The Greek's Acquisition

by Chantelle Shaw

  ‘Oh.’ Louise grimaced. Owning a nightclub was just the sort of thing Tina would have loved, she acknowledged ruefully. Her mother would not have worried about spoiling the peace and tranquillity of Eirenne.

  ‘Well, she hasn’t done anything like that. In fact she hasn’t been back to the island since Kostas died.’ She hesitated, and then said huskily, ‘I know you believe Tina was only interested in your father because he was wealthy, but I think she really loved him.’

  Dimitri shot her a sardonic look. ‘The only person Tina Hobbs has ever loved is herself. Theos, even you must admit she was not a great mother. I know you spent most of your childhood dumped in boarding schools while she lived the high life, flitting from one rich sucker to another. My father was the biggest sucker of all, and I blame him as much as Tina for breaking my mother’s heart.’

  Dimitri’s voice had risen, attracting curious glances from people at a nearby table. He muttered something beneath his breath and snatched up his menu, and Louise did the same, holding it in front of her so that she did not have to meet his angry gaze. Tension simmered between them. She took another gulp of champagne and welcomed the slight feeling of light-headedness as the alcohol hit her bloodstream.

  The evening was on course to be a disaster, and the only surprise was how much she cared. Maybe she should leave? It was doubtful she could say anything that would persuade Dimitri to buy Eirenne. He was arrogant and powerful and it was clear he made his own decisions. There seemed little point in her staying.

  She put down her menu, and a tremor ran through her when she discovered he was watching her. He didn’t look angry any more, but she could not define the expression in the green eyes that glittered beneath his heavy brows.

  ‘Louise, I’m sorry,’ he said roughly. ‘The last thing I want to do is drag up past issues that have nothing to do with us. My father’s relationship with your mother was never our concern.’

  Taken aback by his apology, she gave him a startled glance. ‘How can you say that? You blame Tina …’

  ‘My feelings about her are irrelevant,’ he insisted. ‘Look.’ He leaned across the table, his expression intent as he held her gaze. ‘I don’t want to fight with you, pedhaki mou.’

  What he wanted to do was walk around the table and pull Louise into his arms; feel her soft, curvaceous body pressed up against him as he crushed her lips beneath his, Dimitri acknowledged silently. Would she respond to him? His gut instinct told him that she was as fiercely aware of him as he was of her, and he was sure that, like him, she remembered the passionate night they had spent together seven years ago.

  But there was a correct order to seduction, which he intended to follow. His body might be acting as if he was a hormone-crazed adolescent, but first they would enjoy good food and conversation, and he would savour the anticipation of bedding her as he’d savour a fine wine.

  ‘What I would like to do,’ he said softly, ‘is to forget the past and pretend that we’ve only just met. Let us imagine that we are strangers, having dinner in Paris and getting to know one another a little better. What do you say?’

  ‘I.’

  Louise could not tear her eyes from Dimitri’s face. He was as beautiful as a Michelangelo sculpture. She studied the chiselled lines of his cheekbones and his square jaw and longed to run her fingers over his five o’clock stubble, trace the sensual curve of his mouth. That gentle endearment, ‘pedhaki mou’, had weakened her defences. If she had any sense she would insist that she only wanted to discuss the sale of the island, keep their conversation strictly to business and leave as soon as they had finished dinner.

  Instead she heard herself say huskily, ‘All right. I guess it would be nice to enjoy dinner without tension and probably indigestion.’

  Her stomach had felt as if it was tied in knots since she had left her flat, but Dimitri’s smile—or maybe it was the champagne—had induced a relaxed, warm feeling inside her. What harm could come from spending a pleasant evening in the charming surroundings of La Marianne?

  The answer was directly in front of her, his dark head bent so close to hers that she could feel the soft whisper of his breath on her cheek. Her instincts warned her that Dimitri posed a serious threat to her peace of mind. But she was no longer an innocent nineteen-year-old. She was twenty-six, a self-confident career woman, and she would never make the mistake of falling for a man just because he had the dark, devastating looks of a fallen angel and a glint in his eyes that promised heaven.

