How had she ever thought what she felt for Nikos would be enough?
She pushed the door open and went out to the hotel lobby and on to the street. Now what should she do? She had no idea where she was or where she needed to go to.
Tears of frustration threatened but she took in a deep breath, forcing her shoulders to relax. As they did so large, warm hands covered them. She knew it was Nikos. Every nerve in her body tingled wildly. Nobody else did that to her.
‘You can’t keep running for ever, Serena,’ he whispered against her hair as he pulled her back against his body, holding her close.
He obviously intended anyone watching to think their lovers’ tiff was over, that passion and love had won. He wanted the scandal she threatened to be quelled and subdued.
‘I didn’t feel well. I needed to get out,’ she said, knowing it was only half the truth.
Slowly he turned her round in his arms, giving her no alternative but to look at the firm wall of his chest or up at his face. When she did look up, what she saw made her knees weak with longing. His blue eyes were full of concern, and if she didn’t know any better she’d believe it was real and not for the benefit of anyone who’d witnessed her hasty departure.
‘Maybe we shouldn’t discuss the past—not tonight, at least.’
His accent was heavier than ever, and his eyes reminded her of the night sky as passion swirled in them. Her heart thumped in her chest as his breathing deepened, coming faster. This was the man she’d fallen in love with. Handsome and passionate.
‘Nikos...’ she breathed as her body swayed against him. The temptation was too much in her state of heightened emotion.
His hold on her tightened as his lips met hers, tenderly stroking, forcing the fire that burned within her higher. She wound her arms around his neck, heedless of her gauzy wrap falling from her shoulders. All she cared about was being kissed by Nikos. The man she loved. The father of her child.
His lips left hers fractionally. ‘We should go home,’ he whispered against her lips, and she closed her eyes at the erotic sensation.
‘Yes, take me home, Nikos.’
Her husky whisper ended as his lips claimed hers once more, demanding and hot. She was lost. Completely and utterly lost. Despite everything, this was what she wanted.
CHAPTER SEVEN
NIKOS SAT IN the back of the car, Serena’s sensational body against him, and had to force himself not to touch her. Not because of the presence of the driver, but because if he did he knew he wouldn’t want to stop. All he could think of right now was the privacy of his bedroom.
He watched the lights of Athens rush by, focusing on the illuminations of the Acropolis as they headed towards his apartment—anything to distract himself.
Even though his head and most definitely his heart had refused to admit it, his body had wanted Serena every night since she’d left. He’d craved her touch like a lovesick teenager, needing to feel her against him, wanting her in a way he’d never wanted any woman before.
Now she was back—and tonight he would make her his. This time, for the sake of his child, he wouldn’t allow her to leave.
The car pulled up outside the apartment building and she moved away from him, across the seat and out into the night, as the doors opened. He followed her, glad to see that the reporters had moved on—probably all at the charity ball. It would be their perfect chance to get pictures of the rich and famous, and he was thankful he and Serena hadn’t been noticed leaving so early.
Quickly he keyed in the number for the outside door and, with his arm protectively around her, walked towards the lift. She hadn’t spoken since they’d left the party, but he guessed the same desire that raged inside him was keeping her silent.
Ever since they’d first met that desire had been a powerful force to resist. It had drawn him in, making him lose all sense of reason—and tonight was no different. He wanted her, but he had to retain control—had to remember this was a deal she’d agreed to. And it hadn’t been because of their baby, but because of the money to help her sister.
The lift doors opened and they walked in. The bright lights were almost too much. Serena leant against the wall of the lift and lowered her gaze, looking intently at the floor. Was she trying to prevent him from seeing those beautiful green eyes of hers? Afraid to show the burning passion he’d felt in her as they’d danced?
‘You look beautiful.’
The husky tone of his voice surprised him, and his breath caught momentarily in his chest as she looked up at him. The green of her eyes, almost drowned by her enlarged pupils, made her look far sexier than he’d ever seen her. He wanted her—more than he’d ever done.
Lust hurtled round his body as her lips parted, and he noticed the rise and fall of her breasts, her breathing deepening.
‘Thank you.’
The words were barely audible, but his body had heard them, felt their seductive vibration caress and taunt him.
The lift doors opened but he couldn’t move, his gaze remaining locked to hers, his own breathing becoming heavier by the second. Slowly she stood taller, straightening her spine, her eyes holding his as she took one step towards him.
‘This is what it was like that last night on the beach,’ she whispered, so softly he wondered if she’d actually meant him to hear. ‘I couldn’t fight it then either.’
‘You drove me mad with desire that night,’ he said, moving close enough that he could take her in his arms. But he didn’t, not trusting his power of control.
His pulse throbbed with building desire, the beat thumping in his ears, and he flexed his fingers then curled them tight into his palms. He couldn’t take much more of this.
Her neat brows furrowed slightly and questions raced across her face. ‘It was our last night. It should have been goodbye.’
