The Billionaire's Blackmailed Heiress (16 page)

The following day, looking drawn and tired having slept little the previous night she had stood in the small crematorium. Beside her Nikos had entwined his fingers around hers, Theresa and Yanis not commenting if they had noticed, as she had leant in close to him. As Alexander had moved into the room Nikos had frowned looking at Mina who had moved forward to welcome him. With narrowed eyes he had watched as Alexander had pulled her in for a hug, cold fingers of dread eating at him. When had the two become more than the enemies that he had witnessed at the charity dinner they had attended so long ago?

Mina had been surprised to see her step-brother, Alexander looking nervously at her and Nikos, holding back at the door as she had moved forward.

“I’m so sorry to hear about your mother” he had whispered taking her into his arms for a hug before pulling back to look so intently into her eyes “If you need anything and I mean anything…know that I’m only a phone call away”.

Mina had nodded so happy to see him, happy to have her brother with her on one of the worst days of her life.

“Thank you Alexander…you have no idea what that means to me”.

He had smiled warmly back before looking over at Nikos, the other man regarding him coldly as he had taken a seat, Mina moving back to stand beside the tall Greek.

“I didn’t realise that you and Alexander and become so close” he had murmured softly, the requirement for lulled voices within the room not needing to be spoken. Looking sadly back at him she had given a half smile “I don’t know how he found out…but yes, he apologised to me a while back…seems he didn’t believe that I was really his sister” with sadness so evident in her eyes she had continued “He wants us to be a proper brother and sister…and I guess he is now the only family I have”.

Biting back the comment that had risen to his lips, he had looked over warily at Alexander. Mina was sweet, naive, not used to snakes like Alexander, Nikos not trusting the other man or his intentions. However, he really was the only family she had now, and knitting his brows together he had murmured simply “That is nice” rewarded as she had once more taken his hand, the music for the ceremony starting as her hands had started to shake.

After the ceremony was over, Mina had thanked all those who had come including Alice who had hugged her comfortingly. Alexander had left repeating his offer of an ear if she ever needed it, Nikos once more frowning hearing as her brother had insisted on the two of them meeting that week sometime for lunch. The hairs on his neck rising sensing that the younger man was up to something, something that would see Mina hurt in the long run, frowning once more with the realisation that he felt such a need to protect her.

Returning to the villa, she had accepted the glass of wine that he had offered her, sighing heavily as she had fallen back against the plush and comfortable sofa, her eyes closing. Moving to sit beside her he had taken her hand, Mina’s eyes flying open instantly with the awareness of his touch.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be with you last night Mina” his fingers entwining with hers as she had looked warmly back at him.

“I understand Nikos…you have a business to run”.

Nodding he had stared intently at her.

“True…and to be here today I had to catch up with so many things. But I was referring to when I got home”.

Looking at him with confusion, her eyes had been questioning “I…I don’t know what you…” she had begun as he had continued.

“I meant that I had not joined you in bed”

Squirming uncomfortably she had pulled back her hand, sitting more upright and looking nervously at him “Nikos…what happened…it was wonderful”.

Nikos chuckling as he had moved even closer to her “Oh…I think that it surpassed wonderful Mina…I think we both know that” his lips curving into a smile as she had blushed hotly, stammering gently.

“The vote is only a week away Nikos…then I go home and… well maybe it is just best that we stop”.

Her eyes flying to his full of indecision “It just…it just seems a bad idea…for me anyway”.

Moving even closer he had plucked the glass from her fingers.

“I disagree Mina, but if that is what you really want then I will not force you to do anything against your will”

Mina had felt her mouth drying as she had cleared her throat nervously, remaining still as he had moved even closer, her eyes fluttering closed with a will of their own as her lips had parted slightly. With a triumphant sound he had then kissed her, Mina melting instantly into his embrace, her resolve vanishing with just that one touch of his lips.

Pulling slightly back his mouth had whispered against hers.

“Whatever time we have Mina…we should have it together”.