  ‘Good.’ Dimitri sat back and noted that the hunted look in Louise’s eyes had faded. For a moment, when the subject of her damned mother had come up, he had been consumed with the usual bitterness he felt towards Tina. But when he’d noticed Louise’s expression he had controlled his anger and regretted that he had upset her. That had certainly not been his intention when he had invited her to dinner. He wasn’t actually sure why he had arranged to meet her. It had been a spur-of-the-moment decision—which for a man who never did anything on impulse was highly unsettling, he thought wryly.

  He glanced at the extensive menu written in French and decided he needed a translator. ‘Would you mind helping me choose what to eat? I can speak French reasonably well, but I’m not so good at understanding the written word.’

  ‘Yes, of course.’ Louise’s heart did a little skip at his rueful smile, that made him seem more human somehow. Perhaps he wasn’t as arrogant as she had first thought. She studied the menu. ‘You had better not have moules à la crème or coquilles Saint-Jacques. I assume you’re still allergic to shellfish?’

  ‘I am, but I’m impressed that you remembered.’

  She flushed and silently cursed herself for letting slip that she hadn’t forgotten anything about him during the past seven years. ‘It’s surprising how many random facts linger in our brains,’ she murmured. ‘I read a food critic’s report which recommended La Marianne’s speciality—roasted beef fillet served with horseradish sauce,’ she added, quickly changing the subject.

  ‘That sounds good. I’ll come closer so that you can talk me through the other main courses.’

  Before she could object Dimitri had moved his chair around the table and sat down beside her, so close that his thigh pressed against hers. She stared at the menu and tried to banish the thought that if she turned her head her lips would be mere centimetres from his.

  The spicy scent of his aftershave tantalised her senses and intensified her awareness of his raw masculinity. The bare skin of her arm felt acutely sensitive when she brushed against the sleeve of his jacket and, glancing down, she was mortified to see that her nipples had hardened and were jutting provocatively beneath her silk dress.

  She hurriedly began to explain the menu options, but her voice emerged as that embarrassing husky whisper again, and she quickly gulped down more champagne. It was a relief when the waiter came over to take their order and Dimitri moved to back to his side of the table.

  ‘How long have you lived in Paris?’ he asked as he refilled her glass.

  ‘Four years. But it has always seemed like home. My grandmother used to live close to Sacré-Coeur, and when I was a child I spent many school holidays with her.’

  Dimitri looked puzzled. ‘Was she your father’s mother?’

  ‘No, my grand-mère, Céline, married my grandfather, Charles Hobbs, and they lived in England, where my mother was born. But when my grandfather died she moved back to Paris.’ Unconsciously, her hand strayed to the diamond fleur-de-lis as she thought of her beloved grandmother. In many ways Céline had been more of a mother to her than Tina, and Louise still missed her.

  The first course arrived, and conversation halted while the waiters fussed around them. Glancing across the table, Dimitri frowned when he saw the faintly wistful expression on Louise’s face as she touched the diamond pendant. Was she thinking of whoever had given it to her? A wealthy lover, perhaps?

  He was surprised by the sudden violent urge to wrench the necklace from around her throat. Even worse was
the realisation that even if she had a dozen lovers he still wanted her. Maybe it was a stupid male pride thing, but he was certain that if she spent a night with him the other man or men in her life would be history.

  He ate automatically, without really being aware of what he was eating. He was sure the food was superb, but he could not concentrate on it when he was captivated by the woman sitting opposite him. Like him, Louise did not ap pear interested in the food, and only picked at her starter and main course. He glanced at her, and felt something coil deep in his gut when he found that she was watching him. Colour winged along her high cheekbones and she quickly dropped her gaze.

  ‘You must know Paris well, as you’ve spent so much time here,’ he murmured.

  She nodded. ‘It’s a beautiful city. You said you often come here on business. Have you done much sightseeing?’

  ‘Only of hotel conference facilities and company boardrooms,’ he said wryly.

  ‘That’s a pity. You should take a coach tour, or a river cruise.’

