The Greek Tycoon's Unexpected Wife. Annie West

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СКАЧАТЬ she didn’t exist any more. The memory of the day she’d died, of mangled vehicles in that shambles of a street, lived with him still.

      And yet, here she was. Alive. The shock of it reverberated down his spine.

      Fleetingly he wondered what poor nameless woman had been wrongly identified after the bomb blast. For he knew with a bone-deep certainty that this was Tessa Marlowe. The high, slanted cheekbones, the elegant neck and heart-shaped face. The slight frame. And of course those eyes.

      He’d seen green eyes before, but not this pure, unadulterated emerald. He’d only found that shade in the most priceless gems. Collectors would pay a fortune for a stone that colour. It was unique.

      This was indeed Tessa Marlowe. She was unmistakable.

      Yet she looked different. There was a gravity about her, and something in those bright eyes that hinted she’d seen far more of life than she wanted to. Physically she’d altered as well. She’d been slim the first time he’d seen her. Now she seemed fragile. Yet her lips were soft and well-shaped, an invitation in that lovely face.

      Oh, yes, he remembered that mouth. Had dreamed of it for months after their meeting.

      ‘What are you doing here?’ It emerged from his throat as a growl.

      He saw her eyes widen.

      What? She thought he’d welcome her after all this time? Accept her presence with no questions or recriminations?

      She couldn’t be that naïve. Anyone who tried to make trouble for him lived to regret it.

      ‘I came to return it. The ring.’ As she spoke she reached for the catch on the chain and opened it. It took an inordinate amount of time for her to slide the ring off and hold it out to him.

      Her hand was shaking when she did so.

      ‘And why are you bringing it back to me now? What possible explanation could you have?’

      Her brows drew together in a good imitation of confusion. ‘It’s yours. I know you didn’t intend for me to have it this long. If I’d been able to return it earlier, I would have.’ She thrust her hand out, closer to him.

      On a surge of angry energy he reached out and clasped her whole hand in his, curving his fingers right round hers, pressing the heavy ring into her flesh, into his.

      ‘I’m to believe that it took you this long to contact me? Four whole years?’ His tone was rough, furious, and he felt its effect as her hand quivered in his.

      He felt no remorse. This woman deserved no sympathy. She’d deceived him for years.

      He refused to acknowledge the temptation she represented as he held her warm, soft flesh against his. His body might respond to her. But he had mastery over such basic instincts.

      Whatever her game she’d more than met her match with Stavros Denakis.

      ‘I don’t believe it,’ he said with heavy emphasis, ignoring the flare of what looked like pain in her eyes. This woman was no innocent, he reminded himself. She was out for all she could get. She’d just found a more intriguing way than most to try cashing in.

      ‘But it’s true,’ she answered. ‘I found out about you and I had to come.’

      Of course she did. She’d found out precisely who he was and immediately come running. Almost unbelievable that she hadn’t worked it out before. But he could understand her decision to locate him once she knew his identity. And the size of his personal fortune.

      Her lower lip trembled for an instant, then stilled. She straightened her shoulders and stared straight back at him, the picture of unblemished innocence.

      ‘I’m sorry if I’ve come at a bad time. It wasn’t my intention.’ She tugged at her hand but he kept it in his. ‘I’ll leave now that you have your property.’

      Would she indeed? And no doubt she’d head to the nearest Press agency to sell her story.

      Not if he had anything to do with it!

      ‘I’m afraid not,’ he murmured.

      ‘But I’m not welcome here. That much is obvious.’

      He nodded, acknowledging her point. ‘True. But do you really think I’m so stupid as to leave you to your own devices?’

      She opened her mouth, no doubt to protest. He cut her off with a single, abrupt gesture.

      ‘Enough! I want no more of your pretensions to innocence. You will not leave the estate until I have the whole story from you and we come to some…accommodation about our circumstances.’

      ‘Accommodation?’ She shook her head, the very picture of bewilderment.

      Her dramatic skills had improved in the last four years, he realised. When they’d first met he’d found her amazingly transparent in her thoughts and emotions. Now look at her: an accomplished liar.

      ‘Of course, an accommodation. The situation requires careful…attention.’ His fingers tightened round hers as he smiled.

      ‘You surely don’t think I’d have celebrated my betrothal quite so publicly tonight if I’d known I still had a wife?’

      CHAPTER TWO

      TESSA’S lungs emptied on a whoosh of air as she stared up at him, towering over her. She’d known his engagement was a possibility yet still his announcement shocked her, leaving an inexplicable hollow feeling in the pit of her stomach.

      Her reaction was nonsensical. He didn’t have a role in her life. His relationships were no business of hers.

      And yet he’d called her his wife.

      The idea was preposterous. They both knew the truth: she’d never been that.

      Tessa flinched at the travesty of a smile he turned on her. It was feral. His expression had a definite predatory edge that made her wish she were anywhere but here.

      She could almost imagine him sinking those strong white teeth into the soft skin at the base of her neck. Either that or wrapping his hands around her there to squeeze the breath out of her.

      She looked into his face and for a moment knew fear.

      Then logic asserted itself. He might be furious, might even want to hurt her, but Stavros Denakis was a civilised man. His previous actions had surely proved that.

      She wondered if he had any idea how tightly he grasped her hand.

      ‘You’re hurting me,’ she said quietly, staring back into his blazing eyes.

      He blinked and released her. Instantly blood throbbed back into her hand and she winced.

      There was a thud as the heavy ring dropped and she looked down to see it spinning on the table between them. Above it was her outstretched palm, dwarfed by his. Both bore the deep imprint of the ring. Her hand was trembling and she drew it sharply back into her lap, massaging it against the pins and needles that prickled СКАЧАТЬ