Читать книгу The Greek's Bought Wife - HELEN BIANCHIN, Helen Bianchin - Страница 7

SUDDENLY it all fell into place, and Tina hated him. Truly hated him.

‘This is the ultimate manipulative manoeuvre, isn’t it?’

Everything about the evening up to this point had been a farce. The child she carried was of prime importance. The only importance.

‘A process of elimination.’ His drawled admission caused the breath to catch in her throat.

‘You thought I was a money-grubbing bitch with an eye to the main chance?’ Anger tore at her control when he didn’t answer. ‘You bastard.’ The accusation whispered silkily from her lips.

His expression didn’t change, nor did his gaze waver from her own. ‘It was a possibility I had to consider.’

Tina attempted a deep calming breath, and cursed softly when it had no effect whatsoever. ‘Should I surmise you’ve also run a routine check?’

She had nothing to hide, except one incident on record. He couldn’t have delved that far, surely?

‘Private schooling, love of sport, father killed in an accident when you were seventeen.’ He paused for a few seconds. ‘Assaulted a year later by an intruder during a home invasion.’

Tina felt the colour leach from her face as she fought to control the vivid image obliterating her vision. In an instant she was back there in her bedroom, home alone in the apartment she’d shared with her mother, waking to an unusual sound close by, scared out of her wits in the knowledge someone was in her room.

The guttural voice, the stale smell of unwashed clothing…one hard hand clamped over her mouth while the other tossed aside bedcovers and ripped the thin nightshirt from her body. She’d fought like a demon, lashing out with her feet, her hands…

Nine years had passed since that frightening night. She’d had therapy, learnt coping mechanisms and acquired combat skills.

Her determination to be a survivor not a victim had left her with an almost obsessive need for security measures, a mistrust of men…and a legacy of infrequent nightmares.

‘Assaulted, but not raped,’ Tina managed quietly. Although it had come close. Too close. He’d hurt her, broken her arm, fractured three of her ribs.

‘You were hospitalised.’

So he’d gained access to the medical report.

‘Did you also unearth a speeding ticket, a few parking violations?’ She was like a speeding train, unable to stop. ‘Run a check my taxes are paid to date?’

His steady gaze was unnerving as the silence stretched between them.

‘I’m suggesting a marriage in name only,’ Nic offered in a faintly accented drawl.

‘A sham? Separate rooms, separate lives?’

‘A mutually convenient partnership,’ he elaborated. ‘A shared social existence.’

‘Isn’t that taking familial duty and devotion just a little too far?’

‘Vasili would want his child to be well cared for…to legitimately bear the Leandros name. I can at least do that for him.’

‘Regardless of my wishes?’

‘You’ll be more than adequately compensated. Houses at home and abroad, frequent travel, jewellery, an extremely generous allowance.’

‘For which I should be duly grateful?’ If looks could kill, he’d fall dead on the spot. ‘And you?’ Tina demanded. ‘What would you get out of such a marriage?’

‘A wife, a legitimate Leandros heir, a social partner.’ He waited a beat. ‘And one very persistent woman out of my life.’

‘I very much doubt you need protection from anyone. Especially a woman!’

Tina was so impossibly angry she didn’t pause to think. ‘I imagine your wife would be expected to turn a blind eye to a mistress discreetly set up in an apartment somewhere?’ She leaned forward and sharpened a mythical dart, just for the hell of it. ‘Or does your taste run to same-sex lovers?’

She glimpsed something hard in the depths of those dark eyes, then it was gone.

‘Are you done?’

Tina paid no heed to the dangerous silkiness in his voice. ‘What about my needs?’

His eyes locked with hers, and she couldn’t look away. ‘All you have to do is ask.’

She swung her hand towards his face. Except it didn’t connect.

Instead he used her momentum to pull her into his arms and silenced her by covering her mouth with his own in a kiss that tore her composure to shreds.

Nothing she’d ever experienced came close to the frankly sensual plundering he subjected her to. It was an invasion of the senses, a flagrant, devastating attempt to suppress her will.

When he released her she could barely stand, and she was hardly aware of the notes he tossed onto the table, or that he followed as she turned and walked from the restaurant.

It was impossible to ignore him, for he was there as she unlocked her Volkswagen…a funky bright yellow sedan, with a sunroof, that she’d fallen in love with on sight.

