The Helen Bianchin Collection

by Helen Bianchin

  Just keep your emotions intact, a tiny voice taunted.

  Michelle took a sip of mineral water, then speared another morsel of food. The salad was delicious, but her appetite diminished with every mouthful.

  What about the chemistry? The way she felt when he touched her? Each time he kissed her, whether in sensual exploration or passion, she’d just wanted to die.

  Dear heaven, she’d experienced more emotional upheaval in the past two days than she had in...a long time, she admitted.

  Nikos observed each fleeting expression, and wondered if she realised how expressive her features were? Or how easily he was able to define them?

  ‘I guess we should set down some ground rules.’ That sounded fair, she determined. How had Emilio put it? Fine tune your strategy.

  ‘What did you have in mind?’

  Michelle looked at him carefully, and was unable to see beyond the sophisticated mask he presented. Oh God, was she mad? She wasn’t even in the same league, let alone the same game. So why was she choosing to play?

  ‘You don’t make decisions for me, and vice versa,’ she began. ‘We consult on anything that involves the both of us.’

  “That’s reasonable.’

  So far, so good. ‘No unnecessary—’ She was going to say intimacy, but that sounded too personal. ‘Touching,’ she amended, and missed the faint gleam in those dark eyes.

  ‘I’ll try to restrain myself, if you will.’

  He was amused, damn him! ‘This isn’t funny,’ she reproved, and he proffered a crooked smile.

  ‘My sense of humour got the better of me.’

  ‘Do you want to put a time limit on this?’

  One eyebrow slanted. ‘Lunch?’

  ‘Our supposed relationship!’

  ‘Ah—that.’ He expertly wound the last of his fettuccine onto his fork and savoured it. ‘How about...as long as it takes?’

  Of course. That was the entire object of the exercise. She’d had enough salad, and she pushed the bowl forward, then sank back in her chair.

  ‘I’m intrigued,’ she ventured. ‘To discover how you knew I’d studied at the Sorbonne?’

  He looked at her carefully. ‘I endeavour to discover background details of the people who claim to want to do business with me. It’s a precautionary measure.’

  Michelle’s eyes narrowed slightly. That meant being able to access confidential data on file. Although with the right contacts and connections, it wouldn’t be difficult.

  ‘Emerson Bateson-Burrows has been vigilant in baiting the figurative hook,’ Nikos revealed with wry cynicism.

  As her parents mixed socially with Jeremy’s parents, they, too, had come beneath Nikos’ scrutiny. It didn’t leave her with a comfortable feeling.

  ‘We didn’t meet in Paris.’

  ‘Yes, we did,’ he corrected.

  ‘Where?’ she demanded. ‘I would have remembered.’

  ‘At a party.’

  It was possible. She’d attended several parties during her Paris sojourn. Although she was positive she’d never seen Nikos Alessandros at any one of them. ‘We weren’t introduced,’ she said with certainty.

  ‘No,’ Nikos agreed. ‘It was a case of too many people, and I was with someone else.’

  Now why did that suddenly make her feel jealous? It didn’t make sense.

  ‘You’d better let me have your phone number in case I need to contact you,’ he said smoothly, and she lifted one eyebrow in mocking query.

  ‘You mean you don’t already have it?’

  His gaze was steady. ‘I’d prefer you to give it to me willingly.’

  She looked at him for a second, then she reached into her bag, extracted a card and handed it to him.

  ‘Would you like something else to eat?’ When she shook her head, he indicated, ‘Dessert? Coffee?’

  How long had they been here? Half an hour? Longer? ‘No. Thanks,’ she added. ‘I have a few things to do before I go back to the Gallery.’ She didn’t, but Nikos wasn’t to know that. ‘Would you excuse me?’

  He lifted one hand, gained the attention of the waiter, and rose to his feet. ‘I’ll walk back with you.’

  She opened her mouth to say ‘there’s no need,’ saw his expression, and decided to refrain from saying anything at all.

  Nikos signed the proffered credit slip, pocketed the duplicate, then accompanied her onto the street.

