The Gorgeous Greeks

COLLECTION

May 2020

Seductive Secrets

June 2020

Playing Her Games

July 2020

A Greek Affair

August 2020

Seducing the Enemy

September 2020

A Greek Romance

October 2020

Her Greek Proposition

About the Authors

SARAH MORGAN is a USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction. She has sold more than eighteen million copies of her books and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe. Sarah lives with her family near London, England, where the rain frequently keeps her trapped in her office. Visit her at www.sarahmorgan.com

Award-winning author JENNIFER HAYWARD emerged on the publishing scene as the winner of Mills & Boon’s So You Think You Can Write global writing contest. The recipient of Romantic Times Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Mills & Boon Modern of 2014, Jennifer’s careers in journalism and PR, including years of working alongside powerful, charismatic CEOs and travelling the world, have provided perfect fodder for the fast-paced, sexy stories she likes to write.

ANNE FRASER always loved reading and never imagined that one day she would be writing for a living. She started life as a nurse and helpfully, for a writer of medical romances, is married to a hospital doctor! Anne and husband have lived and worked all over the world, including South Africa, Canada and Australia and many of their experiences as well as the settings find their way into her books. Anne lives in Glasgow with her husband and two children.

Gorgeous Greeks: Playing Her Games

Playing by the Greek’s Rules

Sarah Morgan

Changing Constantinou’s Game

Jennifer Hayward

Falling For Dr Dimitriou

Anne Fraser

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-0-008-90763-1

GORGEOUS GREEKS: PLAYING HER GAMES

Playing by the Greek’s Rules © 2015 Sarah Morgan Changing Constantinou’s Game © 2014 Jennifer Drogell Falling For Dr Dimitriou © 2014 Anne Fraser

Published in Great Britain 2020

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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Table of Contents

Cover

About the Authors

Title Page

Copyright

Note to Readers

Playing by the Greek’s Rules

Dedication

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

Changing Constantinou’s Game

Dedication

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

Falling for Dr Dimitriou

Dedication

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

EPILOGUE

About the Publisher

Playing by the Greek’s Rules

Sarah Morgan

To the wonderful Joanne Grant, for her

enthusiasm, encouragement and for always

keeping the door open.

CHAPTER ONE

LILY PULLED HER HAT down to shade her eyes from the burn of the hot Greek sun and took a large gulp from her water bottle. ‘Never again.’ She sat down on the parched, sunbaked earth and watched as her friend carefully brushed away dirt and soil from a small, carefully marked section of the trench. ‘If I ever, ever mention the word “love” to you, I want you to bury me somewhere in this archaeological site and never dig me up again.’

‘There is an underground burial chamber. I could dump you in there if you like.’

‘Great idea. Stick a sign in the ground. “Here lies Lily, who wasted years of her life studying the origin, evolution and behaviour of humans and still couldn’t understand men”.’ She gazed across the ruins of the ancient city of Aptera to the sea beyond. They were high on a plateau. Behind them, the jagged beauty of the White Mountains shimmered in the heat and in front lay the sparkling blue of the Sea of Crete. The beauty of it usually lifted her mood, but not today.

Brittany sat up and wiped her brow with her forearm. ‘Stop beating yourself up. The guy is a lying, cheating rat bastard.’ Reaching for her backpack, she glanced across the site to the group of men who were deep in conversation. ‘Fortunately for all of us he’s flying back to London tomorrow to his wife. And all I can say to that is, God help the woman.’

Lily covered her face with her hands. ‘Don’t say the word “wife”. I am a terrible person.’

‘Hey!’ Brittany’s voice was sharp. ‘He told you he was single. He lied. The responsibility is all his. After tomorrow you won’t have to see him again and I won’t have to struggle not to kill him.’

‘What if she finds out and ends their marriage?’

‘Then she might have the chance of a decent life with someone who respects her. Forget him, Lily.’

How could she forget when she couldn’t stop going over and over it in her head?

Had there been signs she’d missed?

Had she asked the wrong questions?

Was she so desperate to find someone special that she’d ignored obvious signs?

‘I was planning our future. We were going to spend August touring the Greek Islands. That was before he pulled out a family photo from his wallet instead of his credit card. Three little kids wrapped around their dad like bindweed. He should have been taking them on holiday, not me! I can’t bear it. How could I have made such an appalling error of judgement? That is a line I never cross. Family is sacrosanct to me. If you asked me to pick between family and money, I’d pick family every time.’ It crossed her mind that right now she had neither. No money. No family. ‘I don’t know which is worse—the fact that he clearly didn’t know me at all, or the fact that when I checked him against my list he was perfect.’

‘You have a list?’

Lily felt herself grow pink. ‘It’s my attempt to be objective. I have a really strong desire for permanent roots. Family.’ She thought about the emotional wasteland of her past and felt a sense of failure. Was the future going to look the same way? ‘When you want something badly it can distort your decision-making process, so I’ve put in some layers of protection for myself. I know the basic qualities I need in a man to be happy. I never date anyone who doesn’t score highly on my three points.’

Brittany looked intrigued. ‘Big wallet, big shoulders and big—’

‘No! And you are appalling.’ Despite her misery, Lily laughed. ‘First, he has to be affectionate. I’m not interested in a man who can’t show his feelings. Second, he has to be honest, but short of getting him to take a lie detector test I don’t know how to check that one. I thought Professor Ashurst was honest. I’m never calling him David again, by the way.’ She allowed herself one glance at the visiting archaeologist who had dazzled her during their short, ill-fated relationship. ‘You’re right. He’s a rat pig.’

‘I didn’t call him a rat pig. I called him a rat b—’

‘I know what you called him. I never use that word.’

‘You should. It’s surprisingly therapeutic. But we shouldn’t be wasting this much time talking about him. Professor Asshat is history, like this stuff we’re digging up.’

‘I can’t believe you called him that.’

‘You should be calling him far worse. What’s the third thing on your list?’

‘I want a man with strong family values. He has to want a family. But not several different families at the same time. Now I know why he gave off all those signals about being a family man. Because he already was a family man.’ Lily descended into gloom. ‘My checklist is seriously flawed.’

‘Not necessarily. You need a more reliable test for honesty and you should maybe add “single” to your list, that’s all. You need to chill. Stop looking for a relationship and have some fun. Keep it casual.’

‘You’re talking about sex? That doesn’t work for me.’ Lily took another sip of water. ‘I have to be in love with a guy to sleep with him. The two are welded together for me. How about you?’

‘No. Sex is sex. Love is love. One is fun and the other is to be avoided at all costs.’

‘I don’t think like that. There is something wrong with me.’

‘There’s nothing wrong with you. It’s not a crime to want a relationship. It just means you get your heart broken more than the average person.’ Brittany pushed her hat back from her face. ‘I can’t believe how hot it is. It’s not even ten o’clock and already I’m boiling like a lobster.’

‘And you know all about lobsters, coming from Maine. It’s summer and this is Crete. What did you expect?’

‘Right now I’d give anything for a few hours back home. I’m not used to summers that fry your skin from your body. I keep wanting to remove another layer of clothing.’

‘You’ve spent summers at digs all over the Mediterranean.’

‘And I moaned at each and every one.’ Brittany stretched out her legs and Lily felt a flash of envy.

‘You look like Lara Croft in those shorts. You have amazing legs.’

‘Too much time hiking in inhospitable lands searching for ancient relics. I want your gorgeous blonde hair.’ Brittany’s hair, the colour of polished oak, was gathered up from her neck in a ponytail. Despite the hat, her neck was already showing signs of the sun. ‘Listen, don’t waste another thought or tear on that man. Come out with us tonight. We’re going to the official opening of the new wing at the archaeological museum and afterwards we’re going to try out that new bar on the waterfront. My spies tell me that Professor Asshat won’t be there, so it’s going to be a great evening.’

‘I can’t. The agency rang this morning and offered me an emergency cleaning job.’

‘Lily, you have a masters in archaeology. You shouldn’t be taking these random jobs.’

‘My research grant doesn’t pay off my college loans and I want to be debt free. And anyway, I love cleaning. It relaxes me.’

‘You love cleaning? You’re like a creature from another planet.’

‘There’s nothing more rewarding than turning someone’s messy house into a shiny home, but I do wish the job wasn’t tonight. The opening would have been fun. A great excuse to wash the mud off my knees and dress up, not to mention seeing all those artefacts in one place. Never mind. I’ll focus on the money. They’re paying me an emergency rate for tonight.’

‘Cleaning is an emergency?’

Lily thought about the state of some of the houses she cleaned. ‘Sometimes, but in this case it’s more that the owner decided to arrive without notice. He spends most of his time in the US.’ She dug in her bag for more sunscreen. ‘Can you imagine being so rich you can’t quite decide which of your many properties you are going to sleep in?’

‘What’s his name?’

‘No idea. The company is very secretive. We have to arrive at a certain time and then his security team will let us in. Four hours later I add a gratifyingly large sum of money to my bank account and that’s the end of it.’

‘Four hours? It’s going to take five of you four hours to clean one house?’ Brittany paused with the water halfway to her mouth. ‘What is this place? A Minoan palace?’

‘A villa. It’s big. She said I’d be given a floor plan when I arrive, which I have to return when I leave and I’m not allowed to make copies.’

‘A floor plan?’ Brittany choked on her water. ‘Now I’m intrigued. Can I come with you?’

‘Sure—’ Lily threw her a look ‘—because scrubbing out someone’s shower is so much more exciting than having cocktails on the terrace of the archaeological museum while the sun sets over the Aegean.’

‘It’s the Sea of Crete.’

‘Technically it’s still the Aegean, and either way I’m missing a great party to scrub a floor. I feel like Cinderella. So what about you? Are you going to meet someone tonight and do something about your dormant love life?’

‘I don’t have a love life, I have a sex life, which is not at all dormant fortunately.’

Lily felt a twinge of envy. ‘Maybe you’re right. I need to lighten up and use men for sex instead of treating every relationship as if it’s going to end in confetti. You were an only child, weren’t you? Did you ever wish you had brothers or sisters?’

‘No, but I grew up on a small island. The whole place felt like a massive extended family. Everyone knew everything, from the age you first walked, to whether you had all A’s on your report card.’

‘Sounds blissful.’ Lily heard the wistful note in her own voice. ‘Because I was such a sickly kid and hard work to look after, no one took me for long. My eczema was terrible when I was little and I was always covered in creams and bandages and other yucky stuff. I wasn’t exactly your poster baby. No one wanted a kid who got sick. I was about as welcome as a stray puppy with fleas.’

‘Crap, Lily, you’re making me tear up and I’m not even a sentimental person.’

‘Forget it. Tell me about your family instead.’ She loved hearing about other people’s families, about the complications, the love, the experiences woven into a shared history. To her, family seemed like a multicoloured sweater, with all the different coloured strands of wool knitted into something whole and wonderful that gave warmth and protection from the cold winds of life.

She picked absently at a thread hanging from the hem of her shorts. It felt symbolic of her life. She was a single fibre, loose, bound to nothing.

Brittany took another mouthful of water and adjusted the angle of her hat. ‘We’re a normal American family, I guess. Whatever that is. My parents were divorced when I was ten. My mom hated living on an island. Eventually she remarried and moved to Florida. My dad was an engineer and he spent all his time working on oil rigs around the world. I lived with my grandmother on Puffin Island.’

‘Even the name is adorable.’ Lily tried to imagine growing up on a place called Puffin Island. ‘Were you close to your grandmother?’

‘Very. She died a few years ago, but she left me her cottage on the beach so I’d always have a home. I take several calls a week from people wanting to buy the place but I’m never going to sell.’ Brittany poked her trowel into the ground. ‘My grandmother called it Castaway Cottage. When I was little I asked her if a castaway ever lived there and she said it was for people lost in life, not at sea. She believed it had healing properties.’

Lily didn’t laugh. ‘I might need to spend a month there. I need to heal.’

‘You’d be welcome. A friend of mine is staying at the moment. We use it as a refuge. It’s the best place on earth and I always feel close to my grandmother when I’m there. You can use it any time, Lil.’

‘Maybe I will. I still need to decide what I’m going to do in August.’

‘You know what you need? Rebound sex. Sex for the fun of it, without all the emotional crap that goes with relationships.’

‘I’ve never had rebound sex. I’d fall in love.’

‘So pick someone you couldn’t possibly fall in love with in a million years. Someone with exceptional bedroom skills, but nothing else to commend him. Then you can’t possibly be at risk.’ She broke off as Spyros, one of the Greek archaeologists from the local university, strolled across to them. ‘Go away, Spy, this is girl talk.’

‘Why do you think I’m joining you? It’s got to be more interesting than the conversation I just left.’ He handed Lily a can of chilled Diet Coke. ‘He’s a waste of space, theé mou.’ His voice was gentle and she coloured, touched by his kindness.

‘I know, I know.’ She lifted the weight of her hair from her neck, wishing she’d worn it up. ‘I’ll get over it.’

Spy dropped to his haunches next to her. ‘Want me to help you get over him? I heard something about rebound sex. I’m here for you.’

‘No thanks. You’re a terrible flirt. I don’t trust you.’

‘Hey, this is about sex. You don’t need to trust me.’ He winked at her. ‘What you need is a real man. A Greek man who knows how to make you feel like a woman.’

‘Yeah, yeah, I know the joke. You’re going to hand me your laundry and tell me to wash it. This is why you’re not going to be my rebound guy. I am not washing your socks.’ But Lily was laughing as she snapped the top of the can. Maybe she didn’t have a family, but she had good friends. ‘You’re forgetting that when I’m not cleaning the villas of the rich or hanging out here contributing nothing to my college fund, I work for the ultimate in Greek manhood.’

‘Ah yes.’ Spyros smiled. ‘Nik Zervakis. Head of the mighty ZervaCo. Man of men. Every woman’s fantasy.’

‘Not mine. He doesn’t tick a single box on my list.’

Spy raised his eyebrows and Brittany shook her head. ‘You don’t want to know. Go on, Lily, dish the dirt on Zervakis. I want to know everything from his bank balance to how he got that incredible six pack I saw in those sneaky photos of him taken in that actress’s swimming pool.’

‘I don’t know much about him, except that he’s super brilliant and expects everyone around him to be super brilliant, too, which makes him pretty intimidating. Fortunately he spends most of his time in San Francisco or New York so he isn’t around much. I’ve been doing this internship for two months and in that time two personal assistants have left. It’s a good job he has a big human resources department because I can tell you he gets through a lot of human resources in the average working week. And don’t even start me on the girlfriends. I need a spreadsheet to keep it straight in my head.’

‘What happened to the personal assistants?’

‘Both of them resigned because of the pressure. The workload is inhuman and he isn’t easy to work for. He has this way of looking at you that makes you wish you could teleport. But he is very attractive. He isn’t my type so I didn’t pay much attention, but the women talk about him all the time.’

‘I still don’t understand why you’re working there.’

‘I’m trying different things. My research grant ends this month and I don’t know if I want to carry on doing this. I’m exploring other options. Museum work doesn’t pay much and anyway, I don’t want to live in a big city. I could never teach—’ She shrugged, depressed by the options. ‘I don’t know what to do.’

‘You’re an expert in ceramics and you’ve made some beautiful pots.’

‘That’s a hobby.’

‘You’re creative and artistic. You should do something with that.’

‘It isn’t practical to think I can make a living that way and dreaming doesn’t pay the bills.’ She finished her drink. ‘Sometimes I wish I’d read law, not archaeology, except that I don’t think I’m cut out for office work. I’m not good with technology. I broke the photocopier last week and the coffee machine hates me, but apparently having ZervaCo on your résumé makes prospective employers sit up. It shows you have staying power. If you can work there and not be intimidated, you’re obviously robust. And before you tell me that an educated woman shouldn’t allow herself to be intimidated by a guy, try meeting him.’

Spyros rose to his feet. ‘Plenty of people would be intimidated by Nik Zervakis. There are some who say his name along with the gods.’

Brittany pushed her water bottle back into her backpack. ‘Those would be the people whose salary he pays, or the women he sleeps with.’

Lily took off her hat and fanned herself. ‘His security team is briefed to keep them away from him. We are not allowed to put any calls through to him unless the name is on an approved list and that list changes pretty much every week. I have terrible trouble keeping up.’

‘So his protection squad is there to protect him from women?’ Brittany looked fascinated. ‘Unreal.’

‘I admire him. They say his emotions have never played a part in anything he does, business or pleasure. He is the opposite of everything I am. No one has ever dumped him or made him feel less of a person and he always knows what to say in any situation.’ She glanced once across the heat-baked ruins of the archaeological site towards the man who had lied so glibly. Thinking of all the things she could have said and hadn’t plunged her into another fit of gloom. ‘I’m going to try and be more like Nik Zervakis.’

Brittany laughed. ‘You’re kidding, right?’

‘No, I’m not kidding. He is like an ice machine. I want to be like that. How about you? Have either of you ever been in love?’

‘No!’ Spy looked alarmed, but Brittany didn’t answer. Instead she stared sightlessly across the plateau to the ocean.

‘Brittany?’ Lily prompted her. ‘Have you been in love?’

‘Not sure.’ Her friend’s voice was husky. ‘Maybe.’

‘Wow. Ball-breaking Brittany, in love?’ Spy raised his eyebrows. ‘Did you literally fire an arrow through his heart?’ He spread his hands as Lily glared at him. ‘What? She’s a Bronze Age weapons expert and a terrifyingly good archer. It’s a logical suggestion.’

Lily ignored him. ‘What makes you think you might have been in love? What were the clues?’

‘I married him.’

Spyros doubled up with soundless laughter and Lily stared.

‘You—? Okay. Well that’s a fairly big clue right there.’

‘It was a mistake.’ Brittany tugged the trowel out of the ground. ‘When I make mistakes I make sure they’re big. I guess you could call it a whirlwind romance.’

‘That sounds more like a hurricane than a whirlwind. How long did it last?’

Brittany stood up and brushed dust off her legs. ‘Ten days. Spy, if you don’t wipe that smile off your face I’m going to kick you into this trench and cover your corpse with a thick layer of dirt and shards of pottery.’

‘You mean ten years,’ Lily said and Brittany shook her head.

‘No. I mean days. We made it through the honeymoon without killing each other.’

Lily felt her mouth drop open and closed it again quickly. ‘What happened?’

‘I let my emotions get in the way of making sane decisions.’ Brittany gave a faint smile. ‘I haven’t fallen in love since.’

‘Because you learned how not to do it. You didn’t go and make the same mistake again and again. Give me some tips.’

‘I can’t. Avoiding emotional entanglement came naturally after I met Zach.’

‘Sexy name.’

‘Sexy guy.’ She shaded her eyes from the sun. ‘Sexy rat bastard guy.’

‘Another one,’ Lily said gloomily. ‘But you were young and everyone is allowed to make mistakes when they’re young. Not only do I not have that excuse, but I’m a habitual offender. I should be locked up until I’m safe to be rehabilitated. I need to be taken back to the store and reprogrammed.’

‘You do not need to be reprogrammed.’ Brittany stuffed her trowel into the front of her backpack. ‘You’re warm, friendly and lovable. That’s what guys like about you.’

‘That and the fact it takes one glance to know you’d look great naked,’ Spy said affably.

Lily turned her back on him. ‘Warm, friendly and lovable are great qualities for a puppy, but not so great for a woman. They say a person can change, don’t they? Well, I’m going to change.’ She scrambled to her feet. ‘I am not falling in love again. I’m going to take your advice and have rebound sex.’

‘Good plan.’ Spy glanced at his watch. ‘You get your clothes off, I’ll get us a room.’

‘Not funny.’ Lily glared at him. ‘I am going to pick someone I don’t know, don’t feel anything for and couldn’t fall in love with in a million years.’

Brittany looked doubtful. ‘Now I’m second-guessing myself. Coming from you it sounds like a recipe for disaster.’

‘It’s going to be perfect. All I have to do is find a man who doesn’t tick a single box on my list and have sex with him. It can’t possibly go wrong. I’m going to call it Operation Ice Maiden.’

Nik Zervakis stood with his back to the office, staring at the glittering blue of the sea while his assistant updated him. ‘Did he call?’

‘Yes, exactly as you predicted. How do you always know these things? I would have lost my nerve days ago with those sums of money involved. You don’t even break out in a sweat.’

Nik could have told him the deal wasn’t about money, it was about power. ‘Did you call the lawyers?’

‘They’re meeting with the team from Lexos first thing tomorrow. So it’s done. Congratulations, boss. The US media have turned the phones red-hot asking for interviews.’

‘It’s not over until the deal is signed. When that happens I’ll put out a statement, but no interviews.’ Nik felt some of the tension leave his shoulders. ‘Did you make a reservation at The Athena?’

‘Yes, but you have the official opening of the new museum wing first.’

Nik swore softly and swung round. ‘I’d forgotten. Do you have a briefing document on that?’

His PA paled. ‘No, boss. All I know is that the wing has been specially designed to display Minoan antiquities in one place. You were invited to the final meeting of the project team but you were in San Francisco.’

