The Helen Bianchin Collection (Mills & Boon E-Book Collections) (119 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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She'd experienced the entire gamut of emotions in his arms. Physical, emotional, spiritual had combined to make their coupling as good as she imagined it could possibly get.
Even thinking about what they'd shared brought a surge of heat flooding her body, and her eyes widened as he stroked gentle fingers over her breast. The sensitive peak hardened beneath his touch, and she drew in her breath as he rolled it gently between thumb and forefinger. Answering sensation flowered deep within, instantly so she ached with need, and her breathing hitched as he leaned forward and began teasing her breast with his lips.
His hand trailed low, conducting a seeking path with unerring accuracy, and within seconds she scaled the heights, begging as he held her there, then she tipped over the brink in a sensual free fall that left her breathing ragged, her voice an indistinguishable groan as she whispered his name.
He slid into her in one deep movement, nestled momentarily, then slowly withdrew, only to repeat the controlled thrust again and again. There was little of the hard passion of the night, just long and sweet and slow as she became consumed by a deep pulsing flame, intensely exquisite as it swirled and shimmered through her body like a treacherous heat haze.
She decided dreamily that it was a wonderful way to start the day.
‘You have the most beautiful smile.'
‘Mmm?'
His husky laughter curled round her nerve-ends and tugged just a little too much for comfort, activating a renewed spiral of sensation infinitely dangerous to an equilibrium already off balance.
Assertiveness was the key, she determined as she reached out and ran an idle forefinger down the slope of his nose. And humour.
‘Time to begin all those mundane things like shower, breakfast, and don the business suit.' She traced the groove creasing his upper lip, then pressed down on the fullness beneath it, only to have him take her fingertip between his teeth. ‘Ouch, that hurt.'
‘It was meant to,' Nikos chided solemnly, although his eyes were darkly alight with amusement. ‘We have an hour.'
Her heart lurched. ‘I dislike being rushed.'
‘I don't think you'll object.'
‘Personal grooming,' Michelle said helplessly as he slid out of bed. ‘A leisurely breakfast,' she intimated as he scooped her into his arms. ‘And two cups of coffee. Where are you taking me?'
‘The shower.' He reached the en suite bathroom in a few long strides. ‘You can have that second coffee at the Gallery.'
With economy of movement he turned on the water dial, adjusted it, then stepped into the large glassed cubicle.
Nikos picked up the huge sponge, poured perfumed liquid soap onto it, then became intent on smoothing the sponge over every inch of her body.
It was an erotic experience, as he meant it to be,
and she balled her hand into a fist and playfully struck his shoulder.
‘Is that a complaint?'
The thought of sharing this kind of morning experience on a regular basis made her mouth go dry.
‘Yes. I think I'm going to miss breakfast.'
His eyes were impossibly dark with lambent emotion as he lowered his head down to hers. ‘Then I guess tomorrow we'll just have to make an earlier start, hmm?'
She didn't answer. She couldn't. The words were locked in her throat as his mouth took possession of her own.
She became oblivious to the warm spray of water, for there was only the hard strength of his body. Strong muscle and sinew that bound her close, so impossibly close that all she had to do was wind her arms up around his neck and hang on as he parted her thighs.
His arousal was a potent force he withheld in a bid to heighten her desire, and she was almost crazy with need when he finally surged into her. She cried out as sensation washed through her body, taking her higher than she'd thought it was possible to climb.
His mouth ravaged hers as he reached the physical peak with her, and she exulted in the primitive shudder that shook his large frame as they clung to each other in mutual climactic rapture and its aftermath.
Michelle missed breakfast entirely. There wasn't even time to do more than take a few hurried sips of the coffee Nikos brewed while she put the finishing touches to her make-up.
‘I'll book the restaurant,' Nikos intimated as she collected her shoulder bag and turned towards the door. ‘We're dining with Emilio and Saska, remember?' he prompted as she swivelled to face him, ‘By the way,' he gently teased, ‘Cute butterfly tattoo.'
It was small, and positioned low on the soft curve of her right buttock.
