CHAPTER FIVE
IT WAS THE tingling between her legs that brought Helena to her senses, a damp ache she hadn’t felt for so long that she’d forgotten she’d ever experienced it. A frisson of it had shot through her when he’d whispered in her ear that stupid quip about her owing him a wedding night—as if—but she’d shoved it aside, refused to acknowledge it, refused to give him the satisfaction of responding to his mind-games.
She had to keep a sane head on her shoulders. Theo was dangerous. For all his convivial, amusing persona, he had a ruthless streak that would make Machiavelli proud. His actions bringing her here proved that better than anything.
Wrenching her stare from his, she shook his hand off her arm, took a step back and cleared her parched throat. ‘Is this my base?’ Theo’s PA had confirmed Helena would be staying in a newly built staffed lodge on the peninsula for the duration. Further lodgings would be built in the coming months to accommodate the team who would build the mansion that would rise like a monolith on the site.
It mattered not what best practice was, Theo wanted Helena living and working on the site. His deep pockets ensured that whatever Theo wanted, Theo got.
‘It is.’ He climbed off the scooter and stretched his back. ‘I’ll show you around.’
Inside, she found the lodgings to be much more luxurious than she’d anticipated. The scent of fresh paint permeated the air.
‘Let me introduce you to my housekeepers, Elli and Natassa.’ He steamed ahead through the wide reception room and led her to a large, hi-tech kitchen.
Helena wished she could feel an ounce of surprise to find the housekeepers were two stunning women of around her age. Theo liked variety, she thought bitterly, and he loved to be loved. His ego demanded it. What better way to dig the knife into his ex than to employ two beautiful, glamorous women to look after her? Which one was he sleeping with? The blonde? The redhead? Both?
Forcing a smile and then fighting to hold it as well as keeping down the nausea roiling in her stomach, she shook hands with them both.
In no time at all, a tall glass of water with ice and fresh lemon slices in it was thrust into her hand and a plate of sweet Greek pastries extended.
‘They look lovely,’ she said politely. She would not be rude to these women nor allow herself to harbour bad feelings for them. It wasn’t their fault Theo had brought them here and was using them in his sadistic mind-games. ‘But would you mind if I go to my room before I eat? I could do with freshening up.’ And she could really do with some time away from Theo. With any luck, he would leave soon for his home in Athens or, most likely, his home in Agon.
‘I’ll show you to it,’ Theo said before either of the housekeepers could answer. He strode out of the kitchen and through the main living area to the back of the lodge, forcing her to walk double-quick to keep up. He paused to push a door open. ‘This is your office. You can arrange it to your liking tomorrow.’ She’d barely caught a glimpse of it before he steamed on through an archway.
‘Our living quarters,’ he said casually.
There were two doors here, facing each other.
‘Our?’ she asked a beat later.
He met her stare. A knowing, lazy smile tugged at his mouth. ‘Nai, agapi mou. Our living quarters.’ Eyes glimmering, he nodded at the right-hand door. ‘Your room...’ His head turned to the left-hand door. ‘My room.’
Temporarily dumbstruck, she had to force herself to speak. ‘You’re staying here too?’
‘But of course,’ Theo purred. ‘This way I am here and available any time you need me...’ He let his words hang before adding, ‘Day or night.’
Her silent fury was magnificent to behold. Her face was practically contorted with the weight of it. It was a long time before she said, ‘I was under the impression I would be staying here with only your staff.’
‘I know you were.’ He winked and opened her door. ‘I was being considerate.’
She snorted her disbelief.
He strode into the bedroom he’d had designed with Helena in mind. ‘I thought you had enough to think about. If you knew I was staying here too it would have put you under additional pressure.’
‘Or seen me pulling out.’ She glared at him from the threshold, making no attempt to cross it.
He shook his head sadly. ‘You had too much to lose for that to happen.’ And even more to lose if she called it quits now. He’d paid Staffords and Helena the promised substantial down payment. In return they’d signed a watertight contract which tied Helena to him until he deemed the architectural plans complete. If she attempted to leave before that time, Staffords and Helena would be liable to repay the down payment plus interest.
He had her over a barrel, exactly where he wanted her. And, from the fire blazing in her eyes, she knew it too.
He waited with eager anticipation for her fury to boil over.
He was to be disappointed. Speaking through clearly gritted teeth, she said, ‘If we have to share a roof, then fine, but I tell you now, I will not be sharing a bed with you.’
‘Did I say anything about us sharing a bed?’ he asked with mock innocence. ‘But, seeing as you’re the one thinking it, I tell you now that you’re welcome to share my bed any time you like.’
‘Not in a million years,’ she spluttered.
He laughed. ‘Is that a challenge?’
‘It’s a statement of fact. I’m here to work, not be cheap entertainment for you.’
‘No one could ever call you cheap, agapi
