A Kiss From Satan

by Anne Hampson

  ANNE HAMPSON

  a kiss from satan

  "Place your hand on a woman's heart and she's yours instantly," said the arrogant Greek Julius Spiridon, who was certainly devastating enough to know what he was talking about.

  But Gale Davis was not just any woman, she had been hurt and embittered after being cruelly let down by the man she loved, and had vowed never to let a man touch her heart again. She was absolutely determined to fight the attraction she so unwillingly felt for Julius; it was, after all, only physical attraction she felt for him, not real love, so it ought to be easy enough to control.

  Only it wasn't. Gradually Gale found herself being drawn into a situation she had never wanted but couldn't get out of. Was this man too going to break her heart?

  CHAPTER ONE

  The gardens of Lime Cottage, a rambling old house of character set amid three acres of matured woodland, were subtly illuminated by lamps fixed under the eaves and by fairy lights hung in the trees. All along one edge of the wide sweeping lawn a thick belt of Scots pines towered to the dark sky; under these trees charcoal fires burned brightly and eager helpers cooked lamb cutlets and sausages and joints of chicken.

  The barbecue was being held in place of the customary Senate dinner, and in addition to the members of the Senate, numerous other guests had been invited, bringing the total up to over a hundred. Gale Davis was there, her father being a lecturer at the university; Tricia Sims was there, looking deliriously happy because she was shortly to be married to Trevis Chard, who at present was with his uncle in Birmingham, learning the business of running a chain of supermarkets which he would one day inherit. Although Gale and Tricia were friends, Gale had not yet met Travis, and it now seemed she would not do so until the wedding. Also present at the barbecue was Julius Spiridon, here at the invitation of Professor Ingham, whose friend he had been since their student days. Julius, whose business was in tourism, made frequent visits to Britain and naturally he stayed with his old friend. At thirty-five he was still a bachelor — which was unusual for a Greek - and this was not the first occasion on which Gale had permitted herself a secret smile on beholding the admiring and hopeful glances of all the single women present. Tall and slim, with iron-grey hair, thick and slightly waved over a low and furrowed brow, Julius Spiridon was the most distinguished-looking man present at any function he happened to attend. Attractive he most certainly was, Gale had to admit, but the dark granite features, coupled with eyes as dark and hard as basalt itself, spelled a formidable personality, an inflexibility and complete lack of feeling. Gale was sure the man possessed a ruthlessness that was permanent and deep. Heaven help the woman who eventually married him, Gale had said to herself the moment she was introduced to him at a party a few months previously. He had returned to his own country a short while later, to his home on the lovely Aegean island of Patmos where he owned a large and ultramodern blue and white villa with magnificent views to the sea, so Gale had not been afforded an opportunity of widening her knowledge about him.

  He was dancing with Gale’s friend, Deborah Curtis, while Gale herself danced with her own brother who had come down from the north of England a few days previously, mainly to see his mother but also because of the invitation he had received to attend the barbecue. Watching Deborah, Gale had to smile. Poor Deb, who had fallen for the cold Greek despite the assurance of several well-meaning friends that, if Julius had any interest in women at all, it would be merely bound up in their transient value as diversions, slipped in hurriedly between his business duties.

  ‘What are you playing at with Robert Coles?’ Her brother’s voice brought Gale back from her interest in her friend and she glanced up at him from under incredibly long dark eyelashes.

  ‘Breaking his heart, I hope,’ she replied coolly, her

  eyes glinting suddenly.

  ‘You fool, Gale!’

  She laughed, and Edward frowned. For it was an ugly laugh that clashed harshly with the soft beauty of her face.

  ‘Not at all. I’m enjoying myself.’

  ‘Must you go on - taking it out of every other man just because of what Malcolm did to you?’

  ‘It isn’t only because of Malcolm; it’s my own private war on all men because none of them are any good.’

  ‘That’s a sweeping statement, and a damned stupid and unthinking one. Am I rotten, then?’

