Nodding she had pulled her fingers from his, once more so aware of the way her body reacted just from the smallest touch from him.
As he had finished the food she had cooked for him he had risen smacking his toned belly with satisfaction. Mina had held in the groan as her eyes had followed the V to the trousers which hid the heat of him, her body filling with the rush of desire as she had averted her look.#p#分页标题#e#
“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?