‘Am I supposed to give a speech?’

‘They’re hoping you will agree to say a few words.’

‘I can manage a few words, but they’ll be unrelated to Minoan antiquities.’ Nik loosened his tie. ‘Run me through the schedule.’

‘Vassilis will have the car here at six-fifteen, which should allow you time to go back to the villa and change. You’re picking up Christina on the way and your table is booked for nine p.m.’

‘Why not pick her up after I’ve changed?’

‘That would have taken time you don’t have.’

Nik couldn’t argue with that. The demands of his schedule had seen off three assistants in the last six months. ‘There was something else?’

The man shifted uncomfortably. ‘Your father called. Several times. He said you weren’t picking up your phone and asked me to relay a message.’

Nik flicked open the button at the neck of his shirt. ‘Which was?’

‘He wants to remind you that his wedding is next weekend. He thinks you’ve forgotten.’

Nik stilled. He hadn’t forgotten. ‘Anything else?’

‘He is looking forward to having you at the celebrations. He wanted me to remind you that of all the riches in this world, family is the most valuable.’

Nik, whose sentiments on that topic were a matter of public record, made no comment.

He wondered why anyone would see a fourth wedding as a cause for celebration. To him, it shrieked of someone who hadn’t learned his lesson the first three times. ‘I will call him from the car.’

‘There was one more thing—’ The man backed towards the door like someone who knew he was going to need to make a rapid exit. ‘He said to make sure you knew that if you don’t come, you’ll break his heart.’

It was a statement typical of his father. Emotional. Unguarded.

Reflecting that it was that very degree of sentimentality that had made his father the victim of three costly divorces, Niklaus strolled to his desk. ‘Consider the message delivered.’

As the door closed he turned back to the window, staring over the midday sparkle of the sea.

Exasperation mingled with frustration and beneath that surface response lay darker, murkier emotions he had no wish to examine. He wasn’t given to introspection and he believed that the past was only useful when it informed the future, so finding himself staring down into a swirling mass of long-ignored memories was an unwelcome experience.

Despite the air conditioning, sweat beaded on his forehead and he strode across his office and pulled a bottle of iced water from the fridge.

Why should it bother him that his father was marrying again?

He was no longer an idealistic nine-year-old, shattered by a mother’s betrayal and driven by a deep longing for order and security.

He’d learned to make his own security. Emotionally he was an impenetrable fortress. He would never allow a relationship to explode the world from under his feet. He didn’t believe in love and he saw marriage as expensive and pointless.

Unfortunately his father, an otherwise intelligent man, didn’t share his views. He’d managed to build a successful business from nothing but the fruits of the land around him, but for some reason he had failed to apply that same intellect to his love life.

Nik reflected that if he approached business the way his father approached relationships, he would be broke.

As far as he could see his father performed no risk analysis, gave no consideration to the financial implications of each of his romantic whims and approached each relationship with the romantic optimism entirely inappropriate for a man on his fourth marriage.

Nik’s attempts to encourage at least some degree of circumspection had been dismissed as cynical.

To make the situation all the more galling, the last time they’d met for dinner his father had actually lectured him on his lifestyle as if Nik’s lack of divorces suggested a deep character flaw.

Nik closed his eyes briefly and wondered how everything in his business life could run so smoothly while his family was as messy as a dropped pan of spaghetti. The truth was he’d rather endure the twelve labours of Hercules than attend another of his father’s weddings.

This time he hadn’t met his father’s intended bride and he didn’t want to. He failed to see what he would bring to the proceedings other than grim disapproval and he didn’t want to spoil the day.

Weddings depressed him. All the champagne bubbles in the world couldn’t conceal the fact that two people were paying a fortune for the privilege of making a very public mistake.

Lily dumped her bag in the marble hallway and tried to stop her jaw from dropping.

Palatial didn’t begin to describe it. Situated on the headland overlooking the sparkling blue of the sea, Villa Harmonia epitomised calm, high-end luxury.

Wondering where the rest of the team were, she wandered out onto the terrace.

Tiny paths wound down through the tumbling gardens to a private cove with a jetty where a platform gave direct swimming access to the sea.

‘I’ve died and gone to heaven.’ Disturbed from her trance by the insistent buzz of her phone, she dug it out of her pocket. Her simple uniform was uncomfortably tight, courtesy of all the delicious thyme honey and Greek yoghurt she’d consumed since arriving in Crete. Her phone call turned out to be the owner of the cleaning company, who told her that the rest of the team had been involved in an accident and wouldn’t make it.

‘Oh no, are they hurt?’ On hearing that no one was in hospital but that the car was totalled, Lily realised she was going to be on her own with this job. ‘So if it normally takes four of us four hours, how is one person going to manage?’

‘Concentrate on the living areas and the master suite. Pay particular attention to the bathroom.’

Resigned to doing the best she could by herself, Lily set to work. Choosing Mozart from her soundtrack, she pushed in her earbuds and sang her way through The Magic Flute while she brushed and mopped the spacious living area.

Whoever lived here clearly didn’t have children, she thought as she plumped cushions on deep white sofas and polished glass tables. Everything was sophisticated and understated.

Realising that dreaming would get her fired, Lily hummed her way up the curving staircase to the master bedroom and stopped dead.

The tiny, airless apartment she shared with Brittany had a single bed so narrow she’d twice fallen out of it in her sleep. This bed, by contrast, was large enough to sleep a family of six comfortably. It was positioned to take advantage of the incredible view across the bay and Lily stood, drooling with envy, imagining how it must feel to sleep in a bed this size. How many times could you roll over before finding yourself on the floor? If it were hers, she’d spread out like a starfish.

Glancing quickly over her shoulder to check there was no sign of the security team, she unclipped her phone from her pocket and took a photo of the bed and the view.

One day, she texted Brittany, I’m going to have sex in a bed like this.

Brittany texted back, I don’t care about the bed, just give me the man who owns it.

With a last wistful look at the room, Lily tucked her phone carefully into her bag and strolled into the bathroom. A large tub was positioned next to a wall of glass, offering the owner an uninterrupted view of the ocean. The only way to clean something so large was to climb inside it, so she did that, extra careful not to slip.

When it was gleaming, she turned her attention to the large walk-in shower. There was a sophisticated control panel on the wall and she looked at it doubtfully. Remembering her disastrous experience with the photocopier and the coffee machine, she was reluctant to touch anything, but what choice was there?

Lifting her hand, she pressed a button cautiously and gasped as a powerful jet of freezing water hit her from the opposite wall.

Breathless, she slammed her hand on another button to try and stop the flow but that turned on a different jet and she was blasted with water until her hair and clothes were plastered to her body and she couldn’t see. She thumped the wall blindly and was alternately scalded and frozen until finally she managed to turn off the jets. Panting, her hair and clothes plastered to her body, she sank to the floor while she tried to get her breath back, shivering and dripping like a puppy caught in the rain.

‘I hate, hate, hate technology.’ She pushed her hair back from her face, took it in her hands and twisted it into a rope, squeezing to remove as much of the water as she could. Then she stood up, but her uniform was dripping and stuck to her skin. If she walked back through the villa like this, she’d drip water everywhere and she didn’t have time to clean the place again.

Peeling off her uniform, she was standing in her underwear wringing out the water when she heard a sound from the bedroom.

Assuming it must be one of the security team, she gave a whimper of horror. ‘Hello? If there’s anyone out there, don’t come in for a moment because I’m just—’ She stilled as a woman appeared in the doorway.

She was perfectly groomed, her slender body sheathed in a silk dress the colour of coral, her mouth a sheen of blended lipstick and lip-gloss.

Lily had never felt more outclassed in her life.

‘Nik?’ The woman spoke over her shoulder, her tone icy. ‘Your sex drive is, of course, a thing of legend but for the record it’s always a good idea to remove the last girlfriend before installing a new one.’

‘What are you talking about?’ The male voice came from the bedroom, deep, bored and instantly recognisable.

Still shivering from the impact of the cold water, Lily closed her eyes and wondered if any of the buttons on the control panel operated an ejector seat.

Now she knew who owned the villa.

Moments later he appeared in the doorway and Lily peered through soaked lashes and had her second ever look at Nik Zervakis. Confronted by more good looks and sex appeal than she’d ever seen concentrated in one man before, her tummy tumbled and she felt as if she were plunging downhill on a roller coaster.

He stood, legs braced apart, his handsome face blank of expression as if finding a semi-naked woman in his shower wasn’t an event worthy of an emotional response. ‘Well?’

That was all he was going to say?

Braced for an explosion of volcanic proportions, Lily gulped. ‘I can explain—’

‘I wish you would.’ The woman’s voice turned from ice to acid and her expensively shod foot tapped rhythmically on the floor. ‘This should be worth hearing.’

‘I’m the cleaner—’

‘Of course you are. Because “cleaners” always end up naked in the client’s shower.’ Vibrating with anger, she turned the beam of her angry glare onto the man next to her. ‘Nik?’

‘Yes?’

Her mouth tightened into a thin, dangerous line. ‘Who is she?’

‘You heard her. She’s the cleaner.’

‘Obviously she’s lying.’ The woman bristled. ‘No doubt she’s been here all day, sleeping off the night before.’

His only response to that was a faint narrowing of those spectacular dark eyes.

Recalling someone warning her on her first day with his company that Nik Zervakis was at his most dangerous when he was quiet, Lily felt her anxiety levels rocket but apparently her concerns weren’t shared by his date for the evening, who continued to berate him.

‘Do you know the worst thing about this? Not that you have a wandering eye, but that your eye wanders to someone as fat as her.’

‘Excuse me? I’m not fat.’ Lily tried vainly to cover herself with the soaking uniform. ‘I’ll have you know that my BMI is within normal range.’

But the woman wasn’t listening. ‘Was she the reason you were late picking me up? I warned you, Nik, no games, and yet you do this to me. Well, you gambled and you lost because I don’t do second chances, especially this early in a relationship and if you can’t be bothered to give an explanation then I can’t be bothered to ask for one.’ Without giving him the chance to respond, his date stalked out of the room and Lily flinched in time with each furious tap of those skyscraper heels.

She stood in awkward silence, her feelings bruised and her spirits drenched in cold water and guilt. ‘She’s very upset.’

‘Yes.’

‘Er—is she coming back?’

‘I sincerely hope not.’

Lily wanted to say that he was well rid of her, but decided that protecting her job was more important than honesty. ‘I’m really sorry—’

‘Don’t be. It wasn’t your fault.’

Knowing that wasn’t quite true, she squirmed. ‘If I hadn’t had an accident, I would have had my clothes on when she walked into the room.’

‘An accident? I’ve never considered my shower to be a place of danger but apparently I was wrong about that.’ He eyed the volume of water on the floor and her drenched clothing. ‘What happened?’

‘Your shower is like the flight deck of a jumbo jet, that’s what happened!’ Freezing and soaked, Lily couldn’t stop her teeth chattering. ‘There are no instructions.’

‘I don’t need instructions.’ His gaze slid over her with slow, disturbing thoroughness. ‘I’m familiar with the workings of my own shower.’

‘Well I’m not! I had no idea which buttons to press.’

‘So you thought you’d press all of them? If you ever find yourself on the flight deck of a Boeing 747 I suggest you sit on your hands.’

‘It’s not f-f-funny. I’m soaking wet and I didn’t know you were going to come home early.’

‘I apologise.’ Irony gleamed in those dark eyes. ‘I’m not in the habit of notifying people of my movements in advance. Have you finished cleaning or do you want me to show you which buttons to press?’

Lily summoned as much dignity as she could in the circumstances. ‘Your shower is clean. Extra clean, because I wiped myself around it personally.’ Anxious to make her exit as fast as possible, she kept her eyes fixed on the door and away from that tall, powerful frame. ‘Are you sure she isn’t coming back?’

‘No.’

Lily paused, torn between relief and guilt. ‘I’ve ruined another relationship.’

‘Another?’ Dark eyebrows lifted. ‘It’s a common occurrence?’

‘You have no idea. Look—if it would help I could call my employer and ask her to vouch for me.’ Her voice tailed off as she realised that would mean confessing she’d been caught half naked in the shower.

He gave a faint smile. ‘Unless you have a very liberal-minded employer, you might want to rethink that idea.’

‘There must be some way I can fix this. I’ve ruined your date, although for the record I don’t think she’s a very kind person so she might not be good for you in the long term and with a body that bony she won’t be very cuddly for your children.’ She caught his eye. ‘Are you laughing at me?’

‘No, but the ability to cuddle children isn’t high on my list of necessary female attributes.’ He flung his jacket carelessly over the back of a sofa that was bigger than her bed at home.

She stared in fascination, wondering if he cared at all that his date had walked out. ‘As a matter of interest, why didn’t you defend yourself?’

‘Why would I defend myself?’

‘You could have explained yourself and then she would have forgiven you.’

‘I never explain myself. And anyway—’ he shrugged ‘—you had already given her an explanation.’

‘I don’t think she saw me as a credible witness. It might have sounded better coming from you.’

He stood, legs spread, his powerful shoulders blocking the doorway. ‘I assume you told her the truth? You’re the cleaner?’

‘Of course I told her the truth.’

‘Then there was nothing I could have added to your story.’

In his position she would have died of humiliation, but he seemed supremely indifferent to the fact he’d been publicly dumped. ‘You don’t seem upset.’

‘Why would I be upset?’

‘Because most people are upset when a relationships ends.’

He smiled. ‘I’m not one of those.’

Lily felt a flash of envy. ‘You’re not even a teeny tiny bit sad?’

‘I’m not familiar with that unit of measurement but no, I’m not even a “teeny tiny” bit sad. To be sad I’d have to care and I don’t care.’

To be sad I’d have to care and I don’t care.

Brilliant, Lily thought. Why couldn’t she have said that to Professor Ashurst when he’d given her that fake sympathy about having hurt her? She needed to memorise it for next time. ‘Excuse me a moment.’ Leaving a dripping trail behind her, she shot past him, scrabbled in her bag and pulled out a notebook.

‘What are you doing?’

‘I’m writing down what you said. Whenever I’m dumped I never know the right thing to say, but next time it happens I’m going to say exactly those words in exactly that tone instead of producing enough tears to power a water feature at Versailles.’ She scribbled, dripping water onto her notebook and smearing the ink.

‘Being “dumped” is something that happens to you often?’

‘Often enough. I fall in love, I get my heart broken, it’s a cycle I’m working on breaking.’ She wished she hadn’t said anything. Although she was fairly open with people, she drew the line at making public announcements about not being easy to love.

That was her secret.

‘How many times have you fallen in love?’

‘So far?’ She shook the pen with frustration as the ink stalled on the damp page, ‘Three times.’

‘Cristo, that’s unbelievable.’

‘Thanks for not making me feel better. I bet you’ve never been unlucky in love, have you?’

‘I’ve never been in love at all.’

Lily digested that. ‘You’ve never met the right person.’

‘I don’t believe in love.’

‘You—’ She rocked back on her heels, her attention caught. ‘So what do you believe in?’

‘Money, influence and power.’ He shrugged. ‘Tangible, measurable goals.’

‘You can measure power and influence? Don’t tell me—you stamp your foot and it registers on the Richter scale.’

He loosened his tie. ‘You’d be surprised.’

‘I’m already surprised. Gosh, you are so cool. You are my new role model.’ Finally she managed to coax ink from the pen. ‘It is never too late to change. From now on I’m all about tangible, measurable goals, too. As a matter of interest, what is your goal in relationships?’

‘Orgasm.’ He gave a slow smile and she felt herself turn scarlet.

‘Right. Well, that serves me right for asking a stupid question. That’s definitely a measurable goal. You’re obviously able to be cold and ruthlessly detached when it comes to relationships. I’m aiming for that. I’ve dripped all over your floor. Be careful not to slip.’

He was leaning against the wall, watching her with amusement. ‘This is what you look like when you’re being cold and ruthlessly detached?’

‘I haven’t actually started yet, but the moment my radar warns me I might be in danger of falling for the wrong type, bam—’ she punched the air with her fist ‘—I’m going to turn on my freezing side. From now on I have armour around my heart. Kevlar.’ She gave him a friendly smile. ‘You think I’m crazy, right? All this is natural to you. But it isn’t to me. This is the first stage of my personality transplant. I’d love to do the whole thing under anaesthetic and wake up all new and perfect, but that isn’t possible so I’m trying to embrace the process.’

A vibrating noise caught her attention and she glanced across the room towards his jacket. When he didn’t move, she looked at him expectantly. ‘That’s your phone.’

He was still watching her, his gaze disturbingly intent. ‘Yes.’

‘You’re not going to answer it?’ She scrambled to her feet, still clutching the towel. ‘It might be her, asking for your forgiveness.’

‘I’m sure it is, which is why I don’t intend to answer it.’

Lily absorbed that with admiration. ‘This is a perfect example of why I need to be like you and not like me. If that had been my phone, I would have answered it and when whoever was on the end apologised for treating me badly, I would have told him it was fine. I would have forgiven them.’

‘You’re right,’ he said. ‘You do need help. What’s your name?’

She shifted, her wet feet sticking to the floor. ‘Lily. Like the flower.’

‘You look familiar. Have we met before?’

Lily felt the colour pour into her cheeks. ‘I’ve been working as an intern at your company two days a week for the past couple of months. I’m second assistant to your personal assistant.’ I’m the one who broke the photocopier and the coffee machine.

Dark eyebrows rose. ‘We’ve met?’

‘No. I’ve only seen you once in person. I don’t count the time I was hiding in the bathroom.’

‘You hid in the bathroom?’

‘You were on a firing spree. I didn’t want to be noticed.’

‘So you work for me two days a week, and on the other three days you’re working as a cleaner?’

‘No, I only do that job in the evenings. The other three days I’m doing fieldwork up at Aptera for the summer. But that’s almost finished. I’ve reached a crossroads in my life and I’ve no idea which direction to take.’

‘Fieldwork?’ That sparked his interest. ‘You’re an archaeologist?’

‘Yes, I’m part of a project funded by the university but that part doesn’t pay off my massive college loans so I have other jobs.’

‘How much do you know about Minoan antiquities?’

Lily blinked. ‘Probably more than is healthy for a woman of twenty-four.’

‘Good. Get back into the bathroom and dry yourself off while I find you a dress. Tonight I have to open the new wing of the museum. You’re coming with me.’

‘Me? Don’t you have a date?’

‘I had a date,’ he said smoothly. ‘As you’re partially responsible for the fact she’s no longer here, you’re coming in her place.’

‘But—’ She licked her lips. ‘I’m supposed to be cleaning your villa.’

His gaze slid from her face to the wash of water covering the bathroom floor. ‘I’d say you’ve done a pretty thorough job. By the time we get home, the flood will have spread down the stairs and across the living areas, so it will clean itself.’

Lily gave a gurgle of laughter. She wondered if any of his employees realised he had a sense of humour. ‘You’re not going to fire me?’

‘You should have more confidence in yourself. If you have knowledge of Minoan artefacts then I still have a use for you and I never fire people who are useful.’ He reached for the towel and tugged it off, leaving her clad only in her soaking wet underwear.

‘What are you doing?’ She gave a squeak of embarrassment and snatched at the towel but he held it out of reach.

‘Stop wriggling. I can’t be the first man to see you half naked.’

‘Usually I’m in a relationship when a man sees me naked. And being stared at is very unnerving, especially when you’ve been called fat by someone who looks like a toast rack—’ Lily broke off as he turned and strolled away from her. She didn’t know whether to be relieved or affronted. ‘If you want to know my size you could ask me!’

He reached for his phone and dialled. While he waited for the person on the other end to answer, he scanned her body and gave her a slow, knowing smile. ‘I don’t need to ask, theé mou,’ he said softly. ‘I already know your size.’

CHAPTER TWO

NIK LOUNGED IN his seat while the car negotiated heavy evening traffic. Beside him Lily was wriggling like a fish dropped onto the deck of a boat.

‘Mr Zervakis? This dress is far more revealing than anything I would normally wear. And I’ve had a horrible thought.’ Her voice was breathy and distracting and Nik turned his head to look at her, trying to remind himself that girls with sweet smiles who were self-confessed members of Loveaholics Anonymous were definitely off his list.

‘Call me Nik.’

‘I can’t call you Nik. It would feel wrong while I’m working in your company. You pay my salary.’

‘I pay you? I thought you said you were an intern.’

‘I am. You pay your interns far more than most companies, but that’s a different conversation. I’m still having that horrible thought by the way.’

Nik dragged his eyes from her mouth and tried to wipe his brain of X-rated thoughts. ‘What horrible thought is that?’

‘The one where your girlfriend finds out you took me as your date tonight.’

‘She will find out.’

‘And that doesn’t bother you?’

‘Why would it?’

‘Isn’t it obvious? Because she didn’t believe I was the cleaner. She thought you and I—well…’ she turned scarlet ‘…if she finds out we were together tonight then it will look as if she was right and we were lying, even though if people used their brains they could work out that if she’s your type then I couldn’t possibly be.’

