Читать книгу What The Greek Wants Most - Maya Blake - Страница 10

‘AND WHAT IS IT you want?’

‘For now? Lunch. Tomorrow. With you.’ Another pass of his thumb over her pulse.

Another roll of sensation deep in her belly. The temptation to say yes suddenly overcame her, despite the warning bells shrieking at the back of her mind.

She forced herself to heed those warning bells. Her painfully short foray into a relationship had taught her that good looks and charm often hid an agenda that would most likely not benefit her or her heart. And Theo Pantelides had metaphorical skull and crossbones stamped all over him.

‘The answer is still no,’ she replied, a lot sharper than she’d intended.

His lips compressed but he shrugged. As if her answer hadn’t fazed him.

And it probably hadn’t. He was one of those men who drew women like bees to pollen. He could probably secure a lunch date with half of the women in this room and tempt the other married half into sin should he choose to.

With his dark, exquisite looks and deep sexy voice, he could have any woman he chose to display even the mildest interest in.

The thought that he would do just such a thing punched so fierce a reaction in her belly that she suppressed a shocked gasp.

What on earth is wrong with me? She needed to get herself back under control before she did something foolish—like discard her plans for tomorrow in favour of spending more time with this infuriatingly self-assured, visually stunning man.

Giving herself a fierce pep talk, she pulled her hand from his grasp.

She folded her hand in her lap and wrapped her other hand over her wrist. But suddenly her own touch felt…inadequate.

She was saved from exploring the peculiar feeling when the lights dimmed and the projector started reeling pictures of miles and miles of rusted shingle roofs that formed the world famous Rio favelas.

Her father climbed onto the podium to begin his speech.

The tale of despair-driven prostitution, violence, gang warfare and kidnapping of innocents, and the need to do whatever was needed to help was one she’d heard at many fund-raisers and charity dinners.

She clenched her fist. Knowing that half the people in here, dripping in diamonds and tuxedos worth several thousand dollars, would’ve forgotten the plight of the favela residents by the time dessert was served made her silently scream in frustration.

The need to get up, to walk out almost overwhelmed her but she stayed put.

There would be no running. No walking away from the work she’d committed herself to, nor walking away from the formative minds that were depending on her.

Fierce pride tightened her chest at the part she was playing in the young lives under her charge. And the fact that she’d managed to change that part of her own life without her father or brother’s interference.

She refocused as her father finished his speech to rousing applause. The projector was shut off and the lights grew brighter.

She reached forward for her glass of wine and noticed that she was once again the focus of Theo’s gaze.

‘Should I be offended that I’m being so comprehensively ignored?’ he asked.

‘It’s not a state you’re used to, I expect?’ With her surroundings once more in focus, she noticed the looks he was getting from women on other tables. She didn’t delude herself that any of them were interested in his views on politics or world peace. No, each and every one of them would vie for much more personal, much more physical contact with the lean, broad-shouldered man next to her, whose hands casually caressed his wine glass stem in a way that made her think indecent thoughts.

She noticed the young famous actress on the next table where Theo should have been sitting gazing over at him, and again felt the sharp edge of an unknown emotion pierce her insides.

His smile grew hard. ‘You’d be surprised.’

Curiosity brought her gaze back to his. ‘Would I? How?’

‘That question makes me think you’ve formed an opinion of me.’

‘And that answer convinces me that you’re very good at deflecting. You may fool others, but you do not fool me.’

He stared at her for a moment before one corner of his mouth lifted. Abruptly, he stood and held out his hand. ‘Dance with me, anjo, and enlighten me further as to what you think you know about me.’

The demand was silky and yet implacable. In full view of the other guests, her refusal would be extremely discourteous.

Her heart hammered as she slowly slid her hand into his and let him draw her to her feet.

Emotions she was trying and failing to suppress flared up at the warmth and firmness of his grip. Fervently, she prayed for time to speed up, for the evening to end so she could be free of this man. Her reaction to him was puzzling in the extreme and the notion that she was being toyed with unsettled her more with each passing second.

As they skirted the table to head for the dance floor, her gaze met her father’s. Expecting approval for accommodating the man whose business he was so obviously keen to garner, she was taken aback when she saw his icy disapproval.

