She glanced across the room, caught his eye, and smiled.
âAnother triumph, darling.'
Her stomach tightened fractionally as she recognised Jeremy's cynical voice, and she summoned a
polite smile as she turned to face him. âI didn't expect you to honour the invitation.'
âI wouldn't have missed it for the world.'
He leaned forward and she moved slightly so that his lips brushed her cheek. An action which resulted in a faint intake of breath, the momentary hardening of his eyes.
âThe eminently eligible Nikos has yet to put in an appearance, I see.' He moved back a pace, and ran light fingers down her arm.
Michelle tilted her head a little and met his dark gaze. âA little difficult, when he wasn't issued an invitation.'
âDear sweet Michelle,' Jeremy chided with sarcastic gentleness. âNikos was an invited guest on the parents' cruiser today. The enchanting Chantelle issued the invitation to your Gallery soiree.' He paused for effect before delivering the punch line. âAs I recall, Nikos indicated he would grace us with his presence.'
Her heart tripped and raced to a quicker beat. âReally? '
One eyebrow slanted in mockery. âAm I mistaken, or is that not pleasurable anticipation I sense?' He primed a barb and aimed for the kill. âDidn't he come up to scratch last night, darling?' His smile held thinly veiled humour. âJet lag can have that effect.'
Calm, just keep calm, she bade silently as she moved back a pace. He didn't release her arm, and she gave him a deliberately pointed look. âThis conversation is going nowhere, Jeremy.' She flexed her arm, felt his grip tighten for an instant before he released
her. âIf you'll excuse me, I really must mingle.' Her voice assumed an icy formality. âI hope you enjoy the exhibition. Emilio and I are confident of Brett's talent and potential.'
âAh, the inimical Emilio,' Jeremy drawled. âYou do know he's bisexual?'
As well as being untrue, it was unkind. She didn't miss a beat. âSlander isn't a pretty word. Watch you don't find yourself in court on a legal charge.'
âA mite too protective, darling.'
âAnd you,' she declared with quiet emphasis. âAre a first-classâ'
âMichelle.'
Her body quivered at the sound of that faintly accented voice, and her pulse went into overdrive. How much of her argument with Jeremy had Nikos Alessandros heard?
Everything came into sharp focus as she slowly turned to face him.
âNikos,' she acknowledged, and imperceptibly stiffened as he placed a hand at the back of her waist.
His expression gave nothing away, but there was a hint of steel beneath the polite facade as he inclined his head.
âJeremy.'
Michelle's nerves flared into sensitised life at his close proximity.
âIs there a problem?' Nikos asked smoothly, and she felt like screaming.
Yes.
Jeremy for behaving badly, and
you
just for being here!
A determined sparkle darkened her eyes. âIf you'll excuse me? I really should mingle.'
She turned away, only to find that Nikos had joined her.
âJust what the hell do you think you're doing?' she queried with quiet vehemence the instant they were out of Jeremy's earshot. She made a concerted effort to shift out of his grasp without success.
âRescuing you.'
âI didn't need rescuing!'
His smile held a hint of cynical humour. âEspecially not by me.'
âLookâ'
âSave the indignation for a more suitable occasion.'
âWhy?' Michelle vented with quiet fury. âWhen I have no intention of seeing you again.'
âConsidering your parents and the Bateson-Burrows have issued me with a few interesting invitations, that's most unlikely,' Nikos assured silkily.
She wanted to hit him. It was enough she had to deal with Jeremy, whose recalcitrance in the past twenty-four hours could be directly attributed to the man at her side.
Had Nikos not been a guest at the Bateson-Burrows' dinner table, she could have conducted a diplomatic discussion last night with Jeremy, and he wouldn't now be behaving quite inappropriately.
Or would he? Jeremy had displayed a side to his personality she'd never suspected might exist.
âSuppose we embark on a conducted tour of your protegé's work.'
âWhy?' she demanded baldly, and found herself looking into a pair of amused dark grey eyes.
âI could be a potential buyer, and you do, Chantelle assures me, have an excellent eye for new talent.'
Did she realise just how beautiful she looked when she was angry?
âMother has excelled herself in lauding my supposed talents,' she stated dryly.
âCynicism doesn't suit you.'
In any other circumstance, she would have laughed. However, tonight she wasn't in the mood to see the humorous side of Chantelle's machinations.
They drew close to one exhibit, and she went into a professional spiel about light and colour and style, Brett's unusual technique, and indicated the painting's possible worth on the market in another five years.
, Nikos dropped his arm from her waist, and she wondered why she suddenly felt cold, even vaguely bereft.
Crazy, she dismissed. Every instinct she possessed warned that Nikos Alessandros was a man she should have nothing to do with if she wanted to retain her emotional sanity.
âW
HICH of the collection is your personal favourite?' Nikos queried as they moved from one exhibit to another.
There were interruptions as she was greeted by a few guests, and on each occasion good manners demanded she introduce the man at her side.
She could sense their masked speculation, sense their curiosity, and she wasn't sure whether to feel angry or resigned.
