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Bought For Marriage
Margaret Mayo
Dione Keristari will do anything to help her sick father.But begging gorgeous Greek billionaire Theo Tsardikos for cash is more than she bargained for. Now he's demanding a marriage contract in return for the money! She has no choice but to agree.However, inexperienced Dione can't handle the attraction between them, and she vows not to share Theo's bed. But Theo's a master in the ways of loving, and soon he has his temporary bride at his bidding–and she's pregnant….
“Was that good for you, agapi mou?”
It had been more than good. It had been out of this world. But did Dione want to admit that? What would she be letting herself in for?
“I never knew that making love could be so enervating,” she confessed with a wry smile.
Theo’s skin glistened in the light from one of the floor lamps, and even in repose he looked imposing. Naked or dressed, aroused or relaxed, he was one hell of an exciting male. She had never thought that when she’d agreed to marry him—had never expected that within a few short days she would be begging him to make love to her.
She had thought that the next twelve months were going to be hell; instead it looked as though she was going to enjoy them!
MARGARET MAYO is a hopeless romantic who loves writing and falls in love with every one of her heroes. It was never her ambition to become an author, although she always loved reading, even to the extent of reading comics out loud to her twin brother when she was eight years old.
She was born in Staffordshire, England, and has lived in the same part of the country ever since. She left school to become a secretary, taking a break to have her two children, Adrian and Tina. Once they were at school she started back to work and planned to further her career by becoming a bilingual secretary. Unfortunately she couldn’t speak any languages other than her native English, so she began evening classes. It was at this time that she got the idea for a romantic short story. Margaret, and her mother before her, had always read romances, and to actually be writing one excited her beyond measure. She forgot the languages and now has more than seventy novels to her credit.
Before she became a successful author, Margaret was extremely shy and found it difficult to talk to strangers. For research purposes she forced herself to speak to people from all walks of life, and now says her shyness has gone forever—to a certain degree. She is still happier pouring her thoughts out on paper.
Bought for Marriage
~ FORCED TO MARRY ~
Margaret Mayo
Bought for Marriage
CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
EPILOGUE
CHAPTER ONE
‘THEO TSARDIKOS? You expect me to go and beg him for money?’ Dione stared at her father in disbelief. ‘I can’t do it.’
Theodossus Tsardikos was a man to be reckoned with. His name was revered throughout the whole of Greece, and maybe the world for all she knew. He was her father’s sworn enemy. He ran a very successful and very luxurious worldwide hotel chain; only the rich and famous could afford to stay there.
Yannis had once tried to persuade Theo to let him franchise his restaurants inside the hotels—the suggestion had been received with raw contempt. Theo made no secret of his dislike of Yannis Keristari. And Dione couldn’t blame him.
Yannis slumped back against his pillow. ‘Then this will be the end of me.’
‘I think,’ said Phrosini, with a worried glance at her husband before looking pleadingly at her stepdaughter, ‘that your father meant you to think about it. Let’s go home. We’ll come back later and talk about this.’
As they left his hospital room Dione glanced over her shoulder at the man who had been such a big controlling influence on her life and found it hard to believe that he was asking her to do this. She’d done most things; she’d been the best daughter she could under the circumstances, but begging for money? From his archenemy? How insulting could he be?
Her mind flew back twenty-four hours to when she’d received the phone call from a distraught Phrosini saying he was ill and was asking for her.
‘Of course I’ll come. I’ll be on the next available flight.’
Dione turned to her mother, an anxious expression on her lovely face. ‘I need to return home. Father’s in hospital; he’s had a heart attack.’
Jeannie’s hand flew to her mouth. ‘Oh, dear! Naturally you must go. I’ll tell Chris for you. I do hope Yannis will be OK.’
A magnanimous thought after the way he had treated her, decided Dione. But that was her mother; she rarely thought ill of anyone. She was quiet and undemanding and Dione privately thought that she let people walk all over her. Not that she would ever tell her parent that; she loved her too dearly.
To her dismay there were no available seats on flights to Athens until the next day, but at least it gave her the opportunity to tell Chris herself.
‘I’ll come with you,’ he said at once when he saw her that evening. ‘I can’t let my fiancée go through this alone.’
He’d said it so proudly that Dione felt guilty. She had been planning to take Chris to Greece to meet her father, to get his approval for their wedding, but not under these circumstances. The shock of discovering that she was going to marry an Englishman would probably kill her father altogether.
Yannis was Greek through and through. Very proud, very traditional, and it was his ambition that Dione should marry one of his own kind. Dione, though, had other ideas. She wanted to escape her father’s domineering nature and the only way she could do it, as far as she could see, was to marry and settle in England.
She had met Christopher Donovan on one of her frequent visits to the UK and when he proposed she had thought about it long and hard before finally accepting. It wasn’t that she didn’t love Chris, she did, but it was his love for her that she wasn’t so sure about.
He had gone out with her on the rebound from a previous relationship and assured her that it was all over. But she had heard from a third party only the other day that the girl still hankered after him and that he had been seen with her. She had tackled Chris and he had looked startled at first, and then said that there was no truth in it.
‘I think it would be best if I went alone,’ she said to him now. ‘My father’s too ill to meet strangers.’
‘You’re probably right,’ he agreed. ‘You will phone me?’
‘Naturally.’
The plane landed at Athens Airport and Dione strode through the arrivals lounge, a stunningly attractive woman in a cream trouser suit teamed with a chocolate-coloured top. Her long blue-black hair brushed her shoulders sensuously with each step that she took in her high-heeled sandals, causing many a male head to turn.
Dione was oblivious. She headed for the taxi rank, not expecting anyone to meet her, but surprised and pleased to see her stepmother.
‘Phrosini, how nice of you! I didn’t anticipate this.’ She hugged the woman warmly, easily falling into her second language. ‘Shouldn’t you be with Father? How is he? Is he any better?’
Phrosini was short and plump but extremely beautiful, and it was easy to see why her father had fallen in love with her. She was as different from Dione’s mother as it was possible for two people to be. His first marriage had been a definite mistake. They had probably loved each other to begin with, surmised Dione, but her mother had been too weak to stand up to his bossy nature. Phrosini could handle him beautifully without him even realising it.
‘There’s no change,’ answered Phrosini. ‘Except that he’s excited you’re coming. He really is ill, Dione. I’m worried to death.’
‘Why didn’t you let me know sooner?’
Phrosini grimaced apologetically. ‘I didn’t want to spoil your holiday. I know how much you enjoy being in England with your mother. At first I thought he’d recover quickly, but he didn’t and he started asking for you. I couldn’t reason with him.’
They drove straight to the hospital. ‘I’m sorry, I know you’ll want to freshen up, but your father’s anxious to see you,’ explained Phrosini.
And when Dione walked into Yannis’ room she was shocked by his appearance. He wasn’t a tall man, had always been slim and dapper, but he’d lost so much weight that he looked gaunt to the point of danger, his skin grey and drawn, and he was hooked up to a host of machines that monitored his every function.
‘Dione!’ he croaked. ‘You’re here!’
She crossed the room and hugged him. ‘Yes, Father. How are you feeling? It’s so naughty of you not to let me know you were ill.’
He stroked her hand. ‘Didn’t want to worry you, child.’
‘So what brought on your heart attack?’ she wanted to know. ‘I thought you had the constitution of an ox.’
‘Not any more.’ Yannis glanced at Phrosini. ‘You tell her,’ he said in a hoarse whisper.
‘Tell me what?’
Phrosini closed her eyes, and when she opened them again Dione saw a wealth of worry. ‘Your father’s business is failing—badly.’
‘What?’ Dione frowned. How could that be? Yannis had inherited a restaurant from his father and turned it into a successful chain. There had been no talk of it losing money.
‘Trade’s been dropping off considerably,’ Phrosini informed her, her voice quiet and desperate. ‘It needs a big injection of money for a facelift and your father hasn’t got it. He’s paying out more than he gets in. We’re almost bankrupt, Dione.’
Dione was shocked but not truly surprised. She had trained in England as an interior designer, hoping to move there permanently and get a job, but Yannis had insisted she work for him. She spent her time travelling between the different restaurants, renovating where necessary—but always under Yannis’ eagle eye.
He was a pure traditionalist, so old-fashioned that he would never let her impose any of her modern ideas. He said traditional values gave the restaurants atmosphere and would not be shifted. Dione had privately had her doubts. People wanted modern and lively these days. They didn’t want to live in the past.
‘This is awful,’ she said. ‘I had no idea.’
‘Nor did I,’ confessed Phrosini. ‘Your father kept it from me—and as a result he’s in here.’ She put her hand over her husband’s and squeezed gently. ‘You’re a very stubborn man, you know that.’
Yannis grimaced. ‘It’s all up to you now, daughter,’ he said quietly, looking at Dione. ‘You’re my only hope.’
‘Me?’ Dione touched her fingers to her chest. ‘How can I help? I don’t have that sort of money.’ She really didn’t have a lot of savings. Her father paid her the minimum wage he would have paid anyone else and it all went on her flights to England.
‘I want you to go and ask Theo Tsardikos for a loan,’ he explained in a hoarse, breathless whisper. It clearly cost him to even talk. ‘He’ll drive a hard bargain, I know that, but if anyone can do it you can.’
‘I know it’s a lot to ask of you,’ said Phrosini now as they sat and drank coffee back at home in their beautiful villa and talked about Yannis. ‘But you’re our only hope, your father’s only hope. If he doesn’t get this money his life will be over. He won’t have the will to live. He’s dying now. The doctors are doing all they can but…’ She let her voice fade away and even she looked pale and ill.
‘Surely there must be some other way?’ pondered Dione. She wasn’t afraid of Theo Tsardikos, even though he was a powerful man; it would be more embarrassing than anything else. ‘What about the banks?’
‘They’re closing in on him.’
And Dione knew that he didn’t have any friends who would help. There were not many people who liked her father; he was a tyrant of the highest order, and she had more reason than most to hate him after the way he had treated her mother. But he was her blood after all and though she found it hard to forgive him she loved him. She kept the peace mainly for her emotionally vulnerable mother’s sake, not knowing what he might say or do to her if she got on the wrong side of him.
Jeannie and Yannis had divorced sixteen years ago. When their marriage broke up he had moved back to his native Greece, taking Dione with him. Reluctantly he had let her visit her mother during school holidays. Now she spent as much time in England as she possibly could, and had been on the second week of a month’s visit when she had got the call.
‘It’s a lot to ask of me.’
‘I know,’ said Phrosini.
Dione had grown close to her stepmother and loved her dearly but at this moment in time she wished that she wasn’t asking the impossible of her. Phrosini had never had any children of her own, much to Yannis’ disappointment because he’d always wanted sons, and so she looked upon Dione as her own daughter.
Now Dione faced the little Greek woman with compassion in her eyes. ‘It looks as though I have no choice.’
And when they went back to the hospital to tell her father Dione was glad that she’d made the decision. He looked if possible even more sallow and ill than earlier. He lay in his bed, his breathing laboured, but as soon as he heard her news he smiled and a light appeared in his eyes.
‘Thank you, Dione. Thank you from the bottom of my rotten heart.’ And he took her hands and squeezed them.
Dione took a deep breath as she stood outside the door and prepared to face the legendary Theo Tsardikos.
Her father’s life depended on her succeeding.
But how easy would it be, when they were total enemies?
CHAPTER TWO
THEO looked with interest at the woman standing in front of him. He was aware that Yannis Keristari had a daughter but he had never met her and was pleasantly surprised.
She was tall and slender and very fine looking, somewhere in her twenties, he imagined. She wore a grey jacket with a matching pencil-slim skirt and high-heeled shoes. The jacket was fastened to just above her breasts and a gold pendant dangled enticingly close to her cleavage. He couldn’t help wondering why she had chosen to fasten it so demurely on such a warm day, and it amused him to assume that she wore nothing beneath.
Her eyes were dark and sloe-shaped with a fan of thick lashes, her nose straight and small, and her mouth—was delicious. He forced himself to look from it. She was nothing like her father, which came as something of a surprise. And totally unlike any other Greek woman he’d met. He was fascinated. Even more so than with the reason she was here.
Which had yet to be revealed.
Clearly Keristari had sent her. Theo had heard through the grapevine that Yannis Keristari’s business was in trouble. Had his daughter’s visit anything to do with it? Perhaps he was offering to sell him his restaurants?
He showed his visitor to a seat, not once taking his eyes off her, and waited for her to speak. She was graceful in her movements and smelled like a dream.
‘Mr Tsardikos.’
‘Please, call me Theo.’
‘This isn’t a social visit,’ she declared with a delightful toss of her head that revealed a long, slender neck simply begging to be kissed. Theo sat down behind his desk to stop himself from advancing towards her. ‘Maybe,’ he growled. ‘But there’s no need for formalities, especially when you’re the daughter of an old…acquaintance of mine.’ He’d been about to say enemy, but realised that this could get her back up before she’d even given her reason for being here. ‘Would you like coffee? I can get someone to—’
‘No!’
