by Maggie Cox
As he came to the end of this speech Natalie moved across the room to a burgundy-coloured wing-backed armchair and slowly sank down into it. When she glanced up again to meet his eyes, Ludo experienced a private moment of undeniable triumph and relief, because suddenly he knew she was giving the offer serious consideration.
CHAPTER FIVE
WAS SHE CRAZY to consider Ludo’s incredible suggestion that she go with him to Greece and assume the identity of his fiancée? It would fulfil her longed-for desire to visit Greece again, but the most important aspect of the deal he was proposing was that he’d promised to increase what he had paid to her father for his business.
Half the amount again would allow her dad to keep his flat and not be forced to sell it. The fact that he could keep his home would go a long way, Natalie believed, to helping him make a new start. Not only that, it might give his health a real boost too. This deal Ludo was proposing was too important to dismiss, she realised. How could she live with herself if she didn’t take it and her dad’s health and self-esteem sank even lower because he’d lost all hope in making things better for himself?
But now, as she let her gaze roam over the strikingly handsome man silently observing her, with his chiselled good looks and piercing blue eyes, a nervous cartwheel flipped in the pit of her stomach. Could she really contemplate playing the part of his fiancée? Would she be strong enough to pull it off without letting her feelings get involved? Being in close proximity with Ludo in Greece and pretending to be his fiancée would surely mean holding hands, kissing and touching, perhaps intimately …
Natalie didn’t allow her thoughts to venture any further, because they had already induced a powerful wave of heat that made her body feel as if it were near to bursting into flames. Lifting the heavy swathe of long hair off the back of her neck in a bid to help cool her temperature, she noticed that Ludo’s previously confident expression had altered. Now his glance was more contemplative, as if he wasn’t entirely sure that her response would be the one he hoped for. If that were true, Natalie wondered how such an amazingly successful and attractive man could ever be plagued by doubt of any kind. It didn’t make sense.
‘Well?’
He was levelling his gaze upon her a little more intently, and she got the impression his patience was wearing thin.
‘Are you going to give me an answer to what I have proposed? Is it to be yes or no, Natalie?’
Sucking in a breath, she pushed to her feet. ‘You make it sound so simple … to just say yes or no.’
‘Are you saying it’s more complicated?’
‘Where emotions are involved no situation is ever going to be straightforward.’
‘Why should emotions be involved?’ Frowning in puzzlement, Ludo dug his hand into his trouser pocket. ‘Are you worrying about your father and his reaction when he learns you’re going to come to Greece with me? I shouldn’t imagine it will be a problem, considering I have offered to increase the amount I paid him.’
Her heartbeat accelerating, Natalie felt herself redden. ‘Actually, it’s not my father I was worrying about. I don’t have any doubt he’ll be more than pleased with your new offer for the business, and as for me going to Greece with you—he’ll accept it if he knows it’s what I want, too. I was just wondering how, if I should go with you, I’m going to cope with playing your fiancée when we’ve only just met and I hardly know you? Aren’t engaged couples supposed to behave as though they’re crazy about each other?’
Ludo’s amused smile emphasised his even white teeth and sexy, sun-kissed tan. She caught her breath.
‘Do you think you will find it difficult to pretend that you’re crazy about me, paidi mou? Most women I know tell me I am quite a catch. Some have even called me “irresistible”… Shall we put the theory to the test?’
Before Natalie realised his intention he walked right up to her and encircled her waist. Being up close and personal with his body as he pulled her towards him, smelling the alluring musky aftershave he wore, made her knees come very close to folding even before he embraced her. A stunned gasp left her throat as he lowered his head and kissed her. As soon as his lips made contact she opened her mouth and he expertly inserted his smooth, silken tongue inside to make the kiss even more intimate.
Every thought in her head vanished except the one that registered the fierce addictive pleasure of his taste and the sexy heated brand of his skin against hers. It felt as though a torch had ignited an unforgettable flame in her blood that no other man before or after him could ever hope to compete with … In the silence of her mind a renegade response came. Okay … I’ll cope. It can’t be that difficult.