  Finding ‘things to do’ didn’t stretch her imagination, and she made the bakery first on her list, where she selected bread rolls, a couple of Danish pastries. For Emilio, she justified. To lend credence, she entered the small local post office and stood in line to buy stamps.

  Did Nikos suspect her mission was a sham? Possibly. But she didn’t care.

  ‘Are you done?’

  The sound of that soft slightly accented drawl merely added encouragement, and she stepped into the pharmacy, picked up some antiseptic liquid, paid for it, then emerged onto the pavement.

  The fruit shop was next, and she selected some grapes, an apple, a banana, and two tomatoes, justifying her purchases, ‘I won’t have time to get anything after work.’

  It took only minutes to reach the Gallery, but they were long minutes during which she was acutely conscious of his height and breadth as he walked at her side.

  Twice she thought of something to say by way of conversation only to dismiss the words as being inane.

  At the Gallery entrance she paused and thanked him for lunch, then looked askance as he followed her inside.

  ‘If you remember there was a distraction,’ Nikos reminded indolently. ‘I need to give you a cheque, and have you arrange delivery.’

  Michelle tended to it with professional efficiency, then accompanied him to the door.

  ‘What have we here?’ Emilio queried, indicating her purchases shortly after Nikos’ departure.

  ‘Things.’ She selected the bakery bag and handed it to him. ‘For you.’

  His soft laughter was almost her undoing. ‘You initiated a small diversion?’

  ‘Minor,’ she agreed, and he shook his head in silent chastisement.

  ‘Tonight could prove interesting.’

  Michelle merely smiled and headed towards the office.

  It was after five when she parked her car in its allotted space and rode the lift to her apartment

  The message light was blinking on the answering machine, and she activated the ‘message’ button, listened to Jeremy’s voice as he issued an impassioned plea to call him, deliberated all of five seconds, then hit ‘erase.’

  His increasingly obsessive behaviour disturbed her, and she stood in reflective silence, aware that at no time had she given him reason to believe they could share anything more than friendship.

  A quick glance at her watch revealed she had half an hour in which to shower and dress before she was due to meet Nikos downstairs.

  Michelle entered the lobby as Nikos’ BMW swept into the bricked apron immediately adjacent the main entrance, and she reached the car just as he emerged from behind the wheel.

  Nikos noted the slight thrust of her chin, the cool expressive features, and suppressed a faint smile at the sleek upswept hairstyle. The make-up was perfection with clever emphasis on her eyes, the generous curve of her mouth.

  The classic “little black dress” had a scooped neckline, very short sleeves and a hemline that stopped mid-thigh, with high stiletto-heeled black pumps accenting the length of her legs.

  Everything about her enhanced the sophisticated image of a young woman in total control.

  Michelle slid into the passenger seat and offered him a faint smile in greeting.

  He looked relaxed, and she wished she could feel comfortable about deceiving her parents.

  The car gained clear passage onto the road, and Nikos headed towards the main arterial road leading into Surfers Paradise.

  ‘Ten minutes to countdown.’

  ‘Less,’ Nikos declared. ‘It begins when we collect Saska from h
er hotel.’

  Within minutes he drew the car to a halt adjacent the Marriott. ‘I won’t be long.’

  She watched as he disappeared through the automatic glass doors, crossed to one of several armchairs in the large lobby, and greeted a tall elegantly dressed woman.

  Beautiful wasn’t an adequate description, Michelle decided as Nikos escorted the brunette to the car.

  The mental image Michelle had drawn of a depressed and desperately unhappy widow didn’t fit the vital young woman who conversed with ease during the ten-minute drive to Sovereign Islands, a group of seven manmade residential islands situated three kilometres north, and reached by an overbridge from the mainland.

  Chantelle and Etienne Gerard’s home was a modern architectural tri-level home, with two levels given over entirely to entertaining.

  There were several cars lining the driveway, and Michelle experienced a vague sense of uneasiness as she entered the house at Nikos’ side. She was all too aware of the role she’d committed herself to play and the deceit involved.

  Almost on cue, Nikos caught hold of her hand and linked his fingers through her own, and the smile he cast her was intimately warm.

