by Marie Kelly
As she sat there deep in thought, Maria had entered the room carrying a large plate full of toast
“What would you like for your breakfast Lee” she asked in a friendly tone
Lee had smiled back “Toast is fine for me thanks” she said rising to take the plate from the woman.
“You want to join me Maria” she asked softly “I feel a bit out of place here, not quite sure what to do”
The older woman had smiled approvingly “You should never be afraid to ask Lee”
As they sat drinking tea together and eating the delicious toast Maria had prepared, the woman had told her about the household daily routine. She had explained the times they usually had dinner and Lee had found the advice the woman had given invaluable. Finally Maria had asked Lee if she had wanted a guided tour of the place, laughing at the younger woman’s look of relief.
“Oh thank you Maria…I swear that I haven’t a clue where I am in this place…it’s so big”
They had then spent an hour going through the different rooms, with Maria explaining about the history of each. Lee had enjoyed the morning and thanked her with real sincerity when she had returned to her chores, offering to help if she could.
Maria had looked at her with surprise
“You are not like normal women he brings….you I think are nice girl”
Lee had looked sadly at the woman thinking how differently her employer regarded her.
Yanis had phoned her just after 9 informing her that his car would be there in ten minutes to bring her to him where they would sign the paperwork. She had just had time to shout a farewell to Maria before the car as promised had appeared, quickly whisking her off to one of the many large buildings in the city.
If the lawyer had seemed surprised at the contents of the document then he certainly did not show it as she had carefully taken her time to read through the papers to ensure that they truly reflected their previous day’s conversation, ignoring how Yanis had stood impatiently over her, fully aware of the pent up maleness of him as he hovered over her. Finally she had signed it as had he
As the lawyer had left he had lifted his jacket from the back of his seat. Lee trying not to notice how much his closeness was still affecting her, as his heady scent invaded her senses once again, making her want to close her eyes with the sudden sensations of pleasure which filled her. She had watched his strong chiselled face as he had read through a list of those who had called him that morning, his face frowning in concentration, as he had spoken with his secretary, quickly giving her instructions as to what to do for the rest of the day, before he had looked over at Lee with those dark eyes which once again had sent shivers skating down her back. She had flushed as he had caught her staring at him, her mind wondering what it would be like to run her fingers through his glossy hair, irritated by the way he had smiled with a look of understanding, making her even more annoyed with herself.
“Good now we can go and choose you a ring, which you will wear tonight and by tomorrow the whole world, will know we are engaged” he said softly
Yanis had organised for them to be shown rings in private at an exclusive jewellers, and despite knowing that it was all a farce Lee had taken her time, trying on ring after ring, before choosing the one which she fell in love with instantly on seeing it. A perfect solitaire, it was not by any means the biggest diamond, but it sat perfectly on her finger and she had smiled sadly wondering if she had said yes straight away to David if she would be wearing the same ring that day for real. Yanis had kissed her hand, leaning in gently to kiss her lips as she made her selection, much to the delight of the jewellers who smiled happily at the couple. While she knew that he did this for their benefit, Lee had felt her body respond as his lips had taken hers, feeling the colour rise at the way her body once again reacted to his touch
The jeweller had promised that the ring would be resized and ready that evening for her to wear to the theatre and they had left. Outside at the entrance to the jewellers he had surprised her when he had suddenly grabbed her, pulling her into his arms and kissing her passionately. As his arms had pulled her hard against him, she had not been able to stop her own from winding around his neck, mortified at her automatic response to him, feeling how her lips had moved against his, her body melding against him with such willingness.
“Smile for the camera” he said against her ear as he had kissed her again. Lee had only been vaguely aware of the camera flash as he had pulled away from her, the surprise still reflected in her eyes as she had seen the light within his.
“Go see your friend Lee” he said gently, huskily “Then I will meet you back home tonight” he added before placing her into the car which had appeared once more beside them.
Lying back against the soft leather interior of the car she had closed her eyes, realising how real it all had suddenly got. Seeing the ring on her finger had scared Lee, as she realised what a sham the whole thing was. It also saddened her, mocking her for her previous relationship. Yanis seemed to think that she would enjoy the attention, but Lee had never enjoyed being the centre of attention and with a sigh she had moved out of the car to see Mrs Green, who had been delighted to see her so early, and who had commented on how wonderful she looked.
She had prepared dinner for the woman before sitting with her enjoying a cup of tea as they had chatted. Finally, and with a heavy heart, it had been time to leave and she had once more found herself being chauffeured back to the house, her mind still spinning with the memory of how quickly she had melded against him that morning, her soft lips groaning at the way she was unable to stop herself from reacting to him, confused as to why this should be. Yanis had been waiting for her, and had not even allowed her to leave the car before slipping in beside her and directing the car to take them to the hospital, his deep voice low and clipped. He had been angry that she had taken so long to come back to the house knowing that they had theatre plans, his face dark with that anger as he had glowered down on her, making her raise her own chin in a defiant show of bravery.
