Trish Morey - The Greek Bosss Demand

A PROPERTY company!

What was Nick Santos supposed to do with a half-share in a property company all the way over here in Australia? Especially one that by rights should have gone in its entirety to his cousin Sofia.

Taking note of the flashing light over his head, Nick duly fastened his seat belt for the descent into Sydney.

Hed never thought of his uncle Aristos as having a sense of humour, but he had to have been joking to come up with this scheme.

Half the company on condition that he stay and head up the business for six months, teaching Sofia whatever she needed to know to run the business herself.

It was crystal-clear what his late uncle had intended by his strange bequest. Nick was no stranger to the practice of arranged marriages, and he wasnt about to have one foisted on him.

As soon as hed paid his respects to Sofia hed gift her the balance of the company by leaving Australia and forfeiting his share of the inheritance. He didnt need the hassle when there were more important issues to consider at homeeven if he had left the business in the safe hands of Dimitri, his second in charge.

He settled back into his seat, taking in the view as the plane came in for landing.

So this was Sydney. He caught a glimpse of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with the Opera House nestled alongsidearchitectural icons of the busy harbourbefore city buildings swallowed up the view and he had to content himself with watching the endless procession of red roofs and blue backyard pools skating under the plane as it descended steadily towards the airport.

In spite of the disruption to his schedules he could almost thank Aristos for finally getting him here. Hed grown up hearing tales of fortunes to be made in the new world. His mothers brother had made a success of it, that much was sure.

And hed met a few Australians in his time. One in particular stuck in his minda girl hed met on the island of Crete. Years ago now.

Shed been all pale skin and freckles, with long blonde hair and smiling blue eyes that infected you with laughter. Together theyd explored the crumbling ruins that dotted the island, and her fascination and boundless enthusiasm over the remnants of a civilisation so ancient had been contagious. Shed made him feel guilty that even as a student of archaeology he tended to take his countrys rich history for granted. Yet at the same time shed also made him feel proud to be Greek. She had been beautiful, vibrant and spiritedand, as it turned out, fickle.

He exhaled a long breath he hadnt realised hed been holding and stretched back travel-weary shoulders into the wide first-class seat.

The plane touched down and taxied to the terminal, finally pulling to a halt. Everyone around him was stirring, impatient from the long flight and eager to clear Customs in the least amount of time. A smiling flight attendant appeared at his arm with his jacket.

He nodded his thanks and forced his mind back to the present.

That spring was a long time ago, and right now he had more pressing problems to think about. His place was not here. He belonged back in Greece. And as soon as he had sorted out this unusual bequest that was exactly where he was headed.

A LEX opened the office door and slammed into her past.

Nick Santos!

She had to be dreaming. Nick was back home in Athens, running the family engineering empire. He had no business here in Sydney, standing in the foyer of the Xenophon Property Group.

Especially not today, with the office reopening after Aristoss heart attack and funeral, when she was already days behind in getting out the monthly rental invoices, and with the new bosssome far-flung relativeexpected at any time.

Not today? Who was she kidding? Not ever.

But it couldnt be Nick.

She blinked, but when she opened her eyes he was still there.

And it was still Nick.

Strange how there was no way she could mistake himhow she could be so absolutely positive, even after all this time. Even though he was standing there with his back to her, talking to Sofia, still she knew it was himsensed it was himwith just a glimpse of profile and the wave of thick, dark hair licking at the collar of his oh-so-white shirt. Knew it from his stance, manly and confident. Knew it in the message her heart was suddenly beating.

Adrenalin danced with her pulse, readying her for fight or flight. No contest. There was no way her feet would move forward. Not even the welcoming scent of the coffee machines fresh brew could beckon her inside. She would back out right now, quickly, and he would never see her. Maybe by the time she came back hed be gone, back out of her life, back into her past where he belonged.

She let her arm go slack on the door, letting it fall back towards her. Maybe, if she was quiet

There you are, Sofia called, stepping out from behind his shoulder, looking every part the grieving daughter in her black silk skirt suit, her dark hair tied back into a sleek, high ponytail. And before shed had a chance to respond hed spun around, arresting her retreat with the sheer impact of his features so that the only movement she was capable of was the involuntary quiver that descended her spine. His dark eyes narrowed, his gaze sweeping her from top to toe before settling on her face. Then his nostrils flared as his lips curved ever so slightly.

So it is you, he stated, his chin kicking up a notch.

She swallowed hard. In the eight-plus years since shed seen Nick shed often imagined what their first words would be and how he would say them if ever they met again. Not once had she imagined Nick would coldly and dispassionately come out with something like, So it is you.

Who were you expecting? she said, finally convincing her muscles there was no way out of it but to push open the door and enter the lobby. Kylie Minogue?