A Passionate Surrender

A Passionate Surrender
HELEN BIANCHIN

Ana had secretly hoped her marriage of convenience to Luc Dimitriades would turn into the real thing, yet one year after exchanging their vows he still seemed susceptible to the charms of his ex-mistress. Holding her head high, Ana knew she had to leave.Luc wasn't prepared to let his wife go. In fact, he seemed determined to blackmail her back into his bed! Ana fought to resist his passionate persuasion, but Luc held one last trump card: he knew she was carrying his child….

“I don’t want to sleep with you!”

“Perhaps not…tonight,” Luc insisted silkily.

“Not any night!”

“Brave words, Ana.”

Ana wanted to rail against him, hating the power he possessed and her inability to retaliate. She was caught in a web, tied to him by the child they’d conceived, and held there by family loyalty.

“Go to hell, Luc,” she said bitterly as he drew level.

Luc paused and caught hold of her chin, tilting it so she had little option but to meet his passionate gaze. “Careful, pedhaki mou. I might be tempted to take you there.”

Dear Reader,

Flowers signify so many emotions…they’re the gift of lovers, friends and family, in times of happiness, joy and sorrow. From the exotic to simple everyday blossoms, their textures, colors and perfumes blend together to bring pleasure to people all around the world.

I have an admiration for those who work in the floral industry, especially the talented florists whose skilled artistry turns varied blooms into beautiful bouquets. My writer’s imagination envisaged the lives of two sisters, Ana and Rebekah, who co-own a florist boutique in one of the trendiest suburbs of Sydney, Australia.

Ana is married to proud, powerful Luc Dimitriades—but one year into their marriage, his newly divorced ex-mistress returns, determined to reclaim Luc…

Rebekah is wary of men and determined to avoid falling in love again. But Luc’s cousin Jace Dimitriades plans to change her mind!

I hope you enjoy getting to know these two sisters, and the gorgeous tycoons who turn their world upside down!

With love

A Passionate Surrender

Helen Bianchin

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

For Helga,

friend and talented florist

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER ONE

‘CRISTOS.’

The husky imprecation held an angry silkiness as Luc Dimitriades tossed the faxed report down onto his desk.

Detailed surveillance of his wife’s movements during the past nine days revealed few surprises, although one caused his eyes to narrow with contemplative suspicion.

Reflex action had him reaching for his cellphone and keying in a series of digits.

‘Put me through to Marc Andreas,’ he instructed curtly as soon as the receptionist picked up.

‘Doctor has a patient with him.’

‘It’s urgent,’ he said without compunction, and identified himself. ‘He’ll take the call.’

Minutes later he had official confirmation, and his expression hardened as he reached for the inter-office phone.

Clear, concise instructions set his plan in motion, and after replacing the receiver he stood to his feet and crossed to the large plate-glass window.

The city and harbour spread out before him in splendid panorama. Sparkling blue sea, tall office buildings in varying height and design of concrete, steel and glass. Expensive two- and three-level mansions nestled between trees and shrubbery on a carved-out rock-face overlooking the inner harbour.

Small craft moored in safe anchorage dotting inlets and coves. The bustling water-cats and ferries vying with a huge tanker being guided by tugboats into berth. The familiar arch of Sydney’s bridge, the distinctive architecture of the opera house.

It was a familiar sight. Yet today he didn’t register the view. Nor the expensive furnishings, the genuine art gracing the walls of his luxurious office.

There was no pleasure of the scene evident in his broad, chiselled features, little emotion in his dark brooding gaze as he lapsed into reflective thought.

A brief marriage in his early twenties to his childhood sweetheart had ended tragically with Emma’s accidental death mere months after their wedding. Grief-stricken, he’d thrown himself into work, putting in long hours and achieving untold success in the business arena.

Remarriage wasn’t on his agenda. He’d loved and lost, and didn’t want to lose his heart again. For the past ten years he’d enjoyed a few selective relationships…no commitments, no empty words promising permanence.