of the word. He would never ask her to marry him. This was pure sex—pure, unadulterated sex. Two consenting adults behaving in the way that man and woman had since time immemorial.
Now was the time to back out, now was the time to put a stop to it, but she couldn’t. Her need was too great. His need was too great.
Already he was entering her, already she was rising to meet him, muscles clenching, holding, urging. It was all and more than she had expected and the final climax lifted them both to another plane. She couldn’t help crying out and Andreas groaned his satisfaction too as they collapsed in a heap of slick sweat and pleasure.
But their breathing had not even returned to normal before Nikos came running into the room. ‘Daddy, where’s Ben?’ he asked. ‘Where have you taken him?’
CHAPTER TEN
‘BEN isn’t here, son,’ answered Andreas, pushing himself up on one elbow. ‘Are you sure you weren’t dreaming? I’ve not been in your room.’
‘Yes, you have, I saw you,’ Nikos insisted. ‘You told him to be quiet. I was awake because I heard noises.’
Peta started to shake as the horror of the situation began to sink in. Andreas shot to his feet and tugged on his trousers. ‘How long ago was this, Nikos?’
‘Not long. Where is Ben? What’s happened?’
‘I don’t know, but I intend to find out. Peta, you stay here with Nikos.’ He was out of the room in two bounds.
Outside, Andreas paused for a second or two, listening. The air up here in the mountains was perfectly still; every little noise carried. But he heard nothing except the scurrying of a tiny animal in the undergrowth.
But then, as his ears became more attuned, he heard what he had most feared—the faint drone of an engine. He swore loudly, dashed back inside for his car keys and was out again in seconds. He ignored Peta’s demands that he take her with him, even though he knew what she must be going through. And it was all his fault, dammit.
If he hadn’t weakened none of this would have happened. If he hadn’t listened to the urges of his body Ben would be safe now. And Lord knew what the kidnapper would do when he realised he had the wrong boy.
It wasn’t yet completely dark and he careered down the mountainside with little heed for his own safety. He needed to catch up with the kidnapper before he reached the main road, because if he didn’t he would have no way of knowing which way he had gone.
Peta would never forgive him if anything happened to her son. Ben was her whole life; she idolised him. She’d even shown him, Andreas, the error of his ways. Nikos had almost always been left to his own devices, or to the care of his nanny, before he’d met Peta. Through her he’d realised how much Nikos was missing out on a father’s influence. He’d made a pact with himself that in future he’d be different.
Andreas came to the bottom of the track and there was no sign of the other vehicle as he slithered to a halt. Which way should he go? Left or right? He tried the listening technique again but there was other traffic on the road. He took a guess at left, but after a few miles realised it was like searching for a needle in a haystack. He had no idea what sort of vehicle he was looking for.
By the time he got back up the mountain Peta was frantic. She practically fell on him as he climbed out of his vehicle, her face crumpling when she saw that he was alone.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said, holding her so tightly against him that she couldn’t breathe. ‘I’ve done everything I can. It’s now in the hands of the police.’
The tears that she had bravely held back in front of Nikos streamed unchecked down her cheeks. She blamed herself. It had been sheer madness giving in to Andreas, except that she’d been equally guilty of wanting to feed her need. They’d been so intent on themselves that they’d heard nothing of what was going on around them.
Quite clearly the kidnapper had been watching the house. He’d probably been staking it out for days, waiting for the right opportunity. He’d seen Andreas half undress her, he’d watched as she was carried into the house, probably even leered through the window as Andreas had sucked and tormented her breasts. It didn’t bear thinking about.
And when they’d gone into the bedroom he’d taken his chance, knowing that they were too carried away to hear anything that was going on.
‘Oh, God, Andreas,’ she sobbed. ‘If anything happens to Ben I’ll kill myself.’
‘Don’t talk like that. Nothing will happen to him,’ he assured her gently, pulling a clean white handkerchief out of his pocket and pressing it into her hand. ‘When they realise they’ve got the wrong little guy he’ll be released, you’ll see.’
But Peta wasn’t convinced. ‘They might not,’ she sniffed. ‘They might—get rid of him. They could do anything.’ Every worst-case scenario was running through her mind.
‘The most they’ll do is demand money, the same as they would if they’d kidnapped Nikos. It’s all they’re after, Peta. I know what they’re like.’
‘How do you know?’ she demanded, dabbing her eyes ineffectually because the tears wouldn’t stop coming.
His mouth tightened grimly. ‘Believe me, I do; it’s the way these men work. The police will be here shortly, and after that we’re going back down to my mother’s.’
‘You—you said we’d be s-safe here,’ she blubbered.
‘I thought we would. I’m so sorry, Peta.’ His arms tightened around her once again, trying to reassure her but having little effect. ‘I’ll do everything I can to ensure Ben is returned to you safely.’
Meaning he’d pay the ransom. Which was the least he could do under the circumstances, she thought bitterly. And yet even as she leaned into his body his strength supported her. The warmth of him consoled her. She had no right to blame Andreas. He couldn’t have been more concerned had it been Nikos.
