by Annie West
Fortunately she didn’t notice. She entered the sitting room with that leisurely, swaying stroll that spoke of casual confidence. As if she were accustomed to a billionaire’s luxury lifestyle. But then, given her father’s thievery...
He watched as she caught sight of the ancient sculpture against one wall. The torso of a young man, the musculature and veining of chest and arms superbly executed, the filmy fabric of his tunic the work of a master. She stiffened and drew a sharp breath. A second later she stood before the ruined masterpiece, her hand stretching momentarily towards it before dropping to her side.
‘It’s magnificent.’ There was genuine awe in her words. Alexei recognised it. He felt the same way about the piece.
His mouth twisted. Despite all expectation he found Carissa Carter...refreshing. Perhaps it wouldn’t be so tough pretending to be interested in her till her father arrived.
‘It was discovered at the bottom of the sea.’
As if his words broke the spell of artistic appreciation, she spun around, that oversized black T-shirt swirling wide. What did she look like beneath it? The rest of her was slim and beautifully formed.
‘You have a very nice home, Mr Katsaros.’ Her voice appealed too. It was low and musical. Not high and breathy as he recalled it from the phone call. Though he’d probably taken her by surprise with his invitation.
Alexei’s mouth tightened. She was right. It had been a demand, not an invitation. Carissa had made him sound brutish and that annoyed him. But the situation demanded a swift resolution. He didn’t have time for niceties.
Her eyebrows arched when he didn’t respond to her small talk.
‘Call me Alexei.’
‘Thank you, Alexei.’ Her voice slowed on his name and he felt the oddest sensation, as if she’d reached out one slim hand and trailed it down his chest, right to his belly. Abdominal muscles clenched in response. ‘Please, call me Carissa.’
‘Carissa.’ He tested the sibilant on his tongue and saw her eyes darken. The sight sent another ripple of awareness through him. She was definitely attracted. ‘You have an interesting accent. Not the same as your father’s.’
Intriguingly she stiffened as if he’d hit a weak point. It was the tiniest movement but unmistakeable to a man who’d spent so long studying the vulnerabilities of business opponents.
‘My father’s accent is English. But we moved around a lot when I was young. I suppose mine’s a hybrid.’
Alexei watched the unblinking way she held his gaze and wondered what she hid.
‘Yours is interesting too.’ She spoke quickly, clearly wanting to divert his attention.
Alexei was interested to find that despite his fixation on locating and punishing her father, his curiosity about Carissa increased by the moment.
He gestured for her to take a seat and sank down onto a leather lounge, crossing his ankles and leaning back.
‘Russian mother, Greek father, moved to London as a kid.’ He shrugged. ‘Like yours, my accent’s a hybrid.’ More like mongrel, he silently corrected. He’d spent too long living precariously in places where the predominant language was that of the violent gangs who ruled through intimidation.
Silently Carissa nodded and sat opposite him. In contrast to her casual clothes her posture was graceful. With that long, slender neck and perfect poise he was reminded again of a dancer sweeping into a low curtsey. He could picture a tiara on her smooth, dark hair and a sheaf of flowers in her arms.
‘Tell me, Carissa, have you heard from your father?’
‘He’s not here?’ Her expression flickered but too fast for him to read it.
‘No, but I’m expecting him soon.’ As soon as Ralph Carter heard his precious daughter was staying at Alexei’s private island he’d hotfoot it here, hoping the marriage he’d suggested would save him from Alexei’s wrath. If that didn’t work, Alexei had the perfect hostage to lure him from hiding.
‘I see.’ She chewed the corner of her mouth and then, as if aware of his scrutiny, offered a small smile. ‘That will be lovely.’ Once more her direct look suggested she hid something. What?
‘So you haven’t heard from him?’
‘No. He seems to have his phone switched off. Do you need to contact him urgently?’
Alexei fought impatience. His desire for retribution against the one person he’d actually trusted in decades hadn’t eased. Fury curdled his gut. He couldn’t believe he’d been foolish enough to let Carter con him.
