Special Smashwords Edition
Blackmailed For Vengeance
by
Marie Kelly
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Blackmailed For Vengeance
Special Smashwords Edition
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Copyright © 2011 Marie Kelly. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical without the express written permission of the author. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.
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Marie Kelly
Other tittles
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Kidnapped The Wrong Sister
My Son
Mia
The Wedding Deal
The Unwilling Mistress
In memory of Helen. Will always love and miss you
CHAPTER ONE
Lee sat on the hospital chair, gently holding the hand of the man who lay so still on the bed beside her. As she spoke soothingly to him his eyes remained closed as the many pieces of equipment around his bed had blinked and beeped in a manner which both fascinated and frightened her.
Jim Donovan was a good friend of Lee’s, and news of his accident had shocked her, particularly when she had found that he lay in a comma, lucky to be alive after his car had swerved off the road and hit a tree. The nurse she had spoken to had been comforting, telling her that his injuries were not life threatening, but adding that it was too early to tell what damage might have been done to his brain until he came out of the comma, quickly adding as she had seen how the young woman’s eyes had opened in shock that initial indications where positive, smiling as she told her they would just have to be patient.
That had been two days ago and she had each day after work made the hour journey to the hospital, to just sit there talking to him, holding his hand and telling him in as upbeat a voice as she could manage, about their friends, hoping that somehow he would hear her, nobody really knowing when or even if he would ever come out of it. As she had sat there on the second day, her chin resting on the hand which held his, Lee had shivered, suddenly feeling the prickly sensation of being watched, and looking up, she had been surprised to see the man standing at the door.
Tall, incredibly handsome and exuding a raw masculine power she had held her breath as their eyes had met, the sight of him sending an instant bolt of lightning through her tired body, which was both unexpected and instant, her stomach flipping in a most disconcerting manner , making her quickly drop her gaze shocked and confused by her own reactions. He too had stopped a look of surprise in his, almost black eyes also, as he had watched her, those inscrutinable eyes flicking over Lee, before flashing her one of the most dazzling smiles she had ever seen.
“Hello, I am sorry I did not realise Jim had a visitor” he said gently his voice tinged with an accent which ran down her spin so pleasantly like warm trickling water
Lee had slowly placed Jim’s hand back down onto the white starched hospital sheet, half standing
“No…please” she said as the man had turned to leave
“I really have to go anyway…. I’m sure he would like the company” she said looking softly back down on him, before bending down and kissing her friend’s forehead
“Wake up soon Jim” she murmured before moving towards the door
As the large man had moved aside allowing her to pass, she had thanked him with a small shy smile, enjoying the smell of his aftershave which enveloped her, its intoxicating aroma so pleasurable, as she had fought to stop her eyes closing with that pleasure, aware of how she had shivered softly as an awareness of him had once more shot through her. As she stepped out of the room he had followed her, his deep voice questioning
“I am sorry, are you Jim’s girlfriend”
Lee had turned around in surprise her large soft hazel eyes looking back politely at him,
“No….just a friend, we work together….I just try to look in on him that’s all” she said gently
The man had once again smiled at her
“Well that is very kind of you…I’m sure that he would appreciate it”
Lee, suddenly felt strangely awkward and flustered at his words, for no real reason smiling back, her eyes dropping away from him
“It was nice to meet you” she said “I’ll pop back tomorrow and see him”
The man before her had watched Lee silently for a moment with a sensual expression in those dark eyes before giving her a boyish grin, his voice full of warmth and an all too easy charm
“I’m sure he would like that, perhaps if you are here at the same time tomorrow I could take you for a coffee” he had said softly, his almost hypnotic gaze holding hers as she had once more raised her eyes to look at him, her expression polite but firm
“That’s very kind of you” she said gently “But, I really don’t have the time”
The man had raised a quizzical eyebrow but was stopped from continuing as a nurse had moved over to talk with him. However, as she had turned to leave his eyes had continued to watch her, her whole body tingling feeling his look still on her.
Leaving the hospital Lee had scolded herself. “Grow up Lee, he’s only a fantastically gorgeous man” she had said to herself, chuckling gently before running to catch the bus which was approaching her stop.
At home Lee had thrown off her shoes sinking down into the couch exhausted. After spending 8 hours at the PR office she worked, organising for a charitable event which seemed to be growing bigger and bigger problems as each day passed, she had visited Jim and then taken in her neighbours shopping for her. Her neighbour Mrs Green who was in her 70’s had nobody else and Lee always made sure that the woman had food and somebody to talk to, spending time with her most days, knowing how very important she had become in her life.
Lee had stayed for her usual cup of tea and listened while the older woman had told her more stories of her younger years. She enjoyed listening to Mrs Green and would usually sit contentedly for an hour or more listening as the older woman had spoken. However, that day she had been exhausted, and as she had tried to hide the yawn behind her hand, Mrs Green had laughed, a soft tinkling sound which made her eyes twinkle before insisting that she leave early when hearing the story of Lee’s day.
