The Helen Bianchin Collection (Mills & Boon E-Book Collections) (112 page)

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Authors: Helen Bianchin

Tags: #Fiction, #Romance, #Erotica, #Collections & Anthologies, #Contemporary Women, #General

BOOK: The Helen Bianchin Collection (Mills & Boon E-Book Collections)
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‘I'll serve the main course.'
Michelle heard Antonia's words, and watched absently
as the hired help cleared plates and cutlery and replaced them.
‘Some more wine, Nikos?'
Emerson, ever the genial host, merely warranted the briefest glance. ‘Thank you, no.' He returned his attention to Michelle. ‘I haven't the need for further stimulation.'
This was getting out of hand. It was also gaining the interest of everyone seated at the table.
Chicken in a lemon sauce accompanied by a selection of braised vegetables did little to tempt Michelle's flagging appetite, and she sampled a few mouthfuls of chicken, took a delicate bite of each vegetable, then set down her cutlery.
Water, not wine, was something she sipped at infrequent intervals as she wished fervently for the evening to end.
Yet there was dessert and the cheeseboard to complete the meal, followed by coffee. It would be at least another hour before she could make some excuse to leave.
Jeremy leaned towards her and placed an arm along the back of her chair.
‘Tell me, darling.' His voice was a conspiratorial murmur. ‘Is he incredibly physical in bed?'
She didn't deign to answer, and deliberately avoided glancing in Nikos' direction as she conversed with the guest seated next to her. Afterwards she had little recollection of the topic or her contribution.
Dessert was an exotic creation of baklava, together with fresh fruit and brandied cream.
Michelle passed on both, and selected a few grapes to freshen her palate.
‘Shall we adjourn to the lounge for coffee?' Antonia queried when it appeared everyone had had their fill.
They were the sweetest words Michelle had heard in hours, and she subdued her enthusiasm as she stood to her feet and joined her parents.
Chantelle Gerard cast her daughter a thoughtful glance. ‘I had no idea you knew Nikos Alessandros.'
Money was important. Breeding, equally so. The Bateson-Burrows possessed both. But the Alessandros' fortune couldn't be ignored.
Michelle could almost see the wheels turning in her mother's brain. ‘I intend leaving very soon.'
‘You're going on somewhere with Jeremy, darling? '
‘No.'
‘I see,' Chantelle voiced sagely. ‘We'll talk in the morning.'
‘Believe me,
Maman,
there is absolutely nothing to tell,' Michelle assured with an edge of mockery, watching as her mother lifted one eyebrow in silent chastisement. ‘Nothing,' she added quietly.
Twenty questions at dawn wasn't her favoured way to begin the day. However, Chantelle was well-practised in the art of subtle manipulation, and Michelle was able to interpret every nuance in her mother's voice.
‘We can easily give you a lift home if you're prepared to wait awhile.'
She should have brought her own car. Except
Jeremy had insisted he collect her. Not a wise move, she decided wryly in retrospect.
The mild headache she'd thought to invent was no longer a figment of her imagination. And Jeremy was fast becoming a nuisance. Her apartment was less than a kilometre away, a distance she'd entertain no qualms in walking during the day. However, the night hours provided a totally different context for a woman alone.
‘I'll call a taxi.'
Antonia offered a superb blend of coffee, together with liqueur, cream, milk, exotic bite-sized continental biscuits and a variety of Belgian chocolates.
Michelle added milk and sugar, and sipped it as quickly as etiquette allowed. Placing her cup and saucer down onto a nearby side-table, she turned towards her hosts, and her stomach executed a slow somersault as she discovered Antonia and Emerson deep in conversation with Nikos Alessandros.
Just pin a smile on your face, thank them for a pleasant evening, and then exit the room. Two or three minutes, five at the most.
Almost as if he sensed her hesitation, Nikos lifted his head and watched her approach.
Jeremy appeared at her side and draped an arm over her shoulder. His hand lingered a hair's-breadth from her breast, and she stepped sideways in an effort to avoid the familiarity, only to have Jeremy's hand close firmly over her arm.
