The Helen Bianchin Collection (Mills & Boon E-Book Collections) (37 page)

‘I just cancelled.'

A witching glimmer of humour danced in her eyes. ‘So you did.'

He kissed her briefly, a swift, evocative gesture that didn't begin to satisfy.

Katrina watched as Nicos negotiated the traffic, aware of him to a heightened degree. His male scent, the faint tang of his cologne.

He possessed an elemental sexuality that stirred her senses to fever pitch. Primitive, raw, and wholly mesmeric, it had the power to turn her into a willing wanton woman, shameless, libidinous, and totally
his
.

‘A hotel?'

‘You want to shock Sofia and Andre?'

She shot him a mischievous smile. ‘I guess not.'

Katrina slid from the passenger seat as Nicos handed the car over to a porter, and she entered the spacious lobby, admired a magnificent floral arrangement as Nicos checked in, then entered the lift at his side.

Could the other occupants sense the shimmering passion? It was all she could do not to reach out and touch him.

There were words she longed to say, but they could wait. What they wanted, needed, from each other, could not.

Nicos drew her into the suite, fixed the do-not-
disturb sign, locked the door, then drew her into his arms.

His mouth closed over hers with a hunger she met and matched, their hands busy as they discarded each layer of clothing, until there was the warmth and intimacy of skin on skin.

Heat and passion, desire and hunger. Wild ravaging need.

Now.

It was a silent language two lovers shared, and a groan escaped her throat as he lifted her high, then slid into her with one powerful thrust, his hands caging her hips.

Katrina flung back her head, exultant in his possession, and she simply held on as he captured her breast, teasing the tender peak until she cried out for mercy. Only to have him ravish its twin.

Her hands slid to his shoulders, then moved up to hold fast his head as she brought it to her own in a kiss that mirrored the sexual act itself.

It was a turbulent coupling, and she gasped as he took her deep, only to withdraw and take her again, long slow movements to maximise her pleasure.

She sensed the moment he was at the brink of losing control, and she joined him as they tipped over the edge, his husky groan mingling with her own in a climax that left them both shuddering their release.

He held her close, nuzzling the sensitive skin at the edge of her neck until the raggedness of their breathing slowed and evened out.

Then he carried her into the bathroom, filled the
spa-bath, and lifted her into the pulsating water before retreating to the bar fridge for champagne.

Katrina sipped the chilled contents of her flute as he stepped in to sit facing her.

‘Salute.'
He touched the rim of her flute with his own, and her lips parted in a winsome smile.

She felt almost in awe of the entire gamut of emotions invading her senses. There was love, its strength and tenure overwhelming. An intense awareness there could be no one else, ever, capable of taking his place in her heart.

It was a knowledge imprinted in her soul. Inviolate.

Nicos lifted a hand and trailed light fingers across her cheek, watched her eyes dilate as he traced the outline of her generous mouth.

Her lips parted, soft and slightly swollen beneath his touch.

‘Thank you.'

One eyebrow lifted slightly. ‘For what, precisely?'

Her eyes were the darkest green, and incredibly eloquent. ‘
You
,' she said simply. His tenacity, everything that made him the man he was. To consider, even for a moment, that he might have let her walk away filled her with pain.

‘You're mine,' Nicos said gently. ‘No other woman comes close to you.'

It hurt unbearably that she had doubted him. Yet the purported facts had been damning, at the time his denial beyond proof. And Georgia had been very convincing. Such incredible lengths Nicos's former mistress had gone to destroy a marriage.

A faint shiver slithered down her spine. That Georgia had almost succeeded—

‘Don't go there.'

He read her so well. Too well, she attested silently.

Nicos caught her close and savoured the sweet curve of her shoulder. His hands soothed, brushing lightly over water-slicked skin, pausing to render supplication to vulnerable pleasure pulses before drifting low in an evocative trail that stirred her senses anew.

A soft sigh left her lips as his fingers caressed the sensitised nub, taking her high with a skilled ease that left her breathless.

‘Nicos.' His name was both plea and protest.

‘Hmm?' His voice was a teasing murmur at her temple.

‘If you plan taking this further, I should tell you I skipped lunch.'

His husky laughter was almost her undoing. ‘I thought I had your undivided attention.'

Katrina placed her lips against his in a brief teasing kiss. ‘You do.' Believe me, you do, she added silently.

He rose to his feet in one fluid movement, lifted her effortlessly onto the tiled floor, then wrapped a towel round her slim form before fixing another at his hips.

‘Let's go check out room service.'

It was later, after a leisurely meal and what remained of the champagne, that Katrina caught hold of his hand and pulled him towards her.

‘Do you have plans for this evening?'

He gave a faint smile. ‘We could go home.'

The word had a nice sound to it. ‘Hmm,' she teased, pretending to consider their choices. ‘Or we could get dressed.' She fingered his complimentary towelling robe, one of which she also wore. ‘And take in a nightclub.'

