‘That’s all right with you, isn’t it Lisa?’
Lisa? She wasn’t going to let him get to her, even though he was asking one thing while his eyes were suggesting something else. She had no intention of giving him the satisfaction of seeing her shrink from the prospect of being alone with him either. ‘Yes, Tino, that’s absolutely fine with me—’
‘Good.’
He seemed pleased to have got that out of the way, and then her guard must have dropped because he raised her hand to his lips and dropped a kiss on the back of it.
‘I realise it’s late.’ He tried for contrite. ‘Do you forgive me?’
Lisa snatched her hand away. ‘Do you always march uninvited into other people’s homes?’
His lips pressed down ruefully, attractively…
‘I’m sorry, Lisa, I thought we had both earned some downtime.’
He was sorry? She didn’t think so. But since when could someone brush a hand with his lips and set a whole body on fire?
‘Don’t you ever relax?’ he pressed, his perceptive gaze refusing to release her.
‘When I’m given the opportunity.’
‘Surely you must get out of this starchy uniform of yours, and kick back once in a while?’
‘Surprisingly, I tried to do that very thing this evening. I took a long, warm bath, slipped into a comfy robe, and came down here… to relax.’
‘Touché,’ he murmured softly.
Lisa sighed with frustration. Technically, Zagorakis was her guest—and she couldn’t forget that his money could rescue her company. She couldn’t afford to be too rude to him—and the food did look delicious…
‘Why don’t you let me choose something for you?’ he suggested, picking up the plate again.
‘I can manage, thank you. Really, you don’t need to—’ Raising her voice, she was forced to insist, ‘Give me that plate.’
‘Certainly.’
By the time she went to take it from him it was loaded with delicacies—but he kept his grip on it, so that she was bound to him by a too-small china plate… and when he stubbornly resisted her attempt to pull it free she could feel her cheeks start to burn. ‘You really didn’t need to go to all this trouble.’ She tugged a little harder, refusing to give him the upper hand.
‘It was my pleasure, I assure you.’
‘Why exactly?’
‘Perhaps you deserve a little spoiling. Perhaps we both do.’
It was hardly the answer she had been anticipating—and certainly not when it was delivered in that frank and engaging way. His eyes were so deep she was in danger of drowning in them, and they were standing far too close. The warmth of his body was curling round her like a seductive cloak and she could almost forget that, as far as Bond Steel was concerned, Constantine Zagorakis was arch enemy number one—
Breaking eye contact, she pulled away.
‘Champagne?’ he said pleasantly.
She was still fighting off his powerful sexual aura. But then common sense kicked in: definitely no champagne. She loved it, but she wanted to keep her wits about her. What she should do was go to the kitchen, fill a jug with iced water, and pour it over both of them. ‘Thank you, I’d love a glass of champagne.’
The expression in his eyes should have brought her to her senses. She was on the point of crossing an invisible line, a line she knew she always had to stay behind. She only had to remember her mother’s fate to know that she could lose everything, if she ever allowed her senses to take the lead… but she couldn’t risk antagonising Tino Zagorakis. He was a formidable business opponent, and on a personal level perhaps even more dangerous… but forewarned was forearmed—and one glass of champagne couldn’t hurt.
As Tino handed her the glass of champagne he lifted his own and tipped it towards her in a silent toast. She replied by walking away to perch on the edge of the room’s only straight-backed chair. She needed a moment to collect herself. This encounter was something new for her. In the past men had always been happy to follow her lead, which was hardly surprising since most of her relationships were conducted in her head—she didn’t have time or inclination for anything else. She liked her life the way it was—tidy, successful, and absolutely safe.
‘Are you sure you’re comfortable over there?’
In spite of all her good intentions, the look Tino gave her made Lisa’s heart pound. If nothing else Tino Zagorakis set new standards for her fantasies. ‘I’m fine, thank you.’
‘More champagne?’
‘Why not?’ She could handle it. She could handle him too.
As he crossed the room she noticed that his movements were fluid like the big cat she had first thought him. Moving on silent feet, he reached her side before she even had time to hold out her glass.
He left her alone after that, and they ate in silence seated at opposite ends of the room, which should have been a relief. But Lisa’s sensory self had taken over from the rational side of her being. The delicious food and wine slithered down her throat with dizzying speed, and the alcohol loosened her inhibitions. Some very primitive thoughts were entering her mind… just watching his mouth work as he ate was compulsive viewing; his teeth were so white and strong, his lips so firm, and mobile—
‘Lisa?’ He picked up on her stare. ‘Would you like something more?’
As Lisa’s eyes cleared she waved the bread basket away and she shook her head. ‘No, thank you… that was absolutely delicious, but I couldn’t eat another thing.’
‘Then I think it’s time we got to know each other a little better, don’t you?’
CHAPTER TWO
TINO took her plate, stacking it with his on a side table. Lisa watched warily as he came towards her, and almost flinched when he was close enough to touch. But then, instead of grabbing her, he snatched hold of his briefcase and dipped inside. Bringing out some financial reports, he spread them across the low table between them.
‘I think we both know you’ve got a few problems, Lisa—’
For a moment when his glance flicked up Lisa thought he was talking about something other than business, and blushed violently.
‘I’ve noticed a few discrepancies here and there,’ he continued. ‘All easily explained, I’m sure. No doubt our respective bean-counters will soon iron things out.’
It was a relief for her mind to click back into business mode.
‘Take a look at these.’ He passed her some sheets. ‘It’s only fair that you should have sight of all my findings.’
Fair? Tino was pointing up the fact that he had uncovered a whole clutch of Bond Steel skeletons in the shortest time imaginable, in order to prepare her for a much reduced offer price, Lisa suspected. ‘That’s very good of you, Tino.’
She was careful to sound noncommittal. She wanted to see exactly what he had found out before showing any reaction to it.
‘I’ll leave the rest of these for you.’ He closed his briefcase.
‘You’re going?’
‘Not if you don’t want me to.’
He had changed in a heartbeat from cold-blooded businessman to someone very different. Her pulse rate quickened in response. But this was wrong. Worse than wrong, it was dangerous.
Her