His smile was slow, musing. ‘A moment of madness, flouting of parental authority, or what?'
‘A dare. Paris.' A mischievous gleam lit her eyes. ‘It was the tattoo or a navel ring.'
The phone rang, and for a moment the humour drained away. If it was Jeremy—She crossed the room and picked up the receiver.
‘Michelle? Everything OK?'
Relief poured through her. ‘Emilio. Yes. I'm just leaving now.' She cut the connection, and looked at Nikos. ‘Just—lock up when you leave.'
‘I'll contact my lawyer and set the paperwork in motion for a restraining order, then ring you.'
She was already crossing the lounge. ‘Thanks.'
A chill slithered down her spine as she rode the lift down to the underground car park. The thought of Jeremy and just how close she'd come to assault was the reason why Nikos had stayed overnight in her apartment.
Not part of the agenda had been their shared intimacy. Who had initiated it?
Dear heaven, did it matter?
Michelle discovered that it did, very much, for it made a farce of their charade, and provided an unexpected
twist in that they no longer needed to pretend.
A paradox really, for the lines determining their supposed relationship had shifted. For the better, if one believed in a transitory affair. Sadly, she didn't. What had begun as a mutual arrangement, now took on a different context. Jeremy was an unknown quantity. And there was Saska.
How long would it take to effect a resolution? A week? Two? Then what? Would Nikos extricate himself, move base to wherever in the world he chose, and never seek to contact her again?
That surely was part of the master plan. It had to be.
Wasn't that what she'd wanted?
The Gallery was just up front, and she parked the car, locked it, then ran up the short flight of steps to the main door.
Work
, she decided, was a panacea for many things. All she had to do was keep herself busy, her mind occupied, and deal with each day as it occurred.
A hollow bubble of laughter rose and died in her throat In theory, the analogy was fine. The problem was reality.
T
HE mobile phone rang as Michelle eased the car onto the road, and she assured her mother she was fine, she'd slept well; and no, she hadn't forgotten the charity function at a city hotel scheduled for Thursday evening.
‘Nikos can partner you, darling. You'll sit at our table, of course.'
Michelle parked outside the Gallery, and cut the connection as she reached the main entrance.
It proved to be a hectic morning. A shipment due to be unloaded from a dockside container in Sydney was caught up in a strike, and numerous phone calls were necessary to reschedule and put a contingency plan in place.
There was paperwork requiring attention, data to enter into the computer, and several phone calls to make confirming collection and delivery of items ordered on consignment.
The phone pealed, and she automatically reached for the receiver and intoned a professional greeting.
‘Michelle. Nikos.'
His voice was deeper and slightly more accented over the phone, and the sound of it evoked a pulsing warmth flooding her veins.
‘I've arranged an appointment with my lawyer at twelve-thirty.'
The restraining order. ‘I'll reorganise my lunch hour.'
‘I'll meet you at the Gallery and take you to Paul's office,' Nikos intimated, and she sank back in her chair, swivelled it to take in the view across the Nerang river.
‘I don't think that's necessary.'
‘Twelve-fifteen, Michelle.'
He hung up before she had the opportunity to argue.
‘Problems?'
Michelle swung back to face Emilio, who had walked into the office during the conversation. ‘Nothing I can't handle.' It was said more to convince herself than Emilio. Somehow she didn't think any woman could manipulate Nikos. Unless he permitted it.
‘You left early last night.'
It was better she went with the fictional excuse. ‘I had a headache.'
He placed both hands on the desk and leaned forward. ‘This is Emilio, remember?'
She kept her gaze steady as he raked her pale features, then settled on the pulse at the base of her throat.
‘So, do we play guessing games, or are you going to tell me?'
‘OK.' She used facetiousness and shock value as a form of defence. ‘Nikos took me home, and we made wild passionate love all night.'
His eyes lit with amusement, and something else she was unable to define.
‘Brava,'
he said gently. ‘I
approve. Of the loving, and the Greek.' He straightened away from the desk. ‘Jeremy was the catalyst, am I right? For someone who knew what to look for last night, it wasn't difficult to put two and two together. Your absence, Jeremy, then Nikos.' His expression hardened fractionally. ‘I'll wring his neck.'