‘Finished doing the duty thing with your parents?'
She took exception to his tone, and his manner. ‘I don't regard talking to my parents as a duty.'
‘You obviously don't suffer parental suffocation as a result of being the only child,' he alluded cynically.
‘No,' she responded evenly.
‘Ready to leave?' Nikos queried smoothly as she joined Jeremy's parents. ‘If you'll excuse us,' Nikos announced imperturbably to his hosts. ‘Michelle and I have some catching up to do.' He caught hold of her hand and drew her forward, inclined his head towards a startled Jeremy, then led her from the lounge.
‘What do you think you're doing?' she hissed as soon as they reached the foyer.
‘Providing you with a lift to your apartment.'
‘Michelle.' Jeremy drew level with them. ‘
I'll
take you home.'
She felt like hitting each of them. One for being overly possessive and childishly jealous. The Greek for his arrogance.
‘There's no need to leave your parents' guests,' Nikos intoned pleasantly. ‘Michelle's apartment building is almost opposite my own.'
How did he know that?
‘She's
my
girlfriend,' Jeremy reiterated fiercely as he turned towards her.
This was getting worse by the second.
‘Michelle?' Nikos' voice was silk-encased steel.
Jeremy's hand closed over her shoulder, as if staking a claim. ‘Damn you,
tell him
.'
‘There's nothing to tell,' she assured quietly, and winced as Jeremy's hold tightened.
‘I don't think so, my friend,' Nikos drawled with
dangerous softness, and Jeremy turned towards him with emboldened belligerence.
‘This is none of your business!'
‘I disagree.'
‘Why would you do that?'
‘Because Michelle is with me.'
‘Damned if she is!' Jeremy's face contorted with fury.
‘You want proof?' Nikos demanded silkily.
Michelle didn't get the chance to say a word in protest as Nikos drew her into his arms and covered her mouth with his own.
Possessive and frankly sensual, he took advantage of her surprise to taste and plunder at will, then before she could protest he gathered her close and turned the kiss into something incredibly erotic.
Her heart jumped, then raced to a quickened beat as one hand slid to hold fast her nape while the other cupped her bottom and brought her into startling contact with hard male arousal.
Each and every one of her senses intensified as he sought her response.
Passion...electric, magnetic,
shameless,
it tore through all the conventional barriers to a primitive base that was wholly sexual.
It was as if an instinctive knowledge existed between them, she registered dimly. Something that sanctioned the way his mouth wreaked havoc with her own.
She was supremely aware of him, everything about him. The faint layers of texture and smell heightened
her senses...the subtle tang of his cologne, the texture of his skin, the fine fabric of his clothing.
There was a part of her that wanted to travel with him wherever this sensual path might lead, while the sensible
sane
part registered alarm.
With a groan of disgust she dragged her mouth away. Her breathing was ragged, and for the space of a few seconds she had no knowledge of where she was. There was only the man, and a mesmeric helpless hunger.
‘What in hell do you think you're doing?'
Jeremy's voice seemed to come from a distance, and she struggled to focus on the immediate present.
‘Right now, taking Michelle home,' Nikos declared with deceptive mildness. Without missing a beat he lifted one eyebrow in silent query. ‘Michelle?'
Dammit, his breathing was even, steady, while hers seemed as wild and ragged as her heartbeat.
‘Walk away from me,' Jeremy warned. ‘And I won't have you back.'
She registered Jeremy's rage and felt vaguely sickened. ‘You never
had
me in the first place.'
The sound of voices and the appearance in the foyer of two other guests had a diffusing effect, and Jeremy's expression underwent an abrupt change from anger to affability.
‘Let's get the hell out of here,' Nikos instructed quietly, taking hold of her arm.
He led her down the few steps to the driveway, and she made a futile effort to wrench her arm free from his grasp as they drew abreast of a large BMW.
‘Don't,' he warned silkily. ‘You'll only hurt yourself.'
