In Petrakis's Power (11 page)

As if intuiting his presence Natalie turned, and the rose-tinted blush that heated her cheeks rendered her pretty as a picture. Ludo’s lips shaped a deliberately slow and appreciative smile. ‘So this is where you are. And I see that you have dressed for dinner. You look as lovely as Aphrodite herself. Come … let me look at you.’

Catching hold of her hand, he made her pivot slowly so that he could study every facet of the gown and her lovely, lissom shape. Behind them, Christos discreetly made his way out into the garden with a knowing smile.

‘You remind me of a beautiful water-nymph in that
dress,’ he commented, the timbre of his voice turning unwittingly husky.

‘Aren’t they supposed to be graceful, ephemeral creatures?’ Her luminous grey eyes teasingly sparkled. ‘You can’t be comparing me to one of those, surely? When I was a child my dad always told me I was about as graceful as an elephant with two left feet.’

‘I’d ask you if he was blind but, having met him, I know that he isn’t.’

‘No … I suppose he was just being realistic.’

‘And you have carried the belief that you are not graceful around with you since you were a child?’

‘It was just playful family banter. It doesn’t mean that he didn’t love me.’

As Natalie once again managed to bewitch him with her beautiful smile and sparkling eyes Ludo impetuously drew her against him, suddenly needing to hold her so he could once more experience the pleasure of having her in his arms, her exquisite feminine curves pressed up close to his body. It seemed that every time he touched her, every time he so much as
glanced
at her, a fire spread throughout his blood that wouldn’t easily be extinguished. At least not until he made her his. Then and only then, when she gazed up at him with the same fever of longing and lust that he now experienced, would he attest to feeling remotely satisfied.

‘He should have told you every day how beautiful, how precious you were to him,’ he murmured, brushing a gentle kiss to the side of her velvet-soft cheek.

‘He might never have said those exact words,’ Natalie demurred, ‘but I knew he felt the sentiment behind
them. I’d hate you to get the wrong impression about him. Honestly, behind his bluff, confident exterior is a man who cares deeply about his loved ones.’

Happy to stay right where he was, with his hands resting lightly on the gentle flare of her slender and yet pleasingly curvaceous hips, Ludo stared hungrily back into the soft grey eyes and thoughtfully reflected on her comment.

‘I seem to remember when we first met you questioned whether you were a kind and devoted daughter. In my opinion, from what I’ve observed so far Natalie, you most definitely
are
. But I think you take on far too much responsibility for your father. Is it your fault that he acquired the destructive habits that resulted in him being forced to sell his business?’

‘Of course it isn’t.’

Frowning, Natalie abruptly stepped away, and Ludo couldn’t help regretting the impulse that had made him mention her father’s debts. But he honestly felt aggrieved on her behalf. It was one thing being a good son or daughter, but quite another feeling responsible for every mistake a parent made. He sighed, and then, because she looked so enchanting, immediately found a smile.

‘Please don’t believe I am telling you how to think or feel. I am only concerned that you do not regard yourself enough. Also, it has been a lifelong habit of mine to be frank, and I know my earlier display of temper must have upset you.’

Moving nearer, he gently curled one of the long loose tendrils of hair that glanced against her cheek behind
her ear. At first her answering smile was tentative and uncertain. But then, like the sun emerging from behind a rain cloud, the warm curve of her lips became quite simply exquisite.

‘I’m not upset. The tensions of any journey can make a person snappy and on edge. But I’d like to be frank too, Ludo. I’m a firm believer that a worry shared is a worry halved. I know that you’re still grieving for your brother, and you’re worried about facing your parents after not seeing them for so long, but might it help you to talk about your concerns with me? Whatever you say, I promise I would never betray a confidence. I’d just listen and hopefully give you some support.’

‘Of course you would.’ His expression was sombre. ‘It’s probably what you do for all the waifs and strays and wounded hearts that come your way, isn’t it? The bed and breakfast that you run with your mother is probably like a local, more comfortable branch of the Samaritans.’ His lips twisted for a moment. ‘And who wouldn’t welcome a vision like you to talk to?’