Through the elite Rio grapevine she knew Alfonso Delgado’s net worth and knew he couldn’t afford to acquire a controlling share of Da Costa Holdings. So why did her father disapprove of a man who was clearly superior in monetary worth to Alfonso?

‘You really have to do better with your social skills than this. Or I’ll have to do something drastic to retain your attention.’ The hard bite to Theo’s voice slashed through her thoughts. ‘Or were you really that into Delgado?’

‘No, I wasn’t.’

Her immediate denial seemed to pacify him. ‘Then tell me what’s on your mind.’

Inez found herself speaking before she could snap at him not to issue orders. ‘Have you ever found yourself in a position where everything you do turns out wrong, no matter how hard you try?’

‘There have been a few instances.’ He pulled her close and slid an arm around her back. Heat transmitted to her skin via the soft material of her dress and flooded through her body. This close, his scent washed over her. Strong but not overpowering, masculine and heady in a way that made her want to draw even closer, touch her mouth to the bronze skin just above his collar.

Deus!

‘You think this is one of those occasions for you?’

‘I don’t think; I know.’

‘Why?’

Her laugh grated its way up her throat. ‘Because I have a perfectly functioning brain.’

‘You’re worried because your father and brother are displeased with you?’

‘Everything else this evening has gone according to plan except…’

‘Delgado. You’re worried that your father offered you up on a silver platter because he seems to think you’re a prize worth winning and now he’ll demand to know what you did wrong.’

Her eyes snapped to his, the insult surprisingly painful. ‘What do you mean by seems to think? What do you know about my father? Or about me, for that matter?’

Theo forced himself not to tense at the question. Or let the fact that her body seemed to fit so perfectly in his arms impact on his thinking abilities. ‘Enough.’

‘Do you always go around making unfounded remarks about someone you’ve just met?’

He let a small smile play over his mouth. ‘Enlighten me, then. Are you a prize worth winning?’

‘There’s no point enlightening you because it will serve no useful purpose. After tonight you and I will never meet again.’

She took a firm step back. Attempted to prise herself out of his arms. He held her easily, willing back the thrum of anger and bitterness that rose like bile in his throat.

‘Never say never, anjo.’

Her fiery brown eyes glared at him. ‘Don’t.’

He feigned innocence. ‘Don’t what?’

‘Don’t keep calling me that.’

‘You don’t like it?’

‘You have no right to slap a pet name on someone you just met.’

The hand holding hers tightened. ‘Calm down—’

‘No, I won’t calm down. I’m not an angel. I’m certainly not your angel.’

‘Inez.’ A warning, subtle but effective.

Inez’s pulse stalled, then thundered wildly through her veins.

‘Don’t,’ she whispered again. Only this time she wasn’t sure what she pleaded for.

He leaned closer until his mouth was an inch from her ear. When he breathed out, warmth teased her earlobe. ‘Don’t use your given name? It’s either that or anjo. All the other words are only appropriate for the bedroom.’

Heat flamed through her belly as indecent thoughts of rumpled sheets, sweaty bodies and incandescent pleasure reeled through her mind.

She shook her head to dispel the images and heard his low laugh.

When she stared up at him, his eyes blazed down at her with a hunger that smashed through her body. Her nipples slowly hardened and the fire raged higher as his lips parted on another heart-stopping smile. Unable to help herself, her eyes dropped to the sensual curve of his mouth.

‘I think it’s my turn to say don’t. Not if you don’t want to be thrown over my shoulder and raced to the nearest cave.’

She forced a laugh despite the sensations rushing through her. ‘This is the twenty-first century, senhor.’

‘But what I’m feeling right now isn’t. It’s very basic. Primeval, in fact.’

He swerved her out of the path of another couple and used the move to draw her even closer. At the fierce evidence of his arousal against her stomach, Inez swallowed hard.

Her confusion escalated.

Constantine had been charismatic and breathtaking in his own right. But he’d never made her feel like this, not even in the beginning…before everything had gone disastrously wrong.

Thinking of the man who’d broken her heart and betrayed her so cruelly threw much needed ice over her heated senses. She’d made a fool of herself over one man. Foolishly believed he was the answer to her prayers. She was wise enough now to know Theo Pantelides wasn’t the answer to any prayer, unless it was the crash and burn type.

