by Morgan, Sara
Being this close to him affected her so badly.
He leaned forward in his chair, his voice soft. ‘How do I look at you, Libby?’
His Greek accent seemed very pronounced and she dropped her eyes, concentrating hard on her cappuccino. It didn’t really help. Even though she wasn’t looking at him, she could feel him. ‘You look at me as though you—you wish I was the chocolate brownie,’ she said finally, and he laughed.
‘My vice definitely isn’t chocolate brownies,’ he drawled. ‘And we both know how I look at you. I want you, Libby. I’ve never pretended otherwise. And you want me.’
Her gaze flew to his. ‘I don’t.’
He shrugged carelessly. ‘Yes, you do. You want me every bit as much as I want you. But you’re afraid to admit it.’
Libby bit her lip. It was absolutely true. She was afraid.
She was afraid of what he could do to her. Of what he could make her feel.
‘You are absolutely the last man in the world I’d have a relationship with,’ she said flatly, glaring as yet another nubile female passed and cast a lustful glance at Andreas. ‘Do you realise that every single woman who passes this table looks at you?’
Andreas removed his sunglasses and looked at her thoughtfully. ‘But I’m not looking at them,’ he pointed out quietly, his eyes dropping to her mouth. ‘I’m looking at you, Libby.’
Her heart hammered against her ribs and she was consumed by a sexual excitement so powerful that she squirmed in her seat. She looked at him helplessly, thinking that perhaps it had been easier to control her feelings when he’d had the sunglasses on. He had the sexiest eyes she’d ever seen. What was it about him?
He was sitting on the other side of the table, for goodness’ sake.
He hadn’t even touched her and yet she could feel him with every inch of her body.
She swallowed hard and dragged her gaze away from his face. ‘Well, I don’t want you to look at me,’ she said, stabbing her brownie with more force than was necessary. ‘Do you want some?’
‘What I want is for you to relax with me,’ Andreas said, his tone amused. ‘You are behaving as though I’m a lethal predator and there is absolutely no need. I want you and I refuse to pretend that I don’t, but I have no intention of pouncing on you in the middle of the West End. I’ll wait until you’re ready.’
Awareness warmed her insides. ‘You’re awfully sure of yourself, Dr Christakos.’ Her hands shook slightly and she placed the cup back down on the saucer. ‘What if I’m never ready?’
He gave a slow smile. ‘You will be. And in the meantime I’m enjoying the wait. It serves to intensify the satisfaction when we finally get together.’
His words hung between them and she stared at him wordlessly, wanting to say something cutting but totally mesmerised by the look in his dark eyes.
What woman in her right mind would say no to a man like Andreas?
He leaned across and helped himself to a piece of brownie. ‘So, after this, are we shopping?’
He was so cool and relaxed, so totally sure of himself that she merely nodded.
‘Yes.’
‘For you or Adrienne?’
‘Both.’
‘Are you buying something for tonight?’
Suddenly unable to eat another mouthful, Libby pushed the remains of the brownie to one side. ‘Just shoes. I already have enough dresses.’
He lifted a dark eyebrow. ‘And you don’t have enough shoes?’
‘A girl can never have enough shoes,’ Libby advised him solemnly, standing up and dropping a note on the table to cover the bill. ‘Come on. Mario should be just about finishing by now.’
And she needed a third person to stop her having indecent thoughts about Andreas.
Chapter 6
As Libby got ready for the ball that evening, she reflected on what a successful day it had been.
Mario had worked wonders with Adrienne and she chuckled as she remembered the stunned look on Andreas’s face when he’d first caught sight of his niece.
Mario had shaped and textured her thick dark hair so that it no longer swamped her delicate features. The new hair-style cleverly emphasised the shape of her face and made her look exactly what she was. A child on the verge of womanhood.
Thrilled by her own reflection, Adrienne had spent the rest of the trip gazing at her reflection in shop windows.