It was difficult to determine his expression in the dim half-light as he withdrew a set of keys, unlocked the door, then handed them to her. ‘Drive, if it will make you feel safer to be with me.'
The soft crunch of gravel as footsteps approached intruded, and she stood stiffly as they drew close.
‘Goodnight, Michelle. Nikos.'
Nikos returned the acknowledgement as the couple slid into the car immediately behind them, and in an unbidden gesture Michelle thrust the keys at him, then she unlatched the door and slid into the passenger seat.
Nikos took his position behind the wheel, fired the engine, then eased the car onto the road. Minutes later the powerful car entered the main northbound highway, traversed it for less than a kilometre, and took the next turnoff that led into suburban Main Beach.
She was supremely conscious of him, the slight flash of gold on his wrist as he handled the wheel.
‘We'll stop at a café for coffee,' Nikos informed as they paused at a set of traffic lights. ‘There's something I'd like to discuss with you.'
‘The subtle “your apartment or mine?” spiel?' Michelle mocked with light sarcasm. ‘Forget it. One-night stands aren't my thing.'
‘I'm relieved to hear it.'
The lights changed, and within minutes the powerful engine purred down a notch as he decelerated
and touched the brakes, then he eased the vehicle to a halt.
Michelle reached for the door-clasp, a word of thanks ready to emerge from her lips.
Then she froze.
The underground car park was similar to a multitude of beneath street-level concrete caverns. Except it wasn't
her
apartment car park.
‘W
HERE the hell are we?'
‘My apartment building,' Nikos drawled. ‘It happens to be in a block a short distance from your own.' He opened his door and slid out from behind the wheel.
Michelle copied his actions, and stood glaring at him across the roof of the BMW, then she turned and walked to the sweeping upgrade leading to the main entrance.
‘The security gate is activated by a personally coded remote.' He paused a beat, then added with killing softness, ‘Likewise, the lift is security coded.'
She swung back to face him, anger etched on every line of her body. ‘Kidnapping is a criminal offense. If you don't want me to lay charges, I suggest you allow me free passage out of here. Now,' she added with deadly intent. If she'd been standing close enough, she'd have lashed out and hit him.
Nikos regarded her steadily, assessing her slim frame, the darkness of her eyes. There was no fear apparent, and the thought momentarily intrigued him. Self-defence skills? His own had been acquired and honed to a lethal degree.
‘All I want is fifteen, maybe twenty minutes of your time.'
Her heartbeat thudded painfully against her ribs. The car park was well-lit, there were a number of
cars lining marked bays, but it was eerily quiet. There was no one to whom she could appeal for help.
Michelle extracted her mobile phone and prepared to punch in the requisite digit that would connect her with Emergency Services and alert the police.
‘You have nothing to fear from me.'
His voice was even, and controlled. Too controlled. He emanated an indefinable leashed quality, a watchfulness that only a fool would disregard. And she didn't consider herself a fool.
‘I don't find this—' she swept an arm in silent indication of her surroundings ‘—in the least amusing.'
‘You were averse to joining me in more comfortable surroundings,' he posed silkily.
Anger meshed with indignation, colouring her features and lending her eyes a fiery sparkle. ‘Forgive me.' Her voice dripped icy sarcasm. ‘For declining your invitation.'
Her passion intrigued him. Dammit,
she
intrigued him. Most women of his acquaintance, aware of his social and financial status, would have willingly followed wherever he chose to lead.
Yet for all that Michelle Gerard felt like an angel in his arms and responded with uninhibited fervour, instinct relayed that it wasn't part of an act.
‘By your own admission,' Michelle vented with restrained anger. ‘You brought me here to talk.'
She needed to shift the balance of control.
Fear
wasn't an option. Although the word in itself was a misnomer. Nikos Alessandros didn't mean her any harm. at least not in the physical sense. Yet when it
came to her emotions... Now that was an entirely different ball game, something which irked her unbearably, for how could she be emotionally spellbound by a man who, in a short few hours, had broken every conventional social nicety?