Lee had groaned, feeling guilty, knowing that the older woman had nobody else, and always looked forward to her visits and Lee had made a mental note to visit her first the next day. Deep down, however, she wondered if this was more due to her desire not to run into the man with the darkest eyes she had ever seen whose face was so familiar to her. Pulling herself from the comfortable chair Lee had ran herself a bath while making a small supper of tea and toast eating it with relish not having realised just how hungry she was.
Moving back to the small bathroom, she had pulled off her clothes to move into the warm water with a soft groan on her lovely lips, looking at herself in the mirror, as she had sighed at what she saw. At 24, Lee was of average height about 5.5 with a slim curvaceous figure and firm breasts which looking bigger due to her small slender waist which flared to wider hips, a perfect bottom and long shapely legs. She pulled her long almost black layered hair from the band which held it away from her face, to allow it to fall around her shoulders and down her back seeing how it framed her tired face. Almond in shape, her large hazel eyes, fringed with long black lashes gave her an innocent look, which made men’s pulses race, although she seemed unaware of the reaction she had on them. Seeing how tired she looked, her normally glowing skin a little lack lustre she had stuck out her tongue at herself, causing her beautiful mouth to curve into a large warm smile which showed the two small dimples on her cheeks and lit up her whole features. As she had made to sink down into the beckoning water, her door bell had rung, causing her to once more groan softly.
With a small sigh Lee had pulled on her thin bath robe, before moving to the door cautiously opening it to peer out to see who would be calling at that late hour
With a gasp of surprise she had recognised the man from the hospital, her eyes wide at seeing him there. He was looking back at her with equal surprise before looking behind her as though expecting somebody else
“Are you Lee Andrews” he asked, a small frown on his face
“Yes” she had replied, suddenly feeling panic rising within her
“Has something happened ….. Is Jim OK” she asked her large eyes suddenly wide with fear, as she had dreaded hearing the worst, remembering how she had left her details with the hospital
The man before her had frowned even deeper shaking his head
“Jim’s condition hasn’t changed. May I please come in” he asked as one of her neighbours had appeared at their door
Lee had opened the door wider to let him in, confused as to why he was there
“My name is Yanis..” the man had started to say before she had cut across him.
“I know who you are Mr Demitri” she said softly, seeing how his frown had deepened even further. Lee had instantly recognised Yanis Demitri when she had first seen him in the hospital, having heard so much about him over the years and read so many of the news clips shown to her by Jim, who seemed almost in awe of his friend
“It’s nice to meet you Mr Demitri”, she said extending her hand “Although I wish it were under different circumstances” she had said sadly “Jim speaks about you often”.
Briefly it crossed her mind that the man before her was even more attractive in person, than in the many pictures she had seen of him, as no picture could truly capture the sheer animal magnetism of the man
To her surprise he had ignored her outstretched hand and was looking around the room with an unpleasant expression on his face.
Having walked into her small flat, Yanis Demitri had stood sideways on to her as though deep in thought before looking around himself, his eyes taking in her comfortable yet modest home.
“Yes, Jim” he said, finally turning to look on her, with eyes which seemed to flick down her with no attempt to conceal the contempt in them, as she had dropped her still outstretched arm in confusion
“So can I assume Miss Andrews” he said his voice icy “That your conscience is bothering you”
Lee had frowned back at him, not understanding what he was saying
“I..I don’t know what you mean” she said her face genuinely surprised
“I am talking about Jim’s suicide attempt” he replied glaring at her with such hostility in those deep dark eyes
“Suicide?” she stammered “Jim isn’t suicidal…there must be some kind of mistake” she stuttered
Reaching into his pocket he had pulled out a letter which she had taken from him, her fingers a little shaky
Reading the words she had smiled sadly
“This isn’t a suicide note” she said, looking up at the man before her whose face was now dark with anger
“I’m so glad you find it funny” he said grabbing the small note from her hand before reading it aloud
“Dearest Lee, I have never felt this way before. I am in love and it is breaking my heart. I think that it would be best for everybody if I just ended it.”
Looking back at her, he had moved even closer, surprising Lee at the instant tingle of awareness which flooded her whole body at his closeness.
“I am glad that you find the fact that my friend was so in love with you that he decided to kill himself so amusing” he had bit out, his voice tight and angry
Lee had shaken her head suddenly annoyed at the absurdity of his accusations
“That isn’t what the letter is all about” she had said realising that he was serious as her wonderful eyes had stared back at him
“Then perhaps you could enlighten me” he replied his tone low as his eyes flashed dangerously
Biting her lip Lee had looked up at Yanis Demitri, the explanation on the tip of her tongue, before with a small sigh she had shaken her head
“I’m sorry, but I can’t. It’s up to Jim to tell you….I promised him I wouldn’t tell anybody” she said a determined expression crossing her face as her chin had risen slightly.