‘Not at all. In the meantime we can get to know each other better.’ That prospect grew more enticing by the moment.
She shifted in her seat, her first overt sign of nervousness. Intrigued, Alexei took his time surveying her, his fingers tracing a lazy circle on the soft leather of his chair’s arm.
‘I want you to be happy here, Carissa. Let me know if there’s anything you want.’
‘That’s very kind of you, Alexei. For that matter, very kind of you to let me holiday here in this glorious place.’
She’d changed her tune. Fifteen minutes ago she’d been complaining about his staff and the speed with which he’d brought her here. What had changed?
Every sense stirred. He scented not fear but caution, as if Carissa suddenly felt out of her depth. Not so sure of herself after all?
She wasn’t his target; her father was. Yet that didn’t stop a frisson of satisfaction at the suggestion Ms high and mighty Carter had second thoughts about her situation. If she was cast in the same mould as her father, it would do her no harm to learn she couldn’t have everything her way. Especially if she’d spent the past few years living off money her father had stolen from Alexei.
‘Oh, I don’t consider it a kindness, given our special situation.’
She stilled. It looked as if she didn’t even breathe. ‘Our special situation?’
‘Of course.’ This time Alexei’s smile was genuine. ‘Since we’re marrying.’
CHAPTER THREE
MINA’S MOUTH DRIED as she watched a slow smile transform Alexei’s face. It wasn’t a polite expression of friendship or amusement. It was a wide grin that she could only describe as dangerous.
More than that. Hungry. As if he wanted to sink those strong white teeth into her flesh.
She shivered as heat licked through her. Disgust, of course. She wasn’t some dish served up to satisfy his appetite.
Yet, on the thought, Mina realised her response wasn’t so simple. A shiver drew her breasts tight till her nipples beaded. Astonished, she realised she was torn between annoyance and excitement.
As if she wanted to satisfy Alexei Katsaros’s animal appetites. And hers, as well.
The realisation had her fingers clawing the arms of her chair as she fought the urge to reel back. As much at her own confusing reaction as at his overtly masculine perusal. He surveyed her like a man who’d just bought a woman.
She despised him. Yet despite her outrage, Mina felt a thrill of anticipation.
By the time she’d conquered her shock, there was no sign of that feral hunger in his expression. Had she imagined it?
Mina wasn’t an expert on sex but she’d had her share of admirers. Men whom she found it easy to resist. For some reason they were fine as friends, but when they wanted more, Mina didn’t. Yet she knew what sexual interest looked like.
She couldn’t see it in his face now.
‘We’ve only just met.’ Her tone was cool.
One dark eyebrow rose. ‘It was your father’s suggestion that we’d make a good match. He told me you’d agreed. Are you saying that’s not the case?’
Mina swallowed, ignoring the sandpaper abrasion of her throat, and wondered how best to play for time. All the way here she’d told herself Carissa had been mistaken and that Alexei Katsaros couldn’t want marriage. He didn’t need to marry a stranger. He was rich, successful and good-looking.
Also impatient, determined and self-obsessed, if his idea of finding a wife was ordering her to his island and giving her no choice!
What had she landed herself in? Surely he hadn’t brought her here for a wedding!
Shock jagged through her, stealing her breath. If so, then this masquerade would be over before it began. Mina forced herself to take a deep breath and think.
‘He did mention a possible marriage, but...’
‘But?’
‘We don’t know each other! I can’t agree to marry someone I don’t know.’
He said nothing, just crossed his arms, the movement drawing Mina’s attention to the depth of his broad chest and the muscled power of his biceps. He was a man whose physical size and fitness could daunt a woman who wasn’t strong enough to stand up for herself.
‘So you’re here to what? Get to know me?’
‘Is that so unreasonable?’ Mina jumped on the idea like a lifeline. ‘We’re talking about a lifetime commitment.’
