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The smooth olive planes of his darkly handsome features were taut Ebony brows pleated with concern, he reached for her hands and drew her towards hiolden eyes elded to her flushed and defensive face ‘Theos mou, I am very sorry If I had known, if I had even suspected that you hadn’t returned because so had happened to you, I would have looked for you and I would have been there for you I thought you had walked out on me’

Maribel was bewildered Why would he have thought such a thing? She could not think that he met with rejection of that nature very often Or was it coht stand? She didn’t want to ask hier on the subject She was afraid that her sensitivityto a male as shrewd as he was

Leonidas finally understood why she had said she didn’t like him He was shaken that it had not once occurred to hiht have been a genuine explanation for her vanishing act He could not understand why his usual clear-sighted logic should have deserted him that day, or why his reaction had been out of all proportion to the event But he did recognise the consequences ‘I let you down,’ he said gravely ‘I very ret that, mali mou’

Maribel was taken aback by the sincerity in his lustrous gaze Her slender fingers sesture full of all the warht…you didn’t know—’

His wide, sensual ht I should have enquired I could have been there with you But I was arrogant—’

‘I know, but you’re not about to change,’ Maribel told hio transplant’

Reluctant amusement assailed Leonidas He lowered his handsome dark head and claiht that o into a frantic tailspin around her…

CHAPTER TEN

WHEN the world stopped spinning, Maribel found that Leonidas had propelled her into a bedroohts and a bed the size of a sies?’ she asked helplessly

‘You need have no concern on that score I saw enough of that kind of nonsense growing up with Elora,’ Leonidas retorted with derision

Maribel was transfixed by that frank adht moment to tell him that her coht

‘Aside of the staff, you are the only woman ever to cross the threshold of this room,’ Leonidas declared

Merriment relieved herher ‘As if I’d s that fairy story!’

‘But it is the truth I have never brought a woman in here before I have always preferred to keep my bedrooht through with anyone’

‘You did with me…as I? An aberration?’

Long brown fingers framed her flushed cheekbones Her violet-blue eyes subjected hily direct appraisal There was no doard and quick upward glance designed to entrap, none of the studied flirtatiousfrom her sex Instead there was a sincerity he found ravity from his beautifully shaped masculine mouth ‘I would say that addiction would be a ain and that is not likeunique’

So unique? Elias, Maribel filled in ruefully for her own benefit She could hardly fault hi night In and out of bed he was too experienced not to knohat pleased a wo fervour that soon turned hot and sensual with the dart and plunge of his tongue

All the tensions of the day found exit in the stor tide of desire Her breath ca her sliency she could not hold back He stripped off her dress with impatient hands and lifted her clear of its folds

Tawny eyes s with purpose, Leonidas stepped back a few inches to get a better look at her The delicate turquoise lace lingerie revealed rather leaainst her reddened lips, curving strong hands to her hips to fold her up against his lean, tough, muscular frame