by Sarah Morgan
‘We did. And talking of good times—’ the woman peeped over the top of her sunglasses ‘—that guy makes me want to forget I’m married. If he’s looking for company, send him my way.’
A nasty suspicion pricking the back of her neck, Selene turned and glanced towards the man who was attracting so much attention.
Stefan lounged at a table in the far corner of the taverna. Even without the expensive suit there was an unmistakable air of wealth and power about him, and yet she knew women stared not because of the promise of riches but because his raw masculine appeal promised sex as they’d never had it before. He attracted women like iron filings to a magnet with no apparent effort on his behalf. Perhaps that was why, she thought numbly. Perhaps it was his supreme indifference that provided part of his appeal. Every woman wanted to be the one to catch the attention of a man whose attention wasn’t easily caught. There wasn’t a woman alive, even those happily married, who could look at this man and not wonder what a night with him would be like.
And she knew.
His gaze locked on hers and she knew her changed appearance hadn’t fooled him for a moment. In that single look she was hit with the full force of his masculinity. Her body burned under his steady appraisal but even though she wanted to she couldn’t look away.
Something passed between them. Something raw and primal that made it impossible to think of anything but those intense, unforgettable hours she’d spent in his bed.
Desperately, she tried to remind herself that none of it had been real. At least, not for him.
‘Kalimera.’
He spoke softly and Selene almost stumbled, tightening her grip on the tray to stop it from crashing to the ground.
It wasn’t fair that she should feel like this.
By rights she should be able to look at him and want to slap his face. Instead all she wanted to do was grab the front of his exquisitely tailored shirt with both hands and rip it open, exposing the man underneath. On the surface he seemed so urbane and sophisticated—civilised—and yet beneath the trappings of success was a man who had fought his way to the top with his bare hands. He had no scruples about doing what needed to be done to get what he wanted. Of course he didn’t. He ran his business according to his own agenda with no thought for anyone else. He’d used her to score points against her father. Knowing that, she wanted to look away, but those dark, dangerous eyes wouldn’t release her from that invisible bond that held her trapped.
Her brain appeared to have shut down and she was breathing so fast she started to feel light-headed. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘Pausing for a drink in a local taverna after a long, stressful day at work.’ He stretched out his legs, as relaxed as she was tense, those dark eyes watchful.
‘Why pick this one?’
‘You already know the answer to that.’
Why would he have tracked her down? Why go to that trouble?
She could feel everyone watching them, straining to hear the conversation. Saw her boss watching her with a frown and remembered just how precious this job was. ‘What can I get you?’
‘Just coffee.’ Somehow he managed to make that instruction sound intimate. ‘I like your hair. The cut shows off your face.’
The compliment threw her and she lifted her hand to her newly cropped hair.
She’d cut it herself, with blunt scissors and nothing but a chipped mirror in which to view the results. With a few hacks of those scissors she’d become Lena. And when she’d finished hacking she’d scooped up the mounds of soft golden hair and added them to the rubbish where no one would find it. It was the first thing she’d done in her new life. The second was to get a job, and she knew she’d been lucky to get this one when so many were struggling.
‘What do you want, Stefan?’
‘You didn’t have to cut it. You don’t have to hide.’
Panic gripped her and she glanced over her shoulder to check no one was listening. ‘I’m not hiding. I’m working in a restaurant in full daylight. And I’d like to take your order.’
‘You’re trying not to draw attention to yourself. You’ve cut your hair. You’re nervous. I can protect you.’
There was a strange fluttering low in her belly. ‘Too late. I don’t believe in heroes any more.’
‘How about man’s ability to make a mistake. Do you believe in that?’
She didn’t dare listen. He was smooth, persuasive and a master negotiator. She knew he would probably be capable of convincing her of anything.
‘I’ll fetch your coffee.’
‘What time do you finish?’
‘It doesn’t matter. I don’t want you to come here again. You mustn’t come here again. You’re too—conspicuous.’ Her heart thudded hard against her ribs. The thought that her father might find her made her feel sick. She’d contemplated hiding away but that would have made it impossible for her to work, and if she couldn’t earn money she couldn’t be independent. And that wasn’t all, of course. She refused to live her life in hiding.
He read her mind and his gaze darkened. ‘I won’t let him hurt you.’
‘You were the reason he hurt me last time. If you come here, you’ll attract attention. I don’t want you here again.’
He reached out, those long, strong fingers trapping hers. ‘I repeat—he won’t hurt you.’
‘And how do you plan to stop him? I’d rather rely on myself, thank you.’
‘The police questioned him and then released him. You haven’t been out of our sight for the past three weeks.’
The shock was physical. She snatched her hand away from his. ‘Our sight?’
‘I had to ensure your safety. As you pointed out when we last met, my actions put you in danger. The least I could do was fix that. He won’t touch you again.’
‘You’ve had me followed?’
‘For your safety.’
The thought made her grow cold. He’d had her followed and she hadn’t noticed. She’d been alert, on the look-out, but she hadn’t noticed. How could that have happened?