  ‘Maybe I’ll do that. But I’d need a guide—someone who knows Paris well and is knowledgeable about its history.’ He held her gaze. ‘Are you interested?’

  Maybe it was a trick of the candlelight, but there seemed to be a wicked glint in Dimitri’s eyes, and Louise sensed that his question held a double meaning. Surely it was her over-active imagination after too much champagne? she told herself. But some invisible force seemed to have welded her gaze to his, and her heart was beating so hard that it felt as though it would burst through her ribcage.

  ‘I expect you’ll have to return to Greece soon,’ she said abruptly.

  ‘I leave Paris tomorrow. But we still have tonight.’ Dimitri gave up on his entrecôte hongroise and reached across the table to capture her hand in his. He felt the tiny tremor that ran through her and tightened his grip a fraction to prevent her from snatching her fingers away. ‘I understand the view from the top of the Eiffel Tower at night is spectacular.’

  Louise was finding it hard to concentrate as Dimitri stroked his thumb over the pulse beating frantically in her wrist. ‘You … you want to climb the Eiffel Tower?’ she asked shakily.

  Not particularly, he thought to himself, but he was reluctant for the evening to end. He had a feeling that Louise would refuse an invitation to go on to a nightclub. She seemed edgy again, although he wasn’t sure why, and his instincts told him that once they had finished dinner she would bid him goodnight. He did not want to let her go. He wanted to spend more time with her, get to know her better. Okay, if he was honest he wanted to slide that tantalising slip of black silk from her body and kiss her naked breasts before trailing his lips over her stomach and lower …

  He inhaled sharply and focused on persuading her to spend the remainder of the evening with him. ‘I confess I was hoping to take the elevator to the top.’

  Dimitri’s sexy smile made Louise’s pulse race. ‘That would be sensible, as there are well over a thousand steps,’ she said gravely. ‘And actually the only way to reach the summit is by lift.’

  ‘So, that’s settled. But first would you like dessert—or more champagne?’

  ‘No, thank you,’ she assured him quickly. Her appetite had disappeared and she had struggled to eat the first two courses. As for champagne—she had already drunk way too much. That had to explain why she felt so peculiar. It was as if the bubbles had exploded inside her and filled her with a wild, reckless energy.

  But deep down she knew it was Dimitri, not the champagne, that was making each of her nerve-endings feel ultra-sensitive. She felt fiercely alive, and was so intensely aware of him that throughout the meal she had kept darting little glances at him, drinking in his handsome features.

  It was a relief when they left the restaurant and she took deep breaths of fresh air, grateful for the gentle breeze that cooled her hot face. The Eiffel Tower dominated the skyline, its giant metal structure illuminated by light projectors so that it appeared to glow gold against the inky-black sky.

  The famous landmark was a popular attraction, even late at night, and there was a short queue waiting for the elevator. The young couple standing in front of them had clearly been caught up in the romantic atmosphere of Paris and were wrapped in each other’s arms.

  It must be wonderful to be so in love, Louise thought wistfully. The couple’s unrestrained passion reminded her of those few days on Eirenne years ago, when Dimitri had kissed her with fierce hunger and she had eagerly responded to him. Heat surged through her and she could not bring herself to look at him or at the kissing couple. In desperation she stared at the ground, as if she was utterly fascinated by the tarmac beneath her feet.

  They rode the lift to the second level, and then another elevator whisked them to the top of the tower. Louise heard Dimitri catch his breath as they stepped out onto the walkway.

  ‘I hope you have a head for heights. We’re over a thousand feet up.’

  He laughed. ‘It feels as though we are in the sky. The view is amazing.’ He stood close beside her and stared through the wire cage that enclosed the walkway. ‘Is that the Arc de Triomphe down there?’

  Louise nodded. ‘The lights of the city sparkle like jewels, don’t they? I love the way they are reflected in the river.’

  The night-time view over Paris was breathtaking. But there was another reason why she was finding it difficult to draw oxygen into her lungs. The few other visitors who had come up to the top level had walked around the other side of the tower, and it felt as though it was just her and Dimitri standing on the top of the world. She had never felt so aware of a man in her life. Her eyes were drawn to his sculpted profile and a tremor ran through her, making the tiny hairs all over her body stand on end.