Nik tried to decipher that tumbled speech. ‘You’re concerned she will think we’re having sex? Why is that a horrible thought? You find me unattractive?’

‘That’s a ridiculous question.’ Lily’s eyes flew to his and then away again. ‘Sorry, but that’s like asking a woman if she likes chocolate.’

‘There are women who don’t like chocolate.’

‘They’re lying. They might not eat it, but that doesn’t mean they don’t like it.’

‘So I’m chocolate?’ Nik tried to remember the last time he’d been this entertained by anyone.

‘If you’re asking if I think you’re very tempting and definitely bad for me, the answer is yes. But apart from the fact we’re totally unsuited, I wouldn’t be able to relax enough to have sex with you.’

Nik, who had never had trouble helping a woman relax, rose to the challenge. ‘I’m happy to—’

‘No.’ She gave him a stern look. ‘I know you’re competitive, but forget it. I saw that photo of you in the swimming pool. No way could I ever be naked in front of a man with a body like yours. I’d have to suck everything in and make sure you only saw my good side. The stress would kill any passion.’

‘I’ve already seen you in your underwear.’

‘Don’t remind me.’

Nik caught his driver’s amused gaze in the mirror and gave him a steady stare. Vassilis had been with him for over a decade and had a tendency to voice his opinions on Nik’s love life. It was obvious he thoroughly approved of Lily.

‘It’s true that if you turn up as my guest tonight there will be people who assume we are having sex.’ Nik returned his attention to the conversation. ‘I can’t claim to be intimately acquainted with the guest list, but I’m assuming a few of the people there will be your colleagues. Does that bother you?’

‘No. It will send a message that I’m not broken-hearted, which is good for my pride. In fact the timing is perfect. Just this morning I embarked on a new project. Operation Ice Maiden. You’re probably wondering what that is.’

Nik opened his mouth to comment but she carried on without pausing.

‘I am going to have sex with no emotion. That’s right.’ She nodded at him. ‘You heard me correctly. Rebound sex. I am going to climb into bed with some guy and I’m not going to feel a thing.’

Hearing a sound from the front of the car, Nik pressed a button and closed the screen between him and Vassilis, giving them privacy.

‘Do you have anyone in mind for—er—Operation Ice Maiden?’

‘Not yet, but if they happen to think it’s you that’s fine. You’d look good on my romantic résumé.’

Nik leaned his head back against the seat and started to laugh. ‘You, Lily, are priceless.’

‘That doesn’t sound like a compliment.’ She adjusted the neckline of her dress and her breasts almost escaped in the process. ‘You’re basically saying I’m not worth anything.’

Dragging his gaze from her body, Nik decided this was the most entertaining evening he’d had in a long time.

‘There are photographers.’ As they pulled up outside the museum Lily slunk lower in her seat and Nik closed his hand around her wrist and hauled her upright again.

‘You look stunning. If you don’t want them all surmising that we climbed out of bed to come here then you need to stop looking guilty.’

‘I saw several TV cameras.’

‘The opening of a new wing of the museum is news.’

‘The neckline of this dress might also be news.’ She tugged at it. ‘My breasts are too big for this plunging style. Can I borrow your jacket?’

‘Your breasts deserve a dress like that and no, you may not borrow my jacket.’ His voice was a deep, masculine purr and she felt the sizzle of sexual attraction right through her body.

‘Are you flirting with me?’ He was completely different from the safe, friendly men who formed part of her social circle. There was a brutal strength to him, a confidence and assurance that suggested he’d never met a man he hadn’t been able to beat in a fight, whether in the bar or the boardroom.

Her question appeared to amuse him. ‘You’re my date. Flirting is mandatory.’

‘It unsettles me and I’m already unsettled at the thought of tonight.’

‘Because you’re with me?’

No way was she confessing how being with him really made her feel. ‘No, because the opening of this new museum wing is a really momentous occasion.’

‘You and I have a very different idea of what constitutes a momentous occasion, Lily.’ There was laughter in his eyes. ‘Never before has my ego been so effectively crushed.’

‘Your ego is armour plated, like your feelings.’

‘It’s true that my feelings of self-worth are not dependent on the opinion of others.’

‘Because you think you’re right and everyone else is wrong. I wish I were more like you. What if the reporters ask who I am? What do I say? I’m a fake.’

‘You’re the archaeologist. I’m the fake. And you say whatever you want to say. Or say nothing. Your decision. You’re the one in charge of your mouth.’

‘You have no idea how much I wish that was true.’

‘Tell me why you’re excited about tonight.’

‘You mean apart from the fact I get to dress up? The new wing houses the biggest collection of Minoan antiquities anywhere in Greece. It has a high percentage of provenanced material, which means archaeologists will be able to restudy material from old excavations. It’s exciting. And I love the dress by the way, even though I’ll never have any reason to wear it again.’

‘Chipped pots excite you?’

She winced. ‘Don’t say that on camera. The collection will play an active role in research and in university teaching as well as offering a unique insight for the general public.’

As the car pulled up outside the museum one of Nik’s security team opened the door and Lily emerged to what felt like a million camera flashes.

‘Unreal,’ she muttered. ‘Now I know why celebrities wear sunglasses.’

‘Mr Zervakis—’ Photographers and reporters gathered as close as they could. ‘Do you have a statement about the new wing?’

Nik paused and spoke directly to the camera, relaxed and at ease as he repeated Lily’s words without a single error.

She stared at him. ‘You must have an incredible short-term memory.’

A reporter stepped forward. ‘Who’s your guest tonight, Nik?’

Nik turned towards her and she realised he was leaving it up to her to decide whether to give them a name or not.

‘I’m a friend,’ she muttered and Nik smiled, took her hand and led her up the steps to the welcome committee at the top.

The first person she spotted was David Ashurst and she stopped in dismay. In answer to Nik’s questioning look, she shook her head quickly, misery and panic creating a sick cocktail inside her. ‘I’m fine. I saw someone I didn’t expect to see, that’s all. I didn’t think he’d have the nerve to show up.’

‘That’s him?’ His gaze travelled from her face to the man looking awkward at the top of the steps. ‘He is the reason you’re hoping for a personality transplant?’

‘His name is Professor Ashurst. He has a wife,’ she muttered in an undertone. ‘Can you believe that? I actually cried over that loser. Do I have time to get my notebook out of my bag? I can’t remember what I wrote down.’

‘I’ll tell you what to say.’ He leaned closer and whispered something in her ear that made her gasp.

‘I can’t say that.’

‘No? Then how’s this for an alternative?’ Sliding his arm round her waist, he pressed his hand to the base of her spine and flattened her against him. She looked up at him, hypnotised by those spectacular dark eyes and the raw sexuality in his gaze. Before she could ask what he was doing he lowered his head and kissed her.

Pleasure screamed through her, sensation scorching her skin and stoking a pool of heat low in her belly. She’d been kissed before, but never like this. Nik used his mouth with slow, sensual expertise and she felt a rush of exquisite excitement burn through her body. Her nerve endings tingled, her tummy flipped like a gymnast in a competition, and Lily was possessed by a deep, dark craving that was entirely new to her. Oblivious to their audience, she pushed against his hard, powerful frame and felt his arms tighten around her in a gesture that was unmistakably possessive. It was a taste rather than a feast, but it left her starving for more so that when he slowly lifted his head she swayed towards him dizzily, trying to balance herself.

‘Wh-why did you do that?’

He dragged his thumb slowly across her lower lip and released her. ‘Because you didn’t know what to say and sometimes actions speak louder than words.’

‘You’re an amazing kisser.’ Lily blinked as a flashbulb went off in her face. ‘Now there’s no chance your girlfriend will believe I’m the cleaner.’

‘No chance.’ His gaze lingered on her mouth. ‘And she isn’t my girlfriend.’

Her head spun and her legs felt shaky. She was aware of the women staring at her enviously and David gaping at her, shell-shocked.

As she floated up the last few steps to the top she smiled at him, feeling strong for the first time in days. ‘Hi, Professor Ass—Ashurst.’ She told herself it was the heat that was making her dizzy and disorientated, not the kiss. ‘Have a safe flight home tomorrow. I’m sure your family has missed you.’

There was no opportunity for him to respond because the curator of the museum stepped forward to welcome them, shaking Nik’s hand and virtually prostrating himself in gratitude.

‘Mr Zervakis—your generosity—this wing is the most exciting moment of my career—’ the normally articulate man was stammering. ‘I know your schedule is demanding but we’d be honoured if you’d meet the team and then take a quick tour.’

Lily kept a discreet distance but Nik took her hand and clamped her next to his side, a gesture that earned her a quizzical look from Brittany, who was looking sleek and pretty in a short blue dress that showed off her long legs. She was standing next to Spy, whose eyes were glued to Lily’s cleavage, confirming all her worst fears about the suitability of the dress.

The whole situation felt surreal.

One moment she’d been half naked and shivering on the bathroom floor, the next she’d been whisked into an elegant bedroom by a team of four people who had proceeded to style her hair, do her make-up and generally make her fit to be seen on the arm of Nik Zervakis.

Three dresses had magically appeared and Nik had strolled into the room in mid phone call, gestured to one of them and then left without even pausing in his conversation.

It had been on the tip of Lily’s tongue to select a different dress on principle. Then she’d reasoned that not only had he provided the dress, thus allowing her to turn up at the museum opening in the first place, but that he’d picked the dress she would have chosen herself.

All the same, she felt self-conscious as her friends and colleagues working on the project at Aptera stood together while she was treated like a VIP.

As the curator led them towards the first display Lily forgot to be self-conscious and examined the pot.

‘This is early Minoan.’

Nik stared at it with a neutral expression. ‘You know that because it’s more cracked than the others?’

‘No. Because their ceramics were characterised by linear patterns. Look—’ She took his arm and drew him closer to the glass. ‘Spirals, crosses, triangles, curved lines—’ She talked to him about each one and he listened carefully before strolling further along the glass display cabinet.

‘This one has a bird.’

‘Naturalistic designs were characteristic of the Middle Minoan period. The sequencing of ceramic styles has helped archaeologists define the three phases of Minoan culture.’

He stared down in her eyes. ‘Fascinating.’

Her heart bumped hard against her chest and as the curator moved away to answer questions from the press she stepped closer to him. ‘You’re not really fascinated, are you?’

‘I am.’ His eyes dropped to her mouth with blatant interest. ‘But I think it might be because you’re the one saying it. I love the way you get excited about things that put other people to sleep, and your mouth looks cute when you say “Minoan”. It makes you pout.’

She tried not to laugh. ‘You’re impossible. To you it’s an old pot, but it can have tremendous significance. Ceramics help archaeologists establish settlement and trading patterns. We can reconstruct human activity based on the distribution of pottery. It gives us an idea of population size and social complexity. Why are you donating so much money to the museum if it isn’t an interest of yours?’

‘Because I’m interested in preserving Greek culture. I donate the money. It’s up to them to decide how to use it. I don’t micromanage and gifts don’t come with strings.’

‘Why didn’t you insist that it was called “The Zervakis Wing” or something? Most benefactors want their name in the title.’

‘It’s about preserving history, not about advertising my name.’ His eyes gleamed. ‘And ZervaCo is a modern, forward-thinking company at the cutting edge of technology development. I don’t want the name associated with a museum.’

‘You’re joking.’

‘Yes, I’m joking.’ His smile faded as Spy and Brittany joined them.

‘They’re good friends of mine,’ Lily said quickly, ‘so you can switch off the full-wattage intimidation.’

‘If you’re sure.’ He introduced himself to both of them and chatted easily with Spy while Brittany pulled Lily to one side.

‘I don’t even know where to start with my questions.’

‘Probably just as well because I wouldn’t know where to start with my answers.’

‘I’m guessing he’s the owner of Villa You-Have-to-be-Kidding-Me.’

‘He is.’

‘I’m not going to ask,’ Brittany muttered and then grinned. ‘Oh hell, yes I am. I’m asking. What happened? He found you in the cellar fighting off the ugly sisters and decided to bring you to the ball?’

‘Close. He found me on the floor of his bathroom where I’d been attacked and left for dead by his power shower. After I broke up his relationship, he needed a replacement and I was the only person around.’

Brittany started to laugh. ‘You were left for dead by his power shower?’

‘You said you wouldn’t ask.’

‘These things only ever happen to you, Lily.’

‘I am aware of that. I am really not good with technology.’

‘Maybe not, but you know how to pick your rebound guy. He is spectacular. And you look stunning.’ Brittany’s curious gaze slid over her from head to foot. ‘It’s a step up from dusty shorts and hiking boots.’

Lily frowned. ‘He isn’t my rebound guy.’

‘Why not? He is smoking hot. And there’s something about him.’ Her friend narrowed her eyes as she scanned Nik’s broad shoulders and powerful frame. ‘A suggestion of the uncivilised under the civilised, if you know what I mean.’ Brittany put her hand on her arm and her voice was suddenly serious. ‘Be careful.’

‘Why would I need to be careful? I’m never setting foot in his shower again, if that’s what you mean.’

‘It isn’t what I mean. That man is not tame.’

‘He’s surprisingly amusing company.’

‘That makes him even more dangerous. He’s a tiger, not a pussycat and he hasn’t taken his eyes off you for five seconds. I don’t want to see you hurt again.’

‘I have never been in less danger of being hurt. He isn’t my type.’

Brittany looked at her. ‘Nik Zervakis is the man equivalent of Blood Type O. He is everyone’s type.’

‘Not mine.’

‘He kissed you,’ Brittany said dryly, ‘so I’m guessing he might have a different opinion on that.’

‘He kissed me because I didn’t know what to say to David. I was in an awkward position and he helped me out. He did that for me.’

‘Lily, a guy like him does things for himself. Don’t make a mistake about that. He does what he wants, with whoever he wants to do it, at a time that suits him.’

‘I know. Don’t worry about me.’ Smiling at Brittany, she moved back to Nik. ‘Looks like the party is breaking up. Thanks for a fun evening. I’ll post you the dress back and any time you need your shower cleaned let me know. I owe you.’

He stared down at her for a long moment, ignoring everyone around them. ‘Have dinner with me. I have a reservation at The Athena at nine.’

She’d heard of The Athena. Who hadn’t? It was one of the most celebrated restaurants in the whole of Greece. Eating there was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most people and a never-in-this-lifetime experience for her.

Those incredible dark eyes held hers and Brittany’s voice flitted into her head.

He’s a tiger, not a pussycat.

From the way he was looking at her mouth, she wondered if he intended her to be the guest or the meal.

‘That’s a joke, right?’ She gave a half-smile and looked away briefly, awkward, out of her depth. When she looked back at him she was still the only one smiling.

‘I never joke about food.’

Something curled low in her stomach. ‘Nik…’ she spoke softly ‘…this has been amazing. Really out of this world and something to tell my kids one day, but you’re a gazillionaire and I’m a—a—’

‘Sexy woman who looks great in that dress.’

There was something about him that made her feel as if she were floating two feet above the ground.

‘I was going to say I’m a dusty archaeologist who can’t even figure out how to use your power shower.’

‘I’ll teach you. Have dinner with me, Lily.’ His soft command made her wonder if anyone had ever said no to him.

Thrown by the look in his eyes and the almost unbearable sexual tension, she was tempted. Then she remembered her rule about never dating anyone who didn’t fit her basic criteria. ‘I can’t. But I’ll never forget this evening. Thank you.’ Because she was afraid she’d change her mind, she turned and walked quickly towards the exit.

What a crazy day it had been.

Part of her was longing to look back, to see if he was watching her.

Of course he wouldn’t be watching her. Look at how quickly he’d replaced Christina. Within two minutes of her refusal, Nik Zervakis would be inviting someone else to dinner.

David stood in the doorway, blocking her exit. ‘What are you doing with him?’

‘None of your business.’

His jaw tightened. ‘Did you kiss him to make me jealous or to help you get over me?’

‘I kissed him because he’s a hot guy, and I was over you the moment I found out you were married.’ Realising it was true, Lily felt a rush of relief but that relief was tempered by the knowledge that her system for evaluating prospective life partners was seriously flawed.

‘I know you love me.’

‘You’re wrong. And if you really knew me, you’d know I’m incapable of loving a man who is married to another woman.’ Her voice and hands were shaking. ‘You have a wife. A family.’

‘I’ll work something out.’

‘Did you really just say that to me?’ Lily stared at him, appalled. ‘A family is not disposable. You don’t come and go as it suits you, nor do you “work something out”. You stick by them through thick and thin.’ Disgusted and disillusioned, she tried to step past him but he caught her arm.

‘You don’t understand. Things are tough right now.’

‘I don’t care.’ She dug her fingers into clammy palms. Knowing that her response was deeply personal, she looked away. ‘A real man doesn’t walk away when things get tough.’

‘You’re forgetting how good it was between us.’

‘And you’re forgetting the promises you made.’ She dragged her arm out of his grip. ‘Go back to your wife.’

He glanced over her shoulder towards Nik. ‘I never thought you were the sort to be turned on by money, but obviously I was wrong. I hope you know what you’re doing because all that man will ever give you is one night. A man like him is only interested in sex.’

‘What did you say?’ Lily stared at him and then turned her head to look at Nik. The sick feeling in her stomach eased and her spirits lifted. ‘You’re right. Thank you so much.’

‘For making you realise he’s wrong for you?’

‘For making me realise he’s perfect. Now stop looking down the front of my dress and go home to your wife and kids.’ With that, she stalked past him and spotted the reporter who had asked her identity on the way in. ‘Lily,’ she said clearly. ‘Lily Rose. That’s my name. And yes, Rose is my second name.’

Then she turned and stalked back into the museum, straight up to Nik, who was deep in conversation with two important-looking men in suits.

All talk ceased as Lily walked up to him, her heels making the same rhythmic tapping sound that Christina’s had earlier in the evening. She decided heels were her new favourite thing for illustrating mood. ‘What time is that restaurant reservation?’

He didn’t miss a beat. ‘Nine o’clock.’

‘Then we should leave, because we don’t want to be late.’ She stood on tiptoe and planted a kiss firmly on his mouth. ‘And just so that you know, whatever you’re planning on doing with the dress, I’m keeping the shoes.’

CHAPTER THREE

THE ATHENA WAS situated on the edge of town, on a hill overlooking Souda Bay with the White Mountains dominating the horizon behind them.

Still on a high after her confrontation with David, Lily sailed into the restaurant feeling like royalty. ‘You have no idea how good it felt to tell David to go home to his wife. I felt like punching the air. You see what a few hours in your company has done for me? I’m already transformed. Your icy control and lack of emotional engagement is contagious.’

Nik guided her to his favourite table, tucked away behind a discreet screen of vines. ‘You certainly showed the guy what he was missing.’

Lily frowned. ‘I didn’t want to show him what he was missing. I wanted him to learn a lesson and never lie or cheat again. I wanted him to think of his poor wife. Marriage should be for ever. No cheating. Mess around as much as you like before if that’s what you want, but once you’ve made that commitment, that’s it. Don’t you agree?’

‘Definitely. Which is why I’ve never made that commitment,’ he said dryly. ‘I’m still at the “messing around” stage and I expect to stay firmly trapped in that stage for the rest of my life.’

‘You don’t want a family? We’re very different. It’s brilliant.’ She smiled at him and his eyes narrowed.

‘Why is that brilliant?’

‘Because you’re completely and utterly wrong for me. We don’t want the same things.’

‘I’m relieved to hear it.’ He leaned back in his chair. ‘I hardly dare ask what you want.’

She hesitated. ‘Someone like you will think I’m a ridiculous romantic.’

‘Tell me.’

She dragged her gaze from his and looked over the tumbling bougainvillea to the sea beyond. Was she a ridiculous romantic?

Was she setting herself unachievable goals?

Seduced by the warmth of his gaze and the beauty of the spectacular sunset, she told the truth. ‘I want the whole fairy tale.’

‘Which fairy tale? The one where the stepmother poisons the apple or the one where the prince has to deal with a heroine with narcolepsy?’

She laughed. ‘The happy-ending part. I want to fall in love, settle down and have lots of babies.’ Enjoying herself, she looked him in the eye. ‘Am I freaking you out yet?’

‘That depends. Are you expecting to do any of that with me?’

‘No! Of course not.’

‘Then you’re not freaking me out.’

‘I start every relationship in the genuine belief it might go somewhere.’

‘I presume you mean somewhere other than bed?’

‘I do. I have never been interested in sex for the sake of sex.’

Nik looked amused. ‘That’s the only sort of sex I’m interested in.’

She sat back in her chair and looked at him. ‘I’ve never had sex with a man I wasn’t in love with. I fall in love, then I have sex. I think sex cements my emotional connection to someone.’ She sneaked another look at him. ‘You don’t have that problem, do you?’

‘I’m not looking for an emotional connection, if that’s what you’re asking.’