She looked around but no one stood out. There were tourists. A group of Americans. An English couple. A bunch of local men. Two giggling teenage girls. ‘How? Who has been watching me?’
‘You wouldn’t have seen them so stop beating yourself up for being unobservant.’
‘I’ve been looking.’
‘Takis only employs the best in his team. If you’d spotted them they would have been out of a job.’
Takis. Selene remembered how kind he’d been to her mother that day. How kind he’d been to her. ‘He’s…’ She sighed. ‘I liked him.’
‘I only employ the best, too. As I said—you don’t need to be afraid.’
‘I’m not afraid. And I don’t appreciate you interfering.’
‘You accused me of putting you in danger. You have to allow me to put that right.’ His tone was conversational. Casual. No one watching them would have guessed they were talking about anything more significant than the menu.
‘If you don’t want to put me in danger the best thing you can do is stay away.’
‘We’ll talk about it over dinner, Selene.’
‘No way.’
‘Last time we spent an evening together we had fun.’ He hesitated. ‘I want to see you again.’
The air left her lungs in a rush and she was so shocked she simply stared at him. Terrified that someone might have overheard, she didn’t dare look at anyone. ‘The last time we spent an evening together you ruined my life. And my name is Lena. I’ll fetch your coffee.’ She backed away from him, knocking into the table behind her.
The last time we spent an evening together we had fun.
Those words sent images rushing back into her head. Images she’d been trying to delete for the past three weeks.
She walked briskly back inside the taverna, shaking so badly she was convinced everyone would notice.
Fortunately they all seemed too overawed by the identity of their illustrious
visitor to pay any attention to her pale face.
‘Everything OK?’ Mariana walked up to her, her cheeks pink from the heat. ‘It’s a hot one today, that’s for sure.’
A rowdy group of young men took a table near to them and Selene took a step towards them, but Mariana stepped in front of her in a smooth move.
‘I’ll take them. They look as though they’ve had a bit too much to drink already. Just my type.’
Selene frowned. ‘I can handle it.’
‘You serve Ziakas. He’s more important. Plenty of people round here wish he’d give up running his company and run Greece. He’d soon sort out our problems. You only have to look at him to know there is nothing that man doesn’t do well.’
Selene stared at her for a moment, wondering how she could have been so obtuse. ‘You work for him. You’re the one who has been watching me.’
Mariana hesitated and then shrugged. ‘One of them. I don’t see why it has to be a secret. If a man was going to all this trouble for me, I’d want to know. I mean, the guy has done everything except call in air support. He obviously adores you.’
‘I thought we were friends?’
‘We are friends. Just because I’m an expert in hand-to-hand combat doesn’t mean I can’t have female friendships.’
Selene’s head was reeling. ‘So you’re—?’
‘Ex-military. But fortunately I also make a mean cappuccino. It’s a useful skill.’
Mouth tight, Selene picked up the coffee order from the counter and thrust the cup to Mariana. ‘In that case you can serve him. He’s your boss.’
‘A few layers above me. Technically I work for Takis. I don’t understand why you’re upset.’ Mariana’s expression was curious. ‘The guy has virtually enlisted the Marines to keep you safe. And he is so tough. If a guy like him were that keen on me I wouldn’t be complaining. Unfortunately I only attract losers and once they discover I can break their arm with one twist they run away terrified. No idea why.’
‘He’s not keen.’
‘Right. So he’s going to all this trouble just for his entertainment? I don’t think so.’ Marianna added a spoon to the saucer. ‘Why not just go out with him a few times? Have some fun with his bank account?’
‘The problem with rich guys,’ Selene said tightly, ‘is that they think all that money gives them the right to trample all over you.’
Mariana’s gaze slid to Stefan. ‘He can trample on me any time he likes. Sadly he hasn’t looked once in my direction and that’s because he can’t stop looking at you. Are you seriously not going to do anything about that?’
‘No, I’m not. Tell me one other thing—did he arrange for me to have this job?’
Mariana pulled a face. ‘I—’
‘Great. So I didn’t even get this on my own merits.’ Furious, confused, she walked over to the group of men. ‘What can I get you?’
They were rowdy but good-natured, and this was their third trip to the taverna in the same week so she recognised them immediately.
‘Hey, Lena—’ one of them winked at her ‘—what are the specials tonight?’
She told them, handing out menus and taking their drinks order, shifting slightly to one side when the man’s hand covered her bottom.
‘I recommend the lamb.’
‘We’re going clubbing later. Will you come?’
‘I’ll be too tired after working here all day, but thanks for the invitation.’ She was used to deflecting invitations and she kept it light and friendly, kept the smile on her face, all the while aware of Stefan seated two tables away, listening to every word.
She felt him watching her. Felt those sinfully sexy eyes following her every move as she moved between tables serving tourists and locals.
He sat still as Mariana delivered his coffee, and continued to watch Selene until her nerves were shredded and she hardly dared hold a plate in case it slipped from her sweaty fingers.
The fact that they’d been watching her without her knowledge freaked her out.
Who else was watching her?
Suddenly she made a decision.