The hint of a smile flickered at the corner of Alexei’s mouth. ‘That’s a refreshingly...old-fashioned view.’
Mina let her eyebrows climb. ‘Marriage is a serious commitment. Why enter into one if you don’t plan to make it work?’ She wasn’t sure why she didn’t simply shrug off his comment. But marriage, like the right to make her own decisions, was something she felt strongly about. Her mother had married her country’s Sheikh not for love but because her family decreed it. It hadn’t been a happy match.
‘I see your point.’ Alexei nodded.
‘So you understand I need time to determine if a marriage would work. Surely you want that too.’
‘To assess if we’re compatible?’ Alexei didn’t move, nor did his expression alter, yet the quality of that stare flicked a warning switch. Adrenalin surged in Mina’s blood. Heat consumed her as if he’d surveyed every inch of her body with that searing scrutiny, instead of merely holding her gaze.
How did he do that?
More important, why did she react so?
Mina wasn’t oblivious to men but she’d never been swept off her feet, or into bed, by one. Her history made her cautious about ceding control to any man. Before his death, her father had mapped out her life, giving her no choice, even about the clothes she wore and the subjects she studied. Since leaving Jeirut for Paris she’d devoted herself single-mindedly to art, determined to carve a career in the field she loved. The guys who tried to sidetrack her into a relationship had never caused a ripple in her world.
Now it wasn’t a ripple she felt but an earth tremor.
Mina wouldn’t let that daunt her.
She lifted one hand negligently. ‘Before we worry about compatible perhaps we should start with finding out if we’d survive the marriage without killing each other.’
Alexei gave a crack of laughter. ‘Good point, Carissa.’ The light dancing in his eyes made him look completely different. Like someone she wanted to know.
Mina stiffened.
The first time she’d seen Alexei Katsaros, something happened that had never happened before. Her certainty had wavered and with it her confidence. Mina couldn’t abide the idea of being tentative around him, like some gullible, awed girl. It was easier to confront him. She suspected if he exerted himself to be nice it would be too easy to feel the force of his charm.
Now, abruptly, as she met his smiling look, the events of the last twelve hours took their toll.
Exhaustion slammed into Mina. Despite her determination not to back down before this man, she felt herself slump. Adrenalin had kept her going. Now that dissipated, leaving her overtired limbs shaky and her head swimming.
She had to get out of here before she made a mistake. Mina was too weary to guard her tongue and thinking straight became harder by the second. This man with the piercing green eyes would trip her up, especially since she wasn’t practised at lying.
If he discovered the truth, all this would have been for nothing. Carissa needed time to get away with Pierre and cover her tracks.
‘I’m sorry, you’ll have to excuse me.’ Mina lifted her hand to cover a yawn, only to discover the fake yawn was real. ‘I’m suddenly very tired.’
‘You didn’t sleep on the flight?’ He looked surprised.
Mina shook her head. She’d been ushered onto the private jet late in the evening for the overnight flight to the Caribbean. But despite the comfortable bed, she’d had too much going on in her head to sleep.
‘It’s been a very long day.’ She glanced at her watch, trying to calculate the time difference but to her surprise, her mind was too foggy. Tiredness and stress took their toll. ‘I’ve been awake more than twenty-four hours.’ And yesterday had been a long day, even before Carissa had dragged her into this mess. Or, to be fair, since she’d thrust herself into it to protect her friend.
Time to regroup before she said something she shouldn’t.
Mina pinned on a smile, the multipurpose one she reserved for royal meet and greets. She hadn’t used it in years and it felt rusty. ‘I’m sorry, Alexei, but I’ll have to leave you for now.’ She rose, surprised at the effort it took to stand tall. Her knees were unsteady, and for a second she swayed.
‘Could you point me towards my room, please?’
He loomed before her, the beginnings of a frown creasing his forehead. ‘You look pale.’
‘I’m fine,’ she lied. How many hours had it been since she’d eaten? She hadn’t been in the mood for food on the plane, refuelling on coffee and lots of it, but now the caffeine had worn off and she felt as powerful as a dandelion in a strong wind. ‘If you could show me the way?’