‘I suggest you do so,
now,'
she continued forcefully. ‘And condense whatever you have to say into two minutes.' She indicated the mobile phone. ‘One wrong move and I'll summon the police.'
He leaned one hip against the smooth bonnet of his car, and regarded her thoughtfully.
‘I want you to be my social companion for a few weeks,' he stated without preamble.
Michelle drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. Whatever she'd expected, it hadn't been this. He had only to beckon and women would beat a path to his side. ‘Surely you jest?'
His attention didn't falter. ‘I'm quite serious.'
‘Why?'
‘For much the same reason it would suit you.'
She didn't pretend to misunderstand. ‘What makes you so sure?'
‘Body language,' Nikos drawled.
Her eyes flashed golden fire. ‘I can handle Jeremy.'
‘I don't doubt you can.' One eyebrow lifted. ‘The question is, do you want to?'
‘I don't need anyone to fight my battles,' she said dryly. ‘Any more than you do. So why don't you cut to the chase?'
‘I thought I already had.'
Her head tilted to one side. ‘You expect me to
believe there's a female you can't handle?' The prospect was almost laughable.
‘The widow of a very close friend of mine,' Nikos enlightened her slowly. ‘Her husband was killed several months ago in a skiing accident.'
‘She is emotionally fragile, and genuinely misinterprets the friendship?' Michelle posed. ‘Or has she become a calculating vixen intent on snaring another rich husband?'
His expression imperceptibly hardened, a subtle shifting of muscle over bone that reassembled his features into a compelling mask.
‘You presume too much.'
So she'd struck a tender nerve. Interesting that he didn't answer her question.
‘You feel honour-bound to spare—' She paused deliberately.
‘Saska.'
‘Saska,' she continued. ‘Any embarrassment during what is a transitional grieving period?'
‘Yes,' he declared succinctly.
‘I see.' She regarded him thoughtfully. ‘And on the basis of one meeting, an appraisal of
body language
, you virtually kidnap me and suggest I have nothing better to do with my time than act out a part for your benefit.'
‘There would be a few advantages.'
Topaz flecks shone in the depths of her green eyes, a silent evidence of her anger. ‘Name one.'
‘All of the pleasure and none of the strings.'
‘And a bonus, I imagine, if I'm sufficiently convincing?' The flippant query slipped from her lips,
and she glimpsed the faint edge of humour tilt the corner of his mouth.
‘I'm sure we can come to an amicable arrangement.'
The entire evening had been a complete farce, including Jeremy's behaviour. As for Nikos Alessandros...
Impossible
didn't come close!
‘Just who the hell do you think you are?' she demanded fiercely.
His expression hardened slightly, and his eyes took on the quality of steel. ‘A man who recognises an opportunity, and isn't afraid to seize it.'
She could still feel the touch of his mouth on hers, his taste...and the way her senses had flipped into a tailspin.
His indolent stance was deceptive. She had the instinctive feeling that if she turned away from him, he would simply reach out and haul her back.
‘Go find some other female,' Michelle directed. ‘I'm not willing to participate.'
She caught the dark glitter in his eyes, glimpsed a muscle tense at the edge of his jaw, and experienced momentary satisfaction at besting him.
‘There's nothing I can do to change your mind?'
Her gaze didn't waver. ‘No, not a thing.'
He examined her features with contemplative scrutiny. ‘In that case, we'll take the lift to the ground floor and I'll escort you to your apartment.'
She wanted to argue with him, and almost did.
‘Wise,' Nikos drawled.
Michelle felt her stomach twist as they stepped into the small electronic cubicle. She was incredibly
aware of the emotional pull, the intangible meshing of the senses.
Seconds later she preceded him into the main lobby, passed reception, then emerged into the fresh evening air.
Less than a hundred metres distant lay several trendy restaurants and cafés, each with outdoor chairs and tables lending the area a cosmopolitan air.
Michelle's apartment building was situated fifty metres distant on the opposite side of the road, and when they reached its entrance she paused, a polite smile widening her lips as she turned towards him.