The lift doors closed, breaking the spell that had woven inextricably around them. Serena looked away, almost flustered by what had just happened, and frustration gave way to irritation as he pressed the button to open the doors again.
Whatever had been started that night on the beach in Santorini was far from over. He didn’t appreciate the hold she had over him, the way she could make him want her just with a glance or a whispered word, but he couldn’t ignore it any longer.
He stepped out of the lift and turned to see her watching him. ‘I want you, Serena.’
He couldn’t explain why he’d said it, why he’d exposed his emotions. He pressed his lips firmly together to avoid saying anything else he might regret—something she might later use against him. He did want her—of that there wasn’t any doubt—but that didn’t mean he had to bring emotions into it. That was something he could never do...especially when she was here for her own reasons.
She stepped towards him, her long legs outlined through the pale silk of the dress, causing the blood to pound harder around his heated body and his thoughts to spiral away to nothing.
‘I want you too.’
The tremulous whisper, so timid and quiet, made him grit his teeth together. She deserved better than him. She deserved a man who would love her—one who would be what she needed him to be. But fate had intervened and, as much as he desired her, he didn’t know if he could be that man. His past had shaped him to an emotionally cold man who would never be able to love a woman with real sincerity, but inside he still burned with desire for her.
* * *
Serena saw his jaw clench and knew she shouldn’t have said anything. She shouldn’t have told him she wanted him, giving him power over her once more. Such thoughts made everything impossible.
She couldn’t take a single step towards him, and stayed inside the lift as he stepped out.
Nikos had proposed to her, bought her the most gorgeous engagement ring—not only out of duty, but because of the deal they’d made. It
was pure blackmail, but it would enable her sister to become a mother. Her spirits dropped at the thought that none of it would have happened if their night together hadn’t resulted in consequences.
As the assistant in the jeweller’s had spoken of lovers being brought closer by emeralds her heart had flickered with a little flame of hope. He’d taken the ring and purposefully put it on her finger, but she knew he hadn’t given it because of love. Deep down, she knew he didn’t love her and never would. He only wanted his child and he was prepared to offer anything.
She looked at Nikos, resplendent in his evening suit, so handsome he took her breath away. As his gaze met hers, full of desire, she saw the man she’d fallen in love with—the one she’d thought she knew so well. His gaze lingered on her, and despite the trappings of wealth and power the fisherman who’d stolen her heart was still there. Deep beneath the surface, but still there.
The flicker of hope that something could be salvaged grew.
The doors of the lift began to close again, startling her, and with lightning-quick reaction Nikos moved forward, stopping the doors. He held out his hand to her, his face serious and intent. If she took his hand now it would mean so much more than this moment. She would be accepting everything.
Her heart beat a loud rhythm as she looked into his eyes, searching for answers to questions she dared not ask. He didn’t move, didn’t break eye contact as a myriad of thoughts crashed over her. Finally she did what she knew she had to, what she knew was inevitable, and placed her hand in his.
He braced his body against the lift doors as they threatened to close again and closed his hand around hers. His blue eyes continued to lure her as she walked towards him, and with her hand tightly in his, her body sizzling from his touch, they walked out of the lift and towards his apartment.
The key turning in the lock made a loud click, highlighting the laden silence. With purpose he opened the door, leading her through and then pushing it swiftly shut behind him. Before she could say anything his body pressed her against the wall of the hallway, his hands against the wall on either side of her head. His lips claimed hers in a deep and demanding kiss and she arched herself against him, winding her arms about his neck.
This was what she’d wanted for the past three months. As the magnitude of her pregnancy had registered, shocking her with its implications, she’d still wanted him. Even the shocking deal he’d put to her hadn’t dampened the passion in any way, and right now all she wanted was to love him—enough for both of them.
‘Serena...’ he whispered as he pulled back from her, his fingers tangling in her hair. ‘With passion such as this burning between us it doesn’t matter why we are together. The marriage will work.’
Her heart broke a little. But what had she expected? Words of love? In reality she knew she’d never hear such words from Nikos. He didn’t want to love or be loved, but he was right about the passion. It sparked between them like fireworks on New Year’s Eve. It was wild and reckless and totally consuming.
‘Yes—yes, it will.’ She stumbled over the words, her breath coming in short gasps. She couldn’t completely take in what he’d said. Her body trembled too much with need for his touch.
He lowered his head, pressing his lips so gently against hers she almost cried. Then he traced a line of soft kisses down her neck, lingering on her shoulder as she tilted her head to one side, allowing him greater access and sighing with pleasure. The fingers entwined in her hair pulled free and stroked her cheek tenderly.
She reached up, placing her hand over his, stilling the movement. It was too much. It made her dare to believe he loved her. But she knew he didn’t. She knew it was nothing more than lust.
He looked into her eyes and smiled, the lips that had just kissed her neck so persuasively drawing her gaze.
‘I will make you mine, Serena, and the only place for that is in my bed.’
She couldn’t fight him any longer. Being in his arms, his bed—it was all she wanted, all her body craved.
