Читать книгу Bought: One Island, One Bride - Susan Stephens, Susan Stephens - Страница 7

HE RANG a bell discreetly with his foot. It brought the steward hurrying back. ‘You may take the tea tray away now,’ he told him. ‘We’re finished here.’

‘I’m not finished,’ Ellie asserted, glancing at the steward’s retreating back.

‘I am,’ he told her coldly. Striding past her, he opened the door. ‘Accept what you have been told, or you’ll hear from my agent again. I’d like to keep this friendly, but…’

She got the message. He didn’t need to say anything more. Realisation dawned swiftly behind her eyes. This wasn’t just a question of a berth for her fishing boat, or a power-boat race or anything else that might concern her—it had come down to a decision as to whether or not she would be allowed to remain living on the island.

Instead of crumbling into misery she stared at him with an expression of undiluted fury in her eyes. Then, stalking stiff-legged across the room, she came to join him at the door.

He stood back to allow her to pass. As he did so he caught a whiff of her scent: soap, sea and engine oil. It was something he would never forget. Surprisingly, he found it quite a winning combination. Wisely he kept his wandering thoughts to himself and confined himself to a curt nod of dismissal.

‘Goodbye, Kirie Kosta,’ Ellie intoned with matching formality.

She met his gaze fearlessly. Her mouth was compressed in an angry line and her eyes were still blazing fire at him. She stood in front of him long enough for him to notice that her curly hair was sun-streaked to the point of being blonde at the temples, and however hard she tried to flatten those lips they still curved in a perfect Cupid’s bow.

‘Kiria Theodopulos?’ she said, looking past him into the room.

He had forgotten the old lady was even there, and yet he noticed everything about Ellie. There was a smudge of oil on her cheek that drew his attention back to the ugly scar…As she brought her hand up to cover it he wondered at the shame she was feeling—the shame that showed in her eyes. It puzzled him. It even softened him, just a little. ‘Make an appointment if you want to see me again,’ he said gruffly as the two women walked past him.

‘When can I see you?’ Ellie demanded like a shot.

‘My PA keeps my diary.’ He refused to be pressured by a child. She looked so young standing beside Kiria Theodopulos…and, of course, good Greek manners dictated that he should escort the old lady back to the shore. This wasn’t over yet. He offered his arm to Kiria Theodopulos, and when she took it Ellie had no option but to follow on behind.

When they reached the shore something made him throw Ellie a lifeline. ‘I’m holding a meeting tomorrow. You should attend. It’s on neutral territory,’ he added with some irony.

‘Where?’ She looked at him with interest.

‘In the council building.’

‘I know it.’

Her remorseless enthusiasm for her cause niggled at him. ‘It’s at eleven. Miss it and you won’t get a second chance.’

‘Thank you,’ she said, as if he had offered her something graciously.

Maybe he should have added that she would get a hearing by people on his payroll, but why not let her find that out for herself? It might have more impact that way; show her she was defending a lost cause. ‘Do you have a problem?’ he said, realising she was still standing there, looking thoughtful.

‘My wardrobe is somewhat limited.’

The elders of Lefkis were a formal group who wouldn’t take kindly to someone turning up in a boiler suit—even if that someone was Ellie. ‘I have a secretary who might be prepared to lend you something to wear,’ he offered.

‘I can afford my own clothes, thank you, Kirie Kosta,’ she said, tilting that chin of hers again.

‘Alexander,’ he reminded her. ‘And don’t be late.’

‘I’ll be there,’ she assured him with suppressed excitement.

This was just the opportunity she had been waiting for—what a shame, he thought; it really wouldn’t do her any good. ‘Ellie…’

‘Yes?’

He had been about to offer her an advance on the compensation she would receive for quitting her berth to give her funds to buy some formal clothes, but why should he? Why not let her climb out of the hole she’d dug herself? ‘Forget it,’ he said.

‘You will let me speak tomorrow?’ she said suspiciously.

‘You’ll never know if you don’t turn up, will you?’

Her eyes were round and wounded. He moved in for the kill. ‘If you’d troubled to read the papers my agent served on you, you would know the compensation I’m paying is enough for you to buy a whole new wardrobe of clothes and the best boat on the market—’

‘I already own the best boat on the market. And as for money, contrary to what you believe, it counts for nothing here—’

‘Oh, really? So the economy of this island works on a different system from the rest of the world? Get real, Ellie. Come to the meeting, or call it a day. It’s the only offer on the table—’

‘And if I don’t like the outcome?’