‘Jeremy, or the Greek?'
‘Don't jest,
cara
. If there's a problem, I want to know about it.' He waited a beat. ‘We're more than just business partners, we're friends.'
She spent a major part of her waking hours at the Gallery. Emilio deserved to be on the alert if Jeremy continued to prove a nuisance.
‘Nikos insists I file a restraining order.'
Emilio's eyes sharpened. ‘Give,' he uttered in succinct command.
‘Last night was the third—'
Assault?
She settled for ‘
—
attack, in seventy-two hours.'
‘Son of a bitch!' The words were uttered with such silky softness, it sent a shiver down her back. ‘He won't get a foot inside the Gallery. Your apartment is secure.' His expression became ruthlessly hard. ‘Don't go anywhere alone.
Comprende?'
‘I just love it when you lapse into Italian,' Michelle teased at his protective stance.
‘I'm serious.'
She tilted her head to one side, her eyes solemn. ‘I'm a big girl. And capable of defending myself, remember?'
She was good, he visited the same
dojo
and had witnessed a few of her training sessions. However, expertise in formal surroundings was a different kettle
of fish to the reality of an unexpected attack with brutal intent in a dark deserted street.
‘Stand up,' he instructed quietly. ‘Turn with your back to me.'
‘Emilio—'
‘Do it,
cara.'
‘This really is unnecessary,' she protested, and caught his faint smile.
‘Indulge me.'
The electronic buzzer attached to the main door sounded, heralding entrance of a customer, and Emilio spared a quick glance in the overhead monitor.
‘Nikos.'
It was twelve-fifteen already? She should go powder her nose and ensure her hair was OK.
‘We'll continue this later.'
‘What will you continue later?' Nikos drawled from the open doorway.
His tall frame almost filled the aperture, and Michelle was positive the room seemed to shrink in size. He looked the epitome of an urbane sophisticate attired in impeccably cut trousers, a dark blue shirt unbuttoned at the neck and a jacket hooked casually over one shoulder.
‘A test against a real attack attempt, as opposed to an orchestrated practised manoeuvre,' Emilio enlightened, meeting Nikos' steady gaze with one of his own.
‘Michelle has filled you in.' It was a statement, not a question.
‘Yes.'
‘I take it you have no objection if she has an extended lunch hour?'
‘As long as it takes.'
‘I'm moving her into my apartment.'
Michelle thrust the swivel chair forward, and glared from one man to the other. ‘Now, just wait a damn minute.' She settled on Nikos.
‘Excuse me.
You're doing
what?'
‘Moving you temporarily into my apartment,' he reiterated calmly.
Her eyes flashed emerald fire. ‘The hell you are.'
‘Then I'll move into yours. Either way, it makes little difference.'
‘It makes plenty of difference!'
‘Then choose.'
‘Just who has granted you the God-given right to take over my life and order me around?' She was so furious, her body was almost rigid with anger.
‘I did,' Nikos relayed with deceptive ease. ‘Your apartment, or mine,
pedhaki mou?'
‘I am
not
“your little one”!'
Nikos' eyes flared. ‘Yes, you are.'
Emilio watched the by-play with interest. Intriguing the sparks that flew between these two. He smiled, despite the gravity of the situation at hand. Unless he was very wrong, Michelle had met her match in the forceful Greek.
‘I'd rather move home.'
Nikos shook his head. ‘Due to your parents' social commitments, they're rarely in residence except for a few requisite hours each night, and they don't have live-in help.'
‘While you,' she vented with deliberate emphasis, ‘intend to stand guard over me every minute of the day?'
‘And night,' he added equably, although his tone was deceptive. The eyes had it Inflexible, compelling. Invincible.
‘No.' She refused to be ordered about like a child.
‘No?' His voice was pure silk.
‘I'll book into a hotel.'
‘Where, without independent security, Jeremy could access your room in a minute?'
‘Don't you think,' she inclined carefully, ‘you're getting just a bit carried with all this?'
‘I have your parents' approval.'
