In the end, he took over, disrobing first himself, then her, while murmuring soft Greek words she didn’t understand.
She started to follow him when he pulled her down on the bed, until she remembered she was the seducer tonight. With strength she didn’t know she possessed, she reversed their positions.
Nick’s look of surprise disappeared when she proceeded to utilize all the expertise she’d learned from him.
But, being a man most comfortable in the dominant position, he soon took the lead.
He made love to her with such gentleness, such thoroughness through the night, all other thoughts were wiped clean from her mind.
Chapter Fourteen
The Andreakos jet took off just after nine o’clock the next morning, winging its way to Athens. Despite the frightening intrusion of Richard Francis and Mwana’s gunmen, she hated leaving behind the paradise she’d called home for over two weeks.
She sighed when the island became an insignificant dot far below, but her sadness gave way to elation when Nick’s hand gripped hers, pulling her attention from the window.
Looking into the clear gray of his eyes, a jolt went through her at how much she loved him. Without pausing to think, she laid a hand on his cheek, leaned forward and kissed him—a quick kiss, which grew all the more special when his mouth immediately clung to hers. When she pulled away, she read surprise in his eyes.
“What was that for?” he asked huskily.
“Does a wife need an excuse to kiss her husband?”
He smiled. “No, but I know there’s no such thing as a free lunch.” He winked.
Laughing, she replied. “Take it as an extra sweetener to hold you to your promise to bring us back to Althea soon.”
His smile dimmed and his eyes turned serious. “I won’t break that promise or any other promises I have made to you, matia mou. We’ll return to Althea soon, when it’s safe again.” Picking up her hand, he kissed her palm to seal his promise.
Tears, an ever-threatening presence lately, welled up in her eyes again. She blinked them away. Right now, at this exact moment in time, she was so happy she felt she’d burst.
For one thing, Nick was ecstatic their marriage was back on track. This morning, during the hurried breakfast they’d shared, she’d looked up more than once to find his gaze on the rings, an extremely satisfied look on his face. During the night, she’d woken up to find her left hand clasped firmly in his over his heart as he slept. Tears had threatened then, too.
Whether heartache came with the future or not, she was confident she’d made the right decision.
Halfway through the short flight, Nick excused himself and closeted himself with the five security men who’d boarded the plane with them. The sight of their guns sent a niggle of unease through her. To distract herself, she picked up a magazine and flicked through it.
When Nick returned just before landing, his face was set in a pensive look that sent another shiver down her spine. Under his dark pinstripe suit, his shoulders were tense and his jaw clenched.
She put down the magazine. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ve been informed the press is waiting at the airport and camped outside our apartment. Since we’re landing at a private tarmac, we should be able to evade them with minimal fuss. However, I think the press conference should be held sooner rather than later. I’d scheduled it for tomorrow morning, but I think under the circumstances, it’s better to bring it forward.” He looked at her, concern stamped on his features. “Will you be able to cope?” he asked.
As long as he was there with her, she’d get through anything. “Yes. Let’s get it over with,” she responded.
He gave a warm smile of approval and nodded to one of the men seated a few rows behind them. The man picked up the phone and spoke in low tones, presumably to give the go-ahead for the press conference.
Trying to tamp down her nervousness, she took courage in the fact that at least her clothes reflected her stature as Mrs. Nick Andreakos. The sea-green pressed linen suit was one she’d never worn. The skirt ended just above her knee, the design understated but elegant, and she’d teamed it with a cream silk camisole, cream sling-back shoes, and a Prada clutch. Much to Nick’s very vocal objection, she’d put her hair up, securing it with a large clip. The chain she’d worn with her rings and small diamond stud earrings completed the ensemble.
When the Athens skyline came into view, her nervousness increased. This was her first foray into Nick’s world in almost seven months. The last thing she looked forward to was being pounced on by a pack of hungry paparazzi.
“You’ll be fine, baby.”
…
ATHENS, GREECE
At the airport, Belle and Nick were whisked into a waiting limo and driven straight to the headquarters of Andreakos Shipping.
Belle spent the next hour answering what seemed like a thousand questions. With each passing second, her heart hammered.