He didn’t mean to be cruel, but he couldn’t quell the bitterness that suddenly surfaced in him. Why couldn’t there have been someone like Natalie around when he’d heard the news that Theo had died? Someone he would have felt safe breaking his heart in front of? Someone who wouldn’t judge him or see a chance to advance themselves in some way by their association with him?

He shook his head. ‘I’m sorry, Natalie. But now is not the time for me to bare my soul. I am not saying I’ve completely closed the door on the possibility, but just not right now.’

She treated him to another understanding smile, and for a few captivating moments Ludo allowed himself simply to bask in it, as though it were warm rain after a cold, dry spell.

‘Anyway,’ she said, ‘Christos was telling me about your garden—that it’s full of orange and lemon trees. Can I see it?’

‘It will be my pleasure to show you the garden,
glykia mou
.’

Cupping her elbow, Ludo couldn’t help the glow of pride that swept through him that Natalie should be interested in the garden. The beauty and bounty of nature had always been one of his passions, right from when he was a boy, but apart from his mother, who had often talked about the healing power of it, he had rarely encountered women who felt the same way as he did.

Outside, Christos touched the tip of his straw hat in acknowledgement as Ludo and Natalie appeared. Speaking in Greek, he commented, ‘You came at the right time to enjoy the oranges and lemons, Mr Petrakis. If you had left it much later the fruit would not have been at its best.’

‘I know. And, by the way, thank you for all your hard work tending the gardens, Christos. I am convinced it is your magic touch that makes everything grow so abundantly.’

‘It is my pleasure to be of service.’

Ludo was gratified to know that his devoted and respected employee was still happy to be working for him. When Christos and his wife retired he would make sure to provide them with a lovely home and garden so
that he could continue enjoying his craft. Moving on, still cupping Natalie’s elbow, Ludo guided her onto the meandering red stone path that led to the verdant green where the trees and fruit flourished so abundantly. Even before the trees came into view the air was drenched with the intoxicating scent of ripened fruit.

Breaking away from him, the woman by his side enthusiastically clapped her hands. ‘This scent is incredible!’ Her bright shining eyes and joyful enthusiasm were so engaging that for a moment Ludo was struck dumb.

‘Walk on,’ he invited smilingly, ‘and you will see the fruit that is responsible.’

It was like walking into the Garden of Eden. Both the perfume and the sight of lush oranges and lemons hanging heavily from slim branches amid a bejewelled floral carpet of emerald-green was nothing less than wondrous. What added to her wonderment and pleasure was that her handsome companion seemed so much more relaxed than he had been earlier. It had given her heart when he’d told her he hadn’t completely closed the door on baring his soul to her. A passing warm breeze lifted the gold lock of hair that glanced against his forehead, and in that instant he suddenly looked so carefree and young that she could imagine him in a gentler time, long before the unbearable tragedy of losing his beloved brother and separation from his homeland had etched indelible scars on his heart that likely would never be erased.

‘It takes my breath away.’ Shaking her head, she spontaneously held the palm of her hand over her heart.
‘It makes me wonder what on earth I could have done to deserve being treated to such a sight.’

Without comment, Ludo walked over and took her by the hand. Unsure of what he was going to do, Natalie felt her heart drum hard as he led her across the grass to a fulsome lemon tree, plucked a plump yellow fruit from one of the branches, then tugged her hand towards him.

‘Open your palm,’ he instructed.

She obeyed, and he gave the lemon a hard squeeze so that the skin split and ripe juice spilled out into her hand like sparkling nectar, filling her nostrils with the sharp fresh scent of the sun-kissed fruit. As Ludo took his hand away Natalie moved her hand back and forth beneath her nose. ‘It’s glorious!’ She smiled. ‘It must be the freshest scent in the world.’

‘If you add a teaspoon of sugar to the juice and rub your hands together I’m assured you’ll have the best method of softening your skin that you could find.’

‘How do you know that?’

With his sky-blue eyes squinting against the sunlight, Ludo grinned with pleasure.

‘I heard about it from my mother. I used to watch her apply lemon juice and sugar to her hands after she’d washed the dishes. All I can tell you is that her hands were always soft as a child’s. Don’t take my word for it. When you get the chance give it a try.’

‘I will.’