It was an instant decision. She was clearly on a mission and wanted to get it over with. ‘So how can I help you?’ He folded his arms, allowing his eyes to half close as he studied her intently. He could feel a stirring in his groin that shocked him to the core. This was the daughter of a man he hadn’t the faintest admiration for. He should be totally indifferent to her. So why wasn’t he?
‘My father needs money.’
He felt quite sure she hadn’t intended to blurt it out like that because a tell-tale colouring to her skin belied her cool outer image. But he was glad that she had because he now knew where he stood. His mind had run to the fact that her father could be offering him first refusal on the business. But money! How much had it cost Keristari to send her here?
‘Is that so?’ he asked with cool indifference. He had no intention in the world of helping this man out.
Dione nodded. ‘He believes that you might be able to help him.’
Theo wanted to tell her straight away that he wouldn’t. Keristari was a bully of the highest order and most definitely not a man to do business with.
But he didn’t want to let Dione go yet. He was fascinated. She was quite the sexiest woman he had met in a long time. There was something refreshingly different about her. It was as though she had no idea of her own sexuality. How he would like to introduce her to it.
‘Why ask me?’ he asked, leaning back in his chair, his hands linked behind his head. ‘Why not his bank?’
‘I think he’s in too deep for that,’ admitted Dione. ‘He says you’re his only hope. He’s counting on it.’
Dione saw the disbelief on Theo Tsardikos’ face, the hint of anger quickly suppressed, and knew that her mission was doomed to failure. But she still needed to try. The image of her father lying helpless in hospital flashed in front of her mind’s eye. Much as she feared him, much as she sometimes despised him, she couldn’t bear to see him so ill and worried.
‘He’s counting on it!’ repeated Theo disbelievingly, dragging dark brows together over velvety brown eyes. ‘Why would he ask me, the man he probably hates more than anyone else in the world, for money? Unless, of course, he’s exhausted all his other options.’
‘I don’t know,’ said Dione, her eyes steady on this tall, undeniably handsome man with a shock of dark hair that looked as though he constantly ran his fingers through it. ‘I didn’t know anything about it until yesterday. I’ve been visiting my mother in England.’
‘So Phrosini isn’t your birth mother?’ he enquired, sharp interest on his face.
Dione shook her head. She wished he wasn’t quite so good-looking. She wished his eyes wouldn’t rake over her as though he wanted to take her to bed.
‘That explains why you look nothing like either of your parents.’
‘Which has nothing to do with the reason I’m here,’ declared Dione heatedly. She certainly wasn’t here to discuss her parentage.
He allowed himself to smile and his very even white teeth looked predatory in her heightened state. Like a wolf about to pounce, she thought. This was a man she had to watch closely. He looked relaxed leaning back in his chair, his shirt collar undone, but his mind was as sharp as a razor.
‘Your father’s using you, you do know that?’ he pointed out. ‘Like he uses everyone he comes into contact with. The best thing you can do, Dione—do you mind if I call you Dione?—is to go right back and tell him the answer’s no.’
Dione drew in a pained breath. What a heartless brute the man was. ‘You haven’t even asked how much he wants,’ she retorted, her back stiff, her eyes sparking resentment.
‘It’s immaterial,’ he said. ‘I wouldn’t lend your father one euro, let alone thousands of them, which I presume is the kind of amount he’d want. What’s happened?’
Dione shrugged. ‘All I know is that he’s nearly bankrupt.’
‘Bad management,’ drawled Theo uncaringly.
‘So that’s your final answer?’ she snapped, her heart dipping so low it almost touched her shoes.
Theo leaned back in his chair, a smile playing on well-shaped lips, and an unfathomable gleam in his eyes. ‘There could be another solution.’
Dione’s heart leapt with hope.
‘I could save your father’s business—on one condition.’
‘And that is?’ asked Dione eagerly.
There was a long pause before he answered, a space of time when his eyes raked insolently over her body, sending a shiver of unease through her limbs. But she didn’t let him see it; she sat still, her hands folded primly in her lap, and waited to hear what he had to say.
‘That you become my wife.’
The shock of his suggestion couldn’t have been greater. This man was a stranger to her, as she was to him, and yet he was talking about marriage! Was he out of his mind? Would he lend her father money just to get his hands on her? What sort of a monster was he? Dione shivered as rivers of ice raced down her spine.
She jumped to her feet and glared. ‘That is the most outrageous suggestion I’ve ever heard. What makes you think I’d marry a total stranger?’
A faint, insolent smile curved his mouth. ‘I thought you had your father’s best interests at heart. Otherwise why would you be here?’
‘I do,’ she admitted, ‘but that doesn’t include giving myself away to you.’ The man had no idea what he was asking. He was probably a fantastic lover with years of experience, but it meant nothing to her. She didn’t know the first thing about him. And nor did she want to if these were his tactics.
‘It’s your choice,’ he said, as simply as if they were discussing a normal business proposition. ‘If your answer’s no then we have nothing else to discuss.’
‘Of course my answer’s no,’ she spat at him. ‘What do you take me for?’ And with that she whirled on her heel and stormed out of the room.
His mocking voice called after her. ‘I’ll be waiting should you change your mind.’
‘Then you’ll wait a lifetime,’ she hissed beneath her breath.
Dione didn’t go straight to the hospital; she was far too wound up for that. She had taken a taxi to Theo’s office but now decided to walk. Even then she took a circuitous route and by the time she did reach the hospital she was almost able to laugh at Theo Tsardikos’ suggestion.
But her father didn’t laugh. ‘You could do worse,’ he said. ‘I’ve always wanted you to marry a proud Greek male and Tsardikos is as good as they come.’
Praise indeed coming from her father, thought Dione.
‘I’ve been so afraid that on one of your trips to England you’ll fall in love. It would break my heart.’
It was on the tip of Dione’s tongue to tell him about Chris, but at the last moment she decided against it. Yannis’ health was so bad that such an admission might finish him off altogether. In fact he looked even worse today that he had yesterday. His breathing was laboured and his skin a ghostly yellow and Phrosini hovered, not knowing what to do to help her beloved husband.
‘I can’t marry a complete stranger,’ Dione said miserably.
‘Not even for me?’ demanded Yannis in a rough, angry voice. ‘Not even though my life and my livelihood depend on it? What sort of a daughter are you?’
He made Dione feel guilty, but even so she stuck to her guns. ‘I’d be prostituting myself.’
‘With Tsardikos? He’s an exciting male. Half the female population of Greece are after him. You’ll be the envy of thousands.’ And then he slumped in his chair and hardly seemed to be breathing.
Phrosini beckoned her out of the room. ‘We must leave him for a while,’ she said.
‘Don’t you know he’s asking the impossible?’ asked Dione, as they made their way to the hospital restaurant. ‘I haven’t said anything to my father, and I don’t want you to either, but there’s a man in England I’ve promised to marry.’
‘Oh, Dione, why didn’t you say?’ Her stepmother was full of concern.
‘How could I when my father’s so ill, and more especially after what he’s just said?’
‘And this boy, you love him?’
‘Of course.’ But Dione’s face gave away the fact that it wasn’t exactly going to be a marriage made in heaven.
‘You’re doing it because you don’t want your father to arrange a marriage for you?’ she asked intuitively.
Dione nodded faintly, her lips clamped together. When it was put to her like that she realised it was probably true. The love she felt for Chris wasn’t like the stuff you read about, but she had been happy enough—until she heard that he’d been seen with his ex-girlfriend!
‘Oh, Dione, is that really the answer? I don’t want you to be unhappy like I was with my first husband, like your mother was.’
‘I’d be happier with Chris than Theo Tsardikos,’ said Dione quietly.
‘Theo’s a good man. His offer is a lifeline to your father. In fact it might save his life. The doctors are very fearful today.’ There were tears in Phrosini’s eyes. ‘And if he doesn’t recover…well, your father’s always wanted me to carry on the business if anything should happen to him.’
Meaning she would be letting them both down. Put like that, how could she refuse? Dione breathed in deeply, closed her eyes, then took the plunge, hating herself for it but knowing it was something she had to do.
‘OK—I’ll—marry him.’ Her words floated in the air like a storm cloud threatening to bear down and drown her in a black deluge of unhappiness.
Phrosini hugged her tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks. ‘My precious child.’
There was nothing precious about it, thought Dione, but she made up her mind there and then that Theo Tsardikos would not get it all his own way. This marriage would be on her terms.
He was savagely handsome, quite the best-looking man she’d ever seen—tall, with a perfectly honed body and long-fingered, well-manicured hands. It was one of the first things she’d noticed about him. But it didn’t mean that she would eagerly jump into his bed. Quite the opposite! She would be a good and dutiful wife in every other respect. She would cook for him, entertain for him, accompany him whenever necessary, but nothing more.
Maybe this was what he wanted her to be—a good hostess? A man in his position would need someone at his side on special occasions.
And who was she trying to kid?
She had seen the way he looked at her, the way his eyes had raked insolently over her body, and she had known what he was thinking, even though she’d done her very best to ignore it.
Already she was beginning to lament her decision but her father was overjoyed when they went back to tell him, his eyes brightening and becoming alert and interested. ‘My darling daughter! You won’t regret this, I promise you.’
Dione wasn’t so sure.
She spent a sleepless night worrying about it, telling herself there was still time to back out, but then recalling her father’s pleasure. How could she deny him his dying wish?
As Dione sat outside Theo Tsardikos’ office for the second time in the same number of days her heart leapt with alarming violence. This was going to be the hardest thing she had ever done. Giving herself to a man she didn’t know was crazy. She had to be insane to do it.
And the man in question was taking great delight in keeping her waiting!
And the longer Dione waited the more irritated she became, until at last she jumped to her feet and prepared to leave. She couldn’t do this, not even for her father’s sake. No one knew the courage it had taken her to come here this morning; courage that was fast deserting her.
‘Leaving, are we?’
Dione spun round at the sound of a deep, gravelly voice and looked into a pair of amused dark eyes. ‘I’d begun to think you didn’t want to see me. I’ve sat here for twenty minutes.’
‘I’m a busy man, Dione. And you did arrive without an appointment. But now I’m all yours. Do come in.’ And he touched a hand to her arm as he led her into his office.
It was a large, airy room with a wooden floor and pale grey walls hung with photographs of his various hotels. His desk was in front of the massive window with its views over Athens, and in one corner was a trio of armchairs. Against another wall was a series of bookcases. It was clean and clinical and efficient. Like the man himself.
She headed towards the desk, prepared to sit in the seat opposite him, as she had before, but instead he steered her towards the armchairs. ‘We’ll be more comfortable here.’
Dione did not want to be comfortable; she wanted to say what she had to say and get out quickly. Not the right sort of thought when Theo was her prospective husband—though actually she was hoping that he’d had a change of heart. A hope that was quickly dashed when he flashed his wolfish teeth.
‘Can I presume that the reason you’re here is to declare that you’ll marry me after all?’
Two pairs of brown eyes met and warred, and Dione was the first to look away. ‘I’d like to be able to say no,’ she snapped, ignoring the stammer of her heart. This man was lethal. Deadly attractive but a danger all the same.
‘You’re a free agent.’ The words were tossed lightly and dismissively into the air and Dione gained the impression that he couldn’t care less. That this was all some sort of game to him.
‘Meaning you’ve changed your mind?’ she enquired sharply, mentally crossing her fingers that this was so.
‘Not at all.’ It was a simple, matter-of-fact answer; he was giving her no help whatsoever. In fact he was enjoying her discomfort.
‘In that case,’ she said in a voice not much above a whisper, ‘I’ll do as you ask.’
‘I’m sorry, I can’t hear you.’
Damn the man! A satisfied smile played about his sculpted lips and his eyes were filled with amusement. She felt pretty sure that he had heard. He just wanted to hear her say it again. He liked seeing her squirm.
‘I said, I’ll do as you ask.’ There, was that loud enough for him? She’d projected the words as though she was throwing a missile, hoping they’d smash into his face and wipe some of the pleasure off it.
No such luck! His smile widened and deepened and he leaned forward and took her hands into his. ‘There, that wasn’t so bad, was it?’
Dione huffed and said nothing.
‘You’re not happy?’
‘No, I’m not.’
‘But I’m guessing your father’s delirious?’
‘He was pleased, yes.’
‘He must really have hit rock-bottom.’
Dione flashed furious dark eyes at him. ‘He has, and he’s in hospital fighting for his life because of it.’
Theo frowned. ‘I didn’t know that.’
‘There’s a lot about my father you don’t know.’
‘And a lot I do,’ he growled. ‘He’s unscrupulous. I bet he had no hesitation in saying you should marry me. How he could have produced a daughter like you I don’t know.’
‘How do you know I’m not unscrupulous too?’ she riposted, wishing she could jump up and run. This was the most humiliating experience of her life.
‘I’m good at reading people.’