Walking through to the bar area, which couldn’t be seen from the restaurant, she smiled sickly at the owner and told him she was feeling unwell. The job wasn’t real anyway. He’d only given her the job because the Ziakas machine had swung into action.
She went to the bathroom, pushed open the window, climbed through it and dropped onto the street outside.
Brushing off the dust, she derived some small satisfaction from the knowledge that she wasn’t making it easy for him. No doubt he’d track her down again in no time if he wanted to, but that didn’t mean she had to hand herself over.
Heart pounding, she sprinted along the maze of streets that led back to the tiny room she was renting, all the time expecting to hear the heavy tread of masculine footsteps behind her.
She was just congratulating herself on successfully slipping away when a male hand curved over her shoulder.
Terrified that it might be her father or one of his men, Selene turned round swinging but it was Stefan who caught her arm.
‘It’s all right. It’s just me.’ His voice was roughened with concern. ‘But it might not have been. Why are you doing this to yourself? Why are you making it hard for us to protect you?’
‘I’ve been followed and watched over for the whole of my life. I am trying to escape from that.’
‘I offered you my help but instead you choose to spend your day working in a taverna being propositioned by sleazy men in Hawaiian shorts.’
‘And what are you, Stefan? A sleazy man in an expensive suit? At least they’re honest about what they want.’ Still shaken by the panic that had gripped her when he’d touched her shoulder, she pressed herself against the wall. ‘I really have no idea why you’re even here. I’ve served my purpose and we both know you’re not interested in anything or anyone unless it serves a purpose.’
‘Since when did you become so cynical?’
‘Since I accepted that you’re a cold, emotionless megalomaniac with no redeeming qualities. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll—’
‘No.’
He planted his arms either side of her, caging her, and she gasped, shoving him hard.
‘Don’t ever trap me like that.’
‘Then don’t run.’ But he lowered one of his arms. It made virtually no difference because he was standing so close to her there was no way she could move. ‘I did not invite you to that party because of your father. I invited you because you were sweet and sexy and because I wanted to spend time with you.’
‘I don’t want to talk about this. It’s too late, Stefan.’
‘Journalists take photographs of me all the time. It’s part of my life. So much a part of it I didn’t think of it. Had you explained to me the importance of your father not knowing, it might have occurred to me.’
‘I arrived in your office in disguise. Didn’t that give you a clue?’
‘You told me he disapproved of what you were doing and I had no reason not to question that. You were dressed in a nun’s outfit—’ his eyes gleamed with self-mockery, ‘—I assumed that what came out of your mouth was the truth.’
‘But you knew I wanted to keep my visit to you a secret.’
‘I didn’t even think about it. There is a world of difference between a disapproving father and an abusive father. I thought you wanted to make your mark on the world. I didn’t know he was leaving marks on you.’ There was a brief pause. His mouth tightened. ‘You should have shared that with me.’
‘Apart from that one abortive attempt to tell the authorities, I’ve never shared it with anyone.’
‘But you shared something else with me you’ve never shared with anyone.’ His fingers brushed her cheek, surprisingly gentle. ‘You could have trusted me, Selene.’
She felt her body respond instantly and knew that the biggest danger to herself came from him.
‘So you’re saying what happened is my fault?’
‘No, it was mine.’ His hand dropped. ‘And I apologise because the possibility of photographs should have occurred to me and it didn’t. But the reason it didn’t was because I’ve lived with it for so long I don’t notice it any more.’ His leg brushed against hers. Her mind blurred.
Melting inside, Selene pressed herself hard against the wall in an attempt not to touch him. ‘It really doesn’t matter. I’ve moved on.’
‘But you’ve moved on without me,’ he said softly, ‘and that isn’t what I want. Your mother seems well.’
‘She’s very well. She’s been staying in the same artists’ community she lived in when she first arrived in Athens as a teenager. She’s painting again and her confidence is returning. It’s wonderful to see that after—’ She broke off, eyes wide. ‘Wait a minute, how do you know she’s well? You’ve followed her, too?’
‘Naturally we are concerned. Unlike you, she welcomes the protection. It has allowed her to relax and enjoy her new life and her old friends.’
Selene thought about how frightened her mother had been. ‘All right—’ her voice sounded stiff ‘—maybe I’m grateful to you for helping my mother, but don’t think it’s going to change the way I feel about you.’
‘You’re very cynical all of a sudden, koukla mou. It doesn’t suit you. It isn’t who you are.’
‘It is now. And it was being with you that made me this way.’
‘So you’ve changed personality in a matter of weeks? I don’t believe that. You are the most open, trusting person I’ve met.’
‘You mean I’m stupid.’
A frown touched his brows. ‘No. I do not mean that.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I realise we have some obstacles to overcome, but it would be much easier to overcome them if I wasn’t worrying about your safety all the time. I want you to come and stay at my villa, at least for a while.’
The temptation was so great it horrified her. ‘No, thanks.’
‘I don’t want you living on your own.’
‘Well, I want it. I’ve lived under my father’s rules for so long I want the freedom to come and go as I please. I can wear what I like. See whoever I like. Be who I want to be.’
‘And who do you want to be?’