Libby had dragged her into several of her favourite shops and bought a selection of strap tops and trendy cotton separates that complemented Adrienne’s slim figure without making her seem older than she was.
By the time they’d returned her to school, she’d been bubbling with excitement and confidence.
And now it was her turn, Libby thought, reaching into her wardrobe for the dress she wanted.
It was made of pale gold silk and it fell from tiny straps right down to the floor.
And she loved it.
With a smile of satisfaction she slipped into the dress and slid her feet into the gold shoes that she’d found in a tiny shop in one of London’s most exclusive shopping areas. They matched the dress perfectly.
She pinned her blonde curls on top of her head, leaving a few tendrils hanging loose around her face, and carefully applied her lipstick.
Satisfied with the result, she reached for her wrap and glanced at her watch as the doorbell went.
Alex had left to collect his date half an hour earlier so she knew it had to be Andreas.
She walked to the door on shaking legs and paused for a moment. Her heart rate accelerated dramatically and excitement curled in the pit of her stomach.
She closed her eyes briefly, wondering why on earth she’d invited the man. She was playing with fire.
Andreas Christakos could hurt her badly.
Taking a steadying breath, she opened the door, trying to control her reaction as she saw him.
Damn.
She should have known that the man would have looked spectacular in formal dress.
She bit back a groan. The truth was Andreas would look spectacular whatever he wore.
He lounged in her doorway, confident, sexy and so masculine that it took her breath away.
He was all temptation and trouble and she’d elected to spend the evening with him.
Great.
‘Hi, there.’ She sounded breathless and hated herself for it. She hoped he wasn’t any good at reading body language but her instincts said that he would be. This man knew everything there was to know about women.
His eyes slid slowly over her and finally he spoke. ‘You look sensational.’
Suddenly she wished she’d chosen to wear a different dress. Something that covered her up. Something that would protect her from the way he was looking at her. The dress she’d chosen skimmed her womanly curves and seemed demure enough from the front, but the back was a different matter, and she found herself wishing that she didn’t have to turn around.
He was looking at her quizzically. ‘Are you ready?’
‘I need to fetch my bag.’ Which meant turning round.
His gaze didn’t shift from hers. ‘Fine.’
Swallowing hard, she backed away from him and his eyes narrowed.
‘Is something wrong?’
‘No.’ This was utterly ridiculous! She took a deep breath and turned around, walking quickly to her room to collect her bag.
She returned in seconds. ‘I’m ready.’
He didn’t answer and slowly she lifted her gaze to his.
‘Well, now I know why you were reluctant to turn around,’ he said hoarsely, his dark eyes holding hers. ‘That dress should carry a health warning. Shall we go?’
He placed a hand on her bare back and it was as if she’d drunk champagne on an empty stomach. Her legs trembled and her head swam. She was acutely conscious of every inch of him as they made their way down in the lift and climbed into the car he had waiting.
It was a warm summer evening but suddenly Libby found herself shivering.
>
His gaze settled on her face. ‘Are you cold?’
Libby shook her head, knowing that she’d never be able to convince him that she was cold.
She wasn’t cold. She was just suffering from an acute attack of out-of-control hormones. No man had ever affected her this way before. She’d never experienced this stomach-curling excitement that she felt with him.
‘So why are you shivering, agape mou?’
She turned to look at him and gave a moan as his mouth descended on hers.
His kiss was slow and erotic and within seconds she was clinging to him, wriggling closer, her whole body throbbing with a heat and desire that was totally unfamiliar.
When he finally lifted his head, her heart was thundering in her chest.
‘I’ve ruined your lipstick,’ he said huskily, his eyes resting on her swollen mouth. ‘I’m sorry.’
She swallowed hard and reached for her bag. ‘J-just don’t do it again,’ she stammered, ignoring his low chuckle.
Who was she kidding?
Kissing Andreas was like taking a trip to heaven.
Given the choice, she’d happily spend the rest of her life doing nothing else.
They arrived at the hotel and joined the rest of the guests on the terrace where they were drinking champagne.