‘I want to be more like you. I decided this morning I’m going to have cold, emotionless rebound sex. I’m switching everything off. It’s going to be wham, bam, thank you, man.’

The corners of his mouth flickered. ‘Do you have anyone in mind for this project?’

She sensed this wasn’t the moment to confess he was right at the top of her list. ‘I’m going to pick a guy I couldn’t possibly fall in love with. Then I’ll be safe. It will be like—’ she struggled to find the right description ‘—emotional contraception. I’ll be taking precautions. Wearing a giant condom over my feelings. Protecting myself. I bet you do that all the time.’

‘If you’re asking if I’ve ever pulled a giant condom over my feelings, the answer is no.’

‘You’re laughing at me, but if you’d been hurt as many times as I have you wouldn’t be laughing. So if emotions don’t play a part in your relationships, what exactly is sex to you?’

‘Recreation.’ He took a menu from the waiter and she felt a rush of mortification. As soon as he walked away, she gave a groan.

‘How long had he been standing there?’

‘Long enough to know you’re planning on having cold, unemotional rebound sex and that you’re thinking of wearing a giant condom over your feelings. I think that was the point he decided it was time to take our order.’

She covered her face with her hands. ‘We need to leave. I’m sure the food here is delicious, but we need to eat somewhere different or I need to take my plate under the table.’

‘You’re doing it again. Letting emotions govern your actions.’

‘But he heard me. Aren’t you embarrassed?’

‘Why would I be embarrassed?’

‘Aren’t you worried about what he might think of you?’

‘Why would I care what he thinks? I don’t know him. His role is to serve our food and make sure we enjoy ourselves sufficiently to want to come back. His opinion on anything else is irrelevant. Carry on with what you were saying. It was fascinating. Dining with you is like learning about an alien species. You were telling me you’re going to pick a guy you can’t fall in love with and use him for sex.’

‘And you were telling me sex is recreation—like football?’

‘No, because football is a group activity. I’m possessive, so for me it’s strictly one on one.’

Her heart gave a little flip. ‘That sounds like a type of commitment.’

‘I’m one hundred per cent committed for the time a woman is in my bed. She is the sole focus of my attention.’

Her stomach uncurled with a slow, dangerous heat. ‘But that might only be for a night?’

He simply smiled and she leaned back with a shocked laugh.

‘You are so bad. And honest. I love that.’

‘As long as you don’t love me, we don’t have a problem.’

‘I could never love you. You are so wrong for me.’

‘I think we should drink to that.’ He raised a hand and moments later champagne appeared on the table.

‘I can’t believe you live like this. A driver, bottles of champagne—’ She lifted the glass, watching the bubbles. ‘Your villa is bigger than quite a few Greek islands and there is only one of you.’

‘I like space and light and property is always a good investment.’ He handed the menu back to the waiter. ‘Is there any food you don’t eat?’

‘I eat everything.’ She paused while he spoke to the waiter in Greek. ‘Are you seriously ordering for me?’

‘The menu is in Greek and you were talking about sex so I was aiming to keep the interaction as brief as possible in order to prevent you from feeling the need to dine under the table.’

‘In that case I’ll forgive you.’ She waited until the waiter had walked away with their order. ‘So if property is an investment that means you’d sell your home?’

‘I have four homes.’

Her jaw dropped. ‘Four? Why does one person need four homes? One for every season or something?’

‘I have offices in New York, San Francisco and London and I don’t like staying in hotels.’

‘So you buy a house. That is the rich man’s way of solving a problem. Which one do you think of as home?’ Seeing the puzzled look on his face, she elaborated. ‘Where do your family live? Do you have family? Are your parents alive?’

‘They are.’

‘Happily married?’

‘Miserably divorced. In my father’s case three times so far, but he’s always in competition with himself so I’m expecting a fourth as soon as the wedding is out of the way.’

‘And your mother?’ She saw a faint shift in his expression.

‘My mother is American. She lives in Boston with her third husband who is a divorce lawyer.’

‘So do you think of yourself as Greek American or American Greek?’

He gave a careless lift of his broad shoulders. ‘Whichever serves my purpose at the time.’

‘Wow. So you have this big, crazy family.’ Lily felt a flash of envy. ‘That must be wonderful.’

‘Why?’

‘You don’t think it’s wonderful? I guess we never appreciate something when we have it.’ She said it lightly but felt his dark gaze fix on her across the table.

‘Are you going to cry?’

‘No, of course not.’

‘Good. Because tears are the one form of emotional expression I don’t tolerate.’

She stole an olive from the bowl on the table. ‘What if someone is upset?’

‘Then they need to walk away from me until they’ve sorted themselves out, or be prepared for me to walk away. I never allow myself to be manipulated and ninety-nine per cent of tears are manipulation.’

‘What about the one per cent which are an expression of genuine emotion?’

‘I’ve never encountered that rare beast, so I’m willing to play the odds.’

‘If that’s your experience, you must have met some awful women in your time. I don’t believe you’d be that unsympathetic.’

‘Believe it.’ He leaned back as the waiter delivered a selection of dishes. ‘These are Cretan specialities. Try them.’ He spooned beans in a rich tomato sauce onto her plate and added local goat’s cheese.

She nibbled the beans and moaned with pleasure. ‘These are delicious. I still can’t believe you ordered for me. Do you want to feed me, too? Because I could lie back and let you drop grapes into my mouth if that would be fun. Or you could cover my naked body with whipped cream. Is that the sort of stuff you do in bed?’

There was a dangerous glitter in his eyes. ‘You don’t want to know the sort of “stuff” I do in bed, Lily. You’re far too innocent.’

She remembered what Brittany had said about him not being tame. ‘I’m not innocent. I have big eyes and that gives people a false impression of me.’

‘You remind me of a kitten that’s been abandoned by the side of the road.’

‘You’ve got me totally wrong. I’d say I’m more of a panther.’ She clawed the air and growled. ‘A little bit predatory. A little bit dangerous.’

He gave her a long steady look and she blushed and lowered her hand.

‘All right, maybe not a panther exactly but not a kitten either.’ She thought about what lay in her past. ‘I’ll have you know I’m pretty tough. Tell me more about your family. So you have a father and a few stepmothers. How about siblings?’

‘I have one half-sister who is two.’

Lily softened. ‘I love that age. They’re so busy and into everything. Is she adorable?’

‘I’ve no idea. I’ve never met her.’

‘You’ve—’ She stared at him, shocked. ‘You mean it’s been a while since you’ve seen her.’

‘No. I mean I’ve never seen her.’ He lifted his champagne. ‘Her mother extracted all the money she could from my father and then left. She lives in Athens and visits when she wants something.’

‘Oh, my God, that’s terrible.’ Lily’s eyes filled. ‘Your poor, poor father.’

He put his glass down slowly. ‘Are you crying for my father?’

‘No.’ Her throat was thickened. ‘Maybe. Yes, a little bit.’

‘A man you’ve never met and know nothing about.’

‘Maybe I’m the one per cent who cares.’ She sniffed and he shook his head in exasperation.

‘This is your tough, ruthless streak? How can you be sad for someone you don’t know?’

‘Because I sympathise with his situation. He doesn’t see his little girl and that must be so hard. Family is the most important thing in the world and it is often the least appreciated thing.’

‘If you let a single tear fall onto your cheek,’ he said softly, ‘I’m walking out of here.’

‘I don’t believe you. You wouldn’t be that heartless. I think it’s all a big act you put on to stop women slobbering all over you.’

‘Do you want to test it?’ His tone was cool. ‘Because I suggest you wait until the end of the meal. The lamb kleftiko is the best anywhere in Greece and they make a house special with honey and pistachio nuts that you wouldn’t want to miss.’

‘But if you’re the one walking out, then I can stay here and eat your portion.’ She helped herself to another spoonful of food from the dish closest to her. ‘I don’t know why you’re so freaked out by tears. It’s not as if I was expecting you to hug me. I’ve taught myself to self-soothe.’

‘Self-soothe?’ Some of the tension left him. ‘You hug yourself?’

‘It’s important to be independent.’ She’d been self-sufficient from an early age, but the ability to do everything for herself hadn’t removed the deep longing to share her life with someone. ‘Why did your dad and his last wife divorce?’

‘Because they married,’ he said smoothly, ‘and divorce is an inevitable consequence of marriage.’

She wondered why he had such a grim view of marriage. ‘Not all marriages.’

‘All but those infected with extreme inertia.’

‘So you’re saying that even people who stay married would divorce if they could be bothered to make the effort.’

‘I think there are any number of reasons for a couple to stay together, but love isn’t one of them. In my father’s case, wife number three married him for his money and the novelty wore off.’

‘Does “wife number three” have a name?’

‘Callie.’ His hard tone told her everything she needed to know about his relationship with his last stepmother.

‘You don’t like her?’

‘Are you enjoying your meal?’

She blinked, thrown by the change of subject. ‘It’s delicious, but—’

‘Good. If you’re hoping to sample dessert, you need to talk about something other than my family.’

‘You control everything, even the conversation.’ She wondered why he didn’t want to talk about his family. ‘Is this where you bring all the women you date?’

‘It depends on the woman.’

‘How about that woman you were with earlier—Christina? She definitely wouldn’t have eaten any of this. She had carb-phobia written all over her.’

Those powerful shoulders relaxed slightly. ‘She would have ordered green salad, grilled fish and eaten half of it.’

‘So why didn’t you order green salad and grilled fish for me?’

‘Because you look like someone who enjoys food.’

Lily gave him a look. ‘I’m starting to understand why women cry around you. You basically called me fat. For your information, most women would storm out if you said that to them.’

‘So why didn’t you storm out?’

‘Because eating here is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I don’t want to miss it. And I don’t think you meant it that way and I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. Tell me what happens next on a date. You bring a woman to a place like this and then you take her back to your villa for sex in that massive bed?’

‘I never talk about my relationships.’

‘You don’t talk about your family and you don’t talk about your relationships.’ Lily helped herself to rich, plump slices of tomato salad. ‘What do you want to talk about?’

‘You. Tell me about your work.’

‘I work in your company. You know more about what goes on than I do, but one thing I will say is that with all these technology skills at your disposal you need to invent an app that syncs all the details of the women who call you. You have a busy sex life and it’s easy to get it mixed up, especially as they’re all pretty much the same type.’ She put her fork down. ‘Is that the secret to staying emotionally detached? You date women who are clones, no individual characteristics to tell them apart.’

‘I do not date clones, and I don’t want to talk about my work, I want to talk about your work. Your archaeological work.’ His eyes gleamed. ‘And try to include the word “Minoan” at least eight times in each sentence.’

She ignored that. ‘I’m a ceramics expert. I did a masters in archaeology and since then I’ve been working on an internationally funded project replicating Minoan cooking fabrics. Among other things we’ve been looking at the technological shift Minoan potters made when they replaced hand-building methods with the wheel. We can trace patterns of production, but also the context of ceramic consumption. The word ceramic comes from the Greek, keramikos, but you probably already know that.’

He reached for his wine glass. ‘I can’t believe you were cleaning my shower.’

‘Cleaning your shower pays well and I have college debts.’

‘If you didn’t have college debts, what would you be doing?’

She hesitated, unwilling to share her dream with a stranger, especially one who couldn’t possibly understand having to make choices driven by debt. ‘I have no idea. I can’t afford to think like that. I have to be practical.’

‘Why Crete?’

‘Crete had all the resources necessary to produce pottery. Clay, temper, water and fuel. Microscopic ceramic fabric analysis indicate those resources have been used for at least eight thousand years. The most practical way of understanding ancient technology is to replicate it and use it and that’s what we’ve been doing.’

‘So you’ve been trying to cook like a Minoan?’

‘Yes. We’re using tools and materials that would have been available during the Cretan Bronze Age.’

‘That’s what you’re digging for?’

‘Brittany and the team have different objectives, but while they’re digging I’m able to access clay. I spend some of my time on site and some of my time at the museum with a small team, but that’s all coming to an end now. Tell me what you do.’

‘You work in my company. You should know what I do.’

‘I don’t know specifically what you do. I know you’re a technology wizard. I guess that’s why you have a shower that looks like something from NASA. I bet you’re good with computers. Technology isn’t really my thing, but you probably already know that.’

‘If technology isn’t your thing, why are you working in my company?’

‘I’m not dealing with the technology side. I’m dealing with people. I did a short spell in Human Resources—you keep them busy by the way—and now I’m working with your personal assistants. I still haven’t decided what I want to do with my life so I’m trying different things. It’s only two days a week and I wanted to see how I enjoyed corporate life.’

‘And how are you enjoying “corporate life”?’

‘It’s different.’ She dodged the question and he gave her a long, speculative look.

‘Tell me why you became involved with that guy who looked old enough to be your father.’

Her stomach lurched. Because she was an idiot. ‘I never talk about my relationships.’

‘On short acquaintance I’d say the problem is stopping you talking, not getting you talking. Tell me.’ Something about that compelling dark gaze made it impossible not to confide.

‘I think I was attracted to his status and gravitas. I was flattered when he paid me attention. A psychologist would probably say it has something to do with not having a father around when I was growing up. Anyway, he pursued me pretty heavily and it got serious fast. And then I found out he was married.’ She lowered her voice and pulled a face. ‘I hate myself for that, but most of all I hate him for lying to me.’ Knowing his views on marriage, she wondered if he’d think she was ridiculously principled but his eyes were hard.

‘You cried over this guy?’

‘I think perhaps I was crying because history repeated itself. My relationships always follow the same pattern. I meet someone I’m attracted to, he’s caring, attentive and a really good listener—I fall in love, have sex with him, start planning a future and then suddenly that’s it. We break up.’

‘And this experience hasn’t put you off love?’

Perhaps it should have done.

No one had ever stayed in her life.

From an early age she’d wondered what it was about her that made it so easy for people to walk away.

The dishes were cleared away and a sticky, indulgent dessert placed in the centre of the table.

She tried to pull herself together. ‘If you have one bad meal you don’t stop eating, do you? And by the way this is the best meal I’ve ever had in my whole life.’ She stuck her spoon in the pastry and honey oozed over the plate. She decided this was the perfect time to check a few facts before finally committing herself. ‘Tell me what happens in your relationships. We’ll talk hypothetically as you don’t like revealing specifics. Let’s say you meet a woman and you find her attractive. What happens next?’

‘I take her on a date.’

‘What sort of date?’ Lily licked the spoon. ‘Dinner? Theatre? Movie? Walk on the beach?’

‘Any of those.’

‘Let’s say it’s dinner. What would you talk about?’

‘Anything.’

‘Anything as long as it isn’t to do with your family or relationships.’

He smiled. ‘Exactly.’

‘So you talk, you drink expensive wine, you admire the romantic view—then what? You take her home or you take her to bed?’

‘Yes.’ He paused as their waiter delivered a bottle of clear liquid and two glasses and Lily shook her head.

‘Is that raki? Brittany loves it, but it gives me a headache.’

‘We call it tsikoudia. It is a grape liqueur—an important part of Cretan hospitality.’

‘I know. It’s been around since Minoan times. Archaeologists have found the petrified remains of grapes and grape pips inside pithoi, the old clay storage jars, so it’s assumed they knew plenty about distillation. Doesn’t change the fact it gives me a headache.’

‘Then you didn’t drink it with enough water.’ He handed her a small glass. ‘The locals think it promotes a long and healthy life.’

Lily took a sip and felt her throat catch fire as she swallowed. ‘So now finish telling me about your typical date. You don’t fall in love, because you don’t believe in love. So when you take a woman to bed, there are no feelings involved at all?’

‘There are plenty of feelings involved.’ The look he gave her made her heart pump faster.

‘I mean emotions. You have emotionless sex. You don’t say I love you. You don’t feel anything here—’ Lily put her hand on her heart. ‘No feelings. So it’s all about physical satisfaction. This is basically a naked workout, yes? It’s like a bench press for two.’

‘Sex may not be emotional, but it’s intimate,’ he said softly. ‘It requires the ultimate degree of trust.’

‘You can do that and still not be emotionally involved?’

‘When I’m with a woman I care about her enjoyment, her pleasure, her happiness and her comfort. I don’t love her.’

‘You don’t love women?’

‘I do love women.’ The corners of his mouth flickered. ‘I just don’t want to love one specific woman.’

Lily stared at him in fascination.

There was no way, no way, she would ever fall in love with a man like Nik. She didn’t even need to check her list to know he didn’t tick a single one of the boxes.

He was perfect.

‘There’s something I want to say to you and I hope you’re not going to be shocked.’ She put her glass down and took a deep breath. ‘I want to have rebound sex. No emotions involved. Sex without falling in love. Not something I’ve ever done before, so this is all new to me.’

He watched her from under lowered lids, his expression unreadable. There was a dangerous stillness about him. ‘And you’re telling me this because—?’

‘Because you seem to be the expert.’ Her heart started to pound. ‘I want you to take me to bed.’

CHAPTER FOUR

NIK SCANNED HER in silence. The irony was that his original plan had been to do exactly that. Take her to bed. She was fun, sexy and original but the longer he spent in her company the more he realised how different her life goals were from his own. By her own admittance, Lily wasn’t the sort to emotionally disengage in a relationship. In the interests of self-protection, logic took precedence over his libido.

‘It’s time I took you home.’

Far from squashing her, the news appeared to cheer her. ‘That’s what I was hoping you’d say. I promise you won’t regret it. What I lack in experience I make up for in enthusiasm.’

She was as bright as she was pretty and he knew her ‘misunderstanding’ was deliberate.

‘Theé mou, you should not be saying things like that to a man. It could be taken the wrong way.’

She sliced into a tomato. ‘You’re taking it the way I intended you to take it.’

Nik glanced at the bottle of champagne and tried to work out how much she’d had. ‘I’m not taking you to my home, I’m taking you to your home.’

‘You don’t want to do that. My bed is smaller than a cat basket and you’re big. I have a feeling we’re going to get very hot and sweaty, and I don’t have air conditioning.’

Nik’s libido was fighting against the restraining bonds of logic. ‘I will give you a lift home and then I’m leaving.’

‘Leaving?’ Disappointment mingled with uncertainty. ‘You don’t find me attractive?’

‘You’re sexy as hell,’ he drawled, ‘but you’re not my type.’

‘That doesn’t make any sense. You don’t like sexy?’

‘I like sexy. I don’t like women who want to fall in love, settle down and have lots of babies.’

‘I thought we’d already established I didn’t want to do any of that with you. You don’t score a single point on my checklist, which is exactly why I want to do this. I know I’d be safe. And so would you!’

He decided he didn’t even want to know about her checklist. ‘How much champagne have you had?’

‘I’m not drunk, if that’s what you’re suggesting. Ask me anything. Make me walk in a straight line. I’ll touch my nose with my eyes closed, or I’ll touch your nose with my eyes closed if you prefer. Or other parts of you—’ She gave a wicked grin and leaned forward. ‘One night. That’s all it would be. You will not regret it.’

Nik deployed the full force of his will power and kept his eyes away from the softness of her breasts. ‘You’re right. I won’t, because it’s not going to happen.’

‘I do yoga. I’m very bendy.’

Nik gave a soft curse. ‘Stop talking.’

‘I can put my legs behind my head.’

‘Cristo, you should definitely stop talking.’ His libido was urging logic to surrender.

‘What’s the problem? One night of fun. Tomorrow we both go our own ways and if I see you in the office I’ll pretend I don’t know you. Call your lawyer. I’ll sign a contract promising not to fall in love with you. A pre-non-nuptial agreement. All I want is for you to take me home, strip me naked, throw me onto that enormous bed of yours and have sex with me in every conceivable position. After that I will walk out of your door and you’ll never see me again. Deal?’

He tried to respond but it seemed her confusing mix of innocence and sexuality had short-circuited his brain. ‘Lily—’ he spoke through his teeth ‘—trust me, you do not want me to take you home, strip you naked and throw you onto my bed.’

‘Why not? It’s just sex.’

‘You’ve spent several hours telling me you don’t do “just sex”.’

‘But I’m going to this time. I want to be able to separate sex from love. The next time a man comes my way who might be the one, I won’t let sex confuse things. I’ll be like Kevlar. Nothing is getting through me. Nothing.’

‘You are marshmallow, not Kevlar.’

‘That was the old me. The new me is Kevlar. I don’t understand why you won’t do this, unless—’ She studied him for a long moment and then leaned forward, a curious look in her eyes. ‘Are you scared?’

‘I’m sober,’ he said softly, ‘and when I play, I like it to be with an opponent who is similarly matched.’

‘I’m tougher than I look.’ A dimple appeared in the corner of her mouth. ‘Drink another glass of champagne and then call Vassilis.’

‘How do you know my driver’s name?’

‘I listen. And he has a kind face. There really is no need to be nervous. If rumour is correct, you’re a cold, emotionless vacuum and that means you’re in no danger from someone like little me.’

He had a feeling ‘little me’ was the most dangerous thing he’d encountered in a long while. ‘If I’m a “cold, emotionless vacuum”, why would you want to climb into my bed?’

