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“Because Mr Dupris, I need money”
The words stated in a voice stronger than she felt. Instantly she had seen the look of complete contempt fill his features.
“So you expect, now that the company your father managed to nearly drive into the ground is back to its full power, to make yourself some money?”
He had studied her silently for a few seconds, his eyes scathing as they moved over her
“Well I guess I know why you waited. There would have been very little to inherit before I turned this company around” his mouth sneering unpleasantly.
“But you have made a grave mistake Miss Lane thinking that you can move in and demand a share of this company”
“No”
She had cried out, her tone full of frustration, as she had fervently shaken her head.
“I am not after your company Mr Dupris” her words stopping him in his tracks.
“You just said……” he had began, as Mina had jumped to her feet, needing to feel herself move as her fingers had tugged on the purse in her hand, moving to and fro before his desk.
“I said I need money” she had repeated adding miserably
“I need a lot of money” before looking briefly at the handsome man now sitting so still watching her, his expression one of confusion.
“And I promise, that after you will never hear from me again and I will sign anything you want to that effect” finally stopping to face Nikos, unaware of how her green eyes shone so brightly with the desperation in them.
For several seconds there was a heavy silence before he had once more sat back looking at her thoughtfully.
“Why?” he asked softly as Mina had looked down again at her fingers.
“It is personal” she had muttered weakly, once more the frail image filling her mind, her expressive eyes showing the pain she was experiencing.
For the first time since she had entered the room something seemed to drop from Nikos Dupris as he had stood slowly from behind the imposing desk, moving around it to stand before her. Inexplicably she had found her pulse racing, suddenly so aware of the tall, gorgeous Greek, her eyes trying not to stare at his broad shoulders or slim waist as he towered over her. As his hand had moved to gently take her elbow, the electricity jolt which shot through her had been unexpected, causing her to gasp out loud. He however, had only directed her back to the seat she had just leapt from, sitting on the edge of the desk, looking down at her with a curious expression on his face.
“Please Miss Lane” he had spoken gently for the first time, catching her unaware.
“Perhaps I can help?” his words causing Mina to look up at him in shock. She had expected his anger, his disdain and his contempt. She had been prepared to stand her ground and fight all of these, but his gentleness had caught her completely by surprise and she could feel the tears spilling uncontrollably over her lids, falling unchecked down her cheek. As she had looked at him through bleary eyes not able to fully see him she had felt as he had pressed a handkerchief into her fingers, Mina angrily dashing away the tears, trying to regain her composure.
“I …I would rather not say” she had mumbled through lips which quivered softly. She had expected, hoped almost, her refusal to tell him might anger him, giving her back some of the control which she had lost. However, he had only looked down on her silently.
“OK Miss Lane” he had spoken evenly.
“Perhaps then you will tell me how much money you need?”
Mina’s eyes had darted to his, the discomfort so clear on her face as her hand had moved to gently rub her now throbbing temple as she had licked lips which suddenly felt so dry.
“A million pounds” she had whispered, her voice almost inaudible.
“I see” he had breathed softly “As you say, a lot of money”
Suddenly all the fight seemed to drain from Mina, as silently she had nodded, unable to say anything further, not willing to look up and see the contempt in his eyes, waiting for some stinging comment to come from him, but none had.
As he had stood from the desk to once more stand over her, she had finally raised her head, surprised to find him looking back, his eyes holding no malice only thoughtful contemplation.
“Miss Lane” he finally spoke kindly.
“Please give me a couple of days to think about this” a reassuring smile curving his wonderful lips.
As Mina had opened her mouth to speak he had lifted his hand, a soft smile on his mouth and in his dark sensual eyes silencing her
“Please Miss Lane, give me two days. After which I promise I will give you an answer”.
Mina had looked at him, undecided as to what to do next, but aware that somehow things had not gone quite the way she had anticipated. In a weak voice she had managed.
“OK…two days” Nikos Dupris smile widening as he had stood moving once more behind his desk. She too had stood sensing her time was up. However turning to move to the door, his voice had stopped her.
“Please, my car will take you back to your hotel” Mina looking over in surprise.
“Thank you” she had stuttered “but that really is not necessary”.
She had felt suddenly embarrassed by the small budget hotel she had booked into. Not knowing how long she might have to stay in Greece before forcing him to meet her demands she had needed to make the paltry savings she had left last.
“No….I insist” he had said once more with authority, before lifting the phone and barking quick commands in Greek. Finally he had replaced the receiver before moving once more beside her, guiding her quickly towards the door.
“Till Wednesday” he had spoken sensually, his deep strong voice sending strange tremors down her spine, this time pleasurable she had realised.
“The car will pick you up from your hotel at nine in the morning” Mina nodding wordlessly, as still in complete shock she had moved from his office to the waiting car.
As the door behind her had closed Nikos Dupris expression had changed. Hardened. With long strides he had again moved behind his desk, throwing himself into the leather seat, his dark eyes narrowing as he had pulled out the two sheets of paper she had given him, frowning as he once more read the contents. Finally he had lifted the telephone receiver and dialling a number, he had spoken quickly.
“I am faxing through some documents. You have two days to find out everything there is to know about Mina Lane”, before replacing it with the authority and expectation of a man used to getting what he wanted. With this done he had sighed heavily, his thoughts returning once more to the woman who had just left. Her tears had seemed real, surprising himself with his reaction to her vulnerability, the memory of her intelligent and expressive green eyes causing an awareness to rise within him. Chastising himself for feeling anything but contempt for the young gold digger he had slammed the drawer of his desk shut, determinedly pressing the buzzer to have his secretary send the documents to his investigator.
The next day Mina had sat by the pool. Her naturally wavy long blonde hair was pulled back from her lovely face by a large clasp allowing the slightest breeze to cool the long column of her creamy throat. Large green eyes were hidden behind oversized sunglasses providing protection from the unyielding rays of the mid-day sun. Unlike the many laughing and cheerful boisterous tourists who lounged in skimpy bikinis to ensure a tan from their brief vacation, she wore a modest one-piece swimming costume which clung to her perfect figure. A long shapeless t-shirt and oversized straw hat completed her ensemble giving her the air of someone more bent on avoiding the sun than embracing it, Mina not wanting to enjoy the sunshine when her purpose there was so important.
She had pulled her deckchair away from the main pool area which foamed alarmingly with the thrashing of children’s feet as they enjoyed the cool water, a reprieve from the burning sun, their happy squeals carrying over the general mayhem around her. Instead she chose to sit near to the side, close to a wall enabling her to gain a good vantage point of the rolling countryside, with a small view of the azure sea a few kilometres from them.
On her knee drawn up before her she held a sketch pad onto which she was quickly moving her hand, her eyes constantly flicking back to the vista before her as she sketched the wild scenery. She had desperately tried not to think about the previous day and the events leading up to her meeting with the enigmatic and handsome Nikos Dupris, the memory of those grey eyes once more boring into hers sending a shiver down her spine. However the memories would constantly push themselves into her tortured mind often when she was least expecting them, and with a sigh she was transported to a month previous.
Mina had known that her mother was not well, the cough she had for several weeks failing to clear up. After the older woman had repeatedly refused to go and see a doctor it had finally fallen on her to make the appointment and drag her resisting mother to it. As the doctor had examined her, Mina present at her mother’s insistence, had felt a cold hand grip her stomach as the jovial doctor’s countenance had grown more sombre and quiet. As he had flicked her looks which did little to hide his concern his voice had remained soothing and Mina thought a little forced in its lightness.