Libby immediately caught sight of Katy and Alex with their partners. Anxious to be in a group as a method of self-protection, she took Andreas by the arm and walked across to them.
Katy was looking elegant and classy in a long black dress, her blonde hair swept up on top of her head. She had more colour in her cheeks than the last time they’d met and Libby leaned forward to kiss her and then turned to Jago, Katy’s husband.
‘Congratulations,’ she whispered, as she stood on tiptoe to kiss him.
Then she shook hands with Alex’s date for the night, a cool-eyed blonde who was a clone of all the women that Alex dated.
Libby smiled politely, noted that the girl’s name was Eva and wondered whether she knew that Alex would be seeing someone else within three months. He never dated anyone for longer than that. He was more wary of commitment than she was.
She introduced Andreas and instantly he and Jago started talking about a case they’d had in A and E the previous day.
‘No talking shop,’ Katy reproved mildly. ‘This is supposed to be the one night of the year when we have an evening out without discussing medicine. Anyway, it’s time to sit down. We’re all on the same table.’
They moved into the ballroom, found their table and Libby seated herself between Alex and Andreas.
She was painfully conscious of how close he was, his lean, brown hand resting on the table only inches from hers, his muscular thigh resting alongside hers and the width of his shoulders under the jacket he wore.
Although they talked and laughed with everyone on the table, she was always aware of him next to her.
From time to time during the meal she caught him watching her and knew that he was playing a waiting game. Andreas was well aware of the effect he had on her and he was biding his time, knowing that the feelings inside her were heating to dangerous levels. It was psychological seduction, mind games designed to drive her slowly but surely to a point of desperation.
Her insides were so churned up by the way he made her feel that Libby lost her appetite. She pushed her food unenthusiastically around her plate and Alex looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
‘Following the Hollywood diet, Lib?’
She gave a wan smile. ‘I’m just not that hungry.’
‘Or, at least, not for food,’ Alex murmured softly, his eyes flickering past her to Andreas who was engaged in conversation with Katy, seated to his right. ‘I’ve never seen you like this before. It must be love.’
Love?
Libby’s eyes widened and she looked at him in horror. Of course it wasn’t love! She’d never be so foolish as to fall in love with a man like Andreas. He was every woman’s fantasy and she had no doubt that she was just a temporary interest.
‘It’s not love,’ she said in a strangled voice. ‘I’ve never been in love.’
Alex shrugged. ‘Well, something’s wrong. That’s chocolate mousse sitting in front of you and you’re not showing any interest in it.’
Libby looked at her plate and realised that she hadn’t even seen the chocolate mousse arrive. Normally she would have devoured it, but tonight she just couldn’t face food of any sort.
Not even chocolate.
‘If you’re off chocolate, it must be serious,’ Alex said dryly, glancing from her to the untouched mousse. ‘It’s either love or gastroenteritis. Trust me, I’m a doctor. I know about these things.’
Thoroughly unsettled, Libby glared at him. ‘You’re a troublemaker and can we, please, change the subject?’ Her eyes flickered past him to Eva who was talking to a colleague of Alex’s from A and E. ‘Anyway, you’re a fine one to talk. She hasn’t stopped drooling over you all night.’
‘She’ll get over it,’ Alex drawled lightly, reaching for his wine.
Libby shook her head slightly, wondering what sort of female it would take to shake her brother out of his customary cool.
‘Don’t you feel guilty about going through life breaking hearts?’ Libby muttered in an undertone. ‘It’s men like you that have made me the woman I am today.’
Alex lifted a dark eyebrow. ‘A crazy, shoe-mad chocoholic?’
‘You can joke,’ Libby said loftily, ‘but you know it’s true.’
Alex frowned. ‘It’s not true. I’ve never deceived a woman in my life.’ His tone was maddeningly cool. ‘I’m always totally honest with them. And I’m completely faithful when I’m with a woman.’
‘Which is for a maximum of three months,’ Libby reminded him tartly.
