The Greek Tycoon's Lover (11 page)

“What about what I feel? Perhaps you should consider what I want out of this situation.”

Helen nodded her head gravely. “Yes. I’ve considered that. And if you wish me to resign, I will submit my resignation immediately.”

“Resignation!? Like hell you will!” he almost yelled. Taking a deep breath to calm his temper and flaring desire that was still running through his system, he looked down into her soft, lovely features.

Moving closer, he shook his head. “Oh, no, Helen. We’re not ignoring last night. In fact, here’s what we’re going to do,” he said softly, moving forward to eliminate the distance between them. Each time she took a step backwards, he took one forwards, unrelenting as he forced her to realize that the desire between the two of them was mutual and unquenchable. “I’m going to kiss you and when we’re finished, you’re going to go downstairs and change into something more appropriate. When you come back up, we’re going to have coffee and breakfast. We’re not going to talk about work or contracts or anything that involves shipping or takeovers. We’re going to talk about each other. You’re going to tell me what makes you tick, then I’m going to do the same. We’re going to slowly get to know each other. Once that is done, and we realize that neither one of us is repulsed by each other’s past, I’m going to make love to you until our eyes can no longer see straight. We’re going to make love over and over again until we’ve both satisfied the longing that has been tamped mercilessly down over the past few months. And then we’ll move forward.”

Helen listened to his pronouncement and her breathing started to increase, her heart rate sky rocketed and she could hear a ringing in her ears. “Oh,” was all she could say and then almost berated herself for being so pathetically unprofound.

“Is that all you have to say?” he asked, towering over her, blocking out the light and glaring almost angrily into her blue eyes.

Helen moved her lips but no sound came out. He was so large, so big, so muscular and overwhelming that she could barely think. Her body was reacting to his words and she wanted desperately to sound non-chalant about the issue but she was completely out of her league.

“Yes, I think that’s all I can say,” she said, nodding her head for emphasis.

“Fine.”

Without another word, he took her face between both of her hands and looked at her, not saying another word. Helen knew she should close her eyes but she watched, mesmerized as his head descended toward hers, his mouth moving slowly, painfully slowly. Helen took a deep breath, her hands balled into fists at her sides, waiting while his head moved down to her mouth.

When the contact finally occurred, Helen wasn’t sure what she was thinking, if anything at all. It was as if a volcano had erupted and the lava was flowing through her veins was released into every part of her body. She could no longer think, only react as his lips moved gently against hers. When she didn’t pull away, in fact, she moved closer to him, her lips trembling beneath his, she wished he would both pull away and deepen the kiss. It was painful and she took a little initiative, her hands reaching up to his neck, wrapping around his as her body arched against his hard, muscular one.

Dimitri heard her whimper as his tongue touched her lips, demanding entry as his mouth moved over hers, his hands dropping from her face to pull her body closer so there was no space between their knees and their heads and Dimitri pulled her closer, lifting her up to fit more perfectly with his strong form.

When Helen opened her mouth, she was introduced to more feelings as Dimitri’s tongue explored every part of her mouth, moving in and out and Helen’s mind spun around. She’d been kissed before but never had anything even come close to the feelings she was experiencing right now. Whimpering again, she arched her back, her hands sifting through his hair and pulling him closer as if there was nothing in the world that could help her continue with life but this man and the way he was making her feel right now.

He lifted his head and shook it, looking down into her passion glazed eyes. “That’s more like it,” he said, his voice husky with the desire ripping him apart. But he knew he’d have to bring it down a notch. He’d gotten his point across and he needed to slow down. A sixth sense told him he could pick her up and carry her back down to his state room, make love to her for the rest of the day, but it would be the wrong move and might backfire on him. He needed to be strategic about this if he wanted the ultimate goal.

“Now that that’s out of the way, how about if you go back and change into something more comfortable? and I apologize for the cliché, but it is going to be hot today and we’re going to sit outside by the pool and get to know each other so these business clothes will not work.”

Helen heard his deep voice but the words wouldn’t register. “Excuse me?” she asked, blinking and noting his satisfied expression. She lowered her head, feeling silly for letting a simple kiss affect her so much. Good grief, he probably kissed all his women like that. She stepped back, only to feel his hands pull her back against him. “No Helen, no retreat. That kiss proved what I’ve suspected for months and we’re not going to back away from it.”

“We’re not?” she asked, feeling ridiculous but needing to hear his assurance.

“No. We’re not. We’re going to talk about it, examine it, do it again and again until you feel more comfortable with those feelings. Then we’re going to do it some more. And then I’m going to carry you off and make love to you.” He saw the panic enter her eyes and took a mental step back. “But not before you are ready. You’ll know everything about me and I’ll know everything about you and we’ll proceed at your pace, Helen.”

Helen gulped cautiously, her worried eyes looking up at him. She couldn’t tell him everything. That would be emotional suicide and there was no way she was going to reveal her secret. Not to someone as perfectly masculine as he was.

“Okay,” she said, looking at the buttons on his shirt. “Why?” she asked.

Dimitri smiled. “Because I want you. And you want me.”

She tried to act like this was normal for her but couldn’t. “Why do we have to know everything about each other? Do you know everything about Cecile?” she asked, hating to bring up the latest woman he’d escorted about town. “And Barbara as well?”

“No to both.”

“But you took Barbara to bed.”

“No. I didn’t. Nor was there any intention or desire to do so.”

That surprised her. “Why not?”

Dimitri pulled her against his body, her stomach noting the erection her mind had only hinted at. “Because she doesn’t do this to me as instantly as you do,” he said simply.

“Oh,” she said breathlessly, definitely holding his gaze this time.