  The breeze was stronger this high up and the air cooler. She drew her pashmina round her shoulders and caught Dimitri’s attention.

  ‘Are you cold? Do you want my jacket?’

  She shook her head. ‘No, I’m fine.’

  ‘Liar,’ he said softly, ‘you’re shivering.’ His eyes were shadowed in the darkness, but Louise could feel his intent gaze. Far below the lights of Paris blazed, but for Louise nothing existed but the sultry heat in Dimitri’s eyes. All evening she had been agonisingly aware of him, and now she could no longer fight the fire surging through her veins.

  ‘Come here.’

  His voice was suddenly rough and deep, caressing her senses like crushed velvet. Her breath caught in her throat and she could not move when he slid an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his chest. The warmth of his body immediately enfolded her and the sensual musk of his aftershave swamped her senses. She could feel the thud of his heart beating at the same frantic pace as her own and she stared up at him, her eyes wide and unguarded.

  Dimitri muttered something beneath his breath. He had wanted to kiss Louise all evening, and now the temptation of her moist, slightly parted lips was too strong for him to resist. He dipped his head and slanted his mouth over hers. He remained poised for timeless seconds while their breath mingled. Then he captured her lips in a feather-soft caress, slowly at first, gently. She tasted of champagne, and the feel of her soft mouth beneath his made his heart pound.

  She made a little choked sound and stiffened, but he tightened his arms around her, drawing her inexorably closer to him. Wildfire excitement shot through him when she opened her mouth so that he was able to explore her with his tongue.

  Molten heat was coursing through Louise, suffusing her entire body with delicious warmth. Her breasts felt swollen and heavy and her nipples tingled as they were crushed against Dimitri’s chest. She was conscious of a throbbing sensation deep in her pelvis—a restless ache that drove her to press her hips against his rock-hard thighs.

  He kept on kissing her and kissing her, his mouth moving hungrily over hers, demanding a response which she gave unresistingly. Stupid, taunted a voice in her head, weak and pathetic. Where is your pride? But she ignored the voice, pushed it to the back of her min
d while her body capitulated to his exquisite seduction, and she slid her hands to his shoulders as he deepened the kiss to something so erotic that she trembled in the circle of his arms.

  Voices shattered the magic and snapped Louise back to her senses. People were heading towards them along the walkway. She pulled out of Dimitri’s arms, breathing hard. Her mouth felt bruised, and she lifted her fingers to her lips and felt their swollen softness.

  Dear heaven, what had she been thinking? All evening she had been haunted by memories of their brief affair years ago, but that was no excuse for her to fall into his arms. Life had moved on—she had moved on—and the past was history.

  ‘You shouldn’t have done that,’ she whispered, dismayed to realise she was shaking from the firestorm of passion he had evoked in her.

  ‘But you didn’t stop me.’ His eyes glittered, and his smile was faintly mocking, but the hand that gently brushed a tendril of hair back from her cheek shook slightly, and Louise realised with a jolt that he was no more in control of his emotions that she was.

  She shivered again—a combination of reaction to his kiss and being deprived of the warmth of his body. But this time he kept his arms by his sides.

  ‘We should go.’ His voice was suddenly terse.

  They were both silent as the lift whisked them back down to the ground. It was nearly midnight, Louise saw when she glanced at her watch. She was glad when Dimitri hailed a taxi. She was still stunned by that kiss, mortified when she remembered how she had responded to him. She should have given him the big freeze, hung on to her dignity. But instead she had melted in his arms as if she had spent the past seven years missing him—which she certainly had not, she assured herself.

  They had barely discussed the sale of Eirenne, she remembered as she stared out of the taxi window. Why hadn’t she stuck to business over dinner? And what had induced her to agree to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower with him when she knew full well that it was one of the most iconic venues in Paris, the city of lovers? The romantic atmosphere was no excuse for the fact that she had practically eaten him. She felt hot with shame when she recalled how she had clung to him.