  ‘Not yet. But it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if you were to prove unfaithful to Anthea some time in the future.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Edward’s voice was clipped. ‘You’re a cynic, Gale, and a not very attractive one at that!’

  She gave a small sigh, but the hardness in her eyes remained. ‘At eighteen I was a little softie - trusting and—’ ‘Very sweet,’ came the swift interruption. ‘Now, at twenty-three, you’re a tough and thoroughly unlikeable young woman.’

  ‘Thank you, Edward,’ with a hint of tartness. ‘But other men don’t appear to think so.’

  ‘Other men who have not been attacked.’

  ‘Attacked? That’s a unique way of putting it!’

  ‘What sort of satisfaction do you derive from making men fall in love with you and then throwing them over?’

  ‘A great deal of satisfaction - and you needn’t look like that, Edward, all sorry for them, because if a woman doesn’t hurt a man then you can be sure he’ll hurt her. Look at Father, and the life Mother’s had with him. Look at him now - over there, flirting as usual. No wonder Mother prefers to stay at home; she naturally doesn’t want to sit and watch her husband giving all his attention to another woman, as Father invariably does. Just think of her, all on her own at home - reading a book or something.’

  ‘We both offered to stay in with her,’ reminded Edward. ‘But she wouldn’t hear of it.’

  ‘Simply because she can’t bear to spoil other people’s pleasure. You don’t for one moment believe she prefers to be alone, do you?’

  ‘She should have put her foot down long ago. Father wouldn’t be like this if she’d done so.’

  ‘Rubbish! Father’s a profligate and you know it. One woman isn’t enough for him - or for any man, it would seem.’

  ‘Thinking of Malcolm again,’ he stated on a note of irritation. ‘All right, he was unfaithful while being engaged to you, but you can’t put every other man on his level.’

  ‘What about Josie - my friend - who’s been married less than a year, and Mark running off' with another girl? Don’t defend your sex, Edward. Be honest and admit they’re untrustworthy to a man.’

  A deep sigh escaped him; he changed the subject abruptly, plainly anxious not to quarrel with his sister.

  ‘Our Greek friend seems to be affected by your beauty; he hasn’t taken his eyes off' you the whole evening.’

  ‘Indeed? I hadn’t noticed.’ But she had ... and it annoyed her to admit to being affected by this attention. Not once since the break with Malcolm five years ago had any man been able to arouse either her interest or her emotions. During the process of retaliation she had acquired an immunity - or so she had firmly believed. But the Greek was devastatingly masculine; he wore that particular air of authority that thrilled a woman even while she owned that it could very well lead to complete subjugation, since this was the Greek tradition. Man was master, woman his subordinate.

  ‘He’s also attracting as much feminine attention as ever,’ said Edward, ignoring her comment.

  ‘More than is good for his vanity,’ retorted Gale with an edge of contempt to her voice. ‘He could do with a set-down!’

  Edward laughed suddenly and said, eyeing his sister with a curious expression,

  ‘You’re not going to try anything out on him, I hope?’ Gale made no answer, because she was thoughtfully watching Julius, whose e
xpression was one of faint contempt as he glanced down into the starry eyes of his partner. There was no doubt that his opinion of women in general was low in the extreme. How inordinately satisfying it would be to have him fall in love ... and then callously throw him over! ‘Julius Spiridon’s a very different kettle of fish from all those others whose hearts you’ve set out to break,’ Edward was continuing. ‘I advise you to have a care, Gale.’

  Her attractively-arched brows lifted a fraction and a smile hovered on her lips.

  ‘I can take care of myself,’ she told him confidently. ‘Perhaps you’re right about his being different from the rest, though,’ she went on to concede. And then she added, as if forced to do so, ‘It would be fun to try out my charms on him all the same. He might just fall - it’s possible, I’m sure.’

  ‘One of these days,’ returned Edward not without a hint of malice, ‘you’re going to meet your match!’

  ‘It’s five years since Malcolm let me down,’ she reminded him with a subtle inflection which he was swift to discern.