‘Tomorrow,’ Nic inclined as she slid in behind the wheel.

‘Go to hell.’ Fierce, angry, foolish words, she perceived as she fired the engine and sent the car towards the exit at a speed in excess of the marked restriction.

Nic Leandros was the most impossible man she’d ever met. If she never saw him again, it would be too soon.

A sharp horn-blast startled her, and she swore beneath her breath at her failure to notice the traffic light had changed from red to green.

Focus, Tina silently berated as she sent the car forward.

In a determined bid, she attempted to dismiss Nic Leandros from her mind.

Except it didn’t work. She could still feel the pressure of his mouth on her own, the taste of him. Dammit, the sensual sweep of his tongue.

Oh, for heaven’s sake! Get over it.

Nic Leandros was merely exerting male dominance in a spontaneous attempt to still her angry tirade.

Tina slept badly, and woke feeling as if she’d run a marathon. The beginnings of a headache threatened an emergence, and her stomach didn’t feel as if it belonged to her at all.

Sweet tea and dry toast…or was that merely an old wives’ tale?

The temptation to bury her head beneath the pillow and tell the world to go away was uppermost. Except it wasn’t going to happen.

There was work…and some time during the day she had to face Nic Leandros. The hope he might go away was as unlikely to be realised as a snowfall in summer.

What time was it? She checked the digital clock and groaned. Another hour before room service would deliver breakfast.

Okay, so she could do the sweet tea, and there was probably a snack-pack of dry biscuits in the complimentary mini-bar. The day’s newspaper should already be outside her door…

If her stomach decided to revolt, better sooner than later, she determined a trifle grimly.

Ten minutes later she cast the newspaper aside and took a leisurely shower, then dressed; she ate a healthy breakfast, tidied the suite, then she cast a glance at the time.

It was early, yet the need to keep occupied prompted the thought of work. Better to be at the boutique than sit twiddling her thumbs in a hotel room.

She would dust the fittings, vacuum, then check the floor stock before opening up at the usual time.

Early mornings tended to be slow, with few patrons making an appearance much before ten, when Lily reported in for the day.

With that in mind she collected her laptop, caught up her bag and went down to collect her car.

Double Bay was only a matter of kilometres distant, and she parked at the rear of the building, activated the car alarm, then crossed to the entrance out front.

Tina took great pride in the boutique with its elegant salon, beyond which lay a small back room where extra stock was stored, as well as the usual utilities.

There was a need to be in familiar surroundings, she acknowledged as she crossed the salon. To think and rationalise Nic Leandros’ proposition. She’d be damned if she’d term it a proposal.

She hadn’t thought of children; she definitely hadn’t considered marriage.

It was the reason she socialised within the safe company of a few selected and trusted friends. Vasili used to tease that while he protected her from male predators, she protected him from female fortune hunters. A mutually satisfactory relationship.

At least it had been until that fateful night when a friendly kiss had led to more. A tenderly concerned Vasili who had suggested it was time she made the final leap to sexual intimacy with a friend for whom she held affection and trust. Add the enhancement of wine…and it had seemed so logical at the time.

Ironic that the act should result in pregnancy. Yet she wanted this child…an unexpected gift in living memory of a fun and caring young man.

Was she right in keeping the child solely hers? If Vasili were alive, they’d share parenting and the child would assume the Leandros name.

So why did she baulk at Nic Leandros’ proposition?

Because Vasili’s half-brother was an unknown quantity. Older, ruthless…dangerous.

Yet she had to concede there were advantages. The child would have a father figure, a legal right to its heritage, grandparents, family. A stable, loving environment in which to grow.

On a personal level she’d have a steady male companion whom she could trust not to hit on her at the end of an evening.

Another plus was the knowledge Nic travelled extensively on business. A lot of the time he wouldn’t be in the same city, the same country.

The vacuum hummed as she ran it over carpet and marble tiles, then she carefully smoothed a dusting cloth over shelving, polished the mirrors before standing back to admire her handiwork.

The salon held the restrained elegance of an up-market boutique, its design and fittings…so exactly right for the Double Bay location renowned for its fashionistas, the wealthy women who could indulge their expensive tastes in imported and Australian designer apparel.