‘That's a low trick.'
‘They're just as concerned about your safety as I am.'
She was angry, so angry at the way he was taking control. ‘I don't doubt that. But I can take care of myself. I don't need a minder, or a baby-sitter!'
He wanted to take hold of her shoulders and shake her. Instead, he used words to create a similar effect.
‘Jeremy has a history of previous violence. In this instance, it's been activated by his jealousy of me and what he sees as my involvement with you. Which makes me responsible to a degree.'
He looked at her carefully. ‘What if I hadn't been there when he accosted you outside the Gallery Sunday night?' It gave him little pleasure to see her eyes dilate at his implication. ‘Or last night?' he pursued relentlessly. ‘Was anyone else aware Jeremy might use any opportunity to get you alone? Was
there anyone who became alarmed when you didn't return within a reasonable time?'
He paused, then slid home the final barb. ‘Have you considered what would have happened had I not come in search of you when I did?'
She opened her mouth to refute what he'd said, then closed it again.
‘Jeremy has attacked you three times,' Emilio stated inexorably. ‘You want to try for four?'
Nikos' eyes pierced hers, their depths dark and inflexible. ‘Don't you think you're protesting too much... after last night?'
He was too skilled a tactician not to choose his weapons well, she perceived, and silently cursed him for his temerity.
‘Aren't we late for an appointment?' she posed stiffly, and heard his drawled response.
‘I'll ring Paul and let him know we've been delayed.'
‘If it's all right with you,' Michelle declared with deliberate mockery, ‘I'll just go powder my nose.'
Nikos Alessandros, she decided, had a lot to answer for. At this very moment her feelings were definitely ambivalent.
Damn, damn,
damn.
Why was she objecting? The man was a lover to die for. Why not just go with the flow, enjoy the perks, and live for the day?
Last night had been
heaven
. Was it such a sin to enjoy responsible sex?
Without commitment? And what happens when it ends, as it inevitably will? a small imp taunted. What
then? Do you think you'll be able to walk away, heart-whole, smile, and thank him for the memory?
‘Give me a break,' she pleaded with the inimical imp, snapped on the lid of her lipstick, then she reentered the office and shot Nikos a dark glance.
Which merely resulted in a raised eyebrow. ‘Ready?'
‘Take your time,' Emilio bade as Michelle preceded Nikos out onto the mezzanine balcony.
They traversed the short flight of stairs down to the main Gallery.
‘Do what you need to do, and if you don't make it back by five, I'll see you at the restaurant at six.'
‘I'll be back midafternoon,' she declared firmly, as she leant forward and brushed Emilio's cheek.
Nikos unlocked the BMW and she slid into the passenger seat, watched as he crossed round to slip in behind the wheel, then she sat in silence as he eased the large car into the flow of traffic heading towards the main highway.
‘You're very quiet.'
‘I'm saving it all for later,' she assured, and heard his husky laughter. ‘If you weren't driving, I'd
hit
you,' she said fiercely.
Southport was merely a few kilometres distant, and within five minutes Nikos drove into a client car park adjacent a modern glassed building.
Nikos' lawyer led her through a series of questions as he compiled a detailed draft statement, informed what a restraining order entailed, perused a sheaf of faxed reports Nikos provided him with, then he advised her as to her personal safety, and requested she
call into the office at four that afternoon to sign the statement.
It was one-thirty when they emerged from the building, and within minutes Nikos headed the car towards Main Beach.
‘Where are you going?' Michelle queried sharply when he turned towards the Sheraton hotel and its adjacent marina shopping complex.
‘Taking you to lunch.'
‘I'm not hungry.'
‘The seafood buffet should tempt your appetite.'
‘Nikos—'
‘I've never known a woman who argues the way you do,' he drawled with amusement.
‘You,' she stated heatedly. ‘Are the most domineering man I've ever met!'
He eased the BMW into an empty parking space and killed the engine. Then he released his seat belt and leaned towards her.
His mouth settled on hers, hard, as he shaped her jaw to his, and he employed a sensual ravishment that tore her anger to shreds and left her breathless and trembling.

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