‘How do you know that if I marry you I won’t take you for every penny you’ve got?’ she slammed at him.
‘Because I’ve already had a contract drawn up. I—’
‘You’ve what?’ interjected Dione in horror. ‘You were that sure I’d say yes?’
‘Absolutely,’ he agreed, stretching out his long legs and linking his hands behind his head.
He looked so relaxed she wanted to take a swipe at him, knock some of that pleasure off his damnably handsome face. ‘You bastard!’
Theo’s well-shaped brows rose. ‘Tut, tut, Dione! Here was I, thinking you were a lady.’
‘You bring out the worst in me,’ she savaged.
‘It’s not all I plan to bring out in you,’ he said with a cruel smile. ‘Let’s get down to business. You are here to say that you will marry me in return for me bailing your father out of trouble?’
Dione swallowed hard, ignored the little voice inside her head that told her to get up and run, ignored the thought of a nice, safe English marriage to Chris Donovan, and nodded.
His lips curved in satisfaction. ‘I never thought I’d say this, but your father’s a very lucky man, do you know that? Not many girls would do this for their father. Pray tell me, why do you love him so much? Or is it perhaps because you fear him?’ He saw the flicker in her eyes and nodded. ‘He has you in the same stranglehold as everyone else. I pity you, Dione, having a father like that, though I applaud what you are doing.’
‘Only because it’s in your favour,’ she snorted, deeply annoyed that he had summed up the situation so correctly. Did everyone know that her father was a control freak?
‘As I said, I’ve had a contract drawn up; all you have to do is sign it.’ He rose from the chair and strode across to his desk.
Dione watched, her heart aching with a pain she had never felt before. Sorrow, anger, despair. Not that she let Theo see any of this. When he returned to his seat she lifted her chin and sat that little bit straighter. ‘I have a few stipulations of my own before I sign anything.’
Dark brows rose. ‘Are you in any position?’
‘I think I am.’
He lifted broad shoulders. ‘I beg to differ on that point, but go ahead. Unless, of course, you’d like to read my contract first? You might be pleasantly surprised.’
Dione privately doubted it, but maybe she ought to take a look before she jumped in with her own criteria.
It wasn’t a long document, but in essence it gave him full power to treat her as he liked in return for helping her father out of his financial troubles. ‘To become my wife in every sense for as long as I desire,’ were the words that sprang out from the page.
Not on his life!
She thrust it back at him. ‘No! Absolutely no!’
‘To what exactly?’ he enquired insouciantly. He had clearly expected her denial and was now going to take great pleasure in having her spell it out to him.
‘I will not go to bed with you.’ When all her friends had been sleeping around Dione had kept her virginity, saving it for the man she would eventually marry—someone she loved and respected. She had thought Chris that man until very recently. But she was definitely not giving herself to Theo Tsardikos. Not ever! ‘Nor will I remain married to you for longer than one year,’ she added stormily. ‘In all other respects I will be your wife.’
‘There are no other respects,’ he growled. ‘A wife is a wife. A wife spends time in her husband’s bed. A wife pleasures her man.’
‘A wife also cooks and cleans and entertains.’
‘I have people to do that sort of thing,’ he answered dismissively. ‘It’s a bed companion I want and I think you’ll fit the bill admirably. You’re beautiful, you’re spirited, you’re caring. What more could a man ask for? But—maybe I can agree to your condition.’
Theo smiled to himself. It had never been his intention for them to sleep in separate beds. On the other hand it would be interesting trying to change her mind. In fact, the chase could be as enjoyable as the kill.
He had wanted her from the first second he saw her. She was quite the most striking and intriguing woman he’d ever met. He had dreamed about her last night, and what an exciting lover she had been! If dream became actuality, however…His gut twisted at the very thought.
In one respect he felt sorry for Dione, and the pressure Keristari had put on her. He wanted to make their sham of a marriage reality; he wanted her to learn to love him as a woman should love a man, not to marry him under duress and out of loyalty to her father. Keristari was a man whom no one liked except for his very loyal wife. Phrosini deserved a medal for putting up with his bullying ways.
What had happened, he wondered, between him and Dione’s mother? Clearly she hadn’t tolerated his dictatorial manner; she had got out while she could. And good for her! Maybe Dione would tell him the story one day.
‘So do you intend drawing up another contract?’ she asked him now, her chin determinedly high, her lovely, liquid brown eyes revealing her distaste of what was about to happen.
Lord, he wanted to take her into his arms and assure her that everything would be all right. That he wasn’t an ogre, that he wouldn’t hurt her. And that he admired what she was doing. But that wasn’t part of the game.
He was frankly appalled that she would marry him simply to please her father and drag him out of the mire he’d got himself into. It was misplaced loyalty as far as he was concerned.
Naturally he was sympathetic towards Keristari’s illness, but that didn’t change him from the bullying tyrant he’d always been. And even in his illness he was controlling all those around him. It was no way to behave towards your loved ones. He did not deserve their devotion.
He was so angry with the man that his tone was sharply aggressive when he answered her question. ‘Naturally. I will have it ready for your signature this afternoon.’
Dione’s head jerked as she stared at him wild-eyed. ‘So soon?’
‘Why wait?’ he asked smoothly. ‘I don’t imagine your father will want to drag this thing out. If he’s in as much trouble as you say he’ll want the money now. But no marriage, no funding! Shall we set the wedding for Sunday? Is two days enough for you to get your head round it?’
CHAPTER THREE
THEO almost laughed when he saw the consternation on Dione’s face.
‘Two days?’ she choked. ‘You can’t wait to get your hands on me, is that it? Damn you, Theo Tsardikos! Damn you to hell.’
Lord, wasn’t she gorgeous when she was angry? He felt his testosterone levels rising and it was all he could do not to drag her into his arms and kiss her senseless. ‘I was thinking of your father’s money,’ he answered, amazing himself at his coolness when inside he was on fire.
‘I bet you were,’ she snapped. ‘I’ve seen the way you look at me. But don’t forget, we shall have a piece of paper forbidding you to touch. And heaven help you if you renege.’
What a spirited person she was. What an exciting woman. His male hormones danced all over the place. ‘I wouldn’t dream of it,’ he said slowly, levelly. ‘Anything in that direction will have to come from you.’
‘Then you’ll wait till hell freezes over,’ she tossed cruelly.
He folded his arms across his chest, dropped his head to one side and studied her. ‘You’re amazing, do you know that?’
‘Amazing?’ she scoffed. ‘I’m simply telling you how it is. This is a business contract. Nothing more, nothing less, and you’d best remember it.’
‘I will remember,’ he told her. Whatever happened between him and this intriguing young lady, whether they made a success of the marriage—wishful thinking—or it failed abysmally—more like it—it would stay in his memory for the rest of his life.
‘Good,’ she snapped, standing up, and with another flash of her lovely dark eyes she headed for the door.
He did not want to let her go yet—he wanted her to stay, to talk some more; he wanted to get to know this gorgeous creature better. But sanity told him to take things easy. In any case, she had to come back to sign the new contract. His lips quirked at the pleasure of seeing her again so soon. Perhaps at his home rather than here, where they could talk longer, get to know each other better.
And then on Sunday—she would be his!
He had a lot to organise, a lot of arrangements to make. No time to detain her. He walked to the door and bade her goodbye. ‘Till later, Dione. I’ll ring you when the contract’s ready. Will you be home?’
Dione glared into his face. ‘I have no idea.’
‘Then give me your mobile number.’ He half expected her to refuse; was surprised when she wrote it down without argument. He tucked the slip of paper into his pocket and held out his hand. She ignored it, spinning on her heel and rushing out of the office as though all the hounds in hell were chasing her.
Theo smiled to himself. He was rarely short of female company but no woman had appealed to him as Dione Keristari did now. She had turned up under the most distressing of situations; she’d been forced to approach him by her demanding father, but beneath her hostility, beneath the fear she had felt when confronting him, was a beautiful woman simply waiting to be loved.
Dione marched out of the office building with her mind in torment. Theo wanted from her exactly what she’d feared. A wife in every sense of the word! Thank goodness she’d been able to talk him around; though in actual fact she wasn’t totally convinced that he would keep his word. He was the sort of guy who if you gave him an inch would take a mile.
Not wanting to go back to the hospital yet, she took herself into the village where they lived near Athens, sat outside a café and ordered coffee.
It was hard to believe that Theo Tsardikos had expected her to become his wife in every sense of the word right from the moment the ring was put on her finger. Had he no idea what it would be like to let a complete stranger make love to her? She couldn’t even visualise letting it happen.
No, if he didn’t stick to his side of the bargain, she would walk away from the marriage regardless. And if Tsardikos demanded his money back then her father would have to find someone else to dig him out of the mire he’d got himself into. It was as simple as that.
Or so she told herself. In fact it wasn’t. She couldn’t let her father down. She had let herself down by agreeing to this marriage, but if Theo drew up the contract in accordance with her request then she couldn’t see anything going wrong. He was a man of his word, she felt sure, and, although he might enjoy goading her, he wouldn’t force her to do anything she didn’t want to do.
How long she sat there drinking coffee Dione wasn’t sure. A few people she knew paused to pass the time of day but by and large she sat there alone and tried to digest the very big step that she was going to take.
She had to phone her mother, of course. And Chris. But it wasn’t something she was looking forward to. Procrastination would be the name of the game here. Maybe after the marriage? When it was a fait accompli and they could do nothing about it. Was that too awful of her? But how could she tell them right at this very minute, when she had never felt so vulnerable in her life?
She had been driven into a corner by two scheming men, both of them as bad as the other. Twelve months was a lifetime when you weren’t happy. It was a prison sentence. Her head spun and she sat there for hours until Spiros, the owner, came to ask whether she was all right.
‘Dione, you sit here so long. You look very troubled.’
She had known him virtually all her life and smiled wanly. ‘My father’s ill,’ she declared. ‘I’m worried about him.’ If only it were that simple.
‘I am sorry. Please—give him my best wishes. I hope he is better soon.’
‘Me too, Spiros. Me too.’
The phone call came sooner than she expected and her heart jerked into overdrive at the sound of Theo’s deep, warm voice.
‘Dione, it is time. I will pick you up. Where are you?’
‘No!’ She almost spat the word. ‘There’s no need. I will come to your office.’
‘I’m at home,’ he told her, and Dione’s heart sank.
‘You—you want me to come to your house?’ How awful would that be!
‘I thought you would be more relaxed.’
‘If you think I’ll ever be relaxed marrying an arrogant beast like you then you’re very much mistaken,’ she told him boldly.
Theo laughed. ‘What a charming vocabulary you have.’ And then his voice hardened. ‘I repeat, where are you?’
Best not get on the wrong side of him, at least not until the money was safely in her father’s bank account, thought Dione. ‘I’m at Spiros’ Café. Do you know it?’
‘No.’
She hadn’t thought he would. It was not the sort of place he would use. ‘Give me your address and I’ll find my way there,’ she suggested coolly.
Theo made some sort of disagreeable grunting noise. ‘Take a taxi. I’ll see you soon.’
His villa was as large and impressive as she had imagined it would be, with the usual white stucco walls and red roofs but approached by a long drive and guarded like a fortress. She let the taxi drop her off at the gates and didn’t buzz to announce her arrival until the vehicle had gone. Then she walked up the drive, lined on each side by olive trees, and saw Theo waiting for her.
He had changed from his business suit into a pair of casual trousers and a white shirt that stretched across a broad, powerful chest previously hidden to her enquiring eyes. His arms were muscular and tanned and he looked like a man who wasn’t afraid of hard work. He also looked younger and less formidable but Dione knew that she must still be wary of him. This wasn’t a social visit; this was business with a capital B.
Never had Dione felt more like turning and running. In two days’ time this would be her home. She would live here with Theo; she would be his wife in the eyes of the law and every one of his acquaintances. But not in her eyes; never in her eyes! The marriage would never be consummated.
It was too embarrassing by far to ever tell anyone the real reason she was marrying Theo. For twelve months she would act as she’d never acted before, she would carry out her father’s wishes, but she would walk away at the end of it with her head held high, confident in the knowledge that Theo Tsardikos had not had his evil way with her.
The villa was spacious and airy and expensive—and beautifully furnished. She fell in love with it straight away. Although it was large it was not pretentious. Theo, she hated to admit, had excellent taste. ‘Why, this is lovely,’ she said, unable to help herself.
‘Wait until you see outside,’ he answered, leading her through the villa and looking pleased by her enthusiasm.
And there in front of them was the ocean. Tiered down to it was a series of swimming pools and sun decks, some sheltered by palms and other plants, others bearing the full brunt of the hot summer sun. It was paradise.
‘You have a perfect home,’ she told him reluctantly.
‘And it’s going to be your home as well,’ he said, turning to face her. ‘Do you still think you’re getting a bad deal?’