Tina possessed a natural love of clothes, and had done so for as long as she could remember, mix and matching outfits as she’d dressed her dolls…Barbie, of course, in each of her guises. As a teenager, she’d helped out in her mother’s boutique, proving she had a keen eye for fashion, accessories, and an instinctual flair for putting things together.

There was no hesitation in which field she’d make her career, and she’d learnt the retail clothing trade from the floor up…initially through her mother’s expert tutelage, then in one of Sydney’s large city stores for three years before returning to co-manage her mother’s Double Bay boutique.

Until five years ago when Claire had met and married Felipe, the second love of her life, shifted base to Noosa, leased her apartment and left Tina in control.

The Double Bay social set employed a reasonably routine shopping pattern, meeting around nine-thirty for coffee, electing to begin browsing the various boutiques around ten-thirty, followed by a long lunch at one of the trendy restaurants, before doing the air-kiss thing and departing for homes cleaned by professionals.

Lily arrived promptly at ten, almost bursting into the boutique, modifying her excitement as Tina finished dealing with a patron who’d bought the entire outfit displayed in the front window…including shoes and handbag.

A folded newspaper was placed onto the glass-topped island counter.

‘Have you seen this?’ Lily demanded, sotto voce, following it with an irrepressible grin.

Tina glanced at the newsprint and felt the breath catch in her throat. Strategically placed centre page was a reasonably sized photograph taken the previous night at the restaurant, together with a bold caption speculating a date for Nic Leandros’ forthcoming marriage to Tina Matheson.

‘How come you kept this to yourself?’ Lily teased. ‘Give.’

The truth was a credibility stretch…even for a friend. ‘It represents a gross misinterpretation by the media.’ Initiated by a determined manipulative man, Tina added silently, and met Lily’s speculative gaze.

‘That’s all you’re going to say?’

‘For now.’

The electronic door buzzer provided a timely interruption, and she turned to discover the courier delivery guy with a packing box.

‘Where do you want this?’

Three patrons entered the boutique, one serious buyer, Tina judged, and two browsers idly riffling through the racks.

With a quick word she excused herself and crossed to the courier’s side. ‘Out back.’ She silently signalled Lily to take over while she checked the invoice.

Minutes later the courier clipped the signed invoice onto his clipboard and departed, leaving Tina to cross to the two women checking out a garment, whereupon she offered assistance, complimenting the designer, the fabric and style.

Another sale, followed soon after by another, adding to a productive morning, Tina reflected as she took a moment to complete the unpacking of new stock.

‘Oh, my.’

The hushed tone in Lily’s voice had Tina shooting a glance in her direction. ‘As in?’

‘Serious eye candy about to walk through the door.’

Male, Tina deduced. An attractive husband intent on buying his wife an expensive gift? She didn’t bother glancing up. ‘Go for it.’

‘I wish.’

Lily’s reverence brought forth a slight smile. Lily was equally friend as valued employee, and considered herself to be a connoisseur of men.

‘However, he’s yours.’

Tina’s gaze shifted to the salon entrance and the breath caught in her throat in recognition of the man engaging Lily in conversation.

Nic Leandros…here?

If he thought she’d walk over to him and play pretend in Lily’s presence, he could think again.

With outward calm Tina extracted the last garment from the box, deftly inserted a clothes hanger and transferred it onto a rack so it could air for a while. After lunch she’d freshen today’s delivery with the steam-iron before transferring the garments onto display racks in the salon.

She was acutely aware of the muted background music whispering through strategically placed speakers, creating a relaxed ambience that was reflected in the elegant combination of delicately blended cream, wheat and beige utilised in the furnishings. A luxurious setting to display the exclusive range of designer garments for which the boutique was known.

‘Tina.’

It was a voice she’d recognise anywhere. It was also one she didn’t want to hear. Yet good manners forced her to school her features into a polite mask as she turned to face Nic Leandros.

Her gaze was silently challenging. ‘Is there something I can help you with?’ Cool…she could do cool, despite the fact her nervous system was in direct conflict. It was insane the way one glance at that well-shaped, sensual mouth brought a vivid recall of how it had felt possessing her own.

‘Lunch,’ Nic informed her with deceptive calm. ‘Your assistant is happy to take charge for an hour.’

