Free In Petrakis's Power by Maggie Cox Page A

area—only to be confronted by the curious glances of Ludo’s colleagues.
    After giving her father the good news that Ludo had increased the sum he had paid for the business, and hearing that he was much more optimistic about his future because of it, the following day Natalie returned hometo Hampshire. Trepidation, hope and great doubt accompanied her.
    First and foremost, she could hardly believe that she’d agreed to go to Greece with Ludo in just a week’s time and endeavour to convince his parents that they were engaged. Surely they would know immediately that an unremarkable girl like her was the least likely woman he would choose as a fiancée? For a start, she was a million miles away from the perfect-looking women who adorned the arms of rich and powerful men like their son in the glossy magazines.
    But the following evening when Ludo phoned, trepidation and doubt instantly fled to be replaced by a totally unexpected wild optimism and hope. All it took was hearing the sound of his rich baritone voice.
    Without preamble he announced, ‘It’s me—Ludo.’
    About to take a bath, Natalie grasped the white bathsheet she’d wrapped round her torso to make it more secure, just as if he’d suddenly appeared in the room and his arresting cobalt gaze was resting on her semi-naked form. Dropping down onto the bed, she sent up a fervent prayer that her voice wouldn’t betray how strongly his call had affected her. Despite agreeing to go to Greece with him, it felt somehow surreal that the handsome businessman should call her personally.
    ‘Hi,’ she answered, the nerves she’d hoped she’d banished already alarmingly evident. ‘How are you?’
    ‘Tired and very much in need of a holiday.’
    The surprisingly unguarded reply took Natalie aback and filled her with concern. ‘Well, thankfully you don’thave too long to wait before you get away … just a few more days.’
    ‘Presumably I don’t need to check you
are
still coming with me?’
    With thudding heart, Natalie said quickly, ‘No, you don’t need to check. When I give my word I keep it.’
    ‘Good. Do you have a pen and paper at hand? I want to give you some flight details.’
    When she’d written them down she asked, ‘Is that all?’
    ‘No.’ She heard a disconcerting smile in his voice.
    ‘I’d like to talk to you some more. What have you been doing with yourself today?’
    Sighing, Natalie smoothed her hand down over the soft towelling nap of the bathsheet. Not that it remotely mattered, but if Ludo intended talking for much longer then her bathwater would be turning unpleasantly cold.
    ‘What have I been doing? Helping to organise some help in the B&B while I’m away, and also seeing to some rather tedious administration, I’m afraid. But thankfully it was alleviated by my mum’s baking. Just after three she brought me in some homemade scones and jam with a cup of tea. No one in the world makes scones as melt-in-the-mouth and tasty as she does!’
    ‘You have an extremely sexy voice, Natalie. I can’t be the only man who’s ever told you that.’
    Dumbfounded, Natalie automatically shook her head, as if Ludo was indeed in the room. The only thing she could conjure up right then wasn’t an answer but a mental picture of him smiling at her. The sculpted planes of his tanned cheekbones, chiselled jaw and intensesapphire-coloured eyes were more than enough to drive away any intelligible reply.
    ‘Natalie? Are you still there?’
    ‘Yes, I’m still here. But I ran a bath just before you rang and it must be getting cold. I’m afraid I’ll have to go.’
    On her feet, she carried her mobile to the slightly ajar bathroom door and anxiously bit down on her lip as she waited for his reply. The comment he’d made about her having a sexy voice had unravelled her.
    ‘Well, then, you must go and take your bath. But know this … I don’t think I’m going to be able to sleep at all tonight, since I will have in my mind the arresting image