‘Then take me there,’ she teased, shocking herself, but enjoying the sexy look Nikos gave her. Would it be so bad to give in to what raged between them when they were to be married?
He stood back from her, his heavy gaze sweeping down her body, lingering on her breasts for just long enough to send heat hurtling through her. Again he took her hand and led her through the apartment to the only room she hadn’t yet seen. His bedroom.
He opened the door, revealing a masculine space dominated by a large bed, bathed in the glow of golden light coming through the balcony windows.
He drew her into the room and looked down at her. Slowly he pulled his tie undone, tossing it to the floor, where it was soon joined by his jacket. She looked at the shirt, so white against his dark skin, and willed her eyes to stay open instead of closing in pleasure.
She remembered how his chest felt. How the hair there enabled her fingers to glide across his muscles. But most of all she remembered the firmness, and she ached to touch him again. She reached out and spread her fingers over his chest, relishing the feel of his arms pulling her to him, holding her there.
‘I need you,’ she said softly, not daring to look into his face in case her love shone out.
Instead she concentrated on opening one button of his shirt, then, when she didn’t meet any resistance, another and another, until she could slide her hand inside. The groan of pleasure escaping him encouraged her further.
His fingers struggled briefly with the zip on her dress and she stifled a nervous laugh.
‘I want to see you,’ he said hoarsely. ‘I want to see all of you.’
Seconds later the bodice of her dress loosened as he unzipped it, and then the pale green silk slithered down, leaving her naked apart from her panties and dainty sandals.
She resisted the urge to cover herself with her arms. She’d never stood so blatantly naked before him, always shielding herself from his gaze, anxious because of her innocence. It took great effort to remain under the scrutiny of those sexy blue eyes without covering herself as they devoured her hungrily.
A guttural growl of Greek words rushed from him as his gaze lingered on her. Before she could ask what he’d said his fingers caressed a blazing trail down her arms, stroking all the way to her hands, then her fingertips. He lightly lifted her fingers and brought each in turn to his lips and kissed them, and all the while his gaze, heady and deep blue, held her face, making her blush with desire.
‘You are a goddess,’ he said, kissing along one arm until he came to her shoulder.
Her whole body was on fire, her breasts tender and full, yearning for his touch. But still he kissed her shoulder, teasing and tormenting her as she’d never known before. Then slowly the fiery trail of kisses moved downwards and she gasped in pleasure, hardly able to stand.
‘A goddess who is all mine,’ he said huskily, and each word was interspersed with kisses, pressed enticingly against her, moving down between her breasts until she ached for him to kiss them.
His head moved lower, his kisses now on the soft swell of her stomach, and she plunged her fingers into his hair, closing her eyes.
‘Nikos...’ His name rushed from her lips on a wave of pleasure and she pressed them tightly together in case she said more.
‘Such a beautiful body.’
His kisses moved down over her stomach, lingering as his hands skimmed her bottom, the sensation almost unbalancing her. She felt his warm breath against the silky panties that left little to the imagination and fought hard to remain standing.
Just when she thought she might collapse onto the bed behind her his fingers trailed down her thighs and towards her ankles.
‘I intend to savour every part of it.’
* * *
Nikos looked up at Serena, her face so flushed with desire. The blood pounded harder around his body. He
took a deep breath, fighting to regain some kind of control. He wanted to push her onto the white covers of the bed and lose himself inside her until the madness she evoked stopped—but he couldn’t. This time he had to take it slow, had to keep a tight rein on the desire that burned inside him, because this was different from any other time.
He didn’t known how or why. All he knew was that this was the woman he was going to marry, the mother of his child, a woman who’d unlocked something deep inside him that he couldn’t yet acknowledge. From the moment he’d met her she’d changed him somehow, but he couldn’t analyse it now.
Whatever it was it had the potential to be painful, the capability to be render him helpless, just like the hurt that had crushed him as a boy, and he never wanted to put himself in the firing line of that kind of pain again.
He stood up and looked down into her face, saw the nervousness in her eyes and felt as if his chest was being squeezed. ‘This is what you want?’
Her big green eyes blinked rapidly, then she smiled up at him and his heart seemed to stop.
‘Yes,’ she whispered softly, tilting her chin and pressing her lips against his in a tormenting and lingering kiss. ‘Yes, it is. I want you, Nikos.’
He pulled her against him, wishing he wasn’t still clothed so that he could feel her soft skin against his. A groan of desire escaped him as her feather-light kisses teased his senses, pushing him to the edge of his control.
He took her face between his hands, holding her at just the right angle, and kissed her until she murmured against his lips. Then he slid his tongue between them, deepening the kiss.
He closed his eyes against the exquisite pain of having her all but naked in his arms and having to exert control, trying to consider her condition. It was torture. He could feel her hardened nipples pressing against his chest, with only his partially open shirt between them, and as she wound her arms around his neck, pulling her body closer still, he had to hold back the urge to allow his desire to get the better of him.
From One Night to Wife Page 9