She enjoyed the kiss so much she was genuinely disappointed when Ludo eased the delightful pressure on her lips. Lifting his head to gaze down at her, he moved his hands from her waist to rest them lightly on her hips. Up close, his stunning sapphire eyes were matchlessly blue, like a sunlit Mediterranean sea in midafternoon. Even his dark blond lashes were impossibly lavish. It didn’t matter if he were rich or poor, Natalie decided. The man’s physical assets were simply amazing.
‘Hmm …’ He smiled. ‘That was nice.’
She hoped he wouldn’t want a more detailed assessment from her on how she felt about the kiss. She might just have to tell him she’d like to try another one, just to make sure she hadn’t imagined the spine-tingling pleasure it had given her.
‘Can I take it that the idea of playing my fiancée is not as repellent as you might have thought initially?’ he teased softly.
Natalie couldn’t help but be honest. ‘I’m sure you know that you’re far from repellent. But it still doesn’t make it easy for me to pretend I’m something that I’m not. I feel very uneasy about deceiving anyone, even in a good cause. Especially your parents.’
Reaching towards her, Ludo moved some silken strands of hair away from her face and gently stroked his hand down over her cheekbone. ‘Because you are naturally such a thoughtful person I know they won’t have a problem accepting you as my girlfriend,’ he asserted confidently.
‘A girlfriend is one thing … I could cope with that. But introducing me as your fiancée is much more serious, don’t you think?’
Removing his hand from her cheek, he expelled a heavy sigh. The quirk at the corner of his exquisitely carved mouth suggested some exasperation. ‘Think of it as a harmless game of “Let’s Pretend”. Believe me when I say that you are not hurting anybody. After all, you will be getting what you want for your father, remember? That and an opportunity to visit your mother’s country … something you told me you’d love to do again.’
Stepping away from him so that she might think straight, Natalie knew she had to make a decision. She sent up a silent prayer that it was the right one.
‘All right, then. I’ll do as you ask and go to Greece with you. But if when I’m there it becomes in any way difficult or untenable for me to keep up the charade of being your fiancée then do you agree I can go home, no questions asked?’
Somewhat reluctantly Ludo nodded his head. ‘I will not be happy about it, but I will agree so long as you remember I am paying your father a great deal of money for his business. You at least owe me the courtesy of staying with me until I tell you I am satisfied.’
‘Satisfied?’ The hot colour started at the tips of Natalie’s toes and travelled in an all-consuming heatwave right up to her scalp. The word satisfied had many connotations, so why did she have to focus on the sexual one first? Transfixed by Ludo’s shimmering blue gaze, she didn’t have to search very hard for the answer.
‘Yes—satisfied that you have acted the part of my fiancée to the very best of your ability and played it as convincingly as possible.’
‘I’m no actress. I can only do the best I can. All right, then.’ Briefly withdrawing her gaze, she glanced down at the polished wooden floor to help regain her equilibrium, because her heart was thudding alarmingly at the daunting prospect of what she was agreeing to do. ‘You’d better tell me when you’re int
ending to travel.’
‘As far as I’m concerned, the sooner the better. Could you be ready to go in a week’s time?’
‘That is soon. I’ll need to arrange help at the B&B for my mum while I’m away. I hope a week will be enough time for me to organise things.’
‘You have already intimated to me that you are a good organiser, Natalie. I’m sure a week will give you plenty of time. You should be ready to leave next Monday, when I intend us to travel on an early-morning flight. As we will be departing from Heathrow you should probably arrange to stay with your father the night before.’
‘I’m sure that won’t be a problem.’
‘I’m sure it won’t.’ With a mocking glint in his eye, Ludo drolly echoed her comment. ‘Especially when he learns that I am not as uncharitable and hard-hearted as you both first suspected.’