‘Oughtn’t we to stay?’ she asked huskily. ‘If—if they’re going to return Ben this is where they’ll bring him, won’t they? And if they send a ransom note it will also come here.’
‘I expect so,’ he agreed, ‘but I think it’s no place for you to be now. There’ll be a twenty-four-hour guard, don’t worry.’
The next few hours passed in a blur. It was embarrassing having to tell the two policemen what they’d been doing while Ben was being kidnapped, even though their faces remained impassive. And they assured her that at first light someone would be back to search the area around the house. She was still tearful when they eventually returned to his parent’s home.
Mrs Papadakis, having been warned beforehand what had happened, couldn’t have been nicer. The frostiness had gone, the haughtiness had gone, and she hugged Peta as though she was someone very special. ‘My son, he tells me about it. I am so sorry that this has happened to you in my country. I hope Ben will be returned to you very soon. Meantime you must not worry. Everything is being done that can be done.’
Peta nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
‘I think you should rest; I think you should try to sleep.’
‘I
won’t sleep,’ she insisted, shaking her head, ‘not until Ben’s been found.’
‘At least lie down, child. Andreas, take Peta to her room.’
Nikos had already been dispatched to bed and reluctantly Peta allowed herself to be helped. Andreas sat down on the edge of the bed with her. ‘When this is all over I’m going to make it up to you, I promise.’
‘When this is all over you won’t see me again,’ she assured him fiercely, ignoring the startled look in his eyes. She had made up her mind that she was going back to England and looking for a new job. Living with Andreas was too dangerous. Not only because of what had happened to Ben but for her own peace of mind, too. She simply wasn’t the type who could indulge in an affair. ‘If I hadn’t allowed myself to be manipulated by you none of this would have happened,’ she pointed out. ‘I should never have taken the nanny’s job.’
‘Don’t talk like that, Peta,’ he said gently. ‘It’s my fault; I take full responsibility. I more or less said that if you didn’t you’d be out of work. It was cruel of me, but I just knew you’d be perfect. I never expected this to happen.’ He punched his thigh, not once but several times. ‘Here was I, trying to protect Nikos, and now, because some incompetent stuffed up, you are out of your mind with worry. I hold myself entirely responsible.’
‘We’re both to blame,’ amended Peta wearily.
‘Who’d have thought that he’d have the audacity to enter the house while we were all there?’
‘We left the door open.’
He nodded grimly. ‘We were too wrapped up in ourselves.’
‘I’d like you to leave,’ she said now, lying back on the bed, utterly weary but knowing that she wouldn’t sleep, not until Ben was safely returned.
She was mistaken. The moment she closed her eyes she fell asleep, but it wasn’t a restful sleep. She dreamt of Ben, dreamt that his kidnappers were torturing him, and she thrashed about on the bed, calling to him, telling him that she was coming. She was woken by Andreas gently shaking her. ‘It’s all right, Peta, it’s just a bad dream.’
‘Ben?’ She sat bolt upright.
‘No news yet, I’m afraid.’
‘What time is it? How long have I been asleep?’ She felt guilty for daring to drop off while her son’s life was in danger.
‘It’s midday.’
Her eyes shot wide. ‘And you’ve heard nothing?’
‘Not yet.’
‘No ransom note?’
‘No.’
‘What’s taking so long? I want my son; he’ll be terrified. He’s never been away from me before.’
‘I know.’ He held her gently, a finger stroking the hair away from her face, cradling her; trying to soothe her. And it helped—a little! She liked the feel of him; he was strong and powerful and comforting; he’d take care of her; he’d help her find Ben, come hell or high water.
She leaned into him, felt his strength become her strength. ‘What can we do?’ she asked clearly.
‘We’re having lunch here, my mother has ordered it, and then I’m going to see the police again. Find out what progress has been made.’
‘I’m coming with you,’ she said firmly.
She ate only a mouthful of fish and half a grilled tomato before declaring she’d had enough. ‘I can’t eat while I don’t know where Ben is. Do you think he’s being looked after, Andreas? Do you think he’ll come to any harm?’
Before he could answer Anna tapped on the door and brought in an envelope, which she passed to Andreas, speaking quickly in her own language.
He ripped it open and his eyes hardened as he scanned the contents. Silently he handed it to Peta. It was a demand for the million pounds to be paid in English currency.
‘I wonder if he realises that he’s got the wrong boy,’ mused Andreas.
‘Would it make any difference?’ she demanded. ‘We gave a pretty good indication of how close we are.’ Her cheeks flushed as she recalled what they’d been up to.
‘I know it’s no time to tell you,’ he said gruffly, ‘but you were magnificent, Peta.’
‘No, it’s not the right time,’ she snapped. ‘What are we going to do about this?’ She waved the note in front of his face.
‘Take it to the police, of course.’
‘He says not to.’
‘Don’t they always?’
‘I don’t want to do anything that will jeopardise Ben’s safety.’