When Alexei didn’t immediately answer, Mina swung round towards the entry, remembering Henri heading down a corridor from there.
As she turned, another wave of tiredness hit and her movements lost their usual precise control. Her foot caught the edge of the plush carpet.
She didn’t trip or stagger, just paused, swaying as she caught her balance.
‘I’ll take you.’ The deep voice came from beside her ear as, to her astonishment, Alexei bent and curled his arms around her back and legs. An instant later she was in the air. Or, more precisely, in his arms, pressed against a hot body that seemed to be all solid muscle.
Mina’s breath stalled, then released on a shaky sigh at how extraordinary this felt. No one had ever held her like this. She registered conflicting feelings: shock, pleasure and an unexpected desire to burrow closer. As if Alexei were someone she trusted. Or desired.
‘There’s no need.’ The words were crisp, at odds with the strange wobbly feeling in her middle. It was impossible to sit straighter and assert control when she lay in his arms, unable to get any purchase.
Alexei ignored her words, marching out of the room.
With each step Mina felt her body move against his in a swaying rhythm that was surprisingly appealing. In other circumstances...
In other circumstances this wouldn’t happen, ever.
‘Thank you for your consideration,’ she said between barely open lips. ‘But I prefer to walk.’
That made him pause. He angled his head to look down at her and Mina was bombarded with impressions. The hard perfection of his squared-off jaw. From this intriguing angle, it was a study in obstinate power. The soaring, proud cheekbones that spoke of ancient Slavic heritage. The flare of arrogant nostrils and the fly-away effect of his winged eyebrows. The steady pump of his heart against her ribs and the power of those iron-hard arms encircling her.
Something shivered to life in the pit of Mina’s belly. Something that grew as she inhaled a tempting cedar-and-citrus aftershave that melded with the hot, salt scent of male skin. Her nostrils twitched appreciatively and the shiver amplified.
Astounded, Mina watched his eyes darken, the pupils dilating.
The world eclipsed to the d
ark mystery of that shadowy stare, heating her in all sorts of places.
When he spoke the sound vibrated from his chest into her body. She’d never experienced anything as intimate as his voice reverberating through her while his eyes devoured her.
‘Relax. I’m not going to hurt you.’
Despite the certainty he wouldn’t drop her, Mina couldn’t ignore the inner voice screaming at her to get away. Being this close to Alexei Katsaros was perilous, whatever his stated intention.
‘I prefer to walk. If you’ll kindly put me down.’ Tiredness vanished, replaced with quivering watchfulness.
‘And have you trip and hurt yourself?’ He shook his head, his rumpled locks swinging free. ‘I wouldn’t forgive myself.’
His tone was admirably sincere yet Mina read the tiny creases at the corners of his mouth and knew he was enjoying himself. Could he feel her heart hammer? She hated being vulnerable to him.
Before she could read any more, he looked away and began walking down the hall, carrying her easily, as if he carted unwilling women around every day.
Maybe he did.
‘Contrary to what you might have heard, Mr Katsaros, women are capable of thinking for themselves. We don’t appreciate he-men making our decisions for us. I—’
‘Is that what you think I am?’ Annoyingly his pace didn’t falter. ‘What exactly does that mean?’ His jaw jutted as he ruminated. ‘Someone very masculine? Someone who sees an exhausted guest and looks after her so she doesn’t hurt herself?’
Mina counted to ten. If she thought it would do any good, she’d struggle against his hold. But, though fit, she was no match for all that hard-packed muscle, especially given his superior size. He was well over six feet. If Alexei Katsaros didn’t want to release her she couldn’t make him. The knowledge infuriated her and she began stringing together curses in her own language that she couldn’t say lest he wonder how she knew Arabic.
She forced her gaze away from that annoyingly superior chin, focusing on the play of light and shadow on the ceiling as they passed down the hall.