So she wanted to play. He was willing to join in the game. ‘Or a movie.'

Katrina traced a finger down the deep V of his robe. ‘It would be a shame to waste the suite.'

He stood still, content to let her have control, for now. ‘A shame.'

She teased the dark hairs arrowing down to his waist. ‘Do we have any wine?'

‘Red, or white?'

Her faint smile held a wicked tinge. ‘It doesn't matter.'

‘Want me to check?'

Her fingers were busy, and far too close to a vulnerable part of his anatomy.

‘Uh-huh.'

Nicos moved a few paces, retrieved a small bottle of wine, popped the cork, part-filled two goblets and handed her one.

Katrina dipped a forefinger into the light-coloured liquid, traced a pattern along the edge of his collar bone, then she leaned forward and slowly followed the same path with her tongue.

With one hand she undid the tie fastening his robe and pushed it off one shoulder, then the other, letting it fall to the floor in a heap.

His eyes were dark, and she saw the pulse leap at his throat as she circled one male nipple.

Minutes later his breath hissed through his teeth, and firm fingers closed over her wrist, stilling the evocative trail. ‘Dear God,' he ground out. ‘Are you done?'

She tilted her head, and her lips curved into a provocative smile. ‘Had enough?'

A muscle clenched at the edge of his jaw. ‘Be warned, I intend to reciprocate.'

A light laugh escaped her throat. ‘I'm counting on it.'

Later, much later, it was she who groaned out loud. She who pleaded, then begged as he took her on a mercilessly provocative journey that explored the senses until she shattered, fragmenting into a thousand, exquisite pieces.

Katrina lay supine, seriously doubting her ability to move. Even lifting a hand seemed to require too much effort. She was barely aware when Nicos pulled up the bed covers, and drew her in close against him.

She slept, waking to the light brush of Nicos's fingers as he traced a line along the edge of her waist to her hip, then her thigh. His lips teased the soft hollow at the base of her throat, and she moved close to nuzzle his chest.

It was a wonderful way to begin the day. Slow, lazy seduction, and equally slow sex.

Lovemaking, she qualified, glorying in the feel and the taste of him.

Afterwards they hit the shower together, then
dressed, they ordered in breakfast and ate it out on the terrace, watching the city come alive as ferries crossed the harbour and road traffic began to build.

A new day, Katrina mused as she sipped the aromatic coffee. The sky was a clear blue, with hardly a cloud in sight, and the sun lent the promise of warmth.

There was a sense of timelessness, and a need to encapsulate the moment and store it somewhere safe.

Nicos studied her profile, the fine bone structure. She possessed a beauty of soul and spirit, an intrinsic quality that was uncontrived.

He felt his body harden remembering the degree of intimacy they'd shared. Two minds so finely attuned, he knew her thoughts, her innermost secrets.

Katrina's skin prickled, and she turned slightly, met his gaze, and felt her insides begin to melt at what she saw in those dark depths.

‘Time to go,' she said gently as she rose to her feet and offered him her hand.

Together they took the lift down to reception and collected the car. Ten minutes later Nicos double-parked outside the towering steel and glass structure which housed the corporate offices of Macbride.

Katrina kissed her fingers and touched them briefly to his lips. ‘Until tonight.'

He watched her disappear through the revolving glass doors, then he eased the car into the flow of traffic.

There was a place in the Greek Islands where the sun kissed the translucent waters, vines grew on the
gentle slopes, and white-washed villas dotted the hillside. He had an urge to take her there, to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of life for a while. He'd have his secretary make the arrangements.

Within minutes of reaching his office he picked up the phone, issued specific instructions, and got on with the day.

Across town Katrina viewed the rectangular-shaped package the courier had just delivered, and removed the protective wrapping to reveal the painting she had admired at the art gallery.

She picked up the phone, dialled Nicos's number, and responded as soon as he answered.

‘Thank you. It's beautiful.'

‘My pleasure.'

His voice was warm, and sent tingles down her spine.

Minutes later there was another delivery, and she opened the slender florist box to discover a single long-stemmed red rose nestling in a swathe of tissue. The card read, ‘
Katrina, agape mou. Nicos.
'

My love.
She lifted the rose to her cheek, savoured the velvety texture on her skin, then gently inhaled the delicate perfume.

Katrina had a plan of her own, and she implemented the arrangements, rang Siobhan with the invitation, then sank back into her chair with a warm smile.

‘
A private dinner
,' Katrina declared as she rose from the bed next morning. ‘In celebration,' she
added, teasing gently, ‘We get to dress up, for each other.'

‘I gather this is something special?' Nicos queried as he joined her in the shower, and caught her nod in assent.

And it was. Very special. Her gift to him.

Had he guessed? she mused as she led him out into the gardens just before dusk. There, beneath the spreading branches of a beautiful jacaranda, stood a celebrant with Siobhan at his side.

