Shaking her head vehemenantly Mina had muttered.
“No, no, no…I can’t do that …I do not want to do that” her once sparkling eyes now full of hopelessness and pleading.
“Please Mr Dupris…do not ask that of me. Coming forward…I will be hounded by the press…you know that. Another scandal for the tabloids”.
She had seen as his lips had pressed together firmly, his brows frowning.
“That is why I ask that you come and stay with me. In my home I can offer you some protection…and it will mean that the press will leave your mother alone”.
Dropping her eyes once more to the perfect view of the water and the slowly sinking sun, the sky breaking into glorious colour, silence had descended on the two of them, Mina trying hard to pull herself together to allow the tranquil setting to bring some calm to her shocked body. After several minutes she had once more turned to him.
“And what if I refuse?” her voice almost inaudible, Nikos sighing softly.
“If you refuse, then at the end of the month, your mother will be asked to leave and no matter who else you might approach, you will find that the villa will no longer be an option for you to rent”.
Looking at the man before her with eyes full of such pain she had whispered “You would do that to a dying woman? A woman who just wants to spend the last of her days in the one place she was most happy?”
He had looked back holding her gaze steadily, his expression grim and firm.
“I would do whatever it takes to protect my company Miss Lane, whatever it takes”.
Once more looking away she had nodded her head softly, her shoulders slightly stooped, her voice defeated.
“It seems you have left me with little choice Mr Dupris, I will do what you want”.
While feeling relief that she had agreed, Nikos could not help but feel the discomfort of guilt which tugged so deeply at him his voice once more soft but businesslike.
“I have already contacted a medical crew who specialise in home support. They will be waiting to help your mother whenever her condition requires it”.
Still not looking at him, he had seen her nod softly in understanding.
“Tomorrow I will organise for your belongings to be brought from your hotel to my home, but I have also ensured that you receive an allowance so that you can update your wardrobe to meet the expectations of the board”.
At this she had frowned, her head flying around to look back at him.
“I don’t understand…what does it matter how I look?”
She had seen as he had flicked his eyes over the summer dress she wore, his look telling her more than she wanted to know.
“You will find yourself in many business situations Miss Lane, and there will be many social functions you will be required to attend. While you look lovely, you are not exactly dressed for these occasions and I suspect you did not pack for them either”.
With a scowl, she had felt her insides shrivel at his disdain, before giving a weary sigh, her hand pushing the hair from her face.
“No, I guess not Mr Dupris” her mouth clamping shut, her eyes falling to her clasped hands. His hand covering hers had made her jump in surprise, her look flying up to his, seeing as he had removed his glasses and was now looking intently at her.#p#分页标题#e#
“At any other time Mina, please believe that I would have done exactly what you asked. Your offer was very fair, and your reasons honourable”.
She had seen as his features had hardened, his lips forming a set line.
“Your half-brother is not a good person Mina, he is very like your father, and I will not lie to you and tell you that there was any love lost between us…there was not”.
His fingers had gently stroked hers, sending the strangest tingling through Mina, who had fought hard to hold back the small moan from her lips.
“You however, I do not think are like him. So I hope that you will understand my position. I hope that you will understand that I must protect my company and those people who work for me. The people that your brother would put out of work without a second thought”.
Nikos had watched as her eyes had grown softer, the realisation of just what he was facing filling her too as she had nodded softly.
“I guess that you are only protecting those you love too Mr Dupris”.
Her gentle words making his mouth curve into a smile.
“Yes…..I guess I am” an understanding look passing between them both.
Chapter Two
Later as she had lain in the small hotel bed she had thought of the rest of the day. When he had found out that her intention was to visit her mother, he had organised for a taxi to be available for her use. This small thoughtful act had confused Mina even more. She wanted so much to dislike Nikos, this overbearing and domineering man who had pushed her into a situation she so obviously did not want to be in and yet he kept redeeming himself with small acts of kindness such as the taxi. As she had sighed, she had reminded herself of the way he had used her mother’s situation as blackmail to meet his own purposes. No, Nikos Dupris was manipulative and ruthless, Mina knowing that he would crush her or anybody else who dared stand in his way. However, as she had fallen asleep it was his eyes that had been her final thought, those sensual sexy eyes that had the power to send tremors through her even in a dream.