by Marie Kelly
For half an hour he had held her, neither talking as he had soothed her against him. When she had finally moved from him her eyes had been red and puffy, her features haunted and full of such pain. Holding his breath, he had never thought her more beautiful than at that moment, his hand stroking her softly.
“Oh Nikos” she had breathed, sniffling gently “I don’t know what to do….what do I do?”
Gently he had moved his arms to lift her, rising in one smooth motion as he had strode with her to the bedroom he knew to be hers.
“You sleep” he had said softly. “Then tomorrow you grieve…just as I did when my mother died”.
Looking deeply into his face she had seen the hurt even now of her death written on his features, knowing that he understood the pain she was going through.
Laying her down onto the bed, he had turned her in his arms to hold her against him, her back warm against his belly.
“Tell me about her” she had whispered, Nikos gently nuzzling her hair with his cheek as he had began to speak. Slowly, soothingly he had talked, the story of his childhood pouring from him along with the memories of growing up with his mother. He had talked for what seemed hours, smiling softly as her body had relaxed against him knowing that she had finally fallen asleep. Still holding her he had not wanted to let her go, frowning at realising this, feeling as his eyes had fluttered closed too, falling asleep beside her, the scent of her filling him and his dreams.
Waking later, he had rolled over onto his back, his hand moving feeling the empty bed. Frowning, he had pushed the covers off before going looking for Mina. Entering the living room she had been sat cross legged on the floor, wearing only a long t-shirt, and spread around her were the contents of a box, mostly photographs it appeared to him.
“Mina?” his soft voice had caused her to start, her eyes flying to him as she had pushed away the small tear winding down her face “I..I’m sorry…I hope I didn’t wake you” she had stuttered “I just couldn’t sleep”.
Shaking his head he had moved to sit beside her, picking up one of the pictures. With a soft laugh he had looked over at her, holding up the picture “Is that you?”
Mina smiling seeing herself aged about three, so small, with long blonde almost white hair trying to walk in her mother’s heels. Giving a small half groan half laugh she had nodded “Guilty” seeing as he had looked at it once more before turning to her “You were a beautiful child too” Mina smiling so warmly at him.
She had picked up one picture to pass to him, seeing the look of astonishment on his face.
“That is my mother” he had breathed softly as his eyes had taken in the others in the picture. Mina’s mother and father sat close together, Nikos’ mother beside them as she had held a small baby in her arms, all three looking at each other and laughing. His eyes had flown to hers.
“She really did know” he had said in a voice full of surprise and astonishment.
“I guess that there was a lot none of us knew about” she had whispered, picking up another picture in which her father had held her in his arms, the young Mina being no more than four. He had looked happy and proud as he had looked down at her, Mina smiling back.
“Strange that I don’t remember him ever being that way” she had said so sadly. He always seemed so annoyed to see me. My mother said that he felt guilty. Felt that we should have been a proper family – I guess it doesn’t matter now” her voice growing sad once more, Nikos reaching out a hand to touch her cheek, angling her head to look deeply into his eyes “It matters Mina”.
For what seemed like an eternity the two had looked so deeply into the other’s eyes, something so powerful passing between them, before with a small start, he had dropped his to once more look at the strewn images of her childhood. Picking up another picture he had laughed, Mina smiling too as she had recounted the meaning of it, suddenly not feeling so alone.
For over an hour they had sat there, the two laughing together as he had chuckled at her outlandish and often cute images, Mina moaning with embarrassment at many, however finding herself feeling less sad and even happy at all the times she had shared with her mother, warmth filling her. Seeing him stifle a yawn, knowing that it was so late she had shot him a grin.
“We should get some more sleep”.
Nikos nodding beside her before regarding her questioningly “What do you plan on doing Mina…Will you stay here…or come back home with me?”
Turning to look around her, her features had once more grown sad.
“These were my mother’s happiest memories Nikos…not mine, but I see her everywhere here”.
Her voice once more cracking slightly, as she had turned to look at him “I don’t think I can be here alone…so if it is OK with you…I would rather return to your villa until the vote”.
He had nodded silently, her use of the word ‘until’ unsettling him. That had been his plan all along he had told himself, so why should it bother him now?
Starting to pick up the photographs strewn around she had sighed wearily, her eyes once more filling with moisture, Nikos groaning softly as he had leant forward, his mouth dropping onto hers. Wrapping her arms around his neck she had deepened the kiss needing so badly to hold this man, this man she loved. Pulling back from him, she had gasped with the realisation of her own thoughts. She loved him. She loved Nikos Dupris with all her heart, her eyes full of fire as they had stared into his seeing the same fire reflected back at her, such emotions flying between them as he had looked at her with confusion
“Mina” his voice had been hoarse, apologetic. With a tremulous smile she had shaken her head softly a hand moving to stroke his cheek. His had moved to cup her face, pulling her so gently towards him as he had kissed her again, this time slowly languorously, the fire within her rising strongly once more as it always did in his embrace. Lifting her again into his arms, he had moved once more to the bedroom, their mouths still locked together, the gentleness so wonderful as lying her down on the bed he had made love to her. No longer frantic, now gentle, their bodies holding each other, caressing the other slowly, Mina’s heart breaking with the loss of her mother, while bursting with the love for the man in her arms.