Alex shrugged his broad shoulders dismissively. ‘So? I’ve never met a woman I wanted to wake up next to every day for the rest of my life.’
Libby rolled her eyes. ‘Well, I’m just glad I’m your sister.’
Alex smiled the smile that stopped women in their tracks. ‘What you’re saying is that I’m so irresistible that if you weren’t my sister you’d be in love with me.’ His blue eyes gleamed with amusement. ‘Go on, admit it.’
Libby’s mouth fell open and she was about to deliver a suitable retort when Katy intervened.
‘I can’t hear what the pair of you are talking about, but I know you’re quarrelling, so stop it,’ she admonished gently from across the table. ‘Alex, stop teasing Libby!’
‘Me?’ Alex lifted a hand to his broad chest, his expression hurt. ‘I would never tease my sister. I have the utmost respect for my sister.’
‘Alex…’ Libby’s tone was sugar sweet and she lifted a hand to her plate, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she looked thoughtfully at her brother’s pristine white dress shirt. ‘I’ve just thought of a use for this chocolate mousse.’
‘Will you two stop it?’ Katy stared at them, aghast, and then shot an embarrassed look towards Andreas. ‘I’m so sorry. What must you be thinking? They love each other really, it’s just that they can’t seem to help winding each other up. They’re always the same.’
Andreas laughed, totally relaxed. ‘Don’t apologise. Their conversation is very entertaining.’ His eyes rested on Libby thoughtfully. ‘And illuminating.’
Libby forgot about the chocolate mousse and Alex’s shirt and looked at him in horror. Just how much of the conversation had he overheard? Had he heard Alex suggesting that she was in love? She sincerely hoped not.
The chat started up again but Libby found herself staring at Andreas, trapped by the look in his stunning dark eyes. His gaze was intense and focused and there was no way he was letting her look away.
‘So why haven’t you eaten anything tonight, Libby?’ His firm mouth shifted slightly at the corners. ‘Is it the Hollywood diet—or is it something else?’
Libby gritted her teeth and resisted the temptation to slide under the table to hide her emb
arrassment. He’d obviously heard everything.
She closed her eyes and cursed her brother and his big mouth.
It was becoming harder and harder to keep Andreas at a distance. How was she going to manage it if he thought that she was so affected by him that she was off her food?
‘I’m just not that hungry,’ she mumbled, pushing her plate away from her and accepting the coffee that the waiter offered. ‘I never eat much at these things. Hard to make a serious impact on the dance floor if you’re full of food.’
Andreas glanced towards the band, which was playing something with a pounding rhythm. ‘If you’re aiming to make a serious impact, we’d better get started.’ He stood up, broad-shouldered and confident, and extended a hand. ‘Dance, Libby?’
Aware that the rest of the people at the table were watching her expectantly, Libby let him pull her to her feet.
It shouldn’t be a problem, she reassured herself. The band was playing fast stuff. Nothing that required the slightest bit of physical contact.
But the minute they reached the dance floor she realised that she’d made a major misjudgement.
Andreas was a fantastically good dancer. He closed strong fingers around hers and swung her against him, picking up the rhythm of the music and controlling her moves like a master.
Totally seduced by the pounding beat of the music and his strong lead, Libby let herself go, swaying and spinning, moving away from him and then back again, feeling his hard, muscular strength against her heated body.
A natural dancer, Libby ignored the fact that her hair had escaped from the pin on top of her head and was flying around her face as he spun her around the dance floor.
She was having far too much fun to care.
It was only when the music ended and applause broke out around them that she realised that they were the only ones that were dancing.
Suddenly self-conscious, she made to retreat to their table but Andreas laughed and hauled her against him.
‘Don’t you dare. We haven’t even begun yet.’
This time several couples joined them on the dance floor, obviously inspired by their exhibition.
They danced continuously until finally the band shifted tempo and played something slow and seductive. On the dance floor the lighting softened and suddenly the atmosphere became more intimate.