Hidden Currents Read Free Page B

Gratsos wants you here, you’ll stay.”
    It was a warning—a clear warning. Had he read her mind? She didn’t think she’d given away her thoughts on her face. He looked at her directly, his dark eyes meeting hers. Her heart jumped at the caution, her mouth going dry. “Let me go now.”
    For a moment regret showed in his eyes, but she knew he wasn’t going to cross his boss. “You’ll have to take that up with him.”
    Elle nodded and made her way back toward the shipping magnate, very aware of Sid directly behind her.
    Stavros held out his hand to her, closing his fingers around hers to draw her to his side. “I thought you were trying to leave me.”
    “I told you I couldn’t stay,” Elle reminded him. “I want to, Stavros, but I’ve already been gone long enough.” She was careful to keep her tone light and regretful even as she deliberately opened her senses and tried to psychically read him.
    Stavros was very used to getting his way, and trying to force her to comply to his will would be something he might do without thinking it was wrong. It was her first real reprimand, gentle as she could make it although she wanted to spit fire at him.
    His eyes darkened to a stormy color. “I asked you to stay with me. To go to my home with me. Sheena, I’ve never brought a woman there.”
    She took a deep breath. He was taking her to his island and she would be cut off from all aid. Did he suspect her? And if he did, did that mean he had something to hide? Already the engines were starting to rumble and she could feel the deck vibrating beneath her feet. “Stavros, maybe I should meet you there later, tomorrow or the day after.”
    Stavros patted her hand and led her across the deck to seat her in a plush chair. “We need time together, Sheena. I want to spend a week together, just the two of us, and perhaps you’ll change your mind about me.”
    “I don’t have enough clothes for a week,” Elle said, trying to be practical.
    “I’ll send for them.”
    “I’m not sleeping with you, Stavros. I told you I can’t be in a relationship right now. I’m not ready.”
    “You told me this man broke your heart, Sheena. Who is he?”
    She shrugged, suddenly concerned by the steel in his eyes. She had the uneasy feeling that if she named anyone, he might turn up dead. Which was silly when she had been very certain that Stavros was no criminal. But, then, if that was the case, why were all her internal alarms screaming at her?
    “He’s of no consequence.”
    “He must be, if you won’t consider another relationship.” Stavros drummed his fingers on the table. She’d seen him do that when he was deep in thought or very agitated. “Did you live with him? How long were you with him?”
    “That isn’t your business,” Elle said firmly.
    His eyes narrowed. “I can hire someone to find out these answers for me.”
    Her heart jumped. He’d had her investigated. Dane had told her to be prepared for that. They had meticulously built her life and provided everything down to college pictures and records as well as a detailed past, but would it stand up to the kind of investigation a man like Stavros Gratsos would demand? Was this the reason he was taking her to his island? He’d discovered that she was undercover?
    “Why are you pushing me?”
    Stavros leaned toward her, his gaze locking with hers. “I want you. I have never wanted a woman in the way I want you.”
    Was that the simple truth? She doubted it. Sheena was beautiful and a woman of mystery and intelligence, the type that would attract and intrigue Stavros, but he wasn’t known for falling for women. He escorted them, spent time with them, but inevitably he walked away. Why was he so determined to claim Sheena for his own?
    Elle sighed. “You’re going to have to get over it, Stavros. I’ll be as honest as possible with you. Birth control won’t work on me. I have this anomaly that runs in my family. No form of birth control works. Even if you