He had given a contemptuous half laugh, his eyes racking her face with disdain before stepping away from her, his voice now controlled
“You are a liar Miss Andrews, and now my friend is fighting for his life. I will make you sorry that you have done what you have to him” he said before moving back to the door and pulling it open, looking once more at the young woman before him
“Very sorry indeed. Women like you are dangerous to men like my friend” he had bit out before leaving, slamming her door hard behind him.
As the noise died away Lee realised that she was shaking at what had just happened. She stared at the now empty spot he had stood, not believing that they were now treating Jim’s accident as a suicide bid, even more shocked by her first encounter with Yanis Demitri, Jims best friend since they had grown up together in Greece.
Jim had spoken of Yanis often with such affection, recounting how he had pulled himself from his humble beginnings to now be the CEO of one of the largest shipping companies in the world. He would describe how his friend led a play boy jet set life style, with some of the most beautiful women in the world as his mistresses. Yet he had always been so proud that Yanis had never been so busy as to not regularly make time to meet up with him, and Lee could tell that Jim had been completely in awe of him, often describing how women would fall at his feet, and only now, after meeting him did she fully believe this, understanding the devastating effect he could have on any woman, the effect he was even now having on her.
However, with a frown she had remembered how he had looked at her as though he could have killed her, hardly able to control the anger he had felt, believing that she could have treated his friend so badly, and despite her attempts to explain, she knew that he had not believed her. With a sigh she had briefly thought how stupid he would feel when Jim did wake up. With a small frown which puckered her lovely brow she had thought, if he wakes up, knowing that at that point she would have to tell what she knew because she couldn’t have his death marked down as suicide. Lee had sighed wearily once again as her whole body had again felt so tired, as she moved back to the bathroom and the relaxing hot bath which awaited her.
That night Lee had slept badly. Images of Yanis Demitri glaring down on her from Jim’s grave haunting her as she had woken up with sweat dripping down her back, tears running down her face as his stone had lain beside another set of graves.
The next few days passed quickly with Lee maintaining her routine. Her work had become so frantic over the last few days of the charities campaign, often resulting in her having to put in many extra hours, after which she would visit Mrs Green before going to see Jim whose condition remained the same. She had been relieved not to have bumped into Yanis Demitri again, having no desire to meet with his arrogant contemptuous look, which she had not been able to forget, remembering how those wonderful dark eyes had glared at her, each time making her shiver with an awareness she could not fully understand.
On the third day she had received a phone call from the manager of the small accountancy company her brother worked for. He had asked that she come down to see him as a matter of urgency and with real concern she had soon found herself in the reception of her brothers company. Distractedly she had nervously looked around the small waiting area, with its bland grey walls and periodicals littering the small coffee tables positioned around the uncomfortable chairs. Frowning, Lee had been worried. After the death of her parents it had been she who had brought up Peter, her young brother, and like any mother she was concerned as to what would be so important that she would need to be called down to meet with his employer
After several minutes she had been asked to enter the room at the end of the corridor, and with a nervous glance at the smiling receptionist she had moved into the room as directed. However, seeing the handsome figure of Yanis Demitri behind the desk, she had gasped in surprise
“What is going on” she asked her eyes looking around the room
“Your not Peter’s employer” she bit out looking angrily at the man before her
“Sit down Miss Andrews” he said calmly as she had sank down into the seat opposite him
“And actually yes I am…I now own this company… as well as many others” he had said his eyes following her every move carefully
“What do you want Mr Demitri” Lee said attempting to hold in the anger which bubbled just below the surface of her cool exterior.
“I don’t appreciate your pulling me out of my work with some made up story about my brother; I was told that something serious had happened to him” She had said icily, glaring coldly at the man opposite her.
Yanis Demitri held her look, his just as cold
“Oh believe me Miss Andrews as much as I appreciate how put out you are, I am not in the habit of wasting my own time, and with regard to your brother” he had sat back deeply into his chair his lips curving into an unpleasant smile
“It’s not so much about what has happened to your brother, more like what is about to happen to your brother”
Lee looked at the man before her, a feeling of panic rising within her
“What do you mean” she asked quietly
“I mean that your brother has been signing cheques which he shouldn’t have been signing.”
Lee’s eyes narrowed
“That’s a damn lie.. my brother isn’t a thief” she said with conviction
Yanis’s smile deepened like a cat playing with a mouse
“Granted Miss Andrews, your brother may not have realised what he was signing, but never the less his name is on the cheques”
Lee could feel her mouth drying as she stared in horror at the man before her
“You set him up” she said in shock
“But why?”
Yanis leant forward his eyes angry daggers as he spat venomously at her
“You know fine well why, I told you that I would make you pay”
Lee looked at him with disbelief on her face
“But I told you already.. it isn’t a suicide note…Jim and I are only friends… that is all we have ever been.”
