The Greek's Ultimate Conquest. KIM LAWRENCE

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       CHAPTER TWO

      ‘YOU’RE LATE.’ TATIANA kissed her brother’s lean cheek, grimacing a little as the sprinkling of designer stubble grazed her smooth cheek before one eyebrow rose. She struggled to hide her surprise as she shifted her gaze from her impeccably turned-out brother to the woman who stood with one hand possessively on his dark-suited arm.

      ‘You know Lucy Cavendish?’ Placing a hand across her shoulders, he drew the model, her famous dazzling smile firmly in place, close into his side. The redhead tilted her head. Unusually for a woman, in her heels she topped his shoulder.

      ‘I did Tatiana’s last catwalk show in Paris. What a lovely home you have.’ Lucy’s expertly made-up green eyes moved admiringly around the entrance hall with its chandeliers and dramatic staircase.

      Tatiana inclined her dark head and delivered an air kiss. ‘Thank you. You’re looking well, Lucy...’ Tatiana looked up at her brother. ‘You growing a beard, Nik?’

      ‘With your views on facial hair, Ana, would I dare?’

      ‘Oh, I just lurve the moody, broody look.’ Lucy’s eyes sparkled with teasing amusement as she stroked his cheek, letting her red fingernails slide familiarly over the stubble.

      Nik removed the hand firmly from his cheek where it had lingered and whispered so only she could hear him, ‘Don’t overdo it, angel.’

      As they moved across the hall the sound of voices and laughter drifted out through the open double doors of the drawing room.

      ‘Anyone I know here?’ Lucy asked.

      ‘Just a small gathering of friends.’

      Letting Lucy go ahead of them, Nik fell into step beside his sister. ‘Hope you didn’t mind me bringing Lucy.’

      ‘Why should I mind?’

      ‘I thought you might have had me paired off with some good breeding stock...?’

      ‘I don’t—’ Tatiana stopped and gave a shake of her head, admitting ruefully, ‘I suppose I do, but I just want you to be happy and...like you used to be...before...’

      Impelled by an inconvenient spasm of guilt, Nik stepped in to hug his sister as suddenly the charade with Lucy seemed less of a good idea. ‘I am happy.’

      ‘I like Lucy. Are you two together?’

      Nik’s glance slid away. She looked so hopeful that, although this had been the idea, he felt reluctant to raise her hopes, knowing full well they were false ones. ‘Early days,’ he prevaricated slickly.

      ‘I just hope Lucy won’t be bored silly,’ Tatiana fretted, glancing towards the model who was walking through the double doors. ‘It so happens that there is a woman here who might interest you—’

      ‘Just when I thought I might have misjudged you,’ he began sardonically.

      ‘Not in that way!’ Tatiana cut back. ‘She’s a good friend of mine.’

      ‘And you wouldn’t wish me on a friend?’

      She slung him an irritated look. ‘I just want you to set a good example when you meet her, and give a really generous donation to the charity—set a good example for the others.’

      ‘Another of your worthy causes, Ana?’

      ‘This is important to me, Nik.’

      ‘Fine, I’ll be generous.’

      * * *

      Chloe glanced at the clock...maybe he was a no show? Annoyed with herself for caring one way or the other, she turned her back on the doorway and focused her attention fully on the man beside her, a middle-aged Greek man who ran a property development company and seemed genuinely interested in the charity.

      ‘I admire your enthusiasm but, and I don’t want to be negative, aren’t you being a little overambitious? Have you costed it up properly? The premises alone would—’

      ‘Yes suitable premises, especially here in London, will be difficult.’

      ‘Which is where I come in?’

      Her smile glimmered. ‘Your specialist knowledge and advice would be much appreciated.’

      ‘And my money?’ he added shrewdly.

      Chloe’s dimples appeared. ‘I know that Tatiana has already spoken to you about...sorry, I really can’t do this.’

      The recipient of her half-empty glass of champagne looked startled and then amused as Chloe popped the finger food she had been holding into her mouth, swallowed, then smiled. ‘That’s better!’ she said as she held out her hand for her glass.

      Tipping his head, her companion replaced the crystal wine cup in it.

      ‘Mostly I can multitask,’ she told him cheerfully. ‘I can do food or drink but not both at the same time. You wouldn’t believe how many outfits I’ve emptied glasses of wine down, which makes it sound as though I always wander round with a glass of pinot in my hand, which I don’t.’ She delivered another smile. ‘I can assure you that your donation will be in sober and sensible hands.’

      The older man gave an appreciative chuckle at her tactics. ‘Nice try, but I don’t recall saying yes.’

      Chloe conceded his point with a nod. ‘But you didn’t say no either and I’m an optimist.’

      This time the man’s chuckle was loud enough to divert some of the attention currently being given to the model who was making her entrance. ‘So let me get this right, you’d like me to let you have the lease on several buildings for a fraction of what they are worth, and what do I get?’

      ‘A warm glow knowing you’ve done the right thing? Or, failing that, the sort of publicity that money can’t buy? The sort of publicity that comes from having your company represent the caring face of capitalism,’ Chloe said, thinking wryly that she was getting quite good at this.

      The man gave her an approving look tinged for the first time with respect. ‘I think we should schedule a meeting, Lady—’

      ‘Call me Chloe,’ СКАЧАТЬ