‘I…Of course I was worried about you. You think I want you to drown?’
‘You came in to save me from drowning?’
‘Yes,’ he said grudgingly.
‘Why?’
Why? Her question rattled him. ‘That’s a stupid question. Is your opinion of me so low that you think I’d sit back and wait for your lifeless body to bob up to the surface?’ He cursed harshly in his native tongue.
‘I guess it was a stupid question. I’m sorry.’ She shrugged. ‘We’re not exactly friends, so I wouldn’t expect you to try to save me.’
Didn’t she understand that he’d merely acted with human decency? He’d do the same for anyone. It wasn’t that he was feeling protective, was it?
‘My mother drowned,’ he told her hoarsely.
He watched her features soften. ‘I’m so sorry.’
She reached out for him in a gesture of sympathy. Normally, he would have brushed away her hand and rejected her sympathy. The memories of his mother were usually locked away, but tonight they’d broken out from the deep vault in his mind.
Susan’s caring words reached out to him, curled around his heart like hot chocolate on a cold night. They flooded him with warmth, nurturing him.
Slowly, he pulled her against him. A tremor ran through him as he felt the length of her smooth, wet, naked body against his own. He’d wanted to save her from drowning, but now he wanted to drown in her.
The yearning in her eyes told him that the rapid pumping of her heart beat wasn’t just from the exertion of swimming. It felt like the most natural thing in the world to lower his head and take possession of her sweet lips.
She wrapped her arms up around him. He felt her hands stroke the texture of his skin and the contours of the muscles of his back. Her full breasts were squashed against his hair-roughened chest. Her mouth returned his kisses with an almost-innocent eagerness that drove him wild.
He wanted more.
Very gently, he urged her upper body away from his so he could access her breasts. He cupped their lushness in his large hands, teasing one nipple and then the other with his thumb and forefingers. Her skin was so soft.
She moaned against his mouth and wriggled herself against him, sending an acute surge of need along his erection.
His hands left her breasts, released his straining arousal from his briefs, and shifted to her waist. He lifted her up.
‘Wrap your legs around me,’ he urged.
She did as he requested, pushing his erect shaft hard against his stomach.
‘Not like that,’ he told her raggedly. Didn’t she know what he wanted?
He created enough room between them for his fingers to hone in on her sex. She gasped. He stroked her until her arms began to lose their grip around his shoulders, and he knew she was weak with longing.
He settled the tip of his manhood just outside of her entry.
‘Like this,’ he whispered huskily. His hands slid around to cup her buttocks, and he urged her forward against his tip. He’d gained a small degree of entry into her tightness when she stiffened, pulling her mouth away from his.
‘No!’
She was pushing against his shoulders.
‘What?’
‘I can’t do this!’
It took him a few seconds to compute what she was telling him.
‘I want you to stop, Alex!’
Disbelief overwhelmed him. No woman had ever told him ‘no’. He was used to hearing the words ‘yes’ and ‘more’. What did she mean, ‘no’? She wanted him just as much as he wanted her. She’d wanted him for years.
Her fists pummelled at his chest. He let her go, and the ache in his loins instantly intensified at the loss of contact.
Incredulously, he watched her make her way through the water away from him. He couldn’t let her go like that. Pulling his briefs back into place, he caught up to her at the water’s edge. He reached out and spun her around to face him.
‘What are you doing?’ he demanded.
She looked at him briefly. There were tears in her eyes, and her lips trembled.
His emotions felt like they were under siege — they’d been ambushed by an enemy he didn’t quite understand. His values in the midst of an earth tremor that was shaking their foundations to the core because he wanted to ignore her protests and make her his.
‘I’m sorry,’ she mumbled, her head lowered. ‘I didn’t mean to…’
His eyes narrowed. Again, he reached out and took her chin between his thumb and forefinger. ‘Look at me!’ A shiver racked her slender frame as she reluctantly met his gaze. She seemed embarrassed to be standing in front of him undressed. It didn’t gel.
‘You want me. Why the change of heart?’