  ‘You’re telling me you’ve escaped mishaps up till now? Well, that doesn’t signify that you can continue forever. I don’t know whether or not you’re serious about having fun with our Greek,’ he went on, ‘but if you take my advice you’ll drop the idea. He’s far too formidable; he’ll never go under in any battle, especially one involving a woman.’

  ‘Thanks for the warning, but it isn’t necessary. I can take care of myself.’

  ‘You’re altogether too confident,’ he almost snapped, swinging Gale towards the belt of pines where people were eating round the fires. ‘You’re also too proud of your achievements - and pride goes before a fall, remember.’

  Gale only laughed, a harsh laugh that brought another frown to her brother’s brow. His thoughts were not difficult to read. This was not the sister of their childhood. How could a girl so naive and gentle at the age of eighteen become the hard and cynical woman she was now, at twenty-three? That was what he was asking himself, and Gale bit her lip. Sometimes she herself regretted the change, wished she had not allowed herself to be affected in the way she had been affected, desiring only revenge, wanting only to see other men suffer. And they had suffered. There had been Stephen, who had fallen madly in love with her, as she had meant him to. She threw him over, immune to his pleadings. But his hurt could not have gone all that deep, for he was now married and he and his wife were expecting their first child. Then there was Michael, who actually threatened to do himself an injury. That had frightened her at the time and she had not bothered with anyone else for over a year. However, Michael was also married - which only went to prove that men never loved really deeply. Nevertheless, Gale still enjoyed making them suffer, even though the suffering was only temporary.

  Her eyes wandered once more to the tall arresting Greek. Yes,

  it would certainly be fun....

  ‘I’ve warned you.’ Edward’s voice, clear and precise, as he followed the direction of her gaze and seemed to guess what her thoughts were. ‘He isn’t only a charmer, he’s also a seducer — if gossip has any foundation — and it usually does have.’

  ‘If I do decide to - er - work on him,’ laughed Gale, ‘I promise I’ll take care. I’ll make sure I don’t find myself in a vulnerable position.’

  ‘And what do you term a vulnerable position?’ dryly from her brother as she stopped dancing and, taking her arm, led her over to where the food was being served.

  ‘The sort of position which might prove to be dangerous. He can scarcely seduce me in a crowd.’

  ‘I agree. But neither can you do very much in a crowd. If you’re bent on mischief you’ll have to be alone with him at times.’

  Gale said nothing, simply because she was herself beginning to see the impossibility of even becoming friendly with a man whose visits to England were of such short duration. The opportunities of meeting him occurred only when there was an occasion such as this, and so the idea faded out almost as soon as it was born.

  But a short while later Gale found herself seething, and once again wishing she could give the arrogant Greek the set-down he deserved. She had wandered off alone in the grounds, away from the crowd and the dancing and the smell of food frying or being turned on the spit. She found a seat in a little arbour at the end of a lonely path, and sat down, unaware, for the moment, that Julius and his friend were seated on the other side of the rose-hedge. Then she heard their voices, plainly, and edged with laughter. They were talking about women.

  ‘So completely without strength of character,’ Professor Ingham was saying. ‘Frivolous in the extreme — and so very easy to conquer.’

  ‘I agree — boringly easy. I’d prefer a fight myself, but place your hand on a woman’s heart and she’s yours instantly.’

  The two men laughed again, and Gale’s temper was such that the blood fairly pounded in her head. Never had she been in such a rage. ‘Place your hand on a woman’s heart and she’s yours instantly.’ What a hateful, arrogant and pompous creature! He ought to be tortured — slowly!

  Almost suffocated by her fury, Gale rose from her seat and silently made her way back to the music and the lights. Half an hour later Julius asked her to dance; she slid into his arms, but in a moment or two the waltz ended and they were dancing face to face but apart. She glanced up at him, fluttering her lashes and recalling what Edward had said about Julius being affected by her and not being able to take his eyes off her. If he were only slightly interested it was a good start, she thought, smiling her most charming smile and even herself being totally unaware of just how adorable she looked. The hardness no longer marred her features. The lovely contours of her face were clear and finely sculptured; her eyes were wide and innocent, her mouth quivering as if inviting a kiss. Julius’s own eyes kindled strangely; she noted a movement in his throat to look into her face. And then his gaze wandered to the lovely arch of her neck, and the pale gold hair falling to her shoulders. His eyes roved over her and she felt a hint of colour rise. He smiled, noting this and, even though the music had changed, he drew her into his arms and they walked away from everyone else, ending up a long way away, under a great spreading oak where all was dark but for the sprays of moonlight filtering through the branches of the tree.