‘As far as my emotions go, yes,’ she told him truthfully. ‘But as far as my senses are concerned, this is sheer heaven.’ Her own home with her father was very beautiful but it would never match up to this. They had a pool, yes, but quite a small one in comparison, and they certainly didn’t have a sea view. Her father would be as jealous as hell if he only knew.
And she must remember that it was for her father that she was doing this. He was the one forcing her to live in this idyllic spot. Maybe it was wise if she didn’t tell him.
‘I’m glad you approve; it’s half the battle. Let’s get down to business, shall we?’
They returned indoors and in his study, a cool, air-conditioned room with very little in the way of furniture apart from a hugely functional desk and a couple of chairs, he handed her a sheet of paper.
Dione sat and read it and she was satisfied. He was demanding nothing from her that she was not prepared to give, apart from her time. The contract was to run for twelve months from the day they married, and after that she was free to leave. He would divorce her without question and he would deposit into her father’s bank account, the day after their marriage, whatever sum of money Yannis needed to build up his business again.
It was a very generous agreement under the circumstances, thought Dione. Theo was getting nothing out of it and it was costing him dear. There had to be a catch in it somewhere. But she read it through three times and it was all very straightforward. She took the pen he offered and signed. Theo countersigned.
And it was all done.
On Sunday she would become his wife.
All she hoped was that her father appreciated exactly what she was doing for him.
The day dawned with a cloudless blue sky and a hot sun powering down on them. Dione had still not telephoned her mother. She wanted to protect her parent, not let her worry and fear that in some incalculable way Yannis still had a hold over her. Jeannie never said much about him but Dione knew that she sometimes feared that her past would come back to haunt her.
And Dione had not seen Theo again either. A special delivery had revealed a stunning wedding dress in ivory silk and every accessory she would need to go with it. Dione guessed there had been some collusion with Phrosini because how could he have possibly known her size?
But she did not question her stepmother; she saw no point in it. The deed was done. She was to become Theo’s wife and that was that. Personally she would have worn an oyster-coloured suit that was her favourite; now she was being forced to dress up as though it were a real wedding and she and Theo were very much in love.
Through the grapevine she’d heard that a whole host of guests had been invited. They were getting married in the hospital chapel so that Yannis could be present. No doubt, thought Dione bitterly, he wanted to make doubly sure that she wouldn’t run away at the last minute.
Which was extremely tempting.
It was all very emotional and when finally, at a few minutes past three, she became Theo’s wife, Dione burst into tears. Everyone cheered and clapped and no one knew, except for Phrosini and Yannis, that it was not a real wedding.
‘You’re very beautiful, Mrs Tsardikos,’ said Theo softly as they walked out of the chapel that had been decked with a myriad of flowers tied with soft satin ribbons and looked charming.
‘I don’t feel it,’ she said, so quietly that no one else heard. ‘I feel a fraud.’
‘I won’t allow you to say that,’ he announced curtly, taking her hand and squeezing it. ‘To the outside world you are the beautiful girl who has captured Theo Tsardikos’ heart. You will become quite famous, agapi mou.’
Dione groaned inwardly. She hadn’t realised how much of a stir Theo’s marriage would cause. She had hoped—she had prayed, in fact—that it would be a quiet affair, but the guests had poured into the hospital, overflowing into corridors, and congratulations had fallen thick and fast.
The reception was being held at Theo’s villa and they made their way now in streams of cars that ferried people across the city. The gardens and terraces were decked with flowers and garlands, a band played and exquisite food was served.
Theo made a speech saying what a lucky man he was and Dione blushed her way through it. Theo’s parents told her that she had made their son a very happy man, and his sister, Alexandra, couldn’t quite believe it either.
‘I never thought that Theo would marry again after what happened,’ she said to Dione. ‘In fact, he swore he wouldn’t. You must be someone very special to get him to change his mind.’
CHAPTER FOUR
THEO had been married before! Dione stared at Alexandra in disbelief.
‘He hasn’t told you, has he?’ enquired his sister. ‘I’m actually not too surprised because he never talks about it. Not ever. It’s as though he’s shut what happened completely out of his life.’
‘So—what did happen?’ questioned Dione. For some reason her heart was thumping wildly.
‘Maybe I ought to let Theo himself tell you,’ said Alexandra, looking suddenly uncomfortable.
She was almost as tall as Theo and willow-thin. Her dark hair was cut stylishly short and she looked striking in a pale green designer dress. But her appearance meant nothing; it was the information she had imparted. ‘You can’t stop now,’ protested Dione.
‘You two haven’t known each other very long, have you?’ enquired Theo’s sister cautiously.
Dione shook her head, unwilling to tell her exactly how quickly this marriage had been arranged. She had gone through the ceremony as if in a dream and if anyone had asked her about it she wouldn’t have been able to remember one thing. Not even declaring that she would be Theo’s wife. All she had been aware of was him standing tall and strong at her side, and once, when she had faltered, he had caught her hand and squeezed it encouragingly.
Alexandra grinned now. ‘Love at first sight? And they say it never happens. It’s easy to see that you two are made for each other. He’s been living in a world of his own since his divorce. It was never a happy marriage, kept together only for their son’s sake. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to him.’
Dione frowned and if possible her heartbeat quickened even more. ‘Theo has a son?’ she questioned breathlessly.
Alexandra shook her head. ‘He died when he was only eleven months old. I don’t think Theo’s ever got over it. And Katina walked out on him afterwards. A swift divorce followed.’
‘How awful for him,’ said Dione reverently, seeing Theo in a new light. ‘It’s no wonder he can’t bear to talk about it.’ And she made up her mind there and then that she would never let on that she knew. Not unless he brought the subject up himself. And that was extremely unlikely under their surreal circumstances.
The day seemed endless. Theo dutifully stood at her side as a constant stream of his friends and relatives came to congratulate them and no one would have guessed that theirs was a marriage in name only. The way he looked at her, the way he touched her elbow, the way he smiled, made it all look very real. And Dione, too, smiled until her face ached, pretending a happiness she was far from feeling.
‘You should have been an actor,’ said Theo softly at one point when she had just agreed that they were made for each other.
‘You too,’ she tossed back.
Phrosini dragged herself away from the hospital and came to add her further congratulations. ‘Your father is very grateful for what you’re doing,’ she reassured Dione.
As well he should be Dione almost said, but she did not want to upset her stepmother so she smiled instead.
‘Theo made a good choice with the dress.’ It was slender and elegant and made Dione look even taller than she was.
‘She is very beautiful,’ agreed Theo, looking for all the world as though he was the proud groom. ‘I think our marriage will be most agreeable. And definitely exciting.’
Dione wanted to ask him in what way, but not in front of Phrosini. All the arguments they would have perhaps? Definitely not exciting in a sexual sense. Of that she was very sure. And when Phrosini drifted away and for a few moments they were alone she asked him what he had meant.
‘How will our marriage be exciting?’
‘That’s easy,’ he said with a shrug of his wide shoulders. ‘There will never be a dull moment with you, my sweet Dione. Sparks will fly, I’m very much aware of that, as I am aware of the fact that all day long you’ve wished yourself anywhere but at my side. You’ve stood the test admirably. Maybe it’s time I added my congratulations?’ And with that he bowed his head to kiss her.
Dione stiffened and moved so that his lips brushed her cheek, and she would have pushed him away had he not gripped her arm in warning. ‘Careful, agapi mou, we’re being watched.’
So Dione fixed the smile back on her face, hiding gritted teeth and a dislike so intense that it burnt into her soul. Thank goodness, she thought, that she hadn’t agreed to his initial contract or she would have found herself in his bed tonight. In bed with a stranger! She shivered.
Immediately attentive, Theo asked, ‘Are you cold?’ And his liquid dark eyes were filled with concern.
Dione shook her head. ‘Someone walking over my grave.’ And, although it was a common expression, she felt that in this instance it was the truth. She might as well be dead as married to this obnoxious man.
No, that wasn’t true. He wasn’t obnoxious. He was virile and handsome and astonishingly wealthy, which made him attractive in most female eyes. It would have all been so much easier had she felt the same way. But being bought put a different perspective on things. She meant nothing more to Theo than a possession, nothing more than anything else he could have bought with his millions.
In fact she felt unclean and she would have liked nothing more than to run into the house and take a shower, and stay there for however long it took to make her feel whole and pure again. She had committed a sin in marrying Theo. She had made promises in the chapel that she knew she would not keep.
It was a relief when the day was over, when everyone had gone and she could relax her aching face.
‘Well, Mrs Tsardikos,’ said Theo with a satisfied smile, ‘I’ve made many purchases in my life, but none as satisfactory as this.’
Dione frowned and her heart stammered fearfully. ‘Satisfactory?’ She didn’t like the look on his face; it was as though he was contemplating pleasures to come. If he thought he could ignore their contract he was wrong, very wrong. She wouldn’t be averse to walking out of here right this very minute.
‘I mean that you’re the most beautiful wife any man could wish for. Congratulations have flown thick and fast.’
‘And exactly what do you mean by wife?’ asked Dione, appalled to hear how shrill her voice sounded.
‘Just that. A beautiful, gracious lady. Someone I shall be pleased to show off.’
‘And that’s all?’
‘What else could there be?’ A well-shaped brow lifted enquiringly. ‘Unless of course you’re having second thoughts and are willing to share my bed?’ Dark eyes captured hers so that it was difficult to look away.
Dione’s heart drummed even faster. ‘Not in a million years.’
Theo smiled in a way that told her he was confident that one day she would change her mind.
‘I mean it!’
‘Then why do you look so scared?’ he asked. ‘You can lock your door if you like. I’m a man of my word, Dione, in case you didn’t know. As I said once before, the first move will come from you.’
Dione felt her body relax and she managed her first genuine smile of the day. ‘You’re a very honourable man, Theo, and I thank you for helping my father.’
‘He doesn’t have the money yet,’ he pointed out.
Dione drew in a swift breath. ‘I hope you’re not going back on your word. I’ve completed my side of the bargain.’
‘And it will be in his bank account first thing tomorrow morning.’
His steady eyes met hers but a faint feeling of unease returned. What if he was lying? What if he wanted to take her into his bed before paying her father? The sooner she went to her room and locked the door the better. She faked a yawn. ‘I’m tired, Theo. I’d like to go to bed.’
‘Running away?’ he mocked.
Dione stood her ground, lifting her chin and looking right into those dark, dangerous eyes. ‘Not at all. It’s been a long day.’ And she cursed herself when she felt something approaching a flutter in the pit of her stomach. She put it down to nerves. It couldn’t possibly be anything else—could it?
‘I’ll walk you up. Maybe I’ll retire myself. As you say, it’s been a tiring day. But a satisfying one all the same, don’t you agree?’
‘Where my father’s concerned, yes,’ she snapped. ‘For myself, no. The next twelve months are going to be sheer hell.’
A harsh shadow darkened his face as they mounted the stairs together. ‘And you’d do that for your father—put yourself through hell?’
Dione nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Put like that, it seemed like an enormous unselfish gesture on her part. If Yannis hadn’t been at death’s door she wouldn’t have done it; that was a fact. If Phrosini hadn’t persuaded her…Tears began to sting the back of her eyes and she turned away. ‘Goodnight, Theo.’
‘Goodnight, my beautiful bride,’ he answered as they reached her door. ‘May I be permitted one kiss? To seal the deal perhaps?’
Dione wanted to say no, she wanted no contact between them, but she knew it would be churlish to refuse. It was going to be a brief kiss, though; nothing prolonged or sexual. Just a touching of lips.
She put her hand on his chest, prepared to push him away should he attempt to get too close, and felt passionate heat beneath her palm and the thud of his heart and knew immediately that she was in danger.
But it was too late to back away.
As his head swooped down narrowed lids hid the expression in his eyes, but his finger beneath her chin felt like a branding iron. This wasn’t going the way she wanted.
Surprisingly, though, the kiss itself was restrained. His lips touched hers and then pulled swiftly away.
He was a man of honour after all.
Swift relief flooded through Dione’s body and she felt herself go limp and would have fallen to the floor had Theo not caught her. His arms were strong and safe as he kicked open her door and carried her into the room, laying her gently on the bed.
‘Thank you,’ she whispered. ‘I don’t know what came over me.’
‘The events of the day,’ he tossed curtly. ‘Will you be all right? Shall I send someone to help—’
‘No!’ cut in Dione swiftly. ‘I’m fine now. I’d really like to be left alone.’
He nodded, his lips grim, and spun on his heel. Dione’s relief knew no bounds when he finally shut the door behind him. She didn’t even stop to question his sudden abruptness. This had been the worst possible day of her life and all she wanted to do was go to sleep and forget it.
Theo stalked into his room and tore off his clothes, leaving them untidily on the floor, before climbing beneath a fierce cold shower. Damn Dione! Damn the whole Keristari family! They were putting him through hell.
The money didn’t count; it was a drop in the ocean to him, but Dione—she was a different proposition altogether. He had signed the wretched contract, he had promised to keep his hands off her. How the hell could he do that?