‘Because you are insanely sexy and all the things that make you so wrong for me would make you perfect for rebound sex.’

He looked into those blue eyes and tried to ignore the surge of sexual hunger that had gripped him from the moment he’d laid eyes on that pale silky hair tumbling damp round her gleaming wet body.

Never before had doing the right thing felt so wrong.

Nik cursed under his breath and rose to his feet. ‘We’re leaving.’

‘Good decision.’ She slid her hand into his, rose on tiptoe and whispered in his ear. ‘I’ll be gentle with you.’

With her wide smile and laughing eyes, it was like being on a date with a beam of sunshine. He felt heat spread through his body, his arousal so brutal he was tempted to haul her behind the nearest lockable door, rip off that dress and acquaint himself with every part of her luscious, naked body.

Vassilis was waiting outside with the car and Nik bundled her inside and sat as far from her as possible.

All his life, he’d avoided women like her. Women who believed in romance and ‘the one’. For him, the myth of love had been smashed in childhood along with Santa and the Tooth Fairy. He had no use for it in his life.

‘Where do you live?’ He growled the words but she simply smiled.

‘You don’t need to know, because we’re going back to your place. Your bed is almost big enough to be seen from outer space.’

Nik ran his hand over his jaw. ‘Lily—’

Her phone signalled a text and she dug around in her bag. ‘I need to answer this. It will be Brittany, checking I’m all right. She and Spy are probably worried because they saw me go off with you.’

‘Maybe you should pay attention to your friends.’

‘Hold that thought—’

Having rebound sex. She mouthed the words as she typed. Speak to you tomorrow.

Nik was tempted to seize the phone and text her friends to come and pick her up. ‘Brittany was the girl in the blue dress?’

‘She’s the female version of you, but without the money. She doesn’t engage emotionally. I found out today that she was married for ten days when she was eighteen. Can you believe that? Ten days. I don’t know the details, but apparently it cured her of ever wanting a repeat performance.’ She pressed send and slid the phone back into her bag. ‘I grew up in foster homes so I don’t have any family. I think that’s probably why my friends are so important to me. I never really had a sense of belonging anywhere. That’s a very lonely feeling as a child.’

He felt something stir inside him, as if she’d poked a stick into a muddy, stagnant pool that had lain dormant and undiscovered for decades. Deeply uncomfortable, he shifted in his seat. ‘Why are you telling me this?’

‘I thought as we’re going to have sex, you might want to know something about me.’

‘I don’t.’

‘That’s not very polite.’

‘I’m not striving for “polite”. This is who I am. It’s not too late for my driver to drop you home. Give him the address.’

She leaned forward and pressed the button so that the screen closed between him and the driver. ‘Sorry, Vassilis, but I don’t want to corrupt you.’ She slid across the seat, closed her eyes and lifted her face to his. ‘Kiss me. Whatever it is you do, do it now.’

Nik had always considered himself to be a disciplined man but he was rapidly rethinking that assessment. With her, there was no discipline. He looked down at those long, thick eyelashes and the pink curve of her mouth and tried to remember when he’d last been tempted to have sex in the back of his car.

‘No.’ He managed to inject the word with forceful conviction but instead of retreating, she advanced.

‘In that case I’ll kiss you. I don’t mind taking the initiative.’ Her slim fingers slid to the inside of his thigh. He was so aroused he couldn’t even remember why he was fighting this, and instead of pushing her away he gripped her hand hard and turned his head towards her.

His gaze swept her flushed cheeks and the lush curve of her mouth. With a rough curse he lowered his head, driving her lips apart with his tongue and taking that mouth in a kiss that was as rough as it was sexually explicit. His intention was to scare her off, so there was no holding back, no diluting of his passion. He kissed her hard, expecting to feel her pull back but instead she pressed closer. She tasted of sugar and sweet temptation, her mouth soft and eager against his as she all but wriggled onto his lap.

The heavy weight of her breasts brushed against his arm and he gave a groan and slid his hand into her hair, anchoring her head for the hard demands of his kiss. She licked into his mouth, snuggling closer like a kitten, those full soft curves pressing against him. It was a kiss without boundaries, an explosion of raw desire that built until the rear of the car shimmered with stifling heat and sexual awareness.

He slid his hand under her dress, over the smooth skin of her thigh to the soft shadows between her legs. It was her thickened moan of pleasure that woke him up.

Cristo, they were in the car, in moving traffic.

Releasing her as if she were a hot coal, he pushed her away. ‘I thought you were supposed to be smart.’

Her breathing was shallow and rapid. ‘I’m very, very smart. And you’re an amazing kisser. Are you as good at everything else?’

His pulse was throbbing and he was so painfully aroused he didn’t dare move. ‘If you really want to come home with me then you’re not as smart as you look.’

‘What makes you think that?’

‘Because a woman like you should steer clear of men like me. I don’t have a love life, I have a sex life. I’ll use you. If you’re in my bed it will be all about pleasure and nothing else. I don’t care about your feelings. I’m not kind. I’m not gentle. I need you to know that.’

There was a long, loaded silence and then her gaze slid to his mouth. ‘Okay, I get it. No fluffy kittens in this relationship. Message received and understood. Can this car go any faster because I don’t think I’ve ever been this turned on in my life before.’

She wasn’t the only one. His self-control was stretched to breaking point. Why was he fighting it? She was an adult. She wasn’t drunk and she knew what she was doing. Logic didn’t just surrender to libido, it was obliterated. All the same, something made him open one more exit door. ‘Be very sure, Lily.’

‘I’m sure. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life. Unless you want to be arrested for performing an indecent act in a public place you’d better tell Vassilis to break a few speed limits.’

Lily walked into the villa she’d cleaned earlier, feeling ridiculously nervous. In the romantic setting of the restaurant this had seemed like a good idea. Now she wasn’t quite so sure. ‘So why did you hire a contract cleaning company?’

‘I didn’t.’ He threw his jacket over the back of a chair with careless disregard for its future appearance. ‘I have staff who look after this place. Presumably they arranged it. I didn’t give them much notice of my return. I don’t care how they do their job as long as it gets done.’

She paced across the living room and stared across the floodlit shimmer of the infinity pool. ‘It’s pretty at night.’ It was romantic, but she knew this had nothing to do with romance. Her other relationships had been with men she knew and cared about. This scenario was new to her. ‘Do you have something to drink?’

‘You’re thirsty?’

Nervous. ‘A little.’

He gave her a long look, strolled out of the room and returned moments later carrying a glass of water.

‘I want you sober,’ he said softly. ‘In fact I insist on it.’

Realising they were actually going to do this, she suddenly found she was shaking so much the water sloshed out of the glass and onto the floor. ‘Oops. I’m messing up the floor I cleaned earlier.’

He was standing close to her and her gaze drifted to the bronzed skin at the base of his throat and the blue-shadowed jaw. Everything about him was unapologetically masculine. He wasn’t just dangerously attractive, he was lethal and suddenly she wondered what on earth she was doing. Maybe she should have taken up Spy’s offer of rebound sex, except that Spy didn’t induce one tenth of this crazy response in her. A thrilling sense of anticipation mingled with wicked excitement and she knew she’d regret it for ever if she walked away. She knew she took relationships too seriously. If she was going to try a different approach then there was surely no better man to do it with than Nik.

‘Scared?’ His voice was deep, dark velvet and she gave a smile.

‘A little. But only because I don’t normally do this and you’re not my usual type. It’s like passing your driving test and then getting behind the wheel of a Ferrari. I’m worried I’ll crash you into a lamppost.’ She put the glass down carefully on the glass table and ran her damp hands over her thighs. ‘Okay, let’s do this. Ignore the fact I’m shaking, go right ahead and do your bad, bad thing, whatever that is.’

He said nothing. Just looked at her, that dark gaze uncomfortably penetrating.

She waited, heart pounding, virtually squirming on the spot. ‘I’m not good with delayed gratification. I’m more of an instant person. I like to—’

‘Hush.’ Finally he spoke and then he reached out and drew her against him, the look in his eyes driving words and thoughts from her head. She felt the warmth of his hand against the base of her spine, the slow, sensitive stroke of his fingers low on her back and then he lifted his hands and cupped her face, forcing her to look at him. ‘Lily Rose—’

She swallowed. ‘Nik—’

‘Don’t be nervous.’ He murmured the words against her lips. ‘There’s no reason to be nervous.’

‘I’m not nervous,’ she lied. ‘But I’m not really sure what happens next.’

‘I’ll decide what happens next.’

Her heart bumped uncomfortably against her ribs. ‘So—what do you want me to do?’

His mouth hovered close to hers and his fingers grazed her jaw. ‘I want you to stop talking.’

‘I’m going to stop talking right now this second.’ Her stomach felt as if a thousand butterflies were trying to escape. She hadn’t expected him to be so gentle, but those exploring fingers were slow, almost languorous as they stroked her face and slid over her neck and into her hair.

She stood, disorientated by intoxicating pleasure as he trailed his mouth along her jaw, tormenting her with dark, dangerous kisses. Heat uncurled low in her pelvis and spread through her body, sapping the strength from her knees, and she slid her hands over those sleek, powerful shoulders, feeling the hard swell of muscle beneath her palms. His mouth moved lower and she tilted her head back as he kissed her neck and then the base of her throat. She felt the slow slide of his tongue against supersensitive skin, the warmth of his breath and then his hand slid back into her hair and he brought his mouth back to hers. He kissed her with an erotic expertise that made her head spin and her legs grow heavy. With each slow stroke of his tongue, he sent her senses spinning out of control. It was like being drugged. She tried to find her balance, her centre, but just when she felt close to grasping a few threads of control, he used his mouth to drive every coherent thought from her head. Shaky, she lifted her hand to his face, felt the roughness of his jaw against her palm and the lean, spare perfection of his bone structure.

She slid her fingers into his hair and felt his hand slide down her spine and draw her firmly against him.

She felt him, brutally hard through the silky fabric of her dress, and she gave a moan, low in her throat as he trapped her there with the strength of his arms, the power in those muscles reminding her that this wasn’t a safe flirtation, or a game.

His kisses grew rougher, more intimate, more demanding and she tugged at his shirt, her fingers swift and sure on the buttons, her movements more frantic with each bit of male muscle she exposed.

His chest was powerful, his abs lean and hard and she felt a moment of breathless unease because she’d never had sex with a man built like him.

He was self-assured and experienced and as she pushed the shirt from his shoulders she tried to take a step backwards.

‘I’d like to keep my clothes on, if that’s all right with you.’

‘It’s not all right.’ But there was a smile in his voice as he slid his hand from her hips to her waist, pulling her back against him. His fingers brushed against the underside of her breast and she moaned.

‘You look as if you spend every spare second of your life working out.’

‘I don’t.’

‘You get this way through lots of athletic sex?’

His mouth hovered close to hers. ‘You promised to stop talking.’

‘That was before I saw you half naked. I’m intimidated. That photo didn’t lie. Now I know what you look like under your clothes I think I might be having body-image problems.’

He smiled, and she felt his hands at the back of her dress and the slow slither of silk as her dress slid to the floor.

Standing in front of him in nothing but her underwear and high heels, she felt ridiculously exposed. It didn’t matter that he’d already seen her that way. This was different.

He eased back from her, his eyes slumberous and dangerously dark. ‘Let’s go upstairs.’

Her knees were shaking so much she wasn’t sure she could walk but the next moment he scooped her into his arms and she gave a gasp of shock and dug her hands in his shoulder.

‘Don’t you dare drop me. I bruise easily.’ She had a close-up view of his face and stared hungrily at the hard masculine lines, the blue-black shadow of his jaw and the slim, sensual line of his mouth. ‘If I’d known you were planning on carrying me I would have said no to dessert.’

‘Dessert was the best part.’ They reached the top of the stairs and he carried her into his bedroom and lowered her to the floor next to the bed.

She didn’t see him move, and yet a light came on next to the bed sending a soft beam over the silk covers. Glancing around her, Lily realised that if she lay on that bed her body would be illuminated by the wash of light.

‘Can we switch the lights off?’

His eyes hooded, he lowered his hands to his belt. ‘No.’ As he removed the last of his clothes she let her eyes skid downwards and felt heat pour into her cheeks.

It was only a brief glance, but it was enough to imprint the image of his body in her brain.

‘Do you model underwear in your spare time? Because seriously—’ Her cheeks flooded with colour. ‘Okay so I think this whole thing would be easier in the dark—then I won’t be so intimidated by your supersonic abs.’

‘Hush.’ He smoothed her hair back from her face. ‘Do you trust me?’ His voice was rough and she felt a flutter of nerves low in her belly.

‘I—yes. I think so. Why? Am I being stupid?’

‘No. Close your eyes.’

She hesitated and then closed them. She heard the sound of a drawer opening and then felt something soft and silky being tied round her eyes.

‘What are you doing?’ She lifted her hand but he closed his fingers round her wrist and drew her hands back to her sides.

‘Relax.’ His voice was a soft purr. ‘I’m taking away one of your senses. The one that’s making you nervous. There’s no need to panic. You still have four remaining. I want you to use those.’

‘I can’t see.’

‘Exactly. You wanted to do this in the dark. Now you’re in the dark.’

‘I meant that you should put the lights out! It was so you couldn’t see me, not so that I couldn’t see you.’

‘Shh.’ His lips nibbled at hers, his tongue stroking over her mouth in a slow, sensual seduction.

She was quivering, her senses straining with delicious anticipation as she tried to work out where he was and where he’d touch her next.

She felt his lips on her shoulder and felt his fingers slide the thin straps of her bra over her arms. Wetness pooled between her thighs and she pressed them together, so aroused she could hardly breathe.

He took his time, explored her neck, her shoulder, the underside of her breast until she wasn’t sure her legs would hold her and he must have known that because he tipped her back onto the bed, supporting her as she lost her balance.

She could see nothing through the silk mask but she felt the weight of him on top of her, the roughness of his thigh against hers and the slide of silk against her heated flesh as he stripped her naked.

She was quivering, her senses sharpened by her lack of vision. She felt the warmth of his mouth close over the tip of her breast, the skilled flick of his tongue sending arrows of pleasure shooting through her over-sensitised body.

She gave a moan and clutched at his shoulders. ‘Do we need a safe word or something?’ She felt him pause.

‘Why would you need a safe word?’

‘I thought—’

‘I’m not going to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.’

‘What do I say if I want you to stop?’

His mouth brushed lightly across her jaw. ‘You say “stop”.’

‘That’s it?’

‘That’s it.’ There was a smile in his voice. ‘If I do one single thing that makes you uncomfortable, tell me.’

‘Is embarrassed the same as uncomfortable?’

He gave a soft laugh and she felt the stroke of his palm on her thigh and then he parted her legs and his mouth drifted from her belly to her inner thigh.

He paused, his breath warm against that secret place. ‘Relax, erota mou.’

She lifted her hands to remove the blindfold but he caught her wrists in one hand and held them pinned, while he used the other to part her and expose her secrets.

Unbearably aroused, melting with a confusing mix of desire and mortification, she tried to close her legs but he licked at her intimately, opening her with his tongue, exploring her vulnerable flesh with erotic skill and purpose until all she wanted was for him to finish what he’d started.

‘Nik—’ She writhed, sobbed, struggled against him and he released her hands and anchored her hips, holding her trapped as he explored her with his tongue.

She’d forgotten all about removing the blindfold.

The only thing in her head was easing the maddening ache that was fast becoming unbearable.

She dug her fingers in the sheets, moaning as he slid his fingers deep inside her, manipulating her body and her senses until she tipped into excitement overload. She felt herself start to throb round those seeking fingers, but instead of giving her what she wanted he gently withdrew his hand and eased away from her.

‘Please! Oh, please—’ she sobbed in protest, wondering what he was doing.

Was he leaving her?

Was he stopping?

With a whimper of protest, she writhed and reached for him and then she heard a faint sound and understood the reason for the brief interlude.

Condom, she thought, and then the ability to think coherently vanished because he covered her with the hard heat of his body. She felt the blunt thrust of his erection at her moist entrance and tensed in anticipation, but instead of entering her he cupped her face in his hand and gently slid off the blindfold.

‘Look at me.’ His soft command penetrated her brain and she opened her eyes and stared at him dizzily just as he slid his hand under her bottom and entered her in a series of slow, deliciously skilful thrusts. He was incredibly gentle, taking his time, murmuring soft words in Greek and then English as he moved deep into the heart of her. Then he paused, kissed her mouth gently, holding her gaze with his.

‘Are you all right? Do you want to use the safe word?’ His voice was gently teasing but the glitter in his eyes and the tension in his jaw told her he was nowhere near as relaxed as he pretended to be.

In the grip of such intolerable excitement she was incapable of responding, Lily simply shook her head and then moaned as he withdrew slightly and surged into her again, every movement of his body escalating the wickedly agonising pleasure.

She slid her hands over the silken width of his shoulders, down his back, her fingers clamping over the thrusting power of his body as he rocked against her. His hand was splayed on her bottom, his gaze locked on hers as he drove into her with ruthlessly controlled strength and a raw, primitive rhythm. She wrapped her legs around him as he brought pleasure raining down on both of them. She cried out his name and he took her mouth, kissing her deeply, intimately, as the first ripple of orgasm took hold of her body. They didn’t stop kissing, mouths locked, eyes locked as her body contracted around his and dragged him over the edge of control. She’d never experienced anything like it, the whole experience a shattering revelation about her capacity for sensuality.

It was several minutes before she was capable of speaking and longer than that before she could persuade her body to move.

As she tried to roll away from him, his arms locked around her. ‘Where do you think you’re going?’

‘I’m sticking to the rules. I thought this was a one-night thing.’

‘It is.’ He hauled her back against him. ‘And the night isn’t over yet.’

CHAPTER FIVE

NIK SPENT TEN MINUTES under a cold shower, trying to wake himself up after a night that had consisted of the worst sleep of his life and the best sex. He couldn’t remember the last time he hadn’t wanted to leave the bed in the morning.

A ton of work waited for him in the office, but for the first time ever he was contemplating working from home so that he could spend a few more hours with Lily. After her initial shyness she’d proved to be adventurous and insatiable, qualities that had kept both of them awake until the rising sun had sent the first flickers of light across the darkened bedroom.

Eventually she’d fallen into an exhausted sleep, her body tangled around his as dawn had bathed the bedroom in a golden glow.

It had proved impossible to extract himself without waking her so Nik, whose least favourite bedroom activity was hugging, had remained there, his senses bathed in the soft floral scent of her skin and hair, trapped by those long limbs wrapped trustingly around him.

And he had no one to blame but himself.

She’d offered to leave and he’d stopped her.

He frowned, surprised by his own actions. He had no need for displays of affection or any of the other meaningless rituals that seemed to inhabit other people’s relationships. To him, sex was a physical need, no different from hunger and thirst. Once satisfied he moved on. He had no desire for anything deeper. He didn’t believe anything deeper existed.

When he was younger, women had tried to persuade him differently. There had been a substantial number who had believed they had what it took to penetrate whatever steely coating made his heart so inaccessible. When they’d had no more success than their predecessors they’d withdrawn, bruised and broken, but not before they’d delivered their own personal diagnosis on his sorry condition.

He’d heard it all. That he didn’t have a heart, that he was selfish, single minded, driven, too focused on his work. He accepted those accusations without argument, but knew that none explained his perpetually single status. Quite simply, he didn’t believe in love. He’d learned at an early age that love could be withdrawn as easily as it was given, that promises could be made and broken in the same breath, that a wedding ring was no more than a piece of jewellery, and wedding vows no more binding than one plant twisted loosely around another.

He had no need for the friendship and affection that punctuated other people’s lives.

He’d taught himself to live without it, so to find himself wrapped in the tight embrace of a woman who smiled even when she was asleep was as alien to him as it was unsettling.

For a while, he’d slept, too, and then woken to find her locked against him. Telling himself that she was the one holding him and not the other way round, he’d managed to extract himself without waking her and escaped to the bathroom where he contemplated his options.

He needed to find a tactful way of ejecting her.

He showered, shaved and returned to the bedroom. Expecting to find her still asleep, he was thrown to find her dressed. She’d stolen one of his white shirts and it fell to mid-thigh, the sleeves flapping over her small hands as she talked on the phone.

‘Of course he’ll be there.’ Her voice was as soothing as warm honey. ‘I’m sure it’s a simple misunderstanding…well, no I agree with you, but he’s very busy…’

She lay on her stomach on the bed, her hair hanging in a blonde curtain over one shoulder, the sheets tangled around her bare thighs.

Nik took one look at her and decided that there was no reason to rush her out of the villa.

They’d have breakfast on the terrace. Maybe enjoy a swim.

Then he’d find a position they hadn’t yet tried before sending her home in his car.

Absorbed in her conversation, she hadn’t noticed him and he strolled round in front of her and slowly released the towel from his waist.

He saw her eyes go wide. Then she gave him a smile that hovered somewhere between cheeky and innocent and he found himself resenting the person on the end of the phone who was taking up so much of her time.