‘I wish I knew who was doing this to me,’ he said grimly.
‘To you?’ queried Peta. ‘What the hell have you got to worry about?’ She wished he hadn’t reminded her how good it had been in bed. As a matter of fact she never wanted to be reminded of it again. It was a moment in her life that she would regret for as long as she lived.
‘Do you think that because he isn’t my son I don’t care?’ he questioned, brown eyes suddenly hard. ‘Hell, Peta, you should know me better than that.’
‘I don’t know what to think any more,’ she replied. ‘All I want is my son back.’
The next few days were sheer hell. The waiting drove Peta almost insane. Andreas was a tower of strength, but she couldn’t help thinking that if it hadn’t been for him none of this would have happened. And she was firm in her resolve that after it was over she would get well out of his life.
Mrs Papadakis walked into the room one day when Peta was sobbing into Andreas’s shoulder; his mother motioned him to leave. She sat next to Peta on the sofa and talked calmly and soothingly until finally she stopped crying.
‘I can’t bear this any longer,’ Peta whimpered.
‘I know, child. I know, but you must be patient. Let me tell you something.’
Peta scrubbed ineffectually at her face, knowing it would do nothing to help the redness of her nose and eyes. Oh, Lord, when was this nightmare going to end?
‘I know how you are feeling. Andreas’s brother, he was kidnapped when he was about Ben’s age.’
‘Oh!’ Peta clapped a hand to her mouth. ‘Andreas never told me.’ Actually, it was just as well; she’d have been paranoid. And it was clearly the reason why he hadn’t initially told his mother about the threats. He’d wanted to protect her, to save unhappy memories flooding back. And now she must be hurting, too, reliving that painful time. It accounted for the way her attitude had changed so dramatically. Here was another woman going through exactly the same trauma.
‘It would seem,’ went on the older woman, ‘that anyone who has great wealth is a ready-made target for such ruthless people. I wanted my husband to pay; I would have given up everything, everything to get Christos back. But my husband, he thought he knew best. He did not tell the police; he thought he could handle it himself. He did not even tell me when he went to meet the kidnapper. He almost paid for it with his life. Fortunately I got my son back, and my husband; he healed in time. So you see, you must be patient, you must let Andreas and the police work out the best plan of action. It is the only way you can ensure both your son’s and my son’s safety.’
Through the blur of fresh tears Peta saw that Mrs Papadakis was crying, too.
Finally, after days of waiting, the kidnapper phoned Andreas, giving a time and place where he wanted the money deposited. ‘The kid’s told me he’s not your son, but it makes no difference. One boy is as good as another. And since he’s the son of a girl who would appear, from what I saw, to be very special to you—’ there was a sickening leer in his voice ‘—it will be in your best interests to pay. Let the girl bring the money.’
As Peta carried the bag containing the ransom her heart threatened to jump out of her chest. It beat so hard that it was painful and she could hardly breathe. She was supposed to put the bag into a railway-station deposit box—she had the key the kidnapper had sent in her pocket—but she felt like dropping the case now and running. This was the most dangerous thing she’d ever had to do.
Except that it was Ben’s life she was carrying in her hand. A million pounds for Ben’s life, and Andreas was prepared to pay
it! If all went according to plan they’d catch the kidnapper and he’d get his money back. But if it didn’t, if she got Ben back but no money, then Andreas would be out of pocket. She would indeed be indebted to him then. She wouldn’t be able to walk away.
As she walked into the station Peta knew that she must remain calm. She mustn’t draw attention to herself. But she couldn’t help wondering whether the kidnapper was watching. Her eyes darted this way and that but no one took any notice of the auburn-haired English girl in a flowered dress and sun-hat, with a battered briefcase tucked under her arm.
She almost expected a gun in her back as she deposited the case, then scolded herself for letting her imagination run away. It was a relief when she was back outside in the hot Greek sunshine, and an even bigger relief when Andreas drew up in his car. ‘My brave darling,’ he said as she virtually fell into it.
Peta closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder for a few seconds. But it wasn’t over yet. Already plain-clothes policemen would have moved into the station. The waiting game had begun in earnest.
Twenty-four hours went by and the money hadn’t been collected. Peta was inconsolable. And then came the call they were waiting for.
Andreas raced out to his car, Peta close on his heels, and as they reached the station they were in time to see a short, stocky man with light ginger hair being led away by two unsmiling policemen. The man looked across at Andreas with hatred in his eyes. Behind them a police-woman was holding Ben’s hand.
As soon as he saw his mother he flew across to her. Peta’s relief was so overwhelming that she burst into tears, and it was a moment or two before she realised that Andreas actually knew the man who had stolen her child.
‘Craig Eden, no less,’ he said.
‘You know this man?’ asked one of the policemen.
‘He knows me all right,’ declared the kidnapper fiercely. ‘He took everything I owned. Left me with not a penny to support my wife and family.’
Andreas shook his head. ‘That’s not strictly true, Craig.’
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