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Margaret Mayo
Dione Keristari will do anything to help her sick father.But begging gorgeous Greek billionaire Theo Tsardikos for cash is more than she bargained for. Now he's demanding a marriage contract in return for the money! She has no choice but to agree.However, inexperienced Dione can't handle the attraction between them, and she vows not to share Theo's bed. But Theo's a master in the ways of loving, and soon he has his temporary bride at his bidding–and she's pregnant….
“Was that good for you, agapi mou?”
It had been more than good. It had been out of this world. But did Dione want to admit that? What would she be letting herself in for?
“I never knew that making love could be so enervating,” she confessed with a wry smile.
Theo’s skin glistened in the light from one of the floor lamps, and even in repose he looked imposing. Naked or dressed, aroused or relaxed, he was one hell of an exciting male. She had never thought that when she’d agreed to marry him—had never expected that within a few short days she would be begging him to make love to her.
She had thought that the next twelve months were going to be hell; instead it looked as though she was going to enjoy them!
MARGARET MAYO is a hopeless romantic who loves writing and falls in love with every one of her heroes. It was never her ambition to become an author, although she always loved reading, even to the extent of reading comics out loud to her twin brother when she was eight years old.
She was born in Staffordshire, England, and has lived in the same part of the country ever since. She left school to become a secretary, taking a break to have her two children, Adrian and Tina. Once they were at school she started back to work and planned to further her career by becoming a bilingual secretary. Unfortunately she couldn’t speak any languages other than her native English, so she began evening classes. It was at this time that she got the idea for a romantic short story. Margaret, and her mother before her, had always read romances, and to actually be writing one excited her beyond measure. She forgot the languages and now has more than seventy novels to her credit.
Before she became a successful author, Margaret was extremely shy and found it difficult to talk to strangers. For research purposes she forced herself to speak to people from all walks of life, and now says her shyness has gone forever—to a certain degree. She is still happier pouring her thoughts out on paper.
Bought for Marriage
~ FORCED TO MARRY ~
Margaret Mayo
Bought for Marriage
CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
EPILOGUE
CHAPTER ONE
‘THEO TSARDIKOS? You expect me to go and beg him for money?’ Dione stared at her father in disbelief. ‘I can’t do it.’
Theodossus Tsardikos was a man to be reckoned with. His name was revered throughout the whole of Greece, and maybe the world for all she knew. He was her father’s sworn enemy. He ran a very successful and very luxurious worldwide hotel chain; only the rich and famous could afford to stay there.
Yannis had once tried to persuade Theo to let him franchise his restaurants inside the hotels—the suggestion had been received with raw contempt. Theo made no secret of his dislike of Yannis Keristari. And Dione couldn’t blame him.
Yannis slumped back against his pillow. ‘Then this will be the end of me.’
‘I think,’ said Phrosini, with a worried glance at her husband before looking pleadingly at her stepdaughter, ‘that your father meant you to think about it. Let’s go home. We’ll come back later and talk about this.’
As they left his hospital room Dione glanced over her shoulder at the man who had been such a big controlling influence on her life and found it hard to believe that he was asking her to do this. She’d done most things; she’d been the best daughter she could under the circumstances, but begging for money? From his archenemy? How insulting could he be?
Her mind flew back twenty-four hours to when she’d received the phone call from a distraught Phrosini saying he was ill and was asking for her.
‘Of course I’ll come. I’ll be on the next available flight.’
Dione turned to her mother, an anxious expression on her lovely face. ‘I need to return home. Father’s in hospital; he’s had a heart attack.’
Jeannie’s hand flew to her mouth. ‘Oh, dear! Naturally you must go. I’ll tell Chris for you. I do hope Yannis will be OK.’
A magnanimous thought after the way he had treated her, decided Dione. But that was her mother; she rarely thought ill of anyone. She was quiet and undemanding and Dione privately thought that she let people walk all over her. Not that she would ever tell her parent that; she loved her too dearly.
To her dismay there were no available seats on flights to Athens until the next day, but at least it gave her the opportunity to tell Chris herself.
‘I’ll come with you,’ he said at once when he saw her that evening. ‘I can’t let my fiancée go through this alone.’
He’d said it so proudly that Dione felt guilty. She had been planning to take Chris to Greece to meet her father, to get his approval for their wedding, but not under these circumstances. The shock of discovering that she was going to marry an Englishman would probably kill her father altogether.
Yannis was Greek through and through. Very proud, very traditional, and it was his ambition that Dione should marry one of his own kind. Dione, though, had other ideas. She wanted to escape her father’s domineering nature and the only way she could do it, as far as she could see, was to marry and settle in England.
She had met Christopher Donovan on one of her frequent visits to the UK and when he proposed she had thought about it long and hard before finally accepting. It wasn’t that she didn’t love Chris, she did, but it was his love for her that she wasn’t so sure about.
He had gone out with her on the rebound from a previous relationship and assured her that it was all over. But she had heard from a third party only the other day that the girl still hankered after him and that he had been seen with her. She had tackled Chris and he had looked startled at first, and then said that there was no truth in it.
‘I think it would be best if I went alone,’ she said to him now. ‘My father’s too ill to meet strangers.’
‘You’re probably right,’ he agreed. ‘You will phone me?’
‘Naturally.’
The plane landed at Athens Airport and Dione strode through the arrivals lounge, a stunningly attractive woman in a cream trouser suit teamed with a chocolate-coloured top. Her long blue-black hair brushed her shoulders sensuously with each step that she took in her high-heeled sandals, causing many a male head to turn.
Dione was oblivious. She headed for the taxi rank, not expecting anyone to meet her, but surprised and pleased to see her stepmother.
‘Phrosini, how nice of you! I didn’t anticipate this.’ She hugged the woman warmly, easily falling into her second language. ‘Shouldn’t you be with Father? How is he? Is he any better?’
Phrosini was short and plump but extremely beautiful, and it was easy to see why her father had fallen in love with her. She was as different from Dione’s mother as it was possible for two people to be. His first marriage had been a definite mistake. They had probably loved each other to begin with, surmised Dione, but her mother had been too weak to stand up to his bossy nature. Phrosini could handle him beautifully without him even realising it.
‘There’s no change,’ answered Phrosini. ‘Except that he’s excited you’re coming. He really is ill, Dione. I’m worried to death.’
‘Why didn’t you let me know sooner?’
Phrosini grimaced apologetically. ‘I didn’t want to spoil your holiday. I know how much you enjoy being in England with your mother. At first I thought he’d recover quickly, but he didn’t and he started asking for you. I couldn’t reason with him.’
They drove straight to the hospital. ‘I’m sorry, I know you’ll want to freshen up, but your father’s anxious to see you,’ explained Phrosini.
And when Dione walked into Yannis’ room she was shocked by his appearance. He wasn’t a tall man, had always been slim and dapper, but he’d lost so much weight that he looked gaunt to the point of danger, his skin grey and drawn, and he was hooked up to a host of machines that monitored his every function.
‘Dione!’ he croaked. ‘You’re here!’
She crossed the room and hugged him. ‘Yes, Father. How are you feeling? It’s so naughty of you not to let me know you were ill.’
He stroked her hand. ‘Didn’t want to worry you, child.’
‘So what brought on your heart attack?’ she wanted to know. ‘I thought you had the constitution of an ox.’
‘Not any more.’ Yannis glanced at Phrosini. ‘You tell her,’ he said in a hoarse whisper.
‘Tell me what?’
Phrosini closed her eyes, and when she opened them again Dione saw a wealth of worry. ‘Your father’s business is failing—badly.’
‘What?’ Dione frowned. How could that be? Yannis had inherited a restaurant from his father and turned it into a successful chain. There had been no talk of it losing money.
‘Trade’s been dropping off considerably,’ Phrosini informed her, her voice quiet and desperate. ‘It needs a big injection of money for a facelift and your father hasn’t got it. He’s paying out more than he gets in. We’re almost bankrupt, Dione.’
Dione was shocked but not truly surprised. She had trained in England as an interior designer, hoping to move there permanently and get a job, but Yannis had insisted she work for him. She spent her time travelling between the different restaurants, renovating where necessary—but always under Yannis’ eagle eye.
He was a pure traditionalist, so old-fashioned that he would never let her impose any of her modern ideas. He said traditional values gave the restaurants atmosphere and would not be shifted. Dione had privately had her doubts. People wanted modern and lively these days. They didn’t want to live in the past.
‘This is awful,’ she said. ‘I had no idea.’
‘Nor did I,’ confessed Phrosini. ‘Your father kept it from me—and as a result he’s in here.’ She put her hand over her husband’s and squeezed gently. ‘You’re a very stubborn man, you know that.’
Yannis grimaced. ‘It’s all up to you now, daughter,’ he said quietly, looking at Dione. ‘You’re my only hope.’
‘Me?’ Dione touched her fingers to her chest. ‘How can I help? I don’t have that sort of money.’ She really didn’t have a lot of savings. Her father paid her the minimum wage he would have paid anyone else and it all went on her flights to England.
‘I want you to go and ask Theo Tsardikos for a loan,’ he explained in a hoarse, breathless whisper. It clearly cost him to even talk. ‘He’ll drive a hard bargain, I know that, but if anyone can do it you can.’
‘I know it’s a lot to ask of you,’ said Phrosini now as they sat and drank coffee back at home in their beautiful villa and talked about Yannis. ‘But you’re our only hope, your father’s only hope. If he doesn’t get this money his life will be over. He won’t have the will to live. He’s dying now. The doctors are doing all they can but…’ She let her voice fade away and even she looked pale and ill.
‘Surely there must be some other way?’ pondered Dione. She wasn’t afraid of Theo Tsardikos, even though he was a powerful man; it would be more embarrassing than anything else. ‘What about the banks?’
‘They’re closing in on him.’
And Dione knew that he didn’t have any friends who would help. There were not many people who liked her father; he was a tyrant of the highest order, and she had more reason than most to hate him after the way he had treated her mother. But he was her blood after all and though she found it hard to forgive him she loved him. She kept the peace mainly for her emotionally vulnerable mother’s sake, not knowing what he might say or do to her if she got on the wrong side of him.
Jeannie and Yannis had divorced sixteen years ago. When their marriage broke up he had moved back to his native Greece, taking Dione with him. Reluctantly he had let her visit her mother during school holidays. Now she spent as much time in England as she possibly could, and had been on the second week of a month’s visit when she had got the call.
‘It’s a lot to ask of me.’
‘I know,’ said Phrosini.
Dione had grown close to her stepmother and loved her dearly but at this moment in time she wished that she wasn’t asking the impossible of her. Phrosini had never had any children of her own, much to Yannis’ disappointment because he’d always wanted sons, and so she looked upon Dione as her own daughter.
Now Dione faced the little Greek woman with compassion in her eyes. ‘It looks as though I have no choice.’
And when they went back to the hospital to tell her father Dione was glad that she’d made the decision. He looked if possible even more sallow and ill than earlier. He lay in his bed, his breathing laboured, but as soon as he heard her news he smiled and a light appeared in his eyes.
‘Thank you, Dione. Thank you from the bottom of my rotten heart.’ And he took her hands and squeezed them.
Dione took a deep breath as she stood outside the door and prepared to face the legendary Theo Tsardikos.
Her father’s life depended on her succeeding.
But how easy would it be, when they were total enemies?
CHAPTER TWO
THEO looked with interest at the woman standing in front of him. He was aware that Yannis Keristari had a daughter but he had never met her and was pleasantly surprised.
She was tall and slender and very fine looking, somewhere in her twenties, he imagined. She wore a grey jacket with a matching pencil-slim skirt and high-heeled shoes. The jacket was fastened to just above her breasts and a gold pendant dangled enticingly close to her cleavage. He couldn’t help wondering why she had chosen to fasten it so demurely on such a warm day, and it amused him to assume that she wore nothing beneath.
Her eyes were dark and sloe-shaped with a fan of thick lashes, her nose straight and small, and her mouth—was delicious. He forced himself to look from it. She was nothing like her father, which came as something of a surprise. And totally unlike any other Greek woman he’d met. He was fascinated. Even more so than with the reason she was here.
Which had yet to be revealed.
Clearly Keristari had sent her. Theo had heard through the grapevine that Yannis Keristari’s business was in trouble. Had his daughter’s visit anything to do with it? Perhaps he was offering to sell him his restaurants?
He showed his visitor to a seat, not once taking his eyes off her, and waited for her to speak. She was graceful in her movements and smelled like a dream.
‘Mr Tsardikos.’
‘Please, call me Theo.’
‘This isn’t a social visit,’ she declared with a delightful toss of her head that revealed a long, slender neck simply begging to be kissed. Theo sat down behind his desk to stop himself from advancing towards her. ‘Maybe,’ he growled. ‘But there’s no need for formalities, especially when you’re the daughter of an old…acquaintance of mine.’ He’d been about to say enemy, but realised that this could get her back up before she’d even given her reason for being here. ‘Would you like coffee? I can get someone to—’
‘No!’
