Free The Greek Tycoon's Achilles Heel by Lucy Gordon Page B

down at her face and she was laughing, not with amusement but with joy and triumph, inviting him to share. Once, long ago, she’d taken his hand and led him through the tunnel to success. Now she could do it again, except that this successwould be different, not a matter of money and crushing foes, but a joyous richness and light, streaming ahead, leading to new life, and whatever that life might bring.
    ‘Let’s go,’ he cried.
    ‘Where?’ she called back in delight.
    ‘Anywhere—wherever you want to take me.’
    ‘Then come.’
    She began to run, taking him with her, not knowing where she was heading or why; only knowing that she was with him and that was enough. Now the whole of Athens seemed to be flaming around them.
    She stopped at last and they stood, gasping together, their chests heaving. From overhead came the sound of fireworks racing up into the black sky, exploding in an orgy of light, while down below the crowd cried out its pleasure.
    ‘Phew!’ she said.
    He gave a sigh of agreement and she thumped him lightly.
    ‘You shouldn’t be out of breath. I thought you worked out every morning in the gym.’
    He did exactly that, and was fully as fit as she expected, but in her company his breathlessness had another cause. He reached for her. Petra saw the firework colours flash across his face, and then his arms were tight about her and his mouth was on hers, teasing, provoking, demanding, imploring.
    ‘Who are you?’ he gasped. ‘What are you doing in my life? Why can’t I—?’
    ‘Hush, it doesn’t matter. Nothing matters but this. Kiss me—kiss me.’
    She proceeded to show him what she meant, sensing the response go through him, delighting in her power over him and his over her. Soon they must reach the moment that had been inevitable since their meeting, and everything in her yearned towards it.
    Lysandros felt as if he were awaking from a dream, or sinking into one. He wasn’t sure which. Her plea of ‘Kiss me’ was entrancing, yet something deep inside him was drawing away. He tried to fight it. He wanted her, but so much that it alarmed him.
    Impulse had made him call her tonight. Impulse had made him drag her away from their unwanted companions. Impulse—the thing he’d battled for years—was beginning to rule him.
    A puppet dancing on the end of her chain. And she knew it.
    ‘What is it?’ she asked, feeling him draw away.
    ‘This place is very public. We should get back to the table; I think I left something there.’
    ‘And then?’ she asked slowly, unwilling to believe the thought that was coming into her head.
    ‘Then I think we should both—go home.’
    She stared at him, trying to believe what he was doing, feeling the anger rise within her. He hadn’t left anything behind and they both knew it. But he was telling her the magic was over. He’d banished it by an act of will, proving that his control was still strong, although he’d brought her to the edge of losing hers.
    It was a demonstration of power, and she was going to make him regret it.
    ‘How dare you?’ she said in a soft, furious voice. ‘Who the hell do you think you are to despise me?’
    ‘I don’t—’
    ‘Shut up. I have something to say and you’re going to listen. I am not some desperate female who you can pick up and put down when it suits you. And don’t pretend you don’t know what I mean because you know exactly. They’re all standing in line for you, aren’t they? But not me.’
    ‘I don’t know who gave you such an idea,’ he grated.
    ‘Any woman you’ve ever known could have given it to me. Your reputation went before you.’
    His own anger rose.
    ‘I’ll bet Nikator had something to say, but are you mad enough to listen to him? Don’t tell me he fools you with that “little brother” act!’
    ‘Why shouldn’t I believe he’s concerned about me?’ she demanded.
    ‘Oh, he’s concerned all right, but not as a brother. The rumours about him are very interesting at the