Groaning softly she had struggled to find some reason to argue, her head spinning as her befuddled mind tried to focus on one thing, anything to stop what was happening. However, all she could think about was having his mouth back on hers as she had sighed softly, nodding gently as he had pulled her in harder kissing her, with bone-melting heat.

The sound of footsteps moving down the hallway had made their way through to both of them as they had pushed apart, Mina seeing as his breathing had been as ragged as hers, his eyes glowing with the same need. Nikos, rising quickly had moved out of reach of her his voice husky “I will ask Theresa to move your things”, before he had quickly turned and left the room, Mina still trying to grasp what had happened. She had been relieved the previous evening when he had not moved into her room, needing to concentrate on coping with her mother’s death and the grief that filled her over that. Having Nikos so close, with the way she felt for him was just confusing everything. With a ragged groan, her head clearing, she had once more chastised herself. Her determination to nip the relationship in the bud, despite the way her heart cried out for him had been left in tatters around her as with just one kiss he had gotten her to agree to be the one thing she had always sworn never to be - his mistress, no matter how fleeting.

For a second she had contemplated chasing after him and telling him that she could not move into his room, that she could not be there for his sexual satisfaction, but she had known that Nikos was not a man used to being told no. If one kiss had seen her agreeing to move into his bed, what would happen if he were to choose to do so in her bedroom, a small tremor of desire flooding through her. Sighing softly once more, she had known that no matter what she was putty in that man’s hands, both in body and in heart. Feeling the tears rise once more in her eyes she had never felt closer to her mother, for the first time understanding why she had remained with her father, understanding the complete destructive power of loving somebody so incapable of committing back.

Sighing she had risen and rushed to the door, calling out his name, Nikos stopping, a wary look on his face as he had turned to look at her “No need to bother Theresa…I will do it myself”.

With a large grin he had nodded moving back towards her and taking her softly in his arms.

“You will not regret this Mina” he had muttered sensually against her, Mina already knowing that she would. That she would be burnt badly in the heat of their passion. That it would be she who would be the one consumed by the fire not him, but finally realising that she would rather that fate than not spend every possible moment with him.

Later as she had moved her clothes into his room, Theresa had appeared Mina feeling herself blush as she had faced the housekeeper. Theresa however, had only smiled offering to help as she had grinned broadly “Finally … Nikos finds himself a NICE girl”, Mina dropping her eyes as she had laughed, her embarrassment so obvious.

“Well, at least until I go back home”.

The housekeeper pausing as she had looked back “But … will you not stay?”

Shaking her head fervently she had pulled more clothes from the drawer “No… I can’t” giving a half laugh “I don’t somehow think that Nikos sees this as a long term thing anyway…and I have to get back to my life” her voice breaking softly at the thought of returning alone to the house she and her mother had shared, as she had pulled herself up taller, putting a more assured smile on her face.

“It is better that I go home as soon as possible”.

Theresa had looked at her contemplatively before turning away, not feeling it her place to comment.

For the rest of the day Mina had sought solace in the garden, allowing its peaceful beauty to bring some inner peace to her broken heart. As she had sat near the edge of the cliff the sounds and smells of the ocean had settled on her as she had breathed in the serenity of the place. Nikos had returned to work, full of apologies, not wanting to leave her that day. However the emergency was not one that could be ignored and with a gentle kiss she had told him to go, seeing as he had looked so undecided, this touching Mina deeply.

As the light of the day had grown dim Yanis had come to sit with her, Dina with him, for once so subdued having brought with them drinks and sandwiches, his handsome face full of concern for her.

“My mother insists that I bring this back in empty” he had chuckled sitting down beside her. Mina had smiled back, feeling the way her stomach had rumbled, having eaten so little over the past few days. Reaching over she had picked up one of the delicious morsels.

“Well we do not want to upset Theresa” she had chuckled scrunching her nose at him playfully as he had flashed an approving grin. Dina’s small hand had moved into hers, Mina looking at the small girl who was regarding her so sombrely.

“Mina I don’t have a mummy either” she had stated in her childlike voice.

“I know that it will be OK…because Yanis, Theresa, Nikos and me will love you”.

