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“20 minutes and I will be ready” he had smiled moving back to her bedroom for a much needed shower.
As she had cleared up the kitchen, Mina had fought the urge to move back into the room, missing him already, wanting once more that brief respite from the hurt that tugged at her, to feel once more the way he had made her feel as he held her so tightly in his arms.
Hearing him once more move into the room, she had chuckled “Seems I’m not the only one who is punctual” she had kidded, his mouth curling into a smile as he had nodded before becoming more serious “I phoned the undertaker…I didn’t think you would know who to call”.
The look of relief on her face had once more filled him with warmth, not understanding his need to look after this woman, to protect her. Turning he had again reminded himself of who she was, she was Alexander Mentis’ daughter. However, not even this thought seemed to lessen the way that he wanted her, nor of the need to look after her. Picking up his jacket he had motioned for her to join him.
“Your clothes are still at the villa. We can go home, change and still be in plenty of time for the appointment I made”.
Softly smiling she had nodded, her hand moving to his arm stopping him.
“Thank you Nikos…for everything” Her tone so serious, as he had lifted her chin dropping a small kiss on those silky lips, fighting the tremor of desire that shot through him, his voice husky “I’m here for you Mina…for as long as you need me”.
With a shaky smile she had met his look, nodding before he had stepped back moving quickly out of the villa to the car.
At his home, Theresa had pulled Mina into her arms for a hug.
“We are so sorry my dear” her hands patting Mina in a motherly way. Pulling back she had thanked the housekeeper watching as Nikos had moved quickly up the steps to change. Excusing herself she had followed him once more moving into her old room.
Speedily she had changed into one of the suits purchased from Francesca’s store slipping into it looking quickly into the mirror. Sighing she had seen how pale she looked, the pain in her eyes so visible as once more her mother’s face had pushed its way into her mind, that serene smiling face, tears once more rushing to her eyes. She had not even heard Nikos come into the room, but had jumped as his hands had pulled her around enveloping her in his arms as she had once more sobbed against his shoulder.
He had said nothing, her heartbreaking sobs slowing down before she had pushed back from him, her hands dashing away the tears sliding down her cheeks as she had once more silently pulled herself together smoothing her skirt down as she had looked apologetically up at him.
“You must be so sick of me using you as a handkerchief” she had said with a half laugh seeing the way his mouth had quirked as he had taken her hands pulling them to his mouth and kissing them gently.
“Well it makes a change from women crying because of me” he had joked as she had managed a small laugh, before pulling herself up and taking a deep breath.
“Ok…I’m ready” Nikos nodding as he had led her by one hand from her room.
The rest of that day had passed in a daze, Mina answering questions from the undertakers and making decisions, happy that her mother had been so clear about her wishes as she had ensured that they were carried out. Nikos had sat with her the whole time, holding her hand and squeezing it, the feel of him giving her the strength to keep going.
He in turn had watched as she had made the arrangements with a grace and quiet dignity that had taken his breath away. As they had finished he had insisted that he take her for something to eat, this time not taking no as an answer, as she had finally ordered something, pushing most of it around the plate when it did eventually arrive. However, under his watchful eyes she had managed a few mouthfuls feeling better instantly.
The funeral had been arranged for the next day, Mina sure that Nikos’ presence had helped to expedite the arrangements, taking a long sigh of relief to know that soon it would all be behind her.
The following day, looking drawn and tired having slept little the previous night she had stood in the small crematorium. Beside her Nikos had entwined his fingers around hers, Theresa and Yanis not commenting if they had noticed, as she had leant in close to him. As Alexander had moved into the room Nikos had frowned looking at Mina who had moved forward to welcome him. With narrowed eyes he had watched as Alexander had pulled her in for a hug, cold fingers of dread eating at him. When had the two become more than the enemies that he had witnessed at the charity dinner they had attended so long ago?
Mina had been surprised to see her step-brother, Alexander looking nervously at her and Nikos, holding back at the door as she had moved forward.
“I’m so sorry to hear about your mother” he had whispered taking her into his arms for a hug before pulling back to look so intently into her eyes “If you need anything and I mean anything…know that I’m only a phone call away”.
Mina had nodded so happy to see him, happy to have her brother with her on one of the worst days of her life.
“Thank you Alexander…you have no idea what that means to me”.
He had smiled warmly back before looking over at Nikos, the other man regarding him coldly as he had taken a seat, Mina moving back to stand beside the tall Greek.
“I didn’t realise that you and Alexander and become so close” he had murmured softly, the requirement for lulled voices within the room not needing to be spoken. Looking sadly back at him she had given a half smile “I don’t know how he found out…but yes, he apologised to me a while back…seems he didn’t believe that I was really his sister” with sadness so evident in her eyes she had continued “He wants us to be a proper brother and sister…and I guess he is now the only family I have”.
Biting back the comment that had risen to his lips, he had looked over warily at Alexander. Mina was sweet, naive, not used to snakes like Alexander, Nikos not trusting the other man or his intentions. However, he really was the only family she had now, and knitting his brows together he had murmured simply “That is nice” rewarded as she had once more taken his hand, the music for the ceremony starting as her hands had started to shake.
After the ceremony was over, Mina had thanked all those who had come including Alice who had hugged her comfortingly. Alexander had left repeating his offer of an ear if she ever needed it, Nikos once more frowning hearing as her brother had insisted on the two of them meeting that week sometime for lunch. The hairs on his neck rising sensing that the younger man was up to something, something that would see Mina hurt in the long run, frowning once more with the realisation that he felt such a need to protect her.
Returning to the villa, she had accepted the glass of wine that he had offered her, sighing heavily as she had fallen back against the plush and comfortable sofa, her eyes closing. Moving to sit beside her he had taken her hand, Mina’s eyes flying open instantly with the awareness of his touch.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be with you last night Mina” his fingers entwining with hers as she had looked warmly back at him.
“I understand Nikos…you have a business to run”.
Nodding he had stared intently at her.
“True…and to be here today I had to catch up with so many things. But I was referring to when I got home”.
Looking at him with confusion, her eyes had been questioning “I…I don’t know what you…” she had begun as he had continued.
“I meant that I had not joined you in bed”
Squirming uncomfortably she had pulled back her hand, sitting more upright and looking nervously at him “Nikos…what happened…it was wonderful”.
Nikos chuckling as he had moved even closer to her “Oh…I think that it surpassed wonderful Mina…I think we both know that” his lips curving into a smile as she had blushed hotly, stammering gently.
“The vote is only a week away Nikos…then I go home and… well maybe it is just best that we stop”.
Her eyes flying to his full of indecision “It just…it just seems a bad idea…for me anyway”.
Moving even closer he had plucked the glass from her fingers.
“I disagree Mina, but if that is what you really want then I will not force you to do anything against your will”
Mina had felt her mouth drying as she had cleared her throat nervously, remaining still as he had moved even closer, her eyes fluttering closed with a will of their own as her lips had parted slightly. With a triumphant sound he had then kissed her, Mina melting instantly into his embrace, her resolve vanishing with just that one touch of his lips.
Pulling slightly back his mouth had whispered against hers.
“Whatever time we have Mina…we should have it together”.
Groaning softly she had struggled to find some reason to argue, her head spinning as her befuddled mind tried to focus on one thing, anything to stop what was happening. However, all she could think about was having his mouth back on hers as she had sighed softly, nodding gently as he had pulled her in harder kissing her, with bone-melting heat.
