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She shook her head, denying the flicker of hope in the chilled recesses of her heart. She was tired, so tired she couldn’t cope with this right now. But one thing she knew without doubt: Costas Palamidis did not need her.
‘Don’t lie to me. I won’t play your games.’
‘It is no game, Sophie. Only once have I told you an untruth.’ His gaze held hers and she couldn’t look away. ‘When I said I wanted you for a single night only. Do you remember?’
Oh, she remembered all right. Heat scorched her cheeks at the memory.
‘It wasn’t true, Sophie. I want more. So much more.’
Now it began to make some sort of crazy sense. Costas wanted more. And what Costas wanted Costas got. He’d decided one night wasn’t enough. She supposed she should feel complimented that he found her so attractive.
But she didn’t. She felt … sullied. It was her body he wanted. Not her.
He leaned close, his scent and his heat and his aura of energy encompassing her. But she had no difficulty pushing him away. Hard.
‘Stay away from me,’ she panted. ‘I don’t want you near me.’
‘Sophie.’ He reached out a hand and she slapped it back. The contact made her palm sting.
‘Stay away!’ Her voice rose. ‘If you think I want anything more to do with you, you’re wrong.’
Despite its luxurious size the limousine felt claustrophobically small. There wasn’t enough air for them both in the charged atmosphere. And though he didn’t touch her, Costas’ very presence crowded her. His energy was a palpable force.
Suddenly he reached away from her, to a control panel on his side of the car. The screen between them and the driver slid down and Costas shot out some orders in rapid-fire Greek. Then the screen slid into place again and Costas turned back to her.
The car slowed and turned. But instead of swinging round in the direction they’d come from, it slid to a halt off the road. Dazed, Sophie stared out the window. She recognised this place, a little glade on the edge of an ancient olive grove. They’d left the main road and were already on Costas’ estate. She hadn’t even noticed them slow to pass the security system on their way in.
She heard Yiorgos get out and automatically reached for the door. She didn’t know why they’d stopped here rather than at the house, but the sooner she got out into the fresh air, where she could put some distance between herself and Costas, the better.
Even as her fingers closed round the handle there came the soft, decisive click of the door locks engaging.
She swung round. Costas had his hand on the control panel.
‘Unlock the door.’
‘Soon. When we’ve talked.’
‘We have nothing to discuss. It’s all been said. We both know where we stand. And now I’d like to leave.’ Her heart pounded against her ribs and her breathing shallowed as she fought to maintain an appearance of calm.
‘There is still much to discuss, Sophie, before we both know where we stand.’ His voice was deep and smooth but she heard the strain in it. ‘You will be free to leave once we’ve discussed what’s between us.’
She shook her head. ‘You can’t do that. You can’t hold me against my will!’
‘Only until you hear me out.’ He reached for her hand and held it between both of his. She didn’t bother to struggle—she knew his strength would win out. So she concentrated instead on pretending to ignore the barrage of sensations flooding her at his touch. The heat, the sizzle of delight, the ravenous need.
How could she respond so mindlessly? And to such a casual caress? She tilted her chin high. ‘Then I hope you’re prepared to face trial for abduction.’
He ignored the threat.
Horrified, she watched him raise her hand to his mouth, felt the caress of his lips against her flesh and almost closed her eyes at the memories evoked by the sensation. How
her body still craved him.
‘I mean it! I’ll lay charges. And then what about your reputation? Think of the talk, all the rumours. The stain on your good name.’
‘You must do as you think appropriate, after we’ve talked,’ he murmured against her wrist and turned her hand over to kiss her palm.
Darts of fierce desire shot along her arm, arrowing straight to the hollow, aching core of her need. Her taut muscles loosened as his tongue lapped, rough velvet against her sensitive skin.