He gave her a look.

‘I have no right of appeal, is that right?’

She understood now.

No right of appeal? Ellie fumed. So, Lefkis was about to become a dictatorship under the heel of Alexander Kosta. Having survived the rule of one tyrant, it was going to suffer another. Her mind was in ferment as she walked briskly down the quay. Maybe she had been too long on an island surrounded by people she could trust and had lost her sense of what was and what wasn’t acceptable behaviour, but Alexander Kosta had really gone too far.

And she was going to take him on single-handedly?

Yes, if she had to; what other option did she have?

Ellie glanced up as she reached her berth. She had been distracted by the braying laughter coming from the towering white yacht moored up next to her boat. The occupants of the super-yacht would be well into their champagne by now, which meant she had another sleepless night to look forward to.

And how would Alexander sleep? Ellie wondered, gazing back at the Olympus. The last thing she wanted to think about was Alexander stretched out on his palatial bed, but…

Perhaps he never slept. Perhaps he just stood by the window, staring out at his well-packed marina, gloating over the revenue the super-yachts would bring him.

Taking hold of the familiar rope that said she was home, Ellie ground her teeth in anger as she padded lightly up the gangway. She was wasting her time imagining Alexander might one day change and use all that power he wielded for good. But she’d have another go, tomorrow at the meeting. And as for wondering if that stern face of his ever cracked a smile…

Perhaps he didn’t have any teeth…She laughed to herself.

Buoyed up by that thought, Ellie strode purposefully across the deck. Closing the hatch door behind her as she climbed down the companionway, she bolted it securely. Alexander wasn’t the only one in Lefkis who kept his life locked up tight.

Turning on the low-voltage lights that made everything so cosy, Ellie started making plans for the meeting. She suspected Alexander was only humouring her, with his decision about the race and the harbour already made, but still, she had to try to shake people out of their apathy. If she didn’t succeed Alexander’s stranglehold on the island would be complete.

Reaching inside her neatly stowed fridge, she got out a carton of milk and poured a glass. Moving back across the cabin to the porthole, she peered out. She could see the Olympus, where no doubt right now Alexander was busy ticking off another tame local willing to rubber-stamp his ideas. Big mistake. She tipped her glass in an ironic salute.

But there was nowhere else she would rather be, so she had to tread carefully and at least appear to play by his rules. The neighbouring islands were just as beautiful as Lefkis, but they didn’t exert the same hold over her. Not that she wanted to become part of some ritzy set-up, which seemed to be Alexander’s plan for Lefkis.

Ellie pulled back from the window. The thought of more conflict with Alexander had made her heart thunder uncontrollably. She’d seen the lights of the Olympus reflected in the water. Could Alexander see her staring at him?

Ridiculous! Of course he couldn’t…

Rinsing out her glass, she put it away, then, going to the small tin where she kept her cash, she counted it out. There was enough ‘just in case’ money to buy a cheap two-piece at the market, and maybe a pair of proper shoes as well…

She was on time, which he might have expected, but what on earth was she wearing? Alexander’s discerning gaze swept over Ellie’s market-stall outfit. The jacket, in an alarming shade of sludge-green, was far too small for her. Under that was a hideous pink nylon lace top. He couldn’t remember ever seeing anything quite so horrendous. But on the plus side he hadn’t seen her breasts before, and now he could see them clearly beneath the close-fitting top. They were large and pert. Very nice…

He dragged his gaze away to consider a skirt so big it had swung around her hips, leaving the slit that was supposed to be at the back at the side. She looked a mess. Not that the elderly man currently showing her to her seat seemed to notice…

He had arranged for her to sit on the front row, right under his gaze and where he could keep an eye on her. Why was the usher taking so long to settle her? What did they find to talk and laugh about? She looked relaxed. Too relaxed.

One thing puzzled him. It was clear she knew the elderly usher, but he was holding on to her arm in his enthusiasm when she’d panicked at the thought of his bodyguards touching her. It was another piece of the puzzle like the scar on her cheek…

Alexander frowned as he organised the papers in front of him. He had no time to waste on Ellie Mendoras today. She’d have her chance to speak and that would be an end of it.