It was an instant decision. She was clearly on a mission and wanted to get it over with. ‘So how can I help you?’ He folded his arms, allowing his eyes to half close as he studied her intently. He could feel a stirring in his groin that shocked him to the core. This was the daughter of a man he hadn’t the faintest admiration for. He should be totally indifferent to her. So why wasn’t he?
‘My father needs money.’
He felt quite sure she hadn’t intended to blurt it out like that because a tell-tale colouring to her skin belied her cool outer image. But he was glad that she had because he now knew where he stood. His mind had run to the fact that her father could be offering him first refusal on the business. But money! How much had it cost Keristari to send her here?
‘Is that so?’ he asked with cool indifference. He had no intention in the world of helping this man out.
Dione nodded. ‘He believes that you might be able to help him.’
Theo wanted to tell her straight away that he wouldn’t. Keristari was a bully of the highest order and most definitely not a man to do business with.
But he didn’t want to let Dione go yet. He was fascinated. She was quite the sexiest woman he had met in a long time. There was something refreshingly different about her. It was as though she had no idea of her own sexuality. How he would like to introduce her to it.
‘Why ask me?’ he asked, leaning back in his chair, his hands linked behind his head. ‘Why not his bank?’
‘I think he’s in too deep for that,’ admitted Dione. ‘He says you’re his only hope. He’s counting on it.’
Dione saw the disbelief on Theo Tsardikos’ face, the hint of anger quickly suppressed, and knew that her mission was doomed to failure. But she still needed to try. The image of her father lying helpless in hospital flashed in front of her mind’s eye. Much as she feared him, much as she sometimes despised him, she couldn’t bear to see him so ill and worried.
‘He’s counting on it!’ repeated Theo disbelievingly, dragging dark brows together over velvety brown eyes. ‘Why would he ask me, the man he probably hates more than anyone else in the world, for money? Unless, of course, he’s exhausted all his other options.’
‘I don’t know,’ said Dione, her eyes steady on this tall, undeniably handsome man with a shock of dark hair that looked as though he constantly ran his fingers through it. ‘I didn’t know anything about it until yesterday. I’ve been visiting my mother in England.’
‘So Phrosini isn’t your birth mother?’ he enquired, sharp interest on his face.
Dione shook her head. She wished he wasn’t quite so good-looking. She wished his eyes wouldn’t rake over her as though he wanted to take her to bed.
‘That explains why you look nothing like either of your parents.’
‘Which has nothing to do with the reason I’m here,’ declared Dione heatedly. She certainly wasn’t here to discuss her parentage.
He allowed himself to smile and his very even white teeth looked predatory in her heightened state. Like a wolf about to pounce, she thought. This was a man she had to watch closely. He looked relaxed leaning back in his chair, his shirt collar undone, but his mind was as sharp as a razor.
‘Your father’s using you, you do know that?’ he pointed out. ‘Like he uses everyone he comes into contact with. The best thing you can do, Dione—do you mind if I call you Dione?—is to go right back and tell him the answer’s no.’
Dione drew in a pained breath. What a heartless brute the man was. ‘You haven’t even asked how much he wants,’ she retorted, her back stiff, her eyes sparking resentment.
‘It’s immaterial,’ he said. ‘I wouldn’t lend your father one euro, let alone thousands of them, which I presume is the kind of amount he’d want. What’s happened?’
Dione shrugged. ‘All I know is that he’s nearly bankrupt.’
‘Bad management,’ drawled Theo uncaringly.
‘So that’s your final answer?’ she snapped, her heart dipping so low it almost touched her shoes.
Theo leaned back in his chair, a smile playing on well-shaped lips, and an unfathomable gleam in his eyes. ‘There could be another solution.’
Dione’s heart leapt with hope.
‘I could save your father’s business—on one condition.’
‘And that is?’ asked Dione eagerly.
There was a long pause before he answered, a space of time when his eyes raked insolently over her body, sending a shiver of unease through her limbs. But she didn’t let him see it; she sat still, her hands folded primly in her lap, and waited to hear what he had to say.
‘That you become my wife.’
The shock of his suggestion couldn’t have been greater. This man was a stranger to her, as she was to him, and yet he was talking about marriage! Was he out of his mind? Would he lend her father money just to get his hands on her? What sort of a monster was he? Dione shivered as rivers of ice raced down her spine.
She jumped to her feet and glared. ‘That is the most outrageous suggestion I’ve ever heard. What makes you think I’d marry a total stranger?’
A faint, insolent smile curved his mouth. ‘I thought you had your father’s best interests at heart. Otherwise why would you be here?’
‘I do,’ she admitted, ‘but that doesn’t include giving myself away to you.’ The man had no idea what he was asking. He was probably a fantastic lover with years of experience, but it meant nothing to her. She didn’t know the first thing about him. And nor did she want to if these were his tactics.
‘It’s your choice,’ he said, as simply as if they were discussing a normal business proposition. ‘If your answer’s no then we have nothing else to discuss.’
‘Of course my answer’s no,’ she spat at him. ‘What do you take me for?’ And with that she whirled on her heel and stormed out of the room.
His mocking voice called after her. ‘I’ll be waiting should you change your mind.’
‘Then you’ll wait a lifetime,’ she hissed beneath her breath.
Dione didn’t go straight to the hospital; she was far too wound up for that. She had taken a taxi to Theo’s office but now decided to walk. Even then she took a circuitous route and by the time she did reach the hospital she was almost able to laugh at Theo Tsardikos’ suggestion.
But her father didn’t laugh. ‘You could do worse,’ he said. ‘I’ve always wanted you to marry a proud Greek male and Tsardikos is as good as they come.’
Praise indeed coming from her father, thought Dione.
‘I’ve been so afraid that on one of your trips to England you’ll fall in love. It would break my heart.’
It was on the tip of Dione’s tongue to tell him about Chris, but at the last moment she decided against it. Yannis’ health was so bad that such an admission might finish him off altogether. In fact he looked even worse today that he had yesterday. His breathing was laboured and his skin a ghostly yellow and Phrosini hovered, not knowing what to do to help her beloved husband.
‘I can’t marry a complete stranger,’ Dione said miserably.
‘Not even for me?’ demanded Yannis in a rough, angry voice. ‘Not even though my life and my livelihood depend on it? What sort of a daughter are you?’
He made Dione feel guilty, but even so she stuck to her guns. ‘I’d be prostituting myself.’
‘With Tsardikos? He’s an exciting male. Half the female population of Greece are after him. You’ll be the envy of thousands.’ And then he slumped in his chair and hardly seemed to be breathing.
Phrosini beckoned her out of the room. ‘We must leave him for a while,’ she said.
‘Don’t you know he’s asking the impossible?’ asked Dione, as they made their way to the hospital restaurant. ‘I haven’t said anything to my father, and I don’t want you to either, but there’s a man in England I’ve promised to marry.’
‘Oh, Dione, why didn’t you say?’ Her stepmother was full of concern.
‘How could I when my father’s so ill, and more especially after what he’s just said?’
‘And this boy, you love him?’
‘Of course.’ But Dione’s face gave away the fact that it wasn’t exactly going to be a marriage made in heaven.
‘You’re doing it because you don’t want your father to arrange a marriage for you?’ she asked intuitively.
Dione nodded faintly, her lips clamped together. When it was put to her like that she realised it was probably true. The love she felt for Chris wasn’t like the stuff you read about, but she had been happy enough—until she heard that he’d been seen with his ex-girlfriend!
‘Oh, Dione, is that really the answer? I don’t want you to be unhappy like I was with my first husband, like your mother was.’
‘I’d be happier with Chris than Theo Tsardikos,’ said Dione quietly.
‘Theo’s a good man. His offer is a lifeline to your father. In fact it might save his life. The doctors are very fearful today.’ There were tears in Phrosini’s eyes. ‘And if he doesn’t recover…well, your father’s always wanted me to carry on the business if anything should happen to him.’
Meaning she would be letting them both down. Put like that, how could she refuse? Dione breathed in deeply, closed her eyes, then took the plunge, hating herself for it but knowing it was something she had to do.
‘OK—I’ll—marry him.’ Her words floated in the air like a storm cloud threatening to bear down and drown her in a black deluge of unhappiness.
Phrosini hugged her tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks. ‘My precious child.’
There was nothing precious about it, thought Dione, but she made up her mind there and then that Theo Tsardikos would not get it all his own way. This marriage would be on her terms.
He was savagely handsome, quite the best-looking man she’d ever seen—tall, with a perfectly honed body and long-fingered, well-manicured hands. It was one of the first things she’d noticed about him. But it didn’t mean that she would eagerly jump into his bed. Quite the opposite! She would be a good and dutiful wife in every other respect. She would cook for him, entertain for him, accompany him whenever necessary, but nothing more.
Maybe this was what he wanted her to be—a good hostess? A man in his position would need someone at his side on special occasions.
And who was she trying to kid?
She had seen the way he looked at her, the way his eyes had raked insolently over her body, and she had known what he was thinking, even though she’d done her very best to ignore it.
Already she was beginning to lament her decision but her father was overjoyed when they went back to tell him, his eyes brightening and becoming alert and interested. ‘My darling daughter! You won’t regret this, I promise you.’
Dione wasn’t so sure.
She spent a sleepless night worrying about it, telling herself there was still time to back out, but then recalling her father’s pleasure. How could she deny him his dying wish?
As Dione sat outside Theo Tsardikos’ office for the second time in the same number of days her heart leapt with alarming violence. This was going to be the hardest thing she had ever done. Giving herself to a man she didn’t know was crazy. She had to be insane to do it.
And the man in question was taking great delight in keeping her waiting!
And the longer Dione waited the more irritated she became, until at last she jumped to her feet and prepared to leave. She couldn’t do this, not even for her father’s sake. No one knew the courage it had taken her to come here this morning; courage that was fast deserting her.
‘Leaving, are we?’
Dione spun round at the sound of a deep, gravelly voice and looked into a pair of amused dark eyes. ‘I’d begun to think you didn’t want to see me. I’ve sat here for twenty minutes.’
‘I’m a busy man, Dione. And you did arrive without an appointment. But now I’m all yours. Do come in.’ And he touched a hand to her arm as he led her into his office.
It was a large, airy room with a wooden floor and pale grey walls hung with photographs of his various hotels. His desk was in front of the massive window with its views over Athens, and in one corner was a trio of armchairs. Against another wall was a series of bookcases. It was clean and clinical and efficient. Like the man himself.
She headed towards the desk, prepared to sit in the seat opposite him, as she had before, but instead he steered her towards the armchairs. ‘We’ll be more comfortable here.’
Dione did not want to be comfortable; she wanted to say what she had to say and get out quickly. Not the right sort of thought when Theo was her prospective husband—though actually she was hoping that he’d had a change of heart. A hope that was quickly dashed when he flashed his wolfish teeth.
‘Can I presume that the reason you’re here is to declare that you’ll marry me after all?’
Two pairs of brown eyes met and warred, and Dione was the first to look away. ‘I’d like to be able to say no,’ she snapped, ignoring the stammer of her heart. This man was lethal. Deadly attractive but a danger all the same.
‘You’re a free agent.’ The words were tossed lightly and dismissively into the air and Dione gained the impression that he couldn’t care less. That this was all some sort of game to him.
‘Meaning you’ve changed your mind?’ she enquired sharply, mentally crossing her fingers that this was so.
‘Not at all.’ It was a simple, matter-of-fact answer; he was giving her no help whatsoever. In fact he was enjoying her discomfort.
‘In that case,’ she said in a voice not much above a whisper, ‘I’ll do as you ask.’
‘I’m sorry, I can’t hear you.’
Damn the man! A satisfied smile played about his sculpted lips and his eyes were filled with amusement. She felt pretty sure that he had heard. He just wanted to hear her say it again. He liked seeing her squirm.
‘I said, I’ll do as you ask.’ There, was that loud enough for him? She’d projected the words as though she was throwing a missile, hoping they’d smash into his face and wipe some of the pleasure off it.
No such luck! His smile widened and deepened and he leaned forward and took her hands into his. ‘There, that wasn’t so bad, was it?’
Dione huffed and said nothing.
‘You’re not happy?’
‘No, I’m not.’
‘But I’m guessing your father’s delirious?’
‘He was pleased, yes.’
‘He must really have hit rock-bottom.’
Dione flashed furious dark eyes at him. ‘He has, and he’s in hospital fighting for his life because of it.’
Theo frowned. ‘I didn’t know that.’
‘There’s a lot about my father you don’t know.’
‘And a lot I do,’ he growled. ‘He’s unscrupulous. I bet he had no hesitation in saying you should marry me. How he could have produced a daughter like you I don’t know.’
‘How do you know I’m not unscrupulous too?’ she riposted, wishing she could jump up and run. This was the most humiliating experience of her life.
‘I’m good at reading people.’
