Page 27 of Secrets of Cinderella's Awakening

‘He wants me there.’

‘But you don’t want to go?’

His mouth twisted. ‘What do you think?’

‘I’m thinking that maybe your conscience is nudging you to,’ she answered quietly. ‘Because he’s an old man and it probably means a lot to him.’

Leon tensed, aware that again she had surprised him with her perception and quiet lack of judgement. She had listened to his words but his confidences hadn’t brought forth a torrent of prurient questions. It was as though he’d dropped a stone into a pool, leaving behind no ripples. As if the things he had told her had vanished without trace.

And suddenly it occurred to him that perhaps Marnie Porter would be the ideal person to take to the wedding as his plus-one. Wouldn’t she be like a breath of fresh air in that stale and echoing mansion? Someone innocent and straightforward who wasn’t motivated by avarice, or greed. Someone honest and truthful, who could provide him with enough entertainment and satisfaction to make the whole damned occasion bearable.

He reached up to twirl a strand of pale hair around his finger and when he let it go it dangled in a perfect spiral against her heart-shaped face. ‘Want to come with me?’ he asked.

She blinked. ‘Where?’

‘To Syros, for my father’s wedding.’

‘You mean to the marriage of a child bride to a man you have a rocky relationship with? You haven’t exactly sold it to me, Leon,’ she said, but the waver in her voice betrayed a sudden sense of nervousness. ‘I’m guessing it’ll be a big, glittering affair?’

‘Not at all. My father assures me it will be very low-key. A handful of guests, that’s all.’

She still didn’t look convinced. ‘When is it?’

‘Next weekend. The wedding is on Sunday,’ he said. ‘We could fly out on Thursday and come back on Monday. Make a break of it. We don’t have to stay on Syros. I’ve recently bought a property in Thessaloniki. I think you’d like it.’

‘I’m sure I would, but I happen to be working on Saturday.’

His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Most women would have walked over broken glass to get an invitation to a party at the famous Kanonidou mansion and Marnie’s reluctance was only firing his determination to have her there. Idly, he reached for her breast and began to caress the pliant flesh. ‘But surely—’

‘Surely what, Leon?’ Pushing his hand away, she sat up and glared at him. ‘You think I can just drop everything and come with you when you snap your fingers? You obviously have no idea how a hairdressing salon works! I have a client list which I’ve built up over years and which I’m not going to jeopardise for some random last-minute invitation.’

‘“Some random last-minute invitation...”’ he repeated faintly as he pulled her back down and into his arms, and this time she didn’t resist.

‘Well, how else would you describe it? You’ve hardly given me weeks to prepare, have you?’ Undoubtedly influenced by the fingers which were edging towards her inner thigh, her voice became smoky. ‘If I were to agree to come—if—it would have to be when I’ve finished work on Saturday afternoon.’

‘That won’t be a problem. We can fly out that night. You’ve never been on my plane, have you?’

‘No, I’ve never been on your plane, but I haven’t been losing any sleep over it.’

‘That’s a surprise. Most women are turned on by the size of a man’s jet,’ he said softly as he pinned his thigh over hers.

‘Oh, you’re impossible!’

‘Am I?’

‘Totally.’

He grazed his mouth over hers. ‘But you’re going to have to let me buy you some clothes for the wedding.’

Her eyes snapped open. ‘No.’

‘Yes,’ he insisted softly.

‘You know how I feel about you buying me things.’

‘I don’t think I could ever be in any doubt about that, Marnie,’ he said drily. ‘But this is different.’

‘Because I dress so terribly, you mean?’

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