‘Ms Mendoras, sit down. It isn’t your turn to speak yet.’ He couldn’t believe she was causing trouble again. She should realise that everyone here was in his camp. Maybe she did, but that hadn’t stopped her protesting. ‘Ms Mendoras!’ His voice cracked out like a blow with a gavel.

‘Mr Kosta,’ she rapped back at him to a murmur of general surprise. ‘This audience is largely composed of visitors to the island, all of whom have a vested interest in being here. I speak for the locals—’

‘I think I know that—’

‘Profit is the only goal of the newcomers you have introduced to the island,’ she went on, ignoring him. ‘These races of yours—’

‘Will take place. Now sit down, Ms Mendoras, before I have you removed from the chamber—’

‘Am I the only person here who cares about this island?’ she demanded, ignoring him as she gazed passionately around the packed council chamber.

She was certainly the only person present holding their shoes in their hand. ‘I’m warning you,’ he tried for one last time, ‘sit down now, or I’ll have you ejected.’

Her look suggested, you and whose army? And as he held her fiery gaze he wanted to be the one to cart her out, but he wouldn’t deposit her on the pavement—he would keep walking until they reached his bed. ‘I’ll tell you when it’s your turn to speak.’

‘You will?’ she panted tensely.

‘Yes, I will,’ he confirmed briskly. ‘Now, can we get on?’

Reluctantly, she sat down.

Ellie twisted the fabric of her skirt as she waited for her turn. So far she hadn’t heard anything to reassure her. What was worse, Alexander wouldn’t stop staring at her. Shouldn’t he be paying attention to whomever was talking at the time?

Ellie dipped her head to avoid Alexander’s gaze, but when she looked up again he was still staring at her. She firmed her jaw. She had every right to be here, and to be heard. And hadn’t she, in fact, come at his personal invitation? Who was going to stand up against him if she didn’t? She had to save Lefkis from Alexander.

And save Alexander from himself?

A rush of awareness pulsed through her at the thought. She was prepared to hold her hands up right now on that one; Alexander would have to save himself.

No one had listened to a word she’d said. Her audience had grown restless and impatient. No one wanted to hear about conservation issues or anything else that might skim the cream off their profit. He almost felt sorry for her as she stood up to go. She knew she had failed. She knew he had seen her fail. She had played her hand and had received muted applause for her trouble. Even if anyone had agreed with her everyone was frightened of offending him.

He caught up with her outside. ‘Hey…’

‘What do you want?’ She turned defensively, still prepared to do battle.

He looked at the angle of her chin and the rigidity of her shoulders. She was hurt. Hurt that no one had listened to her, not even the elders she cared so much about. Everything had worked out in his favour. He could have told her that was what would happen and saved her the trouble of coming. ‘I just wanted to make sure that this little protest of yours is over—’

‘Over?’ she cut across him acidly.

‘Don’t be silly, Ellie!’ he exclaimed with frustration, seeing the fight in her eyes. ‘Progress is essential, even on a small island like Lefkis. Without it everything comes to a standstill. You don’t want that, do you?’

‘I don’t want you…undiluted you, deciding what the rest of us should have to accept in our daily lives. I don’t want Lefkis becoming a place where people who aren’t rich or famous aren’t welcome. I don’t want the island I know and love becoming a satellite of your ivory tower—a multi-million-pound playground for you to dip into whenever you’re feeling bored.’ She marched on, refusing to turn and look at him.

‘And if we follow your plan,’ he said, keeping in step with her, ‘a slow-down in the economy here will be followed by steady decline. The young people, the lifeblood of the island, will be forced to emigrate in search of jobs, leaving the old people to fend for themselves. Is that what you want, Ellie? Ellie! Stop walking away from me!’ Gripping her shoulders, he turned her to face him. Her eyes blazed in passionate fury. ‘I won’t allow that to happen. I have to provide full employment…’ But as he spoke he realised he was no longer interested in words. He was consumed by her—her passion, her fight, her attempt to show her disinterest in him.

Under his dark scrutiny her gaze wavered. He steered her into the shadows, away from all the curious eyes. His gaze dropped to her lips. The chemistry between them was electric; irresistible…

Kissing Ellie was like finding harbour after an endless voyage. It was more sex and lust than a week in bed with any normal woman. She resisted him to begin with; he’d expected that. But then her hands went round his neck, and she dragged him close. The kiss was hot, angry—driven by their need and frustration. Her abandon startled him; delighted him. But it was also his cue to back right off. He couldn’t afford to lose control.