  It stirred her senses and made her acutely aware of each breath she took. The blood seemed to race through her veins, quickening her pulse.

  Oh God. What had she let herself in for?

  CHAPTER SIX

  ‘NIKOS, Saska, how nice to see you.’ Chantelle, ever the gracious hostess, greeted them with pleasant enthusiasm, then she leaned forward and touched her daughter’s cheek with her own. ‘Darling, I’m so pleased you could come.’

  Her mother’s ‘just a few friends’ extended to more than thirty, Michelle estimated as Chantelle led them through the house and out onto the large terrace overlooking a wide canal.

  Hired staff were in evidence to ensure trays of finger food and drinks were constantly on offer.

  Introductions and greetings were exchanged with the ease of long practice as they mingled with fellow guests.

  Every now and then she felt the pressure of Nikos’ fingers on her own, and several times she made a furtive attempt to free them without success.

  Antonia and Emerson Bateson-Burrows were among the guests, and Michelle’s stomach twisted a little at the thought that Jeremy might put in an appearance.

  ‘Have you known Nikos for long?’

  Was this a trick question? Surely Nikos had already provided Saska with some basic information?

  ‘We met while Michelle was studying in Paris,’ Nikos answered for her, and Michelle wrinkled her nose at him.

  ‘Really, darling,’ she chastised teasingly. ‘I’m quite capable of answering for myself.’ She turned towards Saska and rolled her eyes. ‘At a party.’ Surely it would do no harm to elaborate a little? ‘Five years ago.’ That fit in well. ‘I was a student with a very new Arts degree, which my parents agreed should be followed by a year at the Sorbonne.’ She lifted her shoulders in a typically Gaelic shrug. ‘Intense study, you know how it is. I was dragged off to a party with friends. Nikos was there.’

  Saska’s eyes assumed a faintly quizzical gleam. ‘Alone?’

  ‘Of course not.’ This could almost be fun, meshing fact with fiction. ‘His companion for the evening was a stunning blonde.’

  ‘He was obviously attracted to you.’

  ‘Very much so,’ Nikos admitted as he carried Michelle’s hand to his lips, and she felt the graze of teeth against her knuckles in silent warning.

  Which she took delight in ignoring. ‘He played the gentleman, and was very circumspect in his interest.’ She met his gaze and openly dared him to refute her words. ‘Weren’t you, darling?’

  ‘Until the next time.’

  The knowledge was there, apparent, and acted as a subtle reminder that when it came to game-playing, he was more than her equal.

  ‘Michelle. Nikos.’

  It was a relief to have Emilio join them, and she cast him a generous smile as Nikos introduced Saska.

  ‘Pleasant evening,’ Emilio commented, switching his attention to the widowed brunette. ‘You’re here on holiday?’

  ‘Yes. Nikos suggested I take a break for a few weeks.’

  ‘Perhaps we could have dinner together one night soon? Tuesday?’

  My, Emilio was moving quickly, Michelle acknowledged silently, watching as Saska effected a slight lift of her shoulders.

  ‘If that is acceptable to Nikos and Michelle?’

  Whoa. A foursome? Tomorrow?

  ‘We’ll be delighted, won’t we, pedhi mou?’

  The endearment was deliberate, and she was tempted to say no, but knew it would sound churlish. ‘Delighted,’ she agreed. At the first opportunity, she decided, she would have words with Nikos about the frequency of such ‘dates.’

  Michelle took another sip of excellent champagne and removed a seafood savoury from a proffered tray. It seemed hours since she’d picked at a salad over lunch.

  ‘What a magnificent view,’ Saska enthused as she gazed out over the water. ‘Nikos, you must tell me the history behind the design of these islands.’

  ‘Take Saska down onto the jetty,’ Michelle directed, and felt a tingle of pleasure at thwarting him. ‘It’s possible to obtain a more effective view from there.’

  This was not part of the plan. It was evident from the faint warning flare in the depths of those eyes.

  ‘Michelle is more knowledgeable,’ he responded smoothly.

  It was a very neat manoeuvre, and one she couldn’t really extricate herself from without appearing impolite.