Looking over at Yanis who had grinned at her cute words he had nodded in agreement. Smiling warmly she had squeezed the little girl’s hand, so touched with her words, before pulling her in for a cuddle, Dina gently patting her back in the way adults did to upset children, Mina feeling such love for the child filling her.

“Well I am really glad that I have all of you” she had smiled, silently wishing that one of those named could love her the way she loved him, but knowing that he never could. With that the three had sat back silently, content to watch the sunset, the end of yet another day, the end of one of the saddest so far in her life, her mother’s face filling her thoughts.

Walking back into his villa that night Nikos had sworn softly with how silent and dark the house was. The emergency had taken much longer to resolve than he had anticipated, angry that of all days it had been that one, knowing that he had wanted to be there for Mina. Moving into the study, he had poured himself a small drink, allowing his body to unwind after the strenuous day and constant meetings.

His thoughts had once more moved to Mina, Nikos frowning into his drink. He had been relieved when she had agreed to move into his room, but her mention once more of leaving the following week was unsettling, this realisation making his brows knit even tighter together. She fascinated him. He kept waiting for her to be the person he had thought her to be, but with each day he had found himself wanting her more. The memory of their lovemaking had caused his body to jump with the raw need for her, once more knowing that no other woman had ever raised him so high.

Absently running his thumb along the lip of the glass, he had thought about her, Claire’s words once more coming to his mind that she was born to be a mistress, Nikos staring thoughtfully at the fireplace. Would it be so very bad to have her as his mistress, he wanted her and she him, shivering gently he had known that the way they had reacted to each other had been real. Nobody could fake that kind of fire. Taking a final sip he had stood determinedly, perhaps a suitable arrangement would not be so bad after all.

Mina had slept fitfully, not able to forget the events of the day. She had finally cried herself to sleep, but her dreams were full of nightmares of finding her mother dead and standing by her coffin. Her features were drawn and she had whimpered pitifully. Nikos sliding into the bed beside her had watched, seeing the myriad of emotions running across her beautiful face. Pulling her against his stomach his arms had moved to hold her as he had whispered gently to her

“I’m here Mina” surprised as she had given a soft sigh whispering his name in return as her body had relaxed against him. As he had held her she had slipped into a more peaceful sleep, now her dreams full of being in Nikos’ arms and of being cradled protectively by the man she loved.

Blinking, Mina had woke, the room full of grey light as the sun had slowly started to rise banishing the night once more. Shifting slightly she had felt herself held securely, her head moving to see Nikos still deeply asleep beside her, his breaths soft and even his face so peaceful. Lifting his arm to slide free from him, he had started, his eyes flying open as she had looked apologetically back at him.

“Sorry…go back to sleep” her soft voice making him smile warmly.

“Never be sorry, Cara” he had muttered gently, his hands wrapping more tightly around her, hauling her in even harder against him as she had given a small squeal of surprise. She had felt the way his erection had twitched against her back, Mina’s own body tightening in response as she had turned in his embrace, both looking at the other. As his eyes had scanned down her face, she had given a soft groan.

“You must be exhausted” she had murmured, her fingers moving to run through his hair.

“Sleep a little longer…I need a shower”.

Nodding softly he had released her, Mina feeling a small twinge of disappointment as she had moved into the large opulent bathroom. Stepping under the needles of water she had heard him move into the room also, smiling seductively at her as he had slipped into the shower with her.

“I considered your proposal…and I have one of my own”.

Mina laughing, recognising the words he had used the day he had blackmailed her to reveal her true identity. Chuckling she had let him take her into his arms.

“Mmmm do you now, well perhaps we can come to some arrangement” her eyes flashing wickedly at him, as with a low rumble of laughter his mouth had dropped to kiss her. The kiss was dynamite and both had erupted like roman candles with the need for the other, his hands moving down her pushing her legs apart as his fingers had explored her. She in turn had grasped his length in her hand, hearing the intake of breath as he had muttered words in Greek, the frustration and pleasure so clear in his voice.