Mediterranean Seduction. Кэрол Мортимер

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       CHAPTER THIRTEEN

      ‘I HAVE something to say too, Charlotte,’ Iannis said evenly. ‘Please show me the courtesy I have afforded you by turning around and listening to me.’

      There was a quiet authority in his voice that made Charlotte turn to face him.

      Iannis indicated the seat to one side of the hearth. ‘I will put some more of Marianna’s cream on your sunburn while we talk. Come and lie down over here. Come,’ he insisted, holding out a hand towards her.

      Considering the damage she had done, bringing his empire crashing down, the least she could do was listen to what he had to say, Charlotte conceded. Walking over to the sofa, she lay down carefully on her stomach, not wanting to get the cream he had already applied to her legs on the fabric.

      The balm was soothing, his touch intoxicating, but Charlotte knew he was only tending her wounds and wished it could be something more. ‘I can’t do this, Iannis,’ she said, suddenly trying to pull away.

      ‘Can’t do what?’ he demanded softly, resting his hand on the swell of her buttocks.

      ‘I can’t let you do this.’ It’s too intimate, and I can’t bear that when I know it’s all over for us.

      ‘Someone has to,’ he pointed out, lifting his hand away.

      ‘No, I mean it, Iannis. All I can think about is how much damage will be done by those articles in the newspaper.’

      ‘It’s too late to think of that now,’ he said bluntly. ‘I shall just have to wait and see how bad it gets and then deal with it.’

      ‘Don’t make light of it. Too much has gone wrong. Too many people are involved. There’s too much history between us—’

      ‘Less than a week.’

      Was that really all it was? ‘And now so many people are going to suffer because of my stupid mistake.’

      ‘No one who works for me will be allowed to suffer because of your article,’ Iannis said evenly. ‘I will not allow it.’

      ‘Then you lied?’ Charlotte said, her voice rising.

      ‘Not about the repercussions if I am ridiculed,’ he said. ‘The world’s money markets are merciless forums. If any of the big players show the slightest weakness, the rest of the pack pounce.’

      Hearing Iannis describe himself in such unemotional terms told Charlotte he was not exaggerating. ‘So?’

      ‘I have always taken care of the people who work for me, and nothing has changed there,’ he said. ‘We just have to wait until the markets open and then I can see what I’m dealing with.’

      ‘I’ve no intention of running away,’ Charlotte assured him.

      ‘Not this time?’ Iannis murmured.

      ‘We’ll see it through together,’ Charlotte informed him, stubbornly avoiding his gaze.

      ‘That suits me just fine.’

      He actually meant it, Charlotte realised with a rush of emotion.

      Before he had a chance to change the screen his mobile rang. ‘My office,’ Iannis mouthed.

      Charlotte waited tensely, watching his face grow serious. Maybe it was even worse than she had imagined. What had she done? Charlotte’s imagination slipped into overdrive as she pictured a catastrophe that even Iannis would find beyond his powers to contain.

      He didn’t speak right away. Looking thoughtful, he turned to put the mobile down on the table. Sensing the turmoil he must be going through, Charlotte felt lonelier than she had ever done in her life.

      Without saying a word to her, Iannis settled himself down in front of his laptop and began to key in the address for the site he wanted to view. ‘Come and join me,’ he said as images began to fill the screen.

      Charlotte drew a deep, steadying breath. She had promised to share this with him.

      ‘It seems you have touched a nerve here,’ Iannis remarked dryly.

      Charlotte tensed in readiness to read the screen and discover the extent of the damage she had done.

      The financial press had already picked up the story. She exhaled raggedly as her eye skimmed the columns. Iannis Kiriakos—the man who’s got it all…the man who’s got it right…balance is good for business—as proved by rocketing Kiriakos share price… Charlotte blinked in bewilderment. It was the absolute opposite to everything she had been dreading. The fact СКАЧАТЬ