  The ground was landscaped on three terraced levels from the outdoor pool down to the water’s edge. Lavish landscaping included concrete steps, a decorative rockery, a large fountain, flower-edged paths, and expanses of lush green lawn.

  Michelle led the way, and when they reached the jetty she stepped out to its furthest point as she directed Saska’s attention towards the Broadwater.

  ‘The stretch of land immediately in front of us is known as south Stradbroke Island. Beyond it lays the Pacific Ocean.’

  Saska leaned forward. ‘And these islands?’

  ‘Manmade. Each small island is connected to the other by a series of bridges. It’s very effective, don’t you think?’

  Saska didn’t speak for several minutes. ‘Nikos is a special friend,’ she relayed conversationally. ‘We’ve known each other a long time.’

  Michelle didn’t pretend not to understand. ‘I imagine there’s a purpose to you telling me this?’

  ‘I find it unusual he has never mentioned you.’

  Why did she suddenly feel as if she’d just stepped into a minefield? ‘As you know, Nikos has diverse business interests in many European cities.’ She was plucking reasons out of nowhere. ‘We met not long before I was due to return to Australia to discover my niche in the art world.’ A small elaboration, but much of it had its base in truth.

  ‘And now?’ Saska persisted. ‘I understand you’ve only recently rediscovered each other?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Do you love him?’

  Think, she directed mentally. You can hardly say no. ‘I care,’ she said simply, and added for good measure, ‘Very much.’ May the heavens not descend on her head for such a transgression!

  ‘So do I,’ the brunette declared.

  ‘What are you advocating? Swords drawn at dawn, and a fight to the death?’

  Saska smiled, then began to laugh, and the effect transformed her features into something of rare beauty. ‘I like you.’

  ‘Well now,’ Michelle drawled. ‘That’s a bonus.’

  ‘In fact,’ Saska deliberated. ‘I think you’d be very good for Nikos.’ The smile widened. ‘But then, so would 1. We share the same heritage, the same interests, the same friends. As much as I grieve for my dead husband, I have discovered I do not like being alone. Do we understand one another?’

  ‘Yes. But haven’t you neglected the most important factor?’
/>   Saska lifted a finely arched eyebrow. ‘I don’t think so.’

  ‘Nikos. The choice is his to make, don’t you think?’

  ‘Of course.’

  Confidence was a fine thing. ‘Now we’ve had this little chat,’ Michelle said evenly, ‘shall we rejoin the other guests?’

  ‘By all means.’

  The evening air was still, and although light, there was a hint of impending dusk as shadows began to lengthen. The water lost its deep blue and began to acquire a shade of grey as the colours lost their sharp intensity.

  Numerous garden lights sprang on, together with lit columns around the pool, illuminating the terrace and surrounding area.

  Nikos moved forward to meet them, and although his smile encompassed both women, his hand settled in the small of Michelle’s back for an instant before his fingers began a soothing movement up and down the indentations of her spine.

  It felt warm, electric, and did crazy things to her composure. A sensation that was heightened when he leaned towards her and brushed his lips close to her ear before proffering her a plate of food.

  It was then she caught sight of Jeremy, and her appetite became non-existent.

  ‘I thought you might be hungry.’

  - ‘Not really.’

  He picked up a savoury and held it temptingly close to her mouth. ‘Try this.’ When she shook her head, he took a small bite and offered her the rest.

  What was he doing, for heaven’s sake? She took the savoury from his fingers and ate it, then looked at him in exasperation when he followed it with another. ‘Isn’t this overkill?’

  ‘You could at least look as if you’re enjoying it.’ His voice was pure silk, and she retaliated by biting more deeply than necessary, caught his finger with her teeth as she intended, then managed to look incredibly contrite. ‘Oh darling, did I bite you? I’m so sorry.’

  ‘I think I’ll live.’

  ‘Perhaps you could get me a drink?’

  ‘Champagne?’

  She deliberated for all of five seconds. ‘Of course.’ Not a wise choice, but she’d sip it slowly for a while, then discard it in favour of mineral water.

  ‘Saska?’