As they had walked to the car park she seemed not to notice the effect she had on men, seeming demure almost shy. However he had been only too aware of the way many of the men had cast their eyes in her direction. With a small scowl he once again reminded himself that she was Alexander’s daughter. With a tightening of his mouth he had enough experience of that man’s ability to lie and deceive, so why would he not expect it in his offspring. No - this woman was just like her father and Nikos’ guard was well and truly up.
Reaching his car, he had opened the door to the sleek convertible sports car, seeing as she had looked at it in wide-eyed wonder before sliding into the soft leather passenger seat. As he had joined her he had looked over in surprise to hear her chuckling.
Mina had looked back, her soft green eyes now full of laughter which gave her already perfect complexion a glow which lit up her features, inexplicably sending his pulse racing.
“I’m sorry” she had giggled.
“It’s just that I have images of Bridget Jones after her ride in one of these kinds of cars, and I’m so glad I put my hair up”
He had grinned back the image making him laugh with her as he had nodded, softening his austere features instantly.
“Yes. I am afraid that many of my dates were not so wise…some were not amused” he had added with another small laugh.
She had pulled her sunglasses back on to hide the way she could not help but look at him. He was the most handsome man she had ever met, but there was more to his appeal than that. He had an aura of authority and power which she had never before felt but which was making her shiver with an awareness for this man she had never before experienced.
Before she had made the trip she had Googled as much about the man as she could, finding many articles of his many mistresses and lifestyle which showed that he was a man of the world used to the finer things in life. To him she must seem like a simpleton compared to the women he was used to, this thought making her raise her small chin defiantly before feeling ashamed as he had been nothing but courteous and considerate to her especially considering the circumstances of their meeting. Well he had the means to have her out of his hair once and for all she had determined flicking another quick look at him his whole body relaxed behind the wheel.
He had driven the powerful car with ease, his movements sure and graceful as he had expertly manoeuvred the vehicle through the busy roads, neither speaking during the short journey till they were clear of the village. Mina had enjoyed the feel of the wind as it whipped over the front of the car and over their heads, his thick black locks blowing around his head, Mina holding back the smile as she had thought that only he could look good with his hair being flicked back and forth by the breeze.
Finally they had reached their destination, not somewhere she was expecting, thinking that he would have chosen something more luxurious and to his social standing than the small off-the-beaten path bar which sat on the sand with the water offering a wonderful and enticing backdrop. With a small smile she realised that he most likely did not want to be seen with somebody like her, the thought hurting more than she was prepared to admit.
Parking, he had quickly moved around to open her door, smiling gently at her as though he had known the thoughts running through her head.
“I thought I would bring you to the island’s best kept secret…also we are guaranteed privacy”.
Mina had nodded her head.
“Of course”.
Her only comment as he had led the way to one of the empty tables, before moving into the small shack-like bar where she could hear him laughing and joking with the owner, not able to understand what was being said but realising that he obviously came there often as he seemed on good terms with the owner, not sure why that thought made her feel better. When he returned he carried two large cups, one full of coffee and the other tea. Sitting down he had given her a small smile.
“I took a guess that being British you would want tea” seeing as she had stifled a smile nodding her head.
“Well sorry to be so stereotypical, but yes, that is definitely the way to go”.
The two had taken a sip of their drinks, Mina not quite sure what to say as his look had become more sombre and businesslike.
“Forgive me for appearing with no warning” In a voice which did not seem sorry at all.
“I had my investigators check out your story”.
Mina had sat silently. Far from being shocked from his investigation of her, she had expected it and had remained motionless and quiet as he had continued.
“My people were able to get the information quicker than I had anticipated corroborating your story”.