‘I…’ she faltered, her hands making agitated little circles in the air.
‘You’re acting like a frightened virgin.’
‘No. I —’
‘You can cut the act, Susan. We both know you’re no innocent.’
‘Let me go!’
Fuming, he let her go. He strode toward his clothes. They were still scattered on the sand where he’d dropped them in his haste to rescue her.
‘Put this on.’ He thrust his shirt at her, then pulled his trousers on with savage movements.
‘What are you playing at?’ he demanded, turning back to her as she fumbled with the buttons of his shirt.
Never mind, Susan, his conscience criticised. How do I explain my own actions? What was I thinking?
He wasn’t thinking — that was the problem. He was feeling. That was the second most stupid thing he’d done in his life. Not since Christina had he lost control of himself with a woman, and to want to have sex with Susan was certifiable behaviour. To nearly have unprotected sex with her? Sheer lunacy. He didn’t trust himself near her.
‘I’m flying to Athens today,’ he decided aloud. ‘I’ll be away for a couple of days.’
She nodded without looking at him.
‘Damn it!’ He felt his control slipping away again. ‘I can’t work you out,’ he admitted. ‘Just who the hell are you?’
Leah’s fingers stilled at the buttonhole between her breasts.
Does he know I’m an impostor?
How could he not know? She’d responded to him with wild abandonment, then backed off at the crucial moment due to her inexperience. Susie would never do that; her twin was both confident and experienced.
‘You scared me!’ she said, lying in her desperation. ‘I wasn’t thinking straight. In the moonlight, you looked like Spiros.’
His broad muscular frame stiffened. Heat blazed from his eyes like lasers in the night.
‘You weren’t thinking of my brother. You responded to me.’
She’d been overcome by her physical response to him, but now she was back in control of her body and her mind. Not only was he her enemy, he was married.
‘Who were you responding to, Alex? Your wife?’
His head jerked back as though she’d slapped him in the face.
‘I know you’re married. You’ve got a nerve, criticising my morals when you’re prepared to cheat on your wife.’
‘I never cheated on my wife. Not ever.’
‘What do you call just now?’
The fury etched into his features made her take a step backward. His hands were tightly clasped, as though he was resisting the urge to wring her neck. Every instinct she had screamed at her to run. Then he turned away from her and began walking back along the beach toward the house.
Oddly, she felt deflated. She didn’t expect to be let off the hook so easily. But what could he say? He couldn’t attack her. His own actions were indefensible.
Reluctantly, she trudged after him but made sure she kept a safe distance.
He didn’t turn to see if she followed him.
Just as well. He’d ignited her libido into a raging inferno, and now every one of her cells was screaming in frustration. She was so close to discovering the joys of sex.
; But that was the problem — it was just sex. It wouldn’t be difficult for her to find someone to have sex with, but she wanted and needed for it to be meaningful. That’s why she hadn’t lost her virginity. And that’s why she’d stopped Alex, even while her body was clamouring for him.
Alex was married, and she could never have an affair with a married man. Besides, it would be Susie he was making love to, not her. Leah might be pretending to be her famous sister, but she’d never be her substitute.
Early the next morning, Leah was awakened by Soula the housekeeper, who carried a tray full of fresh fruit and yoghurt. As Leah sat down to eat her breakfast, she heard a knock on the door. Probably Anna coming to do her observations.
‘Come in!’
Alex was dressed in a dark grey business suit that set off his bronzed skin and raven black hair to perfection. Her insides turned to mush.
‘I have news of your attackers, Susan.’
He’s still calling me Susan. She gave an inward sigh of relief.
‘The men who tried to capture you were ordered to take you to Sergio Comelli.’
Was she supposed to know who that was? She schooled her features into an impassive mask.
‘You don’t look surprised. You must have known all this time who was after you,’ he accused.
She neither confirmed nor denied his words. How could she?
‘I’ve spoken with Comelli,’ he continued.
‘Friend of yours, is he?’