He dressed, aware that she was watching him the whole time, her conversation reduced to soothing, sympathetic noises.

It was the sort of exchange he’d never had in his life. The sort that involved listening while someone poured out their woes. When Nik had a problem he solved it or accepted it and moved on. He’d never understood the female urge to dissect and confide.

‘I know,’ she murmured. ‘There’s nothing more upsetting than a rift in the family, but you need to talk. Clear the air. Be open about your feelings.’

She was so warm and sympathetic it was obvious to Nik that the conversation was going to be a long one. Someone had rung in the belief that talking to Lily would make them feel better and he couldn’t see a way that this exchange would ever end as she poured a verbal Band-Aid over whatever wound she was being asked to heal. Who would want to hang up when they were getting the phone equivalent of a massive hug?

Outraged on her behalf, Nik sliced his finger across his throat to indicate that she should cut the connection.

When she didn’t, he was contemplating snatching the phone and telling whoever it was to get a grip, sort out their own problems and stop encroaching on Lily’s good nature when she gestured to the phone with her free hand.

‘It’s for you,’ she mouthed. ‘Your father.’

His father?

The person she’d been soothing and placating for the past twenty minutes was his father?

Nik froze. Only now did he notice that the phone in her hand was his. ‘You answered my phone?’

‘I wouldn’t have done normally, but I saw it was your dad and I knew you’d want to talk to him. I didn’t want you to miss his call because you were in the shower.’ Clearly believing she’d done him an enormous favour, she wished his father a cheery, caring goodbye and held out the phone to him. The front of his shirt gapped, revealing those tempting dips and curves he’d explored in minute detail the night before. The scrape of his jaw had left faint red marks over her creamy skin and the fact that he instantly wanted to drop the phone in the nearest body of water and take her straight back to bed simply added to his irritation.

‘That’s my shirt.’

‘You have so many, I didn’t think you’d miss one.’

Reflecting on the fact she was as chirpy in the morning as she was the rest of the day, Nik dragged his gaze from her smiling mouth, took the phone from her and switched to Greek. ‘You didn’t need to call again. I got your last four messages.’

‘Then why didn’t you call me back?’

‘I’ve been busy.’

‘Too busy to talk to your own father? I have rung you every day this week, Niklaus. Every single day.’

Aware that Lily was listening Nik paced to the window, turned his back on her and stared out over the sea. ‘Is the wedding still on?’

‘Of course it is on! Why wouldn’t it be? I love Diandra and she loves me. You would love her, too, if you took the time to meet her and what better time than the day in which we exchange our vows?’ There was a silence. ‘Nik, come home. It has been too long.’

Nik knew exactly how long it had been to the day.

‘I’ve been busy.’

‘Too busy to visit your own family? This is the place of your birth and you never come home. You have a villa here that you converted and you don’t even visit. I know you didn’t like Callie and it’s true that for a long time I was very angry with you for not making more of an effort when she showed you so much love, but that is behind us now.’

Reflecting on exactly what form that ‘love’ had taken, Nik tightened his hand on the phone and wondered if he’d been wrong not to tell his father the unpalatable truth about his third wife. He’d made the decision that since she’d ended the relationship anyway there was nothing to be gained from revealing the truth, but now he found himself in the rare position of questioning his own judgement.

‘Will Callie be at the wedding?’

‘No.’ His father was quiet. ‘I wanted her to bring little Chloe, but she hasn’t responded to my calls. I don’t mind admitting it’s a very upsetting situation all round for everyone.’

Not everyone, Nik thought. He was sure Callie wasn’t remotely upset. Why would she be? She’d extracted enough money from his father to ensure she could live comfortably without ever lifting a finger again. ‘You would really want her at your wedding?’

‘Callie, no. But Chloe? Yes, of course. If I had my way she would be living here with me. I still haven’t given up hope that might happen one day. Chloe is my child, Nik. My daughter. I want her to grow up knowing her father. I don’t want her thinking I abandoned her or chose not to have her in my life.’

Nik kept his eyes forward and the past firmly suppressed. ‘These things happen. They’re part of life and relationships.’

His father sighed. ‘I’m sorry you believe that. Family is the most important thing in the world. I want that for you.’

‘I set my own life goals, and that isn’t on the list,’ Nik drawled softly. Contemplating the complexity of human relationships, he was doubly glad he’d successfully avoided them himself. Like every other area of his life, he had his feelings firmly under control. ‘Would Diandra really want Chloe to be living with you?’

‘Of course! She’d be delighted. She wants it as much as I do. And she’d really like to meet you, too. She’s keen for us to be a proper family.’

A proper family.

A long-buried memory emerged from deep inside his brain, squeezing itself through the many layers of self-protection he’d used to suppress it.

It had been so long the images were no longer clear, a fact for which he was grimly grateful. Even now, several decades later, he could still remember how it had felt to have those images replaying in his head night after night.

A man, a woman and a young boy, living an idyllic existence under blue skies and the dazzle of the sun. Growing up, he’d learned a thousand lessons about living. How to cook with leaves from the vine, how to distil the grape skins and seeds to form the potent tsikoudia they drank with friends. He’d lived his cocooned existence until one day his world had crumbled and he’d learned the most important lesson of all.

That a family was the least stable structure invented by man.

It could be destroyed in a moment.

‘Come home, Niklaus,’ his father said quietly. ‘It has been too long. I want us to put the past behind us. Callie is no longer here.’

Nik didn’t tell him that the reason he avoided the island had nothing to do with Callie.

Whenever he returned there it stirred up the same memory of his mother leaving in the middle of the night while he watched in confusion from the elegant curve of the stairs.

Where are you going, Mama? Are you taking us with you? Can we come, too?

‘Niklaus?’ His father was still talking. ‘Will you come?’

Nik dragged his hand over the back of his neck. ‘Yes, if that’s what you want.’

‘How can you doubt it?’ There was joy in his father’s voice. ‘The wedding is Tuesday but many of our friends are arriving at the weekend so that we can celebrate in style. Come on Saturday then you can join in the pre-wedding celebrations.’

‘Saturday?’ His father expected him to stay for four days? ‘I’ll have to see if I can clear my diary.’

‘Of course you can. What’s the point of being in charge of the company if you can’t decide your own schedule? Now tell me about Lily. I like her very much. How long have the two of you been together?’

Ten memorable hours. ‘How do you know her name?’

‘We’ve been talking, Niklaus! Which is more than you and I ever do. She sounds nice. Why don’t you bring her to the wedding?’

‘We don’t have that sort of relationship.’ He felt a flicker of irritation. Was that why she’d spent so much time on the phone talking to his father? Had she decided that sympathy might earn her an invite to the biggest wedding of the year in Greece?

Exchanging a final few words with his father, he hung up. ‘Don’t ever,’ he said with silky emphasis as he turned to face her, ‘answer my phone again.’ But he was talking to an empty room because Lily was nowhere to be seen.

Taken aback, Nik glanced towards the bathroom and then noticed the note scrawled on a piece of paper by his pillow.

Thanks for the best rebound sex ever. Lily.

The best rebound sex?

She’d left?

Nik picked up the note and scrunched it in his palm. He’d been so absorbed in the conversation with his father he hadn’t heard her leaving.

The dress from the night before lay neatly folded on the chair but there was no sign of the shoes or his shirt. He had no need to formulate a plan to eject her from his life because she’d removed herself.

She’d gone.

And she hadn’t even bothered saying goodbye.

‘No need to ask if you had a good night, it’s written all over your face.’ Brittany slid her feet into her hiking boots and reached for her bag. ‘Nice shirt. Is that silk?’ She reached out and touched the fabric and gave a murmur of appreciation. ‘The man has style, I’ll give him that.’

‘Thanks for your text. It was sweet of you to check on me. How was your evening?’

‘Nowhere near as exciting as yours apparently. While you were playing Cinderella in the wolf’s lair, I was cataloguing pottery shards and bone fragments. My life is so exciting I can hardly bear it.’

‘You love it. And I think you’re mixing your fairy tales.’ Aware that her hair was a wild mass of curls after the relentless exploration of Nik’s hands, Lily scooped it into a ponytail. She told herself that eventually she’d stop thinking about him. ‘Did you find anything else after I left yesterday?’

‘Fragments of plaster, conical cups—’ Brittany frowned. ‘We found a bronze leg that probably belongs to that figurine that was discovered last week. Are you listening to me?’

Lily was deep in an action replay of the moment Nik had removed the mask from her eyes. ‘That’s exciting! I’m going to join you later.’

‘We’re removing part of the stone mound and exploring the North Eastern wall.’ Brittany eyed her. ‘You might want to rethink white silk. So am I going to hear the details?’

‘About what?’

‘Oh, please—’

‘It was fun. All right, incredible.’ Lily felt her cheeks burn and Brittany gave a faint smile.

‘That good? Now I’m jealous. I haven’t had incredible sex since—well, let’s just say it’s been a while. So are you seeing him again?’

‘Of course not. The definition of rebound sex is that it’s just one night. No commitment.’ She parroted the rules and tried not to wish it could have lasted a little more than one night. The truth was even in that one night Nik had made her feel special. ‘Do we have food in our fridge? I’m starving.’

‘He helped you expend all those calories and then didn’t feed you before you left? That’s not very gentlemanly.’

‘He didn’t see me leave. He had to take a call.’ And judging from the reluctance he’d shown when she’d handed him the phone, if it had been left to him he wouldn’t have answered it.

Why not?

Why wouldn’t a man want to talk to his father?

It had been immediately obvious that whatever issues Nik might have in expressing his emotions openly weren’t shared by his father, who had been almost embarrassingly eager to share his pain.

She’d squirmed with discomfort as Kostas Zervakis had told her how long it was since his son had come home. Even on such a short acquaintance she knew that family was one of the subjects Nik didn’t touch. She’d felt awkward listening, as if she were eavesdropping on a private conversation, but at the same time his father had seemed so upset she hadn’t had the heart to cut him off.

The conversation had left her feeling ever so slightly sick, an emotion she knew was ridiculous given that she hadn’t ever met Kostas and barely knew his son. Why should it bother her that there were clearly problems in their relationship?

Her natural instinct had been to intervene but she’d recognised instantly the danger in that. Nik wasn’t a man who appreciated the interference of others in anything, least of all his personal life.

The black look he’d given her had been as much responsible for her rapid exit as her own lack of familiarity with the morning-after etiquette following rebound sex.

She’d taken advantage of his temporary absorption in the phone call to make a hasty escape, but not before she’d heard enough to make her wish for a happy ending. Whatever damage lay in their past, she wanted them to fix their problems.

She always wanted people to fix their problems.

Lily blinked rapidly, realising that Brittany was talking. ‘Sorry?’

‘So he doesn’t know you left?’

‘He knows by now.’

‘He won’t be pleased that you didn’t say goodbye.’

‘He’ll be delighted. He doesn’t want emotional engagement. No awkward conversations. He will be relieved to be spared a potentially awkward conversation. We move in different circles so I probably won’t ever see him again.’ And that shouldn’t bother her, should it? Although a one-night stand was new to her, she was the expert at transitory relationships. Her entire life had been a series of transitory relationships. No one had ever stuck in her life. She felt like an abandoned railway station where trains passed through but never stopped.

Brittany glanced out of the window at the street below and raised her eyebrows. ‘I think you’re going to see him again a whole lot sooner than you think.’

‘What makes you say that?’

‘Because he’s just pulled up outside our apartment.’

Lily’s heart felt as if it were trying to escape from her chest. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Well there’s a Ferrari parked outside that costs more than I’m going to earn in a lifetime, so, unless there is someone else living in this building that has attracted his attention, he clearly has things he wants to say to you.’

‘Oh no.’ Lily shrank against the door of the bedroom. ‘Can you see his face? Does he look angry?’

‘What reason would he have to be angry?’ Brittany glanced out of the window again and then back at Lily. ‘Is this about the shirt? He can afford to lose one shirt, surely?’

‘I don’t think he’s here because of the shirt,’ Lily said weakly. ‘I think he’s here because of something I did this morning. I’m going to hide on the balcony and you’re going to tell him you haven’t seen me.’

Brittany looked at her curiously. ‘What did you do?’

Lily flinched as she heard a loud hammering on the door. ‘Remember—you haven’t seen me.’ She fled into the bedroom they shared and closed the door.

What was he doing here?

She’d seen the flash of anger in his eyes when he’d realised it was his phone she’d answered, but surely he wouldn’t care enough to follow her home?

She heard his voice in the doorway and heard Brittany say, ‘Sure, come right on in, Nik—is it all right if I call you Nik?—she’s in the bedroom, hiding.’ The door opened a moment later and Brittany stood there, arms folded, her eyes alive with laughter.

Lily impaled her with a look of helpless fury. ‘You’re a traitor.’

‘I’m a friend and I am doing you a favour,’ Brittany murmured. ‘The man is seriously hot.’ Having delivered that assessment, she stepped to one side with a bright smile. ‘Go ahead. The space is a little tight, but I guess you folks don’t mind that.’

‘No! Brittany, don’t—er—hi…’ Lily gave a weak smile as Nik strolled into the room. His powerful frame virtually filled the cramped space and she wished she’d picked a different room as a refuge. Being in a bedroom reminded her too much of the night before. ‘If you’re mad about the shirt, then give me two minutes to change. I shouldn’t have taken it, but I didn’t want to do the walk of shame through the middle of Chania wearing an evening dress that doesn’t belong to me.’

‘I don’t care about the shirt.’ His hair was glossy dark, his eyes dark in a face so handsome it would have made a Greek god weep with envy. ‘Do you seriously think I’m here because of the shirt?’

‘No. I assume you’re mad because I answered your phone, but I saw that it was your father and thought you wouldn’t want to miss his call. If I had a dad I’d be ringing him every day.’

His face revealed not a flicker of emotion. ‘We don’t have that sort of relationship.’

‘Well I know that now, but I didn’t know when I answered the phone and once he started talking he was so upset I didn’t want to hang up. He needed to talk to someone and I was in the right place at the right time.’

‘You think so?’ His voice was silky soft. ‘Because I would have said you were in the wrong place at the wrong time.’

‘Depends how you look at it. Did you manage to clear the air?’ She risked a glance at the hard lines of his face and winced. ‘I’m guessing the answer to that is no. If I made it worse by handing you the phone, I’m sorry.’

He raised an eyebrow. ‘Are you?’

She opened her mouth and closed it again. ‘No, not really. Family is the most important thing in the world. I don’t understand how anyone could not want to try and heal a rift. But I could see you were very angry that I’d answered the call and of course your relationship with your father is none of my business.’ But she wanted to make it her business so badly she virtually had to sit on her hands to stop herself from interfering.

‘For someone who realises it’s none of her business, you seem to be showing an extraordinary depth of interest.’

‘I feel strongly about protecting the family unit. It’s my hot button.’

His searing glance reminded her he was intimately familiar with all her hot buttons. ‘Why did you walk out this morning?’

The blatant reminder of the night before brought the colour rushing to her cheeks.

‘I thought the first rule of rebound sex was that you rebound right out of the door the next morning. I have no experience of morning-after conversation and frankly the thought of facing you over breakfast after all the things we did last night didn’t totally thrill me. And can you honestly tell me you weren’t standing in that shower working out how you were going to eject me?’ The expression on his face told her she was right and she nodded. ‘Exactly. I thought I’d spare us both a major awkward moment and leave. I grabbed a shirt and was halfway out of the door when your father rang.’

‘It didn’t occur to you to ignore the phone?’

‘I thought it might be important. And it was! He was so upset. He told me he’d already left a ton of messages.’ Concern overwhelmed her efforts not to become involved. ‘Why haven’t you been home for the past few years?’

‘A night in my bed doesn’t qualify you to ask those questions.’ The look in his eyes made her confidence falter.

‘I get the message. Nothing personal. Now back off. Last night you were charming and fun and flirty. This morning you’re scary and intimidating.’

He inhaled deeply. ‘I apologise,’ he breathed. ‘It was not my intention to come across as scary or intimidating, but you should not have answered the phone.’

‘What’s done is done. And I was glad to be a listening ear for someone in pain.’

‘My father is not in pain.’

‘Yes, he is. He misses you. This rift between you is causing him agony. He wants you to go to his wedding. It’s breaking his heart that you won’t go.’

‘Lily—’

‘You’re going to tell me it’s none of my business and you’re right, it isn’t, but I don’t have a family at all. I don’t even have the broken pieces of a family, and you have no idea how much I wish I did. So you’ll have to forgive me if I have a tendency to try and glue back together everyone else’s chipped fragments. It’s the archaeologist in me.’

‘Lily—’

‘Just because you don’t believe in love, doesn’t mean you have to inflict that view on others and judge them for their decisions. Your father is happy and you’re spoiling it. He loves you and he wants you there. Whatever you are feeling, you should bury it and go and celebrate. You should raise a glass and dance at his wedding. You should show him you love him no matter what, and if this marriage goes wrong then you’ll be there to support him.’ She stopped, breathless, and waited to be frozen by the icy wind of his disapproval but he surprised her yet again by nodding.

‘I agree.’

‘You do?’

‘Yes. I’ve been trying to tell you that but you wouldn’t stop talking.’ He spoke through clenched teeth. ‘I am convinced that I should go to the wedding, which is why I’m here.’

‘What does the wedding have to do with me?’

‘I want you to come with me.’

Lily gaped at him. ‘Me? Why?’

He ran his hand over the back of his neck. ‘I am willing to be present if that is truly what my father wants, but I don’t have enough faith in my acting skills to believe I will be able to convince anyone that I’m pleased to be there. No matter how much he tells me Diandra is “the one”, I cannot see how this match will have a happy ending. You, however, seem to see happy endings where none exist. I’m hoping that by taking you, people will be blinded in the dazzling beam of your sunny optimism and won’t notice the dark thundercloud hovering close by threatening to rain on the proceedings.’

The analogy made her smile. ‘You’re the dark thundercloud in that scenario?’

His eyes gleamed. ‘You need to ask?’

‘You really believe this marriage is doomed? How can you say that when you haven’t even met Diandra?’

‘When it comes to women, my father has poor judgement. He follows his heart and his heart has no sense of direction. Frankly I can’t believe he has chosen to get married again after three failed attempts. I think it’s insane.’

‘I think it’s lovely.’

‘Which is why you’re coming as my guest.’ He reached out and lifted a small blue plate from her shelf, tipping off the earrings that were stored there. ‘This is stylish. Where did you buy it?’

‘I didn’t buy it, I made it. And I haven’t agreed to come with you yet.’

‘You made this?’

‘It’s a hobby of mine. There is a kiln at work and sometimes I use it. The father of one of the curators at the museum is a potter and he’s helped me. It’s interesting comparing old and new techniques.’

He turned it in his hands, examining it closely. ‘You could sell this.’

‘I don’t want to sell it. I use it to store my earrings.’

‘Have you ever considered having an exhibition?’

‘Er—no.’ She gave an astonished laugh. ‘I’ve made about eight pieces I didn’t throw away. They’re all exhibited around the apartment. We use one as a soap dish.’

‘You’ve never wanted to do this for a living?’

‘What I want to do and what I can afford to do aren’t the same thing. It isn’t financially viable.’ She didn’t even allow her mind to go there. ‘And where would our soap live? Let’s talk about the wedding. A wedding is a big deal. It’s intimate and special, an occasion to be shared with friends and loved ones. You don’t even know me.’ The moment the words left her mouth she realised how ridiculous that statement was given the night they’d spent. ‘I mean obviously there are some things about me you know very well, but other things like my favourite flower and my favourite colour, you don’t know.’

Still holding her plate, he studied her with an unsettling intensity. ‘I know all I need to know, which is that you like weddings almost as much as I hate them. Did you study art?’

‘Minoan art. This is a sideline. And if I go with you, people will speculate. How would you explain our relationship to your father? Would you want us to pretend to be in a relationship? Are we supposed to have known one another for ages or something?’

‘No.’ His frown suggested that option hadn’t occurred to him. ‘There is no need to tell anything other than the truth, which is that I’m inviting you to the wedding as a friend.’

‘Friend with benefits?’

He put the plate back down on the shelf and replaced the earrings carefully. ‘That part is strictly between us.’

‘And if your father asks how we met?’

‘Tell him the truth. He’d be amused, I assure you.’

‘So you don’t want to pretend we’re madly in love or anything? I don’t have to pose as your girlfriend?’

‘No. You’d be going as yourself, Lily.’ A muscle flickered in his lean jaw. ‘God knows, the wedding will be stressful enough without us playing roles that feel unnatural.’

It was his obvious distaste for lies and games that made up her mind. After David, a man whose instinct was to tell the truth was appealing. ‘When would we leave?’

‘Next Saturday. The wedding is on Tuesday but there will be four days of celebrations.’ It was obvious from his expression he’d rather be dragged naked through an active volcano than join in those celebrations and a horrible thought crept into her mind.

