Chapter Eight

Nik watched as Theo played with Até in the yard at KATS. It was heartening to see; the boy and the dog had become devoted to one another over the last ten days or so, and Theo had visibly come out of his shell. Até had visited Theo and Kostas at home, as well as at the fire station, and she’d been as good as gold. Frankie had trained her well.

He turned and looked at the doorway to KATS, where Frankie leaned against it, watching Theo and Até. She was looking deliciously sexy in the late afternoon sunshine, dressed in a vest that outlined her breasts and shorts that showed her long, golden-brown legs, her blonde hair lightened by sun-kissed streaks. It’d been a couple of weeks since he’d met her at the mini-market, and she hadn’t called him. Frustration throbbed at his temples. What was it that was holding her back? How much longer could this battle of wills go on?

She caught his glance and pushed herself off the doorframe, then walked over to join him. “I think we can release Até into Kostas and Theo’s care early next week.”

“That is good news. Kostas says Theo asks continually when Até can come home,” he replied casually, carefully keeping his inner tension under wraps. “Theo has gained so much confidence since meeting the dog.”

She nodded her agreement, but he noticed she was worrying at her bottom lip.

“Um…there was something I wanted to ask you about. Can we talk?”

A buzz of anticipation rushed through his veins. Had she had second thoughts about his proposition? “Of course.”

“I’ve been thinking about your offer to invest in my property project.”

The tightness in his head was replaced by a rush of adrenaline, but he schooled his features to remain impassive. “I see. Have you come to any conclusion?”

“I’m thinking about staying in Agia Kalamaros and seeing if I can start a business buying, renovating, and selling. Would you consider giving me an interest-free loan to finance my first purchase?”

A short laugh escaped him as he grasped her psychology; she wanted his short-term financial backing, but minimal involvement with him. It could be better than nothing, but maybe there was more to be gained than that. He thought quickly, removed his sunglasses, and pinned her with a stare. “An interest-free loan? And what would be the benefit to me of that, pet hi mou? I thought you were a smart businesswoman, and we agreed that all deals should be win-win?”

Puzzlement crossed her features. “You said you were interested in backing me financially. Surely this would be more favourable for you, because I’m intending to pay you back—and as quickly as I can.”

“How quickly?”

“I will receive a substantial settlement from my divorce.”

Divorce? Suddenly, it all made sense. “So my guess was correct. You are a woman who has been hurt by a man.”

“I’m not prepared to discuss that,” she bristled. “All you need to know is that I will be in receipt of a large payment in due course, and I will repay you for any money you might loan me.”

He shrugged. “Time has passed since I made that offer and my priorities have changed.”

“Oh,” she said, her face falling.

“My preference now would be to receive a return on any investment I make. So this interest-free loan that you suggest does not sound like something I am interested in anymore. Unless—” He smiled and tucked his shades into his shirt pocket. “I am prepared to make the loan to you if you agree to my terms—”

“Oh, here we go again,” she said, sounding weary. “Last time we met, you definitely said your offer came with no demands. But you just can’t help it, can you? You just have to have your pound of flesh.”

He smiled again, not prepared to accept defeat this time. “I am afraid so.” He stepped nearer and raised a hand to stroke her hair. It was silky under his fingertips. “On consideration, I need agreement to my terms as a guarantee for the money I’m putting in…as interest on your loan.”

She jerked her head away from his touch. “Not in front of Theo,” she hissed.

He looked over his shoulder. “Theo is very happy playing with Até.” His hand went to underneath her chin, which he gently moved so she’d look directly at him again, his thumb stroking her jaw. “This attraction that threatens to explode between us—you cannot suppress it any more. You need to let it happen.”

He felt a tremor run through her. “What are you asking for this time?”

“You,” he replied softly and inclined his head, wanting to taste her lips. “Your body. We will have an arrangement whereby we work together and sleep together for as long as it takes to renovate and sell the property.”

She took a sharp intake of breath. “You know I won’t agree to that.”

“You will.” He moved both his hands to cup her face and kissed her, sensing her lips part to him. “It’s what we both want.”

Frankie stayed rooted to the spot, punch-drunk after what he had just demanded and her stupid body’s betrayal as it’d leapt in response to him. She should feel angry with him for moving the goalposts again, push him away, tell him what he was suggesting was wrong. But somehow, she couldn’t rouse the emotions or the strength anymore. Right now, standing here, held fast by his caressing hands, she only wanted him to kiss her more.

“So we have a deal, agapimeni mou?”

At last, from somewhere, a glimmer of protest sparked in her. “How do I know you’ll stick to it?” she challenged.

His hands dropped to take hers and gather them to his chest. “I will have my lawyer draw up a contract for our arrangement that covers my investment, also our partnership in buying and renovating the property and your eventual repayment of the sum, though without additional monetary charges. As for our…intimate relationship, as I have already explained to you, that will be the repayment I seek. In return…” His eyes roamed over her face. “I give you my word. I promise you we will be exclusive to one another, and, as I told you, once the property has been sold, you will be free to go. If you want to.”

She moistened her lips. “That could be months. Can you remain monogamous for that long?”

He looked amused at her scornful retort. “I think I will have no trouble focusing only on you.” He gave her another lingering kiss. “We will have time to get to know each other and explore our desires.”

She swallowed. “I-I need time to think about it.” And she did—to get her thumping heart under control, to let her head rule and not her body, which was so saturated with need for him right now.

“What is there to think about, again mou?” He freed one of his hands to trail a finger into the hollow beneath her neck. A little shudder ran through her and she trembled again. “I cannot wait to be with you,” he whispered.

“Frankee! Theois Nik!” At that moment, Theo came running up and flung his arms around his beloved Uncle Nik’s legs, followed by a bounding Até.

“Hey!” Nik spun around and picked the child up. “Frankie says Até can come and live with you next week.”

Theo beamed.

Frankie took a deep recovering breath. Plastering a smile on her face, she went to grab Até’s collar. Her mind whirred. She knew she ought to have rebutted Nik’s outrageous proposal, told him where to go. But the wheeler-dealer in her said her property idea was a good one, and he had agreed to give her the loan…only he would exact his own price—interest, as he had called it.

Was it a price she was prepared to pay? Even after all these weeks of resisting, no matter how much she struggled, her inexplicable craving for him still had the upper hand; right now, she just couldn’t tell him an outright no.

“I do not wish to wait for weeks again to get your answer.” His voice sliced through the turmoil in her head. “Please call me within forty-eight hours and we will arrange to meet.”