Blackmailed For Vengeance(11)

“Who” he asked suspiciously, his eyes glaring over at her

“You are not to visit any other men”

Lee had looked at him in shock. “My God, do you think this badly of all women or am I just a special case” she bit back at him

He had looked at her without commenting

“I want to visit a friend, a neighbour, an old women, who I try to see every day….make sure she eats”

Yanis had scowled, “isn’t that what social services are for” he asked

Lee had once more gasped in shock “She is an old women, who enjoys some company….or do you begrudge her that”

The two of them had once again locked eyes, glaring at each other before he had sat back

“Fine, give me her name and address and I will add her to the list of acceptable places for the driver to take you too”

“Acceptable places..” she said aghast “I have to clear everywhere I go with you” she asked in horror

Yanis had smiled “Yes”

“If you want to visit any other place other than those already on the itinerary then you need to clear it with me”

Lee’s lips had tightened “What about Jim” she asked

Yanis had frowned at her “I have thought about that, and as much as it disgusts me that you go there to salve your conscience.. you might actually be the one person who may bring him out of his coma…so we will both go together at night”

Before she could comment he had thrown down his napkin rising in a quick fluid movement from the table

“I will phone you later with the time for the lawyer and will see you then”

He stopped by her chair, her eyes level with his hips, as she had flushed slightly averting her eyes at seeing his taught body so close to her

“Should we kiss as I go to work. cara” he asked his tone mocking as she glared back at him, causing him to laugh gently

“Now it is that kind of coldness that will drive your love into the arms of another” he said, surprised at the sudden look of pain which had crossed her eyes as she looked down into her cup.

As he left the room Lee pushed back the tears which had risen to her eyes. He had hit a nerve and she bit her lip as the memories had rushed back to her.

She remembered David Jones. He had been her first love, the man who had taken her innocence. He had been so perfect she had thought, tall handsome and charming, one of her firm’s biggest customers who had wined and dined her for months before they had become lovers. Lee remembered how he had make love to her, uneasy at the way she was already comparing his kisses to those of Yanis. Even more alarmed when she realised that he had not matched the intensity of the Greek who held her a prisoner in a gilded cage, nor had he raised within her half the sensations that Yanis seemed to be able to produce at a mere touch.

Lee remembered how she had thought herself to be so much in love, and how she had believed him to hold the same feelings. Yet when he had asked her to marry him, she had hesitated. She had panicked and asked for time to think about it. Two days later when she had arrived at his home to give him an answer, she had surprised him as she let herself in with the key he had given her, finding him in bed with another woman. Lee had been devastated, refusing to accept his apologies, as he told her that he thought she didn’t care about him because of her coldness when he had proposed. She remembered how David had tried for months to see her before he had finally given up as she continued to refuse to meet with him or even to talk to him.

At that time it had been Jim who had held her and comforted her, telling her that it wasn’t her fault, telling her that if he had truly loved her then he would have waited forever to get her answer. He had been there for her, which was why she was there for him now, and so despite her rising concern about the way she reacted to Yanis she knew that she could never tell him what she knew.

As she sat there deep in thought, Maria had entered the room carrying a large plate full of toast

“What would you like for your breakfast Lee” she asked in a friendly tone

Lee had smiled back “Toast is fine for me thanks” she said rising to take the plate from the woman.

“You want to join me Maria” she asked softly “I feel a bit out of place here, not quite sure what to do”

The older woman had smiled approvingly “You should never be afraid to ask Lee”

As they sat drinking tea together and eating the delicious toast Maria had prepared, the woman had told her about the household daily routine. She had explained the times they usually had dinner and Lee had found the advice the woman had given invaluable. Finally Maria had asked Lee if she had wanted a guided tour of the place, laughing at the younger woman’s look of relief.