‘I never meant to deliberately insult you by what I said. I was just upset, as any loving daughter would be, at the prospect of my dad struggling to get by after paying all his debts. It seemed so unfair that after being forced to sell his business after so many dedicated years of hard work the proceeds wouldn’t even leave him enough to live on.’
Even though she had felt entirely justified, Natalie was still embarrassed at being reminded of her accusatory outburst at the meeting.
Flushing, she glanced briefly down at her watch and declared, ‘I really do have to go now—but there’s just one more thing I need to say before I leave.’ Her teeth nibbled anxiously at her lip. ‘I’m really sorry to hear about your brother. Such a dreadful loss must have been devastating for you and your family … I really feel for you all.’
A shadow seemed to move across Ludo’s bright blue irises, momentarily darkening them. ‘Devastating is not a big enough word,’ he murmured, awkwardly dragging his fingers through his thick fair hair. ‘But I appreciate your sympathy.’
‘Well, I think it’s time I left. Presumably you’ll ring me when you have the flight times?’
‘You can count on it.’ Moving with her towards the door, Ludo lightly touched her arm. ‘But I won’t just be contacting you then. I’m going to ring you during the week—preferably in the evenings, when I’m not working. I think it’s quite important that we get to know each other a little before our trip, don’t you?’
‘Talking to each other on the phone is hardly the best way to get to know someone, but I suppose it will have to do if we can’t see each other.’
‘As much as I would like to, it’s impossible for me to free up any time to see you this week, Natalie. For now, phone calls will have to suffice.’
Meeting his enigmatic gaze, she could do no more than shrug in agreement, even though in truth she was disappointed. It was a mystery to her how Ludo had got under her skin so quickly. She’d never experienced such a tangible sense of connection with a man before, and everything that she believed about herself had been turned on its head.
‘Okay. I’ll expect your calls later on in the week, then,’ she murmured.
‘Good. By the way, when we arrive in Rhodes the weather should be seasonally hot. Bring plenty of suitable clothing and sun-cream,’ he suggested.
The sociable smile that accompanied his words was far warmer than she’d expected after the sorrow he’d just expressed about the loss of his brother, and Natalie was already nursing a secret hope that he might talk about his sibling more fully during their time together in Greece. There was so much about this complex, surprising man that she longed to discover.
‘I will.’
She couldn’t help feeling shy all of a sudden, and curled her palm round the brass doorknob, then swept out of the office into the reception area—only to be confronted by the curious glances of Ludo’s colleagues.
After giving her father the good news that Ludo had increased the sum he had paid for the business, and hearing that he was much more optimistic about his future because of it, the following day Natalie returned home to Hampshire. Trepidation, hope and great doubt accompanied her.
First and foremost, she could hardly believe that she’d agreed to go to Greece with Ludo in just a week’s time and endeavour to convince his parents that they were engaged. Surely they would know immediately that an unremarkable girl like her was the least likely woman he would choose as a fiancée? For a start, she was a million miles away from the perfect-looking women who adorned the arms of rich and powerful men like their son in the glossy magazines.
But the following evening when Ludo phoned, trepidation and doubt instantly fled to be replaced by a totally unexpected wild optimism and hope. All it took was hearing the sound of his rich baritone voice.
Without preamble he announced, ‘It’s me—Ludo.’
About to take a bath, Natalie grasped the white bathsheet she’d wrapped round her torso to make it more secure, just as if he’d suddenly appeared in the room and his arresting cobalt gaze was resting on her semi-naked form. Dropping down onto the bed, she sent up a fervent prayer that her voice wouldn’t betray how strongly his call had affected her. Despite agreeing to go to Greece with him, it felt somehow surreal that the handsome businessman should call her personally.
‘Hi,’ she answered, the nerves she’d hoped she’d banished already alarmingly evident. ‘How are you?’
‘Tired and very much in need of a holiday.’
The surprisingly unguarded reply took Natalie aback and filled her with concern. ‘Well, thankfully you don’t have too long to wait before you get away … just a few more days.’
‘Presumably I don’t need to check you are still coming with me?’