“I am sure that you can fool your boyfriends with that little miss innocent routine of yours Miss Andrews” he said “but I read the note and I am no fool”
“Well if you really believe that Jim would try to kill himself then you are either a fool or you don’t know him as well as you think you do” she had retorted back just as angrily
For a few seconds the two of them glared at each other Lee realising that she was breathing more raggedly as the emotions rose within her. Finally he had sat back in his chair once more in full control of himself as he looked at her with calculating eyes, seeing how flushed she was as her eyes had shone so brightly, a magnificent green colour with the anger in them.
“I spent a lot of time finding out about you Lee” he said softly using her name for the first time.
“Your mother and father were killed six years ago in a car accident when you were only 18” he said his head raised looking upwards at some invisible spot on the ceiling, his tone almost bored, as he recounted her life story to her
“You brought up your younger brother who was only 15 at the time and who took the deaths of his parents very hard….getting into some trouble with the police when he was 16”
“That was a one off thing, and he has never been in trouble since” Lee had said jumping immediately to her brother’s defence.
Still not looking at her she saw the smile return to his face, not reaching his eyes which seemed to be focussed so intently on the ceiling
“Ah, yes… but when this comes to light.. who do you think the police are going to believe” he said, finally lowering his eyes to look at her with a triumphant smile on his face
“An ex-teenage delinquent or the CEO of one of the largest shipping companies in the world”
Lee bit her lip knowing the answer as well as he did.
“What is it you want” she asked softly, feeling the tightness within her stomach as she waited for him to drop the bombshell he had obviously planned so hard to set up
“What makes you think I want anything” he replied his tone once more playing with her.
“Because” she said slowly, her dislike for the man before her showing so clearly on her face
“If you didn’t want anything then I wouldn’t be here, and my brother would be sitting in a jail cell” she said
Yanis had given a small throaty chuckle
“You’re a very bright young woman Lee” he said softly “And yes, I do have a proposition for you….The cheques need never come to light if you do exactly what I tell you to do”
Lee sat silently her face grave
“Go on” she said
“I was wondering how I could make you suffer the way you made Jim suffer and then I realised that the only thing your type of women ever wants is money…so I am going to make sure that you have the life style you have always dreamed of, with access to as much money as you can spend”
Lee frowned, her face showing not only confusion but grim determination “Firstly Mr Demitri…You don’t know anything about me..” she began
“Oh I have met enough gold diggers in my time Lee to recognise one when I see it… so what happened did you find out that although Jim’s father owns a chain of restaurants he wasn’t really ever going to have enough for you to live the life you wanted”
Lee held back the retort which sprang to her lips, instead continuing in the same controlled tone
“Secondly how would that teach me a lesson?”
Yanis’s lips had curled as he smiled again, an unpleasant smile which made her shiver slightly
“I’m glad you asked….Then I will take it all from you and return you back to your old boring life and you will once again have nothing…only the memory of what it was like…and the desire to get it back… maybe then you will see what it’s like to play with peoples emotions, because a woman like you Lee will never have any more than this glimpse of the good life”
Lee had held his gaze, refusing to rise to the bait in his words “And for how long will I have to endure your privileged lifestyle” she had asked, her voice as contemptuous as his, as she had emphasised the word Your, seeing how his eyes had flashed angrily
“Well, you will never know…one day you will just be asked to leave in the clothes you first arrived in.. I will of course have them dry cleaned” he had added with a touch of disdain
“How very thoughtful of you” she had replied, her voice clipped and as cold as his before giving a short laugh devoid of any humour
“Wow is that your big plan Mr Demitri..” she had flicked her eyes over him, seeing how his face grew darker at the obvious sarcasm in her tone “so how will this all work?”
He had looked at her with eyes narrowed
“You are going to move in with me as my fiancée” he said, finally gratified at the sudden look of shock which filled her face
“You are blackmailing me to sleep with you” she cried in horror, her eyes staring at him
He had frowned angrily
“I didn’t say anything about you sharing my bed” he replied “I have never had to force a woman to sleep with me, and I certainly don’t intend to start with you” he said with complete contempt in his voice “Please don’t flatter yourself”
Lee had closed her mouth tightly at his rejection of her and sat glaring at him, before finally saying in a softer voice
“You are making a terrible mistake Mr Demitri. As I have told you all along that letter is about something completely different. It has nothing to do with any suicide attempt…why can’t you understand that Jim simply had an accident, a terrible tragic accident”
“OK, Lee” he said with the softness of a crouching tiger “then enlighten me. If it is really something else then tell me what that letter refers to”
Lee opened her mouth wanting desperately to tell him what she knew, to save herself from his plans, but had just as quickly closed her soft lips again sighing as she had known that she couldn’t betray the trust which Jim had given her, swearing her to secrecy. When everything had gone so wrong in her life, it had been Jim who had been there for her and who had helped her with his emotional support. If she told the man before her what she knew, then she would be betraying that trust and he would never forgive her and Lee knew that there was no way she could break her promise to Jim.