‘You’re not going because you’re planning to break off the wedding, are you?’

‘No.’ His gaze didn’t shift from hers. ‘But I won’t tell you it didn’t cross my mind.’

‘I’m glad you rose above your natural impulse to wreck someone else’s happiness. And if you really think it would help to have me there, then I’ll come, if only to make sure you don’t have second thoughts and decide to sabotage your father’s big day.’ Lily sank down onto the edge of her bed, thinking. ‘I’ll need to ask for time off.’

‘Is that a problem? I could make a few calls.’

‘No way!’ Imagining how the curator at the museum would respond to personal intervention from Nik Zervakis, Lily recoiled in alarm. ‘I’m quite capable of handling it myself. I don’t need to bring in the heavy artillery, I’ll simply ask the question. I’m owed holiday and my post ends in a couple of weeks anyway. Where exactly are we going? Where is “home” for you?’

‘My father owns an island off the north coast of Crete. You will like it. The western part of the island has Minoan remains and there is a Venetian castle on one of the hilltops. It is separated from Crete by a lagoon and the beaches are some of the best anywhere in Greece. When you’re not reminding me to smile, I’m sure you’ll enjoy exploring.’

‘And he owns this island? So tourists can’t visit.’

‘That’s right. It belongs to my family.’

Lily looked at him doubtfully. ‘How many guests will there be?’

‘Does it matter?’

‘I wondered, that’s all.’ She wanted to ask where they’d be sleeping but decided that if his father could afford a private island then presumably there wasn’t a shortage of beds. ‘I need to go shopping.’

‘Given that you are doing me a favour, I insist you allow me to take care of that side of things.’

‘No. Apart from last night, which wasn’t real, I buy my own clothes. But thanks.’

‘Last night didn’t feel real?’ He gave her a long, penetrating look and she felt heat rush into her cheeks as she remembered all the very real things he’d done to her and she’d done to him.

‘I mean it wasn’t really my life. More like a dreamy moment you know is never going to happen again.’ Realising it was long past time she kept her mouth shut, she gave a weak smile. ‘I’ll buy or borrow clothes, don’t worry. I’m good at putting together a wardrobe. Colours are my thing. The secret is to accessorise. I won’t embarrass you even if we’re surrounded by people dressed head to toe in Prada.’

‘That possibility didn’t enter my head. My concern was purely about the pressure on your budget.’

‘I’m creative. It’s not a problem.’ She remembered she was wearing his shirt. ‘I’ll return this, obviously.’

A smile flickered at the corners of his mouth. ‘It looks better on you than it does on me. Keep it.’

His gaze collided with hers and suddenly it was hard to breathe. Sexual tension simmered in the air and she was acutely aware of the oppressive heat in the small room that had no air conditioning. Blistering, blinding awareness clouded her vision until the only thing in her world was him. She wanted so badly to touch him. She wanted to lean into that muscled power, rip off those clothes and beg him to do all the things he’d done to her the night before. Shaken, she assumed she was alone in feeling that way and then saw something flare in his eyes and knew she wasn’t. He was sexually aroused and thinking all the things she was thinking.

‘Nik—’

‘Saturday.’ His tone was thickened, his eyes a dark, dangerous black. ‘I will pick you up at eight a.m.’

She watched him leave, wondering what the rules of engagement were when one night wasn’t enough.

CHAPTER SIX

NIK PUT HIS foot down and pushed the Ferrari to its limits on the empty road that led to the north-western tip of Crete.

He spent the majority of his time at the ZervaCo offices in San Francisco. When he returned to Crete it was to his villa on the beach near Chania, not to the island that had been his home growing up.

For reasons he tried not to think about, he’d avoided the place for the past few years and the closer he got to their destination, the blacker his mood.

Lily, by contrast, was visibly excited. She’d been waiting on the street when he’d arrived, her bag by her feet and she’d proceeded to question him non-stop. ‘So will this be like My Big Fat Greek Wedding? I loved that movie. Will there be dancing? Brittany and I have been learning the kalamatianós at the taverna near our apartment so I should be able to join in as long as no one minds losing their toes.’ She hummed a Greek tune to herself and he sent her an exasperated look.

‘Are you ever not cheerful?’

The humming stopped and she glanced at him. ‘You want me to be miserable? Did I misunderstand the brief, because I thought I was supposed to be the sunshine to your thundercloud. I didn’t realise I had to be a thundercloud, too.’

Despite his mood, he found himself smiling. ‘Are you capable of being a thundercloud?’

‘I’m human. I have my low moments, same as anyone.’

‘Tell me your last low moment.’

‘No, because then I might cry and you’d dump me by the side of the road and leave me to be pecked to death by buzzards.’ She gave him a cheery smile. ‘This is the point where you reassure me that you wouldn’t leave me by the side of the road, and that there are no buzzards in Crete.’

‘There are buzzards. Crete has a varied habitat. We have vultures, Golden Eagle, kestrel—’ he slowed down as he approached a narrow section of the road ‘—but I have no intention of leaving you by the side of the road.’

‘I’d like to think that decision is driven by your inherent good nature and kindness towards your fellow man, but I’m pretty sure it’s because you don’t want to have to go to this wedding alone.’

‘You’re right. My actions are almost always driven by self-interest.’

‘I don’t understand you at all. I love weddings.’

‘Even when you don’t know the people involved?’

‘I support the principle. I think it’s lovely that your father is getting married again.’

Nik struggled to subdue a rush of emotion. ‘It is not lovely that he is getting married again. It’s ill advised.’

‘That’s your opinion. But it isn’t what you think that matters, is it? It’s what he thinks.’ She spoke with gentle emphasis. ‘And he thinks it’s a good idea. For the record, I think it says a lot about a person that he is prepared to get married again.’

‘It does.’ As they hit a straight section of road, he pushed the car to its limits and the engine gave a throaty roar. ‘It says he’s a man with an inability to learn from his mistakes.’

‘I don’t see it that way.’ Her hair whipped around her face and she anchored it with her hand and lifted her face to the sun. ‘I think it shows optimism and I love that.’

Hearing the breathy, happy note in her voice he shook his head. ‘Lily, how have you survived in this world without being eaten alive by unscrupulous people determined to take advantage of you?’

‘I’ve been hurt on many occasions.’

‘That doesn’t surprise me.’

‘It’s part of life. I’m not going to let it shatter my belief in human nature. I’m an optimist. And what would it mean to give up? That would be like saying that love isn’t out there, that it doesn’t exist, and how depressing would that be?’

Nik, who lived his life firmly of the conviction that love didn’t exist, didn’t find it remotely depressing. To him, it was simply fact. ‘Clearly you are the perfect wedding guest. You could set up a business, weddingguests.com. Optimists-R-us. You could be the guaranteed smile at every wedding.’

‘Your cynicism is deeply depressing.’

‘Your optimism is deeply concerning.’

‘I prefer to think of it as inspiring. I don’t want to be one of those people who think that a challenging past has to mean a challenging future.’

‘You had a challenging past?’ He remembered that she’d mentioned being brought up in foster care and hoped she wasn’t about to give him the whole story.

She didn’t. Instead she shrugged and kept her eyes straight ahead. ‘It was a bit like a bad version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. I was never “just right” for anyone, but that was my bad luck. I didn’t meet the right family. Doesn’t mean I don’t believe there are loads of great families out there.’

‘Doesn’t what happened to you cause you to question the validity of any of these emotions you feel? The fact that the last guy lied to you and his wife doesn’t put you off relationships?’

‘It was one guy. I know enough about statistics to know you can’t draw a reliable conclusion from a sample of one.’ She frowned. ‘If I’m honest, I’m working from a bigger sample than that because he’s the third relationship I’ve had, but I still don’t think you can make a judgement on the opposite sex based on the behaviour of a few.’

Nik, who had done exactly that, stayed silent and of course she noticed because she was nothing if not observant.

‘Put it this way—if I’m bitten by a shark am I going to avoid swimming in the sea? I could, but then I’d be depriving myself of one of my favourite activities so instead I choose to carry on swimming and be a little more alert. Life isn’t always about taking the safe option. Risk has to be balanced against the joy of living. I call it being receptive.’

‘I call it being ridiculously naïve.’

She looked affronted. ‘You’re cross and irritable because you’re not looking forward to this, but there is no reason to take it out on me. I’m here as a volunteer, remember?’

‘You’re right. I apologise.’

‘Accepted. But for your father’s sake you need to work on your body language. If you think you’re a thundercloud you’re deluding yourself because right now you’re more of a tropical cyclone. You have to stop being judgemental and embrace what’s happening.’

Nik took the sharp right-hand turn that led down to the beach and the private ferry. ‘I am finding it hard to embrace something I know to be a mistake. It’s like watching someone driving their car full speed towards a brick wall and not trying to do something to stop it.’

‘You don’t know it’s a mistake,’ she said calmly. ‘And even if it is, he’s an adult and should be allowed to make his own decisions. Now smile.’

He pulled in, killed the engine and turned to look at her.

Those unusual violet eyes reminded him of the spring flowers that grew high in the mountains. ‘I will not be so hypocritical as to pretend I am pleased, but I promise not to spoil the moment.’

‘If you don’t smile then you will spoil the moment! Poor Diandra might take one look at your face and decide she doesn’t want to marry into your family and then your father would be heartbroken. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but be hypocritical if that’s what it takes to make you smile.’

‘Poor Diandra will not be poor for long so I think it unlikely she’ll let anything stand in the way of her wedding, even my intimidating presence.’

Her eyes widened. ‘Is that what this is about? You think she’s after his money?’

‘I have no idea but I’d be a fool not to consider it.’ Nik saw no reason to be anything but honest. ‘He is mega wealthy. She was his cook.’

‘What does her occupation have to do with it? Love is about people, not professions. And I find it very offensive that you’d even think that. You can’t judge a person based on their income. I know plenty of wealthy people who are slimeballs. In fact if we’re going with stereotypes here, I’d say that generally speaking in order to amass great wealth you have to be prepared to be pretty ruthless. There are plenty of wealthy people who aren’t that nice.’

Nik, who had never aspired to be ‘nice’, was careful not to let his expression change. ‘Are you calling me a slimeball?’

‘I’m simply pointing out that income isn’t an indicator of a person’s worth.’

‘You mean because you don’t know the level of expenditure?’

‘No! Why is everything about money with you? I’m talking about emotional worth. Your father told me about Diandra. He was ill with flu last winter after Callie left. He was so ill at one point he couldn’t drag himself from the bed. I sympathised because it happened to me once and I hope I never get flu again. Anyway, Diandra cared for him the whole time. She was the one who called the doctor. She made all his meals. That was kind, don’t you think?’

‘Or opportunistic.’

‘If you carry on thinking like that you are going to die lonely. He met her when she cooked him her special moussaka to try and tempt him to eat. I love that he doesn’t care what she does.’

‘He should care. She stands to gain an enormous amount financially from this wedding.’

‘That’s horrible.’

‘It is truly horrible. Finally we find something we agree on.’

‘I wasn’t agreeing with you! It’s your attitude that’s horrible, not this wedding. You’re not only a judgemental cynic, you’re also a raging snob.’

Nik breathed deeply. ‘I am not a raging snob, but I am realistic.’

‘No, what you are is damaged. Not everything has a price, Nik, and there are things in life that are far more important than money. Your father is trying to make a family and I think that’s admirable.’ She fumbled with the seat belt. ‘Get me out of this car before I’m contaminated by you. Your thundercloud is about to rain all over my sunny patch of life.’

Your father is trying to make a family.

Nik thought about everything that had gone before.

He’d buried the pain and hurt deep and it was something he had never talked about with anyone, especially not his father, who had his own pain to deal with. What would happen when this relationship collapsed?

‘If my father entered relationships with some degree of caution and objective contemplation then I would be less concerned, but he makes the same mistake you make. He confuses physical intimacy with love.’ He saw the colour streak across her cheeks.

‘I’m not confused. Have I spun fairy tales about the night we spent together? Have I fallen in love with you? No. I know exactly what it was and what we did. You’re in a little compartment in my brain labelled “Once in a Lifetime Experiences” along with skydiving and a helicopter flight over the New York skyline. It was amazing by the way.’

‘The helicopter flight was amazing?’

‘No, I haven’t done that yet. I was talking about the night with you, although there were moments that felt as nerve-racking as skydiving.’ Her mouth tilted into a self-conscious smile. ‘Of course it’s also a little embarrassing looking at you in daylight after all those things we did in the dark, but I’m trying not to think about it. Now stop being annoying. In fact, stop talking for a while. That way I’m less likely to kill you before we arrive.’

Nik refrained from pointing out she’d been the only one in the dark. He’d had perfect vision and he’d used it to his own shameless advantage. There wasn’t a single corner of her body he hadn’t explored and the memory of every delicious curve was welded in his brain.

He tried to work out what it was about her that was so appealing. Innocence wasn’t a quality he generally admired in a person so he had to assume the power of the attraction stemmed from the sheer novelty of being with someone who had managed to retain such an untarnished view of the world.

‘Are you embarrassed about the night we spent together?’

‘I would be if I thought about it, so I’m not thinking about it. I’m living in the moment.’ Having offered that simple solution to the problem, she reached into the back of the car for her hat. ‘You could take the same approach to the wedding. You’re not here to fix it or protect anyone. You’re here as a guest and your only responsibility is to smile and look happy. Is this it? Are we here? Because I don’t see an island. Maybe your father might have changed the venue when he saw the black cloud of your presence approaching over the horizon.’

Nik dragged his gaze from her mouth to the jetty. ‘This is it. From here, we go by boat.’

Lily stood in the prow of the boat feeling the cool brush of the wind on her face and tasting the salty air. The boat skimmed and bounced over the sparkling ocean towards the large island in the distance, sending a light spray over her face and tangling her hair.

Nik stood behind the wheel, legs braced, eyes hidden behind a pair of dark glasses. Despite the unsmiling set of his mouth, he looked more approachable and less the hard-headed businessman.

‘This is so much fun. I think I might love it more than your Ferrari.’

He gave a smile that turned him from insanely good-looking to devastating, and she felt the intensity of the attraction like a physical punch.

It was true he didn’t seem to display any of the family values that were so important to her, but that didn’t do anything to diminish the sexual attraction.

As far as she could tell, he couldn’t be more perfect for a short-term relationship.

For the whole trip in the car she’d been aware of him. As he’d shifted gear his hand had brushed against her bare thigh and she’d discovered that being with him was an exciting, exhilarating experience that was like nothing she’d experienced before.

There had been a brief moment when they’d pulled into the car park that she’d thought he might be about to kiss her. He’d looked at her mouth the way a panther looked at its prey before it devoured it, but just when she’d been about to close her eyes and take a fast ride to bliss, he’d sprung from the car, leaving her to wonder if she’d imagined it.

She’d followed him to the jetty, watching in fascination as the group of people gathered there sprang to attention. If she needed any more evidence of the power he wielded, she had only to observe the way people responded to him. He behaved with an authority that was instinctive, his air of command unmistakable even in this apparently casual setting.

It was a good job he didn’t possess any of the qualities she was looking for, she thought, otherwise she’d be in trouble.

Her gaze lingered on his bronzed throat, visible at the open neck of his shirt. He handled the boat with the same confident assurance he displayed in everything and she was sure that no electrical device had ever dared to misbehave under his expert touch.

Trying not to think about just how expert his touch had been, she anchored her hair and shouted above the wind. ‘The beaches are beautiful. People aren’t allowed to bathe here?’

‘You can bathe here. You’re my guest.’ As they approached the island, he slowed the speed of the boat and skilfully steered against the dock.

Two men instantly jumped forward to help and Nik sprang from the boat and held out his hand to her.

‘I need to get my bag.’

‘They will bring our luggage up to the villa later.’

‘I have a gift for your father and it’s only one bag,’ she muttered. ‘I can carry a single bag.’

‘You bought a gift?’

‘Of course. It’s a wedding. I couldn’t come without a small gift.’ She stepped out of the bobbing boat and allowed herself to hold his hand for a few seconds longer than was necessary for balance. She felt warmth and strength flow through her fingers and had to battle the temptation to press herself against him. ‘So how many bedrooms does your father have? Are you sure there is room for me to stay?’

The question seemed to amuse him. ‘There will be room, theé mou, don’t worry. As well as the main villa, there are several other properties scattered around the island. We will be staying in one of those.’

As they walked up a sandy path she breathed in the wonderful scents of sea juniper and wild thyme. ‘One of the things I love most about Crete is the thyme honey. Brittany and I eat it for breakfast.’

‘My father keeps bees so he will be very happy to hear you say that.’

The path forked at the top and he turned right and took the path that led down to another beach. There, nestling in the small horseshoe bay of golden sand with the water almost lapping at the whitewashed walls, was a beautiful contemporary villa.

Lily stopped. ‘That’s your father’s house?’ The position was idyllic, the villa stunning, but it looked more like a honeymoon hideaway than somewhere to accommodate a large number of high-profile international guests.

‘No. This is Camomile Villa. The main house is fifteen minutes’ walk in the other direction, towards the small Venetian fort. I thought we’d unpack and breathe for an hour or so before we face the guests.’

Witnessing his tension, she felt a rush of compassion. ‘Nik—’ She put her hand on his cheek and turned his face to hers. ‘This is a wedding, not the sacking of Troy. You do not need to find your strength or breathe. Your role is to smile and enjoy yourself.’

His gaze locked on hers and she wished she hadn’t touched him. His blue-shadowed jaw was rough beneath her fingers and suddenly she was remembering that night in minute detail.

Seriously unsettled, she started to pull her hand away but he caught her wrist in his fingers and held it there.

‘You are a very unusual woman.’ His voice was husky and she gave a faint smile, ignoring the wild flutter of nerves low in her stomach.

‘I am not even going to ask what you mean by that. I’m simply going to take it as a compliment.’

‘Of course you are.’ There was a strange gleam in his eyes. ‘You see positive in everything, don’t you?’

‘Not always.’ She could have told him that she saw very little positive in being alone in the world, having no family, but given his obvious state of tension she decided to keep that confidence to herself. ‘So how do you know we’re staying in Camomile Villa? Cute name, by the way. Maybe your father has given it to one of the other guests. Shouldn’t you go and check?’

‘Camomile belongs to me.’

Lily digested that. ‘So actually you own five properties, not four.’

‘I don’t count this place.’

‘Really? Because if I owned this I’d be spending every spare minute here.’ She walked up the path, past silvery green olive trees, nets lying on the ground ready for harvesting later in the year. A small lizard lay basking in the hot sun and she smiled as it sensed company and darted for safety into the dry, dusty earth.

The path leading down to the villa cut through a garden of tumbling colour. Bougainvillaea in bright pinks and purples blended and merged against the dazzling white of the walls and the perfect blue of the sky.

Nik opened the door and Lily followed him inside.

White beamed ceilings and natural stone floors gave the interior a cool, uncluttered feel and the elegant white interior was lifted by splashes of Mediterranean blue.

‘If you don’t want this place, I might live here.’ Lily looked at the shaded terrace with its beautiful infinity pool. ‘Why does anyone need a pool when the sea is five steps from the front door?’

‘Some people don’t like swimming in the sea.’

‘I’m not one of those people. I adore the sea. Nik, this place is—’ she felt a lump in her throat ‘—it’s really special.’

He opened the doors to the terrace and gave her a wary look. ‘Are you going to cry?’

‘It’s perfect.’ She blinked. ‘And I’m fine. Happy. And excited. I love Crete, but I never get the chance to enjoy it like a tourist. I’m always working.’ And never in her life had she experienced this level of luxury.

She and Brittany were always moaning about the mosquitoes and lack of air conditioning in their tiny apartment. At night they slept with the windows open to make the most of the breeze from the sea, but in the summer months it was almost unbearable indoors.

‘You are the most unusual woman I’ve ever met. You enjoy small things.’

‘This is not a small thing. And you’re the unusual one.’ She picked up her bag. ‘You take this life for granted.’

‘That is not true. I know how fortunate I am.’

‘I don’t think you do, but I’m going to be pointing it out to you every minute for the next few days so hopefully by the time we leave you will.’ She glanced around her and then looked at him expectantly. ‘My bedroom?’

For a wild, unnerving moment she hoped he was going to tell her there was just one bedroom, but he gestured to a door that led from the large spacious living area.

‘The guest suite is through there. Make yourself comfortable.’

Guest suite.

So he didn’t intend them to share a room. For Nik, it really had been one night.

Telling herself it was probably for the best, she followed his directions and walked through an open door into a bright, airy bedroom. The bed was draped in layers of cream and white, deep piles of cushions and pillows inviting the occupant to lounge and relax. The walls were hung with bold, contemporary art, slashes of deep blue on large canvases that added a stylish touch to the room. In one corner stood a tall, elegant vase in graduated blues, the colour shifting under the dazzling sunlight.

Lily recognised it instantly. ‘That’s one of Skylar’s pots.’

He looked at her curiously. ‘You know the artist?’