Turning his face away from her, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He was almost desperate to eradicate the taste of her. He doubted he’d ever succeed. She’d tasted fresh and young and eager and innocent. And he wanted her.

‘Is that supposed to keep me quiet?’ she asked him with contempt in her voice.

He looked at her; she was shaking, but not from fear.

‘This is going nowhere—’

‘You think I’d want it to?’ she asked incredulously, while her body told him something else.

He watched her stalk away with a heady mix of lust and relief. That was Ellie Mendoras over and done with. His attention was needed elsewhere. Business called and, in his world, business always came first.

What had she done? Ellie touched her lips again, tentatively, and then went to look at them in the mirror. She traced them cautiously with her fingertip. They were still swollen and very pink, and the delicate skin around them was still a little sore where Alexander’s beard had abraded her.

And even now, so long after The Kiss, she was still trembling, her heart was still racing and she was still aroused. What frightened her even more than her inexplicable lapse of good sense was the way Alexander had quite suddenly switched off. One minute he had been kissing her in the most bone-melting way, and the next standing aloof, staring at her coldly as if nothing at all had happened. OK, so her behaviour could be comfortably classified as insane, but his emotional detachment was chilling. What had happened to him? Could money do that to you?

Ellie turned from the mirror knowing she had too much work ahead of her to dwell on how stupid she’d been. She had put herself at risk when she of all people knew better, and had allowed Alexander to think she was easy. It was time to get her life back on track.

He saw her first. He guessed she was stocking up on provisions for that day’s trip. He had to question the thump in his guts when he first caught sight of her. He tipped his sunglasses down his nose, then settled them straight again before getting on with the job of policing the moorings. He was checking up on the new safety provisions he’d put in place for the crowded harbour…

Was he? Was he really? Didn’t he have scores of people who could do that for him?

He brushed all thoughts of what had happened between them aside as he strolled up to her. He blocked out the way she’d felt, the way she’d tasted, the way she’d made him feel. He replaced all those thoughts with anger, mostly directed at himself. ‘I thought you would have gone by now.’

‘I’m sorry to disappoint you, Alexander.’

He glanced pointedly in the direction of her boat.

‘My time isn’t up.’

She held his gaze to repeat her assertion that he didn’t frighten her. Interesting that she was trembling.

‘I’d love to stay and talk, Alexander,’ she lied, ‘but as you can see I’ve got a trip to prepare for. My last trip from this harbour.’

Having got this last dig in, she moved away.

‘Fully booked, I hope?’

‘Yes…’

She didn’t look round, but the tension was still there in her shoulders, even though he knew her chin would be tipped at a defiant angle. He guessed she’d walk up and down with a sandwich board on her back if that was what it took to drum up business from her new mooring. ‘If your tours are so popular you shouldn’t have any problem persuading your clientele to follow you across the island—’

‘Let’s hope you’re right,’ she called back to him.

If looks could kill he was a dead man. She was playing him at his own game, acting as if they’d never met, never touched, never kissed, and all that with a world of passion driving them. ‘I thought you had more confidence than that—’

‘I’ve got all the confidence I need, Alexander,’ she assured him, tossing her hair in defiance as she walked away.

He wasn’t finished yet; no one walked away from him. ‘I’m having a dinner party on board the Olympus tonight—’

‘Enjoy…’

‘Why don’t you come along?’ Better to keep her where he knew what she was doing than allow her to spread her dissent through those he had already converted to his way.

She hesitated; then turned around. Her brow was puckered as if in thought. ‘Well, that’s a real shame, Alexander. I won’t be able to make it tonight. You see, my tour won’t return in time…’

His lips tightened. The last thing he had expected was to be turned down flat. ‘This event will last well into the night,’ he said, walking up to her. ‘Please yourself, Ellie.’ Their faces were dangerously close. He shrugged and drew back as she stared up at him. If she wanted a fight she’d picked the right person.

He watched her walk away down the quay—proud, defiant, passionate, and asking to be laid. He could wait. Life was a game of chess. The only problem for Ellie was his life was the only game he cared about.