He released her and took a step backwards, unashamed of the excitement showing itself to her. “Go and change. Then meet me up on the top deck for coffee.”

Helen could only nod her head and walked down the stairs, eager to reach her stateroom in some ways, but unwilling to leave Dimitri and the wonderful things he made her feel. She reached the doorway to the parlor and turned back, looking at the awesome male that was watching her as well. She looked into his eyes and noted the sincerity, the determination and it made her shiver in both fear and excitement.

Almost running now, she hurried to her stateroom and closed the door behind her. Leaning against it, she tried to steady her racing heart and heavy breathing but it was no good. She was just too excited.

Putting a hand to her chest, she reached up and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes on fire. “Get hold of yourself, Helen. This is par for the course for him. Don’t look like a fool just because all of your dreams have come true.” Well, not all of them, she reminded herself. She wasn’t married and about to have the man’s children, delirious with happiness. But could she take the crumbs?

The expression on her face gave her the answer before her mind accepted it. Yes, she would do just about anything that man wanted her to do. She was madly in love with him, had been for months. And when it was all over, she would pick up the pieces and figure out how to deal with a life without him. She knew it would happen. Dimitri could not fall in love with a woman like her. It was impossible. But she could definitely love him until that lust died out of him.

Lust? Dimitri Theopolis lusted after her? She shook her head, still not sure she could accept what he’d just told her and showed her. She’d just never considered herself someone who could incite those kinds of feelings in a man.

Throwing open the closet doors, she fingered the bikinis that were hanging in the closet, having been returned to their places by an unnamed staff member. Could she do it? No, not yet. Maybe, in a few days, if these feelings persisted, she might be able to do it if she had the pool all to herself. But not yet. And definitely not in front of Dimitri.

Pulling out a pair of white shorts and a bright, pink tank top, she pulled them on, loving the way the white material hugged her bottom, making the curves look sexy instead of just skinny which she’d always considered was the way she appeared to others. The tank top was smaller than anything she’d ever worn before, hugging her breasts and ribs, making her look like something out of a fashion magazine. Smiling at her reflection, she had no idea that clothes could make such a difference.

Slipping on a pair of white sandals, she hurried out of the state room, eager to see Dimitri again and see what his reaction to her new image would be. Would he like it? Would he see the same things she did? She certainly hoped so. She felt pretty, feminine. Those were feelings she hadn’t felt in years.

She saw him sitting with the other four people as soon as she rounded the corner to the top deck. Her feet slowed as soon as she saw Marie and Aimee who looked incredibly stunning. Marie was wearing a bikini smaller than the two Dimitri had taken out yesterday, showing off all of her perfect curves to perfection. Aimee was wearing a lovely sundress with no straps, held up by her buxom figure that skimmed down to her slender, long legs. Next to them, Helen felt gauche and outclassed. She almost fell back, but Dimitri caught the look in her eyes and stood up, coming around the table to walk toward her.

Biting her lip in indecision, she waited for him to arrive. When he was less than a few inches away, he took her hands in his and pulled her close, settling a gentle kiss on her soft lips. “You look fabulous, Helen. Don’t doubt yourself. You can compete with them any day.”

Helen smiled tentatively and looked up, about to say something when his mouth covered hers for another long, mind-twirling kiss that left her dazed and breathless, as well as all the pins out of her hair with his hand tangled in the long, curling strands.

Both Kevin and Martin stood up as she approached, her hand securely tucked into Dimitri’s elbow. He reached down and held a chair for her and she sunk gratefully into it, not sure her legs would hold her for much longer. Looking up, she saw Kevin’s admiring glance as well as Marie’s angry one as the older woman glared across the table at Helen.

That confused Helen. Could Marie actually consider her competition? That thought was so absurd, she pushed it away and started wondering what she’d done to offend the pretty brunette and took pains to smile and talk to her, trying to find out why she was so angry. It took several minutes but eventually, Marie relaxed again, smiling tentatively and sipping her coffee.

Helen looked down and realized that a cup of coffee was being placed in front of her, mostly cream from the looks of it. She turned to smile up at the waiter, only to be stunned when Dimitri looked down into her eyes, winking conspiratorially at her.

She sipped the coffee gratefully and was amazed to find that there was adequate sugar in it.

“Just the way you like it?” he asked, amusement lurking in his eyes. “Cream and sugar with a little coffee,” he said and the rest of the table laughed.

“Yes, it’s perfect,” she smiled, secretly thrilled that he knew exactly how she liked her coffee.

The morning was wonderful. The other five members had obviously known each other for years and had many inside jokes, all of which were explained to Helen so she could join in the laughter as well. When lunch was served, they were still sitting at the breakfast table joking about past antics. By mutual, unspoken agreement, everyone delayed lunch and moved to the pool side, couples taking up books and reclining on the various chaise lounges.

Helen was about to sit under an umbrella in the shade when she felt Dimitri’s arm come around her waist. “Not there,” he said and led her over to a lounge chair large enough for two people. He pulled her down and handed her a large, floppy hat. “There’s more privacy over here and I want to talk to you, find out all your secrets.”

He pulled her down next to him, far enough away so the other couples would not be able to hear them. The others also were separated from the group, apparently all of them wanting a little space for some afternoon romance or quiet time.

“So what makes Helen tick?” he asked, pulling her hand into his, lacing her fingers with his, his thumb tenderly touching the palm of her hand.

Helen gasped and tried to pull away but he wouldn’t allow that. She gasped when his mouth came down on the sensitive inside of her wrist. “If you want to talk to me, you’re going to have to stop doing that. I can’t think.”

His smile was slow and mischievous. “Really?” he chuckled. “I’ll have to remember that.”