‘A reaffirmation of our wedding vows.'

Nicos drew her into his arms, settled his mouth over hers in a kiss that lasted long and took her breath away.

‘You get to do that
after
the ceremony,' the celebrant teased gently.

‘Count on it.'

Siobhan brushed a tear away as the celebrant intoned the words Katrina had requested. With joy for her daughter's newfound happiness, and the man who so obviously cherished her.

The meal Katrina had Marie prepare was a simple repast served in the candle-lit dining room. Chilled champagne and a single-tiered miniature wedding cake added an unexpected touch.

Afterwards Nicos drew Katrina into the study and slid a diamond-studded ring onto her finger.

‘Eternity. Ours,' he said gently, watching her beautiful eyes coalesce with emotion. ‘There's just one other thing.' He unlocked a desk drawer and handed her a document. ‘Read it.'

Legalese, gifting her the one-third share bequest in Macbride originally assigned to him by Kevin Macbride.

‘It was always yours,' Nicos relayed quietly. ‘Now it's official.'

Words momentarily failed her, and she dashed the sudden tears that sprang to her eyes. ‘I love you.' Tremulously spoken words that came straight from the heart. ‘It never stopped.'

Nicos lifted both hands and gently cupped her face. ‘I know.' He kissed her with lingering passion, then carried her upstairs to bed.

K
ATRINA
repositioned herself on the low-set lounger and let the warm Aegean sun caress her bikini-clad body. Dark lenses protected her eyes, and she tipped the large straw hat over her face.

It had taken Nicos a few phone calls to delegate, book a flight to Athens, and organise hire of this elegant cruiser.

They'd been here a week. Lovely lazy days and long nights filled with lovemaking. Idyllic, she thought as she closed her eyes and let her mind drift.

All the doubts and turmoil, the insecurities, had vanished. A trial by fire, she reflected, wincing slightly as Georgia's spiteful image sprang vividly to mind.

‘Don't,' Nicos cautioned gently. He was so keenly attuned to her that he sensed the slight tension evident, divined and sought to alleviate it as he brushed the pads of his fingers across her midriff in a soothing gesture.

Her skin was a light honey-gold, its texture silky smooth beneath his touch, and he took pleasure in the caress as he explored the line of Lycra stretching low across her hips.

The slight hitch in her breathing brought forth a faint smile, and he traced lower, witnessed the way
her stomach muscles tightened, then he leaned towards her and bestowed a kiss on her navel.

‘You're in danger of shocking the natives,' Katrina said in a husky drawl, and heard his soft laughter.

‘There's not a soul in sight.'

‘Binoculars, paparazzi and long-range-zoom camera lenses,' she reminded him indolently, not wanting to move.

He had the touch, the skill, that took her from warmth to heat in a few seconds flat. Desire and passion followed in equal time.

‘Want to take this down below?'

A soft chuckle of laughter emerged from her throat, and she lifted a hand, tilted her hat so she could look at him. ‘Are you serious?'

His answering grin held a wolfish quality. ‘You're not?'

She pretended to consider her options. ‘I guess I could be persuaded.' Remembering just how good he was at persuasion had her heartbeat moving up a notch.

His fingers pressed a vulnerable nub, so lightly she almost groaned in need of more.

‘If you need to think about it…'

A hand snaked out and managed a grip onto his chest hair, tightened a little. ‘Don't toy with me.'

Her husky growl was quickly silenced as his mouth took possession of hers in a kiss that promised flagrant seduction.

When he lifted his head she ran the edge of her
tongue over the slightly swollen contours of her mouth.

‘Well, then. That settles it.' She lifted a hand and pressed fingers to his lips, felt them move in a gentle caress, then she rose to her feet in a single, fluid movement, tugging him upright.

The cruiser was large, the galley and bedroom spacious.

Nicos pulled her in close and rested his cheek against her head.

He took it slowly. They had all the time in the world, and he instigated a leisurely tasting, savouring each shudder, each hitch of her breath.

She was
his
. The most important thing in his life. Always had been, even when they'd been apart. There could never be anyone else to take her place in his heart.

He said the words, in soft, guttural Greek, then in English, and she felt the moisture well in her eyes at the depth of emotion evident.

She captured his head, let her hands slide to frame his face, searched his beloved features, and saw what she knew in her heart, the depths of her soul. The unconditional love of a man for one woman. Beyond boundaries, forever true. It was an infinitely precious gift. One she would treasure for the rest of her life.

‘Promise me something,' Katrina began to say gently, and saw his smile.

‘You have to ask?'

‘Let's work at making every day special.'

‘That's a given.'

‘There's just one more thing.' She reached up and kissed him, a fleeting touch. ‘You have my love, my trust.' Her mouth shook a little. ‘Always.'

‘As you have mine,
agape mou
,' he whispered softly, and proceeded to show her a depth of passion that surpassed anything they'd previously shared.