  The music was faintly heard still, but suddenly it stopped. Julius retained his hold and Gale became intensely aware of the hardness of his body against hers, the gentle caressing movement of his hands as they came round from her back to settle on her waist. The moment was fraught with tension, no words being spoken, and with only the rustle of leaves to break the hush of night. Julius’s hands moved again and Gale averted her head, unwilling that he should see her expression as she waited for what was sure to come. ‘Place your hand on a woman’s heart....’ It was almost there when Gale twisted away, speaking lightly as she said,

  ‘Isn’t it a glorious evening? We’re very lucky that it kept fine for the barbecue. I expect that in your country you have no such

  anxieties about the weather?’

  He smiled, without humour, half turning from her.

  ‘We certainly are able to plan events such as this without worry, yes.’

  She raised her head, seeing him in profile, darkly in the sprinkled shafts of moonlight. The outline of his face was etched as if in stone; she noted the stern set jaw and aquiline nose, the low forehead, lined and aristocratic. The iron-grey colour of his hair certainly gave him an added distinction and she was aware of his incredible attractiveness.

  ‘Tell me about your country?’ she invited, undecided whether or not to try out her charms on him. He looked at her, then leant back against the trunk of the tree, resting his head against it.

  ‘You’ve never been to Greece?’ he asked and, as she shook her head, ‘You should make an effort to visit it, Gale. Everyone should visit my country. Athens is a must, of course, but the islands—’ He broke off and was silence for a space. ‘The islands are something rather special. You would never
regret having an island-hopping holiday.’

  ‘I’ve heard of this. What exactly does one do?’

  ‘Hop from one island to another.’ He smiled at her, this time with a hint of amusement in his dark eyes. ‘Not quite literally, as you know. The ferries are crossing all the time from one island to another. And the fares are ridiculously low; so are the hotels, so if you want to stay a few days you can. Then you get on a boat and go off' to another island.’

  ‘Are they all similar?’

  ‘Not all, no.’ Julius shook his head. ‘You get the Aegean islands having a similarity, then you find that the Ionian islands also have a similarity, and so on.’ ‘Tell me about your island. Patmos, isn’t it?’

  ‘That’s right. It’s the most northerly of the Dodecanese Islands, and also the smallest. It’s a volcanic island, of course, and many parts of it are barren. But it is a very beautiful island for all that, and the vegetation is in fact quite lush in parts.’

  Gale listened as he went on, watching his changing expression and secretly owning that he was the most attractive male she had ever met. All others she could have forgotten ten minutes after having left them, but Julius had lingered in her thoughts for a long while after they had said good-bye at the last party which they had both attended. There was a certain magnetic quality about him that seemed to draw even after he had departed. Gale recalled that she had been angry with herself in the end, and had made a determined effort to erase his image from her mind. She had succeeded ... but here he was again, affecting her once more, although in what particular kind of way she could not have explained. He was talking now about the olive trees and the citrus fruits which flourished in the grounds of his house; he spoke of the view over the sea, and he spoke of other islands close by, which could easily be reached from Patmos.

  ‘You must come,’ he said again. ‘Patmos is an island you’ll never forget, once you have visited it.’

  ‘It sounds wonderful.’ Hitherto Gale had injected a cool note in her tone, but now it was absent and her voice had taken on a gentle quality unknown to Gale but certainly noticed by her companion, who looked fully into her face, taking in the lovely contours once more and seeming at the same time to be making a mental assessment. She thought of his bid to ‘place a hand on her heart’ and wondered how she would have fared had he not allowed her so easy a retreat.