‘Skylar Tempest. She and Brittany were roommates at college. They’re best friends, as close as sisters. I would know her work anywhere. Her style, her use of colour and composition is unique, but I know that pot specifically because I talked to her about it. Brittany introduced us because Skylar wanted to talk to me about ceramics. She’s incorporated a few Minoan designs into some of her work, modernised, of course.’ She knelt down and slid her hand over the smooth surface of the glass. ‘This is from her Mediterranean Sky collection. She had a small exhibition in New York, not only glass and pots but jewellery and a couple of paintings. She’s insanely talented.’

‘You were at that exhibition?’

‘Sadly no. I don’t move in those circles. Nor do I pretend to claim any credit for any of her incredible creations, but I did talk to her about shapes and style. Of course the Minoans used terracotta clay. It was Sky’s idea to reproduce the shape in glass. Look at this—’ She trailed her finger lightly over the surface. ‘The Minoans usually decorated their pots with dark on light motifs, often of sea creatures, and she’s taken her inspiration from that. It’s genius. I can’t believe you own it. Where did you find it?’

‘I was at the exhibition.’

‘In New York? How did you even know about her?’

‘I saw her work in a small artisan jewellers in Greenwich Village and I bought one of her necklaces for—’ He broke off and Lily looked at him expectantly.

‘For? For one of your women? We’re not in a relationship, Nik. You don’t have to censor your conversation. And even if we were in a relationship you still wouldn’t need to censor it.’

‘In my experience, most women do not appreciate hearing about their predecessors.’

‘Yes, well the more I hear about the women you’ve known in your life, the more I’m not surprised. Now tell me about how you discovered Skylar.’

‘I asked to see more of her work and was told she was having an exhibition. I managed to get myself invited.’

Lily rocked back on her heels. ‘She never mentioned that she met you.’

‘We never met. I didn’t introduce myself. I went on the first night and she was surrounded by well-wishers, so I simply bought a few pieces and left. That was two years ago.’

‘So she doesn’t know she sold pieces to Nik Zervakis?’

‘A member of my team handled the actual transaction.’

Lily scrambled to her feet. ‘Because you don’t touch real money? She would be so excited if she knew her work was here in your villa. Can I tell her?’

He looked amused. ‘If you think it would interest her, then yes.’

‘Interest her? Of course it would interest her.’ Lily pulled her phone out of her bag and took a photo. ‘I must admit that pot looks perfect there. It needs a large room with lots of light. Did you know she has another exhibition coming up?’ She slipped her phone back into her bag. ‘December in London. An upmarket gallery in Knightsbridge is showing her work. She’s really excited. Her new collection is called Ocean Blue. It’s still sea themed. Brittany showed me some photos.’

‘Will you be going?’

‘To an exhibition in Knightsbridge? Sure. I thought I’d fly in on my private jet, spend a night in the Royal Suite at The Savoy and then get my driver to take me to the exhibition.’ She laughed and then saw something flicker in his eyes. ‘Er—that’s exactly what you’re going to be doing, isn’t it?’

‘My plans aren’t confirmed.’

‘But you do have a private jet.’

‘ZervaCo owns a Gulfstream and a couple of Lear jets.’ He said it as if it was normal and she shook her head, trying not to be intimidated.

For her, wealth was people and family, not money, but still—

‘Seriously, Nik. What am I doing here? To you a Gulfstream is a mode of transport, to me it’s a warm Atlantic current. I used to own a rusty mountain bike until the wheel fell off. I’m the one who works in a dusty museum, digs in the dirt in the summer and cleans other people’s houses to give myself enough money to live. And living doesn’t include jetting across Europe to a friend’s exhibition. I have no idea where I’ll even be in December. I’m job hunting.’

‘Wherever you are, I’ll fly you there. And for your information, I wouldn’t be staying in the Royal Suite.’

‘Because you already own an apartment that most royals would kill for.’ His lack of response told her she was right and she rolled her eyes. ‘Nik, we had an illuminating conversation earlier during which you confessed that you think your new stepmother is only interested in your father’s money. Money is obviously a very big deal to you, so I’m hardly likely to take you up on your offer of a ride in your private jet, am I?’

‘That is different. I’m grateful that you agreed to come here with me,’ he said softly, ‘and taking you to Skylar’s exhibition would be my way of saying thank you.’

‘I don’t need a thank you. And to be honest I’m here because of the conversation I had with your father. My decision didn’t have anything to do with you. We had one night, that’s all. I mean, the sex was great, but I had no trouble walking out of your door that morning. There were no feelings involved.’ She shook her head to add emphasis. ‘Kevlar, that’s me.’

He gave her a long, steady look. ‘I have never met anyone who less resembles that substance.’

‘Up until a week ago I would have agreed with you, but now I’m a changed person. Seriously, I’m enjoying being with you. You’re smoking hot and surprisingly entertaining despite your warped view of relationships, but I am no more in love with you than I am with your supersonic shower. And you don’t owe me anything for bringing me here—in fact I owe you.’ She glanced across the room to the terrace outside. ‘This is the nearest I’ve come to a vacation in a long time. It’s not exactly a hardship being here. I am going to lie in the sun like that lizard out there.’

‘You haven’t met my family yet.’ He paused, his gaze fixed on hers. ‘Think about it. If you change your mind about coming to Skylar’s London exhibition, let me know. The invitation stands. I won’t withdraw it.’

It was a different world.

What would it be like, she wondered, not to have to think about your budget? Not to have to make choices between forfeiting one thing to buy another?

This close she could see the flecks of gold in those dark eyes, the blue-black shadow of his jaw and the almost unbelievably perfect lines of his bone structure. If a scale had been invented to measure sex appeal, she was pretty sure he would have shattered it. She couldn’t look at his mouth without remembering all the ways he’d used it on her body and remembering made her want it again. She wanted to reach out and slide her fingers into that silky dark hair and press her mouth to his. And this time she wanted to do it without the blindfold.

Aware that her mind was straying into forbidden territory she took a step back, reminding herself that money came a poor second to family and this man seemed to be virtually estranged from his father.

‘I won’t change my mind.’

Dragging her gaze from his, she dropped her bag on the floor and unzipped it. ‘I need to hang up my dresses or they’ll be creased. I don’t want to make a bad impression.’

‘There are staff over in the main villa who will help you unpack. I can call them.’

‘Are you kidding?’ Amused by yet more evidence of the differences between their respective lifestyles, she pulled out her clothes. ‘This will take me five minutes at most. And I’d be embarrassed to ask anyone else to hang up a tee shirt that cost the same amount as a cup of coffee. So what happens next?’

‘We are joining my father and Diandra for lunch.’

‘Sounds good to me.’

The expression on his face told her he didn’t share her sentiments. ‘I need to make some calls. Make yourself at home. The fridge is stocked, there are books in the living room. Feel free to use the pool. If there is anything you need, let me know. I’ll be using the office on the other side of the living room.’

What else could she possibly need?

Lily glanced round the villa, which was by far the most luxurious and exclusive place she’d ever stayed.

She had a feeling the only thing she was going to need was a reality check.

He hadn’t been back here since that summer five years before. It had been an attempt to put the past behind him, but ironically it had succeeded only in making things worse.

The memory of his last visit sat in his head like a muddy stain.

Nik strolled out onto the terrace, hoping the view would relieve his tension, but being here took him right back to his childhood and that was a place he made a point of avoiding.

With a soft curse, he walked back into the room he’d had converted into an office and switched on his laptop.

For the next hour he took an endless stream of calls and then finally, when he couldn’t postpone the moment any longer, he took a quick shower and changed for lunch.

Another day, another wedding.

Mouth grim, he pocketed his phone and strolled through the villa to find Lily.

She was sitting in the shade on the terrace, a glass of iced lemonade by her hand and a book in her lap, staring out across the bright turquoise blue of the bay.

She hadn’t noticed him and he stood for a moment, watching her. The tension left him to be replaced by tension of a different source. That one night he’d spent with her hadn’t been anywhere near long enough.

He wanted to rip off that pretty blue sundress and take her straight back to bed but he knew that, no matter what she said, she wasn’t the sort of woman to be able to keep her emotions out of the bedroom so he gave her a cool smile as he strolled onto the terrace.

‘Are you ready?’

‘Yes.’ She slid her feet into a pair of silver ballet flats and put her book on the table. ‘Is there anything I should know? Who will be there?’

‘My father and Diandra. They wanted this lunch to be family only.’

‘In other words your father doesn’t want your first meeting for a long while to be in public.’ She reached for her glass and finished her drink. ‘Don’t worry about me while we’re here. I’m sure I can find a few friendly faces to talk to while you’re mingling.’

He looked down at the curve of her cheeks and the dimple in the corner of her mouth and decided she was the one with the friendly face. If he had to pick a single word to describe her, it would be approachable. She was warm, friendly and he was sure there would be no shortage of guests eager to talk to her. The thought should have reduced his stress because it gave him one less responsibility, but it didn’t.

Despite her claims to being made of Kevlar, he wasn’t convinced she’d managed to manufacture even a thin layer of protection for herself.

He offered to drive her to avoid the heat but she chose to walk and on the way up to the main house she grilled him about his background. Did his father still work? What exactly was his business? Did he have any other family apart from Nik?

His suspicion that she was more comfortable with this gathering than him was confirmed as soon as he walked onto the terrace.

He saw the table by the pool laid for four and felt Lily sneak her hand into his.

‘He wants you to get to know Diandra. He’s trying to build bridges,’ she said softly, her fingers squeezing his. ‘Don’t glare.’

Before he could respond, his father walked out onto the terrace.

‘Niklaus—’ His voice shook and Nik saw the shimmer of tears in his father’s eyes.

Lily extracted her hand from his. ‘Hug him.’ She made it sound simple and Nik wondered whether bringing someone as idealistic as Lily to a reunion as complicated as this one had been entirely sensible, but she and his father obviously thought alike because he walked towards them, arms outstretched.

‘It’s been too long since you were home. Far too long, but the past is behind us. All is forgiven. I have such news to tell you, Niklaus.’

Forgiven?

His feet nailed to the floor by the past and the weight of the secrets his father didn’t know, Nik didn’t move and then he felt Lily’s small hand in his back pushing, harder this time, and he then stepped forward and was embraced by his father so tightly it knocked the air from his lungs.

He felt a heaviness in his chest that had nothing to do with the intensity of his father’s grip. Emotions rushed towards him and he was beginning to wish he’d never agreed to this reunion when Lily stepped forward, breaking the tension of the moment with her warmest, brightest smile and an extended hand that gave his father no choice but to release Nik.

‘I’m Lily Rose. We spoke on the phone. You have a very beautiful home, Mr Zervakis. It’s kind of you to invite me to share your special day.’ Blushing charmingly, she then attempted to speak a few words of Greek, a gesture that both distracted his father and guaranteed a lifetime of devotion.

Nik watched as his dazzled father melted like butter left in the hot sun.

He kissed her hand and switched to heavily accented English. ‘You are welcome in my home, Lily. I’m so happy you are able to join us for what is turning out to be the most special week of my life. This is Diandra.’

For the first time Nik noticed the woman hovering in the background.

He’d assumed she was one of his father’s staff, but now she stepped forward and quietly introduced herself.

Nik noticed that she didn’t quite meet his eye, instead she focused all her attention on Lily as if she were the lifebelt floating on the surface of a deep pool of water.

Diandra clearly had sophisticated radar for detecting sympathy in people, Nik thought, wondering what ‘news’ his father had for them.

Experience led him to assume it was unlikely to be good.

‘I’ve brought you a small gift. I made it myself.’ Lily delved into her bag and handed over a prettily wrapped parcel.

It was a ceramic plate, similar to the one he’d admired in her apartment, decorated with the same pattern of swirling blues and greens.

Nik could see she had real talent and so, apparently, did his father.

‘You made this? But this isn’t your business?’

‘No. I’m an archaeologist. But I did my dissertation on Minoan ceramics so it’s an interest of mine.’

‘You must tell me all about it. And all about yourself. Lily Rose is a beautiful name.’ His father led her towards the table that had been laid next to the pool. Silver gleamed in the sunlight and bowls of olives gleamed glossy dark in beautiful blue bowls. Kostas put Lily’s plate in the centre of the table. ‘Your mother liked flowers?’

‘I don’t know. I didn’t know my mother.’ She shot Nik an apologetic look. ‘That’s too much information for a first meeting. Let’s talk about something else.’

But Kostas Zervakis wasn’t so easily deflected. ‘You didn’t know your mother? She passed away when you were young, koukla mou?’

Appalled by that demonstration of insensitivity, Nik shot him an exasperated look and was about to steer the conversation away from such a deeply personal topic when Lily answered.

‘I don’t know what happened to her. She left me in a basket in Kew Gardens in London when I was a few hours old.’

Whatever he’d expected to hear, it hadn’t been that and Nik, who made a point of never asking about a woman’s past, found himself wanting to know more. ‘A basket?’ Her eyes lifted to his and for a moment the presence of other people was forgotten.

‘Yes. I was found by one of the staff and taken to hospital. They called me Lily Rose because I was found among the flowers. They never traced my mother. They assumed she was a teenager who panicked.’ She spoke in a matter-of-fact tone but Nik knew she wasn’t matter-of-fact about the way she felt.

This was why she had shown so much wistful interest in the detail of his family. At the time he hadn’t been able to understand why it would make an interesting topic of conversation, but now he understood that, to her, it was not a frustration or a complication. It was an aspiration.

This was why she dreamed of happy endings, both for herself and other people.

He felt something stir inside him, an emotion that was entirely new to him.

He’d believed himself immune to even the most elaborately constructed sob story, but Lily’s revelation had somehow managed to slide under those steely layers of protection he’d constructed for himself. For some reason, her simply stated story touched him deeply.

Unsettled, he dragged his eyes from her soft mouth and promised himself that no matter how much he wanted her, he wasn’t going to touch her again. It wouldn’t be fair, when their expectations of life were so different. He had no concerns about his own ability to keep a relationship superficial. He did, however, have deep concerns about her ability to do the same and he didn’t want to hurt her.

His father, predictably, was visibly moved by the revelation about her childhood.

‘No family?’ His voice was roughened by emotion. ‘So who raised you, koukla mou?’

‘I was brought up in a series of foster homes.’ She poked absently at her food. ‘And now I think we should talk about something else because this is definitely too much detail for a first meeting, especially when we’re here to celebrate a wedding.’ Superficially she was as cheerful as ever but Nik knew she was upset.

He was about to make another attempt to change the topic when his father reached out and took Lily’s hand.

‘One day you will have a family of your own. A big family.’

Nik ground his teeth. ‘I don’t think Lily wants to talk about that right now.’

‘I don’t mind.’ Lily sent him a quick smile and then turned back to his father. ‘I hope so. I think family makes you feel anchored and I’ve never had that.’

‘Anchors keep a boat secured in one place,’ Nik said softly, ‘which can be limiting.’

Her gaze met his and he knew she was deciding if his observation was random or a warning.

He wasn’t sure himself. All he knew was that he didn’t want her thinking this was anything other then temporary. He could see she’d had a tough life. He didn’t want to be the one to shatter that optimism and remove the smile from her face.

His father gave a disapproving frown. ‘Ignore him. When it comes to relationships my son behaves like a child in a sweetshop. He gorges his appetites without learning the benefits of selectivity. He enjoys success in everything he touches except, sadly, his private life.’

‘I’m very selective.’ Nik reached for his wine. ‘And given that my private life is exactly the way I want it to be, I consider it an unqualified success.’

He banked down the frustration, wondering how his father, thrice divorced, could consider himself an example to follow.

His father looked at him steadily. ‘All the money in the world will not bring a man the same feeling of contentment as a wife and children, don’t you agree, Lily?’

‘As someone with massive college loans, I wouldn’t dismiss the importance of money,’ Lily said honestly, ‘but I agree that family is the most important thing.’

Feeling as if he’d woken up on the set of a Hollywood rom-com in which he’d been cast in the role of ‘bad guy’, Nik refrained from asking his father which of his wives had ever given him anything other than stomach ulcers and astronomical bills. Surely even he couldn’t reframe his romantic past as anything other than a disaster.

‘One day you will have a family, Lily.’ Kostas Zervakis surveyed her with misty eyes and Nik observed this emotional interchange with something between disbelief and despair.

His father had known Lily for less than five minutes and already he was ready to leave her everything in his will. It was no wonder he’d made himself a target for every woman with a sob story.

Callie had spotted that vulnerability and dug her claws deep. No doubt Diandra was working on the same soft spot.

A dark, deeply buried memory stirred in the depths of his brain. His father, sitting alone in the bedroom among the wreckage of his wife’s hasty packing, the image of wretched despair as she drove away without looking back.

Never, before or since, had Nik felt as powerless as he had that day. Even though he’d been a young child, he’d known he was witnessing pain beyond words.

The second time it had happened, he’d been a teenager and he remembered wondering why his father would have risked putting himself through such emotional agony a second time.

And then there had been Callie…

He’d known from the first moment that the relationship was doomed and had blamed himself later for not trying to save his father from that particular mistake.

And now here he was again, trapped in the unenviable position of having to make a choice between watching his father walk into another relationship disaster, or potentially damaging their relationship by trying to intervene.

Lily was right that his father was a grown man, able to make his own decisions. So why did he still have this urge to push his father out of the path of the oncoming train?

Emotions boiling inside him, he glanced across the table to his future stepmother, wondering if it was a coincidence that she’d picked the chair as far from his as possible.

She was either shy or she was harbouring a guilty conscience.

He’d promised he wouldn’t interfere, but he was fast rethinking that decision.

He sat in silence, observing rather than participating, while staff discreetly served food and topped up glasses.

His father engaged Lily in conversation, encouraging her to talk about her life and her love of archaeology and Greece.

Forced to sit through a detailed chronology of Lily’s life history, Nik learned that she’d had three boyfriends, worked numerous low-paid jobs to pay for college tuition, was allergic to cats, suffered from severe eczema as a child and had never lived in the same place for more than twelve months.

The more he discovered about her life, the more he realised how hard it had been. She’d made a joke about Cinderella, but Lily made Cinderella look like a slacker.

Learning far more than he’d ever wanted to know, he turned to his father. ‘What is the “news” you have for me?’

‘You will find out soon enough. First, I am enjoying having the company of my son. It’s been too long. I have resorted to the Internet to find news of what is happening with you. You have been spending a great deal of time in San Francisco.’

Happy to talk about anything that shifted the focus from Lily, Nik relaxed slightly and talked broadly about some of the technology developments his company was spearheading and touched lightly on the deal he was about to close, but the diversion proved to be brief.

Kostas spooned olives onto Lily’s plate. ‘You must persuade Nik to take you to the far side of the island to see the Minoan remains. You will need to go early in the day, before it is too hot. At this time of year everything is very dry. If you love flowers, then you will love Crete in the spring. In April and May the island is covered in poppies, daisies, camomile, iris.’ He beamed at her. ‘You must come back here then and visit.’

‘I’d like that.’ Lily tucked into her food. ‘These olives are delicious.’

‘They come from our own olive groves and the lemonade in your fridge came from lemons grown on our own trees. Diandra made it. She is a genius in the kitchen. You wait until you taste her lamb.’ Kostas leaned across and took Diandra’s hand. ‘I took one mouthful and fell in love.’

Losing his appetite, Nik gave her a direct look. ‘Tell me about yourself, Diandra. Where were you brought up?’ He caught Lily’s urgent glance and ignored it, instead listening to Diandra’s stammered response.

From that he learned that she was one of six children and had never been married.

‘She never met the right person, and that is lucky for me,’ his father said indulgently.

Nik opened his mouth to speak, but Lily got there first.

‘You’re so lucky having been born in Greece,’ she said quickly. ‘I’ve travelled extensively in the islands but living here must be wonderful. I’ve spent three summers on Crete and one on Corfu. Where else do you think I should visit?’

Giving her a grateful look, Diandra made several suggestions, but Nik refused to be deflected from his path.

‘Who did you work for before my father?’

‘Ignore him,’ Lily said lightly. ‘He makes every conversation feel like a job interview. The first time I met him I wanted to hand over my résumé. This lamb is delicious by the way. You’re so clever. It’s even better than the lamb Nik and I ate last week and that was a top restaurant.’ She went on to describe what they’d eaten in minute detail and Diandra offered a few observations of her own about the best way to cook lamb.

Deprived of the opportunity to question his future stepmother further, Nik was wondering once again what ‘news’ his father was preparing to announce, when he heard the sound of a child crying inside the house.

Diandra shot to her feet and exchanged a brief look with his father before scurrying from the table.

Nik narrowed his eyes. ‘Who,’ he said slowly, ‘is that?’

‘That’s the news I was telling you about.’ His father turned his head and watched as Diandra returned to the table carrying a toddler whose tangled blonde curls and sleepy expression announced that she’d recently awoken from a nap. ‘Callie has given me full custody of Chloe as a wedding present. Niklaus, meet your half-sister.’

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