Free Hostage to Love (Entangled Suspense) by Maya Blake Page B

on the phone to the office putting out a few fires I’d rather not be handling. I’m a little on edge. Then I walk in here to find you’ve come down without calling for me to come get you. The thought of you injuring yourself further doesn’t make me happy. I think we need to talk about that. As well as a few other things.”
    He turned and addressed Demetra in Greek. Belle watched in dismay as the woman smiled, nodded enthusiastically, and waved them off.
    “Dinner won’t be ready for another half hour, so we’re at loose ends until then,” Nick translated. “How about the living room?”
    She drew in a shaky breath. “I’m perfectly fine here. I’m happy to keep Demetra company and give her a hand, so I’ll see you in half an hour.”
    “I think Demetra would prefer not to feel she has to entertain you while she’s preparing our meal. Also, I need to attend to your feet before dinner. The antiseptic cream I applied on the plane would’ve washed off with your shower. You don’t want to risk infection.”
    Faced with the neat counterattack, she had no response. About to stand, she gasped as Nick swept her into his arms. She curled one hand over his bicep to keep her balance and silently withstood Demetra’s approving gaze as he carried her out of the kitchen.
    “Damn it, Nick, put me down,” she demanded as soon as they reached the hallway. “I’m not some rag doll you can sweep up and set down every time you feel the urge.”
    His jaw clenched, and a nerve ticked in his temple. “You are in no condition to walk around on those feet. If I didn’t think you’d kick up an unholy stink, I’d get you a damn wheelchair.”
    “You wouldn’t dare!”
    “I would, but I kinda like this option better, so you’ll have to put up with me carrying you around.”
    The thought that he would do so whenever he felt like it caused her breath to fracture. “That’s ridiculous, not to mention overbearing.”
    He ignored her outburst as his accusing eyes raked her face. “You lied when you said you were fine to walk through the jungle. Why?”
    She flushed, dropping her hand when she felt his muscles bunch under her fingers. “I didn’t want to hold everyone up.”
    He bit out a sharp curse and hefted her closer. “I could’ve carried you and covered the same ground in faster time.”
    “I didn’t want you to.”
    “Because of your pride or because you no longer deem me worthy of carrying you?”
    She raised her chin. “Both.”
    He stopped in the doorway to the living room and stared down at her. “We will discuss the highly stimulating topic of your leaving when you’re better recovered, pethi mou . And rest assured, it’s a conversation I intend to thoroughly exhaust.”
    “Why? You didn’t care when I walked away.”
    His eyes narrowed. “Trust me, you couldn’t be more wrong.”
    Shock floored her for a moment. “What do you mean, I couldn’t be more wrong? The evidence speaks for itself. You haven’t so much as called in six months.”
    “Because what’s ailing our marriage needs more than a phone call. I think we can both agree on that.”
    He moved from the doorway, and the warmth of his body penetrated hers, throwing her fractured thoughts into further disarray. She sucked in a desperate breath, casting her eyes around the room to distract the dragging sensation in her abdomen.
    Decorated with simple comfort in mind, the room was spacious, with plump white sofas that gave it a refreshing serenity. Assorted dyed cushions lent splashes of color to the airy space. It was her favorite room in the villa. She’d spent a lot of time in here during their honeymoon, just reading or watching her favorite programs on the large screen with Nick. That was, when they weren’t swimming in the sea, lounging by the pool, or in bed.
    The last thought flushed her face and body with even more desire. She jerked away as he lowered her onto the sofa, anxious to hide her body’s insane reaction from him.