Lowering her eyes she had quietly whispered
“I promised that I wouldn’t tell. Only Jim can tell you”
“How very convenient” he said his tone dripping with sarcasm
“Well what is it to be. Do I call the police or should I start to make appointments for you to update your wardrobe”
Lee glared at him her eyes not even attempting to conceal the hatred she felt, making him laugh softly in triumph as he had picked up the phone
“Stacey, could you go ahead with the appointments we discussed for Lee Andrews” he said before sitting back to look at her
“A car will pick you up in 5 minutes when you will start your new life Lee. Tonight we will dine together at Chez Jardine and tomorrow you will accompany me to the premier of a new Film and then the day after that we will announce our engagement.”
“What about my brother” she said softly “How do I know that you won’t do all this and then have him thrown in jail anyway?”
“You have my word” he said arrogantly as though that was the end of it
“Not good enough” she had quickly bit back
Yanis had frowned
“OK, probably as well under the circumstances. I will have a document drawn up with my lawyers, which details our agreement, stating that you will not get to keep anything from our time together and that I and only I can end our engagement at any time I wish. In return you will be given the incriminating documents relating to your brother…good enough”
“Yes” she replied “But I want to add one proviso…that when Jim wakes up and clears me of what you are accusing me off then I get to call off the engagement and you never come near me again”
Yanis had frowned “You still persist with your story” he said his eyes once more holding hers, “but OK”
“I will contact your employer and explain to them that you need time off…I am sure they will be happy to give you an extended holiday…after all I am one of their biggest customers” he said with a smile which did not reach his eyes
Lee had stood up moving towards the door throwing him a dirty look which made his lips curl
“Until tonight” he said softly “Make sure you dress formally.. wouldn’t want my new fiancée feeling out of place” he said in a tone which seemed to imply the exact opposite, as Lee realised that there was nothing that he would like more than for her to feel out of place.
“There is an itinerary in the car for the next few days, you will move into my house tonight, so buy everything you need and have it sent over this afternoon”.
Stopping at the door Lee had looked at him “Wow, you have thought of everything” she said as he smiled
“I always do” he replied, before she had added her eyes flashing self righteously
“Except of course how Jim is going to feel when he finds out about all of this” she said as she moved out of the room to the waiting car.
As the door closed behind her Yanis Demitri had frowned. The exchange had been less satisfying than he had hoped for. Her determination at sticking to her story had annoyed him. He knew Lee Andrews type only too well. Although she was dressed demurely her hair pulled back from her face, wearing a suit which still did not disguise her wonderful figure, he could still see her from the night he had called at her home. Then her long, layered naturally wavy hair had hung around her body which was only just concealed in a bath robe showing off her wonderful curves, giving her a sensual wild look, which he had found himself reacting to. He had admired her lovely face then just as he had done in the hospital when they had first met and had been disappointed when she turned out to be Lee Andrews, recognising his attraction to the young women from that first meeting.
With a frown he remembered his friend lying on the hospital bed. Had she captured him with those wonderful eyes which seemed to promise such passion, or that soft wide mouth of hers, so full and red. His mouth tightening as he determined to make sure that Lee Andrews, the cold hearted gold digger he knew her to be, would rue the day she played with Jim’s heart.
In the car Lee had found the itinerary that he had talked about. She had read through the plan for the week which consisted mainly of visits to shops and salons for more treatments than she had ever even heard of. With a small groan Lee had thrown the paper to the side praying that Jim would wake up soon to save her from the tedium that the itinerary promised. She had never been somebody who could spend days on end pampering herself, needing to be busy, needing to be working, and she had closed her eyes in pain at the thought of having to follow his mind numbing list.
With a firm set to her chin, she had made plans of her own. She might not be able to work, but Lee had always been a keen volunteer for several charities, and perhaps she could turn the tables on Yanis Demitri and at the same time help out those charities who could so badly use the money which he seemed determined to throw at her. It was the least he deserved she thought, cheered a little at the chance to use the situation to her own ends.
The rest of the day Lee found herself being whisked firstly to the salon, where a chatty hair dresser had admired her long thick hair, only tidying up her layers so that they were sharper and more prominent. She had then enjoyed an interesting session with a make-up artist who had shown her the right way to apply make-up along with hints on the colours which worked best for her, and by late afternoon, Lee had left with bags of make-up and hair products which she had thrown into the car.
From there she had found herself in an exclusive boutique in which the owner, Claire, had already been forwarded by Yanis a list of outfits she would require to begin her new wardrobe. She had admired Lee’s figure clapping her hands with pleasure
“Oh, you have such a lovely figure” she had said in delight “So often I am expected to work miracles on those who really should know better” she had said with a wicked grin.