There was nothing to thank him for, and she didn't make a pretense of doing so. The polite smile was merely a concession.
‘You forgot something.'
She caught the purposeful gleam in those dark eyes an instant before hands captured her face.
His head descended and his mouth covered hers in a kiss that plundered deep, savouring the inner sweetness without mercy, his tongue swift and incredibly clever as he took his fill.
This was skilled mastery, she registered dimly, and a silent gasp of outrage remained locked in her throat as he cupped her bottom and brought her close up against him so that she was in no doubt of his arousal.
Potent, shimmering heat sang through her veins and pooled at the centre of her feminine core. She could feel the thrust of her breasts as they swelled in anticipation of his touch, their tender peaks hardening
into sensitive buds craving the tantalising succour of his mouth.
This was insane. A divine madness that had no place, no basis in
anything.
Almost as if he sensed her withdrawal, he gradually lightened the kiss to a gentle brush of his lips against her own. Then he lifted his head, and released her.
‘Pleasant dreams,
pedhi mou,'
he bade gently.
His eyes were warm, and deep enough to drown in. The flip response she sought never found voice, and she turned away from him, activated the security code on the external door, then hurried into the lobby without a backward glance.
Damn him. He was the most arrogant infuriating devastating man she'd ever met. Infinitely dangerous, she added as she jabbed the call button to summon one of two lifts.
As soon as the doors slid open she entered the cubicle, stabbed the appropriate panel button, and barely suppressed a shiver as the lift sped swiftly upward.
If she never saw him again, it would be too soon. Which was a total contradiction in terms, she grimaced as the lift came to a halt at her floor.
Seconds later she let herself into her apartment, hit the light switch, checked the locking mechanism was in place, then she moved through to the kitchen.
Caffeine would keep her awake, so she opted for a glass of chilled water, sipped the contents, then crossed to her bedroom.
It was several minutes this side of midnight, and
she divested her clothes, took a leisurely warm shower, then slid between cool percale sheets in an effort to cull sleep.
Without success. There were too many images crowding her mind. A tall dark-haired Greek whose eyes seemed to haunt her. His voice, with its slightly accented timbre that curled like silk round every sensitive nerve-end, invading without license as a vivid reminder of his touch. The feel of his hands on her body, their caressing warmth, and the taste of his mouth on hers as it devoured, savoured, and sought to imprint his brand.
It was almost as if she could still sense the exclusive tones of his cologne, the clean smell of fine tailoring and fresh laundered cotton. And a subtle masculine scent that was
his
...
Dammit. She didn't want to be this
disturbed
by a man. To have her senses invaded by a pervasive sexual alchemy.
She'd met scores of men, been charmed by several, discovered an affection for a few, and loved none. At least, not the
swept off my feet
,
melting bones
kind of emotion portrayed on the cinema screen and extolled between the pages of many a romance novel.
When it came to attraction, she was still waiting for the earth to move. Warm and fuzzy somehow didn't come close to hungry shattering sensual sexuality.
Yet tonight she'd experienced it in the arms of a stranger.
For the space of...how long? Two, three minutes?
She'd lost all sense of time and place. There was only the man, the moment, and raw unbridled passion.
Her body had curved into his, and clung, moulding in a perfect fit as his mouth had taken possession of her own.
And it had been
possession.
Demanding, compelling, and frankly sensual, his kiss was a promise. Primitive, raw, libidinous.
It should have frightened her. Instead, for the - space of those few minutes she'd felt exhilarated,
alive,
and aware. Dear God, so aware of every pulse beat, the heat that flared from every erogenous zone as her whole body coalesced into a throbbing entity, almost totally beyond her control.
If he could initiate such an effect with just a kiss, what sort of lover would he be?
Intensely vital, passionate, and incredibly sensual. Hungry, wild...
shameless
, she added with certainty.
What was she thinking?
Nikos Alessandros was the last man on earth she would want to have anything to do with.

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