Finally exhausted and sated the two had slept, held tightly together with no more words spoken, none needed.
The smell of bacon had wafted into the room, Nikos’ eyes flicking open, the light from the window flooding into the unfamiliar room. Frowning, it had been several seconds before his brain had kicked in, the memories of the previous night returning. Pushing himself from the bed, her smell still clinging to the sheets Nikos had felt his body twitch with the rush of desire for her. Pulling his trousers back on, he had left the room, rubbing his eyes sleep still tugging at him.
Hearing him enter Mina had looked up, a warm smile on her face “I didn’t want to wake you” she had shyly smiled at him, her eyes dropping from staring at his wonderful broad shoulders, those arms which had held her, that body which had made love to her. He had dropped onto one of the stools leaning against the counter resting his head onto the heel of one palm, his dark eyes watching her every move noticing that she was already dressed and showered. Holding down the groan at how sensual he looked with his bed-tousled hair and the look on his face as his eyes had trailed down her, she had returned to the bacon she was now trying hard not to burn.
“I thought you might like some breakfast” she had murmured, his mouth twitching with approval.
“I am so glad you didn’t go for bran” Mina chuckling as she had flicked a look over at him
“Noooo….after last night if I had had it…..you would have had steak” the low rumble of his laughter filling her with warmth.
Lifting a plate she had scooped the bacon and egg onto it, placing it before him along with a steaming mug of coffee before she had sat opposite him nursing a cup of tea.
Raising an eyebrow he had looked pointedly at the empty space where her plate should have been.
“Where is yours
?” Mina smiling sadly at him. I’m really not that hungry, seeing as he had frowned.
“You need to eat…” he had begun as her lips had curled into a soft smile.
“I know…I know…and I will…just not right now” Her eyes pleading with him “Don’t force me Nikos”.
He had closed his mouth, wondering if she was still talking about the food as he had changed the topic.
“I would like to go with you to the undertakers” her hands starting to shake as she had lifted her eyes to his, the pain so visible once more.
“You…you don’t have to” she had finally managed, as he had smiled back.
“If I didn’t want to…I would not have offered” he had returned evenly, Mina closing her mouth as she had given him a thankful smile, her hand pushing the hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear as she had stared intently into her cup.
“It all seems so surreal…I guess that it just hasn’t sunk in” Looking over to her mother’s room she had given a sigh, tears once more welling up in her eyes “I keep expecting her to just walk in… I even started to make tea for her”.
Nikos’ hand covering hers had pulled her look back, seeing as he had nodded a sympathetic look on his features.
“I’m not going to lie to you Mina. It never gets better…you just learn to accept it, to get on with your life. We never stop missing those we love”.
Nodding she had pulled her fingers from his, once more so aware of the way her body reacted just from the smallest touch from him.
As he had finished the food she had cooked for him he had risen smacking his toned belly with satisfaction. Mina had held in the groan as her eyes had followed the V to the trousers which hid the heat of him, her body filling with the rush of desire as she had averted her look.
“20 minutes and I will be ready” he had smiled moving back to her bedroom for a much needed shower.
As she had cleared up the kitchen, Mina had fought the urge to move back into the room, missing him already, wanting once more that brief respite from the hurt that tugged at her, to feel once more the way he had made her feel as he held her so tightly in his arms.
Hearing him once more move into the room, she had chuckled “Seems I’m not the only one who is punctual” she had kidded, his mouth curling into a smile as he had nodded before becoming more serious “I phoned the undertaker…I didn’t think you would know who to call”.
The look of relief on her face had once more filled him with warmth, not understanding his need to look after this woman, to protect her. Turning he had again reminded himself of who she was, she was Alexander Mentis’ daughter. However, not even this thought seemed to lessen the way that he wanted her, nor of the need to look after her. Picking up his jacket he had motioned for her to join him.
“Your clothes are still at the villa. We can go home, change and still be in plenty of time for the appointment I made”.
Softly smiling she had nodded, her hand moving to his arm stopping him.
“Thank you Nikos…for everything” Her tone so serious, as he had lifted her chin dropping a small kiss on those silky lips, fighting the tremor of desire that shot through him, his voice husky “I’m here for you Mina…for as long as you need me”.
With a shaky smile she had met his look, nodding before he had stepped back moving quickly out of the villa to the car.
At his home, Theresa had pulled Mina into her arms for a hug.
“We are so sorry my dear” her hands patting Mina in a motherly way. Pulling back she had thanked the housekeeper watching as Nikos had moved quickly up the steps to change. Excusing herself she had followed him once more moving into her old room.
