The Greek's Forbidden Innocent

Mina’s eyes were drawn to the profusion of flowers, cadmium yellow, pale ochre and magenta. She felt the old temptation to reach for her sketchpad. To find peace by losing herself in art.

Instead she simply stood a little longer, inhaling the fragrance of salt air and unfamiliar floral perfumes, then set her shoulders and turned away. She couldn’t hide forever. It was time to face her host.

* * *

She found him on a deep, shaded veranda. Overhead, a fan rotated lazily and the combination of wicker furniture and wide, wooden floorboards hinted at gracious days gone by, though the sprawling villa was modern.

Alexei sat, feet up, on a lounger, typing into a tablet. His hair was ruffled as if he’d combed his fingers through it and his shirt was open again. Mina saw the dark smattering of hair on his sculpted pectorals and jerked her gaze away.

That tiny sizzle deep inside didn’t bode well. She’d felt it before, when he carried her in his arms. Now just the sight of him set it off.

Frowning, Mina surveyed the garden, trying to control feelings she couldn’t fully identify. On the other side of the pool, a sculpture caught her eye.

‘You’re awake. Excellent.’ Reluctantly Mina turned, fixing a bland expression on her face. She’d known this would be difficult but she’d hoped her earlier response to him had more to do with fatigue than genuine attraction.

Fate was clearly laughing at her naivety.

Alexei set the tablet aside and swung his feet to the floor.

‘Please don’t get up on my account. You’re working. I’ll come back later.’ She was only too happy to delay being alone with him.

‘No, I’ve finished.’ He gestured to the seats grouped around him and she had no choice but to take one.

Instead of a recliner, Mina selected an upright chair, conscious of the way her skirt rode even higher up her legs as she sat. Resisting the urge to tug her hem in a futile attempt to gain an extra few centimetres, she crossed her ankles and tucked her feet under her chair. She didn’t look directly at her host but felt his gaze. It raked her from head to foot, then lifted again to linger on her legs and higher—

Mina swung her head up abruptly and met his enigmatic dark gaze.

Had she been wrong? She could have sworn he’d been ogling her. Or did her sensitivity about wearing Carissa’s clothes make her imagine things? The way her breasts tingled—

‘What would you like to drink?’ As he spoke Marie rounded the corner of the veranda, as if in response to the summons of a silent bell.

‘Something cold would be good.’

‘Champagne? A cocktail? Gin and tonic?’

Mina glanced at her watch. Early afternoon. Obviously his usual guests indulged themselves. Mina, on the other hand, needed a clear head. Besides, she was in no mood to kick back and pretend this was a holiday. She felt too agitated around Alexei Katsaros.

‘A juice would be lovely, thanks.’ She smiled at Marie.

‘Of course, ma’am. And I’ll bring some food.’

Mina was about to protest that she wasn’t hungry, then remembered she hadn’t eaten in ages. She’d feel stronger after food. She’d better!

Marie turned to Alexei, a question on her face. In response he shook his head and gestured to a half-full jug of iced water. ‘I’m fine.’

So he expected Mina to indulge while he stuck to cold water. Interesting. But then, he’d been working and he hadn’t built a hugely successful corporation by drinking the day away. Mina shot a glance at that firm chin and those uncompromising features and guessed Alexei Katsaros was good at discipline and control. Then her gaze collided with his and the impact sent a silent shudder of reaction through her.