They had not stayed long at the hospital as there was very little change in Jim’s condition. Lee had talked gently to him telling him about her tea with Mrs Green, careful even in his condition not to mention anything going on with Yanis. On the way back to the house he had looked at her
“Why did you not say anything about us to Jim?”
Lee had bitten her lip as she looked down at her hands clasped tightly together on her lap. After several seconds she had replied
“Because it is like a bad dream to me”
“Well here’s something that might make it seem a little more real” he said throwing a small box into her clasped hands
“Put it on”
Slowly Lee had opened the box which held the ring she had chosen earlier that day. Pulling it from its black velvet cushion she had slid it on, as he had lifted her hand to admire how it looked on her small finger
“Beautiful” he said softly, noticing how her eyes avoided looking at the ring which sparkling so brightly on her hand. With a small chuckle he had said
“Poor Lee, perhaps if you are a good girl I will let you keep the ring”
She had turned on him abruptly her eyes flashing greenly with anger
“I don’t want anything from you Yanis Demitri” she spat at him “Only your disappearance from my life” before she had turned away from him to stare sightlessly out of the window.
“Mmmm I like a woman with fire” he said softly as his hands had pulled her around to face him “I wonder if you have the same passion in bed” he said his eyes exploring her face before moving down to openly stare at her lovely body, his gaze appreciative as she had stayed still in his hold
“It will be interesting to find out I think” he said his dark eyes holding her there like a rabbit caught in the headlights unable to move as they had so slowly travelled over her whole body, not missing any of her, as he seemed to undress her so seductively with his eyes.
“N.n..no�
He had laughed gently “Lee, you and I will become lovers that I promise you… I think I deserve at least that for my trouble” he said as the car had reached the house and he had moved from it before she could say anything else.
CHAPTER THREE
Lee had moved quickly up the stairs to her room her mind panicking at his declaration. While her head knew that there was no way she would ever sleep with this man who held her in such contempt, every time she was near him her body would betray her with the fierce attraction she felt for him. Groaning she had set the shower to its full force punishing her bodies betrayal with the jets of water.
She had taken her time to get ready making sure that her hair was pulled up into a soft bun, as they had shown her how to do at the salon, which as well as giving her height, also showed off the graceful curve of her long neck. She had then pulled on the silvery blue cocktail dress which had been selected for the evening. Plunging at the back, it had showed off her wonderful figure to its best. A halter neck had secured it at the back with a glittering diamond pin before it opened up at the front, showing her perfect cleavage. Lee had been nervous wearing such a revealing dress, feeling very self-aware at the way it showed off so much of her body. However, she was only playing a part she had told herself as she moved down the stairs to meet him. He was waiting for her at the bottom pacing backwards and forwards like a caged panther muttering with annoyance, checking his watch. She had watched him shyly, seeing how handsome and devastatingly sexy he looked in his tuxedo, once more feeling as her heart had missed a beat as she had felt how her body had again reacted to him. However, as he saw her moving down towards him he had froze, staring at her with a look of complete disbelief.
“Am I OK” she asked with concern seeing the shocked look on his face
He had frowned at her his look full of sudden annoyance, while his eyes held a fire within them
“You look fine” he muttered, frowning before turning from her and making for the door.
Lee had been confused, not sure what she had done to annoy him so much. Looking at the clock on the wall she could see that she was a few minutes late, but nothing to warrant such annoyance. With a soft sigh she had followed him out to the car.
“What will I say if people start to ask me about how we met” she asked breaking the silence between them in the car.
He had looked over at her for the first time his face thoughtful
“Tell them the truth…we met at a sick friends bedside” he said “It will I imagine make for a very nice story”
She had then sat back quietly for the rest of the journey, her eyes desperately avoiding making any contact with the man who was causing such disruption to her whole body with his musky smell and proud sensual closeness. When they finally reached the theatre, she had gasped not realising that they were attending a premier for a new blockbuster. She had watched as the stars of the film, all familiar faces to her had walked up the carpet to the flashing of many camera lights. As they had walked up hand in hand, one of the interviewers had cried out in delight spotting the ring on her finger as she had pointed excitedly to others. Soon the word had gotten around all of the photographers, as she had found herself being snapped from all angles.
While her first instinct had been to move faster to escape the many questions being shouted at her, he had held her beside him as he had moved slowly smiling at her reassuringly as she had flinched at the bright flashing lights, her eyes full of such a fear which had surprised him, as had the instinct to protect her which had overcome him at seeing her so vulnerable.
