Niko's Stolen Bride (24 page)

Adventure was one thing. Risking his life another. Her lips firmed, accusation shading her tone. “You sent me away.”

His eyelids dropped to conceal the blue-gray of his pupils. “You seemed willing enough to leave with Matthews.”

Kara’s lips parted in surprise. “Frank and I are not together like that. We’re friends. A marriage between us would never have lasted. We both realize that now.”

When he didn’t respond, she went on. “My leaving had nothing to do with him. I left because you wanted me to. You planned it down to the last detail. You insisted that I go.” Had it been some sort of test that she had failed by not fighting harder to stay with him?

He seemed to ignore the question that hovered behind her words. “A lot of good it did. You found your way back. By the way, who let you in? I saw Tony on the front desk, and he is under strict orders not to let women in.”

“Why?”

He quirked an eyebrow. “Why no women?”

She punched him them, her fist making contact with the damp orange fabric and unyielding muscle underneath. “No, damn you. Why did you send me away?”

He sighed. “It was for your own good. I couldn’t risk you being hurt.”

“By the storm?”

His shrug wasn’t an answer. Her eyes narrowed as she studied the muscle that stood out in his jaw, evidence of tension that he tried to hide. Was he worried about her safety during the storm or about the possibility that she would be emotionally damaged by their relationship? Either way, his admission of concern caused a bubble of hope to flow through her veins. “You could have told me the truth. You made me believe you didn’t want me.”

“What makes you think I do now?”

Her breath stopped in her chest and she heard the rush of the storm loud in her ears as the blood drained from her face. She searched his face, hoping for any hint of softening. His eyes were so narrowed she couldn’t see their color. Still, he had not suggested that she leave and she’d always thought actions spoke louder than words. “I don’t believe you. It wasn’t for my good. It was for yours. You’re so scared that history will repeat itself that you refuse to reach out and take what you want.”

“And you’re not? What makes you think I would be any more faithful to you than Frank?”

The words were soft. Taunting. They struck deep, as they were supposed to.

Her back stiffened as she stared at his features, so still they could have been carved from granite. He was warning her that he was a player, but somehow, she couldn’t believe it. She’d seen his face and heard the desolation in his voice when he spoke of the day his daughter was born. He’d been hurt deeply and wouldn’t open himself up to the chance of that kind of pain again.

It would take time and patience to convince him to try. Suddenly, she wondered if holding on to her man were as simple as being willing to fight to stay with him, to prove that she would never leave him.

Without allowing herself to dwell on the possibility of rejection, she launched herself at him, taking him backward to the floor with her weight. Her chest pressed against his dark tee-shirt, the warmth of his body through it a shock to her chilled skin. One hand on the floor supported her while she cupped his cheek with the other. Her face was so close to his that she could smell the ocean on his skin, mingled with the hint of the aftershave he’d bought in Nassau. She breathed deeply, wanting to bury her face in his neck, but knowing she had to say the words in her heart out loud.

“I am scared, but I trust you and I know we are right for each other.”

He stared up at her, not speaking. Desperation crept into her tone.

“Please, Niko, give us a chance. I’ll move to Greece to be near you. We can learn to be friends, date, move in together. I’ll do whatever you want, whenever you’re ready.”

“Whatever?”

She lowered her head, her lips brushing against the curve of his strong jaw. She felt the muscles tighten as he clenched his teeth. “Anything except leave,” she whispered against his skin. “I can’t go through that again.”

He reached into the pocket of his jacket and drew out the blue beaded anklet he’d bought her in Key West. “Would you wear this if I asked?”

The bracelet he’d said meant nothing. She had begged and pleaded, offering him the temptation of her body. It was time for him to give her a hint of how he felt. “For protection against the evil eye?”

“No, as a symbol that you’re my woman. Just until I can get you something more suitable.”

His woman. It sounded oddly brusque coming from his lips. Not his normal smooth words, but incredibly right. “I’ll wear it forever.”

He wrapped the anklet around the wrist that lay on his chest, holding it there untied, his large hand wrapped around her arm. He stared into her face, his gaze direct. “You must only wear it if you love it.”

The unasked question hung in the air between them. Her hand tightened against his jaw, moving to caress the rough stubble of his beard. She had admitted to herself that she loved him. Why was it so hard to say the words to him?

“I love it.” Her voice was uneven with emotion. “Love you.”

Niko’s hold on her wrist tightened, the slow smile that crossed his lips taking her breath. “I thought I’d never hear you say it,” he murmured on a soft exhale. Releasing her wrist, he put his arms around her shoulders, pulling her tighter against his chest. “I’ve been telling you how I feel about you for days.
Agapi mou
, my love.” He lifted his head from the floor to brush his lips against hers. He whispered, his breath warm against her cheek, “
Kardia mou
, my heart.”

She’d heard the words many times, had thought them sweet nothings. Later, she would find a way to punish him for hiding his emotions behind his language. Now, her feelings for this strong yet tender man demanded physical outlet.

“You annoying Greek god,” she said fiercely, her fists clenched into the soft knit of his shirt. “I don’t know why I love you so much.”

“Same here,” he said. “Now kiss me.”

Lindy Corbin appears to be a mild-mannered accountant, but inside her beats the heart of an adventurer, fated to climb the tallest monuments in the world. Alas, she ascends these stairs alone as friends and family wisely use the elevator. When not dreaming of traveling to 1000 places, she lives in the lush oasis of South Florida, where sunshine and all the odd characters it attracts form a sizzling backdrop for her contemporary stories.

Lindy published her first novel, Auction Affair, in 1988 with Pageant Books. Babies and bills intervened, but finally, she is weaving words together again and avidly searching the internet for photos of the hottest heroes for her book covers.

* * *

Discover more quality romances then purchase direct (and risk-free) from your favorite outlet(s). See the Steel Magnolia Press website at
www.steelmagnoliapress.com
.

* * *

Subscribe to Fresh Leaves, the Steel Magnolia Press newsletter, to be notified of new releases and subscriber-only specials:
http://eepurl.com/gCgrX
.

(You can also subscribe from the Steel Magnolia Press website.)

* * *

If you enjoyed this work, please leave a review to help other readers decide if it’s a story they too would like to read! A couple of sentences are all you need to write. Thank you!

* * *

Gypsy Bond

A novella by Lindy Corbin

The palm reader spoke of two paths. Would one lead Juliet to her gypsy husband?

At sixteen, Juliet Bailey was hand-fasted to the gypsy, Marko, but when the tribe moved on, she was left behind. For years, she has endured snubs and snide remarks whispered behind lace fans. Now that the gypsies have returned, she demands her rightful place beside her husband.

Marko, who returned to Derbyshire to lay aside his memories of their rash affair, refuses to acknowledge the union. Though attracted to her still, he is convinced that her happiness lies in taking a husband who is her peer.

Stung by Marko’s rejection, will Juliet choose the path that will separate them forever?