He really was the limit! ‘I already have plans.’ She didn’t, but he wasn’t to know that.

‘Change them.’

‘Why should I do that?’

‘We can discuss arrangements here,’ he informed steadily. ‘Or over lunch. Choose.’

The electronic door buzzer sounded, signalling the arrival of a client.

‘This is neither the time nor the place,’ Tina protested quietly, silently hating him for placing her in such an invidious position. She made an instant decision. ‘Give me five minutes.’

She made it in four, spoke briefly to Lily, preceded him from the boutique, and waited until they reached the pavement before demanding, ‘What do you want?’ She kept her voice low, but her pent-up anger was an audible force.

‘To continue the discussion you walked out on last night.’

His drawled tone held a steely quality she chose to ignore. ‘You’re giving me a choice?’

There were a few trendy cafés and restaurants dotting the street, and Nic indicated one close by.

She wanted to turn and retrace her steps, and almost did. Except he’d probably follow.

Within seconds he caught a waiter’s attention, sought a table, and waited until they were seated before venturing, ‘It’s possible the media will make contact with you at some stage this afternoon.’

Tina was unable to prevent a cynical element tinging her voice. ‘For this I need your help?’

Nic’s gaze remained steady. ‘Regarding my statement announcing our imminent marriage.’

A waitress crossed to their table and stood with pen and pad poised as Nic placed an order for two.

‘I may not want the chicken Caesar salad,’ Tina stated, and fixed Nic a deliberate glare before turning towards the waitress. ‘Don’t you just hate it when a man thinks he knows a woman’s mind?’ A double-edged query, if ever there was one.

The waitress, having undoubtedly witnessed the behaviour of numerous patrons during her employment, merely flicked Tina a glance that clearly queried Tina’s sanity.

What woman wouldn’t give her eye-teeth to have a man of Nic Leandros’ ilk appear so…in control?

Damn. She liked Caesar salad. ‘Make mine spinach and fetta tortellini with the mushroom and bacon sauce.’

Tina met Nic’s hooded gaze. ‘We can argue this back and forth for ever.’ She wanted to hit him…or, failing that, go several rounds in verbal battle. ‘Give me one good reason why I should agree to marry you, aside from being pregnant with Vasili’s child.’

He regarded her thoughtfully. ‘Protection.’ He could promise her that. ‘Loyalty. Trust,’ he endorsed quietly.

Sans love or fidelity.

Get real, a silent voice taunted. Neither love nor fidelity enter the equation. Nor do you want them to. So why even go there?

‘And the child? You intend claiming it as your own?’

Nic’s eyes narrowed. ‘Foster the illusion I’m the child’s biological father?’

Her chin tilted a little. ‘Yes.’

‘I will delight in my wife’s pregnancy, and initiate adoption proceedings immediately following the birth.’

Ensuring the legalities were neatly taken care of.

‘You avoided answering the question.’

‘The child will be born a legitimate Leandros, with two parents.’ His eyes speared hers. ‘No one, apart from Paul and Stacey, need know personal details.’

‘And Claire.’ Dear heaven, she had yet to enlighten her mother of the pregnancy. She eyeballed the man seated opposite. ‘I won’t keep the truth from her.’

‘I wasn’t going to suggest you do.’

There were a few other conditions she needed to voice, and she paused as the waitress presented their meals.

‘Claire’s boutique is my responsibility,’ Tina insisted as soon as the waitress was out of earshot. ‘Don’t expect me to give up work and assume a social butterfly persona.’

‘No objection, with one proviso.’ Dark eyes lanced her own. ‘Unless the medics advise otherwise.’

She wanted to argue, and her eyes darkened to a deep emerald-green. Something that fascinated him. She was fire and ice, and a complex mix of strength and vulnerability.

‘I want a prenuptial agreement protecting my interests.’

That was his criterion, surely? ‘Anything else?’

‘What if either one of us chose to file for divorce?’

‘I doubt the possibility will occur.’

‘But if it does?’ Tina persisted, and met his hard, level look.

‘Be aware I’d fight you in court to assume full custody of the child.’

‘You’d never get it,’ she said with certainty. ‘The courts generally favour the mother, especially when the male parent is not even the child’s biological father.’