‘Don’t get cute, Susan. Spiros still hasn’t shown up, and I’m worried about him. Comelli swears he has no business with my brother. His only interest was in recovering the money you owed him.’
‘Money?’ I was attacked over money?
When Alex told her how much Susie owed Comelli, Leah had trouble computing the amount. ‘Did he mention what the money was for?’
‘Oh, come off it. He didn’t have to tell me. I know you’re into drugs, and everyone knows the Comelli family are drug barons.’
Fear twisted her insides tight. Just how dangerous was the Comelli family? It was what she’d suspected, but it still shocked her. Especially the amount of money her twin owed. Susie made an incredible amount of money, but she spent it as fast as it was earned. Did she have the money to pay that kind of debt? ‘What happens now? Have you decided to hand me over to him?’
Alex walked over to the window and stared out. ‘No.’
‘Does Comelli know you’ve got me?’
‘Yes.’
She stood up, impatient for answers. ‘Damn it, Alex! Tell me what’s he planning?’
‘Nothing.’ He turned back to her. ‘I’ve agreed to settle your debt.’
‘What?’
‘I think you heard me.’
‘Yes, but…’ Her hands moved expressively, relaying her confusion. ‘Why would you do that?’
‘Sergio’s agreed to put the word out that no more drugs are to be distributed your way. You’ll repay me the money and agree not to come between Spiros and Elena.’
‘I can’t do that.’
‘You don’t have the money?’
‘Yes. No. Well —’
‘You don’t have to pay me immediately.’
‘It’s not the money, Alex.’ At least, she hoped repaying it wouldn’t be a problem for her sister.
His tone was impatient. ‘What’s the problem?’
She began pacing the floor, then stopped. ‘I can’t agree to stay away from Spiros.’
‘Hell,’ he thundered, ‘don’t continue to pretend you love him.’
She broke eye contact with Alex. How was she going to assure him that Susie would stay away from Spiros? She chewed on her lower lip in agitation. Would one more lie make things any worse?
‘I’m leaving for Athens. You’ll sign a document prepared by my lawyers declaring you’ll stay away from Spiros.’
‘I —’
‘You won’t leave here until you do.’
‘You can’t expect me to stay here indefinitely. I have a life, you know.’
‘You have a life without Spiros, or you don’t get to choose how you live your life.’
‘You’re leaving me here. What am I supposed to do?’
‘Sign the document. Recover from your addiction. Spend some time re-assessing your life.’
‘You may as well throw me in a dungeon!’ she protested.
‘Don’t be such a child. Staying on this island can hardly be compared to being thrown into a dungeon.’
‘I’ve got nothing to do. Nobody to talk to.’ Her fists balled at her sides.
‘You want me to stay.’
‘No, I don’t!’ What she wanted was to punch him. ‘I’ll go nuts if I stay here,’ she said, fighting back the tears. ‘I feel like Medusa. I don’t know what you’ve told your staff, but Soula hardly made eye contact with me this morning when she brought me my breakfast. I think she’s afraid she’ll turn to stone if she looks at me.’
His lips twitched in amusement, but then he grew serious. ‘She’s worried about what you’re doing to Spiros.’
‘You told me you were capable of compassion. Please let me go,’ she pleaded.
‘Stop feeling sorry for yourself. I’ll organise a drug counsellor for you.’
‘I don’t need a counsellor.’ Tears of frustration spilled out of her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. ‘Oh, just get out!’
‘Sort yourself out, Susan.’
When she pulled herself together and looked up, he was gone. She’d never felt lonelier, or more confused. He’d paid her sister’s debt, ending whatever danger Susie faced from the drug baron and making it harder for her to access her drugs. He was giving her every opportunity to sort her life out. Why? Was it just to get her to stay away from Spiros, or was there a more personal reason? His own attraction to Susie?
A light tap on the door pulled her away from her thoughts.
‘Good morning, Miss Hamlin.’
‘Hello, Anna.’
‘I’ve come to do your observations. Then, if you’re up to it, I’ve been asked to show you around the villa and grounds.’