Lee had tried on outfit after outfit, as some where packed up for her while others were placed back on the peg, rejected by the owner who would walk around her with each outfit nodding or shaking her head for assistants to take the appropriate action. Finally she had given Lee a stunning three quarter length cocktail dress, made of a soft floaty material which clung to her body as it fell to her ankles. The red strapless dress was simple elegance which fastened at her back, gathering under her breast where it fell gently brushing sensually against her body, giving small glimpses of her wonderful shape beneath. Looking at her reflection Lee had been amazed at how good she looked. Complimenting it with matching red strappy shoes and an evening bag Lee had finally found herself ready for her first dinner with Yanis Demitri.
CHAPTER TWO
As she had stepped out of the car the flashing of camera bulbs had momentarily blinded and surprised Lee, who had jumped, her eyes widening with confusion. Quickening her pace and throwing up her hand to shield her eyes from the sudden glare, she had moved into the exclusive restaurant, with its soft music and wood panelled luxury, and had given her name to the maître de who had smiled welcomingly to her before directing her to what was obviously the best table in the house. There Yanis was already waiting for her, and Lee had swallowed a lump in her throat on seeing him. Dressed in a black dinner suit, he looked every bit the play boy Jim had described to her. His wide muscular shoulders fitting so well in the designer jacket, which he wore with an air of belonging as he had looked supremely comfortable in his surroundings, while she felt nervous and still a little rattled by what had happened outside. Seeing him sitting so calm and confident Lee had proudly raised her chin, as she had stepped forward to meet with him, determined not to show her true feelings, knowing what pleasure it would give him to see how out of place she actually felt. As he had stood to greet her she had felt the tingle of awareness once more, fully appreciating how magnificent he looked, his wide shoulders tapering to slim hips, his thick black hair layered against his tanned skin and those wonderful dark penetrating eyes following her as she moved towards him, his head lifted proudly as he watched her approach. Trying not to look at his seductive mouth which was smiling softly at her she had dropped her eyes as her body had jumped to attention at just the sight of him.
Lee knew that Yanis Demitri was 32, as both he and Jim had attended the same classes throughout their boyhood years, but he was much taller than his friend, over 6 foot, and as she approached the table he had extending his hand and captured hers to kiss her fingers gently. The feel of his lips on her skin had caught her by surprise, as she had bit her lips to prevent the small gasp leaving her mouth, once more feeling the small current of electricity travel down her spine, as she had quickly pulled her hand from his, much to his amusement as his dark eyes had mocked her.
Sitting down once more he had openly admired her, his dark eyes framed with the longest lashes she had ever seen on a man which were slowly and unashamedly travelling down her whole body.
“Very nice…I can see why Jim enjoyed you so much” he muttered, causing Lee to frown
“Did you enjoy your shopping trip” he asked conversationally
Lee had sighed, her eyes meeting his
“Do you really care” she asked her voice dripping with contempt
He had opened his eyes wide his innocent expression laughing at her
“But of course Cara, I am interested in everything my future wife does”
Lee had once more bitten her lip to stop the caustic words from leaving her mouth, instead lifting the menu to look at the food, suddenly not feeling hungry any more.
Dropping the sarcasm in his tone he had suddenly become very serious, his eyes delving deeply into hers, holding them as his face had become more sombre
“I have several charities which I work with Lee, and from the moment our engagement is announced you will be expected to take an interest in these”
Pausing he had looked at her
“Do you think you can do that” he had asked with a small thoughtful frown, before adding unpleasantly “In between your shopping trips of course”
The chance to do something during what she was fast coming to look on as her internment had instantly raised her spirits
“I’m sure I can show enough interest” she had responded, before the attentive waiter had appeared to take their order and place drinks before them.
Surprisingly the rest of the meal had passed pleasantly as Yanis had at her prompting described the different charities he supported, answering her many questions. He had looked at the young woman with real surprise at her obvious interest, telling himself that women like Lee Andrews just liked to find out as much information as they could, so that they could use it against men like Jim. However, she had grossly underestimated him because he knew how women like her operated, and she was wasting her time if she thought he would be half as easy a mark as poor Jim had been. Still he was pleasantly surprised at her quick mind and the way she asked pertinent and intelligent questions. Most of his lady friends would not have been able to grasp half of the information he was giving let alone be able to make sense of it. She however, had nodded with apparent understanding.
To his surprise he had found himself enjoying the meal slowly relaxing in her company to the point that he had began to joke with her, as she had laughed back, throwing in quick one liners of her own which had him laughing with her. He had also found himself admiring her smile, which would light up her whole features, enjoying the sound of her wonderful laugh, as her whole face would glow when she did. As the meal had ended he had looked at her contemplatively, she was good he thought to himself, very good.
Lee had also enjoyed the meal, finding him to be great company once he had stopped looking at her as though she was something unpleasant he had stepped on. She had been genuinely interested in his charity work and pleasantly surprised at the amount of knowledge he had about this work. It seemed to show that he was actively interested and involved, rather than just a cheque book patron. As he had relaxed she had found him smiling at her with that same smile he had used in the hospital the day they met and had found the sound of his masculine laughter had sent pleasant tremors once more down her spine.
