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She had not seen Nikos for the rest of the day, he having once more returned to work. True to his word an hour after their talk her rental car had arrived, Mina gasping excitedly on discovering it to be a sports car. Yanis had laughed as she had run around the vehicle admiring everything about it.
“You are such a child” he had chuckled as she had draped herself theatrically over the bonnet, pretending to be a model.
It had amazed her how quickly she had become comfortable with the other three people in the house. Theresa had confirmed that they knew of her situation, when Mina had asked as she had made herself and Theresa a cup of tea, the older woman seeming relieved not to have to pretend ignorance any longer. Patting her arm kindly, she had showed only concern for her mother’s health, Mina touched by this.
After having all of the controls of the expensive car shown to her by Yanis, who seemed unwilling to allow her to leave until she had proven that she could handle the vehicle she had then driven the small distance to the villa her mother now resided. Her elation at the car had soon disappeared as she had seen the way her mother had looked so tired.
“Are you OK?” she had asked moving over to hug her, seeing as she had smiled so serenely back at her.
“I am fine” had been her response, although Mina could see as she had winced slightly as pain had shot through her, fear once more filling her daughter, the younger woman watching with wary and frightened eyes.
Mina had tossed in her bed, sleep not taking her as she had hoped it would, her body exhausted and her heart sore from the obvious deterioration in her mother’s condition. Dinner that evening had been quiet, Mina eating alone, the others having eaten earlier as she had returned so late. She was glad that Nikos was nowhere to be seen, not sure why she felt the need to not be close to him. However, when Theresa had informed her he was on a date she had been surprised at the bolt of jealousy which had flashed through her, chastising herself for her reaction. Nikos Dupris was little more than a using bully, who only put up with her in his house so that he could control her.
Quickly turning once more she had looked at the time on the small bedside clock, groaning seeing it to be 1:00 in the morning. Kicking off the bedclothes she had lain for a few seconds wide awake wondering what to do, before sliding from the luxurious bed and pulling on her small wrap slipping from her room. Padding barefoot she had gingerly made her way down the stairs heading for the kitchen. The thought of a milky drink and reading a good book had seemed to be the only plan that might help her to sleep, remembering the way as a small child her mother would bring her warm milk to bed, the memory once more sending a stabbing pain through her.
With her drink now in hand, she had then moved into the library, surprised as light had filled the large room already. With a small gasp she had frozen, her eyes wide seeing Nikos stood, his arms around a woman, kissing her, Mina almost dropping the cup she carried.
Both Nikos and his date had broken apart hearing the sound, two pairs of eyes darting to stare at the unexpected person who had entered the room, one surprised one scowling.
“Mina!” he had said, his voice concerned “Is everything OK?”
Mina however, was staring at the woman who still clung possessively to the handsome man. She was stunning. Her blonde hair piled high onto her head, her makeup flawless. The cocktail dress she wore showing off her perfect figure and voluptuous curves to devastating effect.
“I…I’m so sorry … I didn’t realise anybody was here” she had stuttered, the blush so visible on her cheeks, as she had stood so unsure what to do, wanting to flee from the room. The other woman had glared at her, her eyes cold Mina realising as she had spoken so softly, her tone honey sweet.
“Nikos darling…who is this person?”
Nikos had frowned, looking briefly at her before once more turning to stare at Mina, holding back a soft groan seeing her stood so beautiful and so stunning, once more not understanding his reaction to this woman. She wore no makeup and her long hair fell around her small body, still tousled from sleep or obvious lack of it, yet his whole body had lurched at seeing her, so young and innocent looking, pausing for several seconds before pulling himself together.
“Claire. I would like for you to meet Mina Lane. Mina is my stepfather’s daughter; she is staying here for a while”.
Mina had tried to give a small smile, still so aware as the other woman had regarded her coldly, not liking what she was seeing. Mina had wanted to curl up and die. This perfect woman in his arms, while she wore an old silk wrap which reached down only to her knees, her feet bare and her hair mussed from tossing around on the bed, cringing at the sight she must be to the other two.
Repeating himself, this time his voice more insistent Nikos had asked her again if all was OK, Mina holding up her cup as though it would explain her presence.
“I’m so sorry to disturb you”.
Her feet shuffling nervously as she had wrapped her other arm around her midriff.
“I couldn’t sleep, thought I would have a drink and maybe read a book…see if that helped”.
She had seen the look of concern on his face, as he had taken in her pale features instinctively knowing that something was wrong. However, before he could ask more Claire had stepped forward her voice holding a more seductive tone.
“Please, you take this room”.
Her eyes full of promise turning once more to Nikos “We were just about to move anyway” her meaning so clear, as Mina had felt the blush burn even hotter on her cheeks, her eyes falling to the ground. She had not seen the warning look that Nikos had flashed to Claire or her small pout as she had moved towards the door. Moving aside Mina had made room for the two to pass, looking up as Nikos had hesitated before her.
“Is there anything I can do to help Mina?” he had asked, his voice so soft, as she had managed as bright a smile as possible.
“No…but thank you. I’m sorry I interrupted your evening” seeing as the other woman’s lips had curled into a smile.
“Please do not be, you have not” as she had moved to the staircase, making her way to his room Mina knew, not understanding the jealousy which had once more ripped through her.
In his room Nikos had turned on the lovely woman.
“What the hell was that all about Claire? Did you really have to be that rude to her?”
Claire had looked back at him, pouting softly, her eyes suddenly so full of apology.
“I’m sorry baby. It was unexpected. How did you expect me to react to a half naked woman suddenly appearing?”
Moving towards him she had purred seductively.
“You should have warned me”.
Nikos had looked back at her, the angry set to his mouth softening, realising that she was right, knowing that he was angrier with himself than her. With a sigh he had nodded, seeing as she had moved her hands to unclasp the back of her dress, the wispy material swishing down to her feet as she had moved to drape herself over his bed.
“Let’s not argue” she had smiled, her hands reaching out to him. Moving forward he had pulled her into his arms once more, his eyes closing as the sight of Mina had filled his mind. That night his lovemaking had been raw, Claire moaning and gasping with pleasure, oblivious to the fact that it was not her face or her body that spurred him to such heights.
Chapter Three
The next morning Mina had risen early, quickly showering, the jets of water pummelling some life back into her tired body. After the encounter in the library, she had quickly found a book, fleeing back to her room, not wanting to bump into the couple again, although deep down she knew that they would not be making another appearance for some time. It was early in the morning when she had finally managed to get some sleep, her dreams full of nightmares involving her mother and the handsome Greek.
Moving downstairs she had slipped into the kitchen groaning to find Nikos sitting drinking coffee and reading a paper. Unsure if she should flee and return later, the decision was taken from her hands as he had looked up, smiling.
“Good morning Mina”
He had said, his voice sliding sensually down her spine. Moving forward, she had given him a small nervous smile moving to the kettle, before facing him.
“I am so sorry Nikos…about last night…if I had known…” she had blurted out, as he had chuckled softly.
“No harm done Mina, it didn’t ruin my plans” he had finished with a smile.
Quickly turning so that he would not see the flush that had rushed to her cheeks she had busied herself making tea, before moving over to the table to sit beside him.
As she had sat down he had fixed her with a strange look.
“Everything has happened so fast Mina, I did not even ask if there was somebody special in your life”.
Not fully understanding him, she had looked back with confusion on her face.
“Special in what way?” she had asked softly.
“I meant do you have a boyfriend or lover back home?”
