Read Online The Greek Tycoon's Achilles Heel by Lucy Gordon - Free Book Online Page B

exploding at his sheer cheek, and managed to say calmly, ‘I’m about to leave for a few days.’
    ‘Can it wait until tomorrow?’
    ‘I’m afraid not. I’m really very busy. It’s been a pleasure knowing you. Goodbye.’ She hung up.
    ‘Good for you,’ Nikator said from the doorway. ‘It’s about time somebody told him.’
    ‘It’s kind of you to worry about me, Nikki, but I promise you there’s no need. I’m in charge. I always have been. I always will be.’
    The phone rang again.
    ‘I know you’re angry,’ Lysandros said. ‘But am I beyond forgiveness?’
    ‘You misunderstand,’ she said coolly. ‘I’m not angry, merely busy. I’m a professional with work to do.’
    ‘You mean I really am beyond forgiveness?’
    ‘No, I—there’s nothing to forgive.’
    ‘I wish you’d tell me that to my face. I’ve been inconsiderate, but I didn’t…that is…help me, Petra—please.’
    It was as though he’d thrown a magic switch. His arrogance she could fight, but his plea for help reached out to touch her own need.
    ‘I suppose I could rearrange my plans,’ she said slowly.
    ‘I’m waiting by the gate. Come as you are; that’s all I ask.’
    ‘I’m on my way.’
    ‘You’re mad,’ Nikator said. ‘You know that, don’t you?’
    She sighed. ‘Yes, I guess so. But it can’t be helped.’
    She escaped his furious eyes as soon as she could. Now she could think of nothing but that Lysandros wanted her. The thought of seeing him again made her heart leap.
    He was where he’d said he would be. He didn’t kiss her or make any public show of affection, but his hand held hers tightly for a moment and he whispered, ‘Thank you,’ in a fervent voice that wiped out the days of frustrated waiting.
    Darkness was falling as Lysandros took her into the heart of town, finally stopping at a small restaurant that spilled out onto the pavement. From here they could look up at the floodlit Parthenon, high on the Acropolis, dominating all of Athens.
    The waiter appeared, politely enquiring if they were ready to visit the kitchen. Petra was familiar with this habit of allowing customers to see the food being prepared, and happily followed him in. Delicious aromas assailed them at once, and it took time to go around trying to make a choice. At last they settled on fried calamari followed by lamb fricassee and returned to the table.
    For a while the food and wine occupied her. Sometimes she glanced up to find him watching her with an intense expression that told her all she wanted to know about the feelings he couldn’t put into words. For her it was enough to know that he had those feelings. The words could wait.
    At last he said politely, ‘Have you been busy?’
    ‘I’ve been doing a lot of reading in Homer’s library. I’ve had some invitations to go on expeditions.’
    ‘And you’ve accepted them?’
    ‘Not all. How has your work been?’
    ‘No different from usual. Problems to be overcome. I tried to keep busy because…because…’ his voice changed abruptly ‘…when I was alone I thought of you.’
    ‘You hid it very well,’ she pointed out.
    ‘You mean I didn’t call you. I meant to a thousand times, but I always drew back. I think you know why.’
    ‘I’m not sure I do.’
    ‘You’re not like other women. Not to me. With you it has to be all or nothing, and I—’
    ‘You’re not ready for “all”,’ she finished for him. Without warning her temper gave a sudden, disconcerting flare. ‘That’s fine, because neither am I. Are you suggesting that I was chasing you?’
    ‘No, I didn’t mean that,’ he said hastily. ‘I was just trying to apologise.’
    ‘It’s all right,’ she said.
    In fact it wasn’t all right. Her contented mood of a moment ago had faded. The strain of the last few days was catching up with her, and she was becoming edgy. She’d wanted him and he’d as good as snubbed her.
    Suddenly the evening was on the verge of collapse.
    ‘Can I have a little