‘I’d like that,’ she replied. She really would go nuts if she didn’t find some way to occupy her time. It could be ages before Spiros and Susie figured out what had happened to her. Leah was thankful that her captor had thought to ask Anna to do this.
The nurse checked her temperature. ‘How are you?’
‘You’ll find me as fit as a fiddle. These checks are a waste of time.’
‘I’m under instructions.’
She raised her eyes heavenward. ‘Right. He who must be obeyed.’
Anna smiled. ‘He’s a wonderful man. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him as worried as he was when he was waiting for you to regain consciousness.’
‘Not even when his wife was ill?’ The words burst from her lips unchecked.
Anna looked uncomfortable as she wrapped the cuff of the blood pressure device around Leah’s arm. ‘No.’
That surprised Leah. She really wanted to know more about Alex’s relationship with his wife.
‘I haven’t met Christina. Does she live in Athens?’
Anna stopped and looked up. ‘No, Miss Hamlin. She died.’
‘Oh!’ A strange cocktail of emotions fizzed through her. She’d accused Alex of being unfaithful. Why hadn’t he told her that his wife was dead? Had he remarried?
‘How did she die?’
‘I wouldn’t normally talk about my patients, but everyone in Greece knows.’ Anna pumped the cuff full of air and refocused on her task, observing the readings as she let the air out.
I don’t know, Leah wanted to shout. Tell me!
‘Kiria Kristidis was an alcoholic.’
Leah felt her eyes widen. The beautiful, sophisticated woman she pictured in her imagination was an alcoholic? She couldn’t imagine Alex falling for anyone less than perfect. It must’ve been an arranged marriage.
‘Did Alex know? I mean, of course he knew. I just can’t
imagine him being married to an alcoholic.’
‘I think it came as a shock. From what I understand, he tried to help her, but she got really good at hiding it. He removed every bottle of alcohol from the house, so she started drinking vanilla essence.’
‘Vanilla essence?’
‘Mmm,’ she took Leah’s pulse. ‘It has a very high alcohol content but doesn’t leave you smelling of alcohol.’
‘I didn’t know.’
‘Neither did Kirie Kristidis. They found out only when it was too late. Eventually, her liver gave out. She drank herself to death.’
‘That’s horrible.’ Leah’s heart went out to Alex. He knew about the lethal effects of substance abuse, so it was no wonder he was going to such lengths to keep Spiros from marrying a drug addict. ‘He must’ve been devastated.’
‘I shouldn’t say for I really don’t know, but it was so hard on him and his wife that I think, in the end, he must have been relieved.’
‘It would’ve been awful for him to watch her deteriorate.’
‘It wasn’t pretty.’
‘So, he really loved her? It wasn’t an arranged marriage?’
Anna packed away her equipment. ‘I’ve heard he loved her so much that he married against his father’s wishes.’
‘Oh!’ It seemed almost like a Greek tragedy. It explained why he wanted to give Susie every opportunity to clean up her act. Maybe in his own mind he needed some form of redemption, a chance to do things right for someone in a similar situation.
Despite Susie’s claims, this wasn’t just about business for Alex. Leah felt intuitively that he was acting out of love for his brother. He wouldn’t want Spiros to suffer the same despair of watching someone he cared for spiral hopelessly into the black hole of their addiction. Although she respected Alex’s concerns, it didn’t justify him kidnapping the woman his brother loved.
‘Has he remarried?’ She asked the question, then held her breath.
‘No.’
Alex was single! The steady beating of Leah’s heart went haywire. She couldn’t suppress her happiness. Knowing that her joy at the news must be revealed in her expression, she turned away from Anna and said, ‘I’ll grab my shoes, then you can give me a tour.’
Alex’s home was palatial. Leah gasped in delight as Anna showed her around the three main wings that made up the home. Although it was huge and opulent, the richness was understated and the atmosphere was warm. The indoor pool, gymnasium, and extensive library interested her most.
Mistaken Identity Page 6
