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PROLOGUE

IT WAS a bad time to realise that she was in love

The atmosphere in the resuscitation room was strained and tense—the child’s injuries so severe that no one was holding out ood outcome

No one, that was, except Dr Nikos Mariakos, the Greek consultant who had a reputation formiracles happen

Ella adjusted the oxygen floith shaking hands and sneaked a glance at theacross from her Her heart tumbled, dipped and soared

Why now? And why this man?

She’d broken both her rules

Don’t trust

Don’t love

At the age of eight she’d learned that men were bad news and she’d locked away her emotions and throay the key

But this man had not only found the key, he’d used it And what had started as a scorching affair, a physical release froency depart deeper

Ella felt a moment of pure panic, but the child’s condition didn’t allow time for reflection

‘Suction—ave his orders in a calm, detached tone, apparently undaunted by the enormous task that faced hie His hands didn’t shake, his brow didn’t sweat and there was no trace of emotion on his cold, handsome face as he worked to stabilise the critically injured child

I really do love hi everyclose to desperation Only hours earlier they’d been in bed Those saic and the sensual spell he’d woven had somehow unravelled the protective web she’d spun over years of suspicion and caution

A feeling of dread seeped into her bones as she realised how vulnerable she was

Love had punched holes through her defensive shield

Love nowhurt she’d suffered as a child