‘I believe I’ve fulfilled my obligatory dance duty to you. Perhaps you’d like to find a more unwitting female to club over the head and drag to your cave?’ She injected as much indifference into her voice as possible.

‘That won’t be necessary. I’ve already found what I’m looking for.’

Theo watched several emotions chase over her features before Inez da Costa regained her impeccable hostess persona.

Although he silently cursed himself for his physical reaction, he was thankful she realised her effect on him.

Let her think she held the power. Allow her to believe that he could be manipulated to her advantage. Or, rather, her father’s advantage.

Her reaction to Delgado’s departure had shown him that fulfilling her role as her father’s Venus flytrap was most important to Inez da Costa. Or was it something else? Did she hope to bag herself a millionaire while serving her father’s purpose? She came from a family ruthless in its pursuit of wealth and power. Was that her underlying agenda?

That knowledge demanded that he rethink his strategy. The conclusion he’d arrived at was surprising but easily adaptable.

He had an opportunity to kill a few more birds with one stone. With any luck, he would conclude his business in Rio in a far shorter time than he’d already anticipated if he played his cards right.

Inez tried to wrench herself from his grasp once more. The primitive feelings he’d mentioned so casually a moment ago resurfaced. When she tugged harder, he forced himself to release her. Her soft hand slid from his, leaving a trail of sensation that made his groin pound and his blood heat.

The plan he’d hatched solidified as he gazed down into her heart-shaped face, saw her fighting to stop her clear agitation from messing with her breathing.

Theo hid a smile.

Either she was offended at his primitive declaration or she was turned on by it. Since she wasn’t slapping his face, he concluded that it was the latter.

His gaze dropped lower, and the sight of her tightly beaded nipples against her gown made his own breathing stall in his chest. Lower still, her tiny waist gave way to those tempting hips that his palms ached to explore.

Even as he talked himself into believing his reaction would ultimately serve his purpose, a part of Theo was forced to acknowledge that he hadn’t reacted this strongly to a woman in a very long time. Everything about her brought his senses to roaring life in a way only the thought of revenge had for the past decade.

Revenge…retribution over the person who had created such chaos in his life.

He gritted his teeth as the sound of tinkling laughter and animated conversation refocused his mind to his task and purpose.

‘Good evening, Mr Pantelides. I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening,’ Inez said stiltedly.

She turned and walked off the dance floor before he could reply. Not that he felt like replying. Although he’d mostly kept on track throughout the evening, a large part of him had become far too consumed by her seductive presence.

Inez da Costa was only one part of the game. To keep on track he needed to keep his head in the whole game.

He headed for the bar and sensed the moment Benedicto and his son halted their conversation and moved pincer-like towards him.

Dreaded anxiety washed over his senses but he forced himself to breathe through it.

I am no longer in that dark, cold place. I am in light. I am free…

He tersely repeated the short statement under his breath as he tossed back the shot of vodka and set it down with cold, precise care.

He was no longer weak. No longer helpless.

And he most certainly would never be put in a position to beg for his life. Ever again.

By the time they reached him, he’d regained control of his body.

‘Senhor Pantelides—’

‘We’re about to become business partners—’ his gaze slid over Pietro’s head to where Inez was holding court in a group of guests; the sleek line of her neck and the curve of her body sent another punch of heat straight to his groin ‘—and hopefully a little bit more than that. Call me Theo.’

The younger man looked a little taken aback, but he rallied quickly, nodded and held out his hand. ‘Theo…we wanted to hammer down a time to discuss finalising our agreement.’

He took Pietro’s hand in a firm grip. Benedicto started to offer his hand. Theo deliberately turned away. Catching the bartender’s eye, he held up his fingers for three more drinks. By the time he faced them again, Benedicto had lowered his hand.

Theo breathed through the deep anger that churned through his belly and smiled.

‘Tomorrow. Ten o’clock. My office. I’ll have the documents ready for us to sign.’

This time it was Benedicto who looked taken aback. ‘I was under the impression that you wanted to iron out a few more details.’