With thudding heart, Natalie said quickly, ‘No, you don’t need to check. When I give my word I keep it.’
‘Good. Do you have a pen and paper at hand? I want to give you some flight details.’
When she’d written them down she asked, ‘Is that all?’
‘No.’ She heard a disconcerting smile in his voice.
‘I’d like to talk to you some more. What have you been doing with yourself today?’
Sighing, Natalie smoothed her hand down over the soft towelling nap of the bathsheet. Not that it remotely mattered, but if Ludo intended talking for much longer then her bathwater would be turning unpleasantly cold.
‘What have I been doing? Helping to organise some help in the B&B while I’m away, and also seeing to some rather tedious administration, I’m afraid. But thankfully it was alleviated by my mum’s baking. Just after three she brought me in some homemade scones and jam with a cup of tea. No one in the world makes scones as melt-in-the-mouth and tasty as she does!’
‘You have an extremely sexy voice, Natalie. I can’t be the only man who’s ever told you that.’
Dumbfounded, Natalie automatically shook her head, as if Ludo was indeed in the room. The only thing she could conjure up right then wasn’t an answer but a mental picture of him smiling at her. The sculpted planes of his tanned cheekbones, chiselled jaw and intense sapphire-coloured eyes were more than enough to drive away any intelligible reply.
‘Natalie? Are you still there?’
‘Yes, I’m still here. But I ran a bath just before you rang and it must be getting cold. I’m afraid I’ll have to go.’
On her feet, she carried her mobile to the slightly ajar bathroom door and anxiously bit down on her lip as she waited for his reply. The comment he’d made about her having a sexy voice had unravelled her.
‘Well, then, you must go and take your bath. But know this … I don’t think I’m going to be able to sleep at all tonight, since I will have in my mind the arresting image of you naked, soaking in a bath of scented bubbles. I hope when I ring again tomorrow night you’ll end the conversation on a far less provocative note? Goodnight, Natalie. Sleep well.’
By the time Natalie had roused herself from the trance she’d fallen into, her bathwater and the scented bath foam she’d poured into it were too cold to contemplate immersing herself in. Resigning herself to going without, she pulled out the plug and on
ce again got lost in thoughts of Ludo as she watched the water spiralling urgently down into the drain …
It had been a far from easy journey to his homeland for Ludo. The inner turmoil of his thoughts had made it impossible for him to relax.
The private plane he’d chartered was the epitome of the luxury he’d long come to expect when he travelled. As far as that was concerned there had been nothing to complain about. The cabin crew had been ultra-professional and attentive, and the flight had been smooth without any disconcerting turbulence. But even though the sight of Natalie at the airport, in a pretty multicoloured maxi-dress, with her shining hair, had quickened his pulse, it had still been difficult to raise his spirits.
Ludo had immensely enjoyed and indeed looked forward to the nightly telephone conversations he’d had with Natalie, but when she’d sat beside him on the plane, every now and then attempting to engage him in light conversation, he hadn’t found it easy to respond in the same cheerful fashion he’d been able to adopt on the phone. In fact his mood had deteriorated more and more the closer they’d got to their destination.
The phone conversation he’d had with his mother earlier that morning had been a double-edged sword. While it had been a joy to hear her voice, and to be able to relate some good news to her, it didn’t assuage the onerous weight of guilt and pain that still dogged him over his brother’s death. Clearly overwhelmed and excited about the prospect of seeing Ludo again after three long years, his mother had had an emotion in her voice that had almost made it hard for him to breathe, let alone speak. There had been no words of reprimand or blame to make him feel guiltier than he was already, and somehow that had made the prospect of seeing her and his father again even more difficult.
Naturally they’d wanted to send a car to bring him and Natalie back to their spacious villa, but Ludo had carefully and respectfully declined the offer. He’d told her that he and Natalie were going to stay at his own waterside villa and take a valuable day’s rest before they drove out to see them. Even though his absence had been a prolonged one, he’d need a little more time to acclimatise himself to the fact that he was home again, as well as time to take stock.