‘Take a seat.’ The sound of his deep voice so close behind her made her start forward. Quickly she took in the huge study with its state-of-the-art technology, its wide, gleaming desk and the huge black leather chair behind it. No way was she sitting meekly in the visitor’s seat drawn up before the desk. Instead she swerved and headed for the comfortable chairs positioned around a low table. She sank into one and carefully placed her hands on its arms, striving to look composed.
He didn’t settle opposite her. Instead he stalked to the full-length windows, staring for a long moment at the view of sky and sea. When eventually he turned to face her his expression was unreadable. The light behind him threw his features into shade. But the set of his shoulders was rigid. Not a good sign.
‘I owe you an apology,’ he said abruptly.
Tessa wondered if she’d heard him right. She never thought she’d hear an apology from Stavros Denakis. Yet he sounded so uncomfortable it must be real.
‘So you believe me?’
‘I know you didn’t leak the secret of our marriage to the Press.’
She leaned back in her chair. At last.
‘So who did?’
Restlessly he shifted. ‘A waiter employed on a casual basis by the caterer hired for the engagement party. We have proof, direct from the journalist involved.’ Icy disapproval edged his voice but there was no mistaking the underlying blaze of heat.
Tessa shivered. Journalists were notorious for protecting their sources. She didn’t like to think about the sort of pressure Stavros had brought to bear in order to get this information.
‘And the waiter? What’s happened to him?’ She should be glad the real culprit had been identified. Yet she couldn’t help wondering what price he’d paid for his actions.
‘No more than he deserves.’ Stavros paused. Was he relishing the thought of vengeance? ‘He’ll never work in his field again, not here in Greece and certainly not with any top-quality international firm.’
Tessa froze at his merciless tone. He really was ruthless.
‘You think I’m too harsh?’
‘No. Yes. I think…it will be difficult for him to start again somewhere else.’
His wide shoulders rose in a dismissive shrug. ‘He should have considered that before he breached the trust of his employer, and his client. If he wanted money he should have worked for it honestly, like everyone else.’
There was no answer to that.
‘He was looking for easy cash,’ Stavros continued, slowly pacing away from the window towards her. ‘Just like women who see marriage as a convenient way to get rich.’
Tessa’s breath hitched. Not again. She’d thought they were beyond this.
Now he loomed beside her and she sensed disapproval in every line of his hard, muscular body. She shot to her feet, unwilling to be at such a disadvantage.
‘So, you know I didn’t tell my story to the Press and yet you insist on believing I’m here for your money?’
‘It would take much more than that to convince me you’re the innocent you claim.’ His grey eyes fixed on her, probing, as if to uncover her every secret.
If only she could persuade him she had no secrets. Her life was an open book. She was sick of his doubt and his disapproval. They hammered at her incessantly.
‘It must be a very cold, bleak life, living with constant suspicion.’ She glared up at him. ‘I just hope your fiancée has a warm disposition to balance it.’
‘My fiancée?’
His voice held an odd note. Instantly she knew she’d over-stepped some unwritten mark. Perhaps women such as she weren’t allowed to mention Stavros Denakis’ bride-to-be.
‘Yes, your fiancée.’ She met his stare unflinchingly, watching his eyes darken to the colour of a winter storm.
‘Your attempt at humour is misplaced,’ he growled. ‘Or were you, perhaps, trying to rub salt into what you hope is an open wound?’
‘I…’ She frowned, trying to follow his logic.
‘Come, come, Ms Marlowe. No need to be coy. You must know I have no fiancée. Not any more.’ He leaned close, intimidating just with his presence. ‘And I think we can both agree that’s down to you.’
Tessa saw his long fingers flex and bunch as if he sought a physical outlet for the wrath bubbling inside him. Carefully she shuffled back a pace, but not enough to escape if he reached for her. Her mouth dried.
‘I didn’t know.’
He tilted his head, assessing her words. ‘It’s been in all the news reports. Along with every aspect of my personal life the Press can get its hands on.’ He didn’t bother to conceal his bitterness.