Theo’s gaze flicked back to Inez. ‘I had a few concerns but they no longer matter. Your campaign funds will be ready in the next twenty-four hours.’

Father and son exchanged triumphant looks. ‘We are pleased to hear it,’ Benedicto said.

‘Good, then I hope the three of you will join me for dinner tomorrow evening to celebrate our new deal.’

Benedicto frowned. ‘The three of us?’

‘Of course. I expect that, since this is a family company, your daughter would wish to be included in the celebrations? After all, the company was her mother’s family’s business before it became yours, Senhor da Costa, was it not?’ he queried silkily.

The older man’s eyes narrowed and something unpleasant slid across his face. ‘I bought my father-in-law out over a decade ago but yes, it’s a family business.’

Bought out using money he’d obtained by inflicting pain and merciless torment.

The bartender slid their shots across the polished counter.

Theo picked up the nearest shot glass and raised it. ‘In that case, I look forward to welcoming you all as my guests tomorrow evening. Saúde.’

‘Saúde,’ Benedicto and his son responded.

Theo threw back the drink and this time didn’t hold back from slamming it down.

Again he saw father and son exchange looks. He didn’t care.

All he cared about was making it out of the ballroom in one piece before he buried his fist in Benedicto da Costa’s bony face. The urge to tear apart the man who’d caused his family, caused him, so much anguish reared through him.

The sound of his phone vibrating in his jacket pocket brought a welcome distraction from his murderous thoughts.

‘Excuse me, gentlemen.’ He walked away without a backward glance, gaining the double doors leading out to the wide terrace before activating his phone.

‘Heads up, you’re about to get into serious trouble with Ari if you don’t fess up as to why you’re really in Rio,’ Sakis, his brother, said in greeting.

‘Too late. I’ve already had the hairdryer treatment earlier this evening.’

‘Yeah, but do you know he’s thinking of flying down there for a face-to-face?’

Theo cursed. ‘Doesn’t he have enough on his hands being all loved up and taking care of his pregnant fiancé?’ He wasn’t concerned about a confrontation with Ari. But he was concerned that Ari’s presence might alert Benedicto to Theo’s true intentions.

So far, Benedicto da Costa was oblivious as to the connections Theo had made to what had happened twelve years ago. The older man had been very careful to erase every connection with the incident and sever ties with anyone who could bear witness to the crime he’d committed. He hadn’t been careful enough. But he didn’t know that.

Having another Pantelides in Rio could set off alarm bells.

‘You need to stall him.’

‘He’s concerned,’ Sakis murmured. Theo heard the same concern reflected in his brother’s voice. ‘So am I.’

‘It needs to be done,’ he replied simply.

‘I get that. But you don’t need to do it alone. He’s dangerous. The moment he guesses what your true intentions are—’

‘He won’t; I’ve made sure of it.’

‘How can you be absolutely certain? Theo, don’t be stubborn. I can help—’

‘No. I need to see this through myself.’

Sakis sighed. ‘Are you sure?’

Theo turned slowly and surveyed the ballroom. Rio’s finest drank and laughed without a care in the world. In the centre of that crowd stood Benedicto da Costa, the reason why Theo couldn’t sleep through a single night without waking to hellish nightmares; the reason anxiety hovered just underneath his skin, ready to infest his control should he loosen his grip for one careless second.

Inexorably, his eyes were drawn to the female member of the diabolical family. Inez was dancing with a man whose blatant interest and barely disguised lust made Theo’s fist curl over the cold stone bannister.

His stomach churned and adrenaline poured through his system the same way a boxer experienced a heady rush in the seconds before a fight. This fight had been long coming. He would see it through. He had to. Otherwise he feared his demons would never be exorcised.

He’d lived with them for far too long, and they needed to be silenced. He needed to regain complete, unshakeable hold of his life once more.

His other hand tightened around his mobile phone, his heart thundering enough to drown out the music. He spoke succinctly so his brother would be in no doubt that he meant every word.

‘Am I sure that I need to bring down the man who kidnapped and tortured me for over two weeks until Ari negotiated a two million ransom for my release? Hell, yes. I’m going to make him feel ten million times worse than what he did to me and to our family and I don’t intend to rest until I bring all of them down.’