‘How do you know that if I marry you I won’t take you for every penny you’ve got?’ she slammed at him.
‘Because I’ve already had a contract drawn up. I—’
‘You’ve what?’ interjected Dione in horror. ‘You were that sure I’d say yes?’
‘Absolutely,’ he agreed, stretching out his long legs and linking his hands behind his head.
He looked so relaxed she wanted to take a swipe at him, knock some of that pleasure off his damnably handsome face. ‘You bastard!’
Theo’s well-shaped brows rose. ‘Tut, tut, Dione! Here was I, thinking you were a lady.’
‘You bring out the worst in me,’ she savaged.
‘It’s not all I plan to bring out in you,’ he said with a cruel smile. ‘Let’s get down to business. You are here to say that you will marry me in return for me bailing your father out of trouble?’
Dione swallowed hard, ignored the little voice inside her head that told her to get up and run, ignored the thought of a nice, safe English marriage to Chris Donovan, and nodded.
His lips curved in satisfaction. ‘I never thought I’d say this, but your father’s a very lucky man, do you know that? Not many girls would do this for their father. Pray tell me, why do you love him so much? Or is it perhaps because you fear him?’ He saw the flicker in her eyes and nodded. ‘He has you in the same stranglehold as everyone else. I pity you, Dione, having a father like that, though I applaud what you are doing.’
‘Only because it’s in your favour,’ she snorted, deeply annoyed that he had summed up the situation so correctly. Did everyone know that her father was a control freak?
‘As I said, I’ve had a contract drawn up; all you have to do is sign it.’ He rose from the chair and strode across to his desk.
Dione watched, her heart aching with a pain she had never felt before. Sorrow, anger, despair. Not that she let Theo see any of this. When he returned to his seat she lifted her chin and sat that little bit straighter. ‘I have a few stipulations of my own before I sign anything.’
Dark brows rose. ‘Are you in any position?’
‘I think I am.’
He lifted broad shoulders. ‘I beg to differ on that point, but go ahead. Unless, of course, you’d like to read my contract first? You might be pleasantly surprised.’
Dione privately doubted it, but maybe she ought to take a look before she jumped in with her own criteria.
It wasn’t a long document, but in essence it gave him full power to treat her as he liked in return for helping her father out of his financial troubles. ‘To become my wife in every sense for as long as I desire,’ were the words that sprang out from the page.
Not on his life!
She thrust it back at him. ‘No! Absolutely no!’
‘To what exactly?’ he enquired insouciantly. He had clearly expected her denial and was now going to take great pleasure in having her spell it out to him.
‘I will not go to bed with you.’ When all her friends had been sleeping around Dione had kept her virginity, saving it for the man she would eventually marry—someone she loved and respected. She had thought Chris that man until very recently. But she was definitely not giving herself to Theo Tsardikos. Not ever! ‘Nor will I remain married to you for longer than one year,’ she added stormily. ‘In all other respects I will be your wife.’
‘There are no other respects,’ he growled. ‘A wife is a wife. A wife spends time in her husband’s bed. A wife pleasures her man.’
‘A wife also cooks and cleans and entertains.’
‘I have people to do that sort of thing,’ he answered dismissively. ‘It’s a bed companion I want and I think you’ll fit the bill admirably. You’re beautiful, you’re spirited, you’re caring. What more could a man ask for? But—maybe I can agree to your condition.’
Theo smiled to himself. It had never been his intention for them to sleep in separate beds. On the other hand it would be interesting trying to change her mind. In fact, the chase could be as enjoyable as the kill.
He had wanted her from the first second he saw her. She was quite the most striking and intriguing woman he’d ever met. He had dreamed about her last night, and what an exciting lover she had been! If dream became actuality, however…His gut twisted at the very thought.
In one respect he felt sorry for Dione, and the pressure Keristari had put on her. He wanted to make their sham of a marriage reality; he wanted her to learn to love him as a woman should love a man, not to marry him under duress and out of loyalty to her father. Keristari was a man whom no one liked except for his very loyal wife. Phrosini deserved a medal for putting up with his bullying ways.
What had happened, he wondered, between him and Dione’s mother? Clearly she hadn’t tolerated his dictatorial manner; she had got out while she could. And good for her! Maybe Dione would tell him the story one day.
‘So do you intend drawing up another contract?’ she asked him now, her chin determinedly high, her lovely, liquid brown eyes revealing her distaste of what was about to happen.
Lord, he wanted to take her into his arms and assure her that everything would be all right. That he wasn’t an ogre, that he wouldn’t hurt her. And that he admired what she was doing. But that wasn’t part of the game.
He was frankly appalled that she would marry him simply to please her father and drag him out of the mire he’d got himself into. It was misplaced loyalty as far as he was concerned.
Naturally he was sympathetic towards Keristari’s illness, but that didn’t change him from the bullying tyrant he’d always been. And even in his illness he was controlling all those around him. It was no way to behave towards your loved ones. He did not deserve their devotion.
He was so angry with the man that his tone was sharply aggressive when he answered her question. ‘Naturally. I will have it ready for your signature this afternoon.’
Dione’s head jerked as she stared at him wild-eyed. ‘So soon?’
‘Why wait?’ he asked smoothly. ‘I don’t imagine your father will want to drag this thing out. If he’s in as much trouble as you say he’ll want the money now. But no marriage, no funding! Shall we set the wedding for Sunday? Is two days enough for you to get your head round it?’
CHAPTER THREE
THEO almost laughed when he saw the consternation on Dione’s face.
‘Two days?’ she choked. ‘You can’t wait to get your hands on me, is that it? Damn you, Theo Tsardikos! Damn you to hell.’
Lord, wasn’t she gorgeous when she was angry? He felt his testosterone levels rising and it was all he could do not to drag her into his arms and kiss her senseless. ‘I was thinking of your father’s money,’ he answered, amazing himself at his coolness when inside he was on fire.
‘I bet you were,’ she snapped. ‘I’ve seen the way you look at me. But don’t forget, we shall have a piece of paper forbidding you to touch. And heaven help you if you renege.’
What a spirited person she was. What an exciting woman. His male hormones danced all over the place. ‘I wouldn’t dream of it,’ he said slowly, levelly. ‘Anything in that direction will have to come from you.’
‘Then you’ll wait till hell freezes over,’ she tossed cruelly.
He folded his arms across his chest, dropped his head to one side and studied her. ‘You’re amazing, do you know that?’
‘Amazing?’ she scoffed. ‘I’m simply telling you how it is. This is a business contract. Nothing more, nothing less, and you’d best remember it.’
‘I will remember,’ he told her. Whatever happened between him and this intriguing young lady, whether they made a success of the marriage—wishful thinking—or it failed abysmally—more like it—it would stay in his memory for the rest of his life.
‘Good,’ she snapped, standing up, and with another flash of her lovely dark eyes she headed for the door.
He did not want to let her go yet—he wanted her to stay, to talk some more; he wanted to get to know this gorgeous creature better. But sanity told him to take things easy. In any case, she had to come back to sign the new contract. His lips quirked at the pleasure of seeing her again so soon. Perhaps at his home rather than here, where they could talk longer, get to know each other better.
And then on Sunday—she would be his!
He had a lot to organise, a lot of arrangements to make. No time to detain her. He walked to the door and bade her goodbye. ‘Till later, Dione. I’ll ring you when the contract’s ready. Will you be home?’
Dione glared into his face. ‘I have no idea.’
‘Then give me your mobile number.’ He half expected her to refuse; was surprised when she wrote it down without argument. He tucked the slip of paper into his pocket and held out his hand. She ignored it, spinning on her heel and rushing out of the office as though all the hounds in hell were chasing her.
Theo smiled to himself. He was rarely short of female company but no woman had appealed to him as Dione Keristari did now. She had turned up under the most distressing of situations; she’d been forced to approach him by her demanding father, but beneath her hostility, beneath the fear she had felt when confronting him, was a beautiful woman simply waiting to be loved.
Dione marched out of the office building with her mind in torment. Theo wanted from her exactly what she’d feared. A wife in every sense of the word! Thank goodness she’d been able to talk him around; though in actual fact she wasn’t totally convinced that he would keep his word. He was the sort of guy who if you gave him an inch would take a mile.
Not wanting to go back to the hospital yet, she took herself into the village where they lived near Athens, sat outside a café and ordered coffee.
It was hard to believe that Theo Tsardikos had expected her to become his wife in every sense of the word right from the moment the ring was put on her finger. Had he no idea what it would be like to let a complete stranger make love to her? She couldn’t even visualise letting it happen.
No, if he didn’t stick to his side of the bargain, she would walk away from the marriage regardless. And if Tsardikos demanded his money back then her father would have to find someone else to dig him out of the mire he’d got himself into. It was as simple as that.
Or so she told herself. In fact it wasn’t. She couldn’t let her father down. She had let herself down by agreeing to this marriage, but if Theo drew up the contract in accordance with her request then she couldn’t see anything going wrong. He was a man of his word, she felt sure, and, although he might enjoy goading her, he wouldn’t force her to do anything she didn’t want to do.
How long she sat there drinking coffee Dione wasn’t sure. A few people she knew paused to pass the time of day but by and large she sat there alone and tried to digest the very big step that she was going to take.
She had to phone her mother, of course. And Chris. But it wasn’t something she was looking forward to. Procrastination would be the name of the game here. Maybe after the marriage? When it was a fait accompli and they could do nothing about it. Was that too awful of her? But how could she tell them right at this very minute, when she had never felt so vulnerable in her life?
She had been driven into a corner by two scheming men, both of them as bad as the other. Twelve months was a lifetime when you weren’t happy. It was a prison sentence. Her head spun and she sat there for hours until Spiros, the owner, came to ask whether she was all right.
‘Dione, you sit here so long. You look very troubled.’
She had known him virtually all her life and smiled wanly. ‘My father’s ill,’ she declared. ‘I’m worried about him.’ If only it were that simple.
‘I am sorry. Please—give him my best wishes. I hope he is better soon.’
‘Me too, Spiros. Me too.’
The phone call came sooner than she expected and her heart jerked into overdrive at the sound of Theo’s deep, warm voice.
‘Dione, it is time. I will pick you up. Where are you?’
‘No!’ She almost spat the word. ‘There’s no need. I will come to your office.’
‘I’m at home,’ he told her, and Dione’s heart sank.
‘You—you want me to come to your house?’ How awful would that be!
‘I thought you would be more relaxed.’
‘If you think I’ll ever be relaxed marrying an arrogant beast like you then you’re very much mistaken,’ she told him boldly.
Theo laughed. ‘What a charming vocabulary you have.’ And then his voice hardened. ‘I repeat, where are you?’
Best not get on the wrong side of him, at least not until the money was safely in her father’s bank account, thought Dione. ‘I’m at Spiros’ Café. Do you know it?’
‘No.’
She hadn’t thought he would. It was not the sort of place he would use. ‘Give me your address and I’ll find my way there,’ she suggested coolly.
Theo made some sort of disagreeable grunting noise. ‘Take a taxi. I’ll see you soon.’
His villa was as large and impressive as she had imagined it would be, with the usual white stucco walls and red roofs but approached by a long drive and guarded like a fortress. She let the taxi drop her off at the gates and didn’t buzz to announce her arrival until the vehicle had gone. Then she walked up the drive, lined on each side by olive trees, and saw Theo waiting for her.
He had changed from his business suit into a pair of casual trousers and a white shirt that stretched across a broad, powerful chest previously hidden to her enquiring eyes. His arms were muscular and tanned and he looked like a man who wasn’t afraid of hard work. He also looked younger and less formidable but Dione knew that she must still be wary of him. This wasn’t a social visit; this was business with a capital B.
Never had Dione felt more like turning and running. In two days’ time this would be her home. She would live here with Theo; she would be his wife in the eyes of the law and every one of his acquaintances. But not in her eyes; never in her eyes! The marriage would never be consummated.
It was too embarrassing by far to ever tell anyone the real reason she was marrying Theo. For twelve months she would act as she’d never acted before, she would carry out her father’s wishes, but she would walk away at the end of it with her head held high, confident in the knowledge that Theo Tsardikos had not had his evil way with her.
The villa was spacious and airy and expensive—and beautifully furnished. She fell in love with it straight away. Although it was large it was not pretentious. Theo, she hated to admit, had excellent taste. ‘Why, this is lovely,’ she said, unable to help herself.
‘Wait until you see outside,’ he answered, leading her through the villa and looking pleased by her enthusiasm.
And there in front of them was the ocean. Tiered down to it was a series of swimming pools and sun decks, some sheltered by palms and other plants, others bearing the full brunt of the hot summer sun. It was paradise.
‘You have a perfect home,’ she told him reluctantly.
‘And it’s going to be your home as well,’ he said, turning to face her. ‘Do you still think you’re getting a bad deal?’