Michelle's lips parted to make a flippant response, only to change her mind at the last second. âThe little boy standing on a sandhill looking out over the ocean.'
He lifted a hand and tucked a stray lock of hair back behind her ear. He watched her eyes dilate, and felt the slight shiver his touch evoked. âWhy that particular painting?'
âBecause it seems as if the ocean represents his world, and he's curious to know where it ends and what's beyond the horizon. If you look at his features, there's wonderment, excitement.' Her voice softened. âHe's trying not to be afraid, but he is. You can see it in the faint thrust of his lower lip, the way his chin tucks in a little.' She raised her hand, then let it fall again to her side.
It was more than just a painting, it represented life.
The promise of what might be. Even though the logical mind relegated the image to the skilled use of paint on canvas and artistic flair.
âConsider it sold.'
Michelle glanced up and examined the chiselled perfection of his features. âYou haven't asked the grice.'
âIt's listed on the programme.' His smile was wholly sensual. âWhat discount are you prepared to offer me?'
She badly wanted to say
none,
except âbusiness' was a separate category to âpersonal,' and anyone with sufficient
nous
ensured the two were kept apart. âIt depends on your method of payment.'
âI'll present you with a bank cheque at midday tomorrow, and organise delivery.'
Michelle didn't hesitate. âFive per cent.'
It shouldn't concern her where he intended to hang it, in fact she told herself she didn't care.
âSomething is bothering you?'
His light tone didn't fool her in the slightest. He was too intuitive, and she loathed his ability to tune into her thoughts. It made her feel vulnerable, and too acutely sensitive.
âWhy should anything bother me? I've just sold the most expensive painting featured in this exhibition.'
âBy your own admission, it's the one you admire most,' Nikos pursued softly. âI imagine you can offer a suggestion how it should be displayed to its best advantage?'
She could tell him to do what he liked with it, but professional etiquette got the better of her.
âIt should occupy centre stage on a wide wall,' she opined slowly. âPreferably painted a very pale shade of blue, so the colours mesh and there's a sense of continuity.'
Interesting, he perceived, that her love of art overcame her instinctive wariness of him.
âNow, if you'll excuse me,' Michelle said purposefully. âThere's something I need to check with my business partner.' She offered him a polite smile, then turned and went in search of Emilio.
âSo he's the one,' Emilio said in a quiet aside several minutes later.
âI don't know what you're talking about.'
âYes, you do.'
âI'd prefer not to discuss it.'
âAs you wish.'
âDammit, I don't even like him!'
âSo... What's liking got to do with anything?' Emilio queried mildly.
âGrrr,' she vented softly, and incurred his soft laughter.
âStephanie.' He was suddenly the businessman, the art entrepreneur, assuming the faintly affected manner he'd honed to perfection. âHow are you, darling?'
Michelle followed suit, according the wealthy widow due deference. The money Stephanie Whitcomb had spent in their Gallery over the past few years went close to six figures.
âSuch a success,
cherie
,' Chantelle complimented
as Michelle crossed to her parents' side. âWe are very proud of you.'
âIndeed. A stunning exhibition.'
âThank you,
Papa.
Naturally you're prejudiced.'
Etienne smiled as he leaned forward to bestow a light kiss to her cheek. âOf course.'
âTomorrow we're hosting a small cocktail evening. Just very close friends. Six o'clock. You'll join us, won't you?'
Her mother's idea of a small gathering could number anything from twenty to thirty people. Drinks on the terrace, a seemingly casual but carefully prepared finger-food buffet.
âMaman,
no,' Michelle voiced with regret. âI have plans.'
âWhat a shame. We included Saska in Nikos' invitation. I thought you might like to bring Emilio.'
There was a silent message evident which Michelle chose to ignore. âAnother time, perhaps?'
âIf you reconsider...' Chantelle trailed delicately.
âThank you,
Maman.'
Guests were beginning to drift towards the door, and as always, it took a while for the Gallery to empty.
Michelle organised the hired staff as they packed glassware into containers. Much of the cleaning up had already been done, and Emilio handed over a cheque, then saw them off the premises.
âGo home,' he ordered without preamble. âYou're tired, it shows, and I'll deal with everything in the morning.'
âI had no idea I looked such a wreck,' Michelle said dryly.
âDarling, I am an old friend, and I can tell it like it is,' he said gently.
âIt was a successful evening.'
All of Brett's paintings had sold, and they'd succeeded in confirming a tentative date in April to host another exhibition of his work.
âVery,' Emilio agreed, as she reached up and brushed his cheek with her lips. âFor what it's worth, I approve of the Greek.' He lifted a hand and smoothed back a stray tendril of hair that had escaped from the chignon at her nape. âI enjoyed watching him watch you.'
Something inside Michelle's stomach curled into a tight ball. âSince when did you become my protector?'
âSince I fell in love with you many years ago...as a sister,' he teased gently.
She smiled with genuine affection. âIn that case,
brother,
I'm going home and leaving you with all that remains of the clean-up chores.'