Finishing the meal Yanis had guided her out of the restaurant placing his hand gently on her back, an action which had caused Lee to jump slightly at the sudden feel of his hand on her body. As they had moved into the waiting car she had gasped in surprise, flinching, as once more photographers had snapped pictures of the two of them.
Inside the car she had looked at him in surprise
“Who where they” she asked
“paparazzi” he replied unpleasantly “get used to them Lee, they will become the bane of your life…and when I throw you out, then they are going to pursue you with a vengeance…and you won’t be able to say a word” he added, the old unpleasantness creeping back into his voice and eyes.
Lee sat quietly for the rest of the short journey as he filled her in on plans made so far. She had grimaced at the amount of time and effort he had put into his vengeance plan, but had been relieved when he had informed her that her work had completely understood that she could not come right back, but had looked forward to seeing her when things were more settled.
Lee had recognised the area which the car had driven too. Not surprised to find herself on the expensive side of town, the complete opposite end of the social scale to her own small home. They had pulled up outside a large estate in which they had to be buzzed through security gates to reach the grand home which sat nestled in amongst the trees at the end of the long driveway. Lee had only seen such buildings on television or when she had visited some of the immensely rich clients who used the PR Company she worked for, her mind briefly returning to one in particular, before she had looked over at Yanis Demitri the other memory vanishing from her mind instantly. As she admired the building he had gently placed a hand on her elbow to move into the building with her, once again making her jump.
Inside, the house was decorated in the most sumptuous manner. It was clear to see that no expense had been spared in the décor, although Lee had felt that it was a little masculine and lacked some feminine touches, not surprising she mused, remembering Jim telling her that although many had tried, no woman had ever managed to move into his home on a permanent basis. Standing looking around with awe struck eyes, scared to touch anything in case she broke it; she became aware of a woman moving towards them. Middle aged with warm twinkling eyes she had welcomed Yanis and then Lee.
“Lee please meet Mrs D’Angelo…my housekeeper” he said smiling back at the woman
Lee had extended her hand, a broad smile on her face much to the other woman’s surprise.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you” she said warmly. The woman had looked at her for a second before shaking the hand and replying with a smile
“Please call me Maria Madam”
Lee had smiled
“OK but only if you call me Lee”
Watching this Yanis had frowned slightly. Maria was a shrewd woman, who often had plenty to say about the type of women he brought home, so why was she being so quickly taken in by the transparent gold digger before her
“I will show Lee to her room” he said moving up the steps with the expectancy of a man who was used to others following him, as indeed she had done with a last flash of teeth to the other woman, who much to her surprise had winked at her.
Opening the door to a room halfway down the corridor Lee had gasped as she walked in. The room was huge and beautifully decorated in light creams and rich reds. The large four poster bed which looked small in the space was exquisitely dressed and suddenly feeling very tired it had looked so appealing at that moment. Near to the bed Lee could also see a large comfortable couch and dressing table, and had spotted two doors on the farthest wall to where they stood. Moving over to the first he had shown her the large en-suite bathroom filled with everything she would need. Her eyes had been wide with wonder at the opulence of it and she had gasped again seeing the next door which led into a walk in closet, in which her purchases of that day had already been neatly hung.
Lee had been surprised to see just how much she had bought and was annoyed seeing the mocking look which crept into his eyes
“Glad to see you getting into the swing of things” he said softly
Angrily she had turned away from him biting back
“You were the one who sent along the list…not me”
Lee had felt him moving behind her, her whole body suddenly on high alert at his closeness
“Well I think I’ll leave you to it then” he said much to her relief
“But there is one thing we need to sort out” he said as his hands had quickly grabbed her turning her around to face him as she had gasped in surprise, before he had pulled her against the hardness of him, his mouth lowering to kiss her
For a second Lee had froze in shock, before with a small groan her lips had parted to deepen his kiss, feeling his mouth gentle yet insistent against hers as his tongue had began to explore the softness of her. Then sense had bubbled to the surface of her confused mind as she had pushed him away from her, her eyes shocked and confused with a tinge of fear filling them. As she stood unsteadily away from him, her breathing ragged, she had seen the look of desire in his eyes before they had once more been replaced with the coldness she had come to expect
“You..you said that you weren’t going to force me to sleep with you” she stammered
With supreme calmness he had smiled back at her
“That’s right Lee, but from now on you are going to have to act like you are madly in love with me….and not jump a mile like a frightened school girl every time I touch you. Because believe me, part of the deal here is that you play your part well…. It just won’t be as much fun for me if you don’t.
