âYou agree to be my mistress for one year, exclusively mine,â he emphasized.
She understood, all right. One year in his bed; it was blackmail, pure and simple. Well, maybe not so pureâ¦
âAt the end of that time, I will give you the evidence of the fraud and cancel your debt,â Marcus went on.
âI would prefer to pay back the money my mother stole.â Eloise accented the word. âNot me,â she added forcibly. She was not admitting a guilt she was not responsible for.
âThat is not an option.â But Marcus had to give her points for trying. She looked so defiant, her green eyes blazing, and infinitely desirable.
âIâM NOT even going to get to first base, am I, honey?â
Eloiseâs luscious lips parted over even white teeth in a stunning smile, her green eyes sparkling with amusement. âNo, Ted. Youâre not.â She shook her head, her red-gold hair swaying gently around her slender shoulders, and not being able to stop herself, she laughed out loud at the exaggerated woebegone expression on her companionâs face.
âI knew it. When your luck is out, itâs out,â Ted Charlton stated in his deep American drawl. âBut what the hell? Eloise youâre a great companion, and we can still talkâmore than I could ever do with my ex-wife, thatâs for sure.â
Ted had told her over the meal that he was in the process of getting divorced for the third time as his wife had run off with a younger man, and Eloise felt sorry for him. Probably about fifty, he was no Adonis, but his personality and wit more than made up for his homely appearance.
âYou certainly can,â Eloise teased him. âI think I know your life story from high school.â
âHeaven forbidâI am boring you.â
Bravely she reached out and placed her hand on his arm. âNo truly, youâve led such a fascinating life. I hope I have even half as much fun.â
âA beautiful talented girl like you, the world is your oyster. It gives the old ego a boost simply to be seen out with you, and if I can help you in any way I can, I will.â
It wasnât a cast-iron contract to invest in KHE, the jewellery design company she shared with her two friends, Katy and her husband Harry, but it was almost as good as, Eloise thought happily.
âThatâs very kind of you.â She beamed at her companion. She had never dined with a prospective investor in her life, and she would not have been doing it now, except Katyâwho was seven and a half months pregnantâhad not been feeling well. Harry, who looked after the business side of things, wanted to stay at home with his wife, but had arranged a dinner with Ted Charlton, and so Eloise had been railroaded into taking his place.
âNot kind; itâs just common sense. You and your friends really have something; in a few years I can see KHE jewellery boutiques in every capital in the world.â
Eloise laughed out loud. âNow youâre exaggerating.â She was glad she had taken Harryâs place; the evening was a success and the relief was enormous, both business-wise and personallyâ¦
She hadnât wanted to come. Dinner dates and dancing were not her scene. The flimsy top she was wearing was not hers, but Katyâs. Eloiseâs preference was for casual trousers and baggy shirts, but surprisingly Ted Charlton had somehow put her at her ease, and she was amazed to realise she was actually enjoying herself.
âMaybe,â Ted said, rising to his feet. âBut how about you to take a chance on my old bones and dance with me? We can leave the business details until tomorrow, with your astute Harry around to dot the iâs and cross the tâs.â
For a split second she hesitated; then, rising to her feet, Eloise took his outstretched hand. âSure thing, Ted,â she said in an appalling attempt at an American accent and they were both laughing as they moved around the small dance floor in each otherâs arms.
Marcus Kouvaris leant back against the bar, a glass of whisky in his hand, and slid his other hand into the pocket of his trousers. The stunningly attractive blonde at his side immediately slipped her arm through his, allowing her small breasts to press against him. He flicked her a knowing, sensuous smile. They both knew where the evening would endâin bed⦠Nadine was a top model and a more experienced sexual athlete he had yet to meet: and he needed the relief. Marcus took a sip of his whisky and frowned.