Unworldly Secretary, Untamed Greek. KIM LAWRENCE

We both have reasons for wanting this engagement to end.’

      While he did not elaborate on his own reasons, it did not, Beth thought, take a genius to figure them out. Theo Kyriakis still carried a torch for his old love. Seeing her again had resurrected all those old feelings and he was determined that his brother would not have her.

      Maybe equally determined that he would win her back.

      Well, good luck to him. In Beth’s mind, the pair were well suited; they deserved one another!

      ‘If we pool out resources,’ he continued, ‘I think we might be able to pull it off.’

      There was no might in his voice, just cast iron certainty, but that was Theo Kyriakis—a man who was pretty much a stranger to self-doubt. As for resources, Beth was using all hers just to stay upright.

      ‘You will need suitable clothes, hair and so forth but yes…’ he narrowed his eyes, as though visualising the changes he spoke of ‘…I think it will work.’

      ‘Suitable for what?’ It cost nothing to humour him and she was actually curious to know where he was going with this.

      ‘The celebration meal tonight, we will go together as a couple and test the waters.’

      She waited for the punchline but none came. Her jaw dropped. ‘You’re serious…my God, you’re insane.’

      Theo looked totally unperturbed by her response. ‘One man’s insanity is another man’s inspiration.’

      This smooth retort drew a choked laugh from Beth—he really was unbelievable.

      ‘Inspired!’ She shook her head. ‘You’re not inspired; you’re stark raving mad! No one is going to believe we’re a couple.’

      ‘They will; just trust me on this, Elizabeth.’ She looked at him, so smooth and persuasive, and thought sure, like she’d trust a politician during election year. ‘When we were kids, Andreas always wanted the flavour of ice cream I got.’

      ‘I’m not an ice cream.’ As if she could become part of some romantic triangle! Or was it quadrangle? Absurd did not do the suggestion justice.

      ‘But you are—or could be—an attractive woman.’

      It was a clinical assessment and one that was made with no hint of sexual suggestion. Despite this, or maybe because of it, under her dismissive expression Beth experienced a swell of tentative excitement.

      Could she really be beautiful?

      She shook her head and adopted a scornful expression but, underneath, the tempting possibilities continued to slide through her mind. What would it be like to have Andreas look at her as though she were an attractive woman?

      ‘What have you got to lose?’

      ‘I’m assuming you’re talking about something beyond sanity and self-respect?’

      ‘You want Andreas.’ The blunt pronouncement made Beth shift uncomfortably. ‘Will you ever forgive yourself if you don’t try?’

      Theo watched the expressions flit across her face and gave a nod of satisfaction. He had sold enough deals to know when he had clinched it; she might not be happy about it and it might take a few more minutes of fairly pointless protest but Elizabeth Farley would play the game.