âTomorrow morning, ten,' Emilio reminded. âTake care.'
Her car was parked about twenty metres distant, the street was well-lit, and as the Gallery was situated off the main street housing numerous cafés and restaurants, there were several parked cars in the immediate vicinity.
Michelle gained the pavement and stepped in the direction of her car, only to pause at the sight of a male figure leaning against its bonnet.
The figure straightened and moved towards her. âI thought you were never going to leave,' Jeremy complained.
She stepped forward to cross the grass verge, and felt his hand grasp her arm.
âIt's been a long day, and I'm tired,' she said firmly. Her patience was getting thin, but she recognised a certain quality about him that made her very wary. âGoodnight.'
âDammit, Michelle, you can't just walk away from me.'
âPlease let go of my arm. I want to get into my car.'
She was unprepared for his sudden movement as he twisted her close with vicious strength, then ground his mouth against her own.
Instinct and training combined to allow her to unbalance him, and one swiftly hooked foot sent him falling to the ground.
Michelle moved quickly round to the driver's side, unlocked the door, and was about to slide into the seat when Jeremy caught hold of her arm and dragged her out.
âI believe the lady said no,' a slightly accented male voice drawled hardily.
Jeremy's fingers tightened with painful intensity, and she could feel his palpable anger.
âBitch!'
âLet her go,' Nikos commanded with dangerous softness. âOr else I promise you won't walk easily for days.'
Michelle caught her breath as Jeremy's fingers bit
to the bone, then he flung her arm free, turned and crossed the road to his car, fired the engine with an ear-splitting roar, and sent the tyres spinning as he sped down the road.
Nikos said something vicious beneath his breath as she stiffened beneath his touch, and he swore briefly, pithily, in his own language.
Michelle edged the tip of her tongue over her lips and discovered several abrasions where her teeth had split the delicate tissues.
âI'll drive you home.'
âNo.' She told herself she didn't need his concern. âI'm fine.' To prove it, she slid in behind the wheel, only to have him lean into the car and bodily shift her into the passenger seat.
Seconds later he took her place and engaged the ignition.
âThere's no need for you to do this,' Michelle asserted as he set the car in motion.
Three blocks and two minutes later he swept through the entrance to her apartment building and paused adjacent the security gate leading to the underground car park.
âDo you have your card?'
She handed it to him wordlessly, and when the gate was fully open she directed him to her allotted space.
âWhat about your own car?'
He directed her a dark glance as he led her towards the lift. âI walked.' He jabbed the call button, and when the lift arrived, he accompanied her into it. âWhich floor?'
âThere's noâ'
âWhich floor?' Nikos repeated with dangerous quietness.
He was icily calm. Too calm, she perceived, aware there was something apparent in his stance, the set of his features, that revealed anger held in tight control.
âI appreciate your driving me home. But I'm fine.'
She glimpsed the darkness in his eyes, the hard purpose evident, and was momentarily bereft of speech. âReally,' she added seconds later.
One eyebrow rose slightly, and she met his silent scrutiny with unblinking equanimity.
âLook in the mirror,' Nikos bade quietly, and watched as she spared the decorative mirrored panel a glance.
Her hair was no longer confined in a neat chignon, her eyes were dark, dilated and seemed far too large in features that were pale, and her mouth was swollen.
âNow, which floor?' he queried with velvet softness, and she hesitated momentarily before capitulating.
âFifteenth.'
They reached it in seconds, and she silently indicated the door leading to her apartment.
Once inside she had the compelling urge to remove Jeremy's touch from her skin, and she wanted to scrub her teeth, cleanse her mouth.
âI'm going to take a shower and change.' She no longer cared whether Nikos Alessandros was there or not, or whether he'd have gone when she returned.
Uppermost was the need to be alone, shed and dispense with her clothes.
Hell, she'd probably burn them, she determined as she reached the bedroom and began peeling each item from her body.
Michelle activated the shower dial and set it as hot as she could bear, then she lathered every inch of skin, rinsed, and repeated the process three times. Satisfied, she turned the dial to cold and let the needle spray revive and revitalise her before she reached for a towel.
Minutes later she donned clean underwear, then reached for jeans and a loose cotton top. She discounted make-up, and applied the hair dryer for as long as it took to remove most of the dampness, then she simply wound it into a knot and pinned it on top of her head.
Michelle walked into the kitchen and saw Nikos in the process of brewing coffee. He'd removed his jacket and his tie. He'd also loosened a few top buttons and folded back the cuffs of his shirt.
His appraisal was swift, yet all-encompassing. âI've brewed some coffee.'
There were two cups and saucers on the countertop, sugar and milk, and she watched as he filled her cup.
He looked comfortably at ease, yet instinct warned that anger lurked just beneath the surface of his control.
âYou don't have to do this.' She hugged her arms together across her midriff, and temporarily ignored the cup and saucer he pushed towards her.
âNo,' Nikos responded evenly. âI don't.' He added sugar to his cup, stirred, then lifted it to his mouth.