‘Now, let’s go over to the fountain and you can rinse your hands.’

At a magnificent solid-stone fountain, with its crystal-clear waters gushing from the upturned sculpted
jug of a young shepherdess, Natalie rinsed her hands, bringing them up to her face to cool her sun-kissed cheeks. She knew it wasn’t just the sun that had warmed them. Ludo Petrakis had cast the most mesmerising spell over her. A spell that right then she had no desire to ever be free of … ‘That’s better.’ She smiled.

‘Then I think we should go in to eat. Allena has prepared us something special, and if my guess is right it will probably be my favourite
moussaka
, followed by some
baklava
. I hope you have a sweet tooth, Natalie?’

‘I do have a sweet tooth, and
baklava
happens to be a favourite of mine.’

Ludo’s glance was slow and assessing, and in the ensuing momentary silence Natalie almost held her breath, wondering what he was thinking. She soon found out.

‘It is very gratifying to know that you can yield to temptation,
glykia mou
,’ he drawled. ‘Because right now the temptation of
you
is sorely testing me.’

When he reached for her hand once again she let him clasp it without hesitation, loving the reassuring warmth of his touch and realising she could very easily become addicted to it.

Turning, Ludo led her back down the stone path and into the house …

After enjoying the superb moussaka and fresh three-bean salad that Allena had served them, also the delicious syrup-drenched baklava, they took their coffee out onto the terrace, where Ludo had first taken Natalie on their arrival. It was now almost full dusk, and the glasslike
surface of the Mediterranean gleamed not with sunlight but with the bewitching, serene light of the moon.

Natalie leaned back in her rattan chair and sighed contentedly. About to share her thoughts on the beautiful scene with her companion, she saw that his eyelids were closed, and didn’t know if he’d fallen into a light doze or was simply lost in thought. The journey on the plane had certainly been fraught with tension for him, knowing he was going back home for the first time since his brother’s funeral. For now, she decided to keep her thoughts to herself so as not to disturb him.

It was certainly no hardship to relax with all the breathtaking beauty on display, and Natalie couldn’t help but include Ludo in that description. More and more she was starting to believe that he was right. It
would
break her heart to leave this place … to leave
him
. The thought made her sit up with a jolt. The impulse she’d followed in accepting his deal to come with him was dangerously beginning to backfire on her. And tomorrow he was going to introduce her to his parents as his
fiancée
. As much as she was enamoured of this wonderful country, and longed to have the time to explore some of it, Natalie wondered if she really could go through with the pretence Ludo had suggested after all.

The sudden unexpected movement of his hand over a hard-muscled thigh in his cream-coloured chinos alerted her to the fact that he wasn’t dozing at all, but just sitting quietly.

Reaching forward to collect her cup of coffee from the table, she ventured, ‘Ludo? Are you all right?’

‘Of course I’m all right. Why do you ask?’

‘I was just concerned about how you were feeling. Ever since I told you that my mum had heard about what happened to your brother I’ve had the sense you’ve been retreating little by little. You hardly talked at all on the journey here. I didn’t mean to upset you by telling you what she said.’

Lifting his hand to his forehead, Ludo rubbed a little, his blue eyes glinting warily as a cat’s when confronted by some potential sudden danger.

‘I sometimes think that Greek people round the world have an uncanny sense of knowing what’s going on with each other even if they’ve never met. I shouldn’t have been surprised that your mother had heard of the tragedy, but I was. If I seem to have shut down a little it’s because any reference to my brother inevitably brings back great sadness and regret for me. I am also going to have to face my parents tomorrow and explain to them why I ran away after the funeral.’

Natalie swallowed hard. ‘Ran away?’

‘Yes. I packed my bags and left straight after the funeral without giving them any real explanation. I couldn’t deal with their grief. It cut me like a knife to see them so heartbroken … not knowing what to do anymore. They had always been just like my brother Theo—steady and dependable. As if nothing, not even an earthquake, could shake their unified solidity.’ He shook his head, agitatedly combing his fingers through his golden sun-streaked hair. ‘And instead of supporting them through that terrible time and providing solace I chose to escape. I wanted to try and blot out the past
and all that had happened by losing myself in my work and trying my damndest not to think about it.’