‘As far as my emotions go, yes,’ she told him truthfully. ‘But as far as my senses are concerned, this is sheer heaven.’ Her own home with her father was very beautiful but it would never match up to this. They had a pool, yes, but quite a small one in comparison, and they certainly didn’t have a sea view. Her father would be as jealous as hell if he only knew.
And she must remember that it was for her father that she was doing this. He was the one forcing her to live in this idyllic spot. Maybe it was wise if she didn’t tell him.
‘I’m glad you approve; it’s half the battle. Let’s get down to business, shall we?’
They returned indoors and in his study, a cool, air-conditioned room with very little in the way of furniture apart from a hugely functional desk and a couple of chairs, he handed her a sheet of paper.
Dione sat and read it and she was satisfied. He was demanding nothing from her that she was not prepared to give, apart from her time. The contract was to run for twelve months from the day they married, and after that she was free to leave. He would divorce her without question and he would deposit into her father’s bank account, the day after their marriage, whatever sum of money Yannis needed to build up his business again.
It was a very generous agreement under the circumstances, thought Dione. Theo was getting nothing out of it and it was costing him dear. There had to be a catch in it somewhere. But she read it through three times and it was all very straightforward. She took the pen he offered and signed. Theo countersigned.
And it was all done.
On Sunday she would become his wife.
All she hoped was that her father appreciated exactly what she was doing for him.
The day dawned with a cloudless blue sky and a hot sun powering down on them. Dione had still not telephoned her mother. She wanted to protect her parent, not let her worry and fear that in some incalculable way Yannis still had a hold over her. Jeannie never said much about him but Dione knew that she sometimes feared that her past would come back to haunt her.
And Dione had not seen Theo again either. A special delivery had revealed a stunning wedding dress in ivory silk and every accessory she would need to go with it. Dione guessed there had been some collusion with Phrosini because how could he have possibly known her size?
But she did not question her stepmother; she saw no point in it. The deed was done. She was to become Theo’s wife and that was that. Personally she would have worn an oyster-coloured suit that was her favourite; now she was being forced to dress up as though it were a real wedding and she and Theo were very much in love.
Through the grapevine she’d heard that a whole host of guests had been invited. They were getting married in the hospital chapel so that Yannis could be present. No doubt, thought Dione bitterly, he wanted to make doubly sure that she wouldn’t run away at the last minute.
Which was extremely tempting.
It was all very emotional and when finally, at a few minutes past three, she became Theo’s wife, Dione burst into tears. Everyone cheered and clapped and no one knew, except for Phrosini and Yannis, that it was not a real wedding.
‘You’re very beautiful, Mrs Tsardikos,’ said Theo softly as they walked out of the chapel that had been decked with a myriad of flowers tied with soft satin ribbons and looked charming.
‘I don’t feel it,’ she said, so quietly that no one else heard. ‘I feel a fraud.’
‘I won’t allow you to say that,’ he announced curtly, taking her hand and squeezing it. ‘To the outside world you are the beautiful girl who has captured Theo Tsardikos’ heart. You will become quite famous, agapi mou.’
Dione groaned inwardly. She hadn’t realised how much of a stir Theo’s marriage would cause. She had hoped—she had prayed, in fact—that it would be a quiet affair, but the guests had poured into the hospital, overflowing into corridors, and congratulations had fallen thick and fast.
The reception was being held at Theo’s villa and they made their way now in streams of cars that ferried people across the city. The gardens and terraces were decked with flowers and garlands, a band played and exquisite food was served.
Theo made a speech saying what a lucky man he was and Dione blushed her way through it. Theo’s parents told her that she had made their son a very happy man, and his sister, Alexandra, couldn’t quite believe it either.
‘I never thought that Theo would marry again after what happened,’ she said to Dione. ‘In fact, he swore he wouldn’t. You must be someone very special to get him to change his mind.’
CHAPTER FOUR
THEO had been married before! Dione stared at Alexandra in disbelief.
‘He hasn’t told you, has he?’ enquired his sister. ‘I’m actually not too surprised because he never talks about it. Not ever. It’s as though he’s shut what happened completely out of his life.’
‘So—what did happen?’ questioned Dione. For some reason her heart was thumping wildly.
‘Maybe I ought to let Theo himself tell you,’ said Alexandra, looking suddenly uncomfortable.
She was almost as tall as Theo and willow-thin. Her dark hair was cut stylishly short and she looked striking in a pale green designer dress. But her appearance meant nothing; it was the information she had imparted. ‘You can’t stop now,’ protested Dione.
‘You two haven’t known each other very long, have you?’ enquired Theo’s sister cautiously.
Dione shook her head, unwilling to tell her exactly how quickly this marriage had been arranged. She had gone through the ceremony as if in a dream and if anyone had asked her about it she wouldn’t have been able to remember one thing. Not even declaring that she would be Theo’s wife. All she had been aware of was him standing tall and strong at her side, and once, when she had faltered, he had caught her hand and squeezed it encouragingly.
Alexandra grinned now. ‘Love at first sight? And they say it never happens. It’s easy to see that you two are made for each other. He’s been living in a world of his own since his divorce. It was never a happy marriage, kept together only for their son’s sake. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to him.’
Dione frowned and if possible her heartbeat quickened even more. ‘Theo has a son?’ she questioned breathlessly.
Alexandra shook her head. ‘He died when he was only eleven months old. I don’t think Theo’s ever got over it. And Katina walked out on him afterwards. A swift divorce followed.’
‘How awful for him,’ said Dione reverently, seeing Theo in a new light. ‘It’s no wonder he can’t bear to talk about it.’ And she made up her mind there and then that she would never let on that she knew. Not unless he brought the subject up himself. And that was extremely unlikely under their surreal circumstances.
The day seemed endless. Theo dutifully stood at her side as a constant stream of his friends and relatives came to congratulate them and no one would have guessed that theirs was a marriage in name only. The way he looked at her, the way he touched her elbow, the way he smiled, made it all look very real. And Dione, too, smiled until her face ached, pretending a happiness she was far from feeling.
‘You should have been an actor,’ said Theo softly at one point when she had just agreed that they were made for each other.
‘You too,’ she tossed back.
Phrosini dragged herself away from the hospital and came to add her further congratulations. ‘Your father is very grateful for what you’re doing,’ she reassured Dione.
As well he should be Dione almost said, but she did not want to upset her stepmother so she smiled instead.
‘Theo made a good choice with the dress.’ It was slender and elegant and made Dione look even taller than she was.
‘She is very beautiful,’ agreed Theo, looking for all the world as though he was the proud groom. ‘I think our marriage will be most agreeable. And definitely exciting.’
Dione wanted to ask him in what way, but not in front of Phrosini. All the arguments they would have perhaps? Definitely not exciting in a sexual sense. Of that she was very sure. And when Phrosini drifted away and for a few moments they were alone she asked him what he had meant.
‘How will our marriage be exciting?’
‘That’s easy,’ he said with a shrug of his wide shoulders. ‘There will never be a dull moment with you, my sweet Dione. Sparks will fly, I’m very much aware of that, as I am aware of the fact that all day long you’ve wished yourself anywhere but at my side. You’ve stood the test admirably. Maybe it’s time I added my congratulations?’ And with that he bowed his head to kiss her.
Dione stiffened and moved so that his lips brushed her cheek, and she would have pushed him away had he not gripped her arm in warning. ‘Careful, agapi mou, we’re being watched.’
So Dione fixed the smile back on her face, hiding gritted teeth and a dislike so intense that it burnt into her soul. Thank goodness, she thought, that she hadn’t agreed to his initial contract or she would have found herself in his bed tonight. In bed with a stranger! She shivered.
Immediately attentive, Theo asked, ‘Are you cold?’ And his liquid dark eyes were filled with concern.
Dione shook her head. ‘Someone walking over my grave.’ And, although it was a common expression, she felt that in this instance it was the truth. She might as well be dead as married to this obnoxious man.
No, that wasn’t true. He wasn’t obnoxious. He was virile and handsome and astonishingly wealthy, which made him attractive in most female eyes. It would have all been so much easier had she felt the same way. But being bought put a different perspective on things. She meant nothing more to Theo than a possession, nothing more than anything else he could have bought with his millions.
In fact she felt unclean and she would have liked nothing more than to run into the house and take a shower, and stay there for however long it took to make her feel whole and pure again. She had committed a sin in marrying Theo. She had made promises in the chapel that she knew she would not keep.
It was a relief when the day was over, when everyone had gone and she could relax her aching face.
‘Well, Mrs Tsardikos,’ said Theo with a satisfied smile, ‘I’ve made many purchases in my life, but none as satisfactory as this.’
Dione frowned and her heart stammered fearfully. ‘Satisfactory?’ She didn’t like the look on his face; it was as though he was contemplating pleasures to come. If he thought he could ignore their contract he was wrong, very wrong. She wouldn’t be averse to walking out of here right this very minute.
‘I mean that you’re the most beautiful wife any man could wish for. Congratulations have flown thick and fast.’
‘And exactly what do you mean by wife?’ asked Dione, appalled to hear how shrill her voice sounded.
‘Just that. A beautiful, gracious lady. Someone I shall be pleased to show off.’
‘And that’s all?’
‘What else could there be?’ A well-shaped brow lifted enquiringly. ‘Unless of course you’re having second thoughts and are willing to share my bed?’ Dark eyes captured hers so that it was difficult to look away.
Dione’s heart drummed even faster. ‘Not in a million years.’
Theo smiled in a way that told her he was confident that one day she would change her mind.
‘I mean it!’
‘Then why do you look so scared?’ he asked. ‘You can lock your door if you like. I’m a man of my word, Dione, in case you didn’t know. As I said once before, the first move will come from you.’
Dione felt her body relax and she managed her first genuine smile of the day. ‘You’re a very honourable man, Theo, and I thank you for helping my father.’
‘He doesn’t have the money yet,’ he pointed out.
Dione drew in a swift breath. ‘I hope you’re not going back on your word. I’ve completed my side of the bargain.’
‘And it will be in his bank account first thing tomorrow morning.’
His steady eyes met hers but a faint feeling of unease returned. What if he was lying? What if he wanted to take her into his bed before paying her father? The sooner she went to her room and locked the door the better. She faked a yawn. ‘I’m tired, Theo. I’d like to go to bed.’
‘Running away?’ he mocked.
Dione stood her ground, lifting her chin and looking right into those dark, dangerous eyes. ‘Not at all. It’s been a long day.’ And she cursed herself when she felt something approaching a flutter in the pit of her stomach. She put it down to nerves. It couldn’t possibly be anything else—could it?
‘I’ll walk you up. Maybe I’ll retire myself. As you say, it’s been a tiring day. But a satisfying one all the same, don’t you agree?’
‘Where my father’s concerned, yes,’ she snapped. ‘For myself, no. The next twelve months are going to be sheer hell.’
A harsh shadow darkened his face as they mounted the stairs together. ‘And you’d do that for your father—put yourself through hell?’
Dione nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Put like that, it seemed like an enormous unselfish gesture on her part. If Yannis hadn’t been at death’s door she wouldn’t have done it; that was a fact. If Phrosini hadn’t persuaded her…Tears began to sting the back of her eyes and she turned away. ‘Goodnight, Theo.’
‘Goodnight, my beautiful bride,’ he answered as they reached her door. ‘May I be permitted one kiss? To seal the deal perhaps?’
Dione wanted to say no, she wanted no contact between them, but she knew it would be churlish to refuse. It was going to be a brief kiss, though; nothing prolonged or sexual. Just a touching of lips.
She put her hand on his chest, prepared to push him away should he attempt to get too close, and felt passionate heat beneath her palm and the thud of his heart and knew immediately that she was in danger.
But it was too late to back away.
As his head swooped down narrowed lids hid the expression in his eyes, but his finger beneath her chin felt like a branding iron. This wasn’t going the way she wanted.
Surprisingly, though, the kiss itself was restrained. His lips touched hers and then pulled swiftly away.
He was a man of honour after all.
Swift relief flooded through Dione’s body and she felt herself go limp and would have fallen to the floor had Theo not caught her. His arms were strong and safe as he kicked open her door and carried her into the room, laying her gently on the bed.
‘Thank you,’ she whispered. ‘I don’t know what came over me.’
‘The events of the day,’ he tossed curtly. ‘Will you be all right? Shall I send someone to help—’
‘No!’ cut in Dione swiftly. ‘I’m fine now. I’d really like to be left alone.’
He nodded, his lips grim, and spun on his heel. Dione’s relief knew no bounds when he finally shut the door behind him. She didn’t even stop to question his sudden abruptness. This had been the worst possible day of her life and all she wanted to do was go to sleep and forget it.
Theo stalked into his room and tore off his clothes, leaving them untidily on the floor, before climbing beneath a fierce cold shower. Damn Dione! Damn the whole Keristari family! They were putting him through hell.
The money didn’t count; it was a drop in the ocean to him, but Dione—she was a different proposition altogether. He had signed the wretched contract, he had promised to keep his hands off her. How the hell could he do that?
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