Speedily she had changed into one of the suits purchased from Francesca’s store slipping into it looking quickly into the mirror. Sighing she had seen how pale she looked, the pain in her eyes so visible as once more her mother’s face had pushed its way into her mind, that serene smiling face, tears once more rushing to her eyes. She had not even heard Nikos come into the room, but had jumped as his hands had pulled her around enveloping her in his arms as she had once more sobbed against his shoulder.
He had said nothing, her heartbreaking sobs slowing down before she had pushed back from him, her hands dashing away the tears sliding down her cheeks as she had once more silently pulled herself together smoothing her skirt down as she had looked apologetically up at him.
“You must be so sick of me using you as a handkerchief” she had said with a half laugh seeing the way his mouth had quirked as he had taken her hands pulling them to his mouth and kissing them gently.
“Well it makes a change from women crying because of me” he had joked as she had managed a small laugh, before pulling herself up and taking a deep breath.
“Ok…I’m ready” Nikos nodding as he had led her by one hand from her room.
The rest of that day had passed in a daze, Mina answering questions from the undertakers and making decisions, happy that her mother had been so clear about her wishes as she had ensured that they were carried out. Nikos had sat with her the whole time, holding her hand and squeezing it, the feel of him giving her the strength to keep going.
He in turn had watched as she had made the arrangements with a grace and quiet dignity that had taken his breath away. As they had finished he had insisted that he take her for something to eat, this time not taking no as an answer, as she had finally ordered something, pushing most of it around the plate when it did eventually arrive. However, under his watchful eyes she had managed a few mouthfuls feeling better instantly.
The funeral had been arranged for the next day, Mina sure that Nikos’ presence had helped to expedite the arrangements, taking a long sigh of relief to know that soon it would all be behind her.
The following day, looking drawn and tired having slept little the previous night she had stood in the small crematorium. Beside her Nikos had entwined his fingers around hers, Theresa and Yanis not commenting if they had noticed, as she had leant in close to him. As Alexander had moved into the room Nikos had frowned looking at Mina who had moved forward to welcome him. With narrowed eyes he had watched as Alexander had pulled her in for a hug, cold fingers of dread eating at him. When had the two become more than the enemies that he had witnessed at the charity dinner they had attended so long ago?
Mina had been surprised to see her step-brother, Alexander looking nervously at her and Nikos, holding back at the door as she had moved forward.
“I’m so sorry to hear about your mother” he had whispered taking her into his arms for a hug before pulling back to look so intently into her eyes “If you need anything and I mean anything…know that I’m only a phone call away”.
Mina had nodded so happy to see him, happy to have her brother with her on one of the worst days of her life.
“Thank you Alexander…you have no idea what that means to me”.
He had smiled warmly back before looking over at Nikos, the other man regarding him coldly as he had taken a seat, Mina moving back to stand beside the tall Greek.
“I didn’t realise that you and Alexander and become so close” he had murmured softly, the requirement for lulled voices within the room not needing to be spoken. Looking sadly back at him she had given a half smile “I don’t know how he found out…but yes, he apologised to me a while back…seems he didn’t believe that I was really his sister” with sadness so evident in her eyes she had continued “He wants us to be a proper brother and sister…and I guess he is now the only family I have”.
Biting back the comment that had risen to his lips, he had looked over warily at Alexander. Mina was sweet, naive, not used to snakes like Alexander, Nikos not trusting the other man or his intentions. However, he really was the only family she had now, and knitting his brows together he had murmured simply “That is nice” rewarded as she had once more taken his hand, the music for the ceremony starting as her hands had started to shake.
After the ceremony was over, Mina had thanked all
those who had come including Alice who had hugged her comfortingly. Alexander had left repeating his offer of an ear if she ever needed it, Nikos once more frowning hearing as her brother had insisted on the two of them meeting that week sometime for lunch. The hairs on his neck rising sensing that the younger man was up to something, something that would see Mina hurt in the long run, frowning once more with the realisation that he felt such a need to protect her.
Returning to the villa, she had accepted the glass of wine that he had offered her, sighing heavily as she had fallen back against the plush and comfortable sofa, her eyes closing. Moving to sit beside her he had taken her hand, Mina’s eyes flying open instantly with the awareness of his touch.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be with you last night Mina” his fingers entwining with hers as she had looked warmly back at him.
“I understand Nikos…you have a business to run”.
Nodding he had stared intently at her.
“True…and to be here today I had to catch up with so many things. But I was referring to when I got home”.
Looking at him with confusion, her eyes had been questioning “I…I don’t know what you…” she had begun as he had continued.
“I meant that I had not joined you in bed”
Squirming uncomfortably she had pulled back her hand, sitting more upright and looking nervously at him “Nikos…what happened…it was wonderful”.
Nikos chuckling as he had moved even closer to her “Oh…I think that it surpassed wonderful Mina…I think we both know that” his lips curving into a smile as she had blushed hotly, stammering gently.
“The vote is only a week away Nikos…then I go home and… well maybe it is just best that we stop”.
Her eyes flying to his full of indecision “It just…it just seems a bad idea…for me anyway”.