As they had finally made it into the theatre they had taken their seats as she had fought hard to bring her breathing back under control. Lee couldn’t remember the film, her heart still beating wildly at what had happened. At the finish the audience had clapped appreciatively and moved out to the foyer, which had been converted into a meeting area, where a string quartet played in one corner, while waiters moved around the room dispensing drinks to the many well dressed people now milling around talking.
Yanis had held her close to him, as she met his many colleagues, all surprised and delighted as he introduced her as his fiancée. She had smiled and gently answered the many questions asked of her from the many different faces she had met, her whole being on auto pilot, as he worked his way around the room, towing her with him.
Lee had stood by his side as the many gorgeous women had looked at her in stunned surprise, many still giving him looks which promised much. He had smiled mischievously at her
“Well Cara, perhaps you should hold my hand before I am swept into one of these tempting oceans” he had chuckled
Lee had looked sweetly up at him
“Sorry, Yanis – I don’t do jealousy” she said softly “and besides I get the impression that you’ve already swam in most of these oceans”
He had laughed at her clever come back, pulling her closer to him to drop a kiss onto her lips, causing her heart to once again start beating so wildly in her chest.
“Mmmm, never hurts to advertise” he said as many around them had looked on smiling at the young couple.
As the night ended they had once more returned to the house in the sumptuous comfort of the limousine.
“Yanis” she said softly her eyes troubled, as he had looked quickly over at her
“I need to call my brother - He doesn’t deserve to find out about this when he opens his paper in the morning” she had said softly as it had finally dawned on Lee just what a big news story his engagement would be, becoming worried that her brother would be upset by not finding out first hand from her
With a small nod he had thoughtfully looked at her
“Why not invite him over tomorrow, it would be strange if my future wife had not introduced me to her family” he said softly
Lee bit her lip gently “OK” she had nodded, before sitting back to watch the town disappear behind them, unaware of how he watched her.
Back at the house, despite the lateness of the time, Lee had placed a call to her brother, who had answered, his voice sleepy. On hearing her he had awoken quickly
“Lee, is everything OK” he had asked with worry in his voice, concerned that his sister never called at that time of morning
“Everything’s fine Peter” she said with a small laugh
Yanis watched as her face had softened talking to her brother
“I just wanted to let you know something before you found out about it in the papers she said”
He could hear the sound of a voice unable to make out the words, before she had laughed gently
“No, I’m not in any trouble….why would you think that” she added in a sisterly annoyed voice which made him smile.
“I want to let you know that I just got engaged….. well you might know him” he heard her add in answer to a question from the other person on the line
“Yanis Demitri” she had said, followed by “no I’m not kidding…” Yanis had to stifle the urge to laugh as she had continued with an irritated sigh
“Peter, I’m not kidding….and we want you to come over here tomorrow for lunch” she had looked over at him for confirmation that lunch would be fine, which he had nodded at.
As she had rang of, informing her brother that a car would collect him the following day, Lee had looked over at Yanis
“Well Peter is very happy for us, however, I am sure he will be just as happy when we split up” she added “at least he will be when he actually meets you”
“Wow, aren’t you the prickly one” Yanis had said with a small grin, which she had frowned at not enjoying knowing that he was playing with her again
“I don’t like lying to my brother Mr Demitri” she said stiffly as she had moved towards the stairs
He had chuckled behind her “If it is any consolation, Miss Andrews” he said in mimicry of her formality
“You did well tonight, and you look beautiful”
Lee had raised an eyebrow pausing on the first step
“Oh… I thought I just looked fine” she said haughtily throwing his earlier words back at him
He laughed gently
“What is it with you Lee…why is it so hard for you to take a compliment?”
“Because” she said icily “You are so bad at giving them”
She had gritted her teeth once more as he had laughed softly behind her
“Are we always going to be at each other like this” he asked softly
Lee had looked stonily back at him
“I guess you should have put it in your contract that I was expected to agree with everything you say and not argue back”
He had chuckled seeming to almost be enjoying the exchange between them
“I’ll bear that in mind for the next time” he said before moving up to join her on the stairs
“Let me take you to your room madam” he said mockingly
“I can find my own way thank you” she said before storming up the stairs and moving into her room without as much as a backwards glance
Yanis Demitri had watched the young woman, with a strange look on his face as she had disappeared into her room before he moved into his, pulling the tie from around his neck as he went.
The next morning, as she had once again woken up early, Lee had showered before dressing and moving down the stairs. As the previous day Yanis was finishing his breakfast and on seeing her he had smiled
“Good morning, cara” he said his tone sarcastic “sleep well, or are you feeling lonely yet”
Lee had scowled at him, before once again sitting down opposite him and helping herself to a cup of tea.
He had laughed even more before becoming suddenly serious, holding her gaze.
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