One eyebrow arched in silent cynicism. ‘You doubt my ability to prove a case against you?’

A chill shiver feathered its way down her spine. Nic Leandros had both wealth and power in his favour. Sufficient of both to employ the finest legal brains in the country.

‘No.’ She paused imperceptibly. ‘But don’t underestimate my determination to oppose you.’

Brave words from a brave woman. He selected his cutlery and indicated she should do the same. ‘Let’s eat, shall we?’

The tortellini looked and smelt delicious, but Tina’s appetite had gone on strike. Instead, she cast an envious glance at the crisp cos lettuce in Nic’s bowl, the croutons and sliced chicken, the delicate sauce…and caught the faintly humorous twist at the edge of his mouth.

Without a word he signalled the waitress, ordered another chicken Caesar salad, and met Tina’s glare with equanimity.

‘What do you think you’re doing?’

‘Ensuring you have what you’d prefer to eat.’

Her glare intensified. ‘And you know this because?’

One eyebrow rose. ‘Can I look forward to a battle-field with every meal we share?’

‘Count on it if you intend overriding every choice I make!’

Nevertheless the Caesar salad, when it arrived, was too tempting to resist, and she ate in silence while steadfastly ignoring the man seated opposite.

‘No polite conversation?’

Tina offered him a level glance. ‘I was trying to avoid indigestion.’

His soft laughter surprised her, and her eyes widened fractionally as she caught a gleam of humour in those dark eyes.

‘Our relationship will be an interesting one.’

His drawled observation attacked her equilibrium, and she fought to retain it. ‘A qualification…I’ve yet to agree.’

‘But you will.’

‘Why so sure?’

‘Because in your heart you know Vasili would see our liaison as an ideal solution.’

It didn’t help Nic Leandros was right. ‘Together with your assurance the alternative isn’t something I’d want to contemplate?’

He took his time. ‘Precisely.’

Tina wanted to throw something at him, and almost did. ‘I don’t like threats.’

‘Believe it’s a statement of fact.’

The icy certainty in his voice was a vivid reminder she didn’t stand a chance against the wealth and influence of the Leandros family.

This…marriage, Tina qualified, was merely a business arrangement, with advantages for her, a child who surely deserved a stable upbringing…as opposed to a tug-of-war custody battle.

She didn’t want to give in. Especially to this man, whose powerful presence disturbed her more than she was prepared to admit.

Yet a marriage based on mutual convenience among the wealthy wasn’t so unusual. It forged a legal partnership, built wealth and provided heirs. A beneficial arrangement, legally documented and containing clearly defined boundaries.

‘I want everything in writing.’ She rose to her feet and sent him a long direct look. ‘Subject to my legal advisor’s perusal and approval.’

Nic followed her actions, extracted notes from his wallet and tossed them on the table. ‘The document will be delivered to you by courier late this afternoon. A copy of which will be despatched to your lawyer.’ He waited a beat. ‘Whose name is?’

Tina gave it, and battled the apprehension curling deep inside.

An instinctive omen? Don’t be ridiculous, she silently derided as she made her way out of the restaurant. This isn’t personal…it’s business.

She paused as she reached the pavement. ‘We’ll be in touch.’ Then she turned and walked away from him without so much as a backwards glance.

Outward composure, when inwardly her nerves were threatened to shred into a tangled mess.

Lily could barely contain her curiosity as Tina re-entered the boutique. ‘Details,’ Lily begged without preamble.

Truth wasn’t an option, so she went with ambiguity. ‘We’re still working them out.’

A call from her lawyer a few hours later insisting on a personal consultation at day’s end didn’t surprise her. Nor, as she sat opposite him, did his cautionary advice.

He agreed, however, that each of her concerns had been adequately dealt with from a business aspect.

Tina signed, her signature was duly witnessed, and she walked out into the cool evening air, aware she’d just sealed her fate.

An hour later her cellphone rang, and she discovered Nic Leandros on the line.

‘I’ve arranged an intimate ceremony at the weekend in my home, immediate family only.’ He barely paused. ‘Any further media queries, refer them to me.’

Her heart leapt into her throat. ‘So soon?’

‘Why delay?’

She closed her eyes, then opened them again. Because I’m not ready for this. But then it was doubtful she’d ever be ready.