Through gritted teeth she had replied
“Don’t worry about me Yanis, I can fake it for the damn camera” she retorted
She had seen his eyebrows rise and with a smile he had moved forward
“Good, you finally managed to say my name…a start… now come here and prove to me that you can fake it”
With unsteady feet she had moved towards him unaware of how her hands had tugged at each other nervously, her teeth biting on her soft lip. He had taken each hand in his kissing them both slowly as she fought not to show the way his touch was affecting her, before his hands had moved to her hips pulling her closer in against him while his mouth had once again lowered to take hers. She had watched it all happen in slow motion, aware of her eyes closing as their lips touched. This time she let him kiss her and placing her flattened hands against the hardness of his chest she had slowly moved them upwards against him until they were wound around his neck, to bring her soft body harder in against his as she had kissed him back just as deeply, letting her tongue meet his as she felt herself sinking under the wonderful sensations he was rising within her.
He had groaned gently against her lips, as his hands had moved along her back her body reacting wherever she felt the heat of those firm hands through the thin material of her dress as he held her even tighter to him. After what seemed an age, he had moved her away from him his hands a little shaky
“OK Lee, you proved that you can fake it….I’m sure that Jim was impressed too” he had added his voice husky, as he had looked down on her with those dark unfathomable eyes
Lee dropped her eyes to the ground aware that she was breathing fast, her hand visibly trembling rising to gently touch her mouth.
As he moved to the door, opening it he had looked back at her, suddenly aware of how sensual she looked, her eyes wide and still full of the desire they had both felt, her lips red from their kiss and her breasts still rising fast and it took all his determination not to return to her at that moment
“For the record Lee, I never said that I didn’t intend to sleep with you…I said that I had never forced a woman to sleep with me”
With that he was gone, and Lee had sunk down onto the couch, her emotions in tatters. No man had ever kissed her that way before, and the strength of her own reaction to him had frightened her. This man was blackmailing her, threatening her beloved brother, and yet she wondered if he had lifted her and taken her to the bed if she would really have stopped him. With a tortured groan she knew that she wouldn’t have, still feeling the way her body longed for him to return to her. Dropping her head into her hands for the first time she wondered if she was in way over her head
“Please wake up soon Jim” she prayed quietly.
The next morning Lee woke at her usual 6.30, enjoying the feel of the power shower, as it fired warm jets of water across her body. She had then hunted through the clothes which had been delivered, before settling on black trousers and a soft blue jumper as the most practical clothing she could find. After brushing her hair, leaving it to swing freely down her back and applying a little gloss to her lips she had left the room not quite sure of where she was going as Yanis had not thought to show her around the house the previous evening, simply taking her to her room and leaving her there.
Therefore, she had moved around the different rooms downstairs, aimlessly looking for signs of a kitchen in which she could get a cup of tea.
“You look lost Madam” a voice behind her had said making her start
Turning round quickly, she had flashed the housekeeper one of her wonderful smiles making the woman smile back automatically
“Morning Maria... I am…I was looking for the kitchen” she said “and please call me Lee”
The woman before her had smiled again “OK Lee, I think you and I will be good friends” she said softly in her deep accent.
“I hope so…I will try not to be any trouble to you” she said gently, as the woman had looked at her for a few seconds
“I show you the dining room. Yanis is already there. You have breakfast with him”
Lee’s heart had sunk to her feet. She had hoped to avoid him until the evening when she would be expected to play the dutiful girl friend by his side. Biting down the groan she had followed the older woman to a room down the hall and thanked her once she had opened the door for her.
As she entered Yanis had looked up in surprise.
“I didn’t expect to see you this early Lee” he said in his sensual voice, which once more, she had found so pleasant as she felt the small tremors pass through her, remembering once again how his mouth had felt against hers, how he had tasted as she had held back the small moan which rose within her.
“Really” she said taking a seat opposite him “and why is that”
He had looked briefly at his watch “Most women are not known for getting up this early” he replied
“Well maybe you should try to meet some women who have to work for a living Yanis…I imagine that your mistresses don’t do much of that” she replied haughtily
She saw his lips twitch “Really, am I mistaken or are you not now one of the idle rich kept women”
Lee glared at him lifting the tea pot to pour herself a cup of much needed tea
“Not by my choice” she said “I guess that’s the difference…you forced this”
“Is this not what you have always wanted Lee” he asked leaning closer in to her as she had scowled at him “No it is not” she said with conviction, bristling as he had laughed softly at her
“Why do you fight this? Why not enjoy it while it lasts” he said, his dark eyes flicking over her face
“Because this is not who I am” she retorted angrily “I just want Jim to wake up so that I can get back to my own life, not “she searched around for the right word “...this”
“Still playing your little game, Cara” he said although there was a hard edge to his tone as she had leant back in submission.
“This afternoon we have an appointment with my lawyer to sign the paperwork we discussed…if you like I can change the time, so you can go shopping” he had offered, watching her
The last thing Lee wanted to do was to go shopping again, but the thought of an early visit to Mrs Green perked her up.
“OK, change the time. Can the driver take me where I want to